Podcasts about brand storytelling

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari chats with Kristin Tormey, Global Head of Paid & Owned Media at Tripadvisor, to explore how travel brands are navigating the creator economy, the evolving role of SEO, and the rise of personalized marketing. Kristin shares practical insights on connecting with today's travelers, balancing brand consistency with creative innovation, and staying competitive in an increasingly dynamic digital landscape.

When Jing Gao launched Fly By Jing, she wasn''t just selling chili crisp—she was challenging a century-old story about the value of Chinese food. Starting from an underground supper club and a scrappy Kickstarter, she built a brand now found in Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods that has inspired a generation of Asian food founders. For more on Fly By Jin and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

A year after Veo 3 changed the video world, what's actually happened? In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, Guy Bauer breaks down where AI video stands today - from rapidly improving quality to why AI performances still feel strangely “non-human.” Guy shares his thoughts on: Why AI video is becoming its own category of animation Why great ideas are still the hardest part Why the novelty phase is already over Why taste and storytelling matter more than ever The tools got better. The real question is: does anyone have something worth saying?

In this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder and our host, Ariel Adams, sits down with Kristian Dowling of Leica Watches to explore the fascinating connection between photography and watchmaking. Kristian shares how his background in photography and marketing, along with his work training Leica watch teams around the world, shaped his role at the brand. He also explains why authentic watch photography matters more than ever with today's collector landscape. From photographing watches in unpredictable trade show environments to building imagery that feels honest and realistic, the conversation dives deep into how visual storytelling shapes the way collectors experience watches long before they ever try one on.Ariel and Kristian also discuss what makes Leica Watches unique, including the philosophy behind the brand's camera inspired approach to watchmaking and the challenge of introducing a respected photography name into the highly competitive luxury watch space. Along the way, they explore the role of authenticity in marketing, how watch brands can create stronger long term relationships with collectors, and why the best watches should look just as compelling in real life as they do in photographs.Learn more about Leica Watches and stay updated with Kristian's work:- Instagram Accounts: - https://www.instagram.com/kristiandowling/ - https://www.instagram.com/leica_watch/ - Websites:- https://kristiandowling.com/ - https://leica-camera.com/ SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

In this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder and our host, Ariel Adams, sits down with Kristian Dowling of Leica Watches to explore the fascinating connection between photography and watchmaking. Kristian shares how his background in photography and marketing, along with his work training Leica watch teams around the world, shaped his role at the brand. He also explains why authentic watch photography matters more than ever with today's collector landscape. From photographing watches in unpredictable trade show environments to building imagery that feels honest and realistic, the conversation dives deep into how visual storytelling shapes the way collectors experience watches long before they ever try one on.Ariel and Kristian also discuss what makes Leica Watches unique, including the philosophy behind the brand's camera inspired approach to watchmaking and the challenge of introducing a respected photography name into the highly competitive luxury watch space. Along the way, they explore the role of authenticity in marketing, how watch brands can create stronger long term relationships with collectors, and why the best watches should look just as compelling in real life as they do in photographs.Learn more about Leica Watches and stay updated with Kristian's work:- Instagram Accounts: - https://www.instagram.com/kristiandowling/ - https://www.instagram.com/leica_watch/ - Websites:- https://kristiandowling.com/ - https://leica-camera.com/ SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

In this episode of Predictable B2B Growth, Javier breaks down Adidas' Backyard Legends World Cup campaign and explains why this 5-minute ad is a masterclass in storytelling, positioning, attention, and brand-building.The campaign features Timothée Chalamet, Lionel Messi, Bad Bunny, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Trinity Rodman, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, and Alessandro Del Piero. But the reason it works is not because Adidas stacked the ad with celebrities.It works because Adidas built a legend.A rumor.An undefeated local crew.A guide.A challenger team.Nostalgia.Stakes.Cultural relevance.And a story people immediately want to repeat.Javier connects the Adidas campaign back to a bigger problem in B2B marketing: too many companies position themselves as the hero. They talk about their product, their website, their team, their features, and their company updates — while the customer gets pushed to the side.The best brands do the opposite.They make the customer the hero.They become the guide.They create stakes.They build belief.They tell a story the market wants to carry for them.In this episode, Javier covers:How Adidas used rumors and folklore to create instant attentionWhy Timothée Chalamet works as the guide, not the heroHow the local crew became more interesting than the global celebritiesWhy nostalgia only works when it serves the storyWhat B2B brands can learn from Adidas about positioning and narrativeWhy long-form content works when the story earns the audience's timeHow to make your product feel natural inside the customer's worldWhy the strongest brands create belief, not just awarenessIf you're a founder, marketer, revenue leader, or B2B executive trying to build a brand people remember, this episode is a reminder that great marketing still comes down to one thing:A great story, told well.Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening to Predictable B2B Growth.Want predictable pipeline (not random acts of marketing)? Run the Predictable Pipeline Diagnostic (15 min): https://boldermediasolutions.com/pipeline Subscribe to the newsletter: https://boldermediasolutions.com/newsletter Book a strategy call: https://boldermediasolutions.com/strategyMore episodes + show notes: https://boldermediasolutions.com/podcastConnect with Javier:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javierlozanojr/ Website: https://boldermediasolutions.comIf the show helps, follow + leave a rating/review.

Das erwartet dich in dieser EpisodeWas macht eine Marke wirklich unvergesslich? Es ist nicht das perfekte Logo, nicht die lauteste Botschaft – sondern die Geschichte dahinter.In dieser Episode spreche ich mit Anne-Katrin Savelsberg, Expertin für Storytelling, Markeninszenierung und strategische Kommunikation. Anne hat bereits mit großen Marken wie BMW, Porsche und dem DFB zusammengearbeitet und weiß genau, wie man Menschen emotional erreicht und echte Verbindungen schafft.Und das Beste? All das lässt sich direkt auf uns als Personenmarken übertragen – egal ob wir gerade starten oder unser VA-Business schon skalieren wollen.Ich freue mich übrigens schon sehr, dass Anne auch in der VA Mastermind einen exklusiven Workshop zum Thema Brand Storytelling halten wird. Dazu mehr am Ende der Episode!✨ Highlights & Key TakeawaysStorytelling macht Marken menschlich. Es geht nicht um PS-Zahlen oder Features – es geht darum, wie sich etwas anfühlt und was es ermöglicht. Geschichten aktivieren viele Areale im Gehirn und bleiben dadurch viel besser im Gedächtnis haften.Du bist der Guide, dein Kunde ist der Held. In einer guten Brand Story stellst du nie dich selbst in den Mittelpunkt – sondern immer die Reise deines Kunden. Du bist derjenige, der die Erfahrung schon gemacht hat und begleitet.Deine persönliche Geschichte ist dein größter Vorteil. Als Personenmarke hast du etwas, was große Konzerne nicht einfach einkaufen können: echte Authentizität. Wie bist du dazu gekommen, VA zu werden? Das ist dein Rohdiamant.Zielgruppe "alle" ist die schlechteste Zielgruppe. Je besser du dein Gegenüber kennst – seine Herausforderungen, Wünsche, Ängste – desto gezielter kannst du deine Geschichte mit seiner Realität verbinden.Auch als Starterin hast du eine Geschichte. Du musst keine 10 Jahre Erfahrung haben. Was zählt, ist wer du als Mensch bist – ob du zuverlässig, kreativ oder besonders strukturiert bist, das ist dein Verkaufsschlager.Konsistenz schlägt Frequenz. Lieber zwei- bis dreimal pro Woche mit Inhalten, die auf deine Story einzahlen, als täglich Matcha-Latte-Posts ohne Mehrwert. Alles, was du zeigst, sollte auf eine Kernaussage einzahlen.Positives Marketing wirkt stärker. Anne und ich sind uns einig: Push-Marketing mit Angst und Druck ist nicht unser Ding. Emotionale Geschichten, die inspirieren und Mut machen – das ist nachhaltig und fühlt sich für alle Beteiligten besser an.Beim Netzwerken: die kleine Core Story. Anstatt "Ich bin VA für Social Media" – erzähl eine Mini-Geschichte über dich. Was macht dich besonders? Was hat dich dahin gebracht? So bleibst du im Gedächtnis.

The programmatic world seems split: is AI the future of media buying, or just a tool requiring heavy supervision? Duluth Trading Company lands somewhere in the middle by leveraging agents for high-speed bidding while keeping a firm human hand on brand storytelling, Duluth's Director of Marketing Ellie Uberto joins Kimeko McCoy and Tim Peterson live from the Digiday Programmatic Marketing Summit on May 6 - 8 in Palm Springs, Calif. to break down's Duluth's approach to agents in media.

The TRUTH Brand Storytelling Framework for Hiring, With Bryan Adams How do you build an employer brand that attracts the right candidates and repels the wrong ones? Bryan Adams — CEO of HappyDance, founder of Ph.Creative, and employer brand strategist behind iconic campaigns for Nike and Apple — says the answer is simpler and harder than most organizations expect: tell the truth. In this episode of the Business of Story, host Park Howell sits down with Bryan to unpack the TRUTH Framework — a five-step storytelling structure that goes beyond AND, BUT, THEREFORE to help organizations find and tell the honest story that makes top talent choose them. You'll discover: • Why the truth your audience most needs to hear is more powerful than the truth you're most comfortable telling • How being "nice" is destroying your culture — and why radical candor is the kinder choice • What Bryan learned building employer brands for Nike, Apple, and VF Corporation — and how those lessons apply to organizations of every size • How HappyDance uses AI-powered conversational navigation to turn career sites into candidate experiences — achieving 12% conversion rates against a 3–5% industry standard • Why the StoryCycle Genie® assessment of HappyDance left Bryan saying the results were "spooky accurate" • How to pre-order Bryan's new book, Sell the Truth, at happydance.love/sell-the-truth Bryan Adams is the co-author of Give & Get Employer Branding and the upcoming Sell the Truth. His TEDx talk, Culture Eats Competition for Breakfast, has surpassed 1.4 million views. Connect with Bryan: Website: happydance.love Book pre-order: happydance.love/sell-the-truth LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bryanadams Subscribe to the Business of Story podcast for weekly episodes on the art and science of strategic business storytelling.

Immersive experience designer and strategist Adipat Virdi joins host KJ to challenge the tech-first mindset that's dominated industries from entertainment to healthcare. Drawing on his work with Meta, the BBC, NASA, and Charlotte Tilbury, Adipat introduces his Empathy Engine Framework, a set of principles designed to close the gap between brands and audiences by putting human connection, meaning, and agency at the center of every experience. From redesigning how the BBC covered the Syrian refugee crisis to transforming how Nike sells sneakers, he makes a compelling case that without the "why," all the fancy technology is just expensive noise. Four Key Takeaways: [3:52] Technology is a veneer, not a foundation - Industries keep layering new tech onto old frameworks without asking why. As Adipat puts it: "Just because we can doesn't mean we should." Real innovation starts with understanding the human condition you're trying to shape or evolve. [8:50] The shift from buying to belonging - New generations don't want to be passive consumers. They want to be co-creators and collaborators. Brands that recognize this shift and build participatory experiences will win; those that don't will be ignored. [17:57]The Empathy Engine Framework in action - Adipat's framework rests on three core principles: audience protagonism (placing people inside the experience with moral complexity), ethical friction (making the story personally matter), and embodiment (creating choices that force meaningful self-reflection). Applied to a BBC project on Syrian refugees, the right thematic question drove a massive increase in engagement. [36:35] The Five Whys unlock the gold - Rooted in engineering but applicable everywhere, the Five Whys exercise gets to the root of any disconnect. Adipat's insight: it's not just the final answer that matters it’s "the discussion that comes out while they are realizing what the five why responses are, that's where the gold is." Quote of the Show (8:50):"It's now less about buying and more about belonging." — Adipat Virdi Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Adipat Virdi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adipatvirdiCompany Website: adipatvirdi.comBook Adipat: https://www.a-speakers.com/speakers/adipat-virdi How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruptionApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lange habe ich diese Episode vor mir hergeschoben. Ich musste den Über-uns-Bereich auf unserer Website neu schreiben – nach Uwes Tod. In dieser Folge lese ich dir den neuen Text vor: wie Uwe von Grafenstein und ich uns 2019 getroffen haben, was wir mit Geschichten, die verkaufen aufgebaut haben, was Uwe ausgemacht hat – und wie es jetzt weitergeht. Ohne Drumherum, ohne glatten Übergang. So, wie es ist. Wenn du Uwe gekannt hast, sei es auf einem Event, im Workshop oder als Mandant: Diese Folge ist auch für dich. Nimm dir die Zeit.

In this high-energy live episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael welcomes two dynamic voices shaping the future of retail and consumer brands: Jake Karls and Carl Boutet. Recorded live on location, this spontaneous conversation delivers powerful insights into what it takes to build a modern consumer brand in an increasingly crowded, algorithm-driven marketplace. Jake Karls shares the remarkable growth story behind Mid-Day Squares—from launching the company in Montreal with his sister and brother-in-law to building a vertically integrated manufacturing business producing more than 150,000 bars per day across North America. But this isn't just a product story. Jake explains how Mid-Day Squares intentionally built a media company mindset from day one, hiring content creators before traditional food scientists, documenting their journey, and turning storytelling into one of their most valuable growth engines. Listeners will hear how a major cocoa pricing crisis nearly disrupted the business—and how that challenge sparked one of their biggest innovations: their breakout “No Bread PB&J” product line. Jake reveals how combining product innovation with viral content, emotional storytelling, and fearless authenticity helped the brand secure retailer support and create consumer demand at scale. Carl Boutet brings his trademark strategic lens to the conversation, unpacking why brands must “take back agency” in an era increasingly dominated by AI-generated content and algorithmic sameness. Drawing from themes in his upcoming book, Carl argues that AI is quickly becoming table stakes—not differentiation—and that the brands that win will be those that create genuine emotional connection, distinctiveness, and memorability. The conversation also explores the evolving role of retail media, the power of founder-led storytelling, startup innovation in CPG, and why in a world of automation, human energy may be the ultimate competitive advantage. For retailers, brand builders, entrepreneurs, and marketers trying to understand what cuts through in today's attention economy, this episode delivers practical insights, inspiration, and plenty of laughs.   Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Viele Marken wirken austauschbar, weil sie nicht zu wenig, sondern zu viele Verkaufsargumente haben. Claims, Nutzenversprechen und Produktargumente werden immer weiter angereichert, bis am Ende alles drinsteht, was irgendwie „gut klingt“. Das Problem: Genau das sagen auch alle anderen. In dieser Folge geht es darum, warum zu viele Verkaufsargumente Eure Positionierung verwässern – und weshalb Differenzierung oft kleiner wird, je mehr ihr versprechen wollt. Du erfährst: • warum zusätzliche Argumente Euch nicht interessanter, sondern vergleichbarer machen • weshalb Differenzierung nicht mit Storytelling beginnt, sondern mit radikalem Streichen • welche einfache Prüffrage generische Claims sofort entlarvt • was ein gutes Verkaufsargument leisten muss

How do you take a brand most people see as the budget option and turn it into a serious competitor against Samsung, LG, and Sony? You start by knowing your consumer better than they do.Cole Moir is the VP of Brand and Digital Marketing at TCL North America, and in this episode he pulls back the curtain on how he's used partnerships with the NFL, Call of Duty, and the Olympics to put TCL at the center of culture, not just on the shelf. He talks about what most challenger brands get wrong, why he puts measurement before creative, and the one piece of career advice he wishes someone had given him years ago.

Flamingo Estate stayed true to its roots and built an eight-figure brand by saying no to almost every piece of outside advice. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

⬥EPISODE NOTES⬥ Walk the floor at RSAC Conference 2026 and you will find boxing rings, petting zoos, agentic AI everywhere, and very few answers to the question that actually matters: why should anyone trust you with their security? Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli have been watching this pattern for more than a decade -- and in this short On Location conversation, they turn the camera on themselves and on the problem they built Studio C60 to solve. The conversation starts with a pin. A small ITSPmagazine swag item from roughly ten years ago, sitting in Sean's hand at RSAC Conference. Marco traces the thread from there -- back to 2012, back to his first time on the conference floor, back to a joke he made that has never stopped being true: they are still selling the box. The packaging has changed -- servers became SaaS, disks became dashboards -- but the instinct to lead with the product rather than the outcome has not. Sean frames it cleanly: the messaging is the innovation. But the message only lands when it connects the technology to how teams actually use it, to what that enables the business to do, to why it matters beyond the booth. Marco extends it further: if you sound like everyone else, there is no music -- only noise. Every instrument is playing, but there is no song. That is the gap Studio C60 exists to close. Drawing on decades of combined experience in cybersecurity, go-to-market strategy, journalism, and brand storytelling, Sean and Marco offer clients something the expo floor rarely demonstrates: the ability to articulate not just what a product does, but what it means -- for the team, for the business, for the people it serves. The work ranges from a single consulting session to full campaign development and retainer partnerships. It starts with an honest assessment: who are you, who needs you, and what do you sound like right now? For startups especially, that starting point is where everything else begins. What the floor at RSAC Conference 2026 makes clear, year after year, is that attention is cheap and memory is rare. The brands that last are the ones that earn it -- not with a boxing ring, but with a story worth repeating. ⬥HOSTS⬥ Sean Martin, CISSP -- Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine & Studio C60 | Host, Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | https://www.seanmartin.com/ Marco Ciappelli -- Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine & Studio C60 | Host, An Analog Brain In A Digital Age Podcast | https://www.marcociappelli.com/ ⬥RESOURCES⬥ RSAC Conference 2026 -- Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac-2026-conference-san-francisco-usa-cybersecurity-event-infosec-conference-coverage Studio C60 | https://www.studioc60.com The Future of Cybersecurity Newsletter (Sean Martin) | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7108625890296614912/ An Analog Brain In A Digital Age Newsletter (Marco Ciappelli) | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7079849705156870144/ On Location | https://www.itspmagazine.com/on-location ⬥KEYWORDS⬥ sean martin, marco ciappelli, rsac conference 2026, rsac 2026, studio c60, itspmagazine, brand storytelling, cybersecurity marketing, go-to-market strategy, messaging and positioning, agentic ai, expo floor, brand differentiation, content production, cybersecurity branding, on location Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week's episode of Win The Hour, Win The Day Podcast interviews, Melanie Whittaker.   Does your marketing feel forced or fake? In this episode, PR and marketing expert Melanie Whittaker shares why being yourself is the best way to stand out and build real trust with your audience.   In this powerful talk, you'll learn: -Why people trust businesses more when they see the real person behind them. -How telling simple stories from your life can make your marketing stronger. -Why using too much AI content can make your message sound like everyone else. -How to notice what your audience actually cares about and talk about that more. -Why networking and real conversations help your business grow faster than chasing social media trends.   Get ready for simple, honest insights that will help you show up with confidence and connect with the people who need your work most.   Win The Hour, Win The Day! www.winthehourwintheday.com   Podcast: Win The Hour, Win The Day Podcast   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winthehourwintheday/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/win-the-hour-win-the-day-podcast   You can Melanie Whittaker at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.whittaker.315 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-whittaker-836457224/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youareyourmarketing/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@youareyourmarketing

Andy Hnilo's appearance on The Ash Said It Show was a masterclass in resilience and the power of uncompromising quality. Reflecting on the life-altering accident that crushed his jaw and scarred his face, Andy revealed that the non-negotiable backbone of his entire line is a mineral-rich blend of four specific clays, with Bentonite being the absolute "miracle" foundation. During his recovery, he turned his kitchen into a lab, discovering that these clays acted like a "magnetic meal" for the skin, pulling out impurities while infusing it with life-saving minerals. This discovery wasn't just a part of his healing; it became the proprietary core of his flagship Clay Mask, a formula he refused to dilute even when faced with the daunting reality of traditional retail margins. Andy shared that the hardest business decision he ever made was choosing to fund his own growth and keep ingredient concentrations at "artisan-grade" levels rather than taking the easier path of using fillers to please big-box distributors. By prioritizing product integrity over a quick profit, he ensured that every bottle of Alitura contains the same potency that healed his own skin on his journey back to the runway. For those feeling lost in the noise of the beauty industry, Andy advocated for a lifestyle that extends far beyond the bathroom mirror, focusing on three essential pillars that don't cost a dime. First, he emphasizes the power of direct sunlight, recommending 10 to 15 minutes of daily exposure to help the body convert cholesterol into vital hormones and naturally treat skin disorders. Second, he champions a "clean internal environment" by switching to an all-organic, whole-food diet, noting that thin-skinned fruits and factory-farmed meats often carry a toxic load that manifests as skin inflammation. Finally, he stresses the importance of eliminating environmental toxins by using a high-quality shower filter, protecting the skin from absorbing the chlorine and heavy metals found in tap water. As the industry leans into AI and high-tech personalization, Andy remains grounded in the belief that "Naturals" will always be the future because the human body is biologically designed to recognize and absorb ingredients from the earth. He views tech as a tool to help people find the right plants, but he maintains that the most sophisticated "technology" is the raw, nutrient-dense power of nature itself—a philosophy that keeps Alitura timeless in a rapidly evolving world. Web: https://alitura.com 20% Off Promo Code: ashsaidit20 — Ready to ignite the spark that levels up your entire life? Meet Ash Brown—the American powerhouse, motivational architect, and ultimate hype-woman dedicated to your personal and professional evolution. Ash is far more than a voice in the personal development space; she is a trusted ally who delivers a masterclass in real-talk wisdom and infectious energy. Whether you are navigating a crossroads or ready to scale your grandest ambitions, Ash fuels your journey with a high-octane blend of heart and hustle.

International Women's Month SeriesAdrienne Lahens is the Co-Founder and CEO of Infinite Studios, an AI-native studio transforming how brands produce content. She built and scaled TikTok's Creator Marketplace across 24+ markets, launched TikTok Symphony, and founded the Symphony Collective. Before that, she was COO of Influential, driving 10x growth before its acquisition by Publicis. She helped pioneer native advertising at BuzzFeed during its hypergrowth phase.Then she walked away from all of it to start her own company.In this conversation, Adrienne talks about why she made the leap. She had a beautiful role at an amazing company. Leaving felt like jumping out of a plane without a parachute. But she kept coming back to the same question: what's the bigger risk? Staying comfortable or getting to the end of her life wondering why she never tried?She shares the moment that shifted everything for her on stage. She used to get nervous before speaking. Then she realized the audience isn't thinking about her. They're thinking about what she can offer them. When she started approaching it as service instead of performance, the nerves went away.She tells a story from dinner the night before. A woman with an incredible resume—VP of marketing at major Fortune 500 brands—said she was looking for a senior director role because the market is tough. Adrienne stopped her. You're going for the CMO. You've done the work. If not you, then who?Her advice is simple: the moments you feel the absolute lowest are usually right before something amazing happens. Life tests you like that. Power through.Connect with Adrienne:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adriennelahensTHE RE:INVENTION EXCHANGE - for more Inspired Content, Blogs, Podcasts, RE:INVENTION Virtual Chats, or to buy a copy of my book RE:INVENT YOUR LIFE! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? by Kathi Sharpe-Ross, visit https://www.thereinventionexchange.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/kathisr_chief_reinventor/FB: https://www.facebook.com/kathi.sharpeross/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathisharpeross    

Your audience doesn't understand your message first—they feel it. In today's noisy world, tone is the hidden ingredient that makes your brand story resonate, build trust, and spark a real connection. On this episode of the Business of Story, Park Howell welcomes Charly Tate, founder and Chief Kindling Officer at Kindling Works and host of the Tater Thoughts podcast. With over a decade in communications, storytelling, and marketing—and a background in music—Charly helps founders and business owners find clarity in chaos and connection through intentional, heartfelt storytelling. Listen in to discover: Why tone is the first thing your audience notices—even before your message How to uncover and express your authentic brand voice The biggest mistakes brands make with tone—and how to fix them for lasting impact Charly shares her journey from rebuilding after real estate to launching her consultancy, the lessons she learned from Queen, and actionable steps you can take to audit your own brand's tone. Ready to move from background noise to a story your audience can't forget? Tune in now and start making your brand truly resonate. Learn more about Charly at kindlingworks.com.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Fossano from Premier Communications Group and talk about what it really means to market in a technology driven world. We start with a fun look at Mike's life outside the office, including his passion for gardening and making homemade sauces and jams. From there, we shift into the history of Premier Communications Group, which was founded by his father in 1982 as a graphic design firm and has grown into a full service marketing communications agency. We reflect on the company's 44 year journey and how it has evolved to serve clients across industries including automotive, healthcare, insurance, real estate, and more. Working with a wide range of industries keeps the work fresh and forces us to stay curious. We acknowledge the rapid pace of change in marketing, from the early days of websites to the rise of social media, AI, and tools like ChatGPT. While technology plays a major role, it cannot replace genuine human connection. Strong client relationships, thoughtful listening, and tailored strategies remain at the core of effective marketing. We explore how different platforms serve different purposes. Some clients benefit from Facebook or Instagram, while others in B2B spaces may see stronger results on LinkedIn. We stress the importance of understanding where an audience actually spends time and building a tactical approach around that insight. A major theme of our conversation is storytelling. We talk about how uncovering a company's history, milestones, awards, and innovations can humanize a brand. Sharing those stories builds trust, credibility, and connection. In a world full of automation and algorithms, we remind ourselves that people want to be seen, heard, and valued. Personalized outreach and thoughtful communication stand out in ways that automated messages do not. We also touch on Premier's deep roots in Royal Oak and long standing involvement with the Chamber of Commerce. We close with a lighter conversation about Detroit sports and lifelong memories with Mike's late dad, built around baseball. Premiere Communications Group Website: https://premiercg.com/ Mike's Email: mfossano@premierecg.com Phone Number: 248-544-7383 Address: 612 East Fourth Street, Royal Oak. Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/Connect with our hosts:Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recorded live at SocialPacific 2025 in North Vancouver, Ben Wise and Darren Chiu, co-founders of Captivate, join guest host Rachel Thexton to explore the art and science of human behavior.Captivate translates academic psychology into practical tools for marketers, sales teams, and leaders, helping them communicate in ways that actually move people.They unpack why most marketing falls flat by being overly rational, how emotional decision-making really works, and why storytelling, including friction, consequences, and vulnerability, remains one of the most powerful tools in business. Because whether you're selling to consumers or corporations, you're always selling to a human.Produced by TAKT.

How can brands show up in culture without looking like they're “dad dancing” their way through TikTok trends?In this episode of the PRCA Fuse Podcast, we're joined by Gerald Sagoe – writer, director, producer and creative director – who specialises in content rooted in cultural authenticity. Gerald has worked with high-profile names including Anthony Joshua, Lethal Bizzle, the Mayor of London, and Sky, and has created campaigns across markets from West Africa to Dubai.Together, we unpack:What cultural authenticity really means in brand storytellingWhy some brands have no right to play in certain cultural spaces – and how audiences call that outThe backlash to Sky's Halo TikTok channel and what it teaches us about misreading cultureHow brands like Adidas grew organically with hip hop culture, versus those trying to retrofit “cool”The Oatly x Giggs collaboration and why it worked so well across Instagram and TikTokThe rise of personal branding and employee influencers in corporate communicationsHow a business advisory firm used a mental health podcast to humanise its brandWhy investing in self-branding benefits both the individual and the organisationWhat Gerald learned about storytelling and nuance while setting up an agency in DubaiWhy storytelling (not traditional advertising) is the future of brand communication

Marketing Strategy & Brand Storytelling from Outside the Wine Industry One thing that sets the DTC Wine Symposium apart from most wine conferences is how many speakers come from outside the wine industry. Our friend Barbara Gorder taps into her Chicago ad-world network and brings in people who've spent their careers on the front lines of marketing, brand building, and cultural storytelling. The result is a perspective small wineries rarely get access to. Basically, we got a day at Leo Burnett University courtesy of Dean Barbara Gorder. As you might expect, the stories are as good as the insights. Lane Soelberg was on the early digital frontier at Leo Burnett and has been building narratives ever since. His work has shown up on your TV, inbox, computer, and phone for brands like GM, Pillsbury, and the Olympics. Today, based in Southern California, he helps shape global storytelling and innovation at the XPRIZE Foundation. Louie Monoyudis built his career at the intersection of fashion, brand, and entrepreneurship, from Leo Burnett to Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and John Varvatos. No doubt about it, if DTC handed out a Best Dressed award, Louie wins in a landslide. Today, through Groove Jet Luxury Travel, he applies that same eye for detail and design to crafting deeply personal, highly curated experiences around the world. He has plenty to say about wine and luxury positioning. Mike Siska comes out of the creative agency world, where he helped shape culturally resonant brands and was one of the creators behind the iconic “Mayhem Like Me” campaign. His work lives where strategy meets humanity, exploring how ideas spread, how attention is earned, and how stories shape the way people connect. Three conversations from outside the wine world, all circling the same reality. Wine does not compete with other wines. It competes with everything. If we want people to care, we have to tell better stories, tell them in better places, and pay much closer attention to who is actually listening. Grab a notebook. Open a bottle. Class is in session. [Ep 401]

Adam continues his conversation with Chris & Adam, digging into the heart of what makes a truly effective brand: human connection. Adam reflects on his college journey: from architecture to fine arts and how building a deep foundation in creative fundamentals gave him the tools to solve complex problems quickly and confidently. He talks about the importance of active listening, community engagement, and building real relationships: illustrated through powerful examples like a school literacy partnership that dramatically improved reading levels. He also breaks down the difference between marketing and creative, why both must collaborate, and how creatives can position themselves to have greater influence. He closes with practical advice for emerging professionals and the value of sharing your voice, even when it feels vulnerable. Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamswartout/ If you need branded solutions for your events, giveaways and employee engagement, check out Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com

Building A Boutique Events Agency As A MomA single decision can change the way you work, parent, and lead. When Sarah realized staying in a comfortable role was dimming her optimism, she chose the unknown—and co-founded The Parts Department, a boutique events agency designed for impact, not bloat. We get candid about what it really takes to build a modern experiential marketing shop, from value-first delivery to relationship-led growth and the courage required to quit without a safety net.I loved hearing how Sarah's career at Periscope and Advocate shaped her point of view on events: people love brands that love them back. That belief anchors their niche—high-touch experiential strategies that actually move the needle. We unpack their two modes of working—embedding with teams on retainer or owning projects end to end—and why a lean model beats the old habit of filling rooms with extra bodies. You'll also hear the realities of client outreach on LinkedIn, using relevance over hard sell, and why most early wins come from trust that's been earned over years.There's a deeply human thread here, too. The London chapter—navigating a foreign city with a one- and two-year-old—reshaped how Sarah thinks about fulfillment. She talks about “buckets” that need filling: work, motherhood, movement, community. Flexibility isn't a perk; it's a system. A 9:45 a.m. Friday hockey game becomes proof that work can bend around life when partners trust each other. And yes, we talk about women leading in an industry that once looked like Mad Men, and how kindness as a business practice never goes out of style.If you're building a brand, leading marketing, or figuring out your next bold move, this conversation offers practical playbooks and real encouragement. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review—then tell us: what's your next hell yes?Connect with Sarah:Website: The Parts DepartmentLinkedIn: Sarah BohlineIG: @thepartsworkContact the Host, Kelly Kirk: Email: info.ryh7@gmail.com Get Connected/Follow: The Hue Drop Newsletter: Subscribe Here IG: @ryh_pod & @thekelly.tanke.kirk Facebook: Reclaiming Your Hue Facebook Page CAKES Affiliate Link: KELLYKIRK Credits: Editor: Joseph Kirk Music: Kristofer Tanke Thanks for listening & cheers to Reclaiming Your Hue!

Unlock the secret to recruiting top talent with storytelling! In this episode, Park Howell welcomes Jeff Hyman—author of "Recruit Rockstars"—to reveal how the ABT narrative framework can transform your hiring process. Discover why stories attract missionaries (not mercenaries), how to make your job postings irresistible, and the role of AI in scaling your employer brand. Whether you're an HR leader, hiring manager, or job seeker, you'll learn actionable strategies to build a team that stays for the mission, not just the money. Listen now and make your next hire a rockstar! Test the strength of your brand story on the StoryCycle Genie® for FREE. Story on! ≈Park

Recorded live at SocialEast 2025 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features guest host Odum Idika, Host of Unconventional Mindset and Founder of Piixel Studio, in conversation with Corey Evans, Director of Brand and Advertising at ATCO and former marketing leader at WestJet.Corey shares a behind-the-scenes look at one of Canada's most iconic marketing moments, the WestJet Christmas Miracle, and what it took to execute a high-risk experiential campaign that generated over 35 million organic views. From stepping in as Santa to navigating real-time uncertainty during a live activation, he explains why putting the audience experience first, and the brand second, was key to its success.The conversation explores what experiential marketing really means today, why authentic human moments outperform polished ads, and how marketers of any size can create meaningful connections by deeply understanding their audience. Corey also reflects on the rise of creator-led marketing, real-time brand participation, and the importance of adaptability in an increasingly noisy content landscape.This episode was recorded live on-site at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel during SocialEast 2025, part of the SocialNext conference series, Canada's leading platform for marketing conferences, media, and community.

Discover how to transform "artificial intelligence" into "artful intelligence" and inspire your brand storytelling in this must-listen episode of the Business of Story. Park Howell is joined by Jen Perry, Executive Creative Director at Vagrants, who shares her journey from building creative teams for brands like JetBlue, IKEA, and Dunkin' Donuts to leading Vagrants' evolution into a creative powerhouse. You'll learn why "artificial intelligence" is a branding problem, and how reframing it as "artful intelligence" helps you keep your storytelling human, emotionally resonant, and truly impactful—even as you embrace the latest technology. Jen reveals practical strategies for using emotional intelligence in your creative process, building lasting client relationships, and coaching teams to bold, effective ideas. Plus, you'll hear a real-world case study from Tom Schwab of Interview Valet on how the StoryCycle Genie™ platform delivers artful, brand-aligned content that saves hours and elevates quality. Listen now to discover: How to blend AI and empathy for better brand stories Why artful intelligence is your creative edge Actionable steps to inspire your team and audience For more insights and resources, visit businessofstory.com.

In this episode, I'm joined by Sophie Bell, Managing Director at Toast, to talk about what authentic brand storytelling really looks like in practice. We explore why keeping your message simple matters, how to connect with your audience in a genuine way, and why trying to say too much often dilutes your impact.Sophie shares her experience of working with brands across documentaries, advertising, and branded content, and explains the idea of story finding, identifying real voices and real stories that naturally align with your brand. We discuss how to avoid overwhelming your audience, the role of honesty and transparency in building trust, and why letting go of control can actually strengthen your message.We also talk about the pressure to create constant content, particularly video, how to focus on quality without burning out, and how AI can support creativity for small businesses, not replace it.If you want to strengthen your content, clarify your message, and approach authentic brand storytelling with more confidence, this episode will give you practical insight and reassurance.Chapters00:00 Introduction and meet Sophie Bell01:00 What story telling means for brands02:20 How successful brands tell simple, effective stories04:30 Choosing one clear message for your content07:10 What authenticity really looks like in brand storytelling09:20 Polished versus informal content and what works best11:40 Creating quality content without burnout14:40 Quality versus quantity in brand content18:45 Why AI is not just for big companies22:05 How AI can elevate creativity and storytelling27:05 First steps for experimenting with AIFind Sophie here:Website Instagram LinkedInLET'S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you'd like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Support this podcast for the price of a coffeeif you loved this episode please consider sending me a one-off tip. It helps me to keep bringing this podcast to you, for free. If you'd like to support this podcast, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportGetting Started on Amazon ChecklistIf you're planning to start selling on Amazon, this free checklist covers the key things you need in place before you list your products. It's a simple way to make sure you haven't missed anything important. Download it here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

How Ouai became a $300M brand by turning customer comments into marketing gold.  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Recorded live at Calgary's SocialWest 2025, this episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features guest host Laila Hobbs, Co-Founder of Social Launch Labs, in conversation with Hiba Amin, Co-Founder of Creative Little Planet.Hiba shares a candid look at navigating imposter syndrome throughout her marketing career, from being the sole marketer during a startup downturn to finding confidence through community, conversation, and lived experience. She also discusses the evolution of content creation, why authenticity resonates more than polished perfection, and how marketers can build meaningful connections with their audiences.The conversation dives into the responsible use of AI in content marketing, including where it can support creative work, where it falls short, and why strong foundational ideas must come before scale. Packed with thoughtful insights and real-world perspective, this episode is a must-listen for marketers navigating growth, creativity, and confidence in a rapidly changing industry.

Recorded live at SocialWest 2025 in Calgary, this special episode of the Marketing News Canada podcast features a conversation with Joshua Counsil, Co-Founder of Good Robot Brewing and guest host Meredith McKeough.Joshua shares candid lessons from building a multi-dimensional hospitality and beverage business spanning beer, non-alcoholic drinks, events, and co-packing for major retailers like Costco. The conversation explores why guest experience is one of the most powerful marketing tools available, how storytelling influences customers, employees, and even lenders, and why scrappy, generous marketing often outperforms big-budget campaigns.From navigating PR crises to designing small moments that create outsized word-of-mouth, this episode is packed with practical insights for marketers, founders, and brand leaders looking to build trust, loyalty, and long-term growth.

In this episode, Cody & Meagan dive into the powerful role storytelling plays in hospitality branding. A great story can turn a stay into an experience—and create lasting emotional connections with your guests.They break down how to craft a compelling brand story that truly resonates and builds loyalty.

For Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc's final episode recorded live at the CommerceNext Growth show, they welcome two visionary leaders from Tapestry, the global house of brands that includes Coach and Kate Spade: Pooja Chandiramani, VP Global Media Strategy & Planning, Marketing Analytics, Operations and Transformation, and Avinash Kaushik, Brand Strategy & Marketing Transformation.Pooja and Avinash unpack Tapestry's ongoing transformation, which embeds analytics as a core pillar of brand growth. For Coach in particular, analytics isn't just incremental—it's a complete transformation journey. By using data to generate insights that directly drive business impact, Tapestry ensures marketing investments are accountable, measurable, and tied to outcomes.Avinash, a globally recognized thought leader and author, explains how Tapestry embraces intent-centric marketing to connect authentically with consumers. Moving beyond the outdated “accessible luxury” positioning, the company has shifted toward "expressive luxury"—a modern framework that reflects values-driven, authentic consumer engagement, particularly resonant with younger audiences.The conversation dives into the cultural foundations necessary for analytics to thrive. Avinash emphasizes that “culture is more important than data,” crediting Tapestry's CEO Joanne Crevoiserat and senior leadership for creating an environment where data can challenge assumptions and guide decisions. This culture enables bold experiments, including measuring the incrementality of brand marketing—one of the toughest questions in retail.Pooja highlights how creative pre-testing has become a critical unlock. By partnering with Human Made Machine, Tapestry tests campaigns with real audiences before investing media spend. This approach ensures that creative—responsible for up to 70% of marketing impact—delivers measurable results in driving brand awareness and incremental sales. It's a cultural shift, moving from subjective opinions about creative to decisions grounded in data.The episode also explores the role of AI and machine learning in accelerating agility, simplifying decision-making frameworks, and enabling global scalability. Both leaders stress that outcomes-based planning—rather than activity-based planning—keeps Tapestry aligned with its ambitious growth goals.  About UsJennifer MarloHead of Content, CommerceNextJennifer Marlo drives industry-leading programming at CommerceNext, drawing on experience from Ascendant Network and iMedia Connection, where she spearheaded content strategies to inspire retail, brand and agency marketing leaders. Guided by the belief that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” Jennifer uses in-person and digital platforms to educate and foster industry collaboration. Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, top retail influencer, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Actively Black didn't start with a product—it started with a community. By building a 23,000-person audience before launch, founder Lanny Smith turned purpose-driven storytelling into a $55,000 first day and a $2 million first year. His journey shows aspiring entrepreneurs why demand-first thinking, authentic mission, and smart list-building can change everything.For more on Actively Black click hereYou'll Learn:Why Actively Black built community before developing a productThe email + SMS strategy that led to $55K in sales on launch dayHow to sell $2M+ in your first year—even with constant stockoutsWhy fast growth can be just as dangerous as no growthHow to use storytelling and cultural pride to create brand resonanceWhat it takes to build long-term customer trust without discountingHow Lanny structured partnerships with Marvel, Disney, and iconic estatesThe real math behind inventory planning at scale (and why it's so hard)How to align investors with your vision, not just your bottom lineWhy purpose is more powerful than product in competitive industriesHow Lanny's personal values fuel every decision—from pricing to hiringChapters:00:00 Introducing Lanny Smith, Founder of Actively Black01:02 How a Career Pivot Sparked a $2M Vision01:27 Building 10K Followers Before Launching a Product03:31 Why Purpose-Driven Branding Fueled $55K on Day One06:54 What Selling Out in 3 Weeks Taught Us About Manufacturing10:30 How Actively Black Landed Partnerships with Marvel, Disney & More17:52 The Traits Behind Scaling to 8 Figures and Beyond18:48 What to Know Before Entering the $1.5T Apparel Market19:54 From “No” to $2M: How to Power Through Rejection21:43 Turning a Personal Setback Into Multi-Million Dollar Growth25:35 Why Actively Black Is More Than Just Merch (And Why That Matters)29:04 How Mission and Authenticity Drive Repeat Purchases Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

How do you scale a brand when you're also scaling a team, message, and mission? In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Johnson, Marketing expert, to talk about the real work behind growth and why it only works when your message is clear. Stephen shares his journey from local newsrooms to national marketing, reflecting on how his Rockford roots and journalism training built a foundation for fast, honest, human communication. From navigating mergers and onboarding 8,000+ new employees to running daily crisis comms and building internal trust, his story is one of clarity, collaboration, and staying grounded when everything grows. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to lead brand strategy across 30+ states, this episode is it.

For our 100th episode, host Guy Bauer shares the real secret behind Umault's best work - a lesson sparked by a surprising message from Ann Handley. Instead of starting with strategy or “what works,” great B2B creative begins with three things: joy, experimentation, and fearless truth-telling. In this episode, Guy breaks down why most brands get this backwards, how honesty creates connection, and why taking creative risks pays off more than playing it safe. If you're tired of corporate white noise and want your ideas to actually stand out, this one's for you.

The brands everyone talks about are not the safest ones. They are the bold ones.And few people understand that better than Nick Tran.The former TikTok Global Head of Marketing and current Diageo President and CMO joins Marketing Trends to break down how he built momentum inside fast moving environments, rebuilt brands under pressure, and helped TikTok become a cultural engine instead of just another app.Nick explains why the traditional marketing playbook is obsolete, how to create ideas that move culture instead of reacting to it, and what today's fastest moving teams get wrong about attention, creativity, and risk. CHAPTERS / KEY MOMENTS00:00 Engineering a Viral Influencer02:20 What Bold Marketing Looks Like in 202604:20 Crisis Marketing at Taco Bell07:05 Lessons From Stance and Samsung09:30 Reinventing Hulu With Culture Marketing11:00 Why the Old Marketing Playbook Is Dead13:40 Inside TikTok's Project Cheetah16:45 Making Creators Culturally Famous on Purpose19:35 Five Marketing Behaviors Leaders Must Unlearn22:20 The ROI Trap and Bad Marketing Metrics25:00 Why Modern CMOs Should Become CEOs26:00 The Ocean Spray x DogFace420 Breakout Moment29:10 The Rise of AI Influencers and Virtual Icons30:00 Worldbuilding: The Future of Brand Marketing33:00 Reinventing Ciroc Through Lifestyle Experiences37:00 Pickleball, Pop-Ups, and The New Experiential Playbook43:00 Out-of-Home Creative, Simplicity, and Cultural Signals This episode is brought to you by Lightricks. LTX is the all-in-one creative suite for AI-driven video production; built by Lightricks to take you from idea to final 4K render in one streamlined workspace.Powered by LTX-2, our next-generation creative engine, LTX lets you move faster, collaborate seamlessly, and deliver studio-quality results without compromise. Try it today at ltx.studio Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Bill Neff, Head of Marketing at YETI, breaks down how the legendary cooler company became a culture-defining outdoor brand without relying on massive media budgets. From his Under Armour “locker room” days to leading one of the world's most beloved challenger brands, Bill shares the operating system behind YETI's rise, which is one built on community intimacy, real relationships, and equipment designed to last forever.And this year, YETI made The Rival 50, our index of the world's top challenger brands redefining growth, a recognition that reflects the consistency, courage, and craft behind their approach.One key takeaway: Roots before reach. Bill explains why YETI invests four times more in community than brand, how third-party advocacy beats first-party hype, and why focusing on the micro-cultures around hunting, fishing, culinary, and outdoor craft fuels more growth than broad awareness ever could. If you're building a premium brand or trying to scale without outspending your category, this conversation is your blueprint.Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube ▶️: HERE          

Is Your Business Telling the Stories that Sell and add Value? In today's competitive marketplace, it's not the best ideas that win—it's the best stories. This week on A New Direction, I sit down with strategist and author Gavin McMahon to discuss his powerful new book, Story Business: Why Stories Rule the World and How They Can Reinvent Your Business. Gavin reveals why every leader, CEO, and sales professional must learn the language of storytelling if they want to inspire, influence, and ignite action. We'll explore the 6 essential genres of business storytelling—Value, Product, Brand, Sales, Leadership, and Culture—and how each one can transform the way you communicate and connect. Whether you're pitching an idea, leading a team, or building a brand, mastering these six stories can elevate your message from informative to unforgettable. Gavin will share practical insights on turning complexity into clarity, data into drama, and strategy into stories that stick. You'll learn why simplicity is a competitive edge, how to make your message “retellable,” and what separates a leader who speaks from one who truly connects. By the end of this episode, you'll understand how storytelling drives alignment, motivation, and measurable results—because when people believe the story, they believe in the mission. Join Gavin McMahon and me, Coach Jay on A New Direction. Discover how these six stories can help you inspire your team, elevate your influence, and lead your business in a whole new direction. Gavin McMahon's book, Story Business: Why Stories Rule the World and How They Can Reinvent Your Business" is a mind bender of a book.  Hold on to your brains folks, because this book is going to challenge the way you think about every presentation, every intereaction, and every piece of marketing you do in your business. The fact is...the stories matter!  Here is the big fact: Our brains are wired for stories.  Just think about it for a second.  What is your favorite movie?  Got it?  Why is it your favorite?  There is something about the story, right?  Well what if we apply the same principles to every avenue of your business?  And that is exactly what Gavin McMahon does in "Story Business".  He pulls the elements of great storytelling and makes it applicable to you regardless of size of business or budget. Many powerful things in the book, but the first one that stands out is the Motive Triangle:  Hope, Fear, and Reason.  The fact is we don't make our decisions rationally.  Here is the key: Emotions create action. Reason creates rationalization.  If you want people to move you have to connect to emotion...and when you can oppose hope and fear...you have a recipe for success! Secondly, The Six Genres of Storytelling are extremely powerful: Value Storytelling, Brand Storytelling, Product Story Telling, Sales Storytelling, Leader Storytelling, and Culture Storytelling opens up our minds to worlds and possibilities that I certainly had not thought of before until I read the book. I think Story Business is a must read for everyone.  Check it out by clicking: Story Business Please reach out and thank the financial sponsors of A New Direction: Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you're an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you're recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here's the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don't settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy!

When everyone has access to the same AI tools, what separates the great from the forgettable is the human behind the screen.Fiverr's VP of Global Brand Communications, Shiri Hellmann, joins Marketing Trends to break down how her team turns chaos into creativity. From producing the viral “Gary” campaign with real freelancers to writing a rom-com about avocados, Shiri reveals how Fiverr spots cultural moments early, takes smart risks, and proves that talent still beats the algorithm. CHAPTERS / KEY MOMENTS00:00 - The Weirdest Fiverr Requests Ever02:58 - How Fiverr Grew from Weird to Global Brand04:00 - Inside Fiverr's Wildest Marketing Campaigns06:11 - Freelancers Behind Fiverr's AI Ad "Gary"08:40 - How Fiverr Selects Top Creators10:00 - The Data-Driven Matchmaking Engine12:10 - Strategy Behind Creative Campaigns14:05 - From Vibe Coding to Avocado Apps16:20 - AI, Humans, and the Future of Creative Work18:55 - Taking Risks and Learning from Failures21:00 - The "F***-Up Night" and Courage Culture23:25 - Biggest Marketing Lesson: Marketers vs. Consumers26:30 - How Fiverr Stays Grounded and Human29:40 - Emerging Trends and The Future of Work33:10 - How Fiverr's Culture Fuels Innovation37:25 - What's Next for Fiverr and Freelancers41:00 - Shiri's Advice for Marketers and Founders44:45 - Closing Reflections and Takeaways This episode is brought to you by Lightricks. LTX is the all-in-one creative suite for AI-driven video production; built by Lightricks to take you from idea to final 4K render in one streamlined workspace.Powered by LTX-2, our next-generation creative engine, LTX lets you move faster, collaborate seamlessly, and deliver studio-quality results without compromise. Try it today at ltx.studio Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Part 2 of his conversation with Dwayne Kerrigan, creative powerhouse Ron Tite dives deep into the execution side of belief-driven business. Ron breaks down how great companies find alignment with what they think, do, and say - and why most fail when they overthink, overreact, or chase the next shiny thing.This episode explores how to balance creativity with discipline, lead with integrity, and build brands that truly earn trust. Ron's frameworks and real-world examples (from Dell to Wealthsimple) will reshape how you think about growth, culture, and storytelling in your own business and career.Highlights:00:00 – Your brand isn't just a color palette04:15 – Balancing structure with innovation10:40 – Aligning through recruiting, training, and compensation13:15 – The short-term trap of chasing sales and ignoring foundations16:00 – Ron shares a personal story that reframes purpose and perspective22:00 – Breaking down what makes a great brand28:15 – The Dell origin story and how storytelling drives strategy and culture32:40 – Applying the Think. Do. Say. formula to everyday decision making35:00 – Identifying and removing your own barriers through honest self-reflectionKey Takeaways:Your Brand Isn't Just An Aesthetic - True brands align their belief, behavior, and communication - not just colors and logos.Balance Creativity with Consistency - You need both the “concept car” for innovation and the “assembly line” for profit.Culture Must Reflect Belief - If you believe in collaboration or honesty, it has to exist inside your organization too.Tell Future Stories - Vision isn't a statement, it's a story of where you're going and how you'll get there.Face the Hard Truths - Leaders must ask the obvious questions and own their barriers to growth.Quotes:“ A great brand has a core purpose, a fundamental belief that's behind it.” - Ron Tite“ If you're all concept car, and all ideas, and all innovation, you go bankrupt. If you're all execution, you're all assembly line, you become irrelevant.” - Ron Tite “Advertising is really just a tax on people who don't have a great product.” - Ron Tite“I've seen so many business owners torpedo their business because they wanted something new and flashier.” - Dwayne KerriganResources Mentioned:Everyone's An Artist - Or At Least They Should Be - by Ron TiteThink Do Say - by Ron TiteThe Purpose of Purpose - by Ron TiteCase Studies: Wealthsimple, Dell Computers, Church+State AgencyRon Tite is an entrepreneur, speaker, and best-selling author. He has been a creative director for some of the world's most respected brands including Air France, DoorDash, Evian, Google, Intel, Microsoft, and Volvo. He's the founder and chief strategy officer of Church+State, co-founder of advertising holding company Group 219, and an investor/ advisor to Wavy, the culture OS for distributed teams. He's the best-selling author of 3 books: Everyone's An Artist - Or At Least They Should Be (HarperCollins, 2016), Think Do Say (Page Two, 2019), and The Purpose of Purpose (Page Two, 2025).Links:Website: https://rontite.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574805686652 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rontiteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rontite LinkedIn:

Are you a CMO or marketing leader struggling to connect scattered AI experiments into a powerful, credible brand story? In this episode of the Business of Story, Park Howell welcomes Joeri Billast—international marketing strategist and host of the "Web3 CMO Stories" podcast—to reveal how top brands transition from fragmented AI efforts to systematic, story-driven success. You'll discover: The difference between AI-first and narrative-first approaches to marketing Boardroom strategies to boost your credibility and drive real business results How ChatGPT and AI change marketing visibility and audience engagement Step-by-step frameworks for building effective, repeatable AI marketing workflows Actionable advice for aligning AI innovation with brand storytelling goals Joeri shares practical insights and proven workflows so you can maximize your team's efficiency, stand out in the boardroom, and lead your brand to storytelling success in the age of AI. Key topics: AI marketing, brand storytelling, content frameworks, marketing technology, boardroom strategy, ChatGPT, systematic workflows, CMO leadership. Listen now to learn how to turn marketing chaos into clarity—systematically—with Joeri Billast. Craft your brilliant brand story strategy in minutes, not months, and instantly create compelling content that converts customers with the StoryCycle Genie™ #StoryOn! ≈Park

In this special episode of the She Believed She Could™ Podcast, host Allison Walsh sits down with Carolina and Carlos Flores, founders of Hi Hello Labs, to talk about building a service driven brand, creating professional content that actually moves the needle, and why the right collaborators help you stay focused on your genius while they handle the execution.We cover how to pitch and structure win win brand collaborations, the mindset blocks that keep creators from hitting publish, and real examples of media that created measurable community impact, including a UN project tied to YouTube Health and a corporate series that sparked donations and awareness.In this episodeThe power of partnership and staying in your laneWhy professional content is a magnet for future opportunitiesDiscovery before the pitch and how to over deliver for sponsorsBreaking through perfectionism, fear, and imposter syndromeAccountability, confidence, and making it easy to hit publishFrom nonprofit storytelling to corporate campaigns with impactHow Hi Hello Labs helps good people make good contentChapters00:00 Welcome and why partnership matters02:10 Meet Carolina and Carlos of Hi Hello Labs06:30 From first studio session to full creative partnership12:05 Content that creates real world impact18:20 Pitching brands the right way and reporting outcomes23:40 Mindset blocks and tools to move through them29:55 Collaboration that compounds your mission36:20 Corporate storytelling, community impact, and sponsorships43:10 Confidence and showing up authentically47:50 Where to find Hi Hello LabsConnect with Hi Hello LabsWebsite: hihellolabs.comInstagram: @hihellolabs / @carlosflores / @carolinadiplanfloresdWork with AllisonReady to turn your story into a service-driven brand that opens doors and expands your impact? 

Blair Huddy, a leading PR expert from Los Angeles, has garnered recognition for their communication skills, inspired in part by the artistry and career of Taylor Swift. Sharing a generational bond with Swift, Blair admires her ability to humanize herself as a global brand, making her relatable to fans through personal interactions and social media engagement. This approach, Blair notes, is a model for companies aiming to foster loyalty and community by valuing every individual's contribution, a concept they championed in their impactful work with organizations like the United Nations. Huddy draws parallels between Swift's influence and effective corporate storytelling, emphasizing the power of authenticity and personal connection in building lasting emotional ties with audiences.(00:16:06) "And that's amazing. You did that. Like, that has to be something that like, really makes you feel important. Like, like you're, you've helped shape the future." - JR Sparrow" - JR Sparrow(00:27:15) "When you get an accolade or something, that sets you apart and you do you. You talk about excellence. It's that. It's the good days, the bad days. Those are the days that you show up every day." - Blair Huddy (00:26:32)" - Blair Huddy(00:39:52) "Rather than like, I look, I look back on those moments and that's what I remember when I watch it back on Disney plus." - Blair Huddy(00:58:34) "She's always been the most honest in the music." - Blair Huddy(01:03:58) "The individual there can't be duplicated, manufactured, no other way. And with what you put in the world, it can't be manufactured any other way beyond what you produce." - JR Sparrow" - JR Sparrow- Taylor Swift's ability to cultivate a loyal and unified community around her music draws comparisons to artists like Michael Jackson.- Blair Huddy emphasizes aligning corporate social responsibility initiatives with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals for progress reporting.- Sustainability initiatives like affordable housing and water conservation positively impact communities and align with the SDGs.- Taylor Swift's unique approach to building loyalty among fans through personal interactions sets her apart from other artists.- Taylor Swift's success is driven by emotional investment and engagement with fans, creating a sense of intimacy.- Taylor Swift's album release strategy and marketing success stem from personal connections with fans.- Taylor Swift excels at managing public relations, controlling her narrative and owning her story.Blair Huddy, born in 1989 and hailing from Los Angeles, has become one of the world's top 100 PR experts, drawing inspiration from the music of Taylor Swift, with whom they share a generational bond. Growing up in a financially struggling family, Blair was motivated to carve their path, much like Swift's rise to stardom, finding solace and inspiration in her lyrics. Educated at the University of Phoenix and the University of Southern California's Annenberg School, Blair honed their communication skills, which they have applied to significant projects for renowned companies like Google and Apple. Their career includes impactful work with International SOS and the United Nations, where they have effectively communicated complex global goals, embodying the resilience and storytelling prowess they admired in Swift's journey

Join us in Episode 239 of TCE as we sit down with trail-blazing creative director Kori Pennypacker. From groundbreaking design strategies to real-world insights into building brand narratives, Kori shares how she transforms ideas into high-impact visual stories. Kori Pennypacker is passionate about the Word of God and how it can greatly impact the children in our lives. She serves as Bible2School's CEO. Kori speaks widely on the topic of children in schools. She and her husband, Blaine, have three adult sons and adore their grandchildren. Learn more about Kori and Bible2School. To register for Summit Student Conferences, visit: Summit.org/students/ For additional free resources from Summit, go to: Summit.org/resources

How do you market the experience of walking through rooms of illusion that flip reality on its head? In this episode, Stephanie Postles chats with Andy Levey, the mastermind CMO behind the Museum of Illusions, to discover how to craft unforgettable moments that captivate audiences. Learn how to apply these strategies to market brands that sell experiences - from local business, SaaS, B2B, and more. Key Moments:00:00 Andy Levey Turns Wonder Into Marketing Strategy02:00 Inside the World's Most Photographed Museum04:00 From Wall Street to Vegas Viral Experiences07:30 Building the Biggest Brand No One's Heard Of09:30 Cracking the Local Playbook for Global Growth14:14 Data and Science Behind Going Viral16:44 Marketing FOMO With Radio and Influencers19:00 Winning Local Search and the AI-Discoverability Game24:00 Bringing Emotion Back to B2B Marketing27:23 How to Make Customers Feel Your Product33:43 Lessons from Failed Launches38:10 Using AI to Scale Creative, Not Replace It45:00 The Best Marketing Campaigns51:00 Marketing Trends Outro Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg is a global expert in brand storytelling. He's won international awards across advertising, film, and television. Helping start-ups to Fortune 500s, brands like Adobe, Capgemini, Google, Qantas, and Virgin use him when they want to tell a stronger story. He's literally written the book on brand storytelling - 'Creating a Blockbuster Brand' has just been released. Connect with Greg here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-logan/narrativity.com Don't forget to download our FREE LinkedIn Post Templates for High Impact Posts here:https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsposttemplates