Front and Center

Alex and Kevin bring the heat as they run through the most exciting stories happening in the world of design and branding. The two dudes talk about Oreo x Reese’s, High Noon x Celsius, the La-Z-Boy rebrand, Not so great Jeans, a new glass bottle designed for the beach, and more!

Emunah Winer and Margaret Kerr-Jarrett, creative masterminds and co-founders of Nihilo, share their journey from humble Midwest beginnings to launching impactful brands like Esther Rum. They discuss the challenges of balancing careers and family life with wit and charm. The duo emphasizes the importance of emotional connections in branding, reflecting on their Jewish roots as they inspire resilience in their work. They also dive into the evolution of branding, stressing authenticity and creativity in creating unique products that resonate with consumers.

In this lively discussion, hosts delve into the amusing escapades at Citi Field, including unique food and famous mascot antics. They share laughter over a CEO's viral moment that sparked ironic reactions about corporate leadership. The buzz around Coldplay is explored, particularly its marketing evolution fueled by social media. Creative marketing stunts from various brands are examined, along with challenges faced by Jaguar Land Rover's rebranding efforts, all while reflecting on the emotional depth in songwriting.

Alex and Kevin share their holiday tales, from thrilling moments at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest to reflections on summer activities. They dive into the chaotic joys of city life and streaming dilemmas with Netflix. Brand discussions light up the chat, highlighting Stella Artois' Wimbledon cans and TripAdvisor’s snazzy rebranding. Amusing rental car mishaps spark laughter, while they explore celebrity name changes and upcoming movie teasers. The blend of humor and commentary makes for a delightful listening experience!

Join Alex and Kevin as they humorously dive into the wild world of competitive eating and celebrity culture. They tackle everything from the absurdity of the Hot Dog Eating Contest to the quirky collaboration of Linkin Park and Haribo. The hosts also reflect on nostalgic snacks and career shifts in the industry, alongside critiques of trendy cookie brands. Expect laughs as they explore the influence of celebrities on food marketing and share personal anecdotes about work-life balance and the chaos of retail!

Diego Guevara, a multidisciplinary Creative Director at Nike and a passionate advocate for community and design, shares fascinating insights into his creative journey. He discusses the power of cultural immersion in fostering teamwork and creativity. Diego reflects on his viral passion project for Inter Miami FC, detailing the unique identity he crafted for the club. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing passion projects and mentorship in design, while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Miami and its impact on his work.

Join Alex and Kevin as they dive into the latest buzz, from Nathan's hot dog eating contest to Justin Bieber's paparazzi antics. They explore quirky celebrity products like Sydney Sweeney's soap and poke fun at NBA Finals branding mishaps. The duo also reflects on nostalgic snacks like Capri Sun and Miller Lite’s golden anniversary can. Plus, they unpack the ever-evolving protein bar market, complete with controversial ingredients. It's a lively mix of pop culture insights and humorous commentary!

Wedge is a brand and design studio based in Montreal, Canada. They create distinct brand signatures for the world we live in. Guided by the core belief that "everything can be special." Wedge has earned global recognition, winning Studio of the Year at The Dieline Awards for two consecutive years, among other accolades from D&AD, ADC New York, and more. They've partnered with founders like Matty Matheson and Blake Lively, built iconic brands like Vacation Sunscreen and Paro, and rebranded for iconic brands like Canada Dry and Mott's. We are so excited to welcome the co-founders, Justin Lortie and Sarah Di Domenico, along with (for the first time in Front and Center History) child Luca! Enjoy!

Dive into a vibrant discussion about the excitement surrounding the Knicks’ playoff run and the quirky mishaps that come with busy social lives. Explore the rise of young internet sensations in high fashion and the impact of celebrity fandom. Unpack the rebranding journey of HBO Max and its implications for viewers, alongside nostalgic collaborations like White Castle with Healy's. Tune in for insights on branding challenges faced by companies like Jaguar and a celebration of the cyclical nature of trends in pop culture!

Talia Cotton is a designer, coder, and educator who is recognized as a leading specialist in the intersection of design and technology. In 2023 she founded Cotton, a creative agency pursuing purposeful design work with code. Talia also teaches intro and advanced coding at Parsons School of Design. She has been recognized by The One Club, TDC, Fast Company, and It's Nice That, and has inspired audiences around the globe on The Cotton Global worldwide tour.Talia joins us today to teach us about code and how she and her studio of like-minded designers use it to make excellent work. Their work is as unique as their approach. They are a pioneer agency in this exciting and emerging way of working creatively with code. We were thrilled to sit and talk with her about everything going on in her life and unpack why she has watched Sex and the City three times through, and never the final episode. Enjoy!