This week on the Soul & Science podcast, we take a look at the power of culture and consumption. Take the rise of social media marketing as an example of consumption as culture. Companies have piggybacked on viral sounds, trends, and cultural moments from TikTok and Instagram as a way to promote their products. On the flip side, a seemingly clever campaign can flop if it jumps on a trend too late or misses the point entirely. So, if culture ultimately drives everything that people do, how do brands keep pace? 

Today, we’re talking with Dr. Marcus Collins about the effects of culture on human behavior and the undeniable connection between marketing and culture. 

Riding the line between industry and academia, his award-winning book For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be was a best-seller and he currently serves as a marketing professor at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. In the past, he was the Head of Strategy at Wieden+Kennedy and has worked with brands like Apple, Nike, and even Beyoncé. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

• How culture and marketing intertwine to create some of the most successful campaigns 
• What defines culture and how people choose to interact with it
• How brands can put themselves in the driver’s seat of cultural relevance

Brought to you by Mekanism.

What’s the true value of breaking free from conventional marketing mediums? In this week’s mini episode, we delve into some unconventional branding strategies that made impactful results. Oatly's 'Oatmilkers' initiative in Minor League Baseball, Stoked Dispensary's clever ads in neighboring stores, and Adidas' liquid billboard in Dubai showcase innovative approaches to circumvent restrictions and leave a lasting impression. Join us as we explore thinking outside the box in branding and advertising.

Brought to you by Mekanism.

At some point in their career, everyone has had to answer the dreaded interview question: “Where do you see yourself in the next five years?” You might have a well-scripted answer, but do you really know? 

This week on the Soul & Science podcast, we sit down with the founder and CEO of the Handel Life Coaching Group, Lauren Zander, to explore how we can rebrand the mind, body, and soul. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

• The true power of auditing your life in an honest way
• How our minds, bodies, and souls are far more interconnected than we realize
• What kinds of practical consequences you can give yourself to make your dreams a reality

Brought to you by Mekanism.

Ever wondered about the secrets behind a successful rebrand? Today, we'll unravel three essential rules for transforming your brand identity. From finding your why to executing a seamless rollout, we'll discuss what we can learn from iconic successes like Dunkin' and Airbnb, and how to avoid the pitfalls of missteps like Twitter's puzzling transformation to 'X'. 

Brought to you by Mekanism.

Modern-day flying has become more of a chore than an adventure. If you’ve read any headlines about the airline industry in recent years, it’s clear that many customers are apathetic about which carrier they fly with. Long delays and cancellations, poor customer service, and fluctuating pricing all leads to a sourness in the industry. 

So how can an airline fly themselves back to customers' good graces? 

This week, we aim to answer that question with Eric Edge, Managing Director of Advertising and Marketing at Alaska Airlines. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

• How caring about your customer creates lifelong brand champions 
• How to pivot your marketing when the industry takes a turn for the worse 
• How gambling on new technologies can help put your brand ahead of the curve

Brought to you by Mekanism.

How crucial to your brand’s success is PR really? Today, we’re talking about the four main reasons you need to invest in your PR strategy. Amplified media coverage for faster brand recognition, improved website traffic and SEO, strategic crisis management, and solidified thought leadership; these aspects are vital for enhancing your brand’s visibility, credibility, and resilience. 

Brought to you by Mekanism.

What’s your favorite GIF? Today, we’re sitting down with the Editor-in-Chief at GIPHY, Tyler Menzel. With a passion for creativity, authenticity, and the power of fun, Tyler has been instrumental in driving GIPHY’s success in the world of digital content. 

He provides oversight and mentorship for all aspects of content on GIPHY, including partner content acquisition strategy, original content creation, search and trending algorithm refinement, and moderation guideline creation and enforcement. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

• Creativity and authenticity are at the core of Giphy's approach to curating engaging content and fostering meaningful connections with users
• How they’ve used campaigns from minor league baseball promotions to digital marketing strategies to understand and trust the intelligence of the audience to drive impactful engagement
• Why you should commit to continuous learning. Tyler reminds us to stay open to experimentation, feedback, and growth in order to remain adaptable  in today's rapidly evolving landscape

Brought to you by Mekanism. 

We all know that AI has reshaped the landscape of marketing and advertising forever. But how familiar are you with generative vs. predictive AI? This week, we’re breaking it down. Predictive AI aids in informed decision-making, targeting audiences, optimizing ad placement, and forecasting campaign results. Generative AI accelerates creative work by assisting in content creation, copywriting, and generating images and videos for marketing materials. Tune in for a concise breakdown of AI's applications in advertising agencies.

Brought to you by Mekanism.

Rise and grind or work yourself into the ground? In the past few years, a sole focus on constant productivity and hustle has spread throughout the world of marketing and business, and frankly, it’s burning people out. This culture of overworking is forcing some people to live on autopilot and burn out. Let’s be honest for a moment: Nothing good is ever created after 10 cups of coffee and only 3 hours of sleep. 

Today, I’m sitting down with the founder of Dream Recovery, Todd Anderson, to reshape the stigma around rest and recovery. Before starting Dream Recovery, Todd was an NFL fullback for the Rams when they were still in St. Louis, a sponsored athlete by TYR, and a health and wellness expert for brands like Vision – an AI health companion app – and Arena – an all-in-one at-home training platform.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

• Why Rest and Recovery have become as important to professionals as it is to athletes
• How sports and wellness science can be applied to a luxury brand
• Why the rise and grind culture is dying out to one of strategic rest

Brought to you by Mekanism.

When you’re presented with a problem, how do you go about solving it? This week, we introduce three powerful laws that can transform the way you tackle challenges in life.

• Kidland's Law: If you can write the problem down clearly, then the matter is half solved.
• Gilbert's Law: The biggest problem with a job is that no one tells you what to do.
• Falkland's Law: If you don't have to make a decision, don't make a decision.

These three laws offer invaluable insights into problem-solving and decision-making. Apply them in your daily life to overcome challenges with clarity and efficiency.

Brought to you by Mekanism.