Brandidly Speaking

This week on Brandidly Speaking, we’re joined by MMC’s Dr. Kavin Shah, the medical expert behind our scientific communications work. As consumers become more focused on ingredients and transparency, trust has never mattered more. Dr. Kavin, a board-certified surgeon with a master’s in public health, shares how brands can turn complex science into content that’s clear, credible, and actually drives decisions. 

Together, Cris and Kavin break down how consumers can spot the difference between legitimate, evidence-based information and marketing masked as science. Kavin also shares how brands can collaborate with medical experts to communicate complex scientific ideas way that are accessible, honest, and compelling. If you’re a brand operating at the intersection of beauty and wellness, or science-backed innovation – or just a consumer trying to make sense of it all - this episode is for you. 

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 

In this week’s episode of Brandidly Speaking, we sit down with Aliett Buttelman, the Co-Founder of Fazit Beauty. A true innovator in the makeup application space, Fazit understands the consumer’s desire for instant confidence, and has built an entire brand around delivering it. From major sporting moments like the Olympics and the Super Bowl to music festivals like Coachella, they’ve mastered the art of showing up at the right moment, in the right way.

Many point to the brand’s viral moment when Taylor Swift wore Fazit to a Chiefs game as an overnight success. But the truth is, that moment was anything but accidental. Fazit had spent months behind the scenes laying the groundwork to ensure the team was fully prepared when that opportunity came into fruition. Aliett breaks down exactly how the moment came together, and how the brand was ready to capitalize when it did. She also shares insights into Fazit’s upcoming strategic partnership announcements with sports teams and athletes, including the U.S. Women’s Flag Football Team, the World Cup, and the Olympics, as well as what’s next for the brand. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom and offers a rare look at a brand that built staying power beyond a viral moment.

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 

Celebrity‑led brands are everywhere now, and they continue to spark curiosity, cultural relevance, and drive sales. In this episode, Kailey Bradt, CEO of Sonsie, takes us behind the scenes of leading the skincare brand founded by Pamela Anderson, and shares what it truly takes to build a brand that resonates beyond a famous name. 

While Pamela provides the inspiration, Kailey explains how Sonsie is thoughtfully designed to meet their consumer where they are and speak to what they actually want: simplicity, trust, and intention. We explore the power of doing a few products exceptionally well instead of launching an overcrowded line, how to build a cohesive collection that anticipates and solves customer needs, and why leaning into the customer’s values and interests is essential to creating a lasting community.  

If you’re interested in brand building, marketing to women, or creating products that truly serve your customer, this episode is for you. 

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 

Consumers today are inundated with marketing from every direction - from social media, email, television, and beyond. As a brand builder, it's more difficult than ever to stand out. 

In this episode, Cris Gordon breaks down the fastest way to increase brand visibility, credibility, and community by doing one powerful thing: creating an experience. By showing up at events like SXSW, a cultural moment where brands can strategically meet their audience face‑to‑face, you can maximize all three in less than a week. 

This episode is a must-listen for brands of all sizes. We explore how larger brands can capitalize on tentpole moments like SXSW, and how smaller brands can show up intentionally without wasting budget. Drawing on experience from a legacy communications agency like MMC, we share practical tips and proven strategies to help you make a real impact at your next major moment. 

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 

What actually makes a brand stand out to editors today? 

In this episode of Brandidly Speaking, Cris Gordon is joined by Heather Muir, Beauty Editor at Large at People Inc., for a conversation about what truly gets an editor’s attention in an increasingly crowded market. With nearly two decades of experience across publications like Cosmopolitan, Allure, and Real Simple, Heather has witnessed the evolution of media firsthand, from print-first coverage to today’s multi-platform landscape where relationships, storytelling, and authenticity matter more than ever. 

Cris and Heather unpack how editors evaluate brands today, why relationships still play a critical role in coverage, and the biggest mistakes brands make when pitching their products. They also discuss how the media landscape has shifted, what brands need to understand about earned media today, and why emotional connection is often the difference between a brand that gets noticed and one that gets overlooked. 

For marketers, founders, and anyone building a modern brand, this episode offers an inside look at how editors think, and what it really takes to break through the noise. 

Listen now to hear Heather’s perspective on the evolving relationship between brands, media, and storytelling. 

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 

The smartest brands are building community before anything else. 

In this episode of Brandidly Speaking, we sit down with Sam Cutler, founder of Mindfull, a wellness platform focused on replacing calorie counting with nutrition intelligence. Sam used her online community of half a million women to convert her first 10k members with NO ad spend. In this conversation, we discuss what it really takes to turn a lived experience into a technology platform. From her experience, Sam shares how to listen to your community first, validate that demand, and build with purpose. 

If you’re interested in building an online community, how AI can enhance human connection, and why creators are emerging as some of the most strategic founders in the room, this episode is for you. 

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Building a brand is hard, but staying true to your vision is even harder. Today, celebrity makeup artist, Jo Baker, joins Cris to discuss the raw reality of the beauty industry and how she leverages her years as a celebrity artist to prioritize product integrity over marketing hype. By solving for the user’s experience (whether it’s through her product or her service as a makeup artist) rather than following a standard playbook, Jo has proven that trusting your own 'feeling-first' philosophy is the key to creating a category of your own. Tune in to hear how honoring your unique perspective can turn a saturated market into a standout brand. 

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 

On this week’s episode, Cris sits down with celebrity stylist and host of The Lo Life, Lo Von Rumpf, to deconstruct the tactical evolution of building a strong personal brand. Lo takes us from his early days navigating the industry’s most exclusive rooms to the high-stakes strategy behind red-carpet brand placement. Whether you’re scaling a brand’s visibility or curious about the psychological mechanics of shaping a celebrity’s image through fashion, this episode is essential for anyone who is ready to hone in on their brand’s narrative. 

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 

The beauty landscape is more vibrant than ever, and standing out requires more than just a big budget. It takes heart and strategy. This week, Cris sits down with a true industry authority: Sara Tan. As a seasoned beauty editor and co-host of the Gloss Angeles podcast, Sara shares her "sixth sense" for what makes a brand truly unforgettable. We explore how to build authentic connections that resonate, the magic found in the tiny details, and how brands of any size can win the hearts of the world’s top editors. 

 Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 

What does it take to cut through the noise today? We’re joined by the CEO of MMC, Olga Fleming, and Head of MMC Beauty Cris Gordon. From the evolution of iconic campaigns to the secrets of running an award-winning agency, Olga and Cris share the strategic moves that define today’s industry leaders. Whether you’re building a brand or a business, this episode is a masterclass in standing out. 

New podcast episodes drop every Wednesday, hosted by Cris Gordon, Head of Beauty at MMC.  

🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 

👍 Follow @Brandidly_Speaking on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok and MMC on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

📲 We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]