Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind

This year’s Cannes Lions Festival — the world’s biggest celebration of creativity — made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Brazilian agency DM9 was stripped of multiple awards — including a Grand Prix — after using AI to fabricate campaign case study results. Jason Harris breaks down how they pulled it off, why it’s a symptom of a bigger problem in the industry, and what Cannes is doing to prev...

AI isn’t just speeding up production—it’s rewriting the rules of storytelling. In this episode, Jason sits down with award-winning director and creative pioneer Jason Zada, founder of the AI-native entertainment studio Secret Level. From Elf Yourself to Take This Lollipop to an AI-generated Coca-Cola ad that sparked headlines and backlash, Zada has spent his career pushing the boundaries of how au...

If you're in the C-suite, it's no longer enough to delegate AI experimentation to mid-level staff. In this Soul & Science mini, we unpack three smart, actionable ways senior leaders can stay sharp in the age of AI—from reverse mentorship to hands-on sprints to rewarding the AI-forward thinkers in your org. This is your leadership playbook for getting off the sidelines and into the AI sandbox.✅ Ke...

How do you take a hospital’s 150th birthday and make it feel like a city-wide celebration instead of just a line in a press release? In this episode, Jason sits down with Kate Torrance, VP and Head of Brand at SickKids, and Josh Budd, Chief Creative Officer at Citizen Relations, to unpack one of the boldest healthcare campaigns in recent memory. They share how SickKids transformed a milestone into...

As brands across the country scale back or scrap their DEI initiatives, it’s time to ask: what happened to the values they claimed to stand for? In this short solo episode, we examine the wave of corporate rollbacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion—from Target and Amazon to McDonald’s and Coca-Cola—and what these choices say about brand integrity. We’ll dig into: Why DEI isn’t a “nice-to-have,”...

He built Thrillist. He bet on media. Now Ben Lerer is navigating a world obsessed with AI.In this episode, Jason sits down with Ben Lerer, co-founder of Thrillist, creator of Group Nine Media, and now Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau. They talk about the shifting tides of media, tech, and early-stage investing. From building one of the first great digital brands to navigating the rise of creators...

Launching a new product is never easy. But doing it during economic uncertainty? That’s a whole different challenge. In this mini episode, we explore how today’s shifting landscape—from tariffs to market instability—requires a smarter, more agile approach. Jason shares three core principles that can help entrepreneurs and innovators not just survive, but thrive during turbulent times. Key Takeaway...

Not every brand explodes. Some rise slowly, and win big. In this episode, Jason talks with Nicholas Karrat, CMO of StockX, about the Soul & Science of marketplace models—and what it takes to build brand trust, cultural relevance, and business performance at the same time. A veteran marketer with experience across Fortune 100 companies and DTC startups, Nick has held leadership roles at AT&T, Citib...

🐶 Adidas just launched a China-exclusive pet collection—and it’s more than just cute. In this Soul & Science mini, Jason unpacks the marketing strategy behind Adidas Originals’ latest capsule: apparel and accessories designed for pets and their owners. Matching outfits? Yes. Global rollout? Not yet. For marketers, this launch raises big questions:🧠 Is this a clever test-market move or a missed b...

Creative teams have the most impact when they’re trusted stewards of the brand—not just executors. In this episode, Fi’s Chief Creative Officer Bryant Brennan joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of in-house creativity, product-first marketing, and building brands with staying power. From launching Nook at Barnes & Noble to scaling Peloton’s creative team into an award-winning force, B...

What do you call a streaming service that can’t sit still? Apparently, HBO Max… again. In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason unpacks why the HBO brand is once again reclaiming its name, and what this says about brand equity, consumer sentiment, and the fine art of knowing when to walk it back. From Gap to Tropicana to the Twitter-that-shall-not-be-named, some branding detours are better left...

Why does doing good still feel risky in the boardroom even when it’s good for business? In this episode, OBERLAND Founder & Creative Chairman Bill Oberlander joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of purpose-driven marketing and talk about why creativity, commerce, and consciousness can (and should) coexist. Bill shares his journey from Madison Avenue to launching a values-first agency t...

Just because it’s B2B doesn’t mean it has to be boring. This week on Soul & Science, Jason sits down with Jim Lesser, Chief Brand Officer at ServiceNow, the enterprise platform helping organizations simplify workflows and put AI to work across their business. Before stepping into the world of B2B tech, Jim led award-winning campaigns as CEO and Executive Creative Director at BBDO San Francisco, in...

From Prime to Chamberlain Coffee, influencers are making serious moves into the beverage aisle. In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason unpacks the rise of creator-led drink brands—and why the beverage industry has become the go-to playground for digital tastemakers. With built-in audiences and high margins, the formula is simple: influence + hydration = $$$.Key Takeaways:✅ Beverages are easy...

In a world that feels more chaotic by the day, leading with clarity has never been harder — or more important. In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason explores how leaders can navigate the “liminal experience” of constant change. From reaffirming values to strengthening team bonds, he breaks down the strategies that help leaders anchor themselves—and their organizations—when everything else is...

From TikTok trends to viral campaigns, brands are constantly trying to tap into culture. But what actually defines culture — and how can brands engage with it in a meaningful way? This week, we’re re-airing a great conversation from April 2024 with Dr. Marcus Collins — marketing professor, best-selling author, and cultural strategist. Dr. Collins, author of For the Culture and former Head of Strat...

What do J.Crew, Tiffany & Co., and Prada all have in common? They’re falling in love with the written word. In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason explores fashion’s latest unexpected muse: literature. From literary salons to author collaborations, brands are embracing the written word in a digital age—and it's not just for show. Key Takeaways:✅ Fashion brands are aligning with literature to...

What do Trump’s new tariffs have to do with your brand strategy? A lot. In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason breaks down how the latest wave of tariffs is creating ripple effects across industries—and what it means for marketers trying to navigate a rapidly shifting economy. Key Takeaways:✅ Brands are reallocating budgets toward performance marketing as margins tighten.✅ Expect a rise in “...

Why are brands still hesitant to embrace AI in creative work—even when it delivers faster, cheaper, and often better results? In this episode, Superside co-founder & CEO Fredrik Thomassen joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of AI-powered creativity—and why the biggest barrier to AI adoption isn’t the technology, but human resistance to change. Fredrik shares how Superside is reshaping...

CMOs have the shortest lifespan of any C-suite executive. Why? In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason breaks down insights from a recent Adweek article, exploring the top reasons CMOs get fired—and how they can avoid the same fate. Key Takeaways:✅ Overpromising results is the #1 reason CMOs lose their jobs.✅ Many fail to earn trust from CEOs, CFOs, and the leadership team.✅ Only 1 in 3 CEOs...

How do you go from leading an agency to coaching the next generation of leaders? In Part 2 of our conversation, Rob Schwartz—former CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day and now an Executive Coach—talks with Jason about the Soul & Science of Coaching. He shares his philosophy on guiding teams, unlocking creative potential, and moving businesses from transactional back to transformational. Rob breaks down where an...

How do you turn creative vision into leadership success—and inspire a team to grow through disruption? This week, Jason dives into the Soul & Science of Creative Leadership with Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach and former CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day. Rob’s journey from copywriter to CEO is a masterclass in creative transformation. Using his philosophy of “Clarify, Simplify, Unify, Amplify,” Rob revitalized...

What if the secret to creating ads that truly connect isn’t in what people say, but in what their brains reveal? Pranav Yadav, founder and global CEO of Neuro-Insight, leverages neuromarketing—technology that measures neural signals to track emotional responses—to uncover deeper truths that help brands like TJ Maxx and Anheuser Busch craft ads that stir emotions and hit the perfect pitch. In this...

This week, Jason explores The Soul & Science of Entrepreneur Partnerships with Dustin Baker and Maya French, co-founders of HappyPop. As the driving forces behind Koia and now HappyPop, Dustin and Maya have redefined what it means to create purposeful products in the competitive beverage industry. Discover how their unique partnership has evolved over a decade, how they turned personal challenges...

What’s the secret to building lasting and successful partnerships? This week, we dive into the Soul & Science of agency-client relationships with Stephen Boehler, founder of Mercer Island Group and former Procter & Gamble brand manager. Stephen shares his journey from growing up in a family business to leading one of the most respected agency search consultancies. Learn how a serendipitous flight...