Razorfish President, Dani Mariano, explores how brands can build authentic connections through emerging technologies and explains why Gen Alpha is reshaping the future of marketing and commerce.

In this episode of Gen C, host Sam welcomes Dani Mariano, President of Razorfish, a 30-year-old creative agency known for innovation in the marketing world. Dani discusses how Razorfish has evolved from a digital agency to a "marketing transformation agency" helping brands navigate emerging technologies like blockchain, Web3 and AI. She shares insights on the shift from points-based loyalty programs to creating authentic emotional connections with consumers and reveals research about Gen Alpha's sophisticated digital behavior and their surprising influence on household purchasing decisions.

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• Razorfish’s Twitter
• Razorfish’s Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

Rebecca Barkin discusses Lamina1's mission to create a decentralized platform that empowers creators with more control and direct audience engagement, showcasing their partnership with "Owen Nowhere," a new animated series about a teen influencer with vampire parents created by Chris Jammal and Jaclynn Demas of We Ghosted Media.

Rebecca Barkin, CEO of Lamina1, joins Sam to discuss her journey from Magic Leap to developing the MSG Sphere and now leading a Web3 company focused on empowering creators. They're joined by Chris Jammal (Bob’s Burgers) and Jaclynn Demas (Peg+Cat, Wonder Pets) of We Ghosted Media to discuss their new animated series "Owen Nowhere" about a teen influencer with vampire parents and how Web3 technologies enable new forms of audience engagement and creative control that traditional entertainment models lack.Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• A new kids’ show will come with a crypto wallet when it debuts this fall
• Rebecca’s Twitter
• Lamina1 Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

Returning for another season of ‘Gen C’, Sam sits down with Kyle and Jay to learn how they transformed Milk Road into a leading crypto media brand and why they believe media should be the foundation of every business.

Kyle and Jay, co-owners of Milk Road and co-founders of marketing agency Impact3, discuss their journey from meeting in a Toronto bar to building successful crypto-focused businesses. They explain their philosophy of using media to grow communities, simplifying crypto for everyday investors and their expansion plans beyond crypto into macro economics and AI. The pair also share insights on the current market dynamics and why they believe personalities will become increasingly important in differentiating brands in an AI-dominated future.

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• Kyle’s Twitter
• Jay’s Twitter
• Milk Road Website
• Impact3 Website
• 
  

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

In this farewell episode, Avery and Sam reflect on her journey as co-host and share insights on the evolving digital landscape and what’s next for the pod.

Avery Akkineni, Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerMedia, records her final episode as co-host of the Gen C podcast after a two and a half year run spanning 112 episodes. They discuss the evolution of Web3 adoption among brands, from the initial NFT boom to today’s landscape and the valuable lessons learned during her time as co-host.

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor: 

• Friends, DeFi is having a moment — Uniswap Labs' web app and wallet connect you to the excitement. Swapping and bridging are simple, low cost, and lightning fast across 13 chains, including Base, Arbitrum and Unichain, the new Layer 2 network designed for DeFi. Thanks to deep liquidity on Uniswap Protocols, you get minimal price impact on every trade, now with even greater efficiency through Uniswap v4. Swap, send, on-ramp, off-ramp, and bridge into a bright future — get started at https://app.uniswap.org/.

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

Christina Smedley of Lightspark, live from Consensus HK, to discuss how their technology enables cross-border payments without high fees and serves both developed and emerging markets.

Christina Smedley, who has previously worked at Amazon, PayPal, Facebook, and Robinhood, discusses her current role at Lightspark where she's helping to revolutionize payments through Bitcoin's Lightning Network. She explains Lightspark's Universal Money Address (UMA) solution that allows people to send money as easily as emails and talks about Spark, their open-source Layer 2 blockchain designed specifically for payments and stablecoin transactions.

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• Lightspark Website
• Christina’s Twitter

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor: 

• Friends, DeFi is having a moment — Uniswap Labs' web app and wallet connect you to the excitement. Swapping and bridging are simple, low cost, and lightning fast across 13 chains, including Base, Arbitrum and Unichain, the new Layer 2 network designed for DeFi. Thanks to deep liquidity on Uniswap Protocols, you get minimal price impact on every trade, now with even greater efficiency through Uniswap v4. Swap, send, on-ramp, off-ramp, and bridge into a bright future — get started at https://app.uniswap.org/.

-

"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

In this special Gen Z episode, artist and world builder Sam Spratt discusses his career, creative journey, and innovative use of technology in art. He shares insights from his early life and education, the development of his artistic style, and the impact of his project 'Luci,' including his newest chapter Masquerade.The conversation delves into his unique use of AI in the mask maker system, the blending of human and digital artistry, and the ethical considerations of creating art in a digital age. Spratt also touches on the dynamics of the crypto art world and his approach to integrating traditional artistic values with modern tools.

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• Masquerade
• Sam Spratt's Twitter

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

This episode touches on crypto marketing with Kraken's CMO Mayur Gupta who shares how technical expertise, brand values and customer trust can drive digital finance innovation.

Mayur Gupta, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Kraken, brings unique insight as a former developer turned marketing executive at one of crypto's longest-standing exchanges. In this episode, Mayur discusses the evolution of marketing in tech companies, the false dichotomy between brand and performance marketing and his vision for crypto adoption globally. 

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• The DeepSeek-R1 Effect and Web3-AI
• Mayur’s Twitter

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor: 

• In Chinese, belief means trust. For 10 years, Consensus has united those who believe in building a new internet where everyone has value. Join us at Consensus Hong Kong February 18 - 20, 2025 where belief becomes real. Connect with global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of Web3, and experience the power of collaboration at the industry's most influential event. Register now: https://go.coindesk.com/3BeigBq

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

In this episode, we sit down with CEO, Connor Gaydos who spent $275 to acquire the abandoned Enron brand and is now working to transform one of America's most infamous corporate scandals into a symbol of redemption and innovation.

Connor Gaydos, co-creator of the viral "Birds Aren't Real" movement and now the CEO of Enron, joins ‘Gen C’ to discuss his surprising acquisition and the relaunch of one of America's most notorious corporate brands. In this conversation, Connor shares his vision for transforming Enron through a combination of earnest business ventures—including home nuclear reactors and logistics services—and unique marketing tactics.

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• Connor’s Twitter
• Enron’s Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor: 

• In Chinese, belief means trust. For 10 years, Consensus has united those who believe in building a new internet where everyone has value. Join us at Consensus Hong Kong February 18 - 20, 2025 where belief becomes real. Connect with global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of Web3, and experience the power of collaboration at the industry's most influential event. Register now: https://go.coindesk.com/3BeigBq

-

"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

DJ Skee joins us this week to talk about  the evolution of marketing through product placement and the power of nostalgia in collecting.

DJ Skee is a multifaceted entrepreneur known for breaking artists like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Lorde and pioneering marketing strategies in music and tech. As the founder of The Realist, he's revolutionizing the sports memorabilia industry through blockchain authentication and innovative collecting experiences. In this episode, Skee shares his journey from teenage hustler to cultural innovator, offering insights on everything from early influencer marketing to the future of digital collecting.

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• DJ Skee’s Twitter
• The Realist Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor: 

• In Chinese, belief means trust. For 10 years, Consensus has united those who believe in building a new internet where everyone has value. Join us at Consensus Hong Kong February 18 - 20, 2025 where belief becomes real. Connect with global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of Web3, and experience the power of collaboration at the industry's most influential event. Register now: https://go.coindesk.com/3BeigBq

-

"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.

Former TikTok Head of Marketing Nick Tran shares how the traditional marketing playbook is evolving and why brands need to rethink their approach to connecting with modern consumers.

Nick Tran is a marketing innovator whose career spans leadership roles at Samsung, Hulu and most notably as Head of Marketing at TikTok during its explosive growth phase. In this episode, he discusses how TikTok revolutionized content consumption, why traditional brand marketing needs to evolve, and his perspectives on AI, organic social media and the future of marketing in 2025. Nick also shares anecdotes on how he became a Co-Executive Producer on Kanye West’s documentary Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy.

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• Meta’s fact-checking changes are just what Trump’s FCC head asked for
• Vayner Media x Ipsos Report
• Nick’s Twitter
• Nick’s LinkedIn

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor: 

• In Chinese, belief means trust. For 10 years, Consensus has united those who believe in building a new internet where everyone has value. Join us at Consensus Hong Kong February 18 - 20, 2025 where belief becomes real. Connect with global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of Web3, and experience the power of collaboration at the industry's most influential event. Register now: https://go.coindesk.com/3BeigBq

-

"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. 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.