Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind

He built Thrillist. He bet on media. Now Ben Lerer is navigating a world obsessed with AI.In this episode, Jason sits down with Ben Lerer, co-founder of Thrillist, creator of Group Nine Media, and now Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau. They talk about the shifting tides of media, tech, and early-stage investing. From building one of the first great digital brands to navigating the rise of creators, platforms, and AI, Ben shares hard-earned insights on what it takes to survive—and thrive—through disruption.Key Takeaways:✅ Media brands chased scale, but the platforms took the audience (and the money)✅ In today’s startup world, no AI in the pitch means something’s off✅ Cost-cutting kills companies; real growth comes from bold bets✅ Great founders—not trends—should guide where you investMemorable Moments:💡 “The winners weren’t the publishers—it was the pipes.”💡 “We almost named it Ape Alert. That would’ve been a disaster.”💡 “If I need a calendar reminder to make a decision, it’s a no.”💡 “We believe founders are smarter than us. If we’re around great talent, we’ll end up in interesting markets.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

Launching a new product is never easy. But doing it during economic uncertainty? That’s a whole different challenge.In this mini episode, we explore how today’s shifting landscape—from tariffs to market instability—requires a smarter, more agile approach.Jason shares three core principles that can help entrepreneurs and innovators not just survive, but thrive during turbulent times. Key Takeaways:Agility beats the grand revealFocus on value without slashing pricesHarness power of community and brand trustBrought to you by Mekanism.

Not every brand explodes. Some rise slowly, and win big.In this episode, Jason talks with Nicholas Karrat, CMO of StockX, about the Soul & Science of marketplace models—and what it takes to build brand trust, cultural relevance, and business performance at the same time. A veteran marketer with experience across Fortune 100 companies and DTC startups, Nick has held leadership roles at AT&T, Citibank, Plated, Boll & Branch, and Tommy John. Now at the helm of marketing for StockX, he’s focused on staying true to the brand’s core while expanding its reach.Key Takeaways:✅ Every channel is both brand and performance—the only difference is timing.✅ Scarcity still drives urgency, but discovery starts earlier than ever.✅ Trust and authentic storytelling beat polish when you’re building for the culture.✅ For trend-driven products, TikTok fuels demand in real time.✅ Great CMOs trust their instincts and adapt with the people on their team.Memorable Moments:💡 “Everything we do is brand and everything we do is performance, whether you like it or not.”💡 “Now you know” isn’t just a tagline. It’s how culture spreads.💡 “People and vision beat category and paycheck. Every time.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

🐶 Adidas just launched a China-exclusive pet collection—and it’s more than just cute.In this Soul & Science mini, Jason unpacks the marketing strategy behind Adidas Originals’ latest capsule: apparel and accessories designed for pets and their owners. Matching outfits? Yes. Global rollout? Not yet.For marketers, this launch raises big questions:🧠 Is this a clever test-market move or a missed brand moment?📍 Why China first—and why not global?📱 How could influencer strategy have amplified the rollout?Whether you're building brand love or exploring new categories, there's a lot to learn from this bold (and adorable) launch.Brought to you by Mekanism.

Creative teams have the most impact when they’re trusted stewards of the brand—not just executors.In this episode, Fi’s Chief Creative Officer Bryant Brennan joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of in-house creativity, product-first marketing, and building brands with staying power.From launching Nook at Barnes & Noble to scaling Peloton’s creative team into an award-winning force, Bryant shares how to align teams, collaborate with agencies, and use design to drive results. He also shares how Fi brings those lessons to pet tech—blending emotion, data, and surprising uses of AI.What’s Inside:✅ Why internal teams need ownership to succeed✅ What Peloton got right about scaling brand and performance✅ How Fi turns utility into emotional connection✅ The role of AI in creative concepting and brand voice✅ The hallmarks of a truly collaborative agency partnershipMemorable Moments:💡 “You’re building the brand in every execution, big or small.”💡 “The best partners care as much about the product as you do.”💡 “It’s not that I have to. It’s that I get to.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

What do you call a streaming service that can’t sit still? Apparently, HBO Max… again.In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason unpacks why the HBO brand is once again reclaiming its name, and what this says about brand equity, consumer sentiment, and the fine art of knowing when to walk it back. From Gap to Tropicana to the Twitter-that-shall-not-be-named, some branding detours are better left reversed.Key Takeaways:✅ Don’t mess with strong brand equity—especially when it’s called “HBO.”✅ A reversal doesn’t have to be a failure if you own it.✅ Smart brands listen, learn, and even laugh with their customers.Backtracking isn’t always a step back. Sometimes, it’s just better branding.Brought to you by Mekanism.

Why does doing good still feel risky in the boardroom even when it’s good for business?In this episode, OBERLAND Founder & Creative Chairman Bill Oberlander joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of purpose-driven marketing and talk about why creativity, commerce, and consciousness can (and should) coexist.Bill shares his journey from Madison Avenue to launching a values-first agency that's now AdAge’s Purpose-Led Agency of the Year. He opens up about building OBERLAND from scratch, pitching campaigns like ELF’s So Many Dicks, and why he believes hustle, resilience, and unrelenting honesty are the keys to making good money, by doing good.What’s Inside:✅ Why a purpose-driven brief matters more than a purpose-driven agency✅ How “creativity, commerce, and consciousness” intersect in great marketing✅The origin stories behind some of OBERLAND’s boldest work, from pitching Thinx to launching ELF’s viral “So Many Dicks” campaign✅ Why brands that ignore social impact are missing their next generation of consumersMemorable Moments:💡 “You don’t need a purpose-driven agency to do purpose-driven work. You just need a purpose-driven brief.”💡 “The best new business department is just better creative.”💡 “Make good money. That’s the line.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

Just because it’s B2B doesn’t mean it has to be boring.This week on Soul & Science, Jason sits down with Jim Lesser, Chief Brand Officer at ServiceNow, the enterprise platform helping organizations simplify workflows and put AI to work across their business.Before stepping into the world of B2B tech, Jim led award-winning campaigns as CEO and Executive Creative Director at BBDO San Francisco, including the well-known "Imagine the Possibilities" campaign for Barbie. He shares how creative thinking, operational reinvention, and a people-first approach have shaped his leadership path.Jim talks about what it really takes to build an emotional connection in B2B marketing, why “marketing the marketing” matters more than ever, and how making yourself useful can unlock the next opportunity in your career.What’s Inside: ✅ Lessons from Jim’s rise from agency receptionist to CEO to Chief Brand Officer ✅ Why managing creatives is harder, and maybe more valuable, than mastering spreadsheets ✅ How ServiceNow is building a more human, recognizable brand in the B2B space ✅ The thinking behind ServiceNow University and the company’s growing community of usersMemorable Moments: 💡 “Make yourself useful, and your next opportunity will find you.” 💡 “Cool sh*t with cool people. That’s the billboard.” 💡 “If the product is innovative, the marketing should be too.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

From Prime to Chamberlain Coffee, influencers are making serious moves into the beverage aisle.In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason unpacks the rise of creator-led drink brands—and why the beverage industry has become the go-to playground for digital tastemakers. With built-in audiences and high margins, the formula is simple: influence + hydration = $$$.Key Takeaways:✅ Beverages are easy to produce and offer premium profit margins.✅ Built-in audiences become built-in distribution channels.✅ Drinks match the lifestyle-driven narratives influencers are already selling.Forget merch drops. The new influencer flex? Something you can sip.Brought to you by Mekanism.

In a world that feels more chaotic by the day, leading with clarity has never been harder — or more important.In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason explores how leaders can navigate the “liminal experience” of constant change. From reaffirming values to strengthening team bonds, he breaks down the strategies that help leaders anchor themselves—and their organizations—when everything else is shifting.Key Takeaways:✅ Ask the big questions: What do you value, where do you stand, and how can you move ahead?✅ Focus on fundamentals: core purpose, collaboration, and resilience.✅ Lead with stability and hope, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.Uncertainty isn’t just something to survive — it’s a chance to lead with more purpose, connection, and strength.Brought to you by Mekanism.

From TikTok trends to viral campaigns, brands are constantly trying to tap into culture. But what actually defines culture — and how can brands engage with it in a meaningful way?This week, we’re re-airing a great conversation from April 2024 with Dr. Marcus Collins — marketing professor, best-selling author, and cultural strategist.Dr. Collins, author of For the Culture and former Head of Strategy at Wieden+Kennedy, has worked with brands like Apple, Nike, and even Beyoncé. In this episode, he breaks down the deep connection between culture and behavior — and how marketers can better understand both.You’ll learn:How culture and marketing intersect to shape successful campaignsThe core elements that define culture and how we interact with itHow brands can show up with real cultural relevance — not just follow trendsBrought to you by Mekanism.

What do J.Crew, Tiffany & Co., and Prada all have in common? They’re falling in love with the written word. In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason explores fashion’s latest unexpected muse: literature. From literary salons to author collaborations, brands are embracing the written word in a digital age—and it's not just for show.Key Takeaways:✅ Fashion brands are aligning with literature to appeal to Gen Z’s love of books.✅ Literary collaborations give brands more depth, substance, and cultural cachet.✅ In a world of fleeting content, literature offers a timeless counterbalance.From “BookTok” buzz to billboards with classic quotes, Jason unpacks why the fashion world is rewriting its narrative—and what marketers can learn from it.

What do Trump’s new tariffs have to do with your brand strategy? A lot.In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason breaks down how the latest wave of tariffs is creating ripple effects across industries—and what it means for marketers trying to navigate a rapidly shifting economy.Key Takeaways:✅ Brands are reallocating budgets toward performance marketing as margins tighten.✅ Expect a rise in “Made in America” messaging to appeal to patriotic sentiment.✅ Companies will lean into transparency, explaining price hikes to consumers.From autos to electronics, tariffs are impacting more than just supply chains—they’re changing how we connect with customers.

Why are brands still hesitant to embrace AI in creative work—even when it delivers faster, cheaper, and often better results?In this episode, Superside co-founder & CEO Fredrik Thomassen joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of AI-powered creativity—and why the biggest barrier to AI adoption isn’t the technology, but human resistance to change.Fredrik shares how Superside is reshaping the creative industry, using AI to optimize workflows, scale production, and help brands break through the noise. He reveals the surprising ways AI outperforms human-generated creative, why the briefing process is the real bottleneck in marketing, and how companies can rethink their approach to creative strategy before they fall behind.What’s Inside:✅ The biggest misconception about AI-generated creative—and why brands still resist it.✅ How AI-powered briefing tools are solving the #1 bottleneck in creative work.✅ The Soul & Science of AI—why the real challenge isn’t tech, but trust.✅ Why brands that fail to integrate AI into their workflow will struggle to compete.Memorable Moments:💡 "People say AI can’t do strategy or taste—but the data tells a different story."💡 "If you don’t get your clients to embrace AI, you’ll be left behind."💡 "AI isn’t replacing creatives—it’s freeing them up to make better work."Brought to you by Mekanism.

CMOs have the shortest lifespan of any C-suite executive. Why?In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason breaks down insights from a recent Adweek article, exploring the top reasons CMOs get fired—and how they can avoid the same fate.Key Takeaways:✅ Overpromising results is the #1 reason CMOs lose their jobs.✅ Many fail to earn trust from CEOs, CFOs, and the leadership team.✅ Only 1 in 3 CEOs & CFOs feel aligned with their CMO.✅ CMOs need to “market the marketing”—internally proving their value.With CMO tenure averaging just 40 months, Jason will be focusing on learning how top CMOs gain buy-in, build trust, and prove their impact in upcoming episodes.

How do you go from leading an agency to coaching the next generation of leaders?In Part 2 of our conversation, Rob Schwartz—former CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day and now an Executive Coach—talks with Jason about the Soul & Science of Coaching. He shares his philosophy on guiding teams, unlocking creative potential, and moving businesses from transactional back to transformational.Rob breaks down where and how his GROW coaching framework works best, why deep listening is a leadership superpower, and how simply showing up—whether for a client, a team, or yourself—can make all the difference.What’s Inside:✅ How Rob’s GROW framework helps leaders set goals, align teams, and drive change.✅ The Soul & Science of Coaching—balancing instinct, psychology, and structure.✅ Why creative leaders need to understand business fundamentals, including finance.✅ How agencies and brands can move from taking orders to shaping bold ideas again.Memorable Moments:💡 "We’ve gone from transformational to transactional. Show up. Listen. Get to the real goal."💡 "Great coaching isn’t about telling people what to do—it’s about helping them realize what’s already inside them."💡 "Want to unlock creative potential? Start with values that actually mean something."Brought to you by Mekanism.

How do you turn creative vision into leadership success—and inspire a team to grow through disruption?This week, Jason dives into the Soul & Science of Creative Leadership with Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach and former CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day. Rob’s journey from copywriter to CEO is a masterclass in creative transformation. Using his philosophy of “Clarify, Simplify, Unify, Amplify,” Rob revitalized TBWA\Chiat\Day New York and led iconic brands like Nissan, Visa, and McDonald's to global success.Rob shares how his bias towards action and deep listening skills shaped his leadership style, allowing him to innovate in times of disruption and inspire teams to reach their full potential. He also opens up about his transition from CEO to Executive Coach, offering powerful insights on nurturing human potential and coaching the next generation of creative leaders.What’s Inside:How Rob’s philosophy of “Clarify, Simplify, Unify, Amplify” reshaped TBWA\Chiat\Day New York.The importance of listening and having a bias toward action in creative leadership.Why understanding the economics of an agency is crucial for moving from CCO to CEO.The lessons he learned guiding teams through industry disruptions and global crises.Memorable Moments:"Business is a creative act. Being CEO was the most creative thing I ever did.""Listening isn’t just about hearing words—it’s about understanding culture, trends, and human needs.""Great leaders adapt and grow with the times, just like great brands."Brought to you by Mekanism.

What if the secret to creating ads that truly connect isn’t in what people say, but in what their brains reveal?Pranav Yadav, founder and global CEO of Neuro-Insight, leverages neuromarketing—technology that measures neural signals to track emotional responses—to uncover deeper truths that help brands like TJ Maxx and Anheuser Busch craft ads that stir emotions and hit the perfect pitch.In this episode, you’ll learn:What neuromarketing is and how it’s revolutionizing the way brands are built.Why the first hour of a focus group doesn’t always predict real-world purchasing behavior.How an ad’s success hinges on associating the brand with peak emotional moments.Why being open to learning is the ultimate key to growth.Tune in to discover how Yadav blends science and creativity to transform advertising strategies.*This episode originally aired in January 2023Brought to you by Mekanism.

This week, Jason explores The Soul & Science of Entrepreneur Partnerships with Dustin Baker and Maya French, co-founders of HappyPop. As the driving forces behind Koia and now HappyPop, Dustin and Maya have redefined what it means to create purposeful products in the competitive beverage industry.Discover how their unique partnership has evolved over a decade, how they turned personal challenges into groundbreaking products, and why community is at the heart of their mission to deliver happiness and wellness to all.What’s Inside:How Dustin and Maya’s entrepreneurial chemistry fuels their success.Lessons from launching Koia, a plant-based protein drink, and HappyPop, a mood-boosting energy beverage.Strategies for building community and creating culturally relevant brands.Insights into navigating the ever-changing CPG landscape.Memorable Moments:"Great partnerships are built on trust, adaptability, and a shared mission.""Happiness isn’t just a product—it’s a commitment to making lives better.""Community is earned, not demanded, and it’s essential for brand success."Brought to you by Mekanism. 

What’s the secret to building lasting and successful partnerships? This week, we dive into the Soul & Science of agency-client relationships with Stephen Boehler, founder of Mercer Island Group and former Procter & Gamble brand manager. Stephen shares his journey from growing up in a family business to leading one of the most respected agency search consultancies. Learn how a serendipitous flight led to the creation of Mercer Island Group, his lessons from turning around the Pringles brand, and why fostering chemistry between teams is vital for innovation and growth.What’s in this episode?Why short-termism is a growing challenge—and how to refocus on long-term brand building.Tips for creating meaningful client-agency relationships that stand the test of time.How training gaps are impacting the marketing industry—and what we can do about it.Brought to you by Mekanism.