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?

Celebrating a Marketing Companion podcasting milestone

It started over dinner in 2012 and today we celebrate a podcasting milestone, the 100th episode of The MarketingCompanion.

New research reveals Americans migrating to three social media platforms

New research reveals Americans are avoiding ads at record rates, buying up smart speakers, and migrating to three main social media platforms

New media, new culture and how it’s confounding brands

YouTube's most popular star PewDiePie got into hot water with videos that some interpreted as hate speech but his popularity soared. What's going on here?

A strategy to stay relevant in a tumultuous marketing world

Developing a meaningful personal brand may mean the difference between getting the business or not, and maybe remaining relevant in a fast-changing world.

Is the Age of Apple over?

Sales are down, critics are on the rise, and Apple is falling behind on several key technologies. Is the Age of Apple over?

What every marketer needs to know about the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things will have a profound impact on marketing. Carnegie University professor Ari Lightman provides insights on what's coming next.

The gig economy and conversational marketing

The gig economy now makes up 2 percent of the U.S. economy and it's on the rise. Technology is opening up amazing new freelance opportunities

An insider’s view of the American election and its meaning for marketers

America has been through a tumultuous election cycle. Here's an extraordinary view of the American election and its impact on business and marketing