Another day, another batch of news that’s almost too ridiculous to be true. But while the rest of the world scratches their heads, you and I know there are always hidden lessons for business owners like us. Let’s break down today’s “WTH” moments and find some marketing gold.

1. ChatGPT for Dogs? A Collar That Lets Your Pet “Talk” (Kind of)

Headline: “Woof, Woof? More Like Blah, Blah: This Collar Lets Your Pet ‘Talk’ – Sort of.”

Remember when the biggest tech innovation in pet care was an automatic feeder? Those days are long gone. Now, we’ve got smart collars that “talk” back to you—well, not your pet, but a prerecorded voice pretending to be your pet.

Takeaway for Us: This is pure genius. Not because it’ll actually work (I mean, c’mon), but because it taps into the deep emotional connection people have with their pets. The collar offers an illusion of communication, and people are eating it up.

In business, creating experiences—even if they’re a little gimmicky—that make customers feel like they're getting something special can lead to big bucks. It’s not about selling the product; it’s about selling the feeling. Lesson: the power of perception is real, and a little tech wizardry can go a long way.

2. Subway’s Ghost Pepper Bread: Spice Up Your Life… or Burn It Down

Headline: “Subway Wants You to Cry – Over Their New Ghost Pepper Bread.” (source NRN)

Subway is rolling out ghost pepper bread for the brave (or masochistic) among us. It’s the first change to their bread in three years, and it comes with a side of tears, pain, and possibly a hospital bill.

Takeaway for Us: This is classic "limited-time offer" marketing, sprinkled with a little spice and a lot of buzz. The smart play here is the exclusivity and thrill factor. It might be too hot for most, but that's the point: people will have to try it to see if they can handle it. Fear of missing out (FOMO) strikes again.

For us? Spice things up in your own biz. Introduce a premium or ‘daring’ option that not everyone can handle or afford. Make it limited, make it bold, and make it something they’ll talk about—whether they love it or hate it.

3. JD Vance and Trump Want to Save Us from Chili Ice Cream

Headline: “Chili and Ice Cream? JD Vance Says Trump Will Save Us from This Unholy Union.” (Source USA Today)

Rumor has it that Cincinnati-based Graeter’s and Skyline Chili are plotting to create a chili-flavored ice cream. Yes, you read that right. It’s a concoction of chili spices, cheese shreds, and oyster crackers in ice cream. Predictably, JD Vance jumped in to say Trump will "stop this."

Takeaway for Us: Sometimes, a product is so bad, it’s actually good… for marketing. This potential monstrosity is the kind of thing people will try once just to say they survived it. It’s also a fantastic example of the power of collaboration and buzz marketing. Even if the ice cream never happens, the sheer idea of it has the internet talking.

For your business? Don't shy away from the wild ideas. The wackier, the better, as long as it gets attention. Just be prepared to pivot if it’s a disaster.

4. Meta Fires Employees for Buying Toothpaste with Meal Credits

Headline: “Meta Employees Fired for Trading Lunch Money… for Toothpaste.” (Source: The Guardian)

Apparently, Meta employees have been using their daily meal credits for things like toothpaste and laundry detergent. That got a few people canned recently when HR found out they’d been swapping UberEats orders for groceries. Daily allowances include $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch and $25 for dinner.

Takeaway for Us: This is a perfect example of what happens when your customer perks get too good. At some point, your audience will start to stretch the limits (or completely abuse the system). And once that happens, you’re stuck playing the villain when you take it away.

For us, it’s a lesson in creating a solid customer experience. Yes, give people value, but don’t make it so easy to exploit that you have to play “bad cop” down the road. And if you do have to take away a perk or change the rules, manage expectations from the start. Avoid having to fire anyone—or losing any customers—by setting boundaries early.

5. Taylor Swift Cuts Out the Middleman with Self-Published Book

Headline: “Taylor Swift Turns Publisher: The Eras Tour Book Drops Exclusively at Target.” (Source Business Insider)

Taylor Swift is shaking up the publishing world by self-publishing The Eras Tour book through her own imprint, cutting out traditional publishers and distributors. And in true Swiftie fashion, she’s dropping it exclusively at Target on Black Friday, meaning more revenue stays in her pocket.

Takeaway for Us: Taylor’s move here is brilliant for two reasons: control and profit. By bypassing the middleman, she retains full creative control and gets a bigger slice of the pie. Plus, releasing it on Black Friday is the ultimate FOMO move—it’s limited, it’s exclusive, and fans will be lining up (physically and digitally) to grab a copy.

For your business? Think about how you can cut out unnecessary middlemen and keep more profit. Whether it’s selling directly to your audience or creating a product with limited access, the more control you have, the more money you make. Taylor Swift just gave us all a masterclass in direct-to-consumer marketing.

Final Thoughts: Whether it’s talking to your dog, burning your taste buds, or being saved from questionable dessert choices, today’s news is full of marketing lessons. Remember, it’s not always about what you’re selling—it’s about the experience you create. And sometimes, all it takes is a little spice, a dash of humor, and a bold idea that gets people talking.

Remember, you won't profit unless you implement,

Vance "Keep it spicy out there" Morris

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