Cultural Fluency Makers: Unlocking Business Growth Through Cultural Intelligence

Culture moves at the speed of a social feed. Corporate innovation rarely does. In this episode of Cultural Fluency Makers, David Wellisch sits down with Reshma Dhati, VP of Marketing, North America at Lipton Teas and Infusions, to discuss how brands can stay culturally fluent in a rapidly changing consumer landscape. Drawing on experience across Lipton, Tazo, Absolut, Malibu, PepsiCo, and Unilever...

As marketing teams race to adopt AI, Catherine Berger argues that human curiosity and cultural understanding matter more than ever. In this episode of Cultural Fluency Makers, David Wellisch sits down with Catherine Berger, VP of Marketing Transformation and Services at Grupo Bimbo, to explore what it really takes for legacy brands to stay culturally relevant in a rapidly evolving consumer landsca...

What does it take for a 150+ year-old global brand to stay culturally relevant in an AI- driven world without losing its authenticity? In this episode of Cultural Fluency Makers, Koley Corte, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, MetLife Investment Management and Retirement Income Solutions at MetLife, shares how authenticity, curiosity, and deep customer understanding continue to dri...

What if the most important marketing skill isn't creativity or data fluency, but the ability to genuinely understand people who are nothing like you? Natalie Wills has spent her career building brands that feel native to the cultures they serve. As SVP of Marketing and Creative at Expedia Group, she oversees a portfolio spanning Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, managing brand strategy across dozens...

Daryl Butler has spent his career doing one thing exceptionally well: helping brands show up in ways that feel real. As VP of Marketing Global Brand Partnerships at Google, he leads at the intersection of technology, creativity, and culture, but his roots run through some of the most community-driven brands in the world: Nike Jordan, Beats by Dr. Dre, and HP. In this episode, Daryl joins host Davi...

 In this special compilation episode of Cultural Fluency Makers , we’re bringing together some of the most powerful career advice shared by our guests. From CMOs to cultural insights leaders, each perspective offers a unique lens on growth, resilience, and navigating an ever-changing professional landscape. Across every conversation, a few themes stand out: stay curious, embrace change, define wha...

The key to better marketing isn’t understanding customers. It’s understanding people. In this episode of Cultural Fluency Makers , Tobias Puehse, SVP of Insights & Intelligence at Mastercard, explores what it truly means to understand people, not just as customers, but as complex, values-driven individuals. He unpacks how cultural intelligence goes beyond data, blending human insight, behavior...

Keith Clark, Chief Marketing Officer of Mutual of Omaha, shares powerful insights on bridging generational gaps, the strategic value of "structural freedom," and why trust remains the ultimate currency in a skeptical market. With a career spanning 17 years on the agency side before moving in-house, Keith draws on his deep experience with globally recognized organizations like the US Navy and USAA...

Mark Anthony Edmonson, Chief Marketing Officer of GoGo squeeZ North America, shares powerful insights on emotional brand building, AI-driven marketing, and leading in a market that’s in perpetual beta. With more than 25 years of experience shaping global brands at Procter & Gamble, Campbell Soup Company, and now GoGo squeeZ, Mark shares hard-earned marketing wisdom from the front lines of CPG....

In this special compilation episode, we revisit some of our most compelling conversations from the past year to unpack the rapidly shifting landscape of consumer behavior and cultural change. As brands work to connect with increasingly diverse audiences—from Gen Z and Hispanic consumers to highly engaged communities like gamers and wine enthusiasts—the challenge is no longer awareness, but relevan...

Tania Missad explores how cultural understanding serves as the core of growth for global organizations. She details her transition from consumer packaged goods (CPG) to entertainment, emphasizing that while products may change, the necessity of reflecting authentic human experiences remains constant. Missad highlights how television must reflect society's diverse reality, including struggles with...

Andy Rebhun, the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Cava, a fast-growing restaurant group with over 370 units, draws on his executive experience from brands like Ford and McDonald's to discuss the vital role of cultural insights in the current fragmented consumer landscape. Andy emphasizes that Cava adapts to cultural shifts by blending its bold Mediterranean flavors with "playful, cultural...

Kevin Sherlock, Vice President of Marketing/General Manager, Laundry (ARM & HAMMER, OxiClean & Xtra) at Church & Dwight, to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of brand management. With over 26 years of experience, Kevin shares his perspective on why cultural intelligence has shifted from a luxury to an absolute necessity for brands hoping to survive in today's fragmented and polari...

Sally Barton, the US Marketing Excellence Lead at Mondelez International, explores the critical role of cultural intelligence in today’s fragmented consumer landscape. Sally discusses why understanding culture goes far beyond simple demographics, especially for heritage brands like Oreo and Cadbury. She emphasizes that the primary challenge for marketers today is "speed," the ability to understand...

Lizzie Cohen, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Intelligence, and Radhika Duggal, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Major League Soccer (MLS) unpack how cultural intelligence is shaping the league’s growth strategy, both on and off the pitch. The conversation explores how MLS balances hyper-local cultural fluency with national and global ambitions, how data-driven i...

Lance Hill, Global Head of Insights, Analytics, and Measurement at HP, discusses the intersection of culture, data, and the future of work. Lance explores how the cultural meaning of “work” has transformed over the past few years, and why only 20% of workers today report a healthy relationship with it. He shares how HP’s insights team studies the evolving “work relationship” and uses those learnin...

Nicole Moreo, Head of Customer Insights for North America at LinkedIn, deconstructs the complexities of modern marketing in both B2C and B2B landscapes. Nicole explains that the primary role of insights is to close the gap between what brands think their audience wants and what they actually care about. The conversation explores the pitfalls of data overload, the diminishing returns of hyper-segme...

Scott Weisenthal, the Global Head of Marketing and Insights at Comcast Advertising and a transformational leader with decades of experience at world-renowned brands like Marriott and Major League Baseball, dives deep into why cultural intelligence is the non-negotiable foundation for modern marketing, explaining how understanding consumer values is crucial for both B2C and B2B organizations. He sh...

In this special compilation episode of Cultural Fluency Makers, we are highlighting 5 marketing leaders who explore why inclusive marketing is essential for survival and growth. The guests agree that America's demographic shift isn't a future trend, but the current reality, especially among younger generations who are already "majority minority". This requires a fundamental change from broad segme...

Kevin Moeller, Head of Consumer Insights for Sparkling Brands at PepsiCo, discusses the essential role of cultural intelligence in a world of demographic shifts and data revolution. Moeller explains how connecting with diverse consumer groups requires a deep understanding of cultural nuance to build "brand love" and drive strategy. He delves into the importance of empathy, cutting through the nois...

This episode features Carlos Madrazo, a dynamic leader celebrated for his passion for creating value, a keen eye for opportunity, and an unwavering commitment to a bold vision. His background includes leading Investor Relations and corporate planning for multi‑billion‑dollar companies such as Panera Brands and Grupo Televisa, driving cross‑border M&A at Chase Manhattan Bank, and launching the...

In a discussion on the critical role of cultural intelligence in modern marketing, Monica Dreger, Global Head of Research and Innovation at Airbnb, emphasizes that a deep and continuous understanding of consumers within their cultural context is the cornerstone of brand relevance and growth. She argues that in a fragmented and polarized world, brands can no longer afford to "play it safe," as youn...

Alvaro Luque, the President and CEO of Avocados From Mexico, is credited with transforming a brandless commodity into a cultural icon and the leading avocado brand in the U.S. The discussion delves into Alvaro's journey and the innovative strategies he employed, such as taking a CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) approach to marketing fresh produce and making Avocados From Mexico the first fresh brand...

Doug Zarkin, an award-winning brand transformation expert known for his work with Victoria’s Secret PINK and Pearle Vision, shares insights on the evolving role of brands in today’s consumer-driven world. The conversation explores the importance of cultural intelligence, emphasizing the need for brands to remain culturally relevant while navigating a divisive social landscape. Doug highlights the...

Can a Brand Truly Grow Without Understanding the Culture Around It? In this episode of Cultural Fluency Makers, host David Wellisch and Pavi Gupta dive deep into the critical role of cultural intelligence in today's rapidly changing consumer landscape. Discover why Pavi believes "insights is where it all begins"  and how understanding consumers at a "deep human level" can provide a massive competi...