Shows
AdTalk by AdClassAI Clones, Direct Response & the Future of Ads (with Tobias Allen)Ex-Acquisition.com Director Tobias Allen on AI, Branding & Direct ResponseIn this episode, Tobias Allen joins Dakota Hermes to talk about how AI is reshaping marketing, what brand really means in 2025, and why the fundamentals of persuasion never die. They break down what’s working in paid ads right now, how to think about brand vs. direct response, and how marketers can stay dangerous in the AI era.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode! And if...
2025-10-081h 13AdTalk by AdClassThis 5-Step Ads Framework Will Fix Your ROAS (Based on $150M in Spend)Most ad accounts don’t stall out of nowhere (unless you literally only launched a set-and-forget way back in 2020). You need to know where to look and how to fix an underperforming account before it really causes a problem. Lucky for you, The AdClass 5-Step Diagnostic Playbook is here to save the day!Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew show how they audit and diagnose ad accounts to spot the true constraint fast: offer, funnel math, creative congruence, and signs of fatigue, audience strategy, and working out the finer points of data around attribution and optimization. They also cover hy...
2025-09-2442 minAdTalk by AdClassWhat’s Working In Paid Advertising RIGHT NOWThe world of advertising moves fast. What worked last week might flop today. In this “state of the union” episode, Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew break down what’s actually working right now in paid advertising, with a special look at how organic content is reshaping the way ad campaigns are being built and scaled.The team dives into the power of organic-style content, why webinars are making a comeback, why speed-to-lead setter teams are changing the game, and how the trust recession is shaping ad creative in 2025. They also explore the role of AI in video ads, predic...
2025-08-2731 minAdTalk by AdClassVibe Marketing Has Changed Advertising Forever!You've probably heard of vibe marketing, but what exactly is it? Sometimes the best marketing isn’t about hard selling at all, it’s about creating a vibe people want to be part of. In a world oversaturated with CTAs and scarcity plays, audiences are gravitating toward brands that feel authentic, intentional, and emotionally magnetic. And with the rise of AI integrations into workflows, we are truly experiencing a new frontier for getting your message out in a fresh way.In this episode, Dakota and Matthew unpack the rise of vibe marketing, how to create content that sell...
2025-08-1333 minAdTalk by AdClassHow We Took a Client from Zero Paid Closes to 28X Return in 2025When a client comes to you after spending $340K on ads with zero sales attributed, where do you even start? In this episode, Caleb and Matthew break down the exact steps they took to turn a restaurant POS account with plenty of spend but no results into a funnel that’s now producing a 28X LTV return. From fixing funnel gaps to improving lead quality and dialing in creative, this is a real-world case study of what’s working right now.Caleb and Matthew walk through key lessons from this turnaround, such as why intent-driven funnels matter, how...
2025-06-0427 minAdTalk by AdClassPattern Interrupts, AI Slop, and the Return of Realness in AdsIs the era of overly polished, AI-generated ads finally dying? In this episode, Caleb and Matthew sit down with performance strategist Elly Charland to break down what’s actually working in ad creative right now, from viral hooks and pattern interrupts to low-budget videos that outperform studio shoots. It’s a deep dive into why “realness” is winning and how even a phone-filmed ad can dominate in 2025.The gang unpack everything from rage-baiting and Thanos memes to the creative gold found in simple Instagram stories. You’ll hear why organic and paid content need to work together, how to avo...
2025-06-0333 minAdTalk by AdClassHow To Turn Remote Work Culture Into ResultsBuilding a strong company culture without a physical office might sound challenging historically speaking, but it’s been one of the most central reasons for growing our fully remote team to a point of amazing success. With insights on everything workplace culture including the importance of daily team syncs and celebrating wins to hiring with intentionality and leading with trust, we’re sharing what’s working for us with our 30-person success formula (plus a few hilarious stories along the way).In this episode, Caleb and Matthew dive into the real rhythms behind remote work culture, including how to...
2025-03-2036 minAdTalk by AdClassIs 2025 the Year of the Low-Ticket Offer?In 2025, high-ticket sales aren’t as simple as they used to be. With rising ad costs and a growing trust recession, buyers are more skeptical than ever. So how do you keep high-ticket conversions strong? One solution is low-ticket offers. A well-placed low-ticket product can serve as a bridge, building trust and qualifying serious buyers before they ever reach your high-ticket offer. But if you’re running only low-ticket, you might be stuck in a volume game with shrinking margins. In this episode, Caleb and Matthew explore the relationship between high and low ticket offers, how to integ...
2025-03-0514 minAdTalk by AdClassAI-Proof Your Job (By Using AI)Don't call it a comeback! Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew return to catch up on how the marketing landscape looks in the wake of the continued rise of AI.AI has been a hot topic globally in almost every industry for the last few years, but it is undeniably reaching new heights in recent months. With new ChatGPT models released more and more frequently, companies developing new AI-centric tools inhouse, and competitors such as DeepSeak driving innovation, 2025 will be the year that marketing is changed forever. Are you ready?The lads get together to discuss the...
2025-02-191h 01AdTalk by AdClassUnlock Data Accuracy - How Conversions API is Changing Meta AdsWondering how to optimize your Meta ads in today’s privacy-first world? Dakota and Matthew break down the Conversions API (CAPI) and explain how it can drastically improve your ad performance by solving the issues caused by browser-based tracking limitations.Learn what CAPI is, how it works, and why it plays a pivotal role in better targeting and more accurate data. From real-world examples to best practices, we'll get you caught up with everything you need to know to stay ahead of the competition.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with al...
2024-10-1633 minAdTalk by AdClassAn AdClass Success Story (with Jon Chintanaroad)Call cost cut in half WHILE call quality increased? In the high-ticket world, having a marketing team behind your back that works hard to deliver strong results means everything. But that's not all that Jon Chintanaroad found when he signed AdClass to handle marketing for his business Recruiting Accelerator. Caleb recently sat down with Jon (at Jon's request) to talk about his experience working with AdClass so far, the results that have allowed his team to grow in a short span of time, and how AdClass has gone above and beyond any other marketing agency he's ever...
2024-07-1716 min
Do Not Disturb"I Just Cried for the First Time in 10 Years"Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew talk about the emotional changes that fatherhood and marriage bring, how they view emotional expression as men, and why a blue cartoon dog opened the floodgates.
2024-04-2417 minAdTalk by AdClassHow Election Years Impact Digital MarketingRemember the 2016 and 2020 elections? Other than the political ramifications, there were huge shifts in the online marketing world too. As a result, election years have become minefields to navigate ever since.Caleb and Dakota talk about what those shifts could look like in 2024 as we enter the new election cycle, what they're already seeing in ad accounts, and best practices to make sure you don't get penalized.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode!If you...
2024-03-1332 minDo Not DisturbTaking Big LeapsMoving on up! Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew discuss some recent big changes at work and at home, why change is a catalyst for growth, and reflect on times throughout their lives when they've taken big leaps that pushed them further than they thought possible.
2024-03-1347 minDo Not DisturbAnd That's How I Met Your Mother!It's time to feel the love! Caleb, Dakota, and Matthew talk about their relationship journeys, what married life looks like, and how work fits into the equation of enjoying a life with family and loved ones.
2024-02-2148 minAdTalk by AdClassThe PERFECT Ad Funnel for High Ticket Offers in 2024 is…We know high-ticket sales and paid media inside out, so if you're in this area of digital marketing and struggling to get highly qualified leads, this is for you!Dakota and Matthew discuss the best ad funnel that is running game in the high-ticket marketing world and one that will change how you run your ads in 2024 (and beyond)...If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode!If you have a moment, please rate and share!
2024-02-0745 minDo Not DisturbAre You Burnt Out?Caleb is out on paternity leave! Dakota and Matthew get excited for when Caleb comes back and what work looks like in the season of babies and flux. Later they consider the topic of burnout and what is at the heart of a healthy work approach.
2024-01-3151 minDo Not DisturbBalancing Risk And FulfillmentDakota is back from paternity leave! The guys talk through what their respective leave experiences have looked like for them before discussing the seasons of life and work that have shaped their family and career goals.
2024-01-1748 minDo Not DisturbEntrepreneurship And The Single Life (With John Cardis)Caleb and Matthew are joined by John Cardis, a business owner seeking to live his daily life with holistic personal development as the true goal. The guys chat about maintaining a work-life balance while running a company, setting healthy daily habits, and preparing yourself for the hope of a future relationship even while you're in a holding pattern.To connect with John and see more of what he's got cooking, click here!
2024-01-0344 minAdTalk by AdClassMaximizing Sales in 2024 (with Austin Medlin)What would a huge boost in sales output look like for you this year? Today's guest, CloseSales.com founder Austin Medlin, explores the factors that are constantly in play when working out how to turn a lead into a sale. Spoiler alert: if you're not converting leads, you might be the problem...Caleb sits down with Austin to discuss his background in sales, what key lessons he has learned about understanding the lead conversion process, and the critical advice you can take into 2024 to ensure your closing rate (and your revenue) is as high as possible.
2024-01-0330 minDo Not Disturb"What's For Dinner?" And Other Questions Not To Ask A New MotherCaleb, Dakota, and Matthew chat about their experiences of fatherhood so far, how they manage the tension between work and time with their families, making the most of paternity leave in the afterglow of the birth experience, and the role men play in being a supportive partner (especially in the early newborn days).
2023-12-1345 minDo Not DisturbDo Not Disturb - Our StoryCan you build the life you want and also live it? We’ve been led to believe that success must come at the expense of something: time, peace, the ability to relax, sleep… But what if success is actually being able to enjoy the things you work for? For us, we reject the 24/7 hustle culture, the always-on work mentality, and choose to turn on Do Not Disturb.Join AdClass founders Caleb Cruz and Dakota Hermes, plus AdClass strategist Matthew Gosling, as they talk through how they find joy and fulfillment each day through a healthy work-life balance that...
2023-11-2247 minAdTalk by AdClassTaylor Swift & Travis Kelce: Marketing Campaign of the YearBefore you swipe away, no this isn't TMZ. However, the culture-dominating relationship between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce is having a widespread impact on the marketing world.Call it what you want but after a cruel summer for the economy, it feels like everything has changed. So is this a love story, or just a sweet nothing designed to rake in revenue? Caleb and Dakota talk it out to get some closure... Ready for it?In other news, TikTok roll out a brand new feature making auto-captions default across the platform, and X/Twitter continues...
2023-11-0142 minAdTalk by AdClassAttitude Is Everything (with Weston Hudspeth)What does success look like to you? And what would it take to achieve it? Today's guest knows a lot about what it means to work hard for what he wants, but also what it takes to succeed not only in business but also personally in a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Attitude is everything. Get ready to be inspired!Caleb and Dakota sit down with Weston Hudspeth to discuss the current state of the high-ticket offer market, what it takes to be a top 1% sales closer, and the valuable life lessons that can be learned along the way...
2023-09-2739 minAdTalk by AdClassSnapchat - The Defining App of 2023?Out of nowhere, Snapchat announced itself as the fastest-growing social media platform of 2023 so far, outperforming the likes of TikTok, Instagram and, yes, Threads. Did we secretly time-travel back to 2013? And what does it mean for advertising?In other news, Elon Musk keeps stepping on rakes he places in front of himself by announcing the end of the block feature on X/Twitter, Meta weighs up a subscription system for ad-free experiences on their apps, Peacock embraces the power of email to increase subscriber engagement, the NFL returns to Amazon Prime on Thursday nights, and La-Z Boy...
2023-09-1347 minAdTalk by AdClass90K Monthly Revenue in Under a Year (with Dr. Matt Shiver)What would you do if your monthly revenue grew from $6k to over $90k in less than a year? That's exactly what happened to AdClass student Dr. Matt Shiver, who launched his coaching offer into the stratosphere through paid advertising!To find out how it all went down, Dakota and Caleb discuss with Matt the critical changes he made to both his organic and paid strategy to generate a perfect lead flow system, how Matt is using his passion and personality to drive the business forward, and where he hopes to be a year from now in...
2023-08-3046 minAdTalk by AdClassFive Ads That Changed The WorldSometimes in life, you just have to tip your hat to the greats...Dakota and Caleb consider what is at the core of some of the greatest and most expensive ad campaigns of all time, the legacy they left, and whether they really were worth the billions of dollars worth of cash needed to create them in the first place.If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode!Check out our free Facebook group and learn more...
2023-08-1653 minAdTalk by AdClassTwitter Rebrands to X, Threads Decline, and the Rise of Girl DinnerOne normal day of marketing. All we ask. Will never happen.The human riddle-wrapped-in-a-mystery-inside-an-enigma that is Elon Musk decided to let the bluebird fly the cage by rebranding Twitter to X (1:55). All the while, Threads (Meta's competitor to X (ugh seriously)) struggled to maintain it's record-breaking pace as post-launch engagement fell by 70% (13:30)! The battle between Elon and Zuckerberg rolls on...In other news, a potentially industry-changing meeting went down at the White House to put safeguards around AI development (21:59), Popeyes jumped on the "girl dinner" trend on TikTok with some genius viral marketing (29:50), and Barbenheimer...
2023-08-0251 minAdTalk by AdClassThreads: The Meta Record-Breaker Taking on TwitterOut of left field on July 3rd, Threads appeared on the Apple App Store with a shockingly-soon release date of July 6th. Within a week of the launch, Threads had over 100 MILLION active users on the platform thanks to one of the most impressive organic campaigns ever undertaken in the social media age. The Elon vs Zuck war has officially begun! Caleb and Dakota talk through the insane launch campaign of Threads, how Zuckerberg managed to draw first blood in his battle with Elon Musk, what Meta needs to do to ensure user retention, what advertisers can e...
2023-07-1949 minAdTalk by AdClassElon vs Zuck: Who Wins The Cage Match (And The Latest Ad News)In a turn of events that shocked literally nobody, because this is 2023 and we live in a simulation, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are reportedly preparing to fight it out IRL. Not satisfied with waging an online war of culture-defining proportions, the two billionaire man-babies are training to square up against each other in the octagon. Who will win? Will it even take place? Is this actually just about ad revenue?Caleb and Dakota talk through what the fallout of the fight could mean for the digital landscape before taking a look at some other standout stories...
2023-07-0551 minAdTalk by AdClassApple Vision Pro Just Erased MetaLate in 2021, Mark Zuckerberg announced the decision to rebrand Facebook to Meta with the intent of building the social media giant around the Metaverse, a virtual reality platform. That was cute! Then Apple announced the Vision Pro; RIP Metaverse 2021-2023.Caleb and Dakota react to the huge Apple WWDC announcement and its impact on the AR/VR industry, whether the Vision Pro is a good thing for society, how it could revolutionize the advertising landscape, and finally play with ideas of what ads could look like with virtual or augmented reality integration.If you enjoyed...
2023-06-2154 minAdTalk by AdClassAre YouTube Ads Dead? Just Bing It (And The Latest Ad News)Things are always changing in the world of advertising and marketing, so here's a State of the Union to get you caught up on everything we're clued in on (plus the usual amount of singing).After reflecting on the state of the economy (5:15), Caleb and Dakota talk through the major changes impacting advertising at YouTube (8:40), reappraise the place of Bing as a legit platform thanks to GPT-4 (22:14) and the wider rise of AI automation tools including Bard (32:24), while hitting on everything else in between (including the current state of bath mats).If you enjoyed this...
2023-06-0745 minAdTalk by AdClassWhy Ads Get Stuck In Our HeadsWe can all point to an ad or two, either from our childhood or more recently, that just stuck with us. It could have been down to any number on factors; did it have cute animals, a catchy jingle, great humor, or something else that set it apart?In this episode of AdTalk, Caleb and Dakota look back on some of their favorite ads growing up and why they had such a lasting impact (2:26).After, they dissect the psychology of fundamentally why some ads burrow homes in our memories (25:51) before considering what ads will look...
2023-05-2435 min
The Austin Zaback Show#69 - How To Turn Social Media Ads Into Millions in Profit | Caleb CruzMeet Caleb Cruz, one of the Founders of AdClass, an advertising firm that helps business owners turn ads into profit! He Won the 100 Million ClickFunnels Award helping manage some of the BIGGEST Names like Alex Hormozi, Jay Shetty, Tony Robbins, Pace Morby and Ryan Pineda. Throughout his Career he has launched more than 10 brands that have collectively generated over $110M in revenue! If you're looking to pay for Ads and convert than this is an incredible podcast to tune in to! We talk about the best platforms that will convert at the highest potential, how to win customers and...
2023-05-081h 35AdTalk by AdClassWhat Happens if TikTok Gets Banned?The state of Montana just passed legislation to ban the crazy-popular social media app TikTok. What does that mean for users, advertisers and the future of social media in America?In this episode of AdTalk, Caleb and Dakota delve into the murky situation surrounding TikTok and consider what effect a nationwide ban of the app could have.First, Caleb and Dakota discuss their own experiences of using TikTok compared to other social media platforms (1:34), the legal rollercoaster the company has been riding over the past few years (9:53) before considering some other reactions to the whole...
2023-04-2644 minAdTalk by AdClassBattle of the Ads: Meta vs. GoogleIn this episode of AdTalk, Caleb and Dakota duke it out debate club style over who is the the true king of advertising: Meta or Google?Before the debate begins, Caleb and Dakota discuss the lay of the land between the two companies (2:40) and talk about AdClass' own experience using both platforms for running ads (8:28) before getting to the battle of the ads (10:46)!If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode!Check out our free Facebook group...
2023-04-1232 minAdTalk by AdClassHow to Win Customers & Sell to PeopleIn this episode of AdTalk, Dakota and Caleb walk through how advertisers think about selling to people and the psychology behind each part of the process in the buyer journey.Dakota and Caleb break the process down into three parts: audience awareness and research (1:57), communicating to your target audience (11:02), and lastly getting consistent results through presenting your offer as best as possible (23:39). These three points are the foundations of any successful marketing campaign, so take notes and prepare to learn what it takes to create longterm wins!If you enjoyed this episode and want to...
2023-03-2933 minAdTalk by AdClassWhat the Heck is Going On at Twitter?!In this episode of AdTalk, Dakota and Caleb attempt to wade through the troubled waters of Twitter.Dakota and Caleb try to sum up the situation up until this point (03:45), discuss the ramifications of Elon Musk's takeover on Twitter's advertising position (10:07), and close the episode by checking out some other commentator's views about Twitter's foggy future (25:06).If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things advertising, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss another episode!Check out our free Facebook group and learn more about how to turn...
2023-03-1541 minAdTalk by AdClassWill AI Replace Me in the Next Five Years?In this episode of AdTalk, Dakota Hermes and Caleb Cruz (co-founders of AdClass) reflect on the recent rise of artificial intelligence and the impact it could have on the marketing workforce.Dakota and Caleb begin by discussing their views on the future of artificial intelligence and how AdClass is integrating certain AI tools into their workflow (02:06), then compete in a winner-isn't-killed-by-the-singularity contest of identifying whether copy samples have been written either by our future AI overlords or by a lowly mortal copywriter (19:10).If you enjoyed this episode and want to keep up with all things...
2023-03-0143 minAdTalk by AdClassWhat Makes a Winning Super Bowl Ad?In this first episode of AdTalk, Dakota Hermes and Caleb Cruz (co-founders of AdClass) discuss the cultural reach and effectiveness of the most mythicized form of media advertising: the Super Bowl ad.Dakota and Caleb start off by reviewing some of their favorite ads from this year's Super Bowl (04:01) before reacting to a selection of the best and worst ads in Super Bowl history.Bridgestone - Reply All (24:10)Bud Light - Slap (27:46)Reebok - Terry Tate (31:59)Sony Ericcson - Xperia Play (36:53)Bud Light - Magic Fridge (43:51)Sierra Mist - The Kilt (48:14)Tide - It's A Tide...
2023-02-141h 00
W&L After Class, the Lifelong Learning PodcastFind Your People: Absolut(e) W&L with Amanda BowerProfessor Amanda Bower, the head of the Business Administration department and the Charles C. Holbrook, Jr. '72 Professor of Business Administration, is widely known for her popular "AdClass.” She also started the AdLib Conferenceon W&L's campus.
2022-07-1259 min
Cody Builds a BusinessEp. 318 - Evergreen Sales System Pt. 2 - The Evergreen Lead MagnetNow that we have our Can't Miss Offer, it' time to create an Evergreen Lead Magnet.They go hand in hand. The Lead Magnet solves a problem which builds momentum and trust...Which sets up our Can't Miss Offer.In the next episode we'll bring it home with the Urgency Building Deadline.Mini Course Example: www.onehourfunnel.com/adscourseMini Workshop Example: www.codyburch.com/adclass
2021-01-1315 minCody Builds a BusinessEp. 307 - Behind The Scenes of My Ad Writing ClassMy first ever paid 2-hr workshop is in the books. It was awesome and worth repeating. This episode breaks down all the details.If you want help writing ads that convert go here: http://codyburch.com/adclass
2020-11-0219 minCody Builds a BusinessEp. 306 - The Power of A Well-Written AdWhat if you could outsource the marketing of your business? No more IG story-ing your day, no more unending blog posts and social connections and 1:1 conversations.Every day I send my ads out into the world and they go find me people. People who I can help. And if you wanna harness the power of 1 great ad, come to the ad class.Learn more and register here: http://codyburch.com/adclass
2020-10-2607 minCody Builds a BusinessEp. 305 - Unconscious Competencies & Mindless MasteryWhat do you get asked about all the time that you mindlessly answer b/c it comes to naturally to you?Today we talk about "unconscious competencies" and how to use them to grow our business.And if you want to come to the Ad Class click here: codyburch.com/adclass
2020-10-2013 min