Brand New World

In this episode of Brand New World, host Jeff Beer breaks down one of the biggest brand entertainment deals to date: AB InBev’s wide-ranging partnership with Netflix. This unprecedented move will put global beer brands like Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Corona directly into Netflix programming and its growing live sports slate.   Is this the future of brand-funded entertainment that audiences actually want to watch? Or the beginning of even more corporate influence over the stories we love? To unpack it all, Jeff sits down with Jae Goodman, CEO and co-founder of Superconnector Studios—the strategist who helped broker the Netflix–AB InBev deal and who’s guided brands like Nike and LVMH in building entertainment arms of their own. They explore what this partnership means for marketers, creators, audiences, and the evolving landscape of Hollywood.   But first, we talk sneakers. Jeff chats with Fast Company global design editor Mark Wilson about the cultural power of footwear, New Balance’s surprise influence, and why Nike may finally be back in its innovation groove.   So crack a cold one and settle in—this is Brand New World.

This month’s episode of Brand New World was largely created during Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, which was held in New York City in mid-September.    So, we’re bringing you my interview with Bozoma Saint-John, former chief marketing or brand officer at companies including Netflix, Uber, and Beats by Dre—who also just happens to star on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She’s also the cohost of NBC’s newest reality show On Brand with Jimmy Fallon, where 10 everyday people compete to have their advertising ideas actually used by major brands like Samsung, Dunkin', Southwest, Captain Morgan, and Therabody.    But first, I had the chance to tap into my inner pizza nerd and talk to founder Tom Gozney about content and design as pillars of his brand’s success, how he’s working to maintain the brand’s culture amid international expansion, and more. (WHICH BRAND?)   Pizza and reality TV? Let’s gooooo.

You know Dick’s Sporting Goods as one of America’s largest and most successful sports retailers. It has used that status to help create an impressive catalog of five feature-length films and 10 short-form or episodic documentaries over the past decade, including the Emmy-winning docs We Could Be King (2014) and The Turnaround (2024). But in August, Dick's took things to a new level, officially launching an in-house studio division called Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios. In this episode, I talk to Dick’s chief marketing officer Emily Silver about why now is the perfect time for an in-house studio, the evolution of the brand’s entertainment strategy, how the company measures success for these projects, and where it all goes from here.    Before that, I wanted to put what Dick’s is doing into some context. So I called up Zac Ryder, co-founder and chief creative officer at Modern Arts—the agency that helped WhatsApp produce the Netflix doc The Seat, which we talked about back in Episode 1 of this season. Zac and I nerd out on the evolution of brand entertainment, then break down our picks for the "Best Brand Entertainment of the Past Decade."

In this engaging discussion, brand consultant James Kirkham and Tools for Humanity CMO John Patroulis dive into the intriguing intersections of human identity and AI. They explore the innovative World project, emphasizing the importance of biometric verification for digital interactions. The duo elaborates on branding strategies surrounding major events like the Club World Cup, as well as the drive for authentic connections between fans and athletes. They also tackle the challenges of trust and transparency in a world increasingly influenced by AI.

Here are some deets fresh off the Croisette from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—basically the ad industry’s Oscars but also the global epicenter of brand culture—that happened in mid-June. Brands, marketers, ad agencies, tech companies, platforms, people from entertainment and sports, and anyone and everyone part of the brand world ecosystem were there. To make sense of it all, or at least a good portion of it, I called up Tim Nudd, creativity editor at Ad Age and a journalist who’s been covering and commenting on this industry for longer than almost anyone. In a conversation that included inside scoops, gossip, and good stories, Nudd and I talked about what impressed him most, what surprised him, and what he’s hearing we can expect from major brands heading into the second half of the year. Then, I really wanted to find out how Expensify landed the real estate on Brad Pitt’s chest for the new blockbuster film F1. Expensify’s chief financial officer Ryan Schaffer, and Hannes Ciatti, founder and head creative at ad agency Alto, gave me the inside story of how the brand got such a prominent role, including a scene in which they shoot an Expensify commercial in the film. This is getting under the hood on 1,000-horsepower product placement.

The first iteration of Brand New World was a very specific look at how AI is changing how brands and marketers work. Now we’re back to talk about brand culture more broadly. Of course that will involve AI from time to time, but I’ll also be digging into sports, entertainment, music, comedy, and everywhere else brands squeeze their way into pop culture.For those who don’t know or are unfamiliar, the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity is part awards show, part industry conference, and probably the biggest annual gathering of brands, marketers, entertainment folks, tech folks, and media on the planet. Anything and anyone that touches a brand—from social platforms, to sports stars to celebrities—is there. This year, ahead of the festival that kicks off June 16th, Apple has been named the Creative Marketer of the Year. Now, Apple is an iconic marketer, an all-time, first ballot Hall of Famer. But in my opinion, 2024 has been a bit of a mixed bag. So why is this Apple's year? To discuss where this past year fits in the pantheon of Apple’s greatest hits, I called up Elizabeth Paul. A strategist by trade, Paul is the chief brand officer at award-winning ad shop The Martin Agency. You’ll know their work for major brands like Geico, UPS, the new Axe work with Pete Davidson, and much more. More importantly, she’s always up for some hot take banter about the work and culture around advertising and brands. Last month, a new doc called The Seat debuted on Netflix about how Mercedes’ Formula One team decided on a successor for racing legend Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton had announced his departure, so the racing giant was forced to strategize its next move quickly and discreetly. That’s where WhatsApp comes in. The entire process of evaluating and naming young Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli played out over the messaging app. “The Seat” is not only a feature doc, but an excellent piece of brand entertainment, produced in partnership with WhatsApp. This episode I was excited to chat with Meta’s head of global consumer marketing Eshan Ponnadurai to talk about the process behind the doc, as well as the role it plays in the brand’s overall strategy. Esh has worked on major brands from Ford and P&G, to Uber, YouTube and Google. He’s got a long history of finding compelling and authentic brand stories to tell in unique ways.

In this lively discussion, Kate Rouch, the Chief Marketing Officer at OpenAI and former CMO at Coinbase, dives into the evolving landscape of branding in the AI realm. She reveals the strategy behind OpenAI's groundbreaking Super Bowl ad aimed at demystifying AI. Kate also highlights ChatGPT's cultural impact, especially on the under-35 crowd, and discusses the challenges of building authentic connections in a fast-moving market. Her insights underscore the importance of clear brand values and engaging younger audiences through innovative marketing.

Lorraine Tuhill, the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Google, and AI strategy consultant Nilesh Ashra dive into the evolving landscape of marketing in this engaging conversation. They explore the challenges of promoting AI tools while keeping genuine human connections intact. Lorraine highlights the shift towards emotional storytelling in advertising, while Nilesh discusses how AI can enhance marketing efficiency and brand compliance. Together, they stress the importance of balancing technology with creativity, urging brands to embrace relatable and innovative messaging in the AI era.

This discussion features Zena Arnold, Sephora’s US CMO, Vlad Kuznetsov, Chief Information Officer, and Liz Siegren, a senior writer at Fast Company. They dive into Sephora's groundbreaking use of AI in beauty, emphasizing tools like SkinScan for personalized foundation matching. The guests explore how AI transforms customer interactions and addresses industry challenges, promoting inclusivity and innovation. They also highlight the importance of balancing authenticity and trust in an AI-driven landscape, ensuring a seamless integration of technology with creative branding.

Pratik Thakar, Coca-Cola's Global VP for Generative AI, and Jason Zada, creative director at Secret Level, explore the brand's innovative use of AI in marketing. They discuss the controversy surrounding AI-generated holiday ads, reflecting on the passionate backlash they faced. Despite this, Thakar emphasizes Coca-Cola’s commitment to creative risk-taking and long-term investment in AI, while Zada shares insights on blending tradition with technology. Their conversation invites a deeper look into the evolving relationship between brands and the creative landscape.