Podcasts about brand strategy

For anyone who's been putting off their branding because they've told themselves they need more money first, I get why you'd think that. But it's genuinely one of the more expensive beliefs you can hold in business. This podcast kicks off a three part series on building a brand on a budget, and today I'm tackling the myth head on. Because a strong brand isn't actually about how much you spend, it's about knowing what to prioritise and what can wait a while. I'm walking through the four things your brand genuinely needs (spoiler, your logo is only one of them), the two things you can happily skip for now, and the hidden cost of not sorting your branding out at all. Free Canva Masterclass: Design Tools to $100k

Terence Reilly, Chief Brand Officer at Crocs, Inc., joins the Speed of Culture podcast to discuss the mechanics of building brands that define their categories. The conversation covers the intentional changes that turned functional items into global lifestyle symbols through the power of community and clear leadership vision. Listeners will discover how responding to authentic cultural moments can lead to unprecedented brand awareness and loyalty.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Terence Reilly on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A CMO Confidential Interview With Aarron Spinley, Director at the Field Bell Institute and Author of "The Customering Method." Aarron discusses his belief that customer management deserves its own discipline as part of marketing, that understanding customer needs is the foundation of sales, and why popular metrics can be misleading. Key topics include:- Why you should "learn the asset versus learn instead of the measures"- The need to focus on "unnatural churn"- The difference between automation and serviceTune in to hear why he's not fully on board with NPS and a story about "trendy rabbit holes." ⏱️ Chapters00:00 - Introduction to CMO Confidential and Guest Aarron Spinley01:23 - Defining Customer Experience and "Customering"04:35 - Limitations of Marketing Concepts and Survey Data in Customer Management06:53 - Drivers of Customer Loyalty vs. Net Promoter Score (NPS)10:11 - The Relationship Between Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in Banking12:30 - The Correct Sequence of Customer Management: Asset, System, Measurement13:59 - Market Orientation vs. Sales Orientation within a Customer Base27:28 - What Effective Customer Interaction Looks Like30:02 - The Role of AI and Centralized Decisioning/Orchestration32:52 - Career Advice: Focus on Fundamentals Over Tools34:36 - Conclusion and Closing RemarksSubscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use. In this episode, Elena and Rob explore why packaging redesigns so often backfire, and what actually drives shoppers to pick a product off the shelf. Topics covered: [01:21] "The Packaging Redesign Modernization Dilemma" [03:06] Why redesigns are an expensive, common gamble [05:35] Does looking more modern actually boost sales? [06:17] Why familiarity beats likability at the shelf [07:31] When a redesign makes sense, and when it doesn't To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.Resources:  Caruso, W., Romaniuk, J., Page, B., & colleagues. (2026). The packaging redesign modernisation dilemma: The relationship with familiarity, likeability, and its effect on purchase intent. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services. Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Have you ever looked at a brand from your childhood and felt a sudden rush of memory—a connection to a story or character that helped shape who you are today? In an age of fast-moving trends, we often forget that the most powerful brands aren't just products; they are shared experiences that connect us across generations.Today, we are joined by a man who has mastered the art of reviving that magic. Sam Bremner is the founder of IVEST Consumer Partners, a private equity firm dedicated to investing in consumer brands, intellectual property, and those nostalgic franchises that have stood the test of time.  Sam Bremner is the founder of IVEST Consumer Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in consumer brands, intellectual property, and nostalgic franchises that have shaped generations. His work centers on reviving beloved brands and bringing them back into cultural relevance, proving that the stories and characters people grew up with still hold powerful emotional value today. Before founding IVEST, Sam's path took him from entrepreneurship into the corporate world, where he eventually partnered with former Warner Bros. executives behind iconic licensing deals, including Harry Potter. That experience deepened his belief that the most successful brands are more than products, they're shared memories that connect people across generations.Today, Sam leads with what he calls “high-frequency leadership,” a philosophy rooted in emotional connection and authentic partnerships with the brands and teams he works with. He is also the author of the forthcoming book “The Frequency of Leadership”, where he explores how leading through connection rather than control can help brands and the people behind them reach their full potential.  CONTACT DETAILS:Business: IVEST Consumer PartnersWebsite: https://ivestconsumer.com/ Social Media:LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambremnerivest/ Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment on my Google Business Page. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing. Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services.

This week on CMO Confidential, we are revisiting one of our favorite conversations with Rob Ward from January of 2026.A CMO Confidential Interview with Rob Ward, co-founder and General Partner of Meritech Capital, a top Silicon Valley venture firm. Rob shares his take on what he calls a "super terrifying and exciting time" and provides perspective on AI receiving the most capital of any technology in history, the "durability of revenue" and how quickly start-ups are now reaching $100 million in revenue. Key topics include: why VC's focus on growth vs. profitability; the risks associated with massive long-term capital investment; why marketers should pick a "trusted advisor" as their AI partner; and why your data strategy needs "context. Tune in to hear how Astronomer handled the "Coldplay Concert Incident" which immediately became a PR classic and the "VC Foie Gras Effect."What happens when a top venture capitalist pulls back the curtain on AI, valuations, hype cycles, and what's actually working?In this episode of CMO Confidential, host Mike Linton sits down with Rob Ward, Co-Founder and General Partner at Metech Capital, to unpack the realities behind the AI boom. Rob has spent more than 26 years investing in category-defining companies like Facebook (Meta), Snowflake, NetSuite, Zipcar, and Cloudera — and he brings a rare, grounded perspective to today's AI frenzy.Together, they explore: • Why AI adoption is still early — despite explosive growth • The real risks behind inflated valuations and “AI-washing” • How VC decision-making changes during platform shifts • What marketers and executives should actually look for when choosing AI partners • Why data strategy, change management, and trust matter more than tools • What layoffs, productivity, and the future of work really look like beneath the headlines • A masterclass in crisis communications, featuring Ryan Reynolds, Gwyneth Paltrow, and ColdplayIf you're a CMO, CEO, board member, founder, or agency leader trying to make sense of AI without getting swept up in the hype — this is a must-listen conversation.⸻Chapter Markers00:00 – Welcome to CMO Confidential00:19 – Introducing Rob Ward and today's AI conversation01:13 – Where we really are in AI adoption02:26 – Explosive AI growth: what's real vs hype03:35 – Why enterprise AI adoption is still a slog04:37 – Vendor spend, hyperscalers, and the trillion-dollar buildout06:12 – Is this an AI bubble? Public vs private market realities07:20 – Accelerating investment rounds and lack of diligence08:12 – AI-washing and durability of AI businesses09:46 – Proof-of-concepts, switching costs, and fragile loyalty10:55 – Big Tech vs startups: why this cycle is different11:40 – Why VCs chase platform shifts despite the risks13:05 – How AI is changing profitability and headcount math16:11 – “FOGRA” investing and capital distortion17:00 – Circular investing and data-center risk18:23 – Data centers, GPUs, and betting on the wrong future19:38 – Credit default swaps and financial warning signs21:45 – How executives should choose AI vendors22:58 – Change management and why culture matters most24:09 – Why data strategy is the real AI strategy26:36 – “Frequently wrong, never in doubt” and AI hallucinations27:01 – Practical AI use cases for marketers30:00 – Layoffs, productivity, and what's really happening to jobs33:05 – The best questions to spot real AI fluency35:00 – AI safety, geopolitics, and long-term risks36:38 – Crisis management masterclass: Astronomer, Coldplay & Ryan Reynolds39:58 – Final advice and closing thoughts⸻Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"You want to own the message and your narrative."Strong communication is about more than delivering a message—it's about building trust over time. As Zoom's Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Storin has helped shape communication at one of the world's most recognizable brands, balancing empathy, transparency, and consistency in an era of rapid technological change. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Storin joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how leaders can communicate with authenticity, navigate crises with clarity, and build cultures rooted in transparency. They explore the art and science of shaping perception, maintaining connection in hybrid workplaces, and creating messages that solve problems—not just capture attention.Key Takeaways:Lead with authenticity and transparency. Clear, honest communication builds trust—especially during periods of change or crisis.Own your narrative. Consistent messaging and a clear story shape how others understand your brand, team, or ideas.Activity:Before your next team update or difficult conversation, ask yourself: "What information can I share that will build trust?" Include one additional point of context or reasoning that helps your audience better understand the decision.Printable Expanded Takeaways & ActivitiesEpisode Reference Links:Kim StorinEp.82 It's Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others FirstConnect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:37) - Leading Through a Global Crisis (03:36) - Changing Brand Perception (06:50) - Building Culture at Scale (09:00) - Virtual Communication Gains & Losses (11:24) - Creating Meaningful Moments (12:34) - Communicating Through Difficulty (16:03) - The Final Three Questions (21:33) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Most Work Platforms Help People Communicate.  Some help you organize, but Zoom turns conversations into outcomes. Try Zoom Mate today

Many enterprise marketing teams struggle with low campaign engagement because they treat cross-cultural outreach as a secondary budget extension rather than a foundational strategy. Jorge Plasencia, CEO of Republica Havas and Global Chief Client Officer of Havas, breaks down how to build comprehensive cross-cultural campaigns that align directly with high-growth consumer demographics.He shares his approach to navigating the shift toward automated "agentic" shopping networks, using large-scale simulated data frameworks to maintain visibility in automated retail loops.Key discussion topics include:Bypassing late-stage campaign additions to integrate cross-cultural insights directly into core strategy.Optimizing brand positioning to remain competitive when autonomous AI assistants handle routine consumer shopping.Deploying automated research systems to track consumer choices across diverse demographic segments.Retraining operational staff from basic administrative tracking into creative and strategic service positions.Positioning regional market hubs as entry points for international business expansion.Guest Profile: Jorge Plasencia is the CEO of Republica Havas and Global Chief Client Officer of the Havas network, managing client alignment across 700 partner agencies in 100 countries.Connect & Scale Your Operations:Follow Jorge Plasencia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgeplasencia/Explore Republica Havas: https://republicahavas.com/Optimize Omnichannel Performance Capital with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

What separates unforgettable brands from businesses that constantly fight for attention?In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, branding expert Bill Harper, Founder of Brand Boss HQ and one of the world's Top 20 Branding Experts, shares why branding—not just marketing—is the ultimate competitive advantage.Bill explains why most companies spend too much time optimizing ads and too little time building a memorable brand. From GEICO and Volvo to startups and SaaS businesses, he reveals how successful companies create differentiation, simplify their message, and become the obvious choice for customers.We also discuss:Brand Strategy vs Brand IdentityWhy performance marketing alone eventually failsHow AI is changing branding and marketingThe psychology behind memorable brandsHow startups can stand out in crowded marketsReal-world branding success storiesCreating a brand customers actually rememberWhether you're a founder, entrepreneur, marketer, or business leader, this conversation is packed with practical branding advice you can implement immediately.Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses' growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Bill Harper:Website: https://www.brandbosshq.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandbosshq/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.#Branding #Marketing #Startup #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BrandStrategy #AI #MarketingStrategy #Founder #Podcast

Rebalancing toward brand from a performance-only mix lifts revenue ROI by a median of 90%. Yet 67% of senior marketers are still shifting budget the wrong direction. The gap between what marketers know and what they do turns out to be one of the costliest problems in the industry.In this episode, Elena, Angela, and Rob dig into the Multiplier Playbook, a new WARC report that surveyed over 200 senior marketers to identify the structural, cultural, and measurement barriers keeping brands stuck in a performance-only loop. They break down the doom loop, explain the missing 15% of brand value hiding in baseline sales, and discuss what it really takes to close the say-do gap. Topics covered:[01:18] What the Multiplier Playbook found about the say-do gap [02:01] Why 67% of marketers keep shifting budget toward performance [07:15] The doom loop and how performance-only thinking compounds over time [10:56] The missing 15% of brand value hiding in your baseline [14:12] Why 41% of marketers say creativity is seen as a risk [16:13] How brand investment strengthens your visibility in AI-driven search [17:55] Why 90% of ads get pulled before they ever wear inTo learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.Resources:The Multiplier Playbook: https://www.warc.com/en/the-multiplier-playbook-2026Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Michael Treff, the CEO of Code and Theory. Michael shares his belief that the ambiguity in markets is here to stay, why traditional B2B playbooks aren't working like they used to, and why this is the "dawn of a new era for creativity."Key topics include:- Three key B2B questions companies are asking- The concepts of "stacking talent" and "forward-deployed teams"- The need to be truly honest about your organization and the marketplace- Why the future for agencies will be driven by tech, software, and serviceTune in to hear about why you should "Keep it simple," and why the future will bring "A reckoning for the service business."⏱️ Chapters1:12 - Guest Introduction and Overview of the B2B Marketplace4:35 - Technology Investments and the Changing Journey6:16 - Evolving Roles within the C-Suite7:20 - Culture Shifts and the Service Business Reckoning13:12 - Walled Gardens vs. Open Data Environments16:12 - Synthetic Data Sets18:40 - Advice for Traditional Clients26:35 - The Future of Creativity in B2B31:25 - Predictions for the Future33:37 - Closing and Final AdviceThis episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo.Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most people who are good at marketing are terrible at marketing themselves. Mat Zucker is no exception, and he'll be the first to say it. Mat spent two decades as a creative director at some of the biggest agencies in the world — Ogilvy, Razorfish, R/GA. Then he launched his own podcast and spent the first few years not applying a single one of those lessons to himself. Today he's a marketing strategy consultant, host of Cidiot (eight seasons, 124 episodes), published author, and somehow an amateur music producer. We talk about what institutions teach you that going solo never will, how to actually build an audience without a budget, and what happens when someone who knows the playbook finally runs it on themselves.Brand books for your own creative work. The 10-3-1 Rule for finding the right place to move. Why consistency beats every audience growth hack. The accountability trick that cracks stop-start syndrome. And the song Mat made after selling his family home following his mother's death — a project rooted in grief that's quietly becoming something much bigger. This one's for anyone building something on the side and wondering why it isn't moving faster. Come ready to take notes.Takeaways Most creative solopreneurs skip their own brand strategy. That's exactly why their work feels inconsistent and their choices feel arbitrary.Big agencies teach you something solo work can't replicate: passive growth through proximity. You get better by watching how talented people defend ideas, handle pressure, and raise their craft. Going independent means manufacturing that pressure yourself.Freelancing gives you control. It also takes away the friction that was making you grow. That trade is real and most people don't see it coming.Consistency of release moves the number more than almost any other tactic. More than ads. More than PR. More than stunts. Showing up on schedule is the unsexy answer that actually works.Going on other people's shows is the single highest-leverage thing a podcaster can do to grow. Most people know this and still wait too long to start.Stop-start syndrome is a creative person's problem. The cure isn't more discipline. Build something with someone else and it becomes much harder to quietly abandon.A newsletter is infrastructure, not content. Own the relationship with your audience before the algorithm changes. Mat wishes he built his in year one.Your toolkit travels further than you think. Mat can't play a single instrument. He's produced two songs by doing what he knows: writing a brief and hiring the right people to bring it to life.Done is better than perfect — not as a consolation prize, but as a philosophy. Release it. Move to the next one. The iteration is the point.Links & ResourcesMat's Website & Podcast: CidiotMat's Song: "Ashwood Road" — available on Spotify and Apple MusicMat's 10-3-1 Worksheet: linked at cidiot.comConnect with DrewDrew's Substack: https://thedrewenglish.substack.com/ Drew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewenglishh/ Drew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewenglish/ Drew's Website: http://www.drewenglish.com/

What if watching your competitors is not giving you clarity - but quietly pulling you away from your own business vision?In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon explores the fine line between healthy competitor awareness and toxic comparison. For many service-based entrepreneurs, especially in industries like home staging, interior design, consulting, and coaching, it can feel like everyone is watching everyone. But when competitor research turns into obsession, it can lead to reactive decisions, scattered offers, pricing doubts, and a business that no longer feels aligned.Shauna Lynn breaks down how to learn from others without copying them, why online success is often just a highlight reel, and how to use your own vision, values, differentiators, and client experience as the filter for business decisions.Listeners will walk away with a healthier way to view competitors, stronger questions to ask about their own business, and a reminder that standing out often comes from leaning further into what already makes them different.Timestamps:(01:49) - (06:20) - Why competitor watching is normal, but can quickly become unhealthy(06:21) - (10:36) - The difference between market awareness and competitor obsession(10:37) - (17:22) - Why online success is often a highlight reel, not the full business story(17:23) - (24:15) - How comparison weakens your instincts and disconnects you from your vision(24:16) - (28:43) - Using competitors to clarify your differentiators instead of copying their offers(28:44) - (31:40) - Building from clarity, confidence, and your own version of successResources:Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachmeLearn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcast

Noam is a marketing leader who has grown brands like Marmite, Pot Noodle, Andrex and Huggies.In this episode we discuss:The need for caring leadersManaging a brand during a warCategory expansion for heritage brandsWorking with Paddington BearEvolving iconic brandsDistinctive brand assets and early crowdsourcing of contentDoing well by doing good - a case study from AndrexNoam BuchalterNoam helps turn around and accelerate established brands leveraging his 24+ years experience as a Marketing leader, from Unilever UK Local Jewels like Marmite and Pot Noodle, to $1bn international brands like Andrex and Huggies at Kimberly Clark EMEA.He has experience in consultancy and PE owned businesses and takes a holistic, pragmatic and commercial approach to managing brands. With specialisms in Brand Strategy, Innovation and Shared Value (Sustainability & Social Impact), Noam delivers results through a care for performance leadership style that builds Marketing teams who are motivated, skilled and resilient. Find Noam on LinkedInStrategy Sessions Host - Andi JarvisThis is the last episode of Season 6 and it's been a hell of a ride! I've loved meeting some amazing people this season and I hope you've enjoyed it too. I'll be back in September with a new Season. Until then, enjoy the summer!If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram.Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating.Full show notes, including a transcript, links to everything discussed and contact details can be found on the episode page here: https://eximomarketingstrategy.com/care-for-performance-leadership-with-noam-buchalter-strategy-sessions-podcast/

Recorded live at SocialWest 2026 in Calgary, Charlie Grinnell, co-CEO of Rightmetric, joins host Lindsay Smith to explore why the data brands have been collecting about themselves is only half the story.Rightmetric helps North America's leading consumer brands harness external digital data across social, search, web, app, and ad spend to uncover what Charlie calls outsights: intelligence derived from how people actually behave online rather than what they say in a survey or focus group.Charlie breaks down why traditional segmentation falls short, how AI has turbocharged the ability to count and interpret behavioral signals at scale, and what it looks like when a brand finally sees the full picture of their audience rather than the one they assumed was there.Because there's a big difference between what people say they do and what they actually do.Edited and produced by Takt.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Drew Pinto, EVP and Chief Revenue and Technology Officer of Marriott International. Drew discusses the concept that architecture and data should be viewed as a means to an end, methods for assessing legacy systems, and why tech is critical to customer experience.Key topics include: - Why he believes in "built to change”- Ways to assess your data- Why marketers shouldn't get "enamored by solutions- The idea of "buying commodities" vs. building everything yourselfTune in to hear a discussion about "data puddles," and why marketers should take their tech partners to dinner.⏱️ Chapters1:12 - Introduction and Guest Welcome2:32 -Defining Data Architecture5:00 - Evaluating Legacy Systems12:51 - Sponsor Message: Typeface ARC Agents13:55 - Built to Change vs. Built to Last17:15 - Tech Sourcing: Build vs. Buy21:11 - Customer Experience and Data Management27:54 - Common Mistakes and Advice for Marketers30:44 - Closing Remarks and Final ThoughtsThis episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo. Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most people have no idea what really happens when mattress giants merge—discover the truth (and the surprising impact on your sleep and business).Ever wondered what actually goes on behind closed doors when industry leaders like Malouf, Everest, and Sinomax join forces? In this episode, Tara Kinsley sits down with Ashlee Doonan (Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy) and Beth Thompson (Director of Communications) to reveal the untold story of their groundbreaking collaboration.You'll hear unfiltered insights on how three powerhouse brands are integrating teams, sharing resources, and navigating the challenges of overlapping roles—all while fiercely protecting their culture and keeping customer needs front and center.If you've ever felt confused by industry mergers, frustrated by mattress marketing "gimmicks," or curious how real industry leaders set boundaries and avoid burnout, this is your must-listen. Ashley and Beth open up about maintaining honesty in marketing, tackling casual sexism, and why doing the hard thing is the key to career growth—especially for women in a male-dominated space.Plus, get an inside look at how American manufacturing, global partnerships, and post-pandemic realities are shaping the future of sleep products. Ready to rethink everything you know about this industry?Timestamps:- 00:45 – The surprising way mattress execs recharge (hint: it's not what you think)- 04:00 – The boundaries sleep industry leaders won't compromise on- 08:10 – The #1 misconception about women in leadership- 15:00 – How Maloof, Everest, and Sinomax are changing the game together- 18:30 – The real challenges (and benefits) of merging mega-brands- 20:45 – How U.S. manufacturing and global teams are reshaping product quality- 25:00 – The truth behind Maloof's ‘Google-esque' company culture- 32:00 – The career advice every young professional needs to hear- 35:30 – Why ‘gimmicks' are hurting the mattress industry (and what to do instead)- 41:00 – Fun lightning round: sleep habits, guilty pleasures, and unexpected factsConnect with The FAM Podcast:

Paulita David, VP, Head of U.S., Large Customer Sales at Reddit, unpacks how brands are tapping into Reddit's communities for sharper consumer insights, real-time cultural signals, and a deeper understanding of what drives decision-making online. For more on what's moving the industry, head to The Current: https://www.thecurrent.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it take to build a business that lasts for generations? In this episode of Building Unbreakable Brands, Meghan Lynch sits down with Matt Nielsen, Third-Generation Steward, Shareholder, Board Director, and Managing Director Europe at Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. Matt shares how his family has approached stewardship, governance, and long-term decision-making in a century-old business. From bringing in an independent board and a non-family CEO to defining a shareholder vision that extends generations into the future, this conversation offers practical insights for leaders who want to strengthen their businesses without becoming the bottleneck to growth.Key Topics DiscussedDefine stewardship as a leadership mindset that prioritizes future generations over short-term ownership interests.Strengthen governance through outside perspective by leveraging independent board members and non-family executives to challenge assumptions and expand strategic thinking.Build a long-term vision that aligns stakeholders by separating shareholder goals from day-to-day business operations.Balance focus and diversification by protecting core strengths while exploring new opportunities that reduce risk and support future growth.Connect with Matt Nielsen on LinkedInConnect with Meghan Lynch on LinkedInBuilding Unbreakable Brands is produced by Six-Point StrategyBuilding Unbreakable Brands: 6 Practices for Family Businesses That Enduresixpointstrategy.com/practices

A CMO Confidential Interview with Dr. David Bray, Distinguished Fellow and Chair of the Accelerator with the Alfred Lee Loomis Innovation Council and bipartisan advisor on cyber, space, AI as well as countering terrorism, inauthentic information campaigns, and bioterrorism. David shares thoughts on why geopolitics have become so important so quickly, the universal breakdown in trust, how anxiety fuels anger, which fuels grievance, and how business leaders might adjust to all of this.Key topics include: - Why geopolitical and tech issues should be added to the "risk management committee"- The need for contingency planning and directional decision-making - How anyone is now the equivalent of a 1970's cold war spy- Why "getting better at discernment" is critical. Tune in to hear about "responsible heretics" and how a high school science project resulted in a South American assignment for a 17-year old.⏱️ Chapters1:12: Introducing Dr. David Bray1:39: Why Business Leaders Should Care About Geopolitics2:33: Mapping the Ripple Effects of Technological Revolutions4:47: Historical Context: 1890s Polarization and Yellow Journalism7:01: Societal Anxiety, Governance, and the Path to Anarchy9:10: Impact on Global Supply Chains and Geopolitical Uncertainty12:25: The Complexity of Microprocessors and Hardware Risks14:10: Upgrading the Board: Risk Management for Tech and Geopolitics16:21: Pressures on the C-Suite and Decision-Making with Incomplete Information18:06: Marketing in a Volatile Landscape: Early Signal Networks20:07: The Role of the “Responsible Heretic” in Avoiding Groupthink23:29: Managing Super-Empowered Employees and Information Capabilities25:16: Disinformation Strategy: From Operation Denver to Modern Bots27:56: Balancing Principles, Ethics, and Global Competitiveness29:07: Preparing for the Future: Data Reassessment and the Art of Discernment31:43: Strategic Headspace: Establishing Pivot Options33:11: Predictions for 2026: AI Pushback and Conflict De-escalation34:03: Funniest Story: The South American Science Fair Mosh Pit35:51: Practical Advice: Leadership vs. Management Expectations36:07: Final Takeaways and Closing RemarksThis episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo. Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Megan Dirks is the Brand Strategy Specialist at She Rises Studios, where she helps shape clear, consistent messaging and ensures the brand is represented with professionalism and purpose. With over 10 years of experience in brand strategy, design, marketing, and coaching, she has worked across industries ranging from wellness and hospitality to music festivals, indie video games, and small businesses. Megan is also the creator of The Girl on the Left, a women's storytelling platform dedicated to visibility, connection, and meaningful conversations.

Send us Fan MailAre you spending hours creating content, posting on social media, and trying every marketing tactic under the sun but still not seeing the results you want?In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I sit down with brand strategist and designer Clare Walter for a candid conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing business owners right now: the growing disconnect between strategy and execution.Together, we unpack the difference between brand strategy and marketing strategy, why so many businesses are skipping the foundational work, and how the rise of AI and templated marketing advice is leading many business owners down the wrong path.We discuss why social media isn't a marketing strategy, how businesses can find their true competitive advantage, and why understanding your customers will always outperform chasing trends. We also explore the role of positioning, customer research, marketing investment, and how businesses can continue to grow during challenging economic times.One of the biggest themes throughout this conversation is the importance of being known for something specific. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, Clare shares why businesses that narrow their focus often create stronger brands, attract better clients, and build more sustainable growth.We also dive into the dangers of generic marketing, the limitations of AI-generated strategies, and why businesses that invest in understanding their customers consistently outperform those who rely on shortcuts.If you've been feeling overwhelmed by marketing, frustrated by inconsistent results, or unsure where to focus your energy, this episode will help you step back, refocus, and return to the fundamentals that actually drive business growth.Key TakeawaysA strong brand strategy and marketing strategy work together and should inform every decision you make in your business.Social media is a marketing channel, not a complete marketing strategy.AI can be a useful tool, but it cannot replace critical thinking, customer research, positioning, or strategic decision-making.Businesses that clearly define their niche, positioning, and competitive advantage are often more successful than businesses trying to appeal to everyone.Understanding your customers, their behaviours, and their motivations is one of the most valuable investments you can make.Marketing should be treated as an investment, not an afterthought.Consistency across your website, emails, messaging, and customer experience builds trust and improves conversion.The most effective businesses often double down on strategy during challenging economic conditions rather than pulling back.Action StepsReview your current marketing activity and ask yourself whether each channel is supporting a clear strategy.Spend time identifying what makes your business genuinely different rather than simply better.Survey your customers and prospects to better understand why they choose you and what they value most.Audit your brand touchpoints to ensure your messaging and visual identity are consistent.Consider where you're spending time and whether those activities are delivering a meaningful return on investment.Focus on building trust, relationships, and customer experience rather than chasing vanity metrics.Connect with Clare WalterFind Clare online and learn more about her work in brand strategy, positioning, and website design through the links in the show notes: https://ignitely.com.au/best-to-only-signup/DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNERInstagram @bec_chappellLinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team.How to work with me:1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation4. Get me on your podcastThis podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

Old Grand-Dad is a titan among budget bourbons, known for its punchy, high-rye mash bill. But the brand is evolving. In this episode, Jake and Scott dive into the deep history of Old Grand-Dad, tracing it from the 1800s through its current era under the Jim Beam umbrella.We explore the expanded lineup, from the standard 7-year bottled-in-bond to ultra-premium, age-stated releases like the rare 16-year. The core of this discussion, however, centers on the beloved 114 proof and the launch of the new signed single barrel variant. Can aging hide the signature OGD profile? Does Beam's extensive line expansion threaten its core brands?We break down tasting notes, discuss warehouse terroir, and offer recommendations for all levels of bourbon explorers navigating this crowded, complex market.

On this episode of The Buzz, Scott Luton is joined by special co-host Dr. Muddassir Ahmed and special guest Anthony Reeves, Vice President of Global Brand & Creative at Kohler and author of Eat the Donkey: Why Great Companies Embrace Discomfort. Together, they explore the realities of AI adoption, decision-making optimization, innovation, leadership, and what separates organizations that thrive from those that struggle to keep pace. As supply chains continue to evolve in the age of AI, organizations face critical decisions about technology adoption, data quality, change management, and leadership. Scott, Muddassir, and Anthony examine why many AI initiatives fail, what companies can learn from both successes and setbacks, and why strong decision-making remains one of the most valuable competitive advantages. The conversation also explores the growing importance of human connection, brand differentiation, organizational culture, and the willingness to embrace discomfort in pursuit of long-term growth. Drawing on experiences from Amazon, Kohler, Starbucks, and other global brands, Anthony shares powerful lessons on innovation, leadership, and staying true to what makes an organization unique. Key Takeaways: AI success depends as much on adoption, change management, and leadership as it does on technology. High-quality, contextualized data remains the foundation for effective AI implementation. Organizations must learn from failed initiatives just as much as successful ones. Soft skills, emotional intelligence, and human connection will become increasingly valuable as AI handles more routine work. Strong brands remain differentiated by purpose, customer experience, and authenticity—not technology alone. Great leaders make difficult decisions early rather than delaying action until opportunities have passed. Whether you're leading a supply chain transformation, evaluating AI investments, or building a stronger organization, this episode offers practical insights from leaders who have navigated innovation at the highest levels. You'll walk away with actionable advice on decision-making, change management, leadership, and creating organizations that can thrive amid constant disruption. Additional Links & Resources: Guest LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyreeves/ Guest Instagram Handle: @anthony.j.reeves Guest Company Website: anthonyreeves.co APL Logistics: https://www.apllogistics.com/ With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-7JUN2026 The Corner Market: https://bit.ly/The-Corner-Market Exclusive: Starbucks scraps AI inventory tool across North America: https://reut.rs/4vuPSkR 4 Supply Chain and AI Predictions for 2026: https://bit.ly/AI-Predictions-2026 AI Strategy Takes A Data Foundation That Cleansing Can't Provide: https://bit.ly/Paul-Noble-Gartner2026-Takeaways 5 Signs Your Supply Chain Has Outgrown How It's Managed Today: https://bit.ly/5-signs-your-SC-has-outgrown-mgmt Eat the Donkey: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G97CHK9F When Safety Technologies Backfire and How Managers Can Prevent It: https://bit.ly/When-Safety-Tech-Backfires Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/ Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyreeves/ SCMDOJO: https://sensei.scmdojo.com/ Connect with Muddassir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muddassirism/ Follow Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/ WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf WEBINAR- AI that moves at velocity: Cut through latency with agentic workflows: https://bit.ly/4x4626t This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Dr. Mudassir Ahmed. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-adoption-brand-differentiation-embracing-comfort-1595 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fresh off a $10 billion valuation, the direct-from-manufacturer online retailer Quince is on a hot streak. It's been testing physical retail with pop-ups and expanding into new categories, from furniture to caviar. But while the company had no shortage of sales, what it was lacking was a coherent brand story. Dakota Kate Isaacs, formerly a senior director at The Ordinary, started at Quince in February as the company's first head of brand strategy and narrative. Her goal has been to help Quince build an emotional connection with its customers, for reasons beyond just the low prices that attract them in the first place. Isaacs spoke with senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi at the Glossy E-commerce Summit in Miami this month to discuss what strategies she's been adopting to build those relationships. "My goal is not to create a new story for the brand, but [instead] to articulate the story to everyone," she said. "The narrative around Quince often gets condensed just to price, but the price isn't the story. The price is the result of the system, and the system is the story." To that end, Isaacs has been pushing for more initiatives, including a recent furniture pop-up in Los Angeles. Isaacs said pop-ups allow new categories like fragrance and wellness to be introduced in a more comprehensive, aesthetically cohesive way, with accompanying imagery and branding. For example, another recent pop-up for its fine jewelry category was held in a coffee shop in Manhattan. "I'm working to tell the true story of the business," Isaacs said. "What makes this business unique is the technology and the system behind the business

Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use. In this episode, Elena and Rob explore why consumers sometimes turn on brands after an acquisition, even when the product hasn't changed, and what marketers can do to soften the blow.Topics covered:[02:05] "When and Why Consumers React Negatively to Brand Acquisitions: A Values Authenticity Account"[03:00] What is values authenticity, and why does it matter?[04:05] Why the underdog effect isn't the real culprit[04:40] How a 15% stake can start eroding consumer trust[05:55] Five factors that can reduce acquisition backlash[06:55] What competing brand equities mean for marketersTo learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast Resources: Biraglia, A., Fuchs, C., Maira, E., & Puntoni, S. (2023). When and why consumers react negatively to brand acquisitions: A values authenticity account. Journal of Marketing, 87(4), 601–617. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429221137817 Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

95% of senior marketing leaders are already using or planning to use synthetic data within 12 months. So why are so many marketers still on the fence?In this episode, Elena, Angela, and Rob talk with Peter Weinberg, co-founder of Evidenza and former head of research at LinkedIn's B2B Institute. They discuss where to start with synthetic audiences, how to assess accuracy, and why brand building still matters as AI changes how people search and decide.Topics covered:•    [00:00] Introductions and what synthetic research actually is•    [03:00] Why 95% of marketing leaders plan to use synthetic data within 12 months•    [05:00] Synthetic research really replaces ignorance, not traditional surveys•    [09:00] How to evaluate accuracy in synthetic research tools•    [10:30] Where marketers should start: find the white spaces first•    [16:00] Why AI can be creative and what 'temperature' means for marketers•    [24:00] Why brand still matters in an AI-driven search world•    [28:00] How Evidenza applied Ehrenberg-Bass principles to build their own brand•    [34:00] Why more real-time data can lead to worse decisionsTo learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.Resources:2025 Qualtrics Article: https://www.qualtrics.com/articles/strategy-research/synthetic-research-breakthrough/Peter's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weinbergpeter/Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Joe Gagliese, Co-Founder and CEO at Viral Nation, a full-service digital and social agency. Joe discusses the concept of social as "the people's media," details why he believes "discovery begins with social" and outlines how brands might think about becoming "social centered." Key topics include:Why social has become a prerequisite for certain categoriesQuestions to ask your social agencyWhy measurement is still a bit of an Achilles heelHow to think of social as a living organism which works in concert with the rest of your marketingTune in to hear why social is so important for autos and thoughts on reading Marcus Aurelius.⏱️ Chapters01:12 - Introduction to CMO Confidential01:42 - Introducing Joe Gagliese02:46 - Defining "Social First"05:40 - Social Strategy as a Behavioral System08:03 - The Prerequisite of Radical Transparency12:11 - Transitioning to a Social-First Organization15:03 - Maintaining Authenticity with Creators17:33 - Steps to Develop a Social-First Strategy20:20 - Determining Brand Readiness22:01 - Measuring Social Performance and Conversion25:18 - Five Questions to Ask Social Agencies28:28 - Common Mistakes in Social Marketing30:10 - Practical Advice and Closing RemarksThis episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo.Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Tiffany Rose Goodyear, founder of Scentex, explores scent in brand strategy. Because olfaction bypasses rational thought and links directly to emotion and memory, it offers an unmatched opportunity for connection. Learn why Western culture historically ignored smell, how color theory informs fragrance design, and how to execute immersive scentscapes at live events. Discover how to move beyond sight and sound to create multi-sensory experiences that drive real action.

On Your World of Creativity, we travel around the world talking with creative leaders who turn ideas into impact.Last time Aurora Winter joined us, we explored her book Turn Words Into Wealth. Now she's back with a bold new message: 2026 is “do or die” for experts and entrepreneurs. Today we're diving into her newest release, Brand Strategy in the Age of AI — and what it takes to build a valuable, future-proof brand in an AI-powered world.Aurora Winter is a bestselling author, brand strategist, and former TV executive producer who helps experts and entrepreneurs turn their message into money. With a background in storytelling and showrunning, she's guided thousands of leaders to create influential, scalable brands.Aurora's WebsiteAurora on YouTube@aurorawintermba on InstagramHer new book, Brand Strategy in the Age of AI, tackles one urgent question: Will AI replace you — or amplify you?1 — Why 2026 Is “Do or Die”Aurora, last time we spoke about turning words into wealth. Now you're saying that 2026 is a “do or die” moment for experts and entrepreneurs. That's strong language. What's happening right now that makes this moment so critical?What are you seeing that most leaders are underestimating about AI's impact on branding and visibility?2 — Catching the AI Wave (Without Being Replaced)There's a lot of fear in the market right now — will AI replace writers, coaches, strategists, consultants? From your perspective, how can entrepreneurs catch the AI wave and profit rather than get wiped out by it?You talk about four human superpowers that AI can't replicate. What are they — and how do they translate into a valuable brand? Your story; your presence; your sense of style; your leadership approach.3 — The Visibility Imperative (Why Video Matters)You've said leaders who skip video are training the market to ignore them. That's provocative. Why is video so essential in the AI era?How does the “movie trailer mindset” help leaders grab attention in a crowded digital landscape?4 — Think Like a ShowrunnerYou come from television and production, and now you're applying what you call the “Netflix Framework” — thinking like a showrunner to build binge-worthy content. What does that mean for a founder or expert building a brand?You also mention leveraging a “fractional Showrunner.” What is that role, and why might it be the missing piece for scaling a powerful personal brand?5 — Early Adopters Win (How to Be One)You've said that early adopters with the right brand strategy are going to crush it in 2026. What does “the right strategy” actually look like?If someone listening feels behind, what's one move they can make this month to position themselves as an amplified expert rather than an invisible one?We explored all these themes:• AI as amplifier, not enemy• Human superpowers as differentiator• Showrunner thinking for strategic visibility• Brand as intellectual property• Early adoption as leverage

AI is changing how people discover, evaluate, trust, buy, create, hire, and compete. The bigger question is whether your business model is built to survive a future where attention is fragmented, trust is harder to earn, execution is easier to automate, and buyers have more options than ever. Learn how to activate the M.A.S.S. Effect Business Model, a strategic ecosystem built around: • Media to create attention, trust, authority, and discoverability • Assets to create scalability, leverage, and income beyond your direct time • Strategy to create clarity, alignment, interpretation, and better decisions • Systems to reduce friction, support consistency, and keep the business moving Many businesses are addicted to acquisition because they never built retention. In an AI accelerated world, that becomes dangerous because information is easier to access, skills are being compressed, and execution is becoming automated. The real value now shifts toward trust, experience, clarity, influence, systems, and community. The future belongs to adaptive businesses that can evolve with the market, keep customers connected, turn trust into retention, and scale without breaking the founder, team, or customer experience. If your business grew tomorrow, could it actually hold the growth, or would the model collapse under the weight of what you asked for? Beyond The Episode Gems: Buy Troy's Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy:  Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com

Former comedy writer Bette Bentley built Skimpies—the world's first liner designed specifically for leggings—into a number one TikTok brand entirely through organic livestreams, bypassing paid ads by treating the platform like an interactive group chat. This innovative founder breaks down how she embraced raw authenticity to collapse the traditional sales funnel, handle extreme burnout, and turn a grueling six-month streaming schedule into a $60,000 warehouse livestream. For more on Skimpies and show notes, click here. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

What happens when the leader of a legacy beauty brand starts talking about more than skincare products? Joy, purpose, and profit. Episode Summary In this final installment of Jenn Whitmer's conversation with Helen Morrison of Frownies, the discussion expands beyond brand growth and social media into a deeper conversation about power, beauty standards, aging, visibility, leadership, and influence. Helen shares how she sees Frownies as more than a skincare company. For her, the brand is an opportunity to challenge harmful beauty narratives, help women reclaim agency, and use influence responsibly. Rather than chasing profit alone, Helen is focused on building a company that leaves people better than it found them. Jenn and Helen also explore what it means to lead with purpose, create from deep alignment, and stay visible in a culture that often encourages women to disappear as they age. This episode is a thoughtful listen for leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, creatives, and business owners who want to grow something meaningful without losing themselves in the process. In this episode, you'll learn: 01:36 Helen shares what she has learned about power, responsibility, and stewardship, and why influence becomes dangerous when it is disconnected from purpose. 04:52 What happens when purpose and joy are the center of a business. 11:07 How purpose-driven leadership shapes growth, impact, and legacy. 12:03 What joy at work looks like. 13:31 Should women remain visible as they age? Key takeaway: Leading with purpose means using your influence to challenge harmful norms, stay visible, and build something that creates real good beyond profit. Why You Should Listen You want to build a mission-driven brand without sacrificing growth or integrity. You're thinking deeply about leadership and influence and how to use both responsibly. You care about changing beauty culture instead of simply participating in it. You want to stay visible and confident as you age in business and in life. You're a founder, creative, or business owner trying to grow something powerful while staying aligned with your values. If you lead a business, a team, or a brand built on trust, this conversation offers a powerful example of what it looks like to grow with integrity. Helen Morrison shares honest insight on leadership, visibility, social media backlash, authentic marketing, customer loyalty, and scaling a business in the digital age. About Helen MorrisonHelen Morrison is the fifth-generation CEO of Frownies, the iconic family-owned, women-led skincare brand founded in 1889. A great-great-granddaughter of founder Margaret Krosen, Helen has helped lead the brand into the modern era, blending legacy, storytelling, and customer connection with a sharp instinct for digital growth. After joining Frownies full-time in 2020 as Director of Brand Strategy, she became the relatable face of the brand across social media, helping turn a long-trusted beauty secret into a viral modern phenomenon while staying rooted in the personal, high-touch care that built the company in the first place. Today, Helen is known for her honest, approachable voice, her ability to translate heritage into relevance, and her leadership in growing Frownies without losing the heart of what made it matter for generations. Grab $10 off Frownies here! jennwhitmer.com/frownies Helen's Socials:Instagram: https:instagram.com/helenkmorrison/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@helenkmorrison LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/helen-morrison-09469769 About the Host: Jenn Whitmer Jenn is an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and the founder of Joyosity™, helping leaders create positive, profitable cultures through connection, curiosity, and joy. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, Jenn helps leaders and organizations navigate complex people challenges, reduce burnout, and build flourishing workplaces. Her insights have resonated with audiences worldwide, blending real-world leadership expertise, engaging storytelling, and a dash of humor to make the hard stuff easier. Whether on stage, in workshops, or with coaching clients, Jenn equips leaders with the tools they need to solve conflict, cultivate communication, and lead with purpose. Her book Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbooks offer leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results. jennwhitmer.com Jenn's Socials: Instagraminstagram.com/jenn_whitmer Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/jennwhitmer Podcast edited by Katey Perkins, Midsouth Story Co Resources & Links: Ready to stop over-functioning and start leading with more clarity, intention, and joy? There is a program for you. Join the waitlist here: jennwhitmer.com/waitlist Get Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbook Joyosity: How to Cultivate Intense Happiness in Work & Life (Even If Things Are What They Are) Joy isn't extra. Joy is how you thrive. This book gives leaders the tools to turn exhaustion into resilience and build cultures where work is a joy, people are whole, and organizations flourish. Joyosity Works Playbook: Practical Plays and Strategies for Joy at Work and Beyond is the official companion workbook to Joyosity to help you practice joy every day. Find direct links to purchase at your favorite booksellers at https://jennwhitmer.com/books. Free 99: Joyosity Explorer Map → This map will guide you to understanding the deeper purpose and story you tell yourself about your work. Joy is linked to purpose and productivity increases by 20% or more when you directly link your purpose to your work. Ready to Make a Plan: Joyosity™ Jumpstart → Get crystal clear on what you want, what's in the way, and how to move forward with traction. Starting the Journey: Enneagram Navigator → Stop guessing your type. In this 1:1 session, get clarity on your motivations and blind spots. Ready to Dive In: Joyosity™ Intensive → A one-day transformative experience to realign with your values and build a practical plan for joyful leadership. A Party for More: Bring Jenn & the Joy to Speak → Bring the spark (not just the spark notes!) to your whole team with contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter. Loved this episode? Rate, review, and share with a fellow leader who's ready to ditch the drama and lead with more joy, curiosity, and clarity.

Marketing leaders are being asked to drive more growth with less budget, fewer resources, tighter timelines, and more pressure from every direction while AI is being treated like the shortcut to replace entire marketing teams. But AI will not fix bad strategy, weak alignment, poor customer understanding, or broken marketing fundamentals. In part two of this master class conversation with Matt Hummel, CMO of Pipeline360, the focus moves into what it really takes to become the kind of CMO AI cannot replace. Not by chasing every new tool, adding more MarTech, or hiding behind automation, but by understanding the business as a whole, building trust across departments, speaking the language of revenue, and creating alignment between marketing, sales, product, leadership, and the customer. To lead marketing in a volatile market where expectations keep rising and the old playbook is no longer enough, you need to know how to: • Make sales an ally instead of your bitter rival • Build shared pipeline ownership across marketing and sales  • Communicate risk without becoming defensive • Connect marketing decisions to the larger goals of the business • Set clearer expectations with your team and leadership • Understand resource constraints without using them as excuses • Stay close to customers while leading strategy • Create momentum without pretending there is an easy button The best marketing leaders are not just managing campaigns, tools, reports, and dashboards. They are translating complexity into strategy the business can trust. The reminder is clear: AI will not fix bad strategy. More MarTech will not fix bad marketing. The CMO AI cannot replace is the one who understands the business, earns trust, aligns with sales, leads the team, knows the customer, and gets back to real marketing when everyone else is hiding behind tools. (P.S. If you haven't, listen to Ep. 149 for part one of this masterclass episode) Beyond The Episode Gems: Connect With Matt Hummel on LinkedIn Listen To Troy On Matt's Podcast, Pipeline Brew: The Evolving Role of CMOs & Community Building Visit Pipeline360 website to learn more about how they solve B2B marketers' biggest headaches Buy Troy's Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy:  Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com  

Marketing leadership has become one of the most volatile seats in business. CMOs and marketing leaders are often expected to create immediate pipeline, prove instant ROI, fix deeper business issues they did not create, defend brand investment, align sales, understand customers, translate strategy across the organization, and still become one of the first functions questioned, blamed, or cut when growth slows. In part one of this master class conversation, Matt Hummel, CMO of Pipeline360, brings a clear reminder back to the table: great marketing starts with trusting the buyer, knowing the customer, and simplifying how you market. In a market obsessed with performance data, attribution, automation, dark social, buyer signals, and immediate results, more complexity does not automatically create better customer understanding. For aspiring CMOs, current CMOs, marketing leaders, founders, and business owners, this conversation is a valuable look at how to lead marketing without getting trapped in the pressure cooker. It challenges you to rethink what it really means to put the customer at the center, not as a tagline, not as another automation workflow, and not as another dashboard filled with signals, but as a deeper responsibility to understand the person, pressure, timing, risk, and decision behind the purchase. The conversation moves through buyer trust, brand versus demand, customer empathy, attribution, sales alignment, CMO pressure, market timing, and the difference between chasing pipeline and building LTV. It is also a reminder to get out of your lane, understand product, spend time with sales, listen to customers, and learn how the whole business works. Because the best CMOs are not just campaign operators. They are translators, mediators, trust builders, and business leaders who know how to connect marketing to revenue, customer experience, and long term growth. Beyond The Episode Gems: Connect With Matt Hummel on LinkedIn Listen To Troy On Matt's Podcast, Pipeline Brew: The Evolving Role of CMOs & Community Building Visit Pipeline360 website to learn more about how they solve B2B marketers' biggest headaches Buy Troy's Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy:  Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com  

Liquid Death didn't win by making better water.It won by creating an entirely new category.In this episode of The Unified Brand Podcast, we break down the real strategy behind Liquid Death's rise from a “dumb idea” to a $1.4 billion brand — and why most businesses completely misunderstand what made it work.We explore:Why category creation beats category competitionHow Liquid Death positioned itself against “wellness culture”The power of choosing a brand enemyWhy tension creates magnetic brandsHow archetypes like the Outlaw and Innocent can work togetherWhy unified branding matters more than marketing tacticsThe strategic lesson founders and marketers should take from Liquid DeathThis episode is essential listening for founders, marketers, brand strategists, and business owners who want to stop blending in and start building brands people actually remember.If your brand feels stuck competing on the same messaging as everyone else in your industry, this episode will completely change how you think about positioning.Whether you're a founder, marketing director, or business leader managing a growing brand across multiple teams or regions, this episode will help you identify the hidden friction points holding your brand back.Take the Brand Power Assessment: ⁠⁠BrandPowerScorecard.co.uk⁠⁠Book a ⁠⁠Free Brand Discovery Call:⁠⁠Subscribe for more episodes focused on building stronger, smarter, and more unified brands.Watch podcast clips & deep dives on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Elements Brand Management⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The May 2026 Dispatch discusses the acquisition of Everlane by Shein, Zara's evolving brand strategy, and The Right Rooms. This episode explores trust in fashion, brand credibility, and industry innovation.Follow On Substack: https://righthype.substack.com/publish/home

Have you ever wondered what it takes to stop just being an expert in your field and start being a recognized authority that major media outlets can't ignore?Today, we are joined by Dominic Forth who has spent over two decades mastering the intersection of media, branding, and storytelling. Dominic Forth is the founder of Thought Leaders America, a company dedicated to helping executives, founders, and changemakers amplify their voices through major media appearances, podcasts, and platforms that drive both trust and traction.Dominic Forth is the founder of Thought Leaders America, a company helping executives, founders,and changemakers amplify their voice through major media appearances, podcasts, and platforms that drive trust and traction. With 20+ years in media, branding, and storytelling, Dominic has helped hundreds of experts' land national TV coverage, high-impact podcast features, and become sought-after thought leaders in their industries. Dominic's work has been featured on NBC, CBS, FOX, and iHeartRadio. He blends strategy, authenticity, and media-savvy tactics to help people share their message and transform lives. Dominic was also the Creator of The Authority Engine securing 500+ media placements (TV & podcasts) working with a team with 40+ years of combined media experience. Dominic has helped clients land TEDx, raise capital, and build trust.CONTACT DETAILS Email: dominic@thoughtleadersamerica.com Website: www.thoughtleadersamerica.com Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment on my Google Business Page. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing.Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services. 

How do you lead a 100-year-old family brand when TikTok suddenly turns it into a viral sensation? Helen Morrison of Frownies shares what it takes to navigate legacy, leadership, criticism, and customer trust while growing fast in public. Episode Summary In this episode of the Joyosity™ Podcast, Jenn Whitmer talks with Jacqueline Kerr about how workplace change actually happens—inside teams, organizations, and systems. They explore why people often do not respond to new ideas, not because change is bad or hard, but because those ideas do not match their current priorities, pressures, incentives, or mental filters. Jacqueline shares how leaders can create the enabling conditions for change by starting small, reducing friction, building trust, and demonstrating results instead of forcing buy-in. This episode is especially helpful for leaders, managers, culture builders, HR professionals, and change agents who want to improve team habits, workplace culture, employee engagement, burnout prevention, leadership communication, and organizational change adoption. If you have ever wondered, "Why won't they just do the obvious, better thing?", this conversation will help you understand resistance to change, behavior change at work, and how to build momentum without unnecessary frustration. In this episode, you'll learn: 01:19 What shaped Helen Morrison's leadership journey. 04:37 Why working in the family business as a teenager did not feel like her dream path. 11:16 How to recognize untapped potential. 13:32 What happened when Frownies took off on TikTok and Helen became the face of the brand. 15:48 Why responding to criticism with respect became a key part of the company's identity. 17:22 How voice messages and real conversations helped turn online tension into customer trust. Key takeaway: Growing a legacy brand in public takes more than smart marketing — it takes human-centered leadership, trust, and the courage to stay authentic under pressure. Why You Should Listen Learn why people resist change less out of stubbornness and more because of competing priorities, pressure, and mental filters Hear a practical framework for creating the conditions that make change easier to adopt and sustain Get ideas for leading culture change without forcing buy-in or creating unnecessary friction Understand how small experiments and early wins can build real momentum across a team Pick up better ways to bring skeptical or resistant leaders along without dismissing the past Discover how reminders, environment design, and trust often matter more than more information Walk away with useful insight for improving team habits, reducing burnout, and leading change more effectively If you lead a business, a team, or a brand built on trust, this conversation offers a powerful example of what it looks like to grow with integrity. Helen Morrison shares honest insight on leadership, visibility, social media backlash, authentic marketing, customer loyalty, and scaling a family business in the digital age. Whether you're navigating brand growth, online criticism, legacy business challenges, or modern leadership, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what it means to stay grounded while growing in public. Jenn Whitmer talks with Helen Morrison of Frownies about leading a legacy family business through viral growth, building trust on social media, handling online criticism, and staying authentic as the public face of a modern brand. This episode is packed with insight for entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders growing a company in the digital age. About Helen MorrisonHelen Morrison is the fifth-generation CEO of Frownies, the iconic family-owned, women-led skincare brand founded in 1889. A great-great-granddaughter of founder Margaret Krosen, Helen has helped lead the brand into the modern era, blending legacy, storytelling, and customer connection with a sharp instinct for digital growth. After joining Frownies full-time in 2020 as Director of Brand Strategy, she became the relatable face of the brand across social media, helping turn a long-trusted beauty secret into a viral modern phenomenon while staying rooted in the personal, high-touch care that built the company in the first place. Today, Helen is known for her honest, approachable voice, her ability to translate heritage into relevance, and her leadership in growing Frownies without losing the heart of what made it matter for generations. Grab $10 off Frownies here! jennwhitmer.com/frownies Helen's Socials:Instagram: https:instagram.com/helenkmorrison/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@helenkmorrison LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/helen-morrison-09469769 About the Host: Jenn Whitmer Jenn is an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and the founder of Joyosity™, helping leaders create positive, profitable cultures through connection, curiosity, and joy. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, Jenn helps leaders and organizations navigate complex people challenges, reduce burnout, and build flourishing workplaces. Her insights have resonated with audiences worldwide, blending real-world leadership expertise, engaging storytelling, and a dash of humor to make the hard stuff easier. Whether on stage, in workshops, or with coaching clients, Jenn equips leaders with the tools they need to solve conflict, cultivate communication, and lead with purpose. Her book Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbooks offer leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results. jennwhitmer.com Jenn's Socials: Instagraminstagram.com/jenn_whitmer Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/jennwhitmer Podcast edited by Katey Perkins, Midsouth Story Co Resources & Links: Ready to stop over-functioning and start leading with more clarity, intention, and joy? There is a program for you. Join the waitlist here: jennwhitmer.com/waitlist Get Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbook Joyosity: How to Cultivate Intense Happiness in Work & Life (Even If Things Are What They Are) Joy isn't extra. Joy is how you thrive. This book gives leaders the tools to turn exhaustion into resilience and build cultures where work is a joy, people are whole, and organizations flourish. Joyosity Works Playbook: Practical Plays and Strategies for Joy at Work and Beyond is the official companion workbook to Joyosity to help you practice joy every day. Find direct links to purchase at your favorite booksellers at https://jennwhitmer.com/books. Free 99: Joyosity Explorer Map → This map will guide you to understanding the deeper purpose and story you tell yourself about your work. Joy is linked to purpose and productivity increases by 20% or more when you directly link your purpose to your work. Ready to Make a Plan: Joyosity™ Jumpstart → Get crystal clear on what you want, what's in the way, and how to move forward with traction. Starting the Journey: Enneagram Navigator → Stop guessing your type. In this 1:1 session, get clarity on your motivations and blind spots. Ready to Dive In: Joyosity™ Intensive → A one-day transformative experience to realign with your values and build a practical plan for joyful leadership. A Party for More: Bring Jenn & the Joy to Speak → Bring the spark (not just the spark notes!) to your whole team with contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter. Loved this episode? Rate, review, and share with a fellow leader who's ready to ditch the drama and lead with more joy, curiosity, and clarity.

How is AI changing the way brands innovate, launch products, understand consumers, and build stronger relationships with their markets? In this episode of Grownlearn, host Zorina Dimitrova speaks with Shantanu Srivastava, a global marketing and innovation leader with more than two decades of experience across major consumer brands including Twinings, Danone, Sanofi, and Reckitt. Shantanu explains how AI is transforming marketing efficiency, product development, consumer research, compliance screening, and brand strategy inside large organizations. He also shares why human judgment remains essential, even as AI tools make innovation faster, cheaper, and more continuous. The conversation also explores the shift from traditional brand storytelling to story doing and story living, with examples from challenger and purpose-led brands such as Oatly, Tony's Chocolonely, Dove, and others. Shantanu also shares his personal transition from corporate brand leadership to entrepreneurship, including his work in health and wellness, lifestyle-related health management, and advisory work with startups and purpose-driven brands. In this episode, we discuss: • How AI is changing marketing and innovation • Why FMCG companies are rethinking consumer-led product development • How AI can reduce time and cost in research, marketing planning, and product launches • Why brand storytelling is evolving into story doing and story living • What startups can learn from global brands — and what big brands can learn from startups • How purpose-led brands create deeper consumer engagement • Why AI-driven innovation still needs human oversight • Shantanu's journey from global brand leadership to health and wellness entrepreneurship This conversation is especially relevant for founders, marketers, brand leaders, innovation teams, FMCG professionals, startup advisors, and anyone interested in the future of AI-driven brand growth.

From corporate law to building a premium tequila brand, Mara Smith shares how she identified a gap in the spirits industry and turned it into Inspiro Tequila.ABOUT THE EPISODE ⸻In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith sits down with Mara Smith, founder of Inspiro Tequila, to discuss her unconventional journey from attorney and corporate strategist to entrepreneur in the tequila industry. Mara shares how discovering undisclosed additives in many premium tequilas inspired her to create a cleaner, additive-free alternative designed for modern consumers.The conversation explores the realities of building a beverage brand from scratch, including grassroots marketing, retail growth, organic social media, email marketing, collaborations, influencer partnerships, and the challenges of advertising alcohol brands on Meta platforms. Mara also explains how Inspiro Tequila differentiates itself in a highly competitive market with an all-women leadership team and a strong focus on authentic consumer connection.ABOUT THE GUEST ⸻Mara Smith is the founder of Inspiro Tequila, an additive-free tequila brand created to offer a cleaner and more approachable tequila experience. Before launching Inspiro Tequila in 2020, Mara worked as an attorney at a large law firm and later joined the corporate strategy group at McDonald's Corporation. After stepping away from corporate life to raise her family, she pursued entrepreneurship and built a tequila company focused on premium quality, female-led leadership, and modern consumer preferences. Inspiro Tequila is distilled, owned, and led by an all-women team.

Advisors spend years earning credentials and almost no time showing people who they actually are. Wade Shields thinks that is the whole problem. Wade came to Elite Consulting Partners after ten years in New York City making documentary and branded content for Google, Ernst and Young and the American Cancer Society. The process he used there and the one he uses now starts the same way: figure out what the real story is before you make anything. He calls it brand forensics and it is the foundation every advisor skips. The first half of the episode is about what average advisor marketing actually looks like and why it is not working. Market updates getting two likes. Broker-dealer content no one asked for. A wall of certifications that tells someone where your niche is but nothing about who you are. Wade lays out why 96% of prospects are doing their own research before making contact and what happens to referrals when what they find looks exactly like what everyone else is putting out. The question Brian puts on the table is worth sitting with: it is not just how many referrals you are getting, it is how many referrals quietly walked away. The second half gets practical. Video outperforms every other content format seven to one and the barrier has nothing to do with equipment. When advisors sit down to record alone they focus on themselves and the result is stiff, flat content that misses the mark. Wade uses an interview approach on every production day to replicate the natural conversation an advisor already has with clients. The story of the teleprompter client is the best illustration: scripted and polished, no emotion, went nowhere. Unscripted and honest, clients are still quoting it back. The episode closes on the definition that ties everything together. Your brand is not about you. It is about how people feel when they work with you. Marketing is the assets built from that and where they go. And none of it works unless an advisor is willing to stand for something and put it out into the world. That is what Wade means when he says marketing is being brave.   Questions answered in this episode include: Why are advisors who post credentials and market updates getting two likes and no calls? What is brand forensics and why does it have to happen before anything else gets made? Why do 96% of prospects research an advisor online before they ever reach out? How does video outperform every other content format seven to one? Why do advisors freeze up in front of a camera when they are perfectly comfortable in a client meeting? What happened when a client showed up to a production day with a teleprompter and what changed when the script went away? What is the real difference between branding and marketing and which one has to come first?   Chapters: 00:00:52 — Introduction: Wade Shields and What Brand Forensics Actually Means 00:03:53 — What the Average Advisor Gets Wrong About Marketing 00:08:08 — The Referrals You Never Knew You Were Losing 00:08:57 — Why Video Outperforms Every Other Format 7 to 1 00:13:50 — Getting Advisors Out of Their Heads: The Interview Approach 00:17:56 — When Perfect Kills Good: The Unscripted Content Story 00:28:44 — Branding vs Marketing and the Final Takeaway   Learn more about Elite and our resources: Elite Consulting Partners | Financial Advisor Transitions https://eliteconsultingpartners.com Elite Marketing Concepts | Marketing Services for Financial Advisors https://elitemarketingconcepts.com Elite Advisor Successions | Advisor Mergers and Acquisitions https://eliteadvisorsuccessions.com JEDI Database Solutions | Technology Solutions for Advisors https://jedidatabasesolutions.com Elite Wealth Management Insights Report https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/insight-report Listen to more Advisor Talk episodes https://eliteconsultingpartners.com/podcasts/

In this episode, we sit down with Brieane (Brie) Olson, CEO of PacSun, for a conversation that is equal parts brand strategy masterclass and career inspiration. Brie has spent nearly two decades at PacSun — moving from design and product to marketing and digital before stepping into the CEO role three years ago — and has led one of retail's most remarkable transformation stories, taking the brand from bankruptcy to a Harvard Business School case study and a cult following with Gen Z. She opens up about the viral TikTok moment that shaped PacSun's entire philosophy around co-creation, why most brands are fundamentally misunderstanding Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and what it actually looks like to give your customers a real seat at the table — not just a focus group. She also digs into her own leadership journey, why she went back to school at 40, and what she'd tell anyone trying to build something meaningful from wherever they're starting. Her new book, Co-Created, is out now.Key Takeaways:// Treat your customers as co-creators, not an audience. The turning point in PacSun's story came when an everyday consumer — not a contracted influencer — filmed a TikTok in her bedroom that sold 11,000 pairs of jeans in under 48 hours. The lesson Brie took from it: when you truly empower customers to love and represent your brand, the results can far outpace anything a paid campaign produces.// Give Gen Z an actual seat at the table — not just a survey. PacSun's Youth Advisory Council brings together 14 young people aged 12 to 26 who function like a board of directors — weighing in on tech initiatives, marketing campaigns, and strategy. Social listening is a starting point, but the brands that win are the ones creating formal structures to involve their community in real decisions.// Experiential retail isn't complicated:  the mall is back, and unexpected pop-ups are winning. Gen Z and Gen Alpha want to touch product, hang out with friends, and be surprised. PacSun has seen major success showing up trackside at Formula One in Austin, at Goofball, and in other culturally-relevant spaces. Meeting the customer in moments that matter to them — not just in places convenient to the brand — is the new retail playbook.// You don't need a title to start leading. Brie's advice for early-career listeners: stay deeply curious, build relationships relentlessly, never stay too rigidly in your lane, and do more than what's expected of you. She also makes the point that identifying what's blocking your growth — and taking action on it — matters more than waiting for the right opportunity. She went back to school at 40. It's never too late to fill the gap.Connect with Brie: LinkedInGet a Copy of the Book: Amazon____Join the MHH Collective! The MHH Collective is a community for marketers and business owners to connect, ask real questions, and grow their careers together. Join for access to live Q&As with industry experts, a private Slack community, and ongoing resources: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/mhh-collectiveSay hi! DM us on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - We can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. ⁠Join the MHH Collective: ⁠Join now⁠Get the latest marketing trends, open jobs and MHH updates, straight to your inbox: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our email list!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow MHH on Social: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Building Unbreakable Brands, Meghan Lynch sits down with Nadine and Derek Nicholson, co-founders of Ascend Leadership, to explore what it really takes to lead differently in a generational business. Drawing on decades of experience in executive coaching and business growth, Nadine and Derek unpack why so many leaders feel stuck in overwork and decision fatigue, and why the answer isn't working harder, but leading differently. From navigating family dynamics to building trust through better conversations, this conversation offers a clear and reassuring path forward for leaders who want to evolve their leadership without losing what made the business successful in the first place.Key Topics DiscussedIdentify the “founder's curse” and why deep knowledge of the business can make it harder to let go and growRedefine leadership across generations by honoring legacy while stepping into your own leadership strengthsUse courageous conversations to protect relationships, not avoid tension—and prevent long-term resentmentRecognize and close the “say-do gap” to build trust, accountability, and leadership integrityAddress the “support gap” by aligning roles, strengthening teams, and designing leadership intentionallyShift out of overwork and into sustainable performance by rethinking how time, energy, and decisions are managedFind out what stage of the Middle Zone you're currently in with the Impossible Freedom quiz.Read Nadine and Derek's new book, Impossible Freedom.Connect with Nadine and Derek on LinkedInConnect with Meghan Lynch on LinkedInBuilding Unbreakable Brands is produced by Six-Point Strategy

In this episode of the That's Just Good Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Haworth, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Globe Life, to explore the intersection of brand strategy, sports marketing, corporate social responsibility, and community impact. With more than two decades of leadership at Globe Life, Jennifer oversees national marketing strategy, major sports partnerships, and brand operations tied to organizations like the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers, and Atlanta Braves. She also plays a leading role in Globe Life's charitable initiatives through the Make Tomorrow Better giving program. In this conversation, we discuss: • Corporate social responsibility and brand leadership • Sports marketing and community engagement • Purpose-driven marketing strategies • Building authentic partnerships through sports and philanthropy • How businesses can align brand influence with social impact • The role of corporate giving in company culture and community trust Jennifer shares insights on how organizations can think beyond visibility and use their platforms to create lasting impact in the communities they serve. If you're interested in marketing leadership, corporate philanthropy, sports partnerships, brand strategy, or community impact, this episode offers valuable perspective from one of the top marketing executives in the country.

A CMO Confidential Interview with Kim Whitler, professor at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, board member and former GM and CMO. Kim shares recent research which details why the largest and best companies often get dragged into conflicts they can't win, the three main forces of pressure and how they affect different management levels, and tips on picking the right company for you.Key discussion topics include:- The only stance agreed on by 100% of consumers- How to think about non-divisive activism (e.g. Dove's Real Beauty Campaign)- The danger of in-group biasTune in to hear why "You don't have to get engaged," and tips for getting an unbiased view.⏱️ Chapters01:12 Introducing Kim Whitler01:39 Why Corporate Activism Creates Business Risk02:51 Inside the “Executive Flip-Flop” Study04:11 Mapping the 3 Sources of Pressure on Leaders06:01 Internal vs External Pressure Dynamics11:19 The “Pressure Meter” Framework Explained12:33 Key Insight: Pressure Varies by Level (C-Suite vs Managers)14:18 The Myth of “You Must Take a Stand”17:09 Flawed Research Driving Activism Decisions21:19 When Brand Activism Works vs Backfires27:04 Choosing the Right Company as a Marketer31:06 AI Bias, Media Influence & Finding Truth38:11 Practical Advice: Avoiding In-Group Bias in Leadership43:25 Final Takeaways for MarketersThis episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast w/ Paul Alex, we break down what it really takes to build a brand that competitors can't ignore. Most entrepreneurs think branding is about having the cleanest logo, the best website, or the flashiest content. But real branding goes much deeper than that. A powerful brand is built on trust, consistency, reputation, and results. Paul explains why competitors can copy your offer, your pricing, and even your marketing style, but they can't copy your story, your discipline, your customer experience, or the trust you've built over time. When your brand becomes known for delivering results, people stop comparing you to everyone else. They start seeing you as the standard. In this episode, you'll learn: Why trust is the real foundation of a powerful brand How consistency builds authority in your market Why competitors can copy your offer but never your reputation How every customer interaction either builds or breaks your name Why the strongest brands never stop improving The brands that make competitors nervous are not the ones chasing attention. They are the ones that show up every day, deliver real value, and build a reputation that speaks louder than any ad ever could. Your reputation is your greatest marketing asset. Protect it. Build it. And become the brand everyone else is trying to catch. Your Network is your NETWORTH! Make sure to add me on all SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: Instagram: ⁠https://jo.my/paulalex2024⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://jo.my/fbpaulalex2024⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDAD1JyGGzSQUPD9lc9HQ⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://jo.my/inpaulalex2024⁠ Looking for a secondary source of income or want to become an entrepreneur? Check out one of my companies below to see if we can help you:

If you own a business (or want to soon), one of the most important things you can do is intentionally start building a brand. Today I share tips from Seth Godin's books and my 25 years experience as a business owner to help you build a brand worth talking about. READ MORE HERE

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Stacey Gholar.

Most people are out here trying to build a brand before they even understand what one is. And then they wonder why it's not working. Today we're going back to basics — and I promise it's going to change how you see your business and your personal brand. READ MORE HERE