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Hosted by Dusty Weis · 🇺🇸 US · EN · 75 episodes
Established thought leaders with verified media credentials.
Compelling tales from the world of public relations, marketing and branding, told by the well-meaning communications professionals who lived them. Lead Balloon is like Freakonomics for communicators and media consumers. It's a show where we tell stories from communications industry leaders, brands that everyone knows and loves (or hates), and spectacular PR disasters. With immersive storytelling and a wry sense of humor, host Dusty Weis (nominated for "Best Indie Podcast Host" at the 2026 Podcast Academy awards) revisits epic PR disasters, intense communications scenarios, professional inflection points and notable campaigns we all remember, and usually finds a reason to chuckle. Because sometimes, there are important lessons to be learned from someone else's worst day. And sometimes, it's just more convenient than group therapy. Lead Balloon is an award-winning program, named by Adweek as "Marketing Podcast of the Year," nominated for a W
Dusty Weis hosts Lead Balloon - Marketing, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Stories, a business show with 75 episodes published.
The annals of internet history are littered with cautionary tales from young people who became internet famous. From “Star Wars Kid” (Ghyslain Raza) to “Overly Attached Girlfriend” (Laina Morris), many viral stars of the
The strategy at the heart of the Snapple brand's precipitous rise... and its cataclysmic fall... is simple. "Embrace your roots. Celebrate authenticity." It's a lesson that's been served up again and again in the brands
In 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment sparked an international diplomatic crisis when it announced its latest comedy, which they called “The Interview.” Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Randall Park as a parodied ve
Home to the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Golf Club typically serves as a backdrop for sports drama. But in 2002, the club itself became the story, as its men-only membership policy came under the microscope i
Since the government shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, something has changed in the national conversation about the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. And the primary reason it’s happening
It was four years ago that the Twitter account for legendary beer brand Pabst Blue Ribbon tweeted out: "Not drinking this January? Try eating ass!" And we're FINALLY talking to the guy who did it. Because Corey Smale—who
15 years ago, if you had googled Ben Kollenbroich’s name, you would have discovered that his life story was the inspiration for “Good Luck Chuck,” a mid-budget, critically-panned romantic comedy starring Dane Cook and Je
Earlier this month, a new startup announced that they would be using artificial intelligence to churn out thousands of podcast episodes voiced by A.I. podcast hosts. Inception Point A.I. claims to be able to fashion 3,00
Most people get travel information about road closures from Google Maps, Apple Maps or a similar smartphone-based application. But when a road is closed, most transportation agencies put out a press release. And this dis
Wikipedia readers consume nearly one billion articles per day from the online encyclopedia. In its 25 years of operation, this compendium of human knowledge has become an integral tool for understanding the world in whic
In the world of business, yet again, things looks grim. A brewing trade war, the uncharted fallout of artificial intelligence, and political upheaval around the world... All these factors have created an atmosphere of bu
What you see online is not real. This has long been a reliable axiom for information consumption on the internet. But social media and SEO marketers have long relied on their engagement metrics as an exception to that ru
There is a weird, enigmatic old billboard along the interstate in Wisconsin promoting a "Sales & Marketing Tip of the Week." Without any branding or context, this weathered sign invites thousands of motorists daily to ca
After more than a decade of living in an entertainment golden age... Filled with more and better options, with less advertising, than ever before in human history... Are the good times over? Almost every major streaming
Three weeks after accepting a new role as an American Airlines spokeswoman in 1995, Jennifer R. Hudson was paged out of bed in the middle of the night. The worst had happened. Flight 965 had disappeared in the mountains
At the height of the Cola Wars in the mid-90's, Pepsi committed one of the most notorious PR and marketing fiascos of all-time. An eye-catching spot promised brand fans that, if they saved up 7 million Pepsi Points, they
Earned media has long been the holy grail of public relations. For decades, getting your client's message in the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal has been the gold standard by which PR agencies are judged. But a
Alex Jones, founder of the extremist conspiracy-theory-peddling digital brand Infowars, has proved again and again that there is no lie he will not embrace and no moral line he will not cross. For his own, personal benef
The videos and stories we’ve seen and heard from Hurricanes Helene and Milton over the last month have been truly horrific. They're an important reminder that the rescue and recovery crews who rush into these disaster zo
The image of 1988 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis riding in a tank has become synonymous with abject public relations failure. For marketers and PR practitioners, it serves as an enduring reminder of th
Seth Rogen
1 appearance on this show
James Franco
1 appearance on this show
Joe Pulizzi
Creator Monetization, Events Industry, Content Marketing, Building Profitable Assets · Content Marketing Institute
1 appearance on this show
Dr. Kyle Brown
Owner of Kyle Brown Performance and Northeast Speed Lab Director for Universal Speed Rating · Dog Days Music Festival
1 appearance on this show
Andy Pearson
VP of Creative · Prestonwood Church
1 appearance on this show
Joe Rogan
1 appearance on this show
Mike Moore
full-time firefighter and fence builder
1 appearance on this show
Molly McPherson
Host of the Indestructible PR podcast
1 appearance on this show
Josh King
Head Coach · Edmunds Automotive Repair
1 appearance on this show
Kevin Sullivan
disability rights activist, accessibility consultant · Conectiv Supply Chain Solutions
1 appearance on this show
Valerie Fridland
professor of linguistics · University of Nevada, Reno
1 appearance on this show
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Lead Balloon - Marketing, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Stories is hosted by Dusty Weis. The show is categorised under business (marketing) and has published 75 episodes.
Lead Balloon - Marketing, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Stories has published 75 episodes.
Lead Balloon - Marketing, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Stories regularly covers business, marketing, news. It sits in the business category, with a marketing focus.
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Episodes of Lead Balloon - Marketing, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Stories average 39 minutes. a focused format where a clear narrative arc and tight preparation matter most.
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