In a world where nostalgia once reigned supreme in marketing, there's a shift happening. Join us in this episode as we sit down with Ted Harrison, founder of neuemotion, to explore how nostalgia as we know it is evolving, presenting new challenges and opportunities for marketers. We'll Cover: Millennial vs. Gen Z Nostalgia: We dive in on how our shared experiences differ. We also reminisce about the one commercial every millennial remembers. CRUNCH Framework Exploration: Ted breaks down the CRUN...
Mar 20, 2024•52 min
Would you ever consider yourself an influencer? Spoiler alert: you are one. In this episode, we discuss everyone's power to influence and make an impact in your community, with a little inspiration from Dave Portnoy's One Pizza Bite Reviews. Dave is the controversial founder of the multimedia company and pop culture website, Barstool Sports — and it turns out, people either love him or hate him! But one positive thing Dave does is put small businesses on the map. I share how one simple video mad...
Mar 06, 2024•14 min
In this episode, we explore the intersection of PR and social media education with Kate Stewart, an assistant professor at Jacksonville State University! Kate shares insights into her courses, preparing students for diverse job roles in PR and social media. She discusses her innovative teaching style, which incorporates pop culture references to engage students effectively. We delve into the power of pop culture in the classroom, making complex concepts relatable and captivating students across ...
Feb 21, 2024•56 min
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots amp up fan excitement both on and off the field. In this episode, we sit down with Kassie Epstein and Abbey Thistle from Gillette Stadium's social media and fan engagement team. They reveal the innovative strategies and creative tactics they use to connect with fans, from leveraging social media platforms to orchestrating unforgettable experiences on the stadium's iconic jumbotron, which is the l...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr
In this episode, I chat with Ben Chase the Director of NIL Strategy for the Florida Gators. We discuss the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college sports. Ben shares insights into his journey to his current role, a brief history of NIL, and the initial goals of UF's NIL strategy. We discuss why universities have an interest in student-athletes as brands and what they stand to gain. Exploring brand collaborations, Ben talks about the diverse brands UF student-athletes hav...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of Making the Brand, we dive deep into the world of social media storytelling with Jenn Crim, the Social Media Manager at Opry Entertainment Group in Nashville, Tennessee. Jenn shares her journey, strategies, and creative insights behind managing the social media presence for iconic music venues like the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, ACL Live, and Ole Red. From reaching 1 million followers on Instagram to navigating the challenges of the pandemic, Jenn discusses her unique ap...
Jan 10, 2024•43 min
It's the year of friendship bracelets! In this episode, Mariah Grippo, Director of VIP Relations at Little Words Project, offers insights into the brand's 10-year journey and the power of "beads on a string." Taylor Swift Sparks Trend: Explore how Taylor Swift's Eras Tour ignited the friendship bracelet trend, setting the stage for Little Words Project's decade-long commitment. VMAs Celeb Endorsement: Get the full story behind the iconic moment at the VMAs when *NSYNC reunited, and Taylor Swift ...
Dec 20, 2023•52 min
In this episode, I chat with Beth Booker, founder of Gracie PR. We reflect on scandals, backlashes, and celebrity apologies in 2023 and beyond. Beth shares the strategic aspects of public relations behind these apologies, exploring the delicate balance between reputation management and genuine remorse. In our conversation, we also touch on cancel culture, emphasizing the challenges public figures face in navigating reputation crises. We also highlight the importance of empathy and the distinguis...
Dec 14, 2023•49 min
In this episode, we do a deep dive into the celebrity divorces of 2023 — the good, the bad, and the messy! Kara Francis, a seasoned divorce lawyer turned coach, discusses and the challenges that come with ending a relationship in the age of social media. What to Expect: Celebrity Divorces Unveiled: We dive into the high-profile divorces of the past year, dissecting headlines and discussing the unique challenges faced by celebrities in the public eye. Social Media's Role: Kara shares valuable ins...
Dec 06, 2023•32 min
In this episode, I chat with Brent McCreary, the teenage visionary behind the go-to Beanie Baby information site in the late '90s. Brent takes us on a nostalgic journey, recounting the Beanie Baby mania and sharing insights into the tech stack that powered the site during that era (Geocities, anyone?) We also discuss why we love to collect things, and the sense of community among Beanie Baby enthusiasts. Brent also dives into the monetization strategies employed during the late '90s compared to ...
Nov 29, 2023•42 min
From 'girl boss' to 'hot girl walk' and the latest phenomenon, 'girl math'... girl trends are taking over. Is this good or bad? In this episode, we discuss a thought-provoking Vox article by Rebecca Jennings called "Girl trends and the repackaging of womanhood" Why are these trends taking off and what can we learn from them? Are they problematic these days (isn't everything??)? We also discuss a copywriting framework to help you write messaging that resonates with your audience. This episode is ...
Aug 23, 2023•11 min
It's been a weird week — I went viral on Twitter (X?) and beyond! In this episode, I share the backstory behind the tweet and what happened next. Hear why trolls are calling me a bitch, and what I said after being approached by the @FuckJerry meme account. This episode is sponsored by VNYL — a vinyl record membership club that syncs with your Spotify so you can get new music sent to your door! Oh and the best part? Making the Brand listeners get a discount! Enjoy 50% off your first month...
Aug 02, 2023•21 min
In this episode of Making the Brand, we talk about the TikTok sensation, Matt Rife. The comedian who's breaking records and making millions laugh on social media. What makes Matt Rife different from most comedians? He doesn't make his act about him. His jokes are about people in his audience. We discuss why involving your followers is the key to creating a thriving community. From hilarious interactions to surprise moments, we unveil the strategies that make Matt Rife a master of engagement. We ...
Jul 26, 2023•13 min
Get ready to experience the ultimate Barbie takeover in this episode! s I sit down with the brand strategist, Moshe Isaacian, whose tweet about the 100+ marketing activations for the upcoming Barbie movie went mega viral From being an astronaut to a veterinarian, Barbie already does it all, but now she's everywhere, and we mean EVERYWHERE! In this podcast, we'll discuss Barbie's history, exploring how this iconic brand has transcended generations. We'll also dive into Barbie's undeniable impact ...
Jul 19, 2023•30 min
When they heard Taylor Swift was coming to town on her Eras Tour, the City of Las Vegas went all-in. In this episode, I chat with Jennifer Davies and Kira Siqueiros from the city's digital team to discuss how they celebrated Taylor Swift's arrival and engaged with her fanbase on social media and beyond. We cover topics like: How the digital team prepped their Taylor Swift Eras Tour campaign The specific ways they sparked excitement on the Las Vegas strip and on social media The perfect Taylor Sw...
May 31, 2023•31 min
Imagine if the musicians you once idolized became your clients. That's the case for Cassie Petrey, the co-founder of Crowd Surf . Crowd Surf is a digital marketing company with a roster of massive stars including Guns N Roses, Backstreet Boys, Ed Sheeran, and Britney Spears. In this episode, we discover how Cassie went from running the Backstreet Boys newsletter at age 12 to becoming a marketing leader and prominent figure in the music industry. We discuss: Getting a start in the music industry:...
May 17, 2023•50 min
Every millennial got started social networking thanks to MySpace, but there's another platform that deserves some love: LinkedIn. In this episode, I chat with Joe Ray, a marketing and experience manager who shares how LinkedIn can fuel your career growth: In this episode, we discuss: Misconceptions people may have about LinkedIn Joe's experiences on LinkedIn and why he prioritizes the platform Who LinkedIn is right for and what kind of goals you should have Experimenting on LinkedIn and the form...
May 03, 2023•33 min
Boy bands and memes are colliding on this episode! I had the chance to interview Kianna Davis, the original creator behind a meme we all know and love, the IT'S GONNA BE MAY meme featuring Justin Timberlake. Hear the story about how she came up with this meme in 2012, and the cool things that have happened since. We also touch on the importance of giving credit to creators like her. Follow Kianna on Instagram at @astro_kianna For marketing and pop culture wisdom sent straight to your inbox, s...
Apr 26, 2023•42 min
Get ready to explore the exciting world of celebrity branding! I chat with Dhruv Patel, founder of CelebrityPackagedGoods.com . His website is a detailed directory of celebrity brands and latest news! In this episode, we discuss Dhruv's passion for celebrity branding and what inspired him to create Celebrity Packaged Goods The differences between marketing a celebrity brand versus a non-celebrity brand Trends and insights in the celebrity branding space Industries that work well with celebrity b...
Apr 05, 2023•52 min
Get ready to be inspired by this episode! We're taking a cue from celebrities and their audition stories to explore how we can apply their tenacity to job hunting. We're diving into the similarities between auditions and job searches, and uncovering practical tips that can help you stand out in a crowded job market. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with inspirational wisdom and valuable advice that will help you on your job search journey. So, let's get ...
Mar 29, 2023•18 min
We're watching TV like it's 2002! In this episode, we delve into the world of American Idol auditions to explore the role of storytelling in the competition. From heartwarming personal anecdotes to inspiring journeys of overcoming adversity, we discover how contestants use their stories to capture the hearts and attention of both the judges and the audience. We explore how the power of storytelling can make a contestant more memorable and build a deeper connection with their audience, helping th...
Mar 22, 2023•16 min
Get ready to discuss the true stories of seven strangers, picked to live in a house. I'm joined by my friend Dana Bowling - a former casting director, pop culture enthusiast, and video and personal branding coach. In this episode, Dana shares her insights on the enduring influence of MTV's The Real World and its impact on pop culture and marketing. We discussed the following: Memories of watching The Real World and why the show's concept was so successful The evolution of the show's reputation f...
Mar 15, 2023•52 min
We're celebrating Women's History Month the best way we know how - with the Spice Girls... the best-selling girl group of all time! In this episode, we explore: The marketing and strategy that propelled the Spice Girls to worldwide fame The iconic merchandise that helped solidify their image Ginger Spice's unforgettable Union Jack dress and its coverage in the press The lasting impact of Girl Power and how it empowered young women everywhere to be themselves and pursue their dreams The importanc...
Mar 08, 2023•9 min
Does your company have a dedicated influencer marketing team? Despite being one of the most influential people on the planet, Kim Kardashian is investing in influencer marketing for her shapewear brand, SKIMS. On today's episode, I chat with Ngozi Musa, a Harvard grad and influencer marketing manager about sociology and social media, the latest trends in the creator economy, and why bigger influencers aren't always better. She also shares her three categories to keep in mind when sourcing influe...
Feb 22, 2023•34 min
Is there anything Swifties can't do? In this episode, I chat with Victoria Morton — a marketer by day and Taylor Swift dance party host by night. She co-founded TSwift Dance Party CA and offers a safe space for Swifties to scream the lyrics on the dance floor. Hear the story of how Victoria turned her passion for Taylor's discography into a community of fellow fans. Learn more about TSwift Dance Party CA Follow @tswiftdancepartyca For marketing and pop culture lessons sent straight to your inbox...
Feb 15, 2023•29 min
No matter your relationship status, you need to hear this episode with Michael Kaye of the online dating app, OkCupid! Michael is the Head of Global Communications and is sharing the brilliant ways they use data and insights to engage their app users. In this episode, we cover: The stigmas of online dating and how OkCupid changes the narrative OkCupid's masterful use of pop culture and trending topics to spark social conversations The surprising trends that separate millennial daters and Gen Z H...
Feb 08, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 7
We've come a long way from illegally downloading music on Napster and Limewire in the Y2K era. These days, we're willing to spend big bucks on everyone's favorite new (but old!) music format: vinyl records. 43.46 MILLION vinyl albums were sold in 2022! In this episode, I chat with Nick Alt , the CEO and founder of VNYL — a vinyl record membership club that sends uniquely curated music just for you! Why have we seen a huge resurgence in this music pastime? Nick says: "Vinyl is a tangible format.....
Feb 01, 2023•48 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Every fandom has their community where they go to connect with other fans to talk about their favorite thing. There's usually someone who has to lead the charge, be a source of information, and create excitement within the fandom. And as a Backstreet Boys fan, I’m excited to chat with Karah-Leigh Hancock, who is the owner of BSB Fangirls and also the author of an upcoming book celebrating BSB’s 30-year legacy. Pre-order your copy here! The book drops on April 11th. Access the show notes here. Fo...
Jan 11, 2023•46 min
If fitness is part of your New Year's Resolution, Equinox is telling you to take it somewhere else. In this episode, I share more about the backlash that ensued when they banned new members on January 1st. I also shine a light on Peloton and how 'extertainment' is the future of fitness. OH and JC Chasez of *NSYNC gets a shoutout.
Dec 28, 2022•13 min
I'm always trying to understand Taylor Swift's genius writing brain. In this episode, we review the writing categories she uses to group her lyrics and help make the writing process a bit more imaginative. And the best part? We can take inspiration from her framework and apply it to our own content creation. I explain how! Episode resources: Content Formula Article with more examples! Download your free content themes worksheet For marketing and pop culture lessons sent straight to your inbox, s...
Dec 21, 2022•14 min
