Brand Insider

Godiva turns 100 this year, and they’re celebrating their centennial leaning into the Treat Yourself mentality with small indulgences, celebrating the moments that don't have a bow on them but probably should. We sat down with CMO Ahad Afridi to hear how they’re honoring a century of history without becoming a nostalgic act, balancing premium with accessibility for all.This episode is supported by ⁠Wunderkind Ads⁠.

The Dallas Cowboys aren't just a sports team; they are a global entertainment brand that happens to play football on Sundays. Love them or hate them, you can’t argue with the brand. The star. The cheerleaders. The stadium. The cultural footprint that extends from Texas to Tokyo. This week, we sat down with Senior Director of Brand Marketing Rob Sender to talk about growing an already passionate fanbase, leveraging all your assets, and getting people excited even when the product isn’t having a good year.This episode is supported by ⁠Wunderkind Ads⁠. 

You probably know Land O'Lakes as butter. What you might not know is that they’re a member-owned co-op rooted in the farmers and agricultural communities that make up rural America. And they decided to do something about that gap. They built the Modern Rural Collective, a long-term initiative to change how rural America is seen, depicted and understood in today’s media.This episode is supported by ⁠Wunderkind Ads⁠. 

Kellogg has decided 2026 is the Year of Fiber, and they kicked it off with a Super Bowl spot featuring William Shatner in what might be one of the more delightfully unexpected casting decisions in recent advertising history. This week, we sat down with Doug VandeVelde, Chief Growth Officer at Kellogg, to hear how they’re making this macro sexy, how to reframe a misunderstood category, and how to carry Super Bowl momentum all year long.This episode is supported by Wunderkind Ads.

Southwest is working at the intersection of AI and marketing, work that goes way beyond content generation and AI hype cycles. In this week’s Brand Insider 1:1, we sat down with Nicola Smith, Southwest’s Senior AI Advisor, to talk about how to build an AI strategy that doesn’t answer “What can AI do?” but “What should AI do?” This episode is supported by ⁠Wunderkind Ads⁠.

For many marketers and creatives, a Super Bowl spot is a career-defining moment.It’s not just the cultural fanfare and celebration around the ads—for any business, it’s a tremendous opportunity with an estimated 125.6 million viewers tuning in.But that exposure comes at great cost and risk. The average 30 second spot in the 2026 game sold for around $8M. How should brands best make use every precious second? What will be the creative hook that cuts through and leaves a lasting impression? What products, benefits, or promotion will be featured?This week’s guest is no stranger to the bright lights. Squarespace has starred in 12 consecutive Super Bowls—a monumental feat of creativity and brand strategy, let alone stamina to consistently deliver breakthrough moments year after year.From aliens over cityscapes to a reprisal of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, their storytelling and ability to deftly tap into cultural moments and celebrities is all but unmatched. Their 2026 spot, a dramatic and gothic vision featuring Emma Stone, is no exception.This week we sat down with Nate Skinner, Senior Director of Global Brand at Squarespace, to find out how the spot came to life and the strategy underpinning the brand’s latest entry into Super Bowl advertising lore.This episode is supported by ⁠Wunderkind Ads⁠.

Chili’s has become one of the most interesting brands on social media. They’ve turned menu items into viral moments. They’ve built a community that’s more passionate about queso than skincare. And they’ve done it by treating social not as a marketing channel, but as culture. We sat down with Director of Social Media Luz Bickert to hear exactly how their creator playbook works. This episode is supported by Wunderkind Ads.

The television is the hearth of the modern home. Across sporting events, premiers and finales, and late-night binges, the TV has become an emotional fixture and a source for cherished memories. But for the past couple decades, TVs have hyper-focused on their specs. Entire techy YouTube channels exist around reviewing every pixel, chip, and glare-free coating.For a while, that made sense. TVs have evolved tremendously since the early 90s in bold, discernible ways that begged to be captured, quantified, and ranked against each other.In today’s market, however, almost every picture in a retailer’s TV aisle looks impressive. How will brands differentiate?This week we sat down with Cole Moir, Vice President of Brand & Digital Marketing at TCL Electronics to find out how the brand is evolving to compete in the saturated TV market by reevaluating their message, their creative, and Go-To-Market approach.

A good mattress is a game changer. Agreat mattress is a lifesaver.The process of shopping for that perfect mattress, however, is not always a dream.The industry is saturated with brands, many of them well-established household names, and it increasingly feels likeyou need a doctorate in engineering to understand the vernacular that surrounds every layer of a mattress.Much like TVs, which obsess over nits and the latest quantum processors, or appliances with turbo settings and smartcapabilities, mattress brands have long competed on their scientific innovations and futuristic materials.But is that approach still what resonates with customers?This week we sat down with Amber Minson, CMO at Sleep Number to understand how the storied brand is reimagingitself for a new era that puts the customer benefit at the center with a new messaging architecture, a new product portfolio, and new athlete partnerships.

Taylor Morrison is one of the largest homebuilders in the country, and they’re asking one simple question. Why can’t a homebuilder behave like a modern, direct-to-consumer brand? Their newest brand platform, Homes Built For Real Life, doesn’t sell the Instagram version of your home. It gives you permission to sit in the mess. To embrace the chaos. To stop performing perfection and start living in your space as it is.What does it take to redefine marketing for an entire category? To shift from square footage to emotional resonance? To prove that a homebuilder can be a brand? In this week’s 1:1, we sat down with CMO Stephanie McCarty to talk about just that.

How do you modernize first-party data when the foundation was never built for it? How do you turn a loyalty program from a promotional lever into a growth unlock? This week, Erin Everhart sits down with CMO Leana Less to hear how she's proving marketing is an investment, not an expense.

Dutch Bros Reminds Us to Listen and LoveDutch Bros has tapped into Gen Z culture and tastes across their menu, marketing partnerships, and creative. This week, Doug Parks sits down with Debbie Beisswanger, SVP of Brand Marketing at Dutch Bros to discuss.

Marketing's throwback era blurs innovation and nostalgia. Volkswagen revived its iconic voice during the Super Bowl; we explore the strategy and insights from CMO Rachael Zaluzec on when heritage drives relevance for new audiences today.

As emotional storytelling reshapes marketing, even legacy jewelers must evolve. Helzberg, a 109-year-old brand rooted in promotions, is shifting from price to purpose, embracing craftsmanship, legacy, and timeless connection. This week, Erin Everhart sits down with Vice President of Brand Marketing Jeanette Carter.

This week, Erin Everhart sits with down with CMO Joe McCambley to talk about what it really looks like to place a bet on the Olympics and why owning a moment can more powerful than just buying media around it.

Health and wellness marketing is louder—and more crowded—than ever. But what actually cuts through the noise?In this episode of Brand Insider, Kate Terhune goes 1:1 with Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, CEO of sōlaria biō, to delve into the science of building trust, credibility, and demand in one of today’s most competitive categories: women’s health. The conversation explores how insight-led marketing, drug-level clinical rigor, and AI-powered precision can redefine how brands like Bondia show up—without relying on hype and fluff.From menopause education to bone health and longevity, this episode focuses on the marketing mechanics behind real innovation—how brands can move beyond influencer overload, differentiate with proof, and meet consumers at the moments that truly matter.If you’re a marketer navigating regulated categories, emerging health trends, or AI-enabled innovation, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at what works—and why.

Step Into the Blue: How Bombay Sapphire Is Reframing Gin for Right NowLegacy brands don’t stay relevant by standing still—and Bombay Sapphire is proof. On this  episode of Brand Insider, host Kate Terhune sat down with Natasha Curtin, Global VP of Bombay Sapphire, to unpack the brand’s latest platform, Step Into the Blue.The campaign taps into what consumers want right now: moments of pause, presence, and escape. Anchored by the brand’s iconic blue bottle, Step Into the Blue reframes gin as an invitation to slow down—not just something to sip, but something to experience.That thinking carries through to how the brand shows up in the world, from immersive activations to culture-forward partnerships like the E1 World Championship, the first all-electric powerboat racing series. This brand isn’t pushing marketing out simply to be seen—it’s about upholding standards of taste and style.Tune in to hear firsthand how Bombay Sapphire is proving that legacy status doesn’t preclude brands from playing in culturally relevant spaces.

This week, Erin Everhart sits down with CMO Neil Frauenglass to hear how Visit Philadelphia is doubling down on diversity marketing.

This week Erin Everhart sits down with Tim Sumter, Senior Pre-Owned Marketing Specialist at BMW, to talk about how they are making the aspirational attainable, protecting the core brand positioning, and finding the right celebrity partner to bring it all to life.

This week Doug Parks sits down with Mikey Sadowski, Vice President of Global Communications at Intrepid Travel, to talk about the launch of their new condensed travel offering, Short Breaks, and how he's navigating the complexities of bridging a global brand into regional markets.

What's the secret to making legacy new again, reaching new demographics but not alienating the consumers who made you a brand in the first place? Erin Everhart sits down with Creative Director Tina Blake to see what this moment is all about.

This week we sit down with CMO Navin Sharma to talk about how he's making smart bets on increasingly digital channel mixes and guiding his team to shift their mindset around speed, agility, and performance.

Mili Laddha, Senior Director of Marketing for Chips Ahoy! at Mondelez, joins us to share how the team found the sweet spot between nostalgia and now and why making legacy feel fresh just might be the ultimate superpower.

It’s one thing to tell a great story.It’s another to build and sustain an entire brand universe around it.What began with The Elf on the Shelf has evolved into a fully realized Santaverse that spans books, TV, games,music, and more.Now, Christa Pitts and Chanda Bell, co-founders and co-CEOs of The Lumistella Company, are writing the next chapterwith their first YA novel, The Rise of Nicholas the Noble, reengaging fans who grew up with the magic but are aging out.This week, we sat down with Christa and Chanda to talk about worldbuilding, fandom, and how storytelling and brand building can become one and the same.

Saks Global CMO talks strategy, psychographics, and team synergy A new standard has been set in luxury retail – and brand identity is leading the charge. Saks Global CMO Kristin Maa goes 1:1 with Kate Terhune to take us behind the scenes of their newly unified house of brands—Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman—and dives deep into how each one is championing its own brand identity, right in time for the holidays.The TL;DR? Psychographics beat demographics, exclusivity and experience are the new notes of luxury, and the classics are back to take center stage this holiday season. 

This week, Doug Parks sits down with Matt Heizman to talk about the role of education in driving category awareness and how emerging technologies across AR and smart homes are improving access fire safety.

Ryan Sullivan isn’t your typical CMO. A computer science major turned marketing leader, he’s built one of the most data-literate—and creatively fearless—teams in healthcare. In this conversation, Ryan sits down with Kate Terhune to unpack how GoodRx is redefining what performance marketing looks like in a post-dashboard world. From econometric modeling to cinematic storytelling in the Savings Wrangler campaign, Ryan reveals how to lead with both heart and data—and why “the art of the science” might just be the future of marketing leadership.

Earn memories, not just media.In this episode of Brand Insider: 1:1, host Kate Terhune goes behind the bar—and behind the brand—with Allison Varone, Head of Marketing at Campari America, the powerhouse behind some of the world’s most iconic spirits: Aperol, Campari, Espolòn Tequila, Courvoisier, Grand Marnier, Skyy Vodka, and Wild Turkey.Allison’s story begins in the heyday of Martha Stewart Living, where she learned how lifestyle brands connect to emotion, ritual, and aspiration. That foundation shaped her philosophy today: build from culture, not campaigns. From the aperitifs that define Italian summer to the bourbons that anchor American tradition, she’s helping Campari America bridge heritage and modern relevance across wildly different categories.In this conversation, Allison and Kate explore:How to create brand experiences that earn memories and emotional connectionThe balance between splashy, buzz-driving campaigns and on-the-ground consumer realityWhat it takes to scale an irreverent brand like Espolòn without losing its gritThe storytelling power behind Aperol at Coachella and Courvoisier’s “Bring Your Own” campaignHow insights, data, and cultural cues guide everything from creative testing to portfolio-level strategyWhy the future of spritz culture—and the rise of non-alcoholic offerings like Crodino—isn’t just a trend but a shift in lifestyleAllison shares how her team at Campari America combines intelligence, creativity, and instinct to grow iconic brands in a world where consumers crave connection over consumption.Whether you’re a marketer, a strategist, or just someone who loves a good cocktail, this episode serves up a refreshing look at the future of luxury, lifestyle, and the stories we sip on.

This week, we sat down with Maria Hokanson, EVP of Marketing at Dairy Queen, to talk about how the team activates across planned and spontaneous moments to stay relevant in the cultural conversation.

In an industry that has such high brand loyalty, how do you change someone's mind? This week, we sat down with Lindsay Smelser, GM of Lexus Marketing at Toyota North America, to hear how she's tackling that at Lexus.

How do you take a single ingredient and turn it into a global lifestyle brand? And how do you balance an aspirational message while still being accessible to the mainstream?In this week’s Brand Insider, Erin Everhart goes 1:1 with Bruno Cardinali, Global CMO for Oakberry, to see what’s all the buzz about this little berry.

Behind Dr Pepper’s Fansville Gameplan with Ben SylvanNo brand collaboration is as synonymous with college football as Dr Pepper, and that’s by no mistake. Now in its eight season, the leaders behind Fansville’s effervescent brand story are running all new plays.In this episode of Brand Insider, Kate Terhune goes 1:1 with Ben Sylvan, SVP of Connected Media at Keurig Dr Pepper, to unpack how he’s retooling a modern CPG media engine around one interconnected strategy.Fresh from The Trade Desk, Ben walks through why KDP moved from a “Chipotle assembly line” of channel owners to a true PESO formation—one integrated lead tackles everything from the biggest screen to the IRL interaction at point of sale. He talks team structures that empower success and measurement playbooks that allow for real time refinements.Ben’s north star is simple: growth. The gameplan? Precision, personalization, and partnerships—from Jerry Jones in an “away game” cameo to RC Cola’s legacy with the Chicago Bears. If you’re building connected media for outcomes—not org charts—this conversation is your playbook.

This week, Erin Everhart sits down with David McKillips, CEO at CEC Entertainment.

This week, Kate Terhune sits down with Preston Rutherford, Co-Founder, Chubbies.When Preston Rutherford reframed Chubbies as performance instead of just brand, growth exploded. He started tracking signals like branded search and direct traffic, and focused on building what he calls a resilient baseline—revenue that rolls in whether your ads are on...or not.This week, Preston joins Kate Terhune to unpack his brand-as-performance philosophy, why every marketer should speak CFO, and how changing your comp plan (yes, really) can lead to better business decisions, stronger teams, and long-term equity growth.The takes? Slightly steamy. The advice? Downright actionable. Don’t miss it.

This week, Erin Everhart sits down with Rene Federico, Head of Marketing - US at Primark.

This week, Doug Parks sits down with Dolores Assalini, Head of AXE US at Unilever.

This week, Doug Parks sits down with Alon Rivel, Chief Marketing Officer at Feast & Fettle.

This week Erin chats with the Head of Brand PR at SHEIN, Lisa Zlotnick.

This week Steve chats with the Chief Marketing Officer at Generac, Amanda Teder.

This week Steve Smith chats with Paul Weingard, Schylling's President & CEO.

This week Doug Parks chats with Vicki Poulos, Head of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts

This week Doug Parks chats with the CMO of Nutrabolt, Robert Zajac.

This week Steve Smith chats with Brian Cox, NA VP of Marketing at Dewars.

Tune in to this week's episode with the Senior Director Brand Marketing of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Allie Wester.

This week Steve Smith chats with Sarah McLaren, Unilever's Head of Body Cleansing Marketing Performance & Operations US - Dove Men+Care.

This week Erin Everhart chats with the Chief Experience Officer of Cava, Andy Rebhun.

Tune in to this week's episode with the Senior Director, DTC Ecommerce of Stanley 1913, Anthony Potgieter.

This week Steve Smith chats with the President of FiiZ Drinks, Scott Ball.

This week Steve chats with the CEO of Fogo de Chão, Barry McGowan.

This week Erin chats with the Chief Media Officer of Liquid Death, Benoit Vatere.