In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Kristen Lauria, the Chief Marketing Officer at Wheels Up. Kristen shares her unconventional journey from aerospace engineer to marketing leader, illustrating how a background in logic and structured problem-solving can be a secret weapon for navigating the "chaos" of modern marketing.The conversation dives deep into how Wheels Up is disrupting the private aviation industry through its "aviation solutions" model. Kristen discusses the company's strategic partnership with Delta, their innovative approach to customer experience, and why they prioritize experiential marketing over traditional advertising to reach their niche audience.Key Highlights & Timestamps [02:08] From Engineering to Marketing: Kristen explains how her MIT business degree and engineering background help her bring structure to complex market challenges.[06:41] Redefining Private Aviation: A look at the "aviation solutions" platform and how Wheels Up facilitates seamless journeys by combining private and commercial travel.[08:58] The Delta Partnership: Insights into why Delta is a strategic lead investor and how their operational excellence influences Wheels Up.[11:30] Authentic Athlete Ambassadors: Why partnerships with stars like Fernando Mendoza and Ben Griffin are built on real-world use cases rather than just "pretty pictures".[14:58] Meeting Customers Where They Are: The power of experiential marketing at events like the Masters and the Cayman Cookout to build trust and drive advocacy.[18:43] The Future of Wheels Up: Kristen’s vision for the next few years, focusing on global growth and category-defining thought leadership.About Kristen Lauria:Kristen is a transformation-led marketing executive with deep expertise from roles at IBM, Cigna, and Akamai. At Wheels Up, she leads brand strategy, loyalty, and customer acquisition, helping to redefine luxury travel for today's flyers.

In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Jissan Cherian, the Chief Marketing Officer at PetIQ. With a career spanning three continents—including leadership roles in Vietnam and Poland—Jissan shares his unique perspective on leadership, global marketing, and the evolving world of pet care.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Navigating Career Risks: Jissan opens up about the mindset required to move overseas for new opportunities, from the beaches of Vietnam to the cold winters of Poland.

Leadership & Team Building: The importance of a strong supporting cast and why "failing forward" is a critical part of professional growth.

The PetIQ Strategy: How Jissan approached his first 90 days in a new industry and how his team is using experiential marketing and emotional storytelling to connect with pet parents.

Innovative Campaigns: A look behind the scenes at PetIQ’s latest marketing initiatives, including clever holiday-themed campaigns.

Future of Pet Care: Where the industry is headed in the next five years and how PetIQ aims to become a household name for pet health.

Advice for the Next Gen: Jissan shares his top marketing advice for the next generation of leaders and discusses his upcoming book.

About Our Guest:

Jissan Cherian is the CMO of PetIQ, where he oversees marketing, innovation, and insights. He is a seasoned marketing executive with extensive experience leading global brands and is passionate about improving the lives of pets and their owners.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by OpenFortune. Tired of banner ads? Open Fortune puts your brand message inside actual fortune cookies, reaching millions of people in thousands of restaurants nationwide. Check out their latest campaign with Mr. Beast! Learn more at openfortune.com.

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In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Matthew Mingrone, the General Manager of Feather Falls Casino Lodge and Brewing Company. With a unique background spanning gaming, hospitality, and brand management, Matthew shares his "bold moves" and "breakthrough ideas" for building a resilient brand in an ever-changing industry.

Discover how Matthew oversees the guest experience at a one-of-a-kind hybrid property in Oroville, California—combining a casino, lodge, and award-winning craft brewery. He discusses the importance of every customer interaction and shares leadership lessons learned from his mentor, former Gun Lake CEO Sal Semeda. Whether you are a marketing executive or an aspiring leader, this conversation offers actionable insights on brand presence, community engagement, and why "every interaction matters".

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

The Power of Every Interaction: Why the smallest guest touchpoints define your brand’s long-term success.

Managing a Hybrid Brand: Navigating the complexities of marketing gaming, hospitality, and brewing under one roof.

Turning Critics into Fans: Matthew’s strategy for responding to feedback and transforming customer experiences through social media.

Leadership Mentorship: Lessons from the "legendary" Sal Semeda on leading teams and staying ahead in the industry.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to CMO Weekly: Meet Haley Clover

00:46 – Guest Introduction: Matthew Mingrone, GM of Feather Falls Casino

01:30 – Brand Presence in the Gaming Industry

10:15 – The Award-Winning Brewing Operation

18:45 –Transforming Customer Experiences via Social Media

23:24 – The Ultimate Lesson: Why every interaction matters

23:43 – Closing Remarks & Where to visit Feather Falls

About the Guest:

Matthew Mingrone is the General Manager of Feather Falls Casino Lodge and Brewing Company in Oroville, California. He is responsible for operations and guest experiences across a diverse range of sectors, including gaming, hospitality, and craft brewing.

Connect with CMO Weekly:

Visit our sponsor: Head to openfortune.com to put your brand inside actual fortune cookies!

#CMOWeekly #MarketingLeadership #HospitalityMarketing #FeatherFallsCasino #BrandStrategy #GuestExperience #GamingIndustry #MatthewMingrone

In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Cindy Lim, the Head of Brand and Marketing at Yuzu, to discuss the evolving landscape of community-focused marketing and the shift toward intentional dating for Gen Z.

Cindy shares her fascinating "full circle" career path—starting as a scrappy entrepreneur founding a clothing brand, moving through elite consulting firms like Accenture and BCG, and eventually landing at Match Group to launch Yuzu from the ground up.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The Origin of Yuzu: How Cindy helped build a "social playground" specifically designed for the Asian community to find true belonging and cultural understanding.

Scaling from Zero: The strategic evolution of marketing channels, from high-hype waitlists and influencer strategies to full-funnel storytelling and major brand partnerships.

Marketing to Gen Z: Why authenticity, humor, and values-based branding are non-negotiable when reaching the next generation of consumers.

The Pivot to Intentionality: A deep dive into Yuzu’s transition from a social/dating hybrid to a dedicated dating app centered on the core message: "Spark curiosity and show care".

Actionable Advice: Cindy’s top three tips for marketers looking to connect with Gen Z audiences.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & The Power of Open Fortune

01:58 – Cindy’s Background: From Wharton to Entrepreneurship

02:55 – Consulting & The Move to Match Group

05:23 – Why an Affinity App for the Asian Community Matters

08:42 – Success Stories: From App Users to Micro-Influencers

11:38 – Scaling Strategy: Waitlists and Influencer Marketing

14:48 – Reaching 700k Downloads & Culturally Relevant Storytelling

19:16 – Cracking the Gen Z Code: Authenticity vs. Advertising

25:18 – The New Mission: Spark Curiosity and Show Care

30:21 – Cindy’s Advice for Marketing Leaders

This podcast episode of CMO Weekly, hosted by Hayley Clover, features an in-depth interview with Marc Oppenheimer, the Chief Marketing Officer of Parx Casino and Racing. As the CMO of Pennsylvania’s largest casino for over a decade, Oppenheimer shares his expertise on balancing brand building with data-driven marketing and the evolution of the gaming industry.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Marc Oppenheimer discusses the "bold moves" and "tough lessons" that have shaped his career leading the marketing efforts for Parx Casino. The conversation explores how the brand stays ahead in a fast-changing industry by pioneering automated, behavior-based campaigns and building strategic partnerships.

Key Takeaways

Data-Driven Marketing: How Parx uses automated campaigns that adapt to guest behavior to retain and engage players.

Operational Insight: Marc emphasizes the importance of marketing leaders understanding the "operations side" of a business to truly grasp what drives a customer's emotional experience.

Brand Evolution: Insights into how the brand attracts a diverse range of guests while maintaining its position as a market leader in Pennsylvania.

Upcoming Projects: Details on the expansion of Parx, including a major hotel project.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to CMO Weekly and host Haley Clover.

00:18 – Sponsor message: Open Fortune.

00:45 – Introducing guest Marc Oppenheimer, CMO of Parx Casino.

01:00 – Marc’s background and decade-long journey at Parx.

24:43 – Advice for marketers: Why paying attention to the operations side is critical for success.

25:00 – Where to find Marc and Parx Casino online.

25:30 – Closing remarks and looking ahead to the new Parx hotel.

Guest Information

Marc Oppenheimer is the Chief Marketing Officer at Parx Casino and Racing. With over 10 years at the company, he has been at the forefront of digital transformation in the gaming sector, focusing on data-driven guest retention and innovative brand strategies.

In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Nik Fava, the Director of Casino Marketing at Ellis Island Casino, Hotel & Brewery. While the Las Vegas Strip is increasingly dominated by massive corporate giants, Ellis Island remains a fiercely independent, family-owned staple that has thrived since 1968.

Nik shares his journey from a roller-blading server at Sonic to leading the marketing strategy for one of Vegas's most beloved boutique properties. We dive deep into how to build genuine brand loyalty through human connection, why direct mail isn't dead, and how to use "authentic" influencers to drive real foot traffic.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The "Old Vegas" Edge: How Ellis Island competes with billion-dollar brands by focusing on personal touch and guest-centric service.

The Human Connection: Why Ellis Island dealers keep their own tips (instead of a tip pool) to incentivize a better player experience.

Parallel Marketing Tracks: How to balance two different strategies for "Fiercely Local" regulars vs. high-intent tourists.

Influencer Marketing Done Right: Why Nik only partners with influencers who genuinely love the property, and how he tracks their "move the needle" impact.

Expansion Without Losing Soul: A look inside the "New Look, Old Vegas" expansion project, including the new rooftop bar, "The Deck".

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Nik Fava and Ellis Island Casino.

02:14 – The "easiest sales job": Why hospitality is about meeting existing desires.

04:11 – From Sonic roller-blader to Director of Marketing.

06:56 – Why dealers keeping their own tips changes the guest experience.

09:04 – Differentiating a boutique casino in a sea of giants.

11:03 – The Wheel of Fortune Tournament: Making gambling a "playground".

12:52 – Digital vs. Physical: Why the "fridge factor" keeps mailers alive.

15:38 – The Influencer Strategy: Establishing trust through authentic partnerships.

19:06 – Phase Two: Doubling the gaming floor and the "New Look, Old Vegas" campaign.

21:31 – Protecting the value: $5 Blackjack and the $9.99 Steak Special.

Enjoyed this episode? Hit the Subscribe button and the 🔔 to stay updated on the latest marketing breakthroughs from the world’s top brand leaders!

"Every single thing we do should be fun. People come to casinos as a playground." — Nik Fava

In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hayley Clover sits down with Brian Gooden, General Manager at Apache Casino Hotel in Lawton, Oklahoma. A veteran leader in the tribal gaming and hospitality space, Brian shares his unique journey from starting as a line cook at 17 to overseeing a major casino property today.

The conversation dives deep into the intersection of leadership and marketing, the importance of being "data-informed" rather than just data-driven, and how Apache Casino Hotel differentiates itself in a highly competitive regional market.

Key Topics Covered

The "Ground-Up" Journey: Brian discusses his 25-year career in tribal gaming, emphasizing how working in diverse departments—from food and beverage to finance—prepared him for executive leadership.

Marketing as People-First Leadership: Why Brian views customer rewards and employee recognition as two sides of the same coin: human connection.

Data-Informed Strategy: A look at how Apache uses data to double down on specific customer segments and refine gifting and offer programs.

Community-Centric Operations: How the casino functions as a "community within a community," from supporting tribal social services and education to hosting major local events like the 4th of July fireworks.

The Oklahoma Gaming Landscape: Brian’s perspective on the unique, dense casino market in Oklahoma and how to stay "simply better" than the competition.

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro to CMO Weekly & Open Fortune

1:15 – Meet Brian Gooden, GM of Apache Casino Hotel

1:54 – Brian’s early start in tribal gaming and career path

3:19 – The link between leadership, marketing, and people

4:33 – Enhancing guest services through the "I Goodby" program

5:31 – The role of data in casino marketing

7:09 – Apache’s role in the Lawton community and tribal impact

11:02 – Insights into the competitive Oklahoma gaming market

11:59 – Innovation, acquisition, and future goals for Apache

About the Guest

Brian Gooden is a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and a seasoned leader in casino hospitality. As the General Manager of Apache Casino Hotel, he oversees all property facets, including gaming, guest services, and community engagement. He holds a strong background in operational excellence and regional market differentiation.

Subscribe to CMO Weekly for more breakthrough ideas from the world's top marketing leaders!

In this episode of CMO Weekly, host Hailey Culver sits down with Tom Morrissy, the Chief Growth Officer at Noble People—an independent media agency that lives by a simple philosophy: "No Bullshit". Tom shares how his agency, born out of creative powerhouses like Droga5, is disrupting the traditional media landscape by treating media strategy as a "hack to growth" through the fusion of creativity and analytics.

Whether you’re a marketing leader, an aspiring media planner, or an entrepreneur looking to scale, Tom’s insights on media disruption and individualized brand journeys are a masterclass in modern growth strategy.

📌 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The "Media Agency for Creative People": Why Noble People views media as a creative canvas rather than just a spreadsheet exercise.

Creativity as a Growth Hack: How blending left-brain analytics with right-brain creativity leads to smarter, more efficient brand growth.

Breaking Through AI Anxiety: How Noble People uses over 150 internal AI tools to accelerate work rather than fear disruption.

The "Smoke Weed with Jeff Sessions" Campaign: Behind the scenes of a viral, award-winning campaign that utilized clever media placement in D.C. and Arizona.

Career Advice for "Hand Raisers": Why being the person who says "yes" to more responsibility is the fastest way to rise in the advertising industry.

🕒 Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Tom Morrissy and Noble People.

05:45 – The Noble People Philosophy: "No Bullshit" Media.

12:30 – Why Independent Agencies are Winning in 2025.

18:15 – Balancing Brand vs. Performance with the "Budget Balancer" tool.

24:40 – Case Study: Creative Media in Action (The Jeff Sessions Billboard).

28:44 – Closing Advice: How to get started in the marketing industry.

🔗 About Tom Morrissy & Noble People:

Tom Morrissy is a media industry veteran known for his background in digital media, publishing, and advertising revenue leadership. As Chief Growth Officer, he leads strategy for Noble People, which recently saw 30% revenue growth and was recognized as a top independent firm at the 2025 Ad Age Small Agency Awards.

Brought to you by Open Fortune: Put your brand inside actual fortune cookies! Visit openfortune.com to learn more.

Subscribe to CMO Weekly: Don’t miss an episode of the world’s top marketing leaders uncovering bold moves and breakthrough ideas.

#Marketing #CMO #MediaStrategy #GrowthHacking #Advertising #NoblePeople #CMOWeekly

Can crypto and traditional marketing coexist? In this episode of CMO Weekly, we sit down with Tornike Zazashvili, the Performance Marketing Director at FortuneJack, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of crypto casinos and the bold strategies required to lead in a high-growth, high-stakes industry.

FortuneJack has been a pioneer in the crypto gambling space since 2014, blending cutting-edge blockchain technology with a catalog of over 3,000 games. Tornike shares his journey navigating this unique niche, discussing how FortuneJack maintains its edge through performance marketing, brand building, and staying ahead of the "fast-changing industry".

Whether you’re interested in the future of iGaming, the intersection of blockchain and marketing, or the lessons learned from leading a global crypto brand, this conversation offers a deep dive into the "bold moves and tough lessons" of a modern marketing leader.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The FortuneJack Story: How a crypto casino launched in 2014 became a market leader with thousands of games.

Performance Marketing in Crypto: The specific challenges and opportunities of marketing in the blockchain and gaming space.

Staying Ahead of Trends: Strategies for leading teams and building brands in a fast-paced digital economy.

The Future of Gaming: Insight into the world of crypto-integrated online gaming.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction to CMO Weekly

0:17 – Special Segment: Branding through OpenFortune cookies

0:40 – Meet Tornike Zazashvili, Performance Marketing Director at FortuneJack

1:03 – The evolution of FortuneJack and the crypto casino space

16:14 – Focusing on what you love in the gaming industry

17:01 – Final thoughts and where to find FortuneJack online

Brought to you by OpenFortune: This episode is supported by OpenFortune, the marketing company putting your brand inside millions of fortune cookies worldwide. Learn more at OpenFortune.com.

#CMOWeekly #FortuneJack #CryptoMarketing #PerformanceMarketing #iGaming #Blockchain #MarketingStrategy #TornikeZazashvili

This episode of CMO Weekly features a deep dive into the world of iGaming with Andre Villandberg, the Founder and CEO of Bullshark Games. Andre shares his journey from a professional poker player to leading an independent slot studio that prioritizes "player-first" design and bold, high-volatility gameplay.

🦈 Episode Highlights

From Poker Pro to Game Studio Founder

Andre discusses how his background as a professional poker player and his experience "bonus abusing" early in his career provided him with a unique, analytical perspective on what makes a game truly engaging. He explains that this history helps him understand exactly what users want and how to build games that are "fun" rather than just another corporate product.

The Bullshark Strategy: Quality Over Quantity

Founded in late 2023 with the release of their first game, Mafia Clash, Bullshark Games operates with a lean, hands-on team where everyone has a voice. Andre emphasizes their commitment to:

Originality: Avoiding "lazy" reskins or reusing old mechanics.

The "Playability" Test: If the team wouldn't play the game themselves for real money, they won't ship it.

Calculated Chaos: A look into the development of titles like Godly Gains, where they "drove the mathematicians mad" to create massive, engaging ending moments.

Innovative Marketing in iGaming

Andre breaks down how Bullshark differentiates itself in a crowded market:

Streamer Focus: Partnering only with streamers who genuinely love the games to ensure organic, high-energy reactions.

LinkedIn Visibility: Using personality-driven content and product insights rather than traditional banner ads.

Strategic Partnerships: How teaming up with major partners like Hacksaw Gaming (using their OpenGRS platform) helped a young studio gain rapid visibility.

Lessons for Aspiring Leaders

Andre offers candid advice for new founders, noting that "there are no free days" and that success in a lean startup requires a team where one member does the work of three.

🎯 Key Takeaways

Volatility vs. Engagement: Finding the balance between high-volatility games that look great on stream and games that remain fun for "regular" players.

Data-Driven Decisions: How the studio uses feedback from affiliate sites and player data to pivot and make game changes quickly.

Under-promise, Over-deliver: The philosophy that has helped them win over casino operators and aggregators.