Brand Slam Podcast

College sports marketing isn’t just changing—it’s evolving at warp speed. As the NCAA tournament tips off, brands are rethinking their playbooks, and we have a courtside view of what’s next. In Episode 35 of the Brand Slam podcast, co-hosts Joe Kayata and (add)ventures President Mary Sadlier sit down with Daryl Jasper, Vice President of Sports Properties at LEARFIELD, to discuss how brands are evo...

In Episode 34 of the Brand Slam podcast, co-hosts Joe Kayata and (add)ventures President Mary Sadlier sit down with Mark Bohen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mass General Brigham, to discuss the strategy behind one of the most significant healthcare rebrands in recent years. This effort went beyond introducing a new logo or brand identity—it was a strategic and high-stakes initiati...

In Episode 33 of the Brand Slam podcast, co-hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata sit with Brian Bonilla, Ad Age senior agency reporter, to unpack the biggest marketing trends shaping 2025. With new tools, evolving consumer behavior and rapid advancements in AI, the industry is experiencing a shift that’s redefining how brands and agencies operate. From mergers and acquisitions to the growing role of in...

In Episode 32 of the Brand Slam podcast, co-hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata are joined by Shelle Santana, Ph. D., assistant professor of marketing at Harvard Business School and Bentley University, to uncover the secrets behind Super Bowl commercials—just in time for the big game next weekend. Shelle shares how brands use the big game to connect with over 100 million viewers, crafting stories that...

In Episode 31 of the Brand Slam Podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata chat with Andy Pearson, Vice President of Creative at Liquid Death, to reveal how the brand has disrupted the beverage industry with its fearless marketing and commitment to sustainability. Liquid Death isn’t just selling water—it’s leading a revolution. Known for its unapologetically edgy branding and viral campaigns, the co...

In Episode 30 of the Brand Slam Podcast, co-host Joe Kayata welcomes back World Series Champion and pioneering baseball development coach Kayla Baptista, joined by her mentor, legendary baseball leader Jerry Weinstein. This inspiring episode explores how mentorship transcends five generations, genders and industries, fostering growth and collaboration. Jerry Weinstein, with a nearly 60-year career...

In this special episode 29 of the Brand Slam podcast, co-hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata reflect on a remarkable year of achievements. From insightful conversations with trailblazing guests to setting major milestones, Brand Slam has solidified its place as a leading voice in the world of marketing podcasts. Over the past year, Brand Slam has earned global recognition, now ranking in the top 3% of...

In Episode 28 of the Brand Slam podcast, co-hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata sit down with Tory Pachis, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Amica Mutual Insurance, for an inspiring conversation about branding, community, and connection. Tory shares how Amica's innovative marketing strategies set the company apart in the competitive world of insurance, with a particular focus on their dynamic part...

In Episode 27 of the Brand Slam Podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata engage in a compelling conversation with Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, about the critical issue of brain injuries in sports. This episode provides insightful exploration into the world of athletic safety, focusing on the impact of concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Dr...

In Episode 26 of the Brand Slam Podcast, co-host Steve Rosa and (add)ventures President Mary Sadlier explore the impactful world of corporate social responsibility (CSR), featuring insights from Joanne Dwyer, vice president of Corporate Communications and CSR at PetSmart. This episode sheds light on the strategic significance CSR plays in defining brand identity and cultivating consumer trust. Joa...

On this bonus episode of Brand Slam: Overtime, co-host Steve Rosa and (add)ventures President Mary Sadlier share insights from their trip to Washington, D.C., where they explored the world of chef José Andrés, a culinary genius and global humanitarian. During their travels, they visited three of his acclaimed restaurants and witnessed the vibrant storytelling, energy of the staff and innovative sp...

In Episode 25 of the Brand Slam Podcast, join hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata as they explore the fascinating world of influencer marketing with Ian Brownhill, a social media influencer celebrated for his authentic New England charm. Ian shares his journey from working construction to support his acting career, to becoming a prominent influencer with over 1.6 million followers across social media...

In Episode 24 of the Brand Slam Podcast, host Steve Rosa and guest host Mary Sadlier explore the inspiring journey of Coole Swan, a brand committed to elevating the Irish cream market. Get to know the remarkable connection between our host, Mary Sadlier, and her distant cousin with the same name, Coole Swan founder Mary Sadlier, whose paths intertwined on LinkedIn, and led to a meeting in Dublin,...

In Episode 23 of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata attend the Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-out at Addieville East Farm. They interview Matt Light about his New England Patriots career and transition to his eponymous foundation brand. Plus, the laughter is non-stop with comedian and actor Lenny Clarke who was in Something About Mary, Rescue Me, and DraftKings commercials. This e...

In Episode 22 of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata attend the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) National Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. They speak with Michelle Carr, executive director of Leadership Rhode Island (LRI), and Lura Hammond, executive director of ALP. Michelle shares the immense honor LRI feels hosting the event—this is the first time since 1988 t...

In Episode 21 of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata attend the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) National Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. There, they engage with the event’s keynote speaker, Reginald Lewis, Executive Director of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership and Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University. Lewis highlights the core principles of ser...

On episode 20 of the Brand Slam podcast, host Steve Rosa is joined by a standout group of interns from the (add)prentice summer 2024 program: Jessica Kalmowitz, Ella Waryas and Kenzie Freedman. A major focus of the discussion is on brand authenticity and the critical role it plays in today’s marketing landscape. The interns delve into how brands can build genuine connections with their audiences a...

In this episode of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata discuss  the branding triumphs of the 2024 Summer Olympics. They are joined by Kathryn Tappen, the celebrated daytime studio host for USA Network’s Olympic coverage. Kathryn shares her behind-the-scenes experiences at NBC Sports, discussing the challenges and rewards of broadcasting such a major event. This episode uncovers...

In this episode of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata are joined by Dave Stangle, the VP of Brand Marketing at Bark. As Bark continues to redefine luxury pet services, Dave dives into the fascinating world of premium pet care, including their groundbreaking offerings like Bark Box and the newly launched Bark Air , the world's first air travel experience designed specifically f...

On episode 17 of Brand Slam: The winning brands podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata sit down with Claire Rogers from GOLF.com. She is their Director of Social Media and host of The Scoop where she brings you the sweetest stories in golf, all over a scoop of ice cream. Claire shares fascinating anecdotes, including an unforgettable Tiger Woods story that catapulted her onto the national scene...

In Episode 16, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata bring you an enlightening conversation on the future of virtual production . This episode’s guest is none other than Academy Award-nominated visual effects supervisor, Jacques Stroweis, who was recruited from Hollywood to lead (add)ventures innovation of in-camera visual effects. In this episode, Jacques breaks down virtual production, explaining how...

In the latest episode of Brand Slam: The Winning Brands Podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata dive into the world of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Episode 15 features Randy Martinez, chief global equity and social impact officer at Pizza Hut, who has been a trailblazer in DEI both in healthcare and the food industry. Randy shares his inspiring journey with us, discussing groundbreaking...

On this bonus episode of Brand Slam: Overtime, co-host Steve Rosa and (add)ventures President Mary Sadlier discuss Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony which they attended at Gillette Stadium. They also break down the key traits that made Brady one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and use those qualities to help serve as a blueprint for a winning brand. Brand Slam co-host J...

On this bonus episode of Brand Slam: Overtime, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata discuss the future of episode 12 guest Dan Hurley. According to multiple media reports, the LA Lakers are preparing a massive offer for the current UConn head coach, who recently secured back-to-back National Championships. After his latest championship, Hurley joined the Brand Slam podcast to talk about the school's br...

In the latest episode of the Brand Slam: the winning brands podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata are joined by marketing expert and author David Edelman. With a wealth of experience as a CMO at Fortune 50 companies including CVS Health/Aetna and as a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, David brings valuable insights to the discussion on personalized customer strategy in the age of AI....