The Safari

Matt Britton is the Founder and CEO of Suzy, a real-time consumer intelligence platform connecting directly to brand audiences. Throughout his career, he has consulted for over half of the Fortune 500 and has had a unique ability to connect the dots between the new consumer culture of today and the business trends of tomorrow. We talk about: how Suzy shapes ideas to resonate with consumers, modernizing the market research industry, strategies to create meaningful insights for consumers, the industry shifts that have occurred, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Emily Heyward is the Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer of Red Antler, a leading branding and marketing firm focused on early-stage ventures. Throughout her career, she has helped create, launch, and build devoted fan followings for some of the most beloved consumer brands, such as Allbirds and Casper. In her book, Obsessed, Emily takes readers behind the scenes of the creation process and outlines her principles of what it takes to launch highly coveted brands. We talk about: why people should invest in brand, her team’s process to create a level of obsession for new startups, current trends she sees in the industry, her notes of optimism, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

CallisonRTKL is a leading global architecture, planning and design firm focused on cross-pollinating ideas and delivering quality at all levels in all places. CallisonRTKL’s VP and Global Services Lead of Customer Experience, Paul Conder, and Associate Vice President of CX Innovation and Insight, Lily Olsson, join us to discuss our joint project “Visions Into the Future”. We talk about: pre and post pandemic attitudes across industries, how brands can bolster their services to increase the perception of safety, the new meaning of convenience, how consumer are not only makers and sellers but also collaborators, the live – work – play ethos, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

Erik Oken is the global head of retail and consumer investment banking at J.P Morgan. Throughout his expansive career at the firm, he has been dedicated to growing companies in the consumer goods, food and beverage, and luxury sectors in ways that not only help them excel, but also adapt to and anticipate the ever changing retail landscape. We talk about: the need to transform the food system, the acceleration of the retail landscape, the enabling nature of technology, the importance to marry creativity with data, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

Griffin Thall and his Co-Founder Paul Goodman founded Pura Vida after a trip to Costa Rica and an encounter with two artisan bracelet makers inspired them to create a charitable jewelry and accessories brand that showcases local craftsmen. Over the last few years, they have partnered with more than 175 charities around the world to donate nearly $2.4 million to causes their consumers care about. We talk about: the brand’s all-inclusive marketing strategy centered on creating meaningful connections, partnerships with synergistic brands, the process of creating products that resonate with customers, how the brand continues to evolve and set trends in the digital space, his advice for budding entrepreneurs, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

Samer Hamadeh is the Founder and CEO of Zeel, the on-demand massage company that connects people with licensed massage therapists who provide massages at home, in hotels, or at the workplace. Since launching Zeel in 2012, Samer has channeled his impressive entrepreneurial background into building a wellness platform that not only addresses our aches and pains, but also explores the possibilities of how wellness can evolve in the digital age. We talk about: ways to build trust with both consumers and therapists, the pivot into self-care and virtual wellness, the evolution and new opportunities of how start-ups are funded, the changes in the health and wellness space post pandemic, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

Sarah Blank is the Co-CEO of Scanlan Theodore in the United States, an Australian women’s fashion and accessories brand offering a range of ready-to-wear, handbags, and footwear focused on modern elegance, timeless, and versatile designs. Sarah and her Co-Founder, Melinda Robertson, began their journey with the brand as consumers who loved the products and saw an opportunity to grow the brand internationally. We talk about: pivoting from a career in finance to fashion, how retail stores could be structured post pandemic, her future hopes for Scanlan Theodore, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

Deena Bahri is the Chief Marketing Officer of Stock X, the online marketplace that has turned resales of consumer goods into highly valued business by creating a ‘stock market of things.’ Since its creation, Stock X has skyrocketed from being a young startup to a beloved brand for customers who want to buy, sell and discover products they covet. We talk about: the convergence between the contenders and the incumbents, Stock X’s concept of the initial product offering (IPO), the cultural marketing team’s method of seeking out collaborations around product creations, storytelling in culturally relevant ways, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

Laura Doyle is the Vice Chairman and CEO of Doyle Auction House, one of the world’s foremost auctioneers and appraisers of fine art, jewelry, furniture, decorations, rare books, and a variety of specialty categories. Following in her father’s footsteps, Laura has been deeply ingrained in the auction world since her youth and now assumes the lead in a digital age. We talk about: the auction house’s role in the discovery and education for both buyers and dealers, the commitment to personal touch, Hayloft’s fresh take on the auction model, the creation of an ever-expanding network of international buyers, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

Michael Clinton is the Senior Media Advisor to the CEO of The Hearst Corporation, a leading global media company with assets which span from television networks and magazines to newspapers and emerging digital entertainment companies. Throughout his 40-year career in this space, Michael has brought ongoing leadership and critical knowledge to the media industry and continues to align the business with the ways consumers consume quality content today. We talk about: how the media industry is adapting to the current climate, the importance of trustworthy quality content producers, the creation of strong brand stories, his adventures traveling the world, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.