Brands as Cultural Beacons with Ruth Bernstein

Introducing my new podcast — Tippie Leads from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, produced by the Tippie Leadership Collaborative. Our goal with Tippie Leads is to share stories that will change the way you work and lead. Each eight-episode season of Tippie Leads will focus on a "grand challenge" in today's changing world of work. This season, we're looking at employee engagement, which is at record-low levels across many different industries but is also one of the most important ingredients to successful careers, teams, and companies. Tippie Leads episodes will start with groundbreaking faculty research on topics like productivity, toxic bosses, side hustles, hassles, and more. From there, we'll hear stories from Tippie students and alumni that bring this research to life in new and exciting ways. We’ll close each episode with a final TIP(pie) just for you — an actionable takeaway to change the way you work and lead. Our first three episodes of Tippie Leads drop on Wednesday, October 2nd with new episodes following every Wednesday. Get every episode as they come out by subscribing now at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Davies is the co-founder of Alchemy-Rx. With decades with brands like Unilever, he specializes in connecting changing consumer insights to effective brand strategy. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Richard Davies Richard Davies is a seasoned consumer goods industry veteran with a remarkable career spanning nearly three decades, contributing to over 250 brands across more than 50 categories. He has an extensive background in brand strategy and consumer insights, holding various executive roles at Unilever such as Global Head of CMI, SVP of Corporate Strategy, Head of Innovation, and GM of Asia. As Chief Marketing Officer at Newell Brands, Richard led the company’s marketing and development functions, overseeing the creation of over 4,000 new product innovations. Since co-founding Alchemy-Rx in 2018, Richard has specialized in marketing, focusing on founder-led brands, private equity, and public companies. He is an expert in brand strategy, brand building, brand innovation and consumer insights. From the Show What brand has made Richard smile recently? Richard directed us to his ongoing love of the Kinder brand. Connect with Richard on LinkedIn and the Alchemy-Rx website. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maya Guice is the Director of Strategy at BRC Imagination Arts and host of the Masters of Storytelling podcast. Her work with brands like Diageo, Ford, and NASA helps create touchpoints and experiential brand stories. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Maya Guice Maya Guice is the Director of Strategy at BRC Imagination Arts, which partners with brands including Diageo, Ford, and NASA to translate brand and cultural stories into transformative, human experiences. Maya co-develops and oversees the short and long-term marketing, positioning, and business strategy for the firm, including all brand and growth-related activities including content, PR, events, awards, and strategic partnerships. She received an M.B.A. from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, where she now serves as Vice-Chair on the Advisory Board of Directors. She also produces and hosts ‘Masters of Storytelling,’ BRC’s podcast featuring conversations with storytellers across the creative spectrum. From the Show What brand has made Maya smile recently? “I love the Olympics, especially post-Covid," Maya revealed going on to be excited about the next round being in her hometown of LA. Connect with Maya on LinkedIn and the BRC website and check out her podcast, Masters of Storytelling wherever you like to listen. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Ramsden is CEO of creative agency, Sid Lee US. An Adidas veteran with both brand and creative side experience, Tom is a progressive and strategic innovator with decades of experience driving growth. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Tom Ramsden Tom is a global, creative, and strategic innovator with an extensive track record of transforming businesses and brands and driving growth. A team leader, team player, collaborator, and people developer, he has 20+ years of multi-discipline marketing experience. Tom was previously global brand marketing director at Adidas, joining the brand in 2007. He left Adidas’s football division in good shape after leading the successful “All in or Nothing” World Cup campaign, to take charge of brand communications overseeing all Adidas categories in the North American market. Recognized as an instigator, creator & manager of groundbreaking, award-winning, and commercially successful campaigns, Tom is an experienced brand and category leader, best known for creating a vision, developing a strategy, and executing effectively. From the Show What brand has made Tom smile recently? Tom shared a unique smile from the Jacquemus Bag brand. Connect with Tom on LinkedIn and the Sid Lee US website. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shailendra Pratap Jain is a professor of marketing at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business and the co-author of the new book Managing Brand Transgressions. What elevates a simple issue to a transgression and what can brands do to rebuild trust? We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Shailendra Pratap Jain Shailendra Pratap Jain is Bret Wheat Endowed Professor of Marketing and International Business at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington, Seattle. He has held faculty positions at Indiana University’s Kelley School, University of Rochester’s Simon School, Cornell University’s Johnson School, University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School, Cambridge University’s Judge School, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, and BITS School of Management, Mumbai. Well-known for his widely published scholarship in consumer psychology, Dr. Jain has extensive publishing and editorial experience in top marketing journals and has won many executive and graduate (MBA) teaching awards. Prior to his academic career, he worked in sales, brand management, and advertising in industry and is associated with several noted marketing campaigns in India. From the Show What brand has made Shailendra smile recently? Ben & Jerry's and Patagonia. “I'm going to double dip here!” Learn why these brands were deemed smile-worthy by listening to this week's show. Connect with Shailendra on LinkedIn and check out his faculty page on the Foster School of Business website and his book, Managing Brand Transgressions. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ruth Bernstein is Co-Founder and CEO of YARD NYC, an award-winning independent creative company. Her innovative work for brands like Athleta, Crocs, and Olly has helped transform their brands into cultural beacons. Previously, she was Chief Brand Officer for Robert Redford's Sundance. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Ruth Bernstein Ruth Bernstein is Co-Founder and CEO of YARD NYC, an award-winning independent creative company that turns brands into cultural beacons. Ruth is a pioneer and champion of female voices and leadership in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Since founding Yard, Ruth has helped build cultural brand platforms that have moved business, culture and teams - Athleta Power of She, Crocs Come as You Are, and Olly Happy Inside Out to name a few. Ruth has successfully developed YARD into an agency that services clients on a global scale and has been the recipient of numerous industry awards including being named an Ad Age Leading Woman in 2023 and Yard being named by Ad Age as a small agency winner, and 5 x Clio Awards winner.  Prior to co-founding Yard, Ruth served as Robert Redford's Brand Officer for his Sundance portfolio. Ruth has successfully developed YARD into an agency that services clients on a global scale.  From the rapidly growing brand consultancy Front Yard to the award winning activations and communication of YARD she has built a team of highly innovative, modern marketers who are able to seamlessly service clients across all stages of business growth life-stages. From the Show What brand has made Ruth smile recently? Ruth threw it back to Cadbury's Drumming Gorilla ad, sharing the very strategic story behind this memorable campaign. Connect with Ruth on LinkedIn and the Yard NYC website. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett Townsend is the Senior Vice President of Strategy at insights and analytics firm Quester. His work has helped brands such as Pepsi, Doritos, Ruffles, Walmart, Frigidaire, and Lowe’s innovate through better consumer insights. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Brett Townsend Brett Townsend is SVP of Strategy at Quester and has had a successful career of generating sizable revenue on both the corporate and agency sides of consumer insights. Brett has worked in domestic and global branding and innovation for major brands like Pepsi, Doritos, Ruffles, Walmart, Frigidaire, and Lowe’s. His work has led to successful innovations, brand extensions, product improvements, and marketing campaigns worth tens of billions of dollars globally. He has led insights teams at PepsiCo, Electrolux, and Lowe’s and he has worked across all major industries like FMCG, retail, food & beverage, durable goods, restaurants, and clothing. Along Quester President Tim Hoskins, Brett is co-author of the new book "Insights on the Brink: Revitalizing the Market Research and Analytics Industry." From the Show What brand has made Brett smile recently? Brett smiled on the recent success of Modelo Especial and their use of the “fighter” story to overtake Bud Light as the best-selling beer in America. Connect with Brett on LinkedIn and the Quester website. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Ian Kaye is the Chief Design Officer at SYLVAIN. From his years of experience in design helping shape, define, and impact some of today’s most recognizable brands from the WNBA to iconic book covers like Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point and Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club that have left an indelible impression on American culture. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Michael Ian Kaye Michael Ian Kaye is the Chief Design Officer at SYLVAIN, working with a diverse set of clients including Walmart, Meta, Kate Spade, Marriott, Stella Artois, Calvin Klein, IMG New York, Fashion Week, and The Information. His work in strategy, design, and communications has helped shape, define, and impact many well-known brands and institutions across industries. Kaye’s iconic designs for books like Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point and Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club have left an indelible impression on American culture. His work has received numerous awards and resides in the permanent collection of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. From the Show What brand has made Michael smile recently? We started and ended our conversation on with brands adopting Charlie XCX’s Brat design — from de facto nominee Kamala Harris to plant-based sausage brand, Field Roast, who used it to promote literal brat(wurst). Connect with Michael on LinkedIn and the SYLVAIN website. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sali Christeson is the Founder and CEO of Argent. Sali had a vision to arm women with a wardrobe that delivers style, functionality, and self-expression as they take their seats at the table. Since its inception, Argent's mission has been centered around forwarding women's progress, both through its product collections and brand initiatives. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Sali Christeson Sali Christeson is the Founder and CEO of Argent, a venture-backed women’s clothing label on a mission to redefine workwear and drive forward women’s progress. A business major with an MBA from the University of South Carolina, Sali spent a decade in the Bay Area's finance and technology space, where she struggled to find work clothes that were bold, practical, and professional. For too long, workwear for women had been stagnant, constricting, and lacking key functional elements as simple as pockets. After reading hard statistics that women in the workplace are judged on appearance, which results in a tangible impact on their income over time, Sali founded Argent with a vision to arm women with a wardrobe that delivers style, functionality, and self-expression as they take their seats at the table. Argent’s community counts leaders and disruptors like Dr. Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, Meghan Markle, Gloria Steinem, and Amy Poehler as members, and is backed by industry leaders, including Founders Fund, Fuel Capital, Katrina Lake, and Brooklyn Decker. To date, Argent has partnered with Supermajority and Michelle Obama’s organization, When We All Vote, to advocate for women’s voting power. In addition, Argent created the first jeans designed for the office with denim brand AGOLDE, launched its first wholesale relationship with Nordstrom, and opened three NYC storefronts since the pandemic. The stores are built specifically for working women to help support them with their professional wardrobe overhauls as they navigate shifting dress codes/hybrid schedules. From the Show What brand has made Sali smile recently? Like many, Sali is excited about all of the energy and excitement around Kamala Harris's presidential campaign. She also shared some smiles she had with her kids around the Super Smalls brand. Connect with Sali on LinkedIn and Instagram and listen to Argent's Work Friends podcast. And, of course, the Argent website. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Acton is the Chief Customer Officer at BILL. Until recently she had been the Chief Marketing Officer. However, this is more than just a one-word title shift. It's a shift in the focus of BILL's branding, marketing, and sales efforts. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Sarah Acton Sarah Acton, the Chief Customer Officer at BILL, brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing and brand-building work in both consumer and business markets. Prior to BILL, she led both marketing and sales at Athos, a wearables company in the athletic performance space. Sarah was also responsible for global brand oversight during pivotal periods of growth at LinkedIn and consumer marketing leadership at Yahoo! An entrepreneur at heart, Sarah was the owner of a small retail business where she had first-hand experience with the rewards and challenges of running a business. Sarah holds an MBA from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management and a B.S. in Marketing from Tulane University. From the Show What brand has made Sarah smile recently? “It's like trying to pick your favorite kid!” Sarah laughed before sharing a recent customer visit from Glamnetic that made her smile. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn and read her article on the BILL website about her new title and focus. As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices