MaryLeigh Bliss from YPulse reveals how media headlines systematically misrepresent Gen Z through sensationalized claims based on viral social content rather than representative research. The conversation debunks major myths about financial expectations, workplace behavior, technology adoption, and mental health by contrasting bold headlines with actual survey data from thousands of young consumers. Bliss explains how to distinguish between micro-trends and mass behavior, why seemingly contradic...
Jan 22, 2026•27 min•Ep. 395
Attribution has always been a challenge for marketers, and today's internet only makes it harder. Cookie banners frustrate users, bots distort signals, and brands face growing liability for the data they collect. What if there were a way to fix all of this while giving individuals true ownership of their online identities? In this episode, Gabriella Mirabelli speaks with Patrick Moynihan, co-founder and president of Tracer Labs, about Trust ID, a portable, user-owned digital identity built on bl...
Jan 15, 2026•29 min•Ep. 394
Pierre-Yann Dolbec and Andrew Smith discuss research explaining creator monetization. The conversation covers three value capture modes that determine creator monetization: advertiser mode, selling attention through partnerships, entrepreneur mode, exploiting market opportunities through product launches, and professional mode, packaging expertise for direct sale. The researchers explain why mode-spanning creators demonstrate greater resilience, how authenticity struggles stem from violating aud...
Jan 08, 2026•28 min•Ep. 393
MaryLeigh Bliss from YPulse reveals 2026 predictions for Gen Alpha, Gen Z, and millennial behaviors. After accurately calling 2025 trends, including livestream shopping's breakthrough and local experience resurgence, Bliss forecasts surprising shifts in how social media functions, dramatic compression of cultural cycles, and the evolution of fan creativity through emerging technologies. The conversation covers unexpected entertainment format changes, authenticity concerns reshaping content consu...
Dec 18, 2025•30 min•Ep. 392
Ullie Appelbaum, brand strategist and author of The Science of Brand Associations , explains how cognitive psychology's associative network theory and neuroscience research inform brand building. The conversation covers how information is stored as connected nodes in memory, the 5-95 rule showing brand predisposition represents 70% of future sales, and the 60-40 optimal mix of brand building to performance marketing. Appelbaum discusses how cultural associations age and require modernization, me...
Dec 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 391
Siyun Chen, associate professor at Sun Yat-sen University, discusses her research showing masculine brands perform better with simple ad designs while feminine brands achieve better results with complex designs. The conversation covers how visual complexity is determined by element count, detail level, and arrangement irregularity, why the effect works through subconscious conceptual fluency, and how brand gender can be manipulated through names, colors, and visual elements. Chen explains the ro...
Dec 04, 2025•23 min•Ep. 390
Former Uber Head of Marketing Data Science Sundar Swaminathan shares how he uncovered that Uber's massive Facebook ad spend wasn't driving real growth. He explains what companies can learn about incrementality, brand investment, and making data-driven decisions without overcomplicating the process. A must-listen for marketers navigating performance vs. brand spend.
Nov 20, 2025•29 min•Ep. 389
In today's episode, MaryLeigh Bliss, Chief Content Officer at YPulse, discusses insights from their recent fashion preferences report based on a survey of 1,500 young North American consumers. She explores how the fear of seeming "cringe" leads many to avoid clothes that look "try-hard," and how comfort has become a defining aesthetic—with sweatpants now acceptable almost anywhere. The conversation also looks at how TikTok and Instagram often act less as discovery tools and more as validation lo...
Nov 13, 2025•28 min•Ep. 388
Logos do more than identify a brand—they shape how we experience it. In this episode, Qing Tang, Assistant Professor of Marketing at Hong Kong Baptist University, discusses research she and her colleagues published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing on logo design and perceptions of luxury. While many companies have shifted toward clean, minimalist logos, research findings reveal that more complex designs can actually heighten perceptions of exclusivity and craftsmanship. The ...
Nov 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 387
Out-of-home advertising is delivering stronger results than many digital-first channels. Dan Levi, EVP & CMO of Clear Channel Outdoor, shares insights from a five-year study with Kantar that proves OOH drives awareness, intent, and brand favorability—and amplifies the impact of other media. Learn how marketers can measure performance, optimize creative, and integrate OOH into modern campaigns.
Oct 30, 2025•29 min•Ep. 386
Is the agency world oversupplied—or just under differentiated? In this episode, Gabriella Mirabelli speaks with Robin Bonn, CEO of Co:definery and author of Market of One , about why most agencies struggle to stand out—and how they can fix it. They discuss the myths of procurement power, why "our people" isn't a strategy, and how smart specialization can transform your business. Whether you're leading an agency, consulting firm, or any service-based business, this conversation is packed with act...
Oct 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 385
YPulse Chief Content Officer MaryLeigh Bliss shares the latest insights into how Gen Z and Millennials are reshaping entertainment and news consumption. From YouTube's dominance to TikTok's growing role as a news source, Bliss reveals what young audiences are watching, how they engage with content, and who they trust. Discover what today's viewing habits mean for brands and media alike.
Oct 16, 2025•29 min•Ep. 384
What does it mean to market AI to marketers? Typeface CMO Jason Ing joins Gabriella Mirabelli to share how his team is cutting through the noise, helping brands integrate AI without disrupting workflows, and shifting the focus from flashy tools to real outcomes. Learn how agentic AI is changing content creation—and why marketers are uniquely positioned to lead the AI revolution.
Oct 09, 2025•29 min•Ep. 383
Subscription businesses live and die by churn—but its impact goes far beyond lost customers. In this episode, Professor Barak Libai discusses research he and his colleagues conducted that reveals how churn reshapes growth, revenue, and market potential -- and what that means for anyone building or investing in a subscription model.
Oct 02, 2025•30 min•Ep. 382
What makes consumers truly love a brand? In this episode, Allison McClamroch, Head of Brand US at Zeno Group, shares insights from Zeno's latest research on brand love and loyalty. Discover how generational values, social media influence, and cultural relevance shape brand relationships—and what brands must do to earn and keep loyalty in today's competitive landscape. A must-listen for marketers, brand strategists, and communicators.
Sep 25, 2025•28 min•Ep. 381
Discover the 10 emerging trends shaping Gen Z and Millennial culture, from accessible adventures to TikTok mini-series. YPulse's MaryLeigh Bliss unpacks what these shifts reveal about young consumers and why they matter for brands.
Sep 18, 2025•28 min•Ep. 380
Andre Banks, founder of NewWorld, unpacks how media, identity, and culture intersect—and what it means for modern marketing. Learn why cultural intelligence matters more than ever in building trust and relevance today.
Sep 11, 2025•28 min•Ep. 379
In this episode, Welf Weiger, Associate Professor of Digital Marketing and Chair of the Marketing Department at Alfaisal University, joins us to discuss research he and his colleagues conducted on social media marketing and customer engagement. Together, their work uncovers surprising findings about how brand advocacy and criticism influence not just public perception, but also the purchasing behavior of the advocate or critic themselves.
Sep 04, 2025•27 min•Ep. 378
This episode explores the evolution of Josh Dorfman's personal brand in sustainability, from The Lazy Environmentalist to climate-tech ventures like Plantd and Supercool . Josh shares how authentic storytelling, strategic pivots, and mission alignment shaped his journey — and how he's used his platform to engage new audiences with climate solutions.
Aug 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 377
Discover how Gen Z and Millennials really want to be marketed to. YPulse's Tori D'Amico reveals fresh data on social media habits, influencer trust, and the platforms driving engagement and sales. Learn which content formats work best, what fuels social commerce, and how identity shapes brand interactions.
Aug 21, 2025•27 min•Ep. 376
Struggling to cut through the noise of today's media? In this episode, Kira Shishkin, CEO of informed, shares how his minimalist, SMS-based news service delivers unbiased, ad-free updates that resonate with busy professionals and Gen Z alike. Discover how informed is redefining news consumption (and marketing) in the age of information overload. If you're curious about how to market a minimalist product in a maximalist world, this episode is worth a listen.
Aug 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 375
Explore the hidden flaws in A/B testing on platforms like Google and Meta. In this episode, marketing professor Johannes Boegershausen reveals why ad delivery algorithms often undermine true randomization and what that means for marketers and researchers. Learn why platform-based test results shouldn't be over-extrapolated—and how to run more reliable experiments.
Aug 07, 2025•23 min•Ep. 374
In this episode, executive coach Luciana Núñez shares actionable insights from her book Coaching Power . She explains how leaders can drive performance by balancing coaching, managing, and leading — while building a strong coaching culture. Perfect for professionals looking to lead with clarity, empathy, and impact.
Jul 31, 2025•27 min•Ep. 373
In this episode, YPulse's MaryLeigh Bliss discusses Gen Z and Millennials' renewed interest in in-person events. She shares key trends from YPulse's latest report, including venue preferences, the rise of brand pop-ups, and how brands can create immersive, shareable experiences. Learn what young consumers want from real-life events, and how your brand can meet them there.
Jul 24, 2025•29 min•Ep. 372
In this episode, leadership expert Mike Peterson, author of Leading in the Age of Digital Disruption , shares actionable strategies for navigating rapid change in today's workplace. Discover how trust, transparent communication, and accountability can empower leaders to drive clarity and performance during digital transformation. A must-listen for professionals facing disruption across industries.
Jul 17, 2025•28 min•Ep. 371
Marketing researchers Jacob Almaguer, Reto Felix, and Colleen Harmeling unpack the strategic use of emojis in brand communication. Their conceptual framework explores how emojis shape clarity, intimacy, and consumer perception — highlighting the importance of context, audience, and cultural nuance.
Jul 10, 2025•28 min•Ep. 370
In this episode, David Hirshfeld, founder and CEO of Tekyz, shares practical insights on leadership, culture, and what distinguishes successful ventures from those that fail. He reflects on lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey, including both a successful exit and a company that didn't make it.
Jun 26, 2025•27 min•Ep. 369
In this episode, YPulse's MaryLeigh Bliss shares fresh insights from two new reports on Gen Z and Millennial behavior around AI and social media. The conversation explores surprising declines in major platform use, the rise of smaller, community-driven apps, and how young people are embracing AI as a helpful tool rather than a threat. It's a revealing look at what's driving the next wave of digital habits.
Jun 19, 2025•27 min•Ep. 368
Influencer marketing isn't just a trend, it's becoming the main event. In this episode, Fohr CEO James Nord explains why brands must stop treating it as a bolt-on and start building around it. From authenticity myths to smarter metrics, Nord outlines the mindset shift needed to win in the new marketing era.
Jun 12, 2025•27 min•Ep. 367
In this episode, Adrian Palmer, professor of marketing at Henley Business School, discusses his research, published in IJRM, on anticipation in consumer behavior. He focuses on the often-overlooked period between the moment of purchase and the experience of the product or service. This "anticipation effect" plays a significant role in shaping customer satisfaction and overall perception. Palmer shares insights into the cognitive and emotional processes at play during this time and explains how m...
Jun 05, 2025•27 min•Ep. 366
