Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman

Damian Maldonado, co-founder and CEO of American Financing, turned a $5,000 line of credit into a billion-dollar business through sheer determination. He shares his journey from selling candy door-to-door to mastering marketing strategies. Damian emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive company culture and hiring with intention. He discusses overcoming challenges in the mortgage industry and how self-education and innovative thinking can empower entrepreneurs. Plus, his passion for kite surfing and the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico add a personal touch to his inspiring story.

Jewel, the beloved singer-songwriter with over 30 million albums sold, shares her incredible journey from performing in bars as a child in Alaska to navigating fame and mental health. She reflects on her decision to prioritize honesty over a million-dollar advance and the importance of vulnerability in creativity. Jewel discusses how motherhood transformed her artistic expression and emphasizes the power of community in overcoming personal challenges. Join her for an insightful conversation about finding balance in fame and fostering authentic connections.

Stéphane Bancel, the CEO of Moderna, shares his incredible journey in pioneering the COVID-19 vaccine. He recounts the early moments of the pandemic that pushed him to pivot Moderna's mission and embrace new risks. Bancel reflects on the leadership challenges faced during rapid vaccine development and the intense pressure to innovate. He also discusses the crucial role of mentorship and the importance of a diverse education. With an eye on the future, he believes Moderna's contributions will redefine healthcare beyond the pandemic.

Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman for a new season of Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. How do the most successful minds in marketing, entertainment, business, and even health and science evolve in an ever-changing world? This season, Bob sits down with visionaries across a wide range of industries to hear how they’ve used data, analytics, and creativity to adapt to new technology, lead strong teams, and build successful businesses that will shape our future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Seacrest, the iconic host of American Idol, shares his remarkable journey from local broadcasting to hosting a global phenomenon. He discusses the unpredictability of career paths and the transformative power of mentorship. Joining him are Rob Reilly and Jacki Kelley, who recount their surprising career moves that defied expectations. The conversation highlights the importance of passion and adaptability in seizing unforeseen opportunities, making for an inspiring talk about the twists and turns of professional life.

Dive into a treasure trove of marketing wisdom from industry titans. Hear AT&T’s CMO candidly reflect on lessons from failed campaigns. Gwyneth Paltrow reveals the pivotal feedback that reshaped Goop. Entrepreneur Andrew Jarecki shares how addressing personal problems fueled his success. Authenticity takes center stage as Jon Bon Jovi and Bobbi Brown stress its importance in branding. Plus, get an insider's look at a memorable Superbowl commercial, showcasing the art of storytelling in marketing.

Martha Stewart has been a household name for over four decades and she still isn’t done building her empire. During her rise, the world’s first female self-made billionaire ignored conventional wisdom to become an Emmy Award-winning TV host, best-selling author, and creator of a groundbreaking magazine. Beyond those accolades, her wildly successful merchandising business and multi-channel lifestyle company has established her as an innovative mind in business. Bob sat down with Martha for an intimate live recording at iHeartMedia HQ in front of 100 marketing, advertising, and branding executives. Celebrating her 100th book, Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen, this conversation between friends covers the pivotal decisions in Martha’s career and unpacks the guiding philosophy that built an icon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of the 43rd anniversary of MTV, we’re rereleasing a classic episode: the real story of MTV, as told by the founders. Today MTV is a cultural institution, but people forget what a long shot it was to get the channel off the ground. Bob Pittman led the team that created MTV. In this special episode, he reminisces with co-founders and friends John Sykes, Judy McGrath, Fred Seibert, Tom Freston and Jarl Mohn about what it was like to create the '80s version of a start-up and lead a TV revolution by dreaming up the rules as they went along. From why the first MTV logo was designed on crinkled paper (it spent a little time in a trash bin), to how a tiny record store in Tulsa helped save the business, to why you should really think twice about going on a Lost Weekend with Van Halen... all the way to how a terrible cereal inspired one of the greatest ad slogans of all time: “I want my MTV,” we’ve packed this episode full of stories that marketers, fans and entrepreneurs will all want to hear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may know this week’s guest by many names. Mr. 305, Mr. Worldwide, or more likely, the one and only Pitbull. Yes, the Grammy winning superstar, education advocate and entrepreneur sat down with Bob for a live conversation in his native Miami at the POSSIBLE conference. Before gaining all his titles, Pitbull was simply Armando Christian Pérez, a kid soaking up the colorful cultures of his city. Growing up, he was exposed to diverse, bustling, and at times unstable environments on the streets of Miami. Yet despite any hardship, Pitbull credits his city with giving him the skills to succeed in music and business. In fact, he’s leveraged his creativity and keen business sense to develop a number of independent ventures, including creating his own record label, Mr. 305, Inc., co-owning the Trackhouse NASCAR racing team and creating the Voli 305 vodka brand. Plus, he uses his international superstardom to give back to his community. Through SLAM! Charter schools, Pitbull is revolutionizing education and giving kids in underrepresented communities the opportunities he didn’t have. Listen to hear about these endeavors and more, and stay tuned to learn how he got the name Pitbull in the first place. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Seacrest is America’s favorite host. He’s been on the radio since he was a teenager, but it wasn’t until he came on all of our TV screens in 2002 as the host of American Idol that he became a constant presence in American households. That big break propelled him to other roles, like hosting E! Red Carpets, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and will soon become the new host of Wheel of Fortune. All the while, he’s been on the radio in Los Angeles, and as the host of the syndicated show On Air with Ryan Seacrest, recently celebrating his 20th year on KIIS-FM. All this plus producing ventures that have brought us phenomena like Keeping Up with the Kardashians make it seem like Ryan can be in multiple places at once, and is definitely the hardest working person in showbiz. As Ryan tells Bob, he’s had a relentless drive to find success since he was a kid in Atlanta falling in love with radio. Listen to hear how he dropped out of college at 19, moved to Los Angeles, and turned that determination into a storied career. Plus, hear how a key encounter with Dick Clark helped him hone his hosting persona and why interacting with people–from connecting with contestants to his meaningful philanthropic ventures–is what keeps him going.  To learn more about the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, please visit www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.