BRANDED

In this episode of  Branded , Ben Kaplan speaks with Jennie Platt , the Chief Marketing Officer of TD Bank US. With a career spanning American Express, Citi, and now TD, Jennie shares her unique perspective on how large financial institutions can remain genuinely connected with their customers. She dives into TD's  Unexpectedly Human  brand promise, explaining how it’s more than just a tagline, it...

How do you scale a beloved burger brand without losing the heart that made it special? In this episode of  Branded , host Ben Kaplan speaks with Chris Dull , President and CEO of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Chris opens up about the balancing act of fast growth and genuine hospitality—sharing how Freddy’s has expanded into 37 states, reimagined its digital experience, and stayed las...

How does a global giant like IKEA stay affordable, sustainable, and deeply personal—all at once?  In this episode of  Branded , host Ben Kaplan sits down with Belen Frau , a senior global leader at IKEA who’s helped shape the brand from the inside out. With over 20 years at the company, Belen shares how IKEA's democratic design philosophy drives everything from flat-packs to climate impact. From l...

What does it take to make a 150-year-old bank feel like a startup? In this episode of  Branded , host  Ben Kaplan  talks with  Shruti Patel , Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer for Business Banking at  US Bank , about reinventing customer experience in one of the most regulated industries on the planet. From AI-powered tools to embedded financial products, Shruti shares how US Bank...

What do you ask a man who’s helped shape the future of both education and technology? In this episode of  Branded , host Ben Kaplan sits down with John Hennessy—former President of Stanford University and current Chairman of Alphabet (yes, the Google one)—for a rare conversation about leadership, innovation, and what it really takes to build something that lasts. From founding tech companies to gu...

In this episode of  Branded , hosted by Ben Kaplan, we sit down with  Camilla Matias , COO of  Brex , to unpack the bold decisions, hard-earned lessons, and unconventional thinking behind one of FinTech’s most remarkable scale-ups. Camilla joined Brex when it was a scrappy startup solving one problem: helping fellow founders get access to corporate credit. Today, Brex is a global financial platfor...

In this powerful episode of BRANDED, host Ben Kaplan speaks with Maryam Banikarim —former Global CMO at Hyatt Hotels, co-founder of NYC Next, and the visionary behind The Longest Table. Maryam shares her inspiring journey, navigating a non-linear career path defined by pivots, purpose, and resilience, ultimately becoming a passionate advocate for community-building in New York City. Discover how M...

Trust isn’t just a marketing buzzword—it’s the foundation of every successful brand.  But how do you measure it? How do you build it? And how can businesses turn trust into a real competitive advantage? In this episode of  Branded ,  host Ben Kaplan  sits down with  Dana Bodine , VP of Marketing at Trustpilot , to explore how brands can leverage customer reviews as more than just testimonials—they...

In this episode of  Branded ,  Ben Kaplan  sits down with  Michael Costello , CEO of GNC , to unpack how a  90-year-old  health and wellness brand is adapting to today’s fast-changing market. With supplements available everywhere—from Amazon to your local grocery store—why would anyone still choose to shop at GNC? Michael shares how GNC is redefining its  consumer experience , using  data, persona...

Host Ben Kaplan sits down with Kathryn Bricken, the powerhouse behind Doughlicious, to uncover how she took her passion for baking from school events to Whole Foods shelves across the U.S. Kathryn shares the highs and lows of scaling a global brand, disrupting the frozen snack industry, and making bold moves in a competitive market. But that’s not all—this episode also features insights from Liqui...

Ben Kaplan  sits down with  Mark Bertolini , CEO of  Oscar Health  and former head of Aetna, to break down one of the biggest healthcare turnarounds in recent history. Oscar Health was bleeding cash, fully dependent on the Affordable Care Act, and struggling to turn a profit. Within just  10 weeks , Mark uncovered  $1.4 billion in hidden opportunities , restructured the business, and set it on a p...

Healthcare marketing is evolving fast—legacy brands are fighting to stay relevant, disruptors are reshaping the industry, and consumers are more skeptical than ever. In this episode of  Branded , host  Ben Kaplan  explores what it takes to stand out, build trust, and drive engagement in this competitive space. We hear from  Katelyn Watson , CMO of  Talkspace , on how the company pivoted its brand...

What does it take to build a $160B brand in a world driven by data and trust? In this episode of  Branded , host Ben Kaplan sits down with Alice Cherry from S&P Global to reveal the branding strategies that transformed a legacy name into a financial intelligence powerhouse. Discover how a bold rebrand , a high-stakes merger, and a relentless focus on  essential intelligence  helped S&P Glo...

Chuck E. Cheese isn’t just a childhood memory—it’s a brand that  faced bankruptcy, a pandemic, and a struggling reputation . But instead of fading into nostalgia, it pulled off  one of the boldest brand transformations in entertainment history . In this episode of  Branded , host  Ben Kaplan  sits down with  David McKillips , President & CEO of  CEC Entertainment , to unpack the  $350 million...

In this episode of Branded, Ben Kaplan sits down with Katherine Bond Debicki, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer of KFC Canada, to explore how one of the world’s most iconic brands stays relevant in a rapidly changing food landscape. Katherine breaks down the three major waves of disruption that have shaped the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry—from the invention of the drive-...

In this episode of  Branded , Ben Kaplan sits down with  Sarah Crockett , CMO of  DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) , to discuss the art of  reviving a retail giant . With eight months in the role, Sarah shares her strategy for  repositioning DSW , tapping into  consumer insights , and creating an  emotional connection  with customers across generations. She explores the challenge of  bringing back th...

What makes Jack in the Box one of the most crave-worthy fast-food brands? In this episode of  Branded , host Ben Kaplan sits down with Ryan Ostrom, Chief Customer Officer at Jack in the Box, to uncover the bold marketing strategies, digital innovations, and brand positioning that keep them ahead of the competition. Ryan reveals how Jack in the Box stays relevant in a rapidly changing industry—leve...

In this episode, Ben Kaplan sits down with Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, to explore the fascinating intersections of behavioral science, marketing, and human psychology. Rory shares his insights on how small, seemingly insignificant changes can drive massive consumer behavior shifts and why reframing is essential in marketing strategy. The conversation touches on Jaguar’s rebranding...

Introducing BRANDED ! In this announcement, we reveal the exciting merger of TOP CEO and TOP CMO into one powerhouse podcast. Get a sneak peek into the bold stories and big ideas driving the world’s most iconic brands. Featuring names like Rory Sutherland, Liquid Death, and the former CMO of Nike, this is your front-row seat to the minds shaping the future of branding. Perfect for anyone curious a...

In this episode of TOP CMO, Ben Kaplan sits down with Karen Budell, CMO of Totango, to explore the challenges and opportunities of navigating a high-speed merger with competitor Catalyst. Karen shares her journey from journalist to marketing leader, offering insights on aligning teams, crafting compelling brand narratives, and integrating diverse marketing strategies. Discover how Karen’s backgrou...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Courtney Weis, Managing Director of Brand Marketing at FP Movement, Free People's activewear brand. Courtney shares her journey from talent management to leading a brand that celebrates diverse forms of movement. Discover how FP Movement thrived during the pandemic, leveraging influencer partnerships, community engagement, and a strong brand identity to...

In this episode of Branded , Ben Kaplan sits down with Dustin Godsey , Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for the Milwaukee Bucks, to discuss how a basketball team transforms into a global content and entertainment powerhouse. Dustin shares insights into building fan engagement across local and international audiences, launching innovative content initiatives like the Bucks' podcast network, and le...

In this episode, we dive into the audacious and hilarious world of Liquid Death with Greg Fass, the brand's VP of Marketing. Discover how this water company defied industry norms with a bold, comedy-first approach, turning a healthy beverage into a cultural phenomenon. Greg shares insights on Liquid Death’s viral marketing strategy, unexpected collaborations, and the power of earned media to "win...

In this episode of Top CMO, Ben Kaplan sits down with Melody Lee, the Chief Marketing Officer of Mercedes-Benz USA, to explore how one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands is staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Melody shares insights on balancing the brand’s storied heritage with cutting-edge innovation, from embracing electrification and autonomous driving to reaching new, diverse a...

In this episode, Amy Halford, CMO of Thrive Pet Healthcare, shares how she’s redefining pet healthcare marketing by blending trust, innovation, and customer-centric strategies. From building emotional connections with pet owners to leveraging digital transformation, Amy reveals the unique challenges of marketing services over products, lessons from her time at Best Buy and General Mills, and how T...