BRANDED Leaders

What does it take to turn a simple product into a billion-view sensation? In this episode of  Branded , host Ben Kaplan sits down with  Dana Paris , Chief Commercial Officer at Jordan’s Skinny Mixes , to uncover how this fast-growing brand transformed from a niche syrup company into a viral social media powerhouse. From  brand refreshes  to  TikTok trends like WaterTok , Dana shares the strategy b...

What makes a brand truly  stick ? Why do some companies explode in popularity while others fade into obscurity?  Jackson Carpenter  sits down with  Mark Phillips , CMO of iFit , to break down the art and science behind  building brands people can’t live without . Mark has worked with some of the world’s biggest names— Beats by Dre, Adidas, and Candy Crush —and now leads the charge at iFit, home to...

Non-alcoholic beer used to be a punchline—now it’s one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry. In this episode of  Branded , host Ben Kaplan sits down with Andrew Katz, CMO of Athletic Brewing, the biggest name in the space, to break down how they turned a niche product into a mainstream success. From shifting consumer trends to innovative marketing tactics, discover how Athletic Brewing...

Marketing a free product might sound easy, but in reality, it comes with its own set of challenges. In this episode of  BRANDED+ , we sit down with  Jen Leitman , CMO of OverDrive , the powerhouse behind  Libby, Kanopy, and Sora —apps that give millions of people free access to books, audiobooks, and films. Jen shares her insights on marketing strategies for mission-driven brands, what it takes to...

In this episode of BRANDED+, Ben Kaplan speaks with Ed Jennings, CEO of Quickbase, about how no-code technology is transforming industries like construction and manufacturing—and why focusing down, not broadening out, is the real key to scaling. With experience leading tech companies through private equity-backed growth and market transformations, Ed shares: How no-code platforms empower non-devel...

In this episode of BRANDED+ , Jackson Carpenter sits down with Zarina Stanford , CMO of Bazaarvoice , to discuss how user-generated content is transforming marketing, why consumer trust is more powerful than ever , and how modern CMOs must think like business leaders —not just marketers. With over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at IBM, SAP, and Rackspace Technology , Zarina sha...

In this episode of BRANDED+, Jackson Carpenter sits down with Adam Melonas, CEO of Chew, a trailblazer in food technology and conscious capitalism. From running a car wash empire at eight years old to launching a revolutionary food incubator, Adam's journey is anything but ordinary. Together, they explore: How early entrepreneurship shaped Adam’s approach to business. His game-changing innovations...