Shows
The Firehouse SalonEp 34 - LIVE - 99 Non ZebrasIn this episode, we dive into the legacy of Howard Luck Goss and explore creativity, environment, and unconventional thinking. Guests Ali Grant - Designer and inventor of the Halo and John Kieselhorst - Co-Creative Director of Geezer Creative share their unique perspectives. Ali discusses his pioneering work with Halo Sound Systems and its focus on providing immersive, respectful sound experiences in natural settings. John explores the overlooked potential of the over-fifty demographics in advertising and the significance of purpose-driven creativity. We talked about the historical and cultural parallels between the 1960s and today, tou...2025-05-2258 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 32 - LIVE - It's Magic When it WorksIn this episode we explored the topic of magic and communication, particularly how persuasion and manipulation shape media and advertising.Our guests:Maz Farrely - Exec Producer of so many shows you've watchedLindsay Campbell-Crafts - Communications ManagerBen Dietz - Chief Strategy Officer, former Partner at Vice Mediahave eclectic experiences in television production, community, creative communications and media. We discussed the transformative power of developing formats, the cultural nuances in global advertising, and how true engagement often stems from authenticity and relatability. We explored the broader implications o...2025-04-2451 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 31 - That Old Black, White, or Pango Peach MagicIn this episode, we delve into the theme of magic in human belief, particularly magical thinking and its impact on advertising and communication. The hosts explore Howard Luck Gossage's ideas on how magical thinking has been leveraged in marketing, juxtaposed with real-life examples from their own experiences in storycraft.We discussed the responsibility of using magical thinking ethically, the thin line between persuasion and manipulation, and how authentic storytelling can create powerful, positive changes in society. Our conversation also touched on the nostalgic allure of traditional magic shows and the intrinsic human desire for wonder and optimism. 2025-04-0938 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 30 - LIVE - Turning Ideas into ActionIn this episode of the Firehouse Salon, host Ash, along with our guests:Sophie Whippy - TediophobesJérémie Maret - ArtistShane Elliot - SculptorGuillem Gallego - Chief Marketing Officerdelve into the process of ideation and creativity. The guests, ranging from artists to entrepreneurs, share their unique perspectives on how ideas are born, developed, and brought to fruition. We talked about the intrinsic motivation behind creative work, the role of audience in artistic endeavours, and the balance between inspiration and execution, the triumphs each guest encounters in...2025-03-2652 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 29 - The Shape of an Idea and How to Draw OneIn this episode, James & Ash explore Howard Luck Gossage's sixth chapter from 'The Book of Gossage,' examining his critique of traditional advertising and his belief in advertising's power to spread meaningful ideas.They discuss creative approaches, the emotional impact of effective advertising, and practical strategies for idea generation. The conversation also covers Gossage's thoughts on problem-solving and the vital connection between creator, audience, and idea.00:00 Welcome to the Firehouse Salon00:31 Exploring the Book of Gossage02:46 Advertising's True Purpose04:17 The Pink Air Campaign06:22 Modern Advertising Trends14:24 Creative Processes and Methodologies2025-03-1130 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 28 - LIVE - "Culture is an Ever-Evolving Concept"In this episode of the Firehouse Salon, host Ash chats to this Eps guests: Jenna, a documentary filmmaker with a background in neuroscience; Ammie, a multidisciplinary artist; Abdallah, a cultural expert from Abu Dhabi working on the Saadiyat Cultural District; and Mick Wilson, tech editor of DJMAG UK Global. In this episode, we dig into how human behavior and cultural influences shape each other, explore why spaces matter so much in art and culture, and question how technology is changing the way we consume culture.We also look at art's role in helping us make s...2025-02-1847 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 27 - Culture is a lousy word to describe what [Humankind] is all aboutIn this episode of the Firehouse Salon, we delve into the complex world of culture with Howard Luck Gossage and his 'firehouse gang'. We discuss how culture is often something to support rather than genuinely enjoy, and explore the insights it provides into our past, present, and future. The conversation covers the impact of Gossage's work in advertising, the role of authenticity in brand content, and the blending of cultural products with marketing. From highbrow references in ad campaigns to the rise of agile companies like A24, the dialogue highlights the evolving standards of communication and the i...2025-01-2919 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 26 - Is Advertising Worth SavingTime to have a conversation with the man at that started our journey with the Salon - Howard Luck Gossage.And time for us to reset our approach in our second year. Feel free to take a look at our vision & format for 2025 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UJg43IlSKAh53WJzLdpWYwASB6OEcL3ZyjN9HE7WsYs/edit?usp=sharing2025-01-1315 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 25 - Reforesting Times SquareThis time our highlights one of Gossage's notable campaigns for Blitz Weinhardt Beer during the Oregon centennial, which humorously proposed reforesting Times Square to compensate New Yorkers for the beer's unavailability. The campaign garnered massive attention despite its outlandish nature. Furthermore, Gossage's playful and inclusive copywriting style, often featuring collaborative projects with renowned figures like Stan Freeberg, and his inclination towards creating memorable ads.2024-12-1911 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 24 - LIVE London - The Creative Science of InterestingnessIn this episode, we delve into the lively discussions from the latest Firehouse Salon Live held in London. Host Ashley Pollak brings together three intriguing guests—Oliver Turnbull, a technology consultant and comedian; Ash Bhardwaj, a journalist and author; and Barnaby Cook, a video production expert. The conversation spans a variety of topics, including the importance of asking questions, the concept of eroticism in travel, the motivations behind why we travel, techniques for making any topic interesting and the role of curiosity in journalism. Join us as we uncover how to engineer peak moments of inte...2024-11-2725 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 23 - World's Ugliest Lawn - Gossagey WorkIn this edition of the pod we discuss the influence of Howard Luck Gossage on modern advertising with guest Johan Gustafsson, Partner at the Swedish creative agency Differ. Johan shares insights on Differ's ethos of creating impactful and sustainability-focused campaigns. We explore examples of their work - 'Gotland's Ugliest Lawn' contest, an initiative to conserve water, and 'Sweden's Oldest Spice,' aimed at reducing food waste. Johan emphasises the importance of creativity, simplicity, and being open to unconventional ideas in achieving meaningful change. He also discusses the agency's focus on earned media campaigns, their cautious sel...2024-11-0639 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 22 - LIVE LA - Can I be Honest?Exploring the power of honesty and authenticity in Tech, Business, and Art. Our panel includes Elizabeth - An Olympic athlete with experience combining comedy & tech pitches.Julian - Tech entrepreneur and Immersive StorytellerDee - Talent & HR expert - fromer Amazon/Goldman and now working at UCLAand Ian - story scientist & former Head of Video Strategy at Conde NastKey topics include the impact of honesty on productivity and creativity, corporate culture, and digital representation. We also explore philosophical perspectives on art created by humans versus AI and the authentic hu...2024-10-2157 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 21 - If you're driving down the road...Your hosts James King and Ashley Pollak dive into Gossage's legendary work, where he flipped advertising on its head by embracing radical authenticity.Ever heard of an ad that doesn’t even mention the brand? Gossage did just that.Join us as we explore how Gossage’s wild ideas can inspire today’s advertisers to embrace honesty, absurdity, and a touch of chaos. 2024-10-1018 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 20 - LIVE Ibiza - Crafting communities that stickThis episode features a rich discussion on building and sustaining interconnected, resilient communities transitioning from virtual to in-person interactions. Set in The Firehouse Salon at The Hub co-working space, the dialogue includes insights from Amy (PR consultant), Sam (co-founder of The Hub), and Will (head of production at Pasha). Key topics include the significance of capping memberships to maintain intimacy, balancing scaling with close-knit atmospheres, and the role of vulnerability and open-mindedness in fostering connections. Highlighting lessons from the electronic music scene and iconic venues like Pasha, the conversation underscores the importance of sustainability, feedback, and passion i...2024-09-2636 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 19 - Write a LetterIn this episode, hosts Ashley Pollak and James King discuss the lost art of letter writing. Turning to their patron saint, Howard Gossage, they explore how his letter writing turned ink into conversation and later collaborations with iconic figures like John Steinbeck and Marshall McLuhan.From putting pen to paper to sending voice notes, Ashley and James share how they have used unconventional forms of communication to open doors and forge new relationships.Whether you're looking for a reason to reach out to someone you admire, or you're wondering what the modern equivalent of a...2024-09-1825 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 18 - Gossagey Work - Liquid DeathThis episode features an insightful conversation with Andy Pearson, VP of Creative at Liquid Death. Discover how Liquid Death's unique approach to humour-driven, engaging, and purpose-driven marketing parallels Gossage’s philosophy. Andy shares his journey from ad school to building a radically creative brand, discussing standout campaigns and the strategy behind Liquid Death’s success. This episode underscores the importance of entertainment and genuine engagement in marketing.00:00 Introduction to the Firehouse Salon and Howard Gossage03:15 The Creative Journey of Andy and Liquid Death05:41 Innovative Marketing Strategies and Campaigns08:32 The Philosophy Behind Liqu...2024-09-0541 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 17 - LIVE - Don't be Absurd!Our latest monthly online meetup bringing together diverse minds come together to discuss topics aimed at broadening perspectives.This episode host Ashley Pollak brings together a fantastic group of humans - Motorbike Innovator Hugo Eccles, Comedian Pierre Hollins, Creative Craftsman Jamie Bell and my Tediophobe Sophie Whippy We delved into the concept of absurdity, particularly how it can be based on either nonsensical or hardworking principles to effectively communicate serious messages. Explored various examples of successful campaigns utilising absurdity, including famous ads like the Monty Python radio ad and campaigns by brands like Liquid Death an...2024-08-2846 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 16 - A Kangaroo, Tomato Paste & Pink AirIn this episode hosts Ashley Pollak and James King explore the groundbreaking work of advertising legend Howard Gossage, focusing on his use of absurdity and humour. They discuss how Howard challenged industry norms with campaigns like the Qantas Airlines promotion, where he offered a live kangaroo as a prize, and his partnership with comedian Stan Freberg on the Contadina tomato paste ads, which helped the brand rise to the top of its market. The conversation also covers Howard's Pink Air campaign for FINA, where he humorously promoted the fictional "pink air" for tires, creating engagement and community around the...2024-08-1521 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 15 - LIVE - Attention in an Attention Deficit EraWe delve into the multifaceted world of attention in today's digital age, traversing the spectrum of focused obsession and casual consumption, unravelling how attention works, its implications for both content creators and consumers.2024-08-0141 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 14 - The International Paper Airplane CompetitionJoin hosts Ashley Polak and James King as they delve into the inventive world of advertising legend Howard Gossage. In this episode, they explore Gossage's unique approach to capturing attention through the ingenious paper airplane competition, created to entice major airlines to advertise in Scientific American. Discover how Gossage's playful and interactive campaign not only met its objectives but also became a cultural phenomenon, drawing entries from around the globe and securing extensive media coverage. Learn about the strategies behind the campaign, the humorous and creative elements involved, and the enduring impact of Gossage's innovative ad...2024-07-0517 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 13 - LIVE - Can coupons start conversations?Welcome to The Firehouse Salon Live. In this episode Emma Stackhouse, Ashley Pollak, Sam Richardson, Adam Skuse, and Justin Obermann discuss how Gossage’s approach to interactive and participatory advertising is still relevant. The panel explores how modern brands can integrate personalisation and tactile experiences, akin to Gossage's use of coupons, in a digital age. They delve into the impact of social media and platforms like LinkedIn, emphasising the importance of bravery in creative marketing, and the potential for reinstating more human, conversational elements in advertising. 2024-05-3138 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 12 - Dear Miss Afflerbach"This is a story about an ad. It also says a good many implicit things about the ad-reading public...You can take a look at the ad hereThe ad is question sang the praises of a certain make of shirt, and it appeared in the New Yorker. In order to demonstrate the excellence of the shirtmaker's workmanship, a handkerchief-sized piece of shirting mysteriously equipped with buttonhole and pocket was offered free to readers who would write in and say what they thought the thing was for. Suddenly the "Shirtkerchief" was famous and Miss Afflerbach...2024-05-2222 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 11 - LIVE - Can Advertising STILL create cultural phenomenons?Join us as we recreate the Firehouse Salon that Howard Gossage and his gang ran in the 1960s. This month, we will be discussing a campaign created by Gossage which inspired a fashion revolution, and exploring if that's STILL possible today...2024-05-0846 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 10 - Beethoven Sweatshirts: Saving a classical radio station & kickstarting a cultural momentA beer company, classical music radio station and clothes manufacturer walk into a bar... and create a never-seen-before product paving the way for fashion in years to come.You can take a look at the ad that started the story hereBut instead of a bar, imagine an ad agency in the heart of San Francisco.And instead of a bartender fixing the drinks, imagine Howard Gossage (ad-man meets Socrates) fixing all their business problems with one simple ad.2024-04-2421 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 9 - LIVE - Radical Slick - Is Journalism still stirring the beehive?In this live edition of the show join recovering journalist Pia Hinckle, New Yorker journalist Nick Romeo, Radio Producer Jago Lee, Writer James King and your host Ashley Pollak as we explore all things radical, including what it means to 'stir the beehive.' 🐝Hinckle gained his reputation as the radical author and editor of Ramparts Magazine - a spectacular San Francisco muckraker that captured the spirit of the 60s and repeatedly scooped the New York Times, revolutionising American journalism forever.Today, when journalism has largely become an extension of clickbait marketing or the all-too-familiar 'sa...2024-04-0838 minThe Firehouse SalonEp 8 - Ramparts magazineIn this episode we "uncover the largely untold story of Ramparts magazine, the spectacular San Francisco muckraker that captured the zeitgeist of the '60s and repeatedly scooped the New York Times, changing American journalism forever"You can see a selection of the amazing covers from the magazine hereWe interview Peter Richardson who has written critically acclaimed books about the Grateful Dead, Ramparts magazine, and Carey McWilliams, the radical author & journalist of The Nation magazine.About the show - We've now got into a rhythm with our format. New episodes will now...2024-03-2740 min