The TrustMakers

Doug Martin, CMO of General Mills, joins Edelman’s Amanda Edelman to discuss how brands can stay personal in a fragmented digital world. He shares how General Mills is shifting from mass messaging to individualized experiences and using data and empathy to meet consumers where they’re at, especially in everyday moments like dinnertime. Doug emphasizes the importance of knowing your brand’s role, staying curious, and delivering real joy without performative action. 

Marcela “Mele” Melero, Chief Growth Officer of Dove Personal Care North America and Dove Masterbrand, joins Edelman’s Smita Reddy to explore the ways brands can stay relevant in the modern age. Mele discusses how Dove is shifting power from the brand to the people by widening the definition of beauty and adapting to societal shifts, such as the rise of AI. She reflects on her own career journey, the importance of taking risks, and how consistency and cultural relevance can drive lasting trust. 

Antonio Zappulla, CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, joins Edelman’s Justin Blake to explore the urgent challenges facing independent journalism in today’s volatile information landscape. From the rise of autocracies to the flood of online misinformation and the rapid evolution of AI, Antonio discusses how media organizations can uphold integrity, adapt to disruption, and cut through the noise. “We’re living in a post-truth society,” he says, emphasizing the need for credibility in modern journalism. 

Karthik Ramanna, Professor of Business & Public Policy at University of Oxford Blavatnik School of Government, sits down with Edelman’s Satyen Dayal to talk about his latest book, ‘The Age of Outrage’, and how business leaders can build trust amid an era of global societal grievance.  “You build trust by actually being able to do what you say you’ll do,” Karthik says. 

Angela Williams, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide, joins Edelman’s Alex Heath for a conversation on how nonprofits can be successful in today’s environment and the power of partnerships. “Trust is key, partnership is currency,” says Angela.

Amy Webb, CEO of Future Today Strategy Group, sits down with Edelman’s Brooks Miller to talk about her work as a quantitative futurist, the biggest threats facing institutions today, and how businesses and brands can improve their strategic foresight. “We all have agency…The future is not pre-determined and that is a good thing because it means we have the ability to shape it,” Amy says. 

Live from SXSW, this special episode of The TrustMakers features Mindy Barry, Global Vice President, Marketing – Mars Pet Nutrition, SHEBA® Brand, on how the popular cat food brand is turning purpose into action. Just announced, the “Reef Builders” documentary, presented by SHEBA, spotlights the inspiring stories of the people behind the Sheba Hope Grows program – part of one of the world’s largest coral reef restoration programs. Mindy shares her playbook for building authentic brand purpose—rooted in accountability, partnerships, and long-term impact. She explains why brands that embrace progress over perfection, and act with humility, will be the ones to earn consumer trust in the future.

Edelman’s Smita Reddy is joined by Roxy Young, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Reddit for a conversation about what makes Reddit a trusted source of information for so many and how brands can effectively leverage the platform to reach their consumers. “Reddit is the most human place on the internet,” Roxy says. 

Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman, hosts Jim VandeHei, CEO and C-Founder of Axios, and interviews him about his book, ‘Just the Good Stuff’ and how the media and business leaders can build trust.  First aired in May 2024.

By 2027, most Americans will have a younger boss, yet businesses remain fixated on youth. In this episode, Chip Conley—hospitality entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of the Modern Elder Academy—joins Jackie Cooper, Global Chief Brand Officer at Edelman, to challenge outdated perceptions of aging. They discuss the power of experience in leadership, why brands must recognize older consumers’ economic influence, and how shifting one’s mindset on aging can add seven years to life. From ‘age fluidity’ to becoming a midlife activist, Conley makes the case for valuing wisdom over youth—because it’s not about being youthful, it’s about being useful. About Edelman’s Longevity Lab:  https://www.edelman.com/expertise/longevity-lab About Dove’s Beauty Never Gets Old campaign:  https://adage.com/creativity/work/aging-has-never-looked-better-doves-ad-celebrating-67-years-its-beauty-bar/2573526