Brand Story Podcast
The Brand Story podcast features in-depth conversations with marketers, leaders, and brand storytellers about their professional journeys and the impact they’re making on the world around them.
Transforming Brands featuring Simon Hill
President, FutureBrand North America
Transforming Brands
Here’s the truth about brand. It isn’t one-dimensional. The strongest brands create experiences across every sense, building memories that last long after a purchase. In episode 97 of Brand Story, Simon Hill, President, FutureBrand North America, shares how the best brands stand out in markets where products often look the same. We explore the frameworks FutureBrand uses to align leaders and global teams, how emotion tips decisions, and why consistency across every sense matters more than ever.
The Devil Emails at Midnight featuring Mita Mallick
Wall Street Journal & USA Today Best Selling Author
The Devil Emails at Midnight
Bad bosses are everywhere. We’ve all worked with them, and if we’re honest, we’ve all had moments where we’ve been them. In episode 96 of Brand Story, Mita Mallick, Wall Street Journal & USA Today Best Selling Author, returns to the podcast to talk about her new book, The Devil Emails at Midnight. We explore why toxic behaviors are so persistent in the workplace, how leaders can recognize when they’re slipping into bad habits, and what it takes to build cultures that people actually want to be part of.
Building Brand Loyalty featuring Phyllis Rothschild
CMO of Pete & Gerry's Organics
Building Brand Loyalty
How do you stand out in a crowded market where products all look the same? By building a brand that’s authentic, consistent, and audience-first.
In episode 95 of Brand Story, we speak with Phyllis Rothschild, CMO of Pete & Gerry’s Organics, to explore how she helped turn a commodity into a mission-driven brand that people trust and stay loyal to. From redefining what loyalty really means to balancing creativity with consistency, this conversation highlights the marketing principles that make any brand stronger.
Authentic Storytelling featuring Toby Myles
Strategic Copywriter
Authentic Storytelling
Toby Myles, Strategic Copywriter, knows the power of a good story, and she’s built her business on helping others tell theirs. In episode 94 of Brand Story, she talks about why storytelling is the most human (and effective) marketing tool we have and how to spot stories hiding in plain sight. From her Spoonful of Comfort email marketing story to her Core 8 Story Hub framework, Toby offers insight on building genuine connections, creating empathetic campaigns, and making space for the moments that matter most.
Experience is Brand featuring John McNeil
Founder & CEO of John McNeil Studio
Experience is Brand
In episode 93 of Brand Story, we sit down with John McNeil, Founder & CEO of John McNeil Studio, for a candid conversation about what it really means to build a brand. From his early days in traditional agencies to pioneering the studio model, John shares how his team helps brands move beyond deliverables and a system where everything from strategy to media to brand experience works together.
Branding Beyond Algorithms featuring Rand Fishkin
Cofounder & CEO of SparkToro
Branding Beyond Algorithms
In episode 92 of Brand Story, we welcome back Rand Fishkin, Cofounder & CEO of SparkToro, to talk about brand vs. algorithm, the value of real audience research, and the dangers of chasing attention without purpose. He shares the story behind SparkToro, why so many marketers don’t actually know their audience, and how optimizing for vanity metrics can lead you astray.
Marketing in a Zero-Click World featuring Rand Fishkin
Cofounder & CEO of SparkToro
Marketing in a Zero-Click World
In today’s digital landscape, marketers are being asked to do more with less—less clarity, less control, and often, less trust in what’s actually working. To explore this shift, we sat down with Rand Fishkin, Cofounder & CEO of SparkToro, to unpack what’s changing, what’s still true, and what marketers need to relearn to build brands that actually resonate. From zero-click search to the surprising power of so-called “vanity metrics,” this episode challenges the way we think about digital success and makes the case for more thoughtful, audience-first marketing.
The Happiness Advantage featuring Mark Lester
Co-Founder and CSO at Squint
The Happiness Advantage
What if happiness is the most powerful brand strategy no one’s paying attention to? Mark Lester, Co-Founder and CSO at Squint, joins us to talk about how brands can drive massive impact, not by leaning harder into industry claims or trend forecasts, but by reconnecting with something far more fundamental: joy. From reimagining OLIPOP as a “happiness drink” to rebuilding brand trust one hike at a time, Mark shares how deep listening, emotional resonance, and strategic empathy can transform the way brands show up in the world.
The Evolution of Branding featuring Troy Hitch
Global Chief Creative Officer at RAPP
The Evolution of Branding
Creative leadership, brand strategy, and the future of the industry—Troy Hitch, Global Chief Creative Officer at RAPP, shares how he approaches it all. From empowering teams to rethinking the role of brand in an AI-driven world, episode 89 explores what it means to lead well and build work that resonates.
Community in Advertising featuring Gina Grillo
President and CEO of The ADVERTISING Club of New York
Community in Advertising
Gina Grillo, President and CEO of The ADVERTISING Club of New York, joins us on episode 88 of Brand Story to talk about building community in advertising, staying relevant through change, and why it’s time to rethink who gets a seat at the table. From championing diversity to shaking up the ANDY Awards, Gina shares what it takes to lead with intention—and why bravery still matters in creative work.
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Read the news about Brand Story’s fourth season.