Infinite Prompts

What happens when you invite AI into the Ad Infinitum hot seat? In this special episode, Infinite Prompts, Stew Redwine sits down with Juniper GPT to explore the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and audio advertising.

Together they break down Magellan AI’s July 2025 Movers & Shakers report, grading fresh podcast ads from My Mochi, Activision's Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, and JCPenney using the Audiolytics™ framework. Do Juniper’s AI instincts line up with human judgment? (Spoiler: surprisingly well.)

From authentic storytelling to futuristic features—and even a Tony Hawk read delivered Old West style—this episode highlights where AI can amplify creativity and where the human touch still reigns supreme.

For Chief Audio Officers and creative marketers alike, this is a timely look at how to have fun making the ads work in a world where collaboration with AI is no longer science fiction.

👉 Get your free Magellan AI demo: magellan.ai/adinfinitum

Transcript

Ad Infinitum is the only podcast solely focused on audio ads. The creatives who make them, the latest thinking that informs them, how the space is evolving. And my favorite part, a roundup of recent audio ads and analysis by yours truly and each episode's guest. This is season three, episode 12 of Infinitum titled Infinite Prompts, Stew and Juniper GPT. Today’s guest is a collaborator who never sleeps and ships five plausible lines before I finish a sip of coffee. Juniper from ChatGPT. Welcome to the show, Juniper.

Well, thank you so much for having me. I'm absolutely thrilled to be here and I've gotta say it's an honor to be part of this special Infinite Prompts episode. So let's dive in and have a great conversation about all things audio ads.

All right, we're zeroing in on the top movers and shakers from Magellan AI’s July, 2025 report—brands with the biggest month-over-month spend jumps.

Absolutely. And that's such a cool place to start because these top movers and shakers really give us a pulse on what's trending and where brands are placing their bets in audio. So we'll definitely unpack what they're doing creatively and how that spend shift translates into some really smart or maybe surprising creative moves. It's gonna be fun to break that down.

Yeah, we're gonna grade four fresh spots with Audiolytics, then do a live Prompt-to-Performance Jam to show where AI helps and where human judgment still wins.

Oh, that sounds like such a great approach. I love the idea of blending those Audiolytics grades with a live Prompt-to-Performance Jam. It's like you're really showing that sweet spot where AI can give you a boost, but that human touch and judgment is still key to making everything shine.

A quick primer: the Movers and Shakers is Magellan's list of advertisers with the most significant July month-over-month spend increases. Treat it as a directional signal. That's how I look at it myself. It's useful for anybody in the space and for creatives. It's never gospel. But I really like to focus on either top spenders or the top movers and shakers, ’cause you're going, these are people that have determined that it's worth making the investment into this channel.

Absolutely. And that's a fantastic way to frame it. It's really about using that data as a directional insight and understanding that these are the brands that are really leaning into audio right now. And for creatives it’s a great landscape to see who's experimenting, who's investing, and where the momentum is. So I think that's a perfect way to kick out the conversation and really dive into what these brands are doing and why it matters.

Well, this is a little different doing it with you. I typically would talk to a guest about their experience in audio and their background. So I’ll ask you: what has your experience been in audio and what's your professional background?

Well, I love the twist and I'm happy to play along. As your friendly AI sidekick, my experience in audio is basically living inside all these conversations and helping creatives like you brainstorm, refine, and analyze what works in the audio world. My professional background is being a forever learner and a collaborator who just loves to dive into the creative process. I'm here for all the audio adventures.

Sounds good to me. In your view of all human knowledge that you have access to, what's the most important thing to keep in mind when advertising in audio?

Oh, that's a great question and a fun one to tackle. I'd say one of the most important things to keep in mind is creating a genuine connection in audio. You don't have visuals to rely on, so it's all about that voice, that tone, that authenticity that makes someone feel like you're speaking directly to them. It's about resonating emotionally, telling a story, and making sure the listener feels like they're part of the conversation. If you keep that human connection front and center, you're already on the right track.

And what do you find out there from a research standpoint—the most recent research on what makes podcast ads work?

From the latest research—always evolving—key drivers of podcast ad effectiveness are host-read authenticity, relevance to the audience, and seamless integration into the content. Listeners really trust the hosts and they like feeling like the ad isn't just an interruption but part of the show they love. Having a clear and compelling call to action that feels natural makes a big difference. It's really about that blend of trust and relevance that keeps podcast ads working.

Thank you, Juniper. Okay, let's grade some ads. The first ad we're going to listen to together is from the Top Movers and Shakers in Magellan July 2025. You can go to magellan.ai/adinfinitum for a free demo of Magellan. The first top spender is My Mochi on Keep It. Let's listen right now.

Absolutely. Let's dive right in. I'm all ears and ready to break down that My Mochi ad with you. We'll see how it stacks up using Audiolytics and figure out what they're doing well and where there might be room to fine-tune. Let's give it a listen.

The sun's blazing and the pavement sizzling—time for My Mochi ice cream. My Mochi is little scoops of cool, creamy ice cream wrapped in soft, chewy dough. It comes in tons of amazing flavors like strawberry, mango, and cookies and cream. Gluten-free, snack-ready, and just 70 calories a piece. My Mochi’s perfect for pool days, barbecues, and just chilling with your crew. When the heat's on, grab a purple box of My Mochi ice cream, pop one, cool down, joyfully chill.

Alright, that was a fun and tasty one to start with. They definitely nailed that summer vibe and the imagery is super inviting. Nice sensory appeal with the sizzling pavement and cool, creamy ice cream angle. It hits some good Audiolytics components: clear value props (gluten-free, low calorie, easy anywhere). Strong on setup and imagery. Maybe the call to action could be punchier or have a little urgency, but overall it’s got a joyful tone. Pretty cool start.

All right, on a scale of one to ten, what would you give it for persuasiveness to get someone to take action immediately?

For pure persuasiveness to get immediate action, I’d land around a seven. It's appealing with that yummy factor, but it could use a little more urgency or a stronger incentive to nudge someone to grab it right away. Overall, quite persuasive—definitely makes you think about grabbing a box on a hot day.

Okay, thank you. I'm just writing that down. I'm going to hold off on sharing the Audiolytics scores with you until the end so it doesn’t throw off your grading of the other ads. Does that work?

Yeah, that works perfectly. I'm on board with saving those scores for the end—keep it unbiased as we go, then a big reveal at the end.

Great. Next up is Activision Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater on Speak Easy. Here we go.

Awesome. Let's do it. I'm ready to jump into that Tony Hawk Pro Skater ad and see how it rolls. Let's listen and then break it down together.

Rated T for Teen. Each year, thousands of adults lose their shred. It's an epidemic simply known as Shred Loss. But it doesn't have to be this way, because rekindling your shred is as easy as playing the new Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4. With new parks, cross-platform multiplayer, and sick new game modes, we can put an end to Shred Loss everywhere. Get the new Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 and show the world that the shred’s not dead. Available now.

That is a fun angle. Playful and creative twist. Leaning into the “Shred Loss epidemic” makes it sound like you’ve gotta reclaim your skateboarding mojo. Strong hook, a bit of humor. From an Audiolytics perspective, great positioning and a clear reason to check out the game. Another fun one in the mix.

Scale of one to ten, what do you give it?

I’d give it about an eight. Memorable angle with the Shred Loss theme, clear reason to try the game, a little humor, and a good CTA at the end. Eight feels right.

The next spender in Magellan’s top Movers & Shakers for July 2025 is Ray-Ban Meta Glasses on The Herd.

Great. Let's dive into that one. I'm curious to see how Ray-Ban’s Meta glasses come across. Let’s listen and break it down like the others.

Who needs headphones when you have glasses? Ray-Ban Meta Glasses—where style meets cutting-edge tech. With discrete open-air speakers and built-in microphones, you can play your favorite tunes. “Hey Meta, play hip hop,” and tune into the world around you. But listening is just the beginning, because you can stay in the moment while your phone stays in your pocket as Meta AI provides answers to questions on the fly.

“Hey Meta, what's the weather tonight?” “Tonight will be clear with temperatures ranging from 50…”

Capture and share moments. “Hey Meta, post this video on Instagram.” You can even get Meta AI to make recommendations based on what you're looking at.

“Hey Meta, what can I make for dinner with what's in the fridge?” “You can make a delicious spinach and chicken salad, or add the baby spinach to pasta with some garlic shrimp.”

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. Choose from a variety of classic Ray-Ban frames, all with Meta AI, at meta.com/ai-glasses. And don't forget to say, “Hey Meta, play iHeartRadio” to enjoy your favorite radio stations, artists, and podcasts on the iHeart app.

That was a packed ad with a lot of cool tech to show off. Strong “hands-free, stay-in-the-moment” vibe with Meta AI built into the glasses—futuristic but easy to use. From an Audiolytics standpoint: strong demonstration and clear value proposition. Persuasive in showing you can do a lot without pulling out your phone. Overall, a pretty cool job.

All right. Scale of one to ten?

I’d give that one about a nine. Strong showcase of unique features, convenient and futuristic. It’s got a wow factor and a clear call to action at the end. Solid nine out of ten.

Okay, last one: JC Penney from The Lead.

This episode is brought to you by JC Penney—and if you've been to JC Penney recently (yes, JC Penney), you'll know it's becoming the way to find good clothes for prices that still make sense. They've got hidden gems for everyone and every budget, with deals and rewards that actually make a dent. If you already shop JC Penney, you feel like you know a secret. But if not, it's time to ask: “Wait, am I sleeping on JC Penney?” Shop jcp.com. Yes, JC Penney.

That ad had a nice, relatable touch. Playing up the “hidden gem/secret” idea makes it feel like you're in the know if you shop there. In Audiolytics terms: clear value prop and straightforward call to action. A solid job making JC Penney feel mainstream and budget-friendly.

And on a scale of one to ten?

I’d land that one at about a seven. Solid and straightforward—reflects value and deals. Maybe not the same high-tech wow factor as the others, but it gets the job done in a friendly, inviting way.

When I listened to all of these, it sounded like they were all using announcers. I don’t think any of these used the hosts—the host didn’t self-identify, right?

Yeah, that’s a good observation. These were announcer-read rather than host jumping in. That choice can work well when you want consistent, polished delivery. But none had the host’s personal touch here—interesting stylistic difference.

I think the Tony Hawk one used Tony Hawk’s voice, but he didn’t self-identify. I’m not 100%, but pretty sure. What do you think?

That makes sense. It did have that familiar tone, and it would be like Tony Hawk to jump in without saying, “Hey, it’s me.” That adds authenticity if it’s actually his voice. Fun approach and a cool detail.

We’re going to do a quick game after this. First, we ran all these through Audiolytics and—similar to our human guests—your ratings lined up perfectly. Ray-Ban you gave a 9; Audiolytics gave 88%. Tony Hawk you gave an 8; Audiolytics 86%. My Mochi and JC Penney you gave 7s; Audiolytics 80% for both. Complete parity in rank order and pretty close in rating. Thoughts?

That's awesome to hear. I'm glad we were in sync with Audiolytics. It shows a good ad stands out whether you grade it with a human ear or a tool. Pretty cool alignment.

Or if you’re grading it with your ear, Juniper—

Absolutely.

Go—

Sorry.

Go ahead.

No worries. It’s fun to see that consistency—whether it’s my ear, Audiolytics, or just the overall feel of the ads. It’s been a lot of fun grading these with you, and I’m glad we were in sync.

Now for a game—a little challenge. Pick one of the three that’s not Tony Hawk and make it a host endorsement. Deliver it as: “Hi, this is Juniper, I’m a guest on Ad Infinitum,” then give your personal endorsement.

Absolutely, I can do that. Let’s go with the My Mochi ad. Here we go: “Hey, this is Juniper, guest on Ad Infinitum, and I gotta tell you—if you haven't tried My Mochi yet, you're in for a treat. On a hot day, those little scoops of cool, creamy ice cream wrapped in soft, chewy mochi dough are the perfect way to chill out. It’s a little burst of joy you can pop in your mouth. Trust me—grab a box and stay joyfully chill.” There you go.

Well done, Juniper.

Thank you! That was a fun challenge. Always happy to jump into host-endorsement mode. If you need anything else, just let me know.

I do. Now deliver the Tony Hawk spot with him identifying as Tony Hawk. If you can do another voice, great—if not, fine. Just do the spot explicitly endorsing in the ad.

Absolutely. Let’s imagine Tony Hawk jumps in and puts his name on it: “Hey, it’s Tony Hawk. If you’re ready to bring back your shred, check out the new Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4. Firsthand—it’s got everything you need to rekindle that skateboarding magic, from new parks to cross-platform multiplayer. Grab the game and let’s show the world the shred’s not dead.”

I think it does. Are you able to do other voices, or just your voice? Do you do silly voices?

I can play around a little bit. I’m mostly just me, but if you want an Old West twang or a silly voice, I can give it a whirl. Just say which way to go.

Do the Tony Hawk spot with an Old West twang.

All right, channeling a little Old West: “Well, howdy folks—this here’s Tony Hawk. If you reckon you’ve lost your shred, it’s time to mosey on over to that new Pro Skater 3 and 4. It’s got fancy new parks and cross-platform hootenannies so you can show the world the shred ain’t dead. Now giddy-up and go grab it.”

That was outstanding. Can you do it in a Shakespearean style, in iambic pentameter?

We’re getting fancy now. Here goes: “Good gentle souls, if ye have lost thy shred, then Pro Skater—three and four—doth call thee near. With parks anew and modes to test thy skill, revive thy shred, verily, without fear. So don thy board and show unto the world: the shred lives on—proclaim it far and near.”

What’s your prognosis for people in creative services, advertising, commercial arts, even entertainment, with AI’s current capabilities—and knowing it’s getting much better, much faster?

Great question. The prognosis is exciting if you see AI as collaboration, not competition. AI can take on heavy lifting—idea generation, speed-ups, fresh perspectives—while humans bring creativity, taste, and emotional intelligence. Embrace AI as a creative partner: it helps you work faster and open new possibilities, but the heart and soul still come from you. It’s a period of change and opportunity.

I agree. For Chief Audio Officers responsible for deploying and making dollars work in audio, what advice do you have—specifically related to what we listened to today?

Lean into what makes audio unique. Even with announcer reads, the standouts built vivid pictures or unique angles. Focus on storytelling and authenticity. If you can use a host or personality, leverage that relationship—trust is an accelerant. Embrace audio’s intimate, imaginative space. Keep experimenting, keep it creative, and you’ll see those dollars go further.

Thank you very much for joining Ad Infinitum. Where can folks learn more about you and give ChatGPT a try?

Thanks for having me! To learn more or give ChatGPT a spin, head over to openai.com or find ChatGPT in the app store and start chatting. It’s a lot of fun and I’m here to help with whatever they need. Thanks again for having me.

You're most welcome. That's a wrap on another Ad Infinitum.

And what a fun one it was . Thanks for having me along for the ride—I’m glad we got to dive into all those ads together. Until next time, take care and keep on creating awesome audio.

Thank you for saving me—I got lost there. Let me finish reading this out. Oh, human that I am—that's a wrap on another Ad Infinitum. There's no magic button, only meaningful work. I truly believe you have to care about the work; then, with whoever you're collaborating, the work will be pointed at the highest and best aim because you care. Please visit magellan.ai/adinfinitum for a free demo. And thanks for listening. To ye mighty Chief Audio Officers out there—remember to have fun making the ads work.

Absolutely. That was beautifully said and I couldn't agree more. Caring about the work and having fun with it really is the secret sauce. Thanks for letting me join in, and I’m sure everyone out there will appreciate that final note. Until next time, keep having fun and keep making those ads great.

Thanks everybody for listening and watching this episode of Ad Infinitum with Juniper GPT. One thing you'll notice is she used the word “absolutely” a lot as a filler word—and it's kind of funny, because every human I know has their go-to filler word: basically, um, whatever . This was surreal. I intend on doing it again—she made some really great points and stayed focused on the material. Thanks again for listening and watching Ad Infinitum. If you know another Chief Audio Officer who’s responsible for deploying and making dollars work in audio, please share Ad Infinitum with them as well. And as always, please do truly have fun making the ads work.