Welcome to the world’s most entertaining marketing podcast.

Note: Beginning in 2026, The Marketing Companion has a new owner and host, Sandy Carter. The podcast will continue to offer the brightest ideas in marketing today and will remain on the same site where you enjoy podcasts today. New episodes of the podcast are available on Sandy’s website.

The archive of past shows hosted by Mark Schaefer over nearly 13 years will remain here.

Mark Schaefer is a globally-recognized marketing author, futurist, college educator, consultant, and keynote speaker. Every other week, Mark brings one of his “marketing companions” alongside him to do a deep dive into the trends of today that forge the marketing innovations of tomorrow.

The Marketing Companion –among the top 1 percent of all podcasts on iTunes — is always fun, always interesting, and always on-target with insights and ideas that will turn up your marketing intellect to an “11.” Find a topic in the guide below or push one of the subscribe buttons to get episodes delivered free to your email account every other week.

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Reviews

Could not be better, two intriguing and thought-provoking minds who possess the perfect balance of intellect and entertainment – Rany Bowden

The marketing podcast equivalent of a Snicker’s bar wrapped in bacon. Satisfying, intreating, and leaves you wanting more. – Rosemary O’Neil

Mark & Tom live up to the podcasting holy trinity: educate/inform/entertain – Jamie Wallace

What’s a pod cast? – Mark’s mother?

The future of influencers and retail

Influencers and retail stores will have a symbiotic new relationship according to this futurist.

Pivoting my content strategy in an age of disruption

Pivoting my content strategy was not an easy decision, but it's time for a change.

Twisted reality creates room for marketing innovation

Twisted reality will become a marketing opportunity and challenge as what we see as real becomes blurred.

Tech is opening up new marketing opportunities

The world is changing fast and each new shift creates unparalleled new marketing opportunities.

New AI application enables conversations with the dead. Sort of.

A new A.I. project enables realistic conversations with the dead. Will this help or hurt humanity?

Is Live Commerce the next big social media mega-trend?

Could Live Commerce be the next big social media mega-trend?

Does TikTok’s new service promote inequality?

Video resumes might seem like a good idea except when you think through the implications for inequality.

“Revenge travel” takes customers out of the loop

Have you heard of revenge travel? It might explain weird consumer trends right now.

Ten unexpected pandemic trends impacting your marketing world

I can't sleep. Unexpected pandemic trends are showing up in the world in weird ways.