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An ad about jeans. A storm of global opinions. And a brand caught in the middle.

In this episode of Making the Moment, host Aja Bradley Kemp dives deep into the viral “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” ad that dominated headlines and split the internet—with hot takes from Donald Trump, Doja Cat, and everyone in between. But was this viral moment a marketing masterstroke or a brand misstep?

Joined by a panel of seven expert marketers, including Hailey Knott, the former American Eagle social media lead, we explore what this media storm reveals about risk, reputation, and relevance in an always-on, always-reacting world.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways for marketers navigating today’s cultural and reputational minefield:

• When does disruptive marketing cross the line into divisiveness?
• Why agency-brand dynamics and internal culture shape crisis outcomes
• Why having a crisis playbook is non-negotiable for bold campaigns
• What Gen Z and Gen Alpha expect and demand from the brands they support

If you are a brand marketer, CEO, or social media manager you do not want to miss this episode! 

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What does it take to turn a beauty brand into a cultural phenomenon? In our season finale, host Aja Bradley Kemp sits down with Selina Davis- experiential marketing maven and the force behind Mielle’s unforgettable brand activations and the coveted pink bag.

Selina shares her journey from talent manager to leading Mielle’s experiential strategy during its explosive growth and eventual acquisition by Procter & Gamble (P&G). We unpack how in-person experiences can drive exponential brand love and how global brands can stay consistent and culturally relevant.

This episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss, including:

• What top retailers and potential acquirers are really thinking when they see your brand activation
• How a community-first mindset helped Mielle build unshakable brand loyalty
• What unique challenges and growth opportunities come with being a Black-owned brand navigating acquisition
• How to create experiential campaigns that resonate across global markets without compromising brand identity
• How a pink swag bag became a cult favorite and why moments like that drive emotional brand connection
• Why strong professional relationships open unforeseen doors, How to find harmony in motherhood, creativity, and corporate leadership with purpose and boundaries.

Whether you're scaling a brand, navigating acquisition, or rethinking the power of live experiences, this conversation is rich with strategic insights straight from the culture.

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In the era of digital overload, how do brands earn real attention? In this episode of Making the Moment, host Aja Bradley-Kemp sits down with Kim Aimi, a visionary leader who's orchestrated some of the biggest global activations including Post Malone performing at the Louvre. As a self-described "brand lover and problem solver”, she takes us on a journey through her career, revealing the strategy, creativity, and resilience it takes to turn pressure into possibility.

In this insightful conversation, Kim shares:

• How to transform complex financial technology into compelling emotional storytelling that deeply resonates with your audience, leveraging tools like VR and AR.
• How to genuinely connect with diverse modern audiences, from B2B clients to Gen Z, by tapping into powerful cultural trends like music and gaming.
• How to leverage innovative platforms such as Roblox.
• Why it's crucial for agencies to push boundaries and bring bold, transformative concepts to the table.
• Why hands-on mentorship and in-person collaboration remain vital for developing the next generation of creative talent in a remote-first world.

If you're a marketer, event strategist, or creative leader looking to scale meaningful, measurable experiences—this episode is for you.

#KimAimi, #MakingTheMoment, #ExperientialMarketing, #PostMalone, #Paris2024, #VisaExperiences, #BrandInnovation, #ImmersiveEvents, #CreativeTech, #EventStrategy, #GlobalMarketing, #OlympicSponsorship, #AugmentedReality, #Roblox, #LourveMuseum, #WomenInMarketing, 

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Ever wondered how the most iconic events in sports come to life? In this episode of Making the Moment, host Aja Bradley-Kemp sits down with LaTonya Story, PR powerhouse and founder of the iconic Sports Power Brunch—one of the most sought-after events during Super Bowl week, celebrating the achievements of women in sports.

LaTonya shares how she built her career from the ground up, starting with a cold call that landed her a role with Allen Iverson’s celebrity event and later evolved into her founding LPS Consulting PR. From working with NFL legends to creating unforgettable sponsor activations with Porsche, Lululemon, ESPN Films, and Cantu, LaTonya reveals the strategy behind creating moments that move people and brands.

Here's just a glimpse of what you'll learn from LaTonya's incredible story:

• What are the exciting new opportunities and the current landscape for women professionals and athletes in the sports industry
• How to build a successful career, even from unconventional beginnings
• What strategies are key for attracting and collaborating with major brand sponsors (such as Porsche, Lululemon, ESPN Films, and Cantu) on event activations
• Why powerful networking and strategic relationship-building are essential for success in the sports and entertainment world.
• How to create emotionally resonant event programming that empowers and genuinely connects attendees.
• How to transform personal passion into a purpose-driven business or impactful event.

LaTonya also opens up about founding the Sterling Legacy Fund in honor of her late son, and how she's using the Sports Power Brunch platform to drive health equity and create legacy through impact.

If you're passionate about women in sports or purpose-driven events, this episode is a must-listen.

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What happens when a single haircut sparks a movement? In this week’s episode of Making the Moment, we talk to Ava Pearl, the visionary behind Curly Culture and CurlyConLA. From a musician’s pivot to community builder, Ava shares how she launched a powerful in-person experience that celebrates natural beauty, empowers creators, and fosters genuine connection in the curly hair space.

Prepare to revolutionize your approach to events and community, as Ava reveals:

• Why building a thriving community event was her ultimate goal, surpassing the traditional conference
• Why inclusive event planning is the cornerstone of a brand’s success
• How to turn consumer desires into irresistible, buzz-worthy programming for your next event.
• How to cultivate authentic relationships to attract aligned sponsors & strategic partnerships 
• How brands can create memorable events influencers can’t wait to attend and share 

If you're eager to learn how to cultivate a vibrant, in-person community and transform your brand's engagement, this episode is your essential guide. 

#MakingTheMoment #ConversateCollective #Curlycon #CurlyCulture #AvaPearl #NaturalHairCommunity #BeautyEvents #CurlyHairLove #BlackWomenInBeauty #InclusiveEvents #EventPlanning #CreatorEvents #SponsorshipStrategy 

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Ever wonder how the roar of a stadium translates into tangible brand love? Or what it takes to make  the Super Bowl a cultural moment? This week, we’re joined by Ashley Hamilton, Director of Event Location Strategy & Planning at the NFL, and the force behind some of the biggest cultural moments in sports.

From NBA Championship parades to the Draft City Takeovers, Ashley shares how to:

• Infuse local culture into global events for deeper fan engagement
• Pull off flawless, high-stakes brand activations
• Position your company for opportunities to be a part of the biggest moments in sports

This is a rare glimpse into the strategic brilliance that fuels the world's most watched events. 

If you’re in the business of building impactful and memorable fan moments.Hit play now to level up your game.

#MakingTheMoment #ExperientialMarketing #BrandStrategy #EmotionalROI #CXLeadership #InclusiveMarketing #CulturalImpact #BrandLoyalty #ImmersiveExperiences #MarketingPodcast #HighProfileClients #EventPlanningSecrets #BusinessPodcast #MarketingPodcast #Events #ExperientialMarketing  #BrandMarketing #BrandEvents #NBA Playoffs #SuperBowl #NFL #StanleyCup #Sports #SportsMarketing #SpecialEvents #CulturalMoments #DiaryofaCEO #IMO #Podcast #Adweek

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In this special solo episode of Making the Moment, host Aja Bradley-Kemp flips the mic and formally introduces herself—sharing her incredible career journey from MAC Cosmetics to founding the award-winning experiential agency, Conversate Collective.

Aja opens up about the iconic moments that shaped her path, like working on the legendary MAC Viva Glam campaign featuring Mary J. Blige and Lil Kim, launching iconic celebrity sneaker collaborations for Reebok, and why a single, heartfelt interaction at Beautycon reignited her passion for creating experiences that bring people together and leave them feeling seen and filled with joy. 

It’s a journey filled with intention, reinvention. 

Whether you’re an event producer, a marketing leader, or a curious creative looking to launch your own event, this episode offers a personal, inspiring, and practical guide to creating brand experiences that deliver true results.

#MakingTheMoment #ExperientialMarketing #BrandStrategy #EmotionalROI #CXLeadership #InclusiveMarketing  #CulturalImpact #BrandLoyalty #ImmersiveExperiences #MarketingPodcast #HighProfileClients #EventPlanningSecrets #BusinessPodcast #MarketingPodcast #Events #ExperientialMarketing  #BrandMarketing #BrandEvents

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What happens when a logistical nightmare turns into a major sign of success? This week on Making the Moment, we dive into the chaotic early days of Sloomoo Institute with co-founder Karen Robinowitz. She shares the wild story of their launch, where a massive ticket mix-up, that could have damaged their business, set the stage for a slime-filled empire built on joy.

Karen breaks down how an unconventional concept rooted in play turned into a scalable, sticky brand with massive reach—and why families, especially kids, are responding to real joy in a way that can’t be ignore.

If you’re a brand marketer or CXO chasing loyalty, resonance, and cultural relevance, this episode is a joyful gut check on what truly moves people—and why bold ideas, delivered with heart, always rise.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why emotional engagement and multi-sensory design drive deeper brand loyalty—especially with families
• The brands that build spaces where people feel seen are the ones rewriting the rules — and reaping the returns
• What the rise of tactile, immersive spaces like Sloomoo Institute means for the future of brand experiences

#MakingTheMoment #ExperientialMarketing #BrandStrategy #EmotionalROI #CXLeadership #InclusiveMarketing #SloomooInstitute #CulturalImpact #BrandLoyalty #ImmersiveExperiences #MarketingPodcast #HighProfileClients #EventPlanningSecrets #BusinessPodcast #MarketingPodcast #Events #ExperientialMarketing #Slime #BrandMarketing #BrandEvents

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 From Weddings to World Stages: Ashley Adana on Producing Culture-Shifting Events 

In this episode of Making the Moment, host Aja Bradley Kemp sits down with powerhouse producer Ashley Adana, CEO of BEC Production, whose event planning journey spans nearly 15 years—from Atlanta weddings to global conferences and cultural tentpole events like InvestFest. Ashley shares how a high school reunion lit the spark for her career, why she transitioned out of weddings, and the lessons she’s learned producing events for industry giants like Rick Ross, Nehemiah Davis, and Dame Dash.

She also drops gold on crisis management, international planning logistics, negotiating venues, and why every event—no matter the size—demands excellence. Plus, she introduces her Event Creators Academy, a course built for the next generation of producers ready to scale their impact.

🎧 What You'll Learn:

• How Ashley went from planning weddings to managing 20,000+ attendee conferences
• Her behind-the-scenes process producing InvestFest and events for Rick Ross & Dame Dash
• Tips for navigating international event production (even without site visits)
• Why vendor relationships are your greatest asset
• The biggest red flags that tell you someone isn’t built for production
• How to avoid burnout in an industry that never sleeps
• The vision behind her course, Event Creators Academy, and who it’s for
• Why Tyler Perry is “having a moment” in her eyes

💡 Notable Quotes:

• “All plans are meant to be broken—but you must still have a plan.” – Ashley Adana
• “I give to myself before I give myself to the world.” – Ashley Adana
• “It doesn’t matter if the event is for 100 or 20,000 people—the responsibility is still major.” – Ashley Adana

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Ashley’s Course: ashleyadana.com
• Ashley on Instagram: @ashley_adana
• InvestFest by Earn Your Leisure
• Dream Collective by Tyler Perry (for aspiring filmmakers)

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Ever wondered how Zara took Australia by storm and achieved a million-dollar launch day? Join Aja Bradley on Making the Moment as she uncovers the incredible story of Tory Archbold, the marketing powerhouse behind this retail phenomenon. Discover the surprising strategies and meticulous planning that fueled this unprecedented success and learn the insider secrets to creating a launch that truly captivates and converts.

@toryarchboldofficial

Want to Join and learn from Tory check out these links:
Powerful Steps Los Angeles Business Retreat: https://powerful-steps.com/powerful-retreats-los-angeles/

Book your spot: https://book.stripe.com/fZe3f5dw1aykgxi8wB

Download your 7-day Free Trial of the Powerful Steps App: https://powerful-steps.com/powerful-steps-app/

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🎙️ Making the Moment is produced by Conversate Collective.