The Brand Forum

The Brand Forum

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The Brand Forum episodes

  • Challenging Commodity Category Norms to Win Big

    At Marketecture Live III in New York City, Phyllis Rothschild, Chief Marketing Officer from Pete & Gerry’s Organics, joined Jenny Rooney, Chief Brand and Community Officer from ADWEEK, to unpack how a commodity product like eggs can be transformed into a premium, purpose-driven brand.


    From leveraging consumer trends in health, sustainability, and animal welfare to simplifying messaging and embracing transparency during industry crises, Phyllis shares how Pete & Gerry’s built trust, differentiation, and growth in a competitive category.


    Takeaways

    • Premium categories grow faster when aligned with trends in health, sustainability, and transparency.
    • Simple messaging beats overwhelming consumers with too many claims.
    • Brand building happens across the full journey, not just at the shelf.
    • Transparency during crises can build trust and massive brand awareness.
    • Differentiation comes from storytelling, not just product features.
    • Consumers switch often, so brands must continuously re-earn loyalty.
    • Gen Z values proof points like certifications and traceability.

    • Chapters

      00:00 Intro & Egg Preferences

      01:30 Brand Overview

      02:20 Awareness Challenge

      03:20 Consumer Trends

      05:10 Rising Competition

      06:55 Simple Messaging

      08:20 Creative Campaign

      10:45 Marketing Data

      11:55 Crisis Response

      13:40 Transparency Wins

      15:20 Competition Landscape

      17:05 Content Strategy

      18:45 Gen Z Trust

      22 min
    • How Grupo Bimbo Is Reinventing Legacy Brands for the Modern Consumer

      Catherine Pinkham Berger, VP of Marketing Transformation & Services at Grupo Bimbo, joins Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus-one) to break down what it takes to evolve iconic, household brands in a rapidly changing consumer landscape. From balancing data and storytelling to managing a massive portfolio across omnichannel environments, Catherine shares how modern marketers can drive relevance, loyalty, and growth. She also reflects on her journey from agency life to leading transformation at one of the world's largest food companies.


      Takeaways

      • Brand positioning requires balancing timeless purpose with timely relevance
      • Storytelling remains critical, even in a data-driven marketing world
      • Shopper-first thinking is replacing the traditional marketing funnel
      • Omnichannel is no longer optional; it is how consumers naturally behave
      • Fragmentation across media and platforms is one of today’s biggest challenges
      • Creative is the most important driver of effective marketing
      • Nostalgia can be a powerful growth lever when paired with innovation
      • Loyalty still exists when brands deliver real value and connection

        • Chapters

          00:00 Introduction to Catherine Pinkham Berger

          01:29 Role at Grupo Bimbo and scale of the brand portfolio

          04:18 Key elements of strong brand positioning

          07:31 Balancing storytelling with data-driven marketing

          09:15 Omnichannel strategy and evolving shopper behavior

          12:03 Challenges data limitations and consumer fragmentation

          16:25 Transition from Ferrara to Grupo Bimbo

          17:09 Power of nostalgia in brand growth

          23:25 Example of marketing that worked

          27:05 The most important principle in marketing creative

          28:46 Catherine’s career journey into marketing

          31:23 Advice for early career marketers

          35 min
        • How the NFL Rebuilt Its Brand Through Player-First Marketing

          At Marketecture Live III in New York City, Tim Ellis, Chief Marketing Officer, NFL, and Brandon Marshall, NFL veteran and Founder of I Am Athlete, unpack how the league transformed its image during one of its most challenging eras. From rebuilding trust and embracing player stories to launching impactful programs like “My Cause My Cleats,” this conversation explores the power of authenticity, conviction, and culture-driven marketing in modern sports and beyond.


          Takeaways

          • Put people at the center of your brand to build deeper emotional connections
          • Authentic storytelling drives stronger engagement than polished messaging
          • Conviction in marketing matters more than playing it safe
          • Cultural relevance and transparency can rebuild trust
          • Empowering individuals creates a scalable brand impact
          • Great marketing starts with understanding the human behind the brand

          • Chapters

            00:15 Introduction to Marketecture Live and session overview

            01:13 The NFL’s biggest marketing and leadership challenges

            02:03 Rebuilding the league during controversy and uncertainty

            02:52 The “helmets off” strategy and humanizing players

            04:33 Transparency and trust during the pandemic and social movements

            06:51 Balancing the NFL brand with 32 teams and individual players

            08:11 Building player brands and deeper partnerships

            10:09 The origin story of “My Cause My Cleats.”

            12:39 The role of courage and conviction in marketing

            13:58 Taking bold stands and embracing inclusivity

            14:53 Why impact marketing matters today

            16:13 Using big stages to create real cultural impact

            17:02 Building trust, teams, and internal alignment

            18:40 Navigating leadership and stakeholder pressure

            20:26 Why conviction earns respect in leadership

            21:46 The importance of understanding athletes beyond the surface

            22:52 Why storytelling beats star power in modern marketing


            26 min
          • Creative Effectiveness Is No Longer a Fever Dream

            At Marketecture Live, Jeremy Bloom, CEO of Marketecture Media, joins Molson Coors Chief Marketing Officer Sofia Colucci to break down how to measure creative effectiveness that drives real business results. Learn the MUSCLE framework, plus Miller Lite and Blue Moon case studies.


            Takeaways

            • Creative effectiveness should drive business outcomes, not just awards or buzz
            • Molson Coors defines success as impact on sales and brand health, not just creative performance
            • Over-reliance on testing can weaken creativity; teams were optimizing to “beat the test” instead of making great work
            • Using creative judgment first, then validating with data, leads to stronger performance results
            • The Miller Lite campaign tapped into declining social connection trends to drive relevance and emotional resonance
            • Celebrity partnerships work best when aligned with insight and brand truth, not just fame
            • Great ideas can come from unexpected places, even if initial testing is polarizing (Blue Moon example)
            • Creative effectiveness requires multiple signals: consumer response, testing, social listening, and distributor feedback
            • The most important skill for marketers today is continuous learning in a rapidly changing landscape
            • The MUSCLE framework creates a shared language for evaluating creative:
            • Magnetic (emotional impact)

              Unique (originality)

              Simple (easy to understand)

              Crafted (high-quality execution)

              Long-term (brand platform fit)

              Essence (true to the brand)



              Chapters

              00:00 Introduction at Marketecture Live

              01:20 What Creative Effectiveness Really Means

              03:09 The Problem with Over-Testing Creative

              05:00 The MUSCLE Framework Explained

              07:04 Why Creative Judgment Beats Over-Reliance on Data

              07:48 Miller Lite Case Study Miller Time

              08:45 Insight: The Decline of Social Connection

              10:10 Why Christopher Walken Worked

              11:13 Campaign Example Miller Lite Ads

              13:00 The Role of Consumer Insights

              13:52 Signals That Define Creative Effectiveness

              15:01 Blue Moon Case Study with Colin Jost

              18:22 Opportunities in Modern Marketing

              19:38 Final Advice from Sofia Colucci

              22 min
            • Mars’ Ron Amram on the Future of Retail Media, AI Search Shifts, and Creative That Wins

              Ron Amram, Global Head of Media at Mars and former Heineken media leader, joins Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus-one) to unpack what brand building looks like heading into 2026. Ron explains how marketing has become more complex due to fragmentation and disconnected measurement, and why winning now requires starting from category and audience behavior rather than brand-first planning.

              Takeaways

              • Agents are changing how people plan their vacations.

              • People are increasingly relying on search engines for travel planning.

              • AI tools like Gemini and ChatGPT are curating travel activities.

              • The recommendation sources are shifting from traditional platforms to AI.

              • Consumer behavior is being significantly affected by these changes.

              • CPG companies will also feel the impact of these trends.

              • Travel planning is becoming more personalized through AI.

              • The role of traditional travel agencies is evolving.

              • AI is blocking traditional behaviors in travel planning.

              • Understanding these changes is crucial for businesses. 

                Chapters

                00:01 Welcome and Ron’s background

                01:42  Biggest brand-building challenges now vs. 10–15 years ago

                03:58 Portfolio strategy through category and audience lenses

                06:29 Favorite brands and what makes them great

                10:08 The overlooked power of audio signatures

                12:17 How Ron brings partners into planning

                15:03 Walled gardens, measurement, and budget reality

                17:32 Future-shaping trends: retail media and AI

                22:02 Start, bench, cut: channel, audience, creative

                24:23 Practical AI uses for marketers today

                26:42 Career path from biology to media leadership

                29:02 Proof marketing works: American Idol sponsorship


                35 min
              • The Art of Commerce: How Ajinkya “Jinx” Joglekar Transformed Sling With Brand + Performance Marketing

                In this episode of the Brand Forum, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) are joined by Ajinkya "Jinx" Joglekar, a seasoned marketer with experience at Sling, Dish, and Comcast. This conversation explores the intersection of brand marketing and performance, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs and the balance between creative and performance-driven strategies. Jinx shares insights on successful brand positioning, the significance of humor in campaigns, and the necessity of both creative and analytical approaches in marketing. The discussion also highlights brands that excel in their marketing efforts, particularly Airbnb, and concludes with Jinx's unique perspective on the art and science of marketing.

                Takeaways

                • There is no difference between brand and performance marketing.

                • Listening to customers is crucial for brand positioning.

                • Humor can be an effective element in brand campaigns.

                • Successful marketing requires a balance of creative and analytical strategies.

                • Understanding customer needs leads to better brand messaging.

                • Brands should evolve their messaging to resonate emotionally with consumers.

                • Effective marketing campaigns can lead to significant subscriber growth.

                • A strong team is vital in executing marketing strategies.

                • Great advertising combines creative, media, and sales experience.

                • Marketing is a blend of science and improvisation. 

                  Chapters

                  00:00 Introduction to the Brand Forum

                  01:10 Understanding Brand Marketing and Performance

                  03:14 The Importance of Customer Insights

                  06:04 Key Campaigns and Brand Positioning

                  09:27 The Marketing Hill to Die On

                  11:23 Brands That Inspire: A Look at Airbnb

                  17:19 The Intersection of Physics, Music, and Marketing


                  23 min
                • Inside Variety: Dea Lawrence on Leading a 120-Year-Old Brand Into the Future

                  In this episode, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) engage with Dea Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of Variety, discussing the brand's rich history and its evolution over 120 years. Dea shares insights on her dual role, the importance of staying true to the brand's DNA while adapting to modern trends, and the significance of storytelling in marketing. The conversation also delves into the rise of branded content, the influence of creators, and the strategies behind successful events and partnerships in the entertainment industry.


                  Takeaways

                  • Dea Lawrence emphasizes the importance of knowing your brand's DNA.

                  • Variety has successfully adapted while maintaining its core values.

                  • The brand is a leader in identifying cultural trends and moments.

                  • Branded content is a significant trend in the entertainment industry.

                  • Creators are essential for modern marketing strategies.

                  • Storytelling is crucial in both entertainment and marketing.

                  • Variety's events are designed to align with cultural moments.

                  • Trusting creators is vital for effective partnerships.

                  • The entertainment landscape is constantly evolving, requiring brands to adapt.

                  • Understanding audience emotions is key to successful marketing. 


                    Chapters

                    00:00 Introduction to Variety's Legacy

                    01:18 Dea Lawrence's Journey and Role at Variety

                    03:10 Adapting a Legacy Brand for Modern Times

                    05:01 Reinventing Variety: New Events and Cultural Relevance

                    10:35 Trends in Brand Partnerships and Content Creation

                    17:21 The Business of Influence and Creator Marketing

                    22:32 Staying True to Brand Values in a Changing Landscape

                    24:34 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing

                    31 min
                  • Atari’s Nostalgic Reinvention: Tim Lapetino on Brand Storytelling, Gaming Legacy & Design’s Future

                    How does a 50-year-old gaming icon like Atari stay relevant in today’s fast-paced creative landscape?

                    In this episode of The Brand Forum, hosts Jeremy Bloom  (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) sit down with Tim Lapetino, Creative Director at Atari and author of The Art of Atari, to explore how timeless brands evolve without losing their soul.

                    Tim shares insider stories about building creative strategy at a legacy company, reviving Pac-Man x Atari collaborations, and balancing nostalgia with innovation. He also dives into the future of AI in creative work, the art of brand storytelling, and how Atari is connecting with Gen Z and Gen Alpha gamers through modern design and gameplay experiences.

                    If you’re passionate about branding, creativity, retro gaming, or nostalgia marketing, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.


                    Takeaways

                    • Balancing Legacy and Innovation: How Atari’s creative strategy blends nostalgia with forward-thinking design.

                    • Storytelling First: Why emotional storytelling drives stronger brand impact than metrics alone.

                    • Reviving Classics: Insights from the Pac-Man × Atari campaign and what made it resonate.

                    • Passion into Profession: Tim’s journey from author and fan to leading Atari’s creative vision.

                    • AI as an Ally: How AI supports creativity without replacing human insight.

                    • Next-Gen Appeal: Connecting Gen Z and Gen Alpha to gaming’s original storytelling brand.

                      Chapters

                      00:00 Introduction to Atari’s Creative Vision

                      00:51 Guest Introduction: Tim Lapetino, Creative Director at Atari

                      02:02 Balancing Nostalgia with Modern Branding

                      03:48 Creative Philosophy and Brand Storytelling

                      06:42 Campaign Highlight: Pac-Man × Atari Collaboration

                      09:20 “Art of Atari” – Tim’s Book

                      12:19 Turning Passion into Profession

                      14:45 Creativity vs. Passion in Branding

                      15:32 Navigating AI in Creative Processes

                      17:09 Engaging the Next Generation of Gamers

                      18:37 Closing Remarks

                      21 min
                    • Cookies, cancer, and a whole lotta resilience

                      Join hosts Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) on the Brand Forum as they dive into the inspiring story of Loren, founder of Sweet Loren's. From battling Hodgkin's lymphoma at 22 to revolutionizing the cookie dough industry, Loren shares her journey of resilience, innovation, and authenticity. Discover how she turned personal challenges into a thriving business, and learn about the power of staying true to one's story in the world of brand building.

                      Takeaways

                      • Loren's journey from being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at 22 to becoming a successful entrepreneur highlights the power of resilience and turning adversity into strength.

                      • Staying authentic and relatable has been a cornerstone of Sweet Loren's growth and success.

                      • Loren’s passion for clean, natural ingredients and her innovative approach to baking have positioned Sweet Loren's as a leader in the natural cookie dough market.

                      • Building a strong community and listening to customer feedback have been crucial in shaping the brand and its offerings.

                      • While leveraging AI for business growth, Loren stresses the importance of maintaining a human touch in the food industry.

                        Chapters

                        0:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

                        2:15 Loren's Personal Journey

                        5:30 Overcoming Challenges

                        10:45 Building Sweet Loren's

                        15:00 Branding and Marketing Insights

                        20:30 Future of Sweet Loren's

                        25:00 Closing Thoughts

                        33 min
                      • Balancing Brand Building and Performance: Insights with Vinny Rinaldi

                        Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) engage with Vinny Rinaldi, Vice President, Media & Marketing Technology at The Hershey Company, a leading figure in the marketing world, to explore the delicate balance between performance marketing and brand building. Vinny shares his insights on leveraging AI, maintaining brand authenticity, and the importance of emotional storytelling in today's data-driven landscape. The conversation offers a deep dive into the strategies behind iconic brands like Reese's and Hershey, providing listeners with actionable insights and industry trends.

                        Takeaways

                        • Vinny emphasizes the balance between performance marketing and brand building.
                        • AI should enhance, not replace, human storytelling in marketing.
                        • Brand authenticity is key to the success of iconic brands.
                        • Emotional storytelling drives brand loyalty and engagement.
                        • The marketing landscape is constantly evolving with new trends and innovations.
                        • Chapters

                          00:00 Introduction to Vinny Rinaldi and His Journey

                          05:01 Balancing Marketing Strategies

                          15:01 AI and Technology in Marketing

                          25:01 Maintaining Brand Magic

                          35:01 The Power of Storytelling

                          45:01 Industry Innovations and Trends

                          22 min

                        About The Brand Forum

                        From the publisher's feed

                        Marketecture’s Jeremy Bloom and co-host Josh Palau go deep on what matters to brands. Each week the Brand Forum brings in leading brand marketers to talk advertising, media, and marketing through an insider's lens.