Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind

What’s the true value of breaking free from conventional marketing mediums? In this week’s mini episode, we delve into some unconventional branding strategies that made impactful results. Oatly's 'Oatmilkers' initiative in Minor League Baseball, Stoked Dispensary's clever ads in neighboring stores, and Adidas' liquid billboard in Dubai showcase innovative approaches to circumvent restrictions and...

At some point in their career, everyone has had to answer the dreaded interview question: “Where do you see yourself in the next five years?” You might have a well-scripted answer, but do you really know? This week on the Soul & Science podcast, we sit down with the founder and CEO of the Handel Life Coaching Group, Lauren Zander, to explore how we can rebrand the mind, body, and soul. In today’s...

Ever wondered about the secrets behind a successful rebrand? Today, we'll unravel three essential rules for transforming your brand identity. From finding your why to executing a seamless rollout, we'll discuss what we can learn from iconic successes like Dunkin' and Airbnb, and how to avoid the pitfalls of missteps like Twitter's puzzling transformation to 'X'. Brought to you by Mekanism.

Modern-day flying has become more of a chore than an adventure. If you’ve read any headlines about the airline industry in recent years, it’s clear that many customers are apathetic about which carrier they fly with. Long delays and cancellations, poor customer service, and fluctuating pricing all leads to a sourness in the industry. So how can an airline fly themselves back to customers' good gra...

How crucial to your brand’s success is PR really? Today, we’re talking about the four main reasons you need to invest in your PR strategy. Amplified media coverage for faster brand recognition, improved website traffic and SEO, strategic crisis management, and solidified thought leadership; these aspects are vital for enhancing your brand’s visibility, credibility, and resilience. Brought to you b...

What’s your favorite GIF? Today, we’re sitting down with the Editor-in-Chief at GIPHY, Tyler Menzel. With a passion for creativity, authenticity, and the power of fun, Tyler has been instrumental in driving GIPHY’s success in the world of digital content. He provides oversight and mentorship for all aspects of content on GIPHY, including partner content acquisition strategy, original content creat...

We all know that AI has reshaped the landscape of marketing and advertising forever. But how familiar are you with generative vs. predictive AI? This week, we’re breaking it down. Predictive AI aids in informed decision-making, targeting audiences, optimizing ad placement, and forecasting campaign results. Generative AI accelerates creative work by assisting in content creation, copywriting, and g...

Rise and grind or work yourself into the ground? In the past few years, a sole focus on constant productivity and hustle has spread throughout the world of marketing and business, and frankly, it’s burning people out. This culture of overworking is forcing some people to live on autopilot and burn out. Let’s be honest for a moment: Nothing good is ever created after 10 cups of coffee and only 3 ho...

When you’re presented with a problem, how do you go about solving it? This week, we introduce three powerful laws that can transform the way you tackle challenges in life. Kidland's Law: If you can write the problem down clearly, then the matter is half solved. Gilbert's Law: The biggest problem with a job is that no one tells you what to do. Falkland's Law: If you don't have to make a decision, d...

This week, in honor of Women’s History Month, we’re re-sharing an amazing conversation from last summer where we spoke with Jocelyn Johnson. Jocelyn is a proud Girl Scout alum and Lifetime Member and she joined Girl Scouts of the USA as CMO in 2021.Jocelyn is a brilliant marketer and a champion for the future females of the world. Before joining Girl Scouts of the USA, Jocelyn worked at General El...

What makes a brand partnership align or clash? In this episode, we talk about how collaborations between brands, whether similar or vastly different, can skyrocket brand visibility and reach. From the massive Barbie movie collaboration that turned everything pink to high-profile partnerships like GoPro and Red Bull's space jump and the unexpected yet trendsetting Balenciaga and Crocs duo, this epi...

The marketing world is a constantly changing field. From the introduction of different mediums to the evolution of technology like AI, the only constant I can expect in my industry is change. Today, I’m sitting down with my friend, colleague, and now my boss, Brett Marchand, CEO of Plus Company. Plus Company is a marketing and branding powerhouse, having integrated dozens of agencies, including Co...

Is company culture the secret sauce that sets thriving businesses apart? From the inception of Mekanism, culture has been paramount, shaping behaviors and interactions within and beyond the office walls. Explore the significance of values, from entrepreneurial spirit to collaborative mindset, driving success and innovation. Discover the pivotal role of leadership in upholding and evolving cultural...

When it comes to marketing wellness products, a lot of brands make a lot of big claims. But how do consumers figure out who to trust and what’s best for them? Today’s episode is all about demystifying the world of wellness marketing with the co-founder of Ned, a wellness brand that offers simple and effective natural remedies. Adriaan Zimmerman, who co-founded Ned in 2018, is an entrepreneur and b...

Ever wondered if a $7M Super Bowl spot is worth the investment? Join me on a special mini-episode of the Soul & Science Podcast as I delve into the power of these ads. From celebrity cameos to humorous storytelling, discover why brands invest millions for just a few seconds of airtime. Plus, get a sneak peek into this year's trends and predictions for the big game. Let's dive in! Brought to you by...

All companies have a purpose. For most, it’s turning a profit and increasing overall value. However, today’s definition of value is changing. More and more customers are looking for brands that take social responsibility seriously and offer a mission beyond profits. Today, I’m sitting down with a very special guest – my wife, Lindsay Harris – to talk about what it means to be a purpose-driven comp...

When it comes to marketing a luxury brand, the brand is queen and storytelling is king. This week, I spoke with Carolyn Dawkins, CMO at David Yurman, where she leads marketing and content strategies with a focus on user experience, brand storytelling, and innovation. Before David Yurman, she spent time in leadership roles at Estée Lauder, L’Oréal and Google. In today’s episode you’ll learn: Why st...

This week on the podcast, we’re talking about a sensitive subject, but after seeing Ido Aharoni speak at the Harvard Club recently, it felt like the right time to have a difficult conversation. Ido is a 25-year veteran of Israel’s Foreign service. He is a public diplomacy specialist, founder of the Brand Israel Program and a well-known nation branding practitioner. Today’s conversation is not a hi...

Authenticity can drastically transform your life. But what if it means stepping away from what you thought was your dream job? Shelley Paxton is a thought leader, speaker, and author of the bestselling book Soulbattical. Formerly the CMO at Harley-Davidson, Shelley took a courageous leap to redefine success on her own terms, and has since emerged as a sought-after expert in culture transformation...

A few years ago, the Mekanism team worked with David Dancer and the brilliant Spike Jonze to help Medmen create the first ever cannabis commercial. Today on the show, I’m speaking with David, who is the Founder of D2 Marketing Strategies, and also an accomplished CEO and six-time CMO.Since coming out in his first job, David has been committed to the fight for LGBTQ+ workplace equality. And he rece...

A few weeks ago the Soul & Science podcast won three Signal Awards. And two of those awards were for this episode featuring Andy Pearson, the VP of Creative at the water brand Liquid Death that we first aired last year. Shoestring marketing budgets are common at startups and create an environment of innovation. Andy jokes he was given a $0 initial ad budget to launch. He knew the name, along with...

Today, I’m speaking with John Sullivan. He’s the Senior Vice President of Marketing at WHOOP, which is a wearable fitness tracker with a devoted fan base and an impressive list of celebrity ambassadors. John is a proponent of brand durability and he has helped re-center WHOOP from a niche software utilized by sports organizations like the New York Yankees to a wildly popular personal performance c...

Today on the show, I’m speaking with Douglas Martin, Chief Brand and Disruptive Growth Officer at General Mills. As his title suggests, Doug is a disruptive marketer and brand growth champion with over 22 years of experience. In his role at General Mills, he’s worked on marketing initiatives for Cheerios and Yoplait, and his experience spans across household names in addition to General Mills, wit...

Today on the show, I’m talking with Andrew Myerson and Julie Anne Kelly, Co-founders of Haymakers for Hope. In 2009, Andrew and Julie participated in the New York City Golden Gloves. They decided that competing against the city’s best boxers wasn’t enough, and decided to raise money for cancer research. This planted the seeds for Haymakers for Hope. Today, their non-profit gives everyday people th...

Today on the show, I’m talking with Heidi Andersen, Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer at Nextdoor. Heidi is a corporate athlete with two decades of Business Leadership. She is Nextdoor’s CMO and CRO, where she oversees the global revenue team, revenue streams, and marketing. On today’s episode you’ll learn: Service is a powerful business style Do the right things for the right reasons Observe an...