The Imaginary World of Audio Ads

Ad Infinitum

In this episode of Ad Infinitum, host Stew Redwine is joined by Eric Molinsky—journalist, audio producer, and host of Imaginary Worlds—to explore how advertising creates universes of its own through storytelling, sound design, and the audience’s imagination.

Ads aren’t just persuasive messages—they’re narrative constructs. Just like great novels or blockbuster movies, audio ads have the power to build immersive worlds. Whether it’s the cinematic lore of Apple, the absurdist multiverse of Geico, or the familiar nostalgia of Coca-Cola’s holiday canon, brands are world-building. The question is—how do they make it believable?

Drawing on his expertise from covering sci-fi, fantasy, and fictional world-building, Eric helps unpack how those same principles apply to advertising. From the “theater of the mind” that makes audio so immersive, to the use of recurring characters, in-world logic, and even breaking the fourth wall—this conversation offers a crash course in ad storytelling for every creative and Chief Audio Officer looking to level up.

Then, in true Ad Infinitum fashion, Stew and Eric analyze real podcast ads from Rocket Money, Capital One, USAA, American Express, and Bank of America, as tracked by Magellan AI. How well do they construct imaginary worlds—and where do they fall short?

You’ll hear:
🌍 Why audio ads are the ultimate world-building medium
🧠 How fiction techniques help audiences suspend disbelief
🎭 When to break the fourth wall—and when not to
🛠️ What ads get wrong about storytelling (and how to fix it)

Whether you’re a marketer, a writer, or a brand trying to make a mark—this episode will reframe how you think about advertising. Because the best ads don’t just sell. They transport.

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Support the show

Ad Infinitum is Presented by Oxford Road and Produced by Caitlyn Spring & Ezra Fox, MFA, written & hosted by Stew Redwine, and sound designed by John Mattaliano, with audio production by Zach Hahn.

Chapters

1. The Imaginary World of Audio Ads (00:00:00)

2. [Ad] Everyday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AI (00:14:41)

3. (Cont.) The Imaginary World of Audio Ads (00:15:29)

4. [Ad] Scale Faster with The Growth Hack (00:30:14)

5. (Cont.) The Imaginary World of Audio Ads (00:30:40)