Pebble Presents

In this episode of Pebble Presents, I talk with Johanna Pino, brand strategist, graphic designer, author, and instructor, about how to successfully brand a product or business. We discuss Johanna’s career journey, the four stages of successful branding, and what can get you to a sound design strategy (as well as the importance of implementation). This episode isn’t about one designer’s preferences. It’s about what’s possible when you apply a reliable method of brand work, so the investment has tangible impact. If you work in marketing, branding, or create assets and communications that use your company’s brand, this is for you!Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Johanna Pino is a brand strategist, graphic designer, author, and instructor. She has been creating strategy, identity, and strategic communication for startups and Fortune 100s, across industries for 30 years. Her passion is in creating functional beauty that solves problems and makes the world better.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -Like this episode of Pebble Presents? Share it with colleagues & friends! Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn and Instagram.Thanks for listening!ReferencesThe Elements of Branding by Johanna D. PinoJohanna Pino on LinkedInJohanna Pino BrandingWhat Color is Your Parachute by Richard N. Bolles (referenced)Show Notes 0:28 - Emelia introduces Johanna and today's focus2:40 -  Johanna traces her unlikely path to branding6:34 - Johanna on family influence — and why blazing her own trail was the only option8:02 - Johanna explains why she wrote The Elements of Branding — and what she wanted it to do differently14:11 - Johanna breaks down the 4 stages of branding and why each matters17:27 - Johanna on navigating conflicting stakeholder opinions19:11 - Johanna on external audience research, customer opinion, visual equities — and how she applies each23:41 - Johanna shares how to present discovery so client teams can align for strategy26:13 - Johanna talks through phase lengths, design process, and team structure on the client side for decision-making34:53 - When to lock design direction and why implementation needs as much planning as the design42:54 - Johanna's advice for business leaders to set their branding process up for success44:24 - Emelia leads Johanna through our lightning round51:48  - Emelia wraps up the episodeEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Edited & Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork & Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

In this episode of Pebble Presents, I talk with Eric Dunn, co-founder and executive director of Here Be Dragons, about creative independence and what it reveals about where the industry is heading. We dig into why consolidation creates opportunity for micro agencies, how independent shops are collaborating rather than competing, and what it takes — on both the agency and client side — to do work that actually holds up.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Eric Dunn is the co-founder and executive director of Here Be Dragons, a San Francisco-based creative agency. Over 25 years, he's worked with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies to the U.S. government, earning a reputation as what he calls "a zealot for creatively driven brands." Here Be Dragons has created work like "Shoulda' Been There" for Improv Comedy Clubs — the club's first brand campaign in its 60-year history. He is one of the clearer, more honest voices I've encountered on what's actually happening in the creative industry right now.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!ReferencesEric Dunn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/here-be-dragonsHere Be Dragons website: https://www.hbdagency.comShow Notes 0:28 - Emelia introduces today’s special guest and topic3:32 - Eric shares how he got into advertising and creative work6:04 - Eric on the founding of Here Be Dragons11:21 - Eric and Ken's early conversations about what Here Be Dragons would stand for13:36 - Emelia and Eric discuss agency consolidation and what it means for independent shops21:27 - Eric shares what clients want that large agencies can't deliver — and what makes a strong client partner for an independent agency.34:21 - How the collaborative micro-agency model works at Here Be Dragons42:23 - The business reality: how independent agencies make the economics work45:52 - Eric and Emelia discuss the talent and mentorship crisis: what's been lost and what's at stake57:07 - What AI still can't do.59:20 - What Eric is optimistic about for the future of the creative industry1:01:57 - Emelia wraps up the episode

In this episode, Emelia Rallapalli pulls back the curtain on Pebble Strategy's recent brand refresh with longtime collaborators Liisa Turan-Walters and Theo Fanning. Together, they walk through why the timing was right, how they approached the project, and why strategy has to lead design. They cover the steps of a brand refresh and how to set teams up for success during a new brand system rollout. Emelia closes with what she learned by becoming her own client — and how it's changed Pebble.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Liisa Turan-Walters is a creative who builds practical, scalable brand systems — designing frameworks that carry across every touchpoint, from websites and decks to print and physical spaces. Her clients have included Google, Visa, Samsung, TED, UnitedHealthcare, Hippo Insurance, and McDonald's.Theo Fanning is the founder and creative director of Strange & Co., with a career spanning branding, advertising, and experience design across companies large and small. An illustrator and filmmaker by background, he brings a distinctly multidisciplinary lens to brand and creative work.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!ReferencesBook: Building Distinctive Brand Assets, by Jenni RomaniukShow Notes 0:21 - Emelia introduces today’s guests and topic0:50 - Liisa and Theo share the career paths that led them here3:20 - Liisa shares why it was the right time for a Pebble brand refresh9:20 - Theo and Liisa describe their approach to reworking the Pebble website10:38 - Emelia discusses how the team employed and applied a strategy around the design for Pebble15:20 - Theo and Liisa share when they think it's time for a brand refresh17:08 - Emelia, Liisa, and Theo discuss characteristics of bad branding and core steps in the redesign30:47 - Theo and Liisa discuss when to do a full rebrand versus refresh31:35 - Liisa shares how to enable client teams for implementation success 40:26 - Emelia describes how the brand refresh for Pebble went, and her takeaways48:32 - Theo and Liisa participate in a lightning round53:08 - Emelia wraps up the episodeEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Edited and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and design by Liisa Turan-WaltersWebsite copy by Theo FanningPebble illustrations by Goce IlievskiPebble website UX and Development by Eric HsuThis Episode was recorded at Handsome in San Francisco, CA.

In this episode, Pebble Presents Emily Cushman. Emily walks us through her journey from her second-grade self (knowing she wanted to work in branding and advertising) to the cultural shift working in agencies vs working client-side. She shares what she’s found most effective when making a case for brand in companies where teams don’t know - or, in some cases, don’t care - about brand. Listen in to hear why Emily thinks research and insights are an essential part of brand building.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Emily Cushman is a brand and creative leader who’s spent more than twenty years helping some of the world’s most loved brands find their voice and purpose. Today, as Director of Global Brand Strategy at Zendesk, she leads the charge on defining what the brand stands for — turning strategy into stories and ideas that connect with people on a human level. Over the years, Emily has guided Fortune 500 companies and emerging brands alike to bridge the gap between purpose, product, and experience, and her work has always centered on helping brands show up with clarity, heart, and authenticity.At her core, Emily is a storyteller — one who believes the best brands don’t just sell, they inspire. She’s passionate about uncovering the spark that moves people, and turning that insight into creative ideas that build connection, culture, and growth.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Show Notes 0:28 - Emelia introduces today’s special guest and topic2:06 - Emily recalls the journey that led her to her current profession6:36 - Emelia shares a memory that Emily unlocked for her - and the two discuss looking back to pay-it-forward19:27 - Emily divulges what happened, professionally, when she stepped out on her own20:46 - Emily discusses how brand strategy discipline lives within the organization on the company side vs. on the agency side23:56 - Emily recounts an example of when she was able to talk about brand so the organization recognized its necessity26:09 - Emily describes what her team has done to position Zendesk globally for growth28:26 - Emily shares where she sees insights being used and leveraged with the greatest impact for brand in organizations 37:00 - Emelia and Emily discuss the brand as behavior, not just message39:11 - Emily describes the culture of her company and if she has had to evangelize and make the case for brand41:20 - Emily shares what she’s found has helped make the financial case for brand43:11 - Emelia invites Emily to participate in a lightning round51:44 - Emelia wraps up the episodeEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Edited and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

Today, Pebble Presents Sam Ladner. Emelia and Sam discuss Sam’s professional path that took her from journalism to sociology, the difference between foresight and innovation, and why foresight and visioning work so well in companies and applied settings. They also explore time, timing, and tempo: what they are, why they matter, and how to manage an attention budget as carefully as a financial one.If you are looking to grow your company sustainably, this episode is for you!Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Dr. Sam Ladner is a sociologist who helps teams innovate, design, and learn. She has worked at Amazon, Microsoft, and Workday, reaching the rank of Senior Principal Researcher, and is the author of two books on methodology (working on her third): Practical Ethnography and Mixed Methods. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, Dr. Ladner’s research focuses on productivity, technology, and work. She received her PhD from York University and is a proud Canadian.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!ResourcesEPIC - https://www.epicpeople.org/Sam Ladner website: https://www.samladner.com/Freedom.to: https://freedom.to/Pomodoro Technique: https://www.pomodorotechnique.com/Readwise: https://readwise.io/Show Notes 0:28 - Emelia introduces today’s special guest and topic2:55 - Sam shares the journey that led to her current profession11:27 - Sam recalls family influences behind her career path15:53 - Sam investigates some of the biggest misconceptions about sociologists’ work19:03 - Sam describes what sociological practices look like within a commercial setting22:06 - Sam discusses her work in foresight and how she applies the practice today28:36 - Sam breaks down how to bring visioning work into the corporate world 37:56 - Sam defines and discusses temporality and how it helps to unlock new thinking in business 44:48 - Sam describes types of crises on the horizon and how businesses can (and should) start planning for them now54:48 - Sam shares advice to help executives navigate long-term thinking56:26 - Sam divulges how she manages her attention budget59:19 - Emelia and Sam discuss executive functioning, dysfunction, and reflection1:05:23  - Sam participates in a lightning round with Emelia1:14:34 - Emelia wraps up the episodeEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

In this episode, Pebble Presents Aaron Hall, a naming expert and founder of Emphatic Branding. Together, Emelia and Aaron discuss naming for brands, companies, and products: everything from the process and stages of naming, to the differences is between pre-screening, vetting, and linguistic analysis for name development (and why each is important). Aaron shares how he uses AI in his naming process and workstreams so he can deliver better work for his clients. He also helps us understand the difference between naming strategy and creative name development. This was an insightful conversation! If you are considering names for your brand, company, or product…this episode is right on time for you.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Aaron Hall is a naming expert and the founder of Emphatic Branding. He’s been naming things for 23 years. He founded Emphatic a year ago because he loves sharing his passion for naming with clients.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!ResourcesEmphatic Branding: https://www.emphaticbranding.com/ Emphatic Branding on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emphaticbranding/Laurel Sutton, Senior Strategist & Linguistat Catchword Branding: https://catchwordbranding.com/team/laurel-sutton/Book recommendation: ”Brand Naming” by Rob MeyersonShow Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces today’s special guest2:26 - Aaron shares the journey to his current profession4:52 - Aaron divulges what makes a naming expert tick and breaks down the process of a naming expert17:15 - Aaron defines linguistic analysis and its importance vs prescreening20:16 - Aaron shares considerations for hiring a native speaking naming expert - and is it important?24:28 - Emelia asks Aaron if there is a best time in the process to bring in a naming specialist, and they discuss how they named their own companies30:21 - Aaron explains the difference between naming creative and naming strategy33:18 - Emelia and Aaron discuss when the creation of brands, sub-brands or renaming a brand may not be the best idea42:21 - Aaron shares what he recommends folks read to help them with naming, and the AI tools he uses to make his business flow50:32 - Aaron participates in a lightning round with Emelia59:32 - Emelia wraps the episodeEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

This week, Pebble Presents a short, end-of-year reflection by our host, Emelia Rallapalli. Emelia shares her thoughts, reactions, and reflections on 2025, as well as a glimpse into what she will be focusing on in 2026. This episode is especially for you, fellow business owners, small company leaders, and anyone who is thinking about similar themes as we close out the year. Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Show Notes 0:21 - Emelia welcomes you back to today’s special solo episode of the podcast1:03 - Emelia pauses to acknowledge something important1:55 - Does Artificial Intelligence have a place in Emelia’s current and future workflows?6:33 - Emelia divulges what keeps things new and interesting for her at Pebble8:46 - Emelia talks about what she’ll be prioritizing for the business in 202610:03 - Emelia is ready to explore the concept of value12:05 - Emelia wraps up the episode with a question: What are YOU focusing on for your business in 2026? Episode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

In this episode of Pebble Presents, host Emelia Rallapalli and Renato Silvestre discuss the rapid development of survey research and accompanying rise in survey fraud. They explore the impact of technology on survey participation and the importance of quality control before diving into the intricacies of survey design, data quality, and the challenges of sample fraud in market research. If you are ready to learn how fraud impacts research and how we can think and act differently to quell it, then this episode is for YOU!Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Renato Silvestre is a research and analytics leader with over 30 years of experience delivering actionable insights to drive business growth. As Founder + Chief Insights Innovator at Strategence, Renato combines deep expertise in market research, data science, and AI with a creative, strategic mindset. With a passion for innovation and a hands-on approach to research from exploratory ideation through in-market tracking, Renato is recognized for turning complexity into clarity and impact.Welcome to Pebble Presents!- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Strategence: https://www.strategence-us.com/Strategence on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategenceStrategence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategence_smartsShow Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces today’s topic and returning guest, Renato Silvestre4:04 - Renato discusses the rise of survey fraud in research and what can compromise the quality of research outcomes20:27 - Renato identifies quantitative surveys and research that are more vulnerable to fraud in the respondents, and a BIG challenge that comes with DIY research27:40 - Renato explains factors that contribute to the evidence that the longer a survey is in field, the risks of fraud go down32:45 - Emelia and Renato discuss when DIY research might be a good solution for you and why taking time and being thoughtful in your research process is important37:44 - Renato discusses leveraging new technologies - including artificial intelligence40:19 - Renato lists practical preventative measures in doing your own survey research, points of comparison in self-conducted online surveys, and shares if he would consider working with a research “one-stop shop”46:24 - Emelia and Renato share their key takeaways from the episode48:12 - Emelia brings the episode to a closeEpisode CreditsProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

In this episode, Pebble Presents Tiffany McNeil, a brand and innovation strategist and insights executive. Together, Emelia and Tiffany discuss Tiffany's journey into the field, the critical role of insights in driving innovation, and the balance between research and business realities. Tiffany shares her experiences in various organizations, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer needs and the evolving landscape of research methodologies, including the impact of AI. The discussion also touches on the skepticism surrounding research in organizations and the need for a balanced approach to insights and strategy.If you want to innovate in your industry, and aren’t sure what the next best step is…listen in to today’s episode!Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Tiffany McNeil is a consumer-driven strategist with over 20 years of experience building human-centered brands and products. She has worked in both large organizations and startups and, in 2018, started Oaktown Strategy, an insights-led strategy & innovation firm where she remains the CEO and lead strategist.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Show Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces Tiffany, today’s special guest1:34 - Tiffany shares the path she took to get to her current profession10:28 - Tiffany recalls when she determined that her area of expertise was insights and research for innovation14:05 - Tiffany outlines skills and capabilities a good insights person should possess if they are supporting or collaborating with innovation teams18:02 - Tiffany explains how she has negotiated and managed situations where a consumer product idea isn’t feasible, or the company ignores the consumer research to do what they want26:36 - Tiffany explains the dynamics and conditions that allow a company to embrace research, and provides examples of previous projects34:53 - Tiffany shares the “best practices” she learned at Del Monte and throughout her career that she has carried forward to help companies grow today44:56 - Tiffany shares what qualitative insights she likes to begin with, to inform the work she is about to do, as well as quantitative insightsthat she finds valuable at the back end of the research49:02 - Tiffany shares what, in many situations, could be more important than consumer research for product development 52:34 - Looking forward, Tiffany divulges what she is excited about in the field of innovation and insights1:00:37 - Emelia wraps up the episodeEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

In this episode of Pebble Presents, host Emelia Rallapalli chats with Butler Looney to talk design and building strong brands from the inside out. Butler discusses how he went from an art history major to Executive Creative Director at a tech company, the importance of having a clear and focused design brief for creatives, and why he has developed a sense of empathy for business stakeholders when making a case for design within companies and organizations.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. Butler Looney is Executive Creative Director at Honeybook. Based in San Francisco, he has worked for top design agencies like Turner Duckworth as well as in-house, leading and building teams at companies like Fitbit and Headspace.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(https://www.instagram.com/pebblestrategy/).Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Article: “Design assimilated into business, but did business ever understand design?” by Natasha Jen for The Drum - https://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2025/04/01/design-assimilated-business-did-business-ever-understand-designHoneybook: https://www.honeybook.com/Butler Looney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/butlerlooney/Show Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces today’s special guest: Butler Looney.1:44 - Butler recounts the twists and turns of his journey into brand and identity design.13:27 - Emelia recalls a personal story involving Butler and her son (and branding), and asks what factors are most important when he decides on his next projects: the people, or the opportunity/brand.16:41 - Utilizing a recent quote by Natasha Jen: “Designers now speak business fluently, but business has not learned to see design,” Butler and Emelia discuss the miss between the business side and design, and where it would be possible to bridge that gap.26:42 - Emelia asks how to better arm marketers and creative leaders in business with being able to make the case for the importance of thoughtful design.30:26 - Butler and Emelia discuss why creators need sandboxes to play in, and the leap of faith it can take for stakeholders to get on board when you can’t prove the results of design ahead of time.34:34 - Butler details how he became the Creative Director at Honeybook (where he is now), and the business case he made to persuade the organization to rebrand.40:19 - Butler explains how he started working with new-to-world brand, Fanstake, and what it was like to work on it.45:35 - Butler runs through the significant rebrand he undertook at Ginger - how it came to be, a bit on the design strategy.52:09 - Emelia introduces a new segment of questions for Butler: Lightni

In this episode, Pebble Presents, host Emelia Rallapalli talks with seasoned sales executive, David Humphreys. David details his journey into sales (by way of engineering), the importance of research in effective sales strategies, and the intricacies of value-based sales. Together, Emelia and David discuss the intersection of sales and marketing research, the necessity of a structured sales process, and the critical role of market research in product development and risk management. If you are ready to learn tips from one of the best in the biz, this episode is a must! Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble Strategy - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. Pebble provides custom-made research programs, marketing strategy consulting, and account planning services. David Humphreys is a sales executive with a track record of building revenue growth and high-performing teams. He has led strategic initiatives across domestic and international markets, specializing in hardware, software, and services. As GM of Global Sales at Niterra Ventures, David develops and executes strategies across healthcare, energy, and mobility while supporting venture investment initiatives in IoT, AI, and advanced technologies. Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(instagram.com/pebblestrategy/). Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References David Humphreys on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-humphreys-4a31024/ Niterra Ventures: https://www.niterraventures.com/Pragmatic Institute: https://www.pragmaticinstitute.com/Show Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces her guest, and what they will be talking about today1:42 - David dives into what brought him to his current career6:27 - Emelia and David discuss the excitement and terror of AI in research, and why David doesn’t think researchers can be replaced13:54 - David shares what it was about the professional services space that lured him away from engineering20:09 - Emelia inquires as to why there is an aversion to process in many big companies, and David shares why process is important…to a degree27:33 - David explains why cost-based pricing cannot work in a competitive environment - and why the solution is value-based sales and marketing (defining the terms for the listeners)31:37 - David shares what happens when you tell a big business owner that their product is not going to work in a market - and what type of process he advocates for42:06 - Emelia and David recognize and discuss the multifaceted approach to sales that makes David effective today43:40 - David talks about the role of sales at a company like Niterra Ventures vs other Silicon Valley technology company settings47:49 - David reveals his core principles for selling effectively53:34 - Emelia brings the episode to a closeEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

In this episode of Pebble Presents, host Emelia Rallapalli is joined by founder of Strategence, Renato Silvestre. They discuss the critical role of pricing research and explore the importance of pricing in determining budgets, go-to-market strategies, and profitability. This conversation delves into the best time in product life cycles to conduct pricing research, various methodologies available, and how to select the right study based on development stages and risk tolerance. They also discuss the collaborative nature of pricing research, and the pros and cons of DIY research. Finally, they provide insights on how to effectively sell pricing research internally and what to look for in a research partner.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. Pebble provides custom-made research programs, marketing strategy consulting, and account planning services. Renato Silvestre is a seasoned research and analytics leader with over 30 years of experience delivering actionable insights that drive business growth. As Founder + Chief Insights Innovator at Strategence, Renato combines deep expertise in market research, data science, and AI with a creative, strategic mindset. With a passion for innovation and a hands-on approach to research from exploratory ideation through in-market tracking, Renato is recognized for turning complexity into clarity and impact.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(instagram.com/pebblestrategy/). Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Strategence: https://www.strategence-us.com/Strategence on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategenceStrategence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategence_smartsShow Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces today’s topic and special guest: Renato Silvestre3:14 - Renato shares when someone should consider pricing research 4:34 - Emelia asks Renato if there is a case for doing pricing research at different stages of development 7:50 - Renato shares common types of pricing studies that marketing professionals should be familiar with9:07 - Renato explains how to determine what kind of pricing study is best for the decision being made13:04 - What Renato means when he refers to “level of risk” a marketer has in pricing research15:59 - Emelia and Renato discuss the importance of partnership, as well as projects they’ve collaborated on17:47 - Renato shares where pricing research goes wrong19:48 - Emelia and Renato discuss the pros and cons of DIY pricing research 25:26 - Renato and Emelia cover how executives can make the case for pricing research in their organization26:40 - Renato shares advice for what kind of questions marketers should ask when talking to a potential partner re: pricing research 28:45 - Episode wrap-upEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced & Hosted by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Produced by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

In this episode, Pebble Presents Saf Elmansour, a global marketing expert with over 20 years of experience. Emelia and Saf talk about his journey in marketing and his work in the music and audio technology industries, particularly with AutoTune. Together, they explore the importance of brand protection, strategies for reclaiming brand identity, and nuances of global marketing management, emphasizing the need for cultural fluency. Their discussion highlights the importance of integrity and humility in marketing practices, especially when engaging with younger generations. Finally, they touch on the evolving role of AI in global marketing and discuss the possibilities surrounding AI’s integration into business and beyond.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble Strategy - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. Pebble provides custom-made research programs, marketing strategy consulting, and account planning services. Saf Elmansour founded his first start-up at age 24 with clients including Georgetown, Oxford, and Cambridge Universities. He then went on to launch and grow over 35 products and services, lead multinational and multicultural teams, and manage integrated campaigns with top creative, media, and PR agencies. Most recently, he’s helped grow marketing teams for SaaS platforms like SMULE and recently as CMO for the iconic Auto-Tune® / Antares Audio. In addition to marketing, Saf is a published photographer and semi-pro DJ & producer.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us at linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/ and instagram.com/pebblestrategy/Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Saf’s Website: https://www.safouane.comSaf Elmansour on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/safouane/Show Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces our guest, and what we will be talking about today1:49 - Emelia prompts Saf to share how he got to where he is in his career6:46 - Saf and Emelia tell the story of how they met and first collaborated8:06 - Saf recalls how his upbringing has influenced his work11:19 - Saf shares what drew him to his current work in music technology spaces, as well as some of the technological advances going on at this time15:32 - Saf dives into the Autotune technology and how the company has grown20:16 - Saf discusses how he shepherded the marketing process for Autotune, ultimately winning a Grammy®28:26 - Saf breaks down core principles that he has developed re: global marketing management 32:21 - Emelia and Saf reflect on what they love about global research35:48 - Saf expands on the idea of integrity as an operating principle for global marketing40:19 - Saf summarizes how humility and respect show up in his principles42:12 - Saf shares what he’s excited about with this next generation of business and marketing leaders44:47 - Saf divulges his perspective on the role of AI as it relates to global marketing and creativity49:41 - Emelia brings the episode to a closeEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Production by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

In this episode, Pebble Presents Stevie Wong, an award-winning journalist and founder of Asian A.V. Club. Emelia and Stevie discuss how his career evolved from advertising student to an internationally recognized entertainment journalist of 30+ years. They dive into Stevie’s specialized approach to interviewing as a self-proclaimed conversationalist, including his uncanny ability to build rapid rapport with celebrities for interviews. Emelia unearths similarities between Stevie's interviewing approach and qualitative research methods, which they dig into.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble Strategy - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. Pebble provides custom-made research programs, marketing strategy consulting, and account planning services. Stevie Wong is an internationally recognized journalist who has worked for Sky News, Star Movies Asia, Deadline, HBO Asia, just to name a few. He recently launched Asian A.V. Club — celebrating Asian creatives working in film/tv behind the scenes, and also in front of the camera.Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(instagram.com/pebblestrategy/). Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Asian A.V. Club - https://asianavclub.substack.comAsian A.V. Club on Instagram - https://instagram.com/asianavclubStevie Wong on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevie-wong-2331a3/Show Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces today’s topic: the art of entertainment journalism1:24 - Emelia introduces today’s special guest: Stevie Wong2:44 - Stevie shares a short history of how he got to where he is today, professionally11:56 - Emelia and Stevie discuss their professional AND personal fulfillment in their chosen areas of work15:28 - Stevie shares how he learned the art of working a room for the best interview possible18:14 - Stevie and Emelia discuss a dependent interview model vs a psychodynamic model, and Stevie describes how there is only room for ONE in his work23:06 - Emelia and Stevie discuss how they handle vulnerability and emotion in professional interview setting28:31 - Stevie chronicles some of the seismic shifts he’s witnessed in the journalism and media industries with technological advances32:49 - Stevie addresses his need to pivot in his career35:09 - Stevie shares some of the ways he’s taken initiative over the years to become an effective correspondent with deep enjoyment of film (industry and art)41:33 - Stevie chronicles what prompted him to launch his recent undertaking: Asian A.V. Club46:03 - Stevie explains his curiosity-based approach to conversational interviewing48:23 - Stevie shares some of his ideas and plans for the Asian A.V. Club50:06 - Emelia and Stevie divulge more about their shared background as…choir nerds51:32 - Episode wrap upEpisode CreditsExecutive Produced by Emelia RallapalliProduced by Stephanie Watanabe Editing and Post Production by Erin ZimmermanArtwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters

Pebble Presents Marilena D’Amone, a seasoned insights professional, to chat with Emelia about the evolving landscape of strategy and insights in research. They discuss Marlena's journey from research agency to client-side roles, the importance of understanding business needs, four key principles that drive business impact in insights work, and her advice for existing and aspiring qualitative researchers. They also discuss the shocking fact that a very small percentage of insights lead to business outcomes, why, and how that number could improve.Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble Strategy - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. Pebble provides custom-made research programs, marketing strategy consulting, and account planning services. Marilena D’Amone is an NYC-based dynamic strategy and insights professional with a sharp commercial edge and a proven track record of driving success for multinational organizations and iconic brands across the globe, including serving in insights and analytics leadership positions at companies like Reckitt, Nestle, and PepsiCo. She has lived and worked across multiple countries, including Italy, the UK, Brazil, Canada, Russia, Poland, and currently the U.S. (New York City).Welcome to Pebble Presents.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of Pebble Presents, please share it with colleagues and friends! Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit PebbleStrategy.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/pebble-strategy/) and Instagram(instagram.com/pebblestrategy/). Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Marilena D’Amone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilenadamoneShow Notes 0:23 - Emelia introduces today's special guest and subject2:06 - Marilena shares more of her professional background and how she got to where she is8:57 - Marilena discusses the types of challenges she has seen from all of the different seats she has sat in professionally12:50 - Marilena details additional themes she has seen in her work, as well as the 4 principles she stands by20:08 - Emelia and Marilena discuss a study stating that only 20% of insights deliver business outcomes, and what that means for the insights community22:17 - Marilena talks how sophisticated large organizations are in understanding research 24:50 - Emelia and Marilena break down the fact that, while we need to work at the speed of business, there is a significant loss when we treat insights, data, and intelligence as something that can be acquired quickly and cheaply30:37 - Emelia asks: How can we open our minds and opportunity spaces to do this work in other contexts?34:28 - Marilena and Emelia discuss what happens when an organization is solely focused on short-term goals37:07 - Marilena shares advice on how qualitative researchers can serve their clients better in today's business climate41:31 - Emelia recalls her memories of watching Marilena moderate, and inquires about her training42:50 - Marilena and Emelia reflect on the art and science of moderation44:31 - Emelia and Marilena detail their very first memories moderating focus groups47:28 - Emelia brings the episode to a closeEpisode CreditsExecutive Producer: Emelia RallapalliProducer: Stephanie Watanabe Editing & Post Producer: Erin ZimmermanArtwork & Design: Liisa Turan-Walters

Hi, there! I'm your host, Emelia Rallapalli, founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy.Pebble Presents is where we talk about creativity, marketing, innovation, and all the "AHA!"s in between. I'm glad you're here.Welcome to Pebble Presents!