Episode 56
Brand Story Podcast

The Impact of Culture

featuring Dr. Marcus Collins

Best-Selling Author & Marketing Professor at University of Michigan

Dr. Marcus Collins, Best-Selling Author & Marketing Professor at University of Michigan unpacks the complexities around culture and human behavior with our president, Steve Gilman.

Ask 50 different people to define culture and you’ll get 50 different responses. It’s a word we often use but seldom fully understand. It influences human behavior more than we realize, and it’s the main topic Dr. Marcus Collins unpacks in this episode of Brand Story.

After an exciting career journey working on projects with Apple, Wieden+Kennedy, and even Beyoncé, Marcus now finds himself in academia where he continues to not only learn more about human behavior but teach others about it. Hear from Marcus as he walks us through the relationship between culture and human behavior and the influence it has on our thoughts and actions. Throughout the episode, Marcus and Steve engage in thought-provoking discussions about culture, empathy, and the power of emotions in decision-making.

About the Guest

Dr. Marcus Collins

Best-Selling Author & Marketing Professor at University of Michigan

Dr. Marcus Collins is a Clinical Marketing Professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and author of the best-selling book, For the Culture. Although an engineering student in college, Marcus’ career journey has been more focused on the art and digital world, starting off as a songwriter and then working as an iTunes Partner Marketing Manager before running Beyoncé’s digital strategy. Since then, he’s embraced the digital advertising world as a way to put his ideas into the world and inspire people to take action.

Quickfire Q&A

What's a piece of advice that you've been given that really stuck with you?

Marcus: It was by Steve Stout and he says, “if you have an idea that is logically sound and everyone else thinks you’re crazy, you’re probably onto something.”

What would you call this chapter of your life?

Marcus: My Phil Jackson years. His legacy, his impact, is his coaching, his ability to identify talent, pour into them and help them realize the best version of themselves. I feel like that’s where I am in my career now.

If you could give your younger self any advice, what would it be?

Marcus: It takes courage to be you, so be brave.

About The Host

Steve Gilman

As the President of Gravity Group, Steve is passionate about helping brands reach their goals through honest, creative marketing and powerful brand stories.

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