

Gen C
CoinDesk
Generation Crypto is focused on how brands and marketers are exploring and building in the Web3 ecosystem to experiment in and potentially transform their businesses. Each week, our hosts Avery Akkineni of Vayner 3 and Sam Ewen from CoinDesk, will dive into how Fortune 500 brands and new start-ups alike are coming to the blockchain and utilizing new technologies, the creator economy and rewriting fandom/ownership to generate attention, gain customers and create value for their bottom line and those of their communities.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 17, 2023 • 47min
Innovation, Security and Snoop Dogg with Ian Rogers of Ledger
This episode is sponsored by Chainalysis.com Ian Rogers, chief experience officer for Ledger, joins the podcast to talk about his career in innovation, the importance of security and his long view of the ever-increasing role of digital assets in our lives. Ian Rogers discusses his early career moves at Winamp, Beats, Apple Music, LVMH and having that "aha" moment when he decided to join Ledger as chief experience officer. He shares his thoughts on digital assets, identity, culture and designing hardware and software systems that protect the valuable items in our lives. Sam and Avery also explore Ian’s long-view approach on building out transformational technology products, and why he’s not worried about minor bull and bear moments in crypto. Listen as Ian talks about the importance of cultural relevance and building brands – Ledger has had recent media success working with Drake and Snoop Dogg.Links mentioned from the podcast:
Avenged Sevenfold Tweet discussing TicketPass
Bitcoin Bling: Drake Is Latest Rapper to Flex Iced-Out Ledger Wallet
Ledger Website
Ian's Twitter
Winamp
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Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
-From our sponsor:Web3 offers budding opportunities for brands to create more value for their customers, engage fans and build immersive community. But that doesn't come without its risks, Chainalysis helps Fortune 500 brands better understand and manage the risks in web3 through proactive assessments on chain monitoring, investigations, training and more so that they can focus on building a roadmap for long-term growth. Learn more about how Chainalysis can help your company grow in web3 at www.chainalysis.com/genc.-Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code GENC to get 15% off your pass. Visit coindesk.com/consensus.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 10, 2023 • 50min
On Gaming and Brand Building with Ryan Wyatt of Polygon Labs
Ryan Wyatt, president of Polygon Labs, joins the "Gen C" podcast to discuss his extensive experience in gaming prior to his current role and how he and Polygon Labs are helping bring brands into Web3 through their technology. Ryan Wyatt shares his experience growing the Polygon Labs team, the development and growth team of Polygon, which has worked with big name brands ranging from Starbucks to Immutable. Sam and Avery pick Ryan's brain on how he approaches Web3 from the interoperability of communities, his take on whether wallets are a barrier to bringing people into the space and the digital ownership model.Links mentioned from the podcast:
Asprey Buggati Egg Collection
British Museum Offers Greece “Exclusive NFT” of the Parthenon Marbles
Trump NFT Sales Spike Following Ex-President's Arraignment in New York
Polygon Website
Ryan’s Twitter
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Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 3, 2023 • 46min
The Tokenization of Culture, With Neda Whitney of Christie’s
Neda Whitney, SVP, Head of Marketing at Christie’s discusses her career in Marketing, the historic Beeple sale and being the first auction house to exist on chain.On this week’s episode, Neda, Sam and Avery talk about the value of collecting digital art, dispelling the meaning of ‘crypto art’ and building loyalty with audiences through NFTs. Prior to Christie’s, Neda spent 20 years in agencies spanning from luxury PR to digital marketing.Links mentioned from the podcast:
Wassies NFT Prices Surge as Crypto Twitter Lore-Themed Hotel Opens in Singapore
Unreal Engine Fortnite (UEFN): The ability to build your own worlds within the Fortnite ecosystem
Gucci and Yuga Labs Are Bringing High Fashion to the Otherside
Christie’s 3.0 Website
Neda’s Twitter
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Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 27, 2023 • 46min
Augmenting Our Imaginations, With Mickey Friedman of Flair.ai
Mickey Friedman, founder of Flair.ai, a product photography and advertising composition tool that is AI generated, joins the “Gen C” podcast this week to discuss the future of artificial intelligence.Mickey Friedman shares her knowledge of AI, a hot topic for not only those in Web3 but anyone on the internet who has come across ChatGPT, DALL-E or Midjourney. Mickey was at Tesla and Adobe prior to co-founding Flair.ai. In this episode, we discuss everything from AI for brand marketing to copyright infringement to whether or not AI is part of Web3.Links mentioned from the podcast:
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie POAP
Atlanta Home Tokenized on Ethereum, Nets $214,882 in Under 3 Minutes
SEC Warns Coinbase It's Pursuing Enforcement Action Over Securities Violations
Flair.ai Website
Mickey’s Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 20, 2023 • 1h 8min
Web3: The Future of Cultural Evolution with Nick Adler, MNTGE
Nick Adler joins the podcast to talk about his journey into Web3 and how he’s bringing culture to digital wearables through his love of streetwear. From onboarding Snoop Dogg into Web3 to being an early holder of Bored Apes and most recently, founding MNTGE, a Web3 company focused on streetwear, vintage fashion and digital collectibles, Nick shares his long-term version and approach in the space.Links mentioned from the podcast:
Meta Will End Support for NFTs on Instagram, Facebook
Sesame Street to Launch First NFTs With VeVe, Starting With Cookie Monster Digital Collectibles at $60 Each
Twitch Stream of the AI clip
MNTGE Website
Nick’s Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code GENC to get 15% off your pass. Visit coindesk.com/consensus.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 13, 2023 • 38min
Breaking Down Web3 Gaming, Wallet as a Service and Tokenization With CoinDesk’s Rosie Perper, Deputy Managing Editor for Web3
Rosie Perper, Web3 journalist for CoinDesk, joins “Gen C” to discuss the latest moves in Web3.Rosie Perper, CoinDesk’s Deputy Managing Editor for Web3 joins Avery and Sam to discuss some of the bigger stories happening in NFTs, Web3 gaming, tokenized social clubs and playlists as well as the latest Vayner research on the Web3 consumer.Links mentioned from the podcast:
Coinbase starts Wallet as a Service
The Otherside ‘Second Trip’
Planet Hollywood Goes Web3
Spotify Tokenizes Playlists
Rosie Perper on Twitter
Vayner’s Web3 Consumer Research
Follow us on Twitter:
Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 6, 2023 • 50min
Interoperable Loyalty With Ty Haney, Co-Founder and CEO of Try Your Best
Ty Haney, the founder of Outdoor Voices, joins Gen C to discuss community loyalty, rewards, Web3 and her new company, Try Your Best.Ty Haney is a serial entrepreneur. She started Outdoor Voices while she was in her early 20s and built the company into an athletic apparel powerhouse through community and social media power. She is now the CEO of Try Your Best, a platform for brands and fans to connect and build Web3 rewards ecosystems. She also discusses Joggy, her alternative energy drink brand and how she is building the brand through tokenized community.Links mentioned from the podcast:
Gaming Engine Unity Taps MetaMask, Immutable X and Solana for Web3 Developer Tools
Decentralized Twitter Spin-Off Bluesky Now on App Store in Beta
Walmart Files NFT and Crypto Trademarks for Sam’s Club
TYB Website
TYB’s Twitter
Follow us on Twitter:
Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 1, 2023 • 1h 5min
Bonus Episode: Overpriced JPEGs and Gen C Discuss Events and NFT Ticketing
Avery, Sam and Carly Reilly, the host of Overpriced JPEGs, break down the events and ticketing industry and why NFTs and the blockchain can help rewrite the system. Carly Reilly, the host of Overpriced JPEGs, joins Avery and Sam on a joint episode to discuss how NFTs and the blockchain are changing IRL experiences for attendees. They also introduce Microcosms, CoinDesk’s first NFT Pass for Consensus, VeeCon 2023 and the Overpriced Happy Hour tour. Reilly’s podcast, Overpriced JPEGs, touches on Web3, the metaverse and emerging technology and if NFTs are overpriced JPEGs or technology that will change the world.Links mentioned from the podcast:
Carly Reilly's Twitter
Overpriced JPEGs’ Twitter
Overpriced JPEGs Podcast
Overpriced JPEGs NFT
VeeCon 2023
Microcosms, a Consensus 2023 NFT by Fahad Karim
Follow us on Twitter:
Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 27, 2023 • 38min
Bringing Mindfulness Into the Metaverse With Angelic Vendette, CMO and Global Head of Marketing of Alo Yoga
Angelic Vendette discusses the importance of brand authenticity and how a mission that is centered around mindfulness and wellness can enter either immersive worlds or the NFT space authentically while staying true to core brand values.CMO and Global Head of Marketing of Alo Yoga, Angelic Vendette joins the podcast to share insights on how Alo Yoga built one of the most successful experiences on Roblox and are expanding in digital collectibles. Vendette discusses the intentionality of the brand whether it's in the Metaverse or at NYFW with the announcement of their Aspen collection, the brand’s first premium line that includes both physical and digital rewards.Links mentioned from the podcast:
GQ Magazine to Launch Its First NFT Collection Linked to Real-World Rewards
Titanic artifacts to be tokenized as NFTs in new partnership
DraftKings Tees Up PGA Tour NFT Fantasy Golf Game
Alo Yoga rolls out digital twins to accompany its premium ski collection
Follow us on Twitter:
Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 21, 2023 • 47min
How Ownership Changes the Experience With Adam Brotman and Andy Sack, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Forum
Adam Brotman and Andy Sack of Forum3 discuss how they help brands build Web3-powered loyalty programs, most notably for Starbucks Odyssey.Adam Brotman and Andy Sack talk about their journey into Web3, one that includes the actor and entrepreneur, Brock Pierce. Together they’ve created Forum3, a strategic advisory company for Web3 initiatives, and have worked with some of the largest brands entering the space. From Starbucks to The New York Times, Forum3 educates brands on the ethos of the ownership economy and the value Web3 brings in developing deeper relationships with consumers.Links mentioned from the podcast:
Gabe Leydon’s Limit Break has $200M to make a new kind of blockchain game
Rihanna’s B*tch Better Have My Money token
Mason Rothschild tweet about the Pharrell and Louis Vuitton announcement
Blending the World’s Most Successful Loyalty Program With Web3
Follow us on Twitter:
Sam Ewen
Avery Akkineni
CoinDesk
Vayner3
From our sponsor:Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.-"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Adrian Blust, Uyen Truong and Eleanor Pahl. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.