This Goes to 11: Sean Mullens is Causing a Pickle Riot!

In this episode, Hersh Rephun chats with Sean Mullens about his disruptive marketing approach and his new venture, Pickle Riot. They delve into the history of Pickleball, its post-pandemic appeal, and how it bridges age and cultural gaps. Sean shares about his career shift, the creation of Pickle Riot, and how AI impacts the creative industry. They discuss Pickle Riot's future goals, expansion, and marketing strategies. If all you want is a little peace and quiet, tune out now, because my guest on BRAND VOICE RUNWAY is Sean Mullens, Founder and President of Pickle Riot, which aims to be the leading apparel brand in the emerging - and noisy - world of pickleball. I've know Sean for a couple decades —he's an imaginative force who lives and breathes design, storytelling, fashion, and brand-building. With a solid foundation from the Art Center College of Design, Sean has delved into the creative realm for more than a quarter-century. His journey has left an imprint on global brands like VW, HP, ESPN, LEVI'S, and Nike. Sean's creative pursuits don't just stop at design. He's also a skilled filmmaker and writer, spinning tales that pull heartstrings and ignite minds. His work has garnered prestigious awards like Cannes Gold Lions, Clios, D&AD pencils and he even earned an Emmy nomination. Notably, his creations have found a home at the Museum of Modern Art. Beyond the creative canvas, Sean's interests extend to the pickleball court—he swapped his tennis racket for that pursuit. And now, he's joining me on BVR as the mastermind behind Pickle Riot, an outlaw apparel brand made for stylish rebels and mischief makers in the ever-growing world of pickleball. From design and fashion to storytelling and entrepreneurship, Sean has always thrived on pushing boundaries and turning concepts into reality. His ambitions with Pickle Riot will likely lead him into those boundless courts once more. Have a Riot: https://pklriot.com/ Find Sean: http://www.seanmullens.com/new-gallery If you enjoyed BRAND VOICE RUNWAY, please go to Apple podcasts and leave a 5-star full review. It's the best way to support us! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brand-voice-runway-with-hersh-rephun/id1682522757 You can check out Hersh's other Top 2% podcasts at https://www.hershrephun.com/podcast/ and follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hersh4all/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TruthTstsFunny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershrephun/ Or contact us: http://www.hershrephun.com/contact-us/ (0:00) Introduction to Sean Mullens and his disruptive marketing approach (5:39) Introduction to Pickleball: Rules, History, and Evolution (10:59) Post-Pandemic Appeal and Cultural Impact of Pickleball (23:15) Age and Cultural Gaps: Impact on Interests and Lifestyle (27:20) Introduction to the Concept of Pickle Riot and Sean's Career Shift (32:10) Brand Development and Storytelling: The Creation of Pickle Riot (35:58) Role of AI in Creative Industry: Opportunities and Threats (44:44) Aspirations, Goals, and Marketing Strategies for Pickle Riot (52:11) Expansion of Pickle Riot's Product Line and Where to Find Them (53:20) Closing Remarks, Sean Mullens' Work Ethic, and Hersh Rephun's Call to Action