Why do so many dog owners treat their pets like family – or even like extensions of themselves?

In this episode of Marketing Made Clear, we dive into the fascinating psychology behind dog ownership, including the theory of the extended self, conspicuous consumption, and the rise of premium pet products.

From Darwin and Belk to Maslow and Veblen, we explore what makes our bond with dogs so personal – and how this impacts the way we buy for them. Whether you’re a marketer, dog lover, or both – this one’s for you.

🐶 Topics covered:

• Why dogs often look like their owners
• The psychology of the extended self (Russel Belk, 1988)
• Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and pet ownership
• Conspicuous consumption and Veblen goods in the pet industry
• How people project their food values onto their dogs
• Raw food, ultra-processed kibble, and what it says about us

📖 Based on the hit article published on MarketingMadeClear.com and featured in top UK dog magazines: https://marketingmadeclear.com/the-psychology-of-owning-a-dog-dogs-as-an-extension-of-ourselves/

Marketing Made Clear

Marketing Made Clear is a podcast for anyone looking to understand the world of modern marketing!

My name is Will Green MA MBA and I want to help you learn the fundamentals you need to succeed in the ever-evolving world of marketing.

Check out my poorly designed website at:

www.marketingmadeclear.com

Feel free to email me at my unmanned email:

will@marketingmadeclear.com

My neglected social media channels include:

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MarketingMClear

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmadeclear/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChAPZccMGNTSHKE5qH_pd5A

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-green/

Mother’s Day: a wholesome celebration of maternal love… or a marketing masterclass wrapped in carnations and commercial sentiment?

In this episode of Marketing Made Clear, we unravel the surprisingly ancient origins of Mother’s Day - tracking it from Greek goddesses and Roman parades, to Victorian churches and finally to the juggernaut it is today: a multi-billion-pound industry powered by emotional advertising and... questionable brunches.

We explore:

• Why ancient Greeks were the original mother-lovers
• How the Victorians unintentionally paved the way for Mothering Sunday
• Anna Jarvis: the founder of modern Mother’s Day (and its fiercest critic)
• How brands like Hallmark, P&G and Pandora turned maternal gratitude into marketing gold
• Whether the commercialisation of Mother’s Day is a clever campaign or a cynical cash-in

Expect a deep dive full of storytelling, insight, and the return of MAIT - the rogue AI with truly awful mum jokes.

It’s engaging, informative, and just the right side of hilarious (we hope). So if you're a marketer, a student of the craft, or simply someone who’s ever panic-bought flowers at a petrol station… this one’s for you.

Marketing Made Clear

Marketing Made Clear is a podcast for anyone looking to understand the world of modern marketing!

My name is Will Green MA MBA and I want to help you learn the fundamentals you need to succeed in the ever-evolving world of marketing.

Check out my poorly designed website at:

www.marketingmadeclear.com

Feel free to email me at my unmanned email:

will@marketingmadeclear.com

My neglected social media channels include:

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MarketingMClear

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmadeclear/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChAPZccMGNTSHKE5qH_pd5A

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-green/

EP10 - The Truth Behind the Kellogg’s Marketing Lie

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day… or is it? In this episode of Marketing Made Clear, we dive into one of the greatest marketing myths of all time—the Kellogg’s breakfast lie. We uncover how a clever marketing campaign turned a corporate sales strategy into an unquestioned ‘scientific truth,’ influencing generations of consumers.

From the industrial revolution to 1950s cereal commercials, we explore the history of breakfast, the role of Edward Bernays in shaping morning eating habits, and how brands like Kellogg’s and McDonald’s have kept breakfast at the centre of consumer culture. Using real studies and historical insights, this episode breaks down whether skipping breakfast really harms your health—or if it’s all just another marketing ploy.

Key Takeaways

• Breakfast wasn’t always a daily necessity—many historical societies didn’t prioritise it.
• The phrase ‘Breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ originated from a 1944 cereal marketing campaign.
• Dr. John Harvey Kellogg promoted bland foods like Corn Flakes to ‘curb indulgences.’
• Many ‘scientific studies’ backing breakfast were funded by the food industry.
• There’s no conclusive evidence that skipping breakfast leads to weight gain.
• Fast food giants like McDonald’s capitalised on breakfast as a profitable meal category.
• Edward Bernays (the father of propaganda) played a key role in marketing bacon and eggs as an essential breakfast.
• The U.S. and UK cereal markets are worth billions—proving the commercial power of breakfast.
• Recent research suggests intermittent fasting can be just as healthy as regular breakfast consumption.
• The belief in breakfast’s necessity is an example of marketing shaping public perception.

Marketing Made Clear

Marketing Made Clear is a podcast for anyone looking to understand the world of modern marketing!

My name is Will Green MA MBA and I want to help you learn the fundamentals you need to succeed in the ever-evolving world of marketing.

Check out my poorly designed website at:

www.marketingmadeclear.com

Feel free to email me at my unmanned email:

will@marketingmadeclear.com

My neglected social media channels include:

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MarketingMClear

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingmadeclear/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChAPZccMGNTSHKE5qH_pd5A

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-green/