Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind

What makes a brand partnership align or clash? In this episode, we talk about how collaborations between brands, whether similar or vastly different, can skyrocket brand visibility and reach. From the massive Barbie movie collaboration that turned everything pink to high-profile partnerships like GoPro and Red Bull's space jump and the unexpected yet trendsetting Balenciaga and Crocs duo, this episode explores the strategic brilliance and potential pitfalls of brand alliances. Brought to you by Mekanism.

The marketing world is a constantly changing field. From the introduction of different mediums to the evolution of technology like AI, the only constant I can expect in my industry is change.Today, I’m sitting down with my friend, colleague, and now my boss, Brett Marchand, CEO of Plus Company. Plus Company is a marketing and branding powerhouse, having integrated dozens of agencies, including Cossette, We Are Social, and Mekanism. Before Brett Marchand was heading one of the world's largest media and marketing firms, Brett was a marketing native. He championed campaigns at P&G, Campbell Soup, and Molson Brewery, among many others. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: Why working for more household brands teaches future marketers the anatomy of a great campaign Why working on the inside of the ad agency is so much more than just making campaigns The historic role AI has played in marketing What the future holds for the advertising agency network model Brought to you by Mekanism.

Is company culture the secret sauce that sets thriving businesses apart? From the inception of Mekanism, culture has been paramount, shaping behaviors and interactions within and beyond the office walls. Explore the significance of values, from entrepreneurial spirit to collaborative mindset, driving success and innovation. Discover the pivotal role of leadership in upholding and evolving cultural norms, alongside the necessity of periodic value reassessment. Brought to you by Mekanism.

When it comes to marketing wellness products, a lot of brands make a lot of big claims. But how do consumers figure out who to trust and what’s best for them? Today’s episode is all about demystifying the world of wellness marketing with the co-founder of Ned, a wellness brand that offers simple and effective natural remedies.Adriaan Zimmerman, who co-founded Ned in 2018, is an entrepreneur and brand-builder. Prior to co-founding Ned, he was a founding partner of BroBible.com, a popular men’s lifestyle and entertainment brand that grew to over 15 million readers per month, and was acquired by Uproxx Media. In today’s episode you’ll learn: Where education becomes marketing when it comes to teaching your customers about your product How the transformative power of nature, the beauty of simplicity, and the importance of human connection can make us feel alive The value of the creative potential that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone Brought to you by Mekanism.

Ever wondered if a $7M Super Bowl spot is worth the investment? Join me on a special mini-episode of the Soul & Science Podcast as I delve into the power of these ads. From celebrity cameos to humorous storytelling, discover why brands invest millions for just a few seconds of airtime. Plus, get a sneak peek into this year's trends and predictions for the big game. Let's dive in! Brought to you by Mekanism.

All companies have a purpose. For most, it’s turning a profit and increasing overall value. However, today’s definition of value is changing. More and more customers are looking for brands that take social responsibility seriously and offer a mission beyond profits.Today, I’m sitting down with a very special guest – my wife, Lindsay Harris – to talk about what it means to be a purpose-driven company. She is the Chief Purpose Officer at Tombras, an impact-driven creative agency that has created campaigns for FritoLay, ESPN, and Samsung, among many other iconic brands.Before Tombras, Lindsay was the Editor at Campaign Magazine and a reporter for Ad Age and currently leads the relationship with the agency and the Tombras School of Advertising & PR at the University of Tennessee.In today’s episode you’ll learn: What makes leading with purpose different from virtue signaling How the marketing landscape is changing to focus on more purpose-driven work A case study into how a simple purpose-driven campaign drew the attention of the NBA Brought to you by Mekanism.

When it comes to marketing a luxury brand, the brand is queen and storytelling is king. This week, I spoke with Carolyn Dawkins, CMO at David Yurman, where she leads marketing and content strategies with a focus on user experience, brand storytelling, and innovation. Before David Yurman, she spent time in leadership roles at Estée Lauder, L’Oréal and Google. In today’s episode you’ll learn: Why storytelling and understanding a brand’s heritage is so valuable when it comes to marketing luxury Agility becomes a superpower during high-growth periods How curiosity helps keep the balance between leading with instinct and leading with data Brought to you by Mekanism.

This week on the podcast, we’re talking about a sensitive subject, but after seeing Ido Aharoni speak at the Harvard Club recently, it felt like the right time to have a difficult conversation. Ido is a 25-year veteran of Israel’s Foreign service. He is a public diplomacy specialist, founder of the Brand Israel Program and a well-known nation branding practitioner.Today’s conversation is not a history lesson on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, here’s what you’ll learn in today’s episode: How black and white thinking has led to a dramatic increase in anti-semitism around the world The simple marketing principles used on social media with ill intent that have helped spread misinformation and hate speech How information overload exhausts our brains and makes us more susceptible to that misinformation Brought to you by Mekanism.

Shelley Paxton, former CMO at Harley-Davidson, shares her journey from corporate to soul transformation. Topics include living authentically, redefining success, being your own Chief Soul Officer, and living a 'Hell Yes' life.

A few years ago, the Mekanism team worked with David Dancer and the brilliant Spike Jonze to help Medmen create the first ever cannabis commercial. Today on the show, I’m speaking with David, who is the Founder of D2 Marketing Strategies, and also an accomplished CEO and six-time CMO.Since coming out in his first job, David has been committed to the fight for LGBTQ+ workplace equality. And he recently started a new bi-weekly podcast called Clout for Good, that showcases prominent LGBTQ+ identified executives who are out in the workplace.On today’s episode you’ll learn: How the Medmen campaign helped David learn a valuable lesson about risk-taking and open-mindedness Being connected to the people around you is about much more than networking The important role that inclusivity plays in business growth and innovation Brought to you by Mekanism.