The MadMen Pod

Rooted in Green: Unpacking Sustainability in Marketing In this Earth Day special, we delve deep into how brands are integrating sustainability into their DNA and the broader implications beyond environmental stewardship. Join Sameer, Adeel, and Salim as they explore compelling examples of companies making a real impact, and scrutinize those whose efforts might not be as green as they appear. What's Inside: Sustainability in Brand DNA: Discover how companies like Patagonia, Fab Brick, and Microsoft are embedding eco-conscious practices into the core of their business strategies, setting benchmarks for industry peers. Social Sustainability: We go beyond the environment to discuss how brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Lego, and Airbnb are addressing social sustainability, championing community initiatives, and fostering inclusive practices that contribute to societal well-being. Eco-Fails: A critical look at brands accused of greenwashing. We examine Amazon, H&M, and Volkswagen to understand where companies may fall short in their eco-friendly promises, shedding light on the thin line between marketing and reality. This episode strips back the green facade to reveal the true colors of sustainability in marketing. Tune in as we start with Sameer's introduction, immediately diving into how these brands are crafting a more sustainable future or merely painting a greener picture.  

Season 2 is here and this week Salim’s takeover the episode with 3 segments. What’s trending  Predicting the winners  Market insights  In What’s Trending segment we talk about micro trends like Trader Joe’s mini tote bags, Stanley Cups; we discuss the rise in women’s soccer and the market potential and last we discuss how Starbucks cancels the CMO role. In the predict winner section we talk about which brands will win March Madness Lastly we discuss what’s more important branding or demand generation.

Meta partnering with Amazon is a win-win-win situation. Brands can sell more. Meta gets the data. And users get a seamless shopping experience. Can Kraft Real Mayo make "moist" the Webster Word of the Year? Sirius XM is rebuilding and rebranding, becoming a winning audio company. But can it beat the big players out there? We finally have a replacement to the smartphone - AI Pin by Humane. Govee is more than just cool background lights - it's an entire community of artists.

Walmart launches its Black Friday ad with iconic characters from Mean Girls, all grown up. TikTok Shop is exploring grocery delivery, but are they underestimating how complex that is? Yeti gets ambassadors to map their favorite hikes and upload them to Google Street View. Dude Perfect gets its own streaming service, signaling the next tier of creator content. CGI by fashion brands gives shoppers a whole new perspective of products. WeWork stock crashed, but they aren't the ones to watch.

Captain Morgan gets in to the alcohol-free game. McDonald's in Loki is a masterclass on product placement. Michelin gives out stars for restaurants, and now keys for hotels. Poppi is doing things Coke and Pepsi can't even do. Songtradr is a beast in B2B, and make a play to buy Bandcamp to get in to DTC. Las Vegas Sphere looks like a hit... so far. RFK Jr. "re-brands."

Episode 12 Kelly Helfman (instagram.com/kellyhelfman), the President of the Fashion Division of Informa Markets, the parent company of Magic, Coterie, and Project sits down with Adeel (instagram.com/adeelmitha) to discuss fashion branding for consumers and wholesale. She talks Magic Trade Show, Celebrity-backed Fashion Brands like D'Amelio Footwear, Skims, and Good American. She also gives her takes on Hailey Bieber's collab with Krispy Kreme, the Premiumization of Fossil and Ralph Lauren, and Walmart growing their fashion arm.   Connect with Adeel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeel-mitha/ Connect with Sameer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbadruddin/ Connect with Salim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamsalim/ Check out Kelly's Podcast: The Custom Made Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-custom-made-podcast/id1704924264

Trader Joe's doubles down on its people, not technology, to create the best shopper experience. Salim has a broken experience buying swole supplies at GNC, indicating that seamlessness is an expectation, not a convenience. When Kleenex, Bandaid, Google and Uber market their product so well they became the product. Axe making a comeback, but not as the millennial's locker room body spray. "Woke" is out, rugged masculinity is in. Bobbi is attracting superstars and blowing up, despite the drama and conspiracy.

The Duchess of Dakota, Sarah Westerman, joins us this week. Why are CEOs publicly degrading their staff? La-Z-Boy stands up for your right to be lazy by sitting down. Victoria Secret Fashion Show is back. Seeq protein out of Sioux Falls is on fire. Baboon to the Moon brings design and utility together. Madden NFL 24 releases this week and gamers are already prepared to be disappointed. Overstock.com buys Bed Bath & Beyond's IP, with no 20% off coupons.

Nike gets into Experiential Retail with a new boutique gym. Mullets are back and Fritos and Floyds partner together. Mattel is hiring a Chief Uno Player that pays $4,444 a week. Adeel dives deep in the Jesus Gets Us campaign, where Christianity is a brand. Claire's has a huge comeback story. Taylor Swift unites a divided America. and everyday people don't want traditional luxury products anymore.

Drake launches DrakeRelated.com so you can shop his house online. Love Island is partnering with Spotify, Google Pixel, and Spotify in a very Barbie way. Disney is retiring Mickey Mouse, because they have to. Target calls their shoppers "guests" because they are all-in on customer experience. Roblox is giving VR a much-needed boost. Gap is having its moment of relevancy, but can they seize the opportunity? Kith co-labs like Supreme, but in a more tasteful way.

Taco John gives up its rights to "Taco Tuesday" and missed a prime opportunity. Skims is now valued at $4 billion, but is it overhyped? The MSG Sphere took 5 years and $2.3 billion to build, but will it ever payoff? We dive into Edward Bernays, the father of propaganda. Sonesta is a brand you haven't heard of, and they embrace it. What's next for Harley Davidson to go after Gen Z? Disney on the fall. And Adeel the NPC makes an appearance.

Starbucks doubles down on Oleoto, and what olive oil in coffee means for their brand. Lamborghini has sold its last fully gas-powered supercar, making the future of supercars all electric. Slurpee rebranded to a questionable logo design. Lots of love for France who gets this week's Ad Champagne for their Women's Soccer ad and Polène is a brand to watch, along with Liquid Death and a shoe brand made of sugar canes.   

Everyone logged on to Threads last week, but will they stay on? Celebrities keep launching more alcohol brands during the sober-curious movement. NBA evolves once again with the In-Season Tournament, but are they solving problems or creating new ones? More retailers want their fair share of the Prime Day Pie. And Nikon doubles-down on the real world while everyone chases after AI. Listen in for an for a hot take on the GOAT of all GOATs.

Barbie is THE movie of the summer, but is it overmarketed and set up to fail? Bud Light CEO doing the inevitable media circuit, but is it a tad too late to minimize the damage? Grab your milk and cookies and dive deep into one of the most awarded campaigns from Cannes Lions Festival 2023. Adeel, Salim, and Sameer share their takes on up-and-coming brands to watch. 

Summary In this conversation, Sameer and Adeel discuss two provocative topics: the concept of authenticity in marketing and the shift from managerial mode to founder mode CEOs. They challenge the idea of authenticity in marketing, arguing that it is overrated and often used as a buzzword without clear meaning. They suggest that innovation, clarity, and adaptability are more important in marketing. They also discuss the importance of founder mode CEOs, who are deeply involved in the details and drive innovation, compared to managerial mode CEOs who focus on following processes. They highlight the need for companies to embrace founder mode to stay competitive and innovative.   Keywords: authenticity, marketing, innovation, founder mode, managerial mode, CEOs   Takeaways Authenticity in marketing is overrated and often used as a buzzword without clear meaning. Innovation, clarity, and adaptability are more important. Founder mode CEOs, who are deeply involved in the details and drive innovation, are more effective in companies that require constant innovation. Companies need to embrace founder mode to stay competitive and innovative, rather than relying on traditional managerial mode. Technology and remote work have enabled companies to flatten hierarchies and empower employees to take more ownership and responsibility. Sound Bites "Authenticity in marketing is the biggest marketing scam of the century." "Founder mode CEOs are deeply involved in the nitty gritty and drive innovation."  

Check out Jeff Mack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreymack/ Summary In this conversation, Salim Gheewalla and Jeff Mack discuss the importance of creativity in marketing and how it can lead to sales revenue. They emphasize the need for marketers to find their unique selling proposition and differentiate themselves from competitors. They also highlight the significance of understanding the target audience and creating personalized messaging. The conversation touches on the limitations of traditional marketing funnels and the need to focus on both in-market buyers and cultivating a community of engaged prospects over time. The traditional marketing funnel is no longer effective in generating demand and influencing purchase decisions. The days of pushing customers through a linear funnel are over. Instead, marketing now focuses on acquiring memories and building brand trust and credibility. This is especially important in the B2B space, where branding is becoming more similar to B2C. Marketing's job is to make sales easier, and this can be achieved by personalizing campaigns and showing customers how you can help them in a relevant and meaningful way. Communication and goal-setting are crucial for success in marketing. Keywords creativity, marketing, sales revenue, differentiation, target audience, personalized messaging, marketing funnels, marketing funnel, demand generation, branding, B2B, B2C, acquiring memories, brand trust, credibility, personalization, communication, goal-setting Takeaways Creativity is a company's competitive advantage in a commoditized marketing landscape. Marketers should focus on finding their unique selling proposition and differentiating themselves from competitors. Understanding the target audience and creating personalized messaging is crucial for success. Traditional marketing funnels may be outdated, and marketers should focus on both in-market buyers and cultivating a community of engaged prospects over time. The traditional marketing funnel is no longer effective in generating demand and influencing purchase decisions. Marketing now focuses on acquiring memories and building brand trust and credibility. Branding is becoming more important in the B2B space, similar to B2C. Marketing's job is to make sales easier by personalizing campaigns and showing customers how you can help them. Communication and goal-setting are crucial for success in marketing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 03:01 The Power of Creativity in Marketing and Sales 06:31 Finding Your Unique Selling Proposition 10:44 Understanding the Target Audience and Personalized Messaging 13:34 Rethinking the Traditional Marketing Funnel 22:51 The Death of the Traditional Marketing Funnel 25:09 Acquiring Memories: The New Focus of Marketing 26:23 Branding in the B2B Space: Similarities to B2C 30:02 Making Sales Easier: Personalization and Customer Help 31:18 The Importance of Communication and Goal-Setting in Marketing

Summary The conversation covers various topics including the appeal of unsexy jobs, the rise and fall of trends, and the potential downfall of companies like Tesla and Netflix. The hosts discuss the need to rebrand and market unsexy jobs to make them more appealing to younger generations. They also highlight the importance of timing and cultural relevance in the success of trends. The conversation concludes with shoutouts to the beverage company Water Drop, the alternative retailer Canify, and the shoe line Sneaks by Sarah Blakely. Keywords: unsexy jobs, appeal, rebranding, marketing, trends, timing, cultural relevance, downfall, Tesla, Netflix, Water Drop, Canify, Sneaks Takeaways Unsexy jobs can be made more appealing through rebranding and marketing efforts. Timing and cultural relevance play a significant role in the success of trends. Companies like Tesla and Netflix may face challenges and potential downfall due to intense competition and changing market dynamics. Shoutouts to Water Drop, Canify, and Sneaks for their innovative approaches in their respective industries. Sound Bites "Let's rebrand it, right? Let's call it hydro technician, let's call it that." "I think Netflix is going to fail." "I'm going blank, man. I just went total blank." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Discussion on Unsexy Jobs 10:14 The Rise and Fall of Trends 13:30 The Changing Job Landscape 21:39 Making Unsexy Jobs More Appealing 29:19 The Potential Downfall of Companies 36:23 Shoutouts to Water Drop, Canify, and Sneaks 40:28 Conclusion and Farewell

Summary In this conversation, the hosts discuss the idea of bridging established brands into new industries based on their brand ethos. They explore the concept of Apple building homes, Nike designing cars, and Gucci entering the gaming industry. Each idea is discussed in detail, including potential features, designs, and market positioning. The hosts highlight the potential for these brands to leverage their existing brand equity and customer loyalty to succeed in new industries. In this conversation, the hosts discuss potential brand extensions for well-known companies. They explore the idea of Gucci entering the gaming industry, Disney creating educational institutions, Tesla launching a clothing line, and Patagonia venturing into the food market. The hosts provide insights into each concept, discussing the potential benefits and challenges. They emphasize the importance of aligning brand values and maintaining differentiation in these new ventures.   Keywords brand innovation, Apple homes, Nike cars, Gucci gaming, brand ethos, market positioning, brand extensions, Gucci, gaming industry, Disney, educational institutions, Tesla, clothing line, Patagonia, food market Takeaways Established brands can leverage their brand ethos to enter new industries and expand their market reach. Bridging brands into new industries requires careful consideration of design, features, and market positioning. Brand equity and customer loyalty can give established brands a competitive advantage in new industries. Collaborations and partnerships can enhance the appeal and exclusivity of brand extensions. Innovation and creativity are key to successfully entering new industries and capturing consumer interest. Brand extensions can be a way for companies to explore new markets and reach new audiences. When considering brand extensions, it is important to align with the core values and identity of the brand. Differentiation is key in brand extensions to stand out in the market. Sustainability and ethical practices are becoming increasingly important factors for consumers. Education can be made more engaging and effective by incorporating storytelling and entertainment. Fashion brands can leverage their design philosophies and sustainability practices to create unique clothing lines. Transparency and traceability are important in the food industry, and brands can leverage their existing trust and reputation to enter this market. Sound Bites "What if Apple built your home?" "What would a Nike car look like?" "What if Gucci got into gaming?" "Think about gamers on Twitch rocking Gucci gaming gear that really brings luxury to gamers on their streams." "The elegance of storytelling and connect them through that, the ideas of inspiration, the ideas of hope and the tools to make it." "The clothing line would feature garments like streamlined silhouettes, really subtle detailing, a lot of vegan leather, and probably a focus on the essentials." Chapters 00:00 Bridging Brands: Apple Homes 09:41 Bridging Brands: Nike Cars 16:07 Bridging Brands: Gucci Gaming 17:01 Gucci: Luxury Gaming Gear and Experiences 20:37 Disney: Educational Institutions with Storytelling 27:36 Tesla: Futuristic and Sustainable Clothing Line 36:33 Patagonia: Ethically Sourced and Sustainable Food Products

Summary   In this conversation, the hosts discuss various topics including the Olympics, trends in the marketing industry, and the challenges faced by small businesses. They also delve into the different compensation models used by ad agencies and the impact of Chinese manufacturers on the retail industry. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting small businesses and the need for a balance between performance-based and hourly billing in agency compensation. The conversation explores the future of small businesses and the potential impact of big companies and overseas competition. It also discusses the recent ruling that Google has an illegal monopoly on search and the potential consequences for the company. The hosts speculate on the possibility of Apple launching its own search engine and the implications for the advertising industry. They also touch on Apple's need for a new innovative project and shout out a friend's business.   Keywords Olympics, trends, marketing industry, ad agencies, compensation models, small businesses, Chinese manufacturers, retail industry, small businesses, future, big companies, overseas competition, Google, illegal monopoly, search engine, Apple, advertising industry, innovative project, shout out   Takeaways Supporting small businesses is crucial for their survival and growth. The marketing industry is experiencing changes in compensation models for ad agencies. Chinese manufacturers are having a significant impact on the retail industry. •A balance between performance-based and hourly billing can be an effective compensation model for agencies. The future of small businesses is uncertain due to competition from big companies and overseas competitors. The recent ruling that Google has an illegal monopoly on search could have significant consequences for the company. There is speculation that Apple may launch its own search engine, which could disrupt the advertising industry. Apple needs a new innovative project to maintain its position in the market. Shouting out and supporting friends' businesses is a way to promote small businesses and encourage community support. Sound Bites "Your friends and family probably never wanna buy from you." "Agency compensation is a huge tension point in the industry right now." "Chinese manufacturers will have the majority shareholding of clothing being sold in America." "They're here to stay is what I'm trying to get at. And we're just going to start to see it evolve." "Those will probably go away and that's a very real thing that we should be ready for." "I don't believe the majority of America will support small businesses."

This week's episodes double clicks on consumerism and introduce new products and or rebound trends that have large opportunities.  We talk about:   Virality of a nose job Powerpoint parties!  Amazon turns into Temu Starbucks gets into the energy drink business Plaud Note AI