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Marketing’s Most Human Moment Is Now
What if the future of marketing is a lot more human than we think? Today’s guest, Mark Schaefer, has been shaping that future for decades — and he was actually on this show ten years ago. So this is part reunion, part masterclass. Mark’s a futurist, bestselling author, Rutgers faculty member, and Drucker-trained strategist whose ideas guide brands from Adidas to the U.S. Air Force. His ten books and his top-ranked show The Marketing Companion have become industry staples. He’s also a longtime friend who somehow manages to push your thinking and make you laugh at the same time.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Episode Chapters
(00:00) Reunion and why this moment matters
(02:00) Why this is the most amazing — and unsettling — time in marketing
(04:20) Scaling humanity with AI and the MarkBot experiment
(07:30) The most human company wins (and what that really means)
(10:40) When AI goes too far and brands lose trust
(12:30) Harley-Davidson, friction, and knowing your customer deeply
(17:00) Curiosity as a career strategy in an AI world
(27:00) The brand that made Mark smile
About Mark Schaefer
Mark Schaefer is a globally recognized futurist, keynote speaker, educator, and bestselling author. With more than 30 years of experience in marketing, PR, and global sales, he has advised organizations ranging from startups to Adidas and the U.S. Air Force. Mark studied under Peter Drucker, teaches in Rutgers University’s graduate program, and holds seven patents. He is the author of ten influential books used at universities worldwide and the host of the top-ranked podcast, The Marketing Companion. Known for blending sharp insight with humanity and humor, Mark’s work helps leaders navigate what’s next without losing what matters.
What Brand Has Made Mark Smile Recently?
Mark couldn’t stop smiling about Nutter Butter — a once-forgotten cookie brand that decided to go full weird. By embracing surreal, chaotic, almost inexplicable short-form videos, the brand ditched boring category conventions and leaned into creativity with nothing to lose. The result? Tripled sales and a case study in what happens when brands stop playing it safe and start being interesting.
Resources & Links
Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.
Check out his website, BusinessesGrow.
Listen & Support the Show
Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart.
Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show.
Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode.
Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips.
On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network.
Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
View all episodes
By Nick Westergaard
4.8
9393 ratings
What if the future of marketing is a lot more human than we think? Today’s guest, Mark Schaefer, has been shaping that future for decades — and he was actually on this show ten years ago. So this is part reunion, part masterclass. Mark’s a futurist, bestselling author, Rutgers faculty member, and Drucker-trained strategist whose ideas guide brands from Adidas to the U.S. Air Force. His ten books and his top-ranked show The Marketing Companion have become industry staples. He’s also a longtime friend who somehow manages to push your thinking and make you laugh at the same time.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Episode Chapters
(00:00) Reunion and why this moment matters
(02:00) Why this is the most amazing — and unsettling — time in marketing
(04:20) Scaling humanity with AI and the MarkBot experiment
(07:30) The most human company wins (and what that really means)
(10:40) When AI goes too far and brands lose trust
(12:30) Harley-Davidson, friction, and knowing your customer deeply
(17:00) Curiosity as a career strategy in an AI world
(27:00) The brand that made Mark smile
About Mark Schaefer
Mark Schaefer is a globally recognized futurist, keynote speaker, educator, and bestselling author. With more than 30 years of experience in marketing, PR, and global sales, he has advised organizations ranging from startups to Adidas and the U.S. Air Force. Mark studied under Peter Drucker, teaches in Rutgers University’s graduate program, and holds seven patents. He is the author of ten influential books used at universities worldwide and the host of the top-ranked podcast, The Marketing Companion. Known for blending sharp insight with humanity and humor, Mark’s work helps leaders navigate what’s next without losing what matters.
What Brand Has Made Mark Smile Recently?
Mark couldn’t stop smiling about Nutter Butter — a once-forgotten cookie brand that decided to go full weird. By embracing surreal, chaotic, almost inexplicable short-form videos, the brand ditched boring category conventions and leaned into creativity with nothing to lose. The result? Tripled sales and a case study in what happens when brands stop playing it safe and start being interesting.
Resources & Links
Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.
Check out his website, BusinessesGrow.
Listen & Support the Show
Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart.
Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show.
Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode.
Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips.
On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network.
Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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