Most Innovative Companies

Pratik Thakar, Global Vice President for Generative AI at Coca-Cola, drives the brand's innovative approach to AI in marketing. Jason Zada, a creative director known for his AI-generated work, shares insights on the recent Coca-Cola holiday ads. They discuss the unique challenges and passionate backlash surrounding these AI animations, while still highlighting their effectiveness. The conversation delves into the balance of nostalgia and modern technology, exploring how AI can revolutionize brand storytelling and influence future marketing strategies.

On today’s episode, cohosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen break down the latest news in the world of business and innovation including the stock market tumble, what’s going on with all those tariffs, Elon Musk blaming X’s outage last week on an alleged cyberattack, and Mark Carney becoming the next prime minister of Canada.Next, It’s SXSW again with Josh and Yaz down in Austin for the annual festival and holding court at the Fast Company Grill. We recapped our time at SXSW with ‘Fast Company’ senior editor Max Ufberg.Finally, Yaz interviewed author, activist, and founder of the MeToo Movement, Tarana Burke, on stage at SXSW.For more of the latest business and innovation news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/newsTo see the latest ‘Fast Company’ coverage on SXSW, go to: https://www.fastcompany.com/section/sxswBe sure to subscribe, rate and review Most Innovative Companies on your podcast app of choice. You can also find more Most Innovative Companies podcast content on Fast Company’s YouTube channel along with more videos on business news, tech, design, and work/life.

If GenAI is the biggest technological advancement since the internet itself, then the creative possibilities are or will be pretty much endless. From a brand marketing and advertising perspective, we are still very early days, but there needs to be those willing and able to push the envelope, test boundaries, make mistakes, learn lessons, and evolve from there. Yet how far should the boundaries of brand content be pushed? In this episode, I look for some answers by talking to two founders of boutique creative shop Food Arts & Technology, industry legends creative technologist Iain Tait and designer Richard Turley. I also sat down with Jason Zada, founder of AI-focused production studio Secret Level, who has worked with major brands like Coke on utilizing these new tools. There are so many different perspectives on how this tech will and should be used creatively. Here you’ll get a glimpse into the perspective of people trying their best to push the tech and their own creativity for brands.

Pavithra Mohan, a Fast Company staff writer, delves into the contentious issue of remote work as companies push for a return to the office, grappling with employee sentiments and productivity concerns. Mark Wilson, Fast Company's global design editor, celebrates the 25-year legacy of The Sims, discussing its impact on virtual lives and cultural connectivity. The conversation reveals how gaming not only shapes personal narratives but also reflects broader societal trends in work and play.

To paraphrase a great philosopher, brand ideas are like small intestines – everybody has one. But could you build something with that idea in less than an hour? In this episode, we meet with David Jones,founder and CEO of The Brandtech Group, a $4 billion company which invested heavily in integrating AI into marketing and advertising services by acquiring leading companies like Pencil and Jellyfish. Jones says GenAI tools tailored to brands make that idea possible, so we challenge him and creative director James Dow to make it happen, right here, right now on the podcast. While that’s happening, we also take a look inside a few of the large-scale tools being deployed by major ad agencies right now. Omnicom Advertising Group chief operating officer Deepthi Prakash gives us a peek under the hood of TBWA Worldwide’s CollectiveAI platform, which it has built working with companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, Google, Adobe, and more to create tools trained on decades of successful strategies, creative work and philosophies, then utilized to help inform and evaluate new work and ideas. I won’t spoil the brand idea we have, but by the end, you may just have a new favorite toothpaste.

On today’s episode, cohosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen break down the latest news in the world of business and innovation, including the recent drop in Tesla’s valuation and layoffs at Starbucks. (00:58)Next, Jay Willis, a ‘Fast Company’ contributor and editor of ‘Balls and Strikes,’ joins Yaz and Josh to discuss DOGE, Elon Musk, and the Trump administration’s current move-fast-and-break-things approach. (04:45)Finally, Yaz and Josh interview YouTube’s senior director of product management, Kurt Wilms, about the company’s ‘live room’ strategy. (30:55)For more of the latest news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/newsBe sure to subscribe, rate, and review ‘Most Innovative Companies’ on your podcast app of choice. Also, you can find more ‘MCI’ podcast content on the ’Fast Company' YouTube channel along with additional videos on business news, tech, design, and work life.

David Droga, CEO of Accenture Song and a prominent figure in the advertising world, discusses the future of marketing during the Cannes Lions Festival. He highlights Accenture's $3 billion commitment to AI and its potential to reshape creativity and advertising strategies. The conversation dives into the anxieties surrounding AI's role in creative jobs, the evolution of major creative festivals, and the importance of authenticity in an AI-driven landscape. Droga emphasizes the need for innovation while navigating the challenges of technology's rapid advancements.

On today’s episode, cohosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen break down the latestnews in the world of business and innovation, including the release of Grok 3's AI chatbot from Elon Musk’s xAI, and how the prebiotic soda market may be the latest gold rush. (00:55)Next, Katey Rich, awards editor at ‘The Ankler,’ joins us to talk about Hollywood’sBiggest Night: the Oscars and their heavy investment in this year’s marketingcampaigns and press runs. Catch her podcast, Prestige Junkie, here. (06:28)And finally, Yaz speaks to Kat Cole, CEO of AG1 (formerly Athletic Greens). Theydiscuss growing the brand and navigating the booming supplement market. (38:11)For more of the latest business and innovation news go to https://www.fastcompany.com/newsTo read the latest Fast Company coverage on the Oscars: https://www.fastcompany.com/91276999/oscars-2025-predictions-best-picture-odds-shift-industry-awardshttps://www.fastcompany.com/91266057/oscar-nominations-2025-surprises-snubs-best-picture-full-listBe sure to subscribe, rate and review Most Innovative Companies on your podcast app of choice. You can also find more Most Innovative Companies podcast content on Fast Company’s YouTube channel along with more videos on business news, tech, design and work life. 

On today’s episode, cohosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen break down the latest news in the world of business and innovation, including Elon Musk’s unsolicited bid to buy OpenAI, the latest inflation numbers for the U.S., and the AI summit in Paris.Next, ‘Fast Company’ senior writer Mark Sullivan, who covers AI and all things tech-related, walks Yaz and Josh through how DeepSeek upended the AI arms race and what’s next for its competitors.And finally, Yaz and Josh talk to Caroline Spiegel, founder of the audio-erotica startup, Quinn.For more of the latest business and innovation news go to https://www.fastcompany.com/newsTo subscribe to AI Decoded go to: https://www.fastcompany.com/section/ai-decodedBe sure to subscribe, rate, and review Most Innovative Companies on your podcast app of choice. You can also find more Most Innovative Companies podcast content on Fast Company’s YouTube channel along with more videos on business news, tech, design, and work life. 

On today’s episode, hosts Yaz Gagne and Josh Christensen discuss the latest news in the world of business and innovation including the Trump administration’s trade wars, Elon Musk’s crusade against the federal bureaucracy, and the 2024 earnings results recently announced by Apple and Palantir. (00:51) Then, Yaz talks to ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer, who’s been covering advertising and marketing for nearly two decades, about the ads we’ll be seeing during this Sunday’s Super Bowl. (04:35)Finally, Josh and Yaz discuss the $5 billion deal that brought the WWE to Netflix. (37:36)For more of the latest news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/newsTo read Jeff Beer’s coverage on Super Bowl Ads, go to: https://www.fastcompany.com/91268582/shane-gillis-and-post-malone-are-your-new-favorite-neighbors-in-bud-lights-super-bowl-adTo read Yaz Gagne’s feature on the WWE,  go to: https://www.fastcompany.com/91231333/wwe-raw-netflix-tko-endeavor-livewrestlingBe sure to subscribe, rate and review Most Innovative Companies on your podcast app of choice. You can also find more Most Innovative Companies podcast content on Fast Company’s YouTube channel along with more videos on business news, tech, design and work life.