Scott Felsenfeld is a Detroit-based video editor at Hogarth, cutting brand campaigns for Ford. He’s also a filmmaker on the side, running a short film competition team called 52 Scripts. In this episode, Scott joins Catch+Release ECD Tom Christmann to talk about editing as storytelling, the impact of AI on the craft, and what it takes to keep creating when the tools—and the timelines—are changing fast.

In this episode of Lost In Found, Bianca joins Catch+Release ECD Tom Christmann to talk about how inspiration is everywhere, why the best ideas start with culture, and why being unafraid is Mischief’s not-so-secret weapon.

Jess Kirkman, the Global Head of Creative at Mattel, has made a career out of keeping some of the world’s biggest brands connected to culture. First at Taco Bell, now leading creative for icons like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and UNO. But her approach to brand building isn’t just about product launches and polished campaigns. It’s rooted in something much deeper: play. In this episode of Lost In Found, Jess joins Catch+Release ECD Tom Christmann to talk about why keeping creativity human is more important than ever and how Jess thinks her most important job is to help the human teams she works with to find their spark in an age of infinite content.

In this episode, we explore how photography can transform strategic thinking and why capturing real-life moments leads to richer, more authentic storytelling. Edward Cotton challenges the traditional approach to strategy, where research is often reduced to spreadsheets and data points, by introducing photography as a form of emotional data. He believes that by using visuals to tell stories, strategists can present richer, more authentic insights that connect deeply with both clients and audiences.

- Harnessing Creativity and Culture in the Digital Age - In the latest episode of Lost In Found, we had the pleasure of speaking with Abigail Posner, Director of Creative Works at Google. Known for her ability to seamlessly blend the art of creativity with the precision of data, Abigail brings a unique perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing marketers today. Throughout her conversation with our own Tom Christmann, Abigail shared deep insights on the enduring power of creativity, the importance of cultural understanding, and the transformative role of technology in modern marketing.

The Unsung Heroes of Content Production: A Day in the Life of a Content Producer In the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG), where kitchen table brands are built through compelling stories and creative content, producers are the unsung heroes who bring it all to life. In our latest episode of Lost In Found, we go behind the scenes with Mike Churchill, Executive Producer at General Mills, to explore what it takes to produce high-quality content for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. Mike’s journey through broadcast television, live events, and now content production at General Mills, has equipped him with a unique perspective on the industry. But it’s not just about technical skills—it’s about leadership, collaboration, and the ability to keep calm when the pressure is on. For Mike, and many like him, production is more than just a job; it’s a passion fueled by creativity, camaraderie, and the thrill of making something that resonates with millions of people.

Unlocking the Potential of Existing Content: This episode of Lost In Found features a guest who embodies the spirit of creativity and innovation in content creation: Robert Pascale. Learn about Robert’s incredible journey as a filmmaker and how he has helped countless creators bring their stories to life. From his time managing photographers for big stock footage companies to his new role helping TikTok influencers maximize their opportunities, Robert has always been bullish on creator content. So of course, Tom was excited to sit down with him and learn more about what makes this “Creator Whisperer” tick.

We're excited to feature Lesly Pyle, Associate Creative Director and copywriter at TRG, an ad agency in Dallas, Texas. Lesly exemplifies the power of community in the advertising world. She's a connector of people and ideas. With a storied career spanning several prestigious ad agencies and brands (including Apple!), Lesly has a deep well of experiences and relationships.

Connecting with Youth Culture Without Being Cringe: In this episode, our host (and C+R ECD) Tom Christmann speaks with Ben Harms, Chief Growth Officer at Archrival, a youth culture agency that's redefining how brands engage with young adults. Archrival, a youth culture agency based in Lincoln, Nebraska, with additional offices in Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, California, is at the forefront of redefining cultural engagement for brands aiming to connect with younger audiences. With a roster of high-profile clients such as Adidas, Red Bull, and Spotify, Archrival leverages its deep understanding of youth culture to create authentic and memorable brand experiences. Through a blend of strategic thinking, creative innovation, and a rebellious spirit, Archrival not only navigates the complex landscape of modern marketing but also serves as a great example of how brands can genuinely engage with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, fostering brand love and loyalty while driving sales.

Crafting Clarity in a Cluttered World: As marketers, it’s our job to help potential customers by cutting through the clutter with simple, powerful ideas that will spark their imaginations. And that’s exactly what the latest episode of the LOST IN FOUND podcast is all about. Our guest is Katie Riddle, Executive Creative Director at Mono, an award-winning creative agency with offices in Minneapolis and New York City.

A New Recipe For Creativity: Insights From An Innovator: In this episode of the Lost In Found podcast from Catch+Release, you’ll hear Tom Christmann's conversation with Micky Ogando, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Bakery, an independent creative agency based in Austin, Texas that uses art and science to connect influential brands to culture. Bakery exists to deliver craft, story and usefulness to an audience that hates advertising. Or, as they say on their website: “TL;DR: We make things people want.” Listen in as Micky and Tom discuss how starting the creative process earlier ensures that advertising is not just an afterthought but a fundamental component of product conception. And the results speak for themselves. By integrating marketing into product development, Bakery is redefining the role of a creative agency.

Diving Into Influencer Marketing: Are you a modern marketer who is looking for more authentic ways to engage with your audience? Have you wondered about the enticing world of Influencer Marketing? It’s a subject expertly unpacked by Sarah Saffari, CEO of Influencer Nexus, in the most recent episode of the LOST IN FOUND podcast from Catch+Release. Influencer marketing, as Sarah explains, is not just about choosing an Instagram celebrity with lots of followers. It’s about bridging a gap. It’s creating a symbiotic relationship where both parties thrive—a harmony between the brand’s aspirations and the influencer’s authenticity. It’s about crafting relationships that endure beyond campaigns, fostering growth and connection. One standout insight for CMOs and brand managers is the emphasis on long-term partnerships over transient campaigns. Sarah’s approach advocates for a continuous engagement with influencers, nurturing a connection that yields more than just one-off spikes in metrics. It’s about building a community around your brand, one authentic post at a time. How Much Does Connection Cost? Budgeting for influencer marketing can be a gray area for many brands. Sarah’s frank discussion on the financial commitments necessary to drive a successful influencer campaign is a much-needed perspective. The key takeaway? Invest with purpose and understand that influencer marketing is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Influencer fraud is a constant , Sarah gives us strategies for vetting and ensuring brand-influencer alignment. For brands looking to dip their toes in influencer waters, knowing the signs of genuine influence versus inflated metrics is critical. In an age where every follower count seems to scream louder than the last, Sarah’s preference for micro and nano influencers is a refreshing perspective. These influencers often foster a closer, more engaged community, offering a more authentic and engaging experience for followers—the holy grail of influencer marketing. Authenticity at Your Fingertips The most important thing with any campaign using real people is that those people, whether they be celebrities or micro-influencers, feel a connection and alignment with the brand they represent. Sarah reminds us that influencers are more than just promotional vehicles; they're passionate individuals who seek to forge genuine relationships with brands and their audiences. A good place to start looking for people who are already connected to your brand is to search the Creator Community at Catch+Release. You can find and license content that already mentions your brand, created by genuine users, fans, or even accidental advocates. This is not about staging a moment; it’s about capturing and amplifying the real, unprompted engagements your brand has already inspired. Thanks to Sarah Saffari for coming on the show. And for reminding us that, in the end, influencer marketing is about getting real reactions, real stories, and real connections. It’s as much about the resonance of the message as it is about the reach. For CMOs and brand managers looking to navigate this ever-changing landscape, remember: authenticity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the foundation of influence.

On the latest episode of the LOST IN FOUND podcast from Catch+Release, host and C+R ECD Tom Christmann sat down with Todd Unger, Chief Experience Officer, SVP Marketing and Member Experience at the American Medical Association to talk about X. Not X as in the platform formerly known as Twitter. X as in Experience. Only Todd the CXO doesn’t think the X should stand for that either. (“Stop saying Experience,” he says. “Nobody understands it.”) Instead, he says the X in CXO is about an intersection between the customer and the organization. “And the X has four components,” says Todd. “Product, marketing, commerce, and service. And my job is the integration of those elements toward growth and retention of customers. For the customer, those things all go together. When there's a problem and you're trying to buy something or do something, you’re not blaming the marketing department or I.T. You just want all those things to work together.” -AUTHENTICITY, ENTHUSIASTS + TORNADOES- At the heart of Todd’s ethos is a book he’s writing called The 10-Second Customer Journey: The CXO’s Playbook For Growing And Retaining Customers In A Digital World. In it, he says it’s time to put away the old idea of a slow and steady marketing funnel and start thinking of marketing as a tornado. “When you think about the typical way we think about customer journeys, it's pretty long and sequential. Awareness leads to consideration. Consideration to conversion. Conversion to loyalty,” says Todd. “The steps aren't necessarily sequential anymore. Now all of those steps are kind of whirled together. You can take someone from being completely unaware of who you are to checking out their shopping cart in 10 seconds.” The key, says Todd, is to start with defining your target. “People forget to start with the customer,” he says. “They usually start with the product. I came out of a marketing background, P&G, and then advertising with a big agency, Leo Burnett here in Chicago. And we always started with the target and the brand proposition. Until you have those things defined, there’s going to be friction in the system.” Once you’ve defined your target and your brand positioning, the storytelling begins. And that doesn’t just mean advertising. A lot of it, says Unger, comes down to treating them as enthusiasts and helping them find what they need. Like answering the questions they’re typing into Google. “You’re not just telling some made up story,” he says. “You’re helping people connect with your brand.” -FIND YOUR ENTHUSIASTS- Want to find the enthusiasts in your category? Catch+Release can help. By collecting and curating user-generated content from social platforms, brands can gauge the authentic sentiments, preferences, and inclinations of their audience. This can be a game-changer in shaping brand strategies and messaging. And, who knows, you might just find some really cool content to license. Thank you to Todd Unger for coming on the show. The 10-Second Customer Journey: The CXO’s Playbook For Growing And Retaining Customers In A Digital World is now available for pre-order wherever you get your books.

Unlocking the Future of Brand Experience: Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey into the future of brand experience? We've got an absolute treat for you in this episode of the Lost in Found podcast, hosted by Catch+Release ECD, Tom Christmann. In this episode, Tom sits down virtually with Wim Vanhenden, the Technical Director of Tool of North America. These creative production maestros have been at the forefront of the industry since 1995, consistently pushing boundaries and raising the bar in content production and creative technologies. Wim, broadcasting all the way from Belgium (with a few charming Belgian dogs making a surprise appearance), takes us on a mesmerizing journey through the intricate ways that AI is transforming the branding landscape. From reimagining the creative process to optimizing the production pipeline, from meticulously mapping brand assets to co-creating with customers, Wim lays it all out on the table. It's a masterclass in how AI isn't just a buzzword; it's a transformative force that's reshaping the way brands connect with their audiences. Are you intrigued yet? You should be, because this episode is a goldmine of insights for marketers who are eager to stay ahead of the curve. If you've ever wondered what the future holds for brand experiences, wonder no more – this is your window into the next era of marketing. Wim even takes us through a brand experience Tool helped develop for Coca-Cola that will really get your imagination going. So, whether you're a seasoned marketer or just dipping your toes into the exciting world of branding, this podcast is a must-listen. Tom and Wim are about to take you on a thought-provoking journey through the ever-evolving realm of brand experience. Buckle up, hit that play button, and get ready to be Lost in Found with Wim Vanhenden. Your marketing future awaits, and it's powered by AI! Don't miss out. Tune in now!

Creators, Content + Community: Aditi Rajvanshi is all about authenticity. Recently, the Founder of Brewing Awesome and Director of Strategy at Portal-A sat down with Catch+Release ECD Tom Christmann on the Lost In Found podcast to talk about authenticity, building communities and her roots at Google’s YouTube in 2009, at the beginning of the social media revolution. The Lost In Found podcast is a production of Catch+Release. One great way to connect with creators and license their content is to search the creator galleries on our platform. You can start your search at our Discover page. Search for your brand or industry keywords and see what is already being posted by some of the most prolific creators in the world. Create a free account and save your favorites to a collection. Licensing this authentic content is just a click away. Our licensing experts will handle everything from outreach to negotiation to payment. See more at catchandrelease.com

In this episode, listen to our conversation with Reginald Cash of 3BLACKDOT, an entertainment platform where brands get access to talent across the entire gaming ecosystem including athletes, celebrities, and actors who game. Reginald and Tom discuss how to work with creators, the importance of transparency and how finding diverse audiences may not be as hard as you think. Anyone who is interested in entertainment and influencer culture will want to listen to this one. From the 3BLACKDOT website: "We think about how to inspire today's generation and those to come so they may see and hear with pride their culture and experiences embraced on screen. Our work marries the best of Hollywood production with digital behavior, and goes beyond the screen into events and merch." 3BD has 9 shows in production or development at Netflix, Hulu, Sony, Max, and Snap. Their original, digital brands are rooted in gaming culture and driven by content creator partnerships. Each appeals to a distinct audience and lives across social platforms as distributed IP. Check out Gaming While Black on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@GWBShow/about. And now prepare to get lost in Found with Reginald Cash.

LOST IN FOUND: Episode 5 - Alona Fromberg-Elkayam - Embracing Web3 and Building Brand Communities - Welcome to another captivating episode of Lost In Found, the podcast that wanders deep into the world of creative marketing and explores new avenues for connecting with audiences through compelling content. In this episode, your host, Catch+Release ECD Tom Christmann, engages in an insightful conversation with Alona Fromberg-Elkayam, the mastermind behind Far From Timid (farfromtimid.com)—a brand and social commerce agency “where legends are made" through brand strategy, expression, and virtual and IRL experiences. Listen as we embark on a fascinating journey into the future of brand engagement. In this episode, we explore the paradigm shift taking place in the marketing landscape, where forward-thinking brands are venturing beyond traditional platforms like Facebook and Twitter to build their own communities on the blockchain. Alona sheds light on this exciting development and shares her expertise on topics such as the metaverse, omnichannel strategies, and the role of AI in shaping brand experiences. Key Discussion Points: 1. The Rise of Web3: Discover how modern brands are embracing the web3 era and exploring new opportunities in decentralized technologies. 2. Building Brand Communities: Explore the concept of brand communities on the blockchain and their potential for fostering deeper connections and engagement with audiences. 3. Real-Life Examples: Uncover fascinating case studies, such as Links Dao—an online community that united to create their own physical golf course exclusively for members—and how it exemplifies the power of decentralized communities. 4. The Game-Changing Potential: Delve into the transformative impact of web3 on brand strategies, customer journeys, and the overall marketing landscape. 5. Navigating the Metaverse: Gain insights into the metaverse and its implications for brands, along with the opportunities it presents for immersive brand experiences. 6. The Role of AI: Discover how AI is revolutionizing brand experiences, from personalized interactions to predictive analytics. About Alona Fromberg-Elkayam: Alona’s award-winning career has been dedicated to creating and amplifying mission-driven brands of the future with delightful omnichannel experiences and ground-breaking campaigns and content. She moved Marriott from a hotel company to a travel company, helped Doctors Without Borders rewrite food aid policy, launched America's first Japanese pod style hotel–The Pod Hotel, and helped IBM reach a new generation. Far From Timid is her second successful entrepreneurial endeavor, where she guides clients through strategic decisions about the metaverse, omnichannel, and AI. She has been invited to speak at events like NFTNYC, NFTLA, Soho House, SXSW, InternetWeek, In-House Advertising Federation and Advertising Week. As a woman and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, her leadership, work, and character is grounded and powered with love, truth, equality, and humanity. Join the Catch+Release community: Remember, Catch+Release is here to empower you in your quest for fresh and authentic content. Visit our platform to discover and license content from creators worldwide, allowing your brand to stand out in the ever-evolving digital ecosystem. - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/catchandrelease - Instagram: @catchandrelease - TikTok: @officialcatchandrelease

In the latest episode of "Lost In Found", the new podcast about UGC, Found Content and the creator economy from Catch+Release, host Tom Christmann engages in a captivating conversation with Brian Sykes, a graphic designer and advertising creative based in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Aside from his day job making ads, Brian’s been posting one AI lesson every day on LinkedIn since September of last year. In this episode, we explore what Brian has learned about the fascinating intersection of AI and human creativity. Brian shares his valuable insights and perspectives on this constantly evolving landscape from the perspective of someone who makes content for brands every day. Listen as Tom and Brian discuss the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the advertising creative process. 4 takeaways from the conversation that might be relevant to marketers: 1. REINVENT THE PROCESS Don’t be afraid to let AI create procedural efficiencies. For instance, you can now create a pretty detailed marketing plan in seconds. Brian tells us how he did that and how using AI for repetitive tasks leaves him more time to do the human stuff. Which brings us to our next point. 2. GET MORE HUMAN Yes, AI is scraping the internet for human intelligence to fuel new content creation. And yes, that serves up serious ethical and legal questions that must be answered. So companies should take this opportunity to lean into their humans. Use any time saved from procedural efficiency to build relationships with creators and partners. Because there will always be human creators. In fact, over 94% of Influencers admit to using AI themselves. 3. UGC > AI Billions of images and hundreds of thousands of hours of video are posted to the internet by real people every single day. This fresh, organic content can’t be replicated. It literally is human experience; Billions of real, human makers constantly producing remarkable content on every platform. The content is just a by-product of their real life experiences. While AI may be able to make incredible and interesting images, it cannot replicate the authenticity and meaning that come from genuine human expression in context. When it tries, the results have been laughable. 4. KNOW THE RISKS If the recent legal situation is any guide, AI is heading for a licensing problem. Now is the perfect time to consider a content licensing platform like Catch+Release, the producers of the Lost In Found podcast. that connects brands with authentic and resonant UGC content wherever it lives. Catch+Release offers a solution that enables marketers to tap into the vast well of human creativity, leveraging UGC across every platform. By licensing content from real creators wherever they are, brands can ensure they always get the most authentic and engaging content for their campaigns. So, what does AI think of this episode? We aksed it to listen. Here’s what it thought: “The Brian Sykes episode of the Lost in Found podcast offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolving landscape of AI and its impact on the advertising creative process. Through this engaging conversation, we gain insights into the procedural efficiencies that AI provides while recognizing the irreplaceable power of authentic human creativity. As we navigate the future, it is crucial to strike a balance between leveraging AI technologies and harnessing the immense creative potential of human makers worldwide.” Gee, thanks, A. Or should I call you Mr. Intelligence?

Our guest on the Lost In Found podcast this week is Patrick Holly, Executive Creative Director at Upwork. Upwork calls itself the world’s work marketplace. At its core, Upwork is a community of freelancers for hire. Developers, creatives, designers - even finance and accounting people. Together, these independent professionals earned over $3.3 billion on Upwork in 2021. Patrick’s team just launched a new campaign featuring a zombie CEO who comes back from the grave to tell us that the old way of working is gone. It’s a funny and shocking way to get the attention of hiring managers and getting them to consider hiring freelance help from Upwork. This episode is all about audience co-creation. During the pandemic, Patrick’s team took a throwaway social media post for international coffee day and turned it into something way more useful. They created their own coffee brand and hired some illustrators and type designers directly from the Upwork platform to design the logo and illustrate the bags. The bags also contained a QR code that allowed the recipients (hiring managers) to hire the designers immediately. The gift delighted clients and helped create real value for Upwork’s members. They even made a film about it. Everything Upwork does is in service of its audience. They found a stat about how moms weren’t returning to the workforce at the same rate as everyone else, so they made a film that espoused all the skills moms inherently have. It started as a scripted production. But Patrick decided to use Found Content instead. Catch+Release helped curate and license all the user-generated shots. You can see this beautiful spot here. Also, if you want to stay cool, check out the DEMO Fesitval (Patrick explains it in the episode). Want to co-create with your audience? If you see a post from a customer that you think you might want to use in your campaign, just grab the url and drop it into the licensing tool at Catchandrelease.com. You’ll get a downloadable file of the image, movie or audio clip. And our licensing experts will handle all the outreach and negotiation, including all the lawyer-y stuff like indemnifications. Join the Found Content revolution and see how real your advertising can get. License the internet at catchandrelease.com Thanks to Patrick Holly for spending some time with us. Lost In Found is a production of Catch+Release. Editor: Charlie Cusumano.

In the second episode of Lost In Found, we talk with Kevin Mulroy, Executive Creative Director at Mischief, one of the world’s top creative people working at one of the world’s hottest ad agencies. Host Tom Christmann and Kevin discuss how asking better questions is the first step to finding the insights that drive results. And how truth is the thing a good strategic marketer should always be looking for. Mischief was founded as a way to avoid the fear that pervades the big agency model: Fear of saying the wrong thing. Fear of losing a client. Fear of looking stupid. “We wanted to build a place where you remove that aspect of it,” says Kevin. “Keep asking questions. You get to better work faster that way.” The Mischief process is simple: 1. Figure out what you’re going to say. 2. Figure out the most provocative way to say it. But, as Kevin is quick to add, “you can’t do 2 before you really figure out 1.” Oh, and what you want to say has to be true. “We come up with 8-10 ways in and we all sit in a room and beat it up until we know it’s the truth.” And then every execution gets the same one-two punch. How do they find insights? “The short answer is we have great strategists,” says Kevin. The strategists at Mischief are culture curators. They’re always looking for ways to connect cultural touchstones with the client problem. In fact, everyone at Mischief does that. Kevin describes Mischief as “a strategic company dressed up like a creative one.” The result of listening in on all the things your audience cares about? As Mischief client and eos CMO Soyoung Kang puts it, “like a friend talking to a friend.” Want to find insights like Mischief does? Here’s a few tips: Use Google autofill and ask it questions about your brand, problem, category. This will show you what masses of people are thinking about right now. And what you find may surprise you. Ask more questions. Ask dumb questions. Lose the fear of being wrong. Participate in social media. You don’t have to be a teenager to use TikTok. You just have to be yourself. And living in the culture of your audience is the best way to understand them. Check out how Oliver McAteer does it for Mischief. Masterful. ABC. Always Be Curating. Keep a file where you put all the things you find that you think your audience would love to hear about from you. Set aside time each week to search until it becomes a habit. Need more curators? Hiire Catch+Release. Whether you’re looking for truth or simply a shot you can license, our curators are standing by to help.