In this episode, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) engage with Dea Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of Variety, discussing the brand's rich history and its evolution over 120 years. Dea shares insights on her dual role, the importance of staying true to the brand's DNA while adapting to modern trends, and the significance of storytelling in marketing. The conversation also delves into the rise of branded content, the influence of creators, and the strategies behind successful events and partnerships in the entertainment industry. Takeaways Dea Lawrence emphasizes the importance of knowing your brand's DNA. Variety has successfully adapted while maintaining its core values. The brand is a leader in identifying cultural trends and moments. Branded content is a significant trend in the entertainment industry. Creators are essential for modern marketing strategies. Storytelling is crucial in both entertainment and marketing. Variety's events are designed to align with cultural moments. Trusting creators is vital for effective partnerships. The entertainment landscape is constantly evolving, requiring brands to adapt. Understanding audience emotions is key to successful marketing.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Variety's Legacy 01:18 Dea Lawrence's Journey and Role at Variety 03:10 Adapting a Legacy Brand for Modern Times 05:01 Reinventing Variety: New Events and Cultural Relevance 10:35 Trends in Brand Partnerships and Content Creation 17:21 The Business of Influence and Creator Marketing 22:32 Staying True to Brand Values in a Changing Landscape 24:34 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing

How does a 50-year-old gaming icon like Atari stay relevant in today’s fast-paced creative landscape? In this episode of The Brand Forum, hosts Jeremy Bloom  (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) sit down with Tim Lapetino, Creative Director at Atari and author of The Art of Atari, to explore how timeless brands evolve without losing their soul. Tim shares insider stories about building creative strategy at a legacy company, reviving Pac-Man x Atari collaborations, and balancing nostalgia with innovation. He also dives into the future of AI in creative work, the art of brand storytelling, and how Atari is connecting with Gen Z and Gen Alpha gamers through modern design and gameplay experiences. If you’re passionate about branding, creativity, retro gaming, or nostalgia marketing, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration. Takeaways Balancing Legacy and Innovation: How Atari’s creative strategy blends nostalgia with forward-thinking design. Storytelling First: Why emotional storytelling drives stronger brand impact than metrics alone. Reviving Classics: Insights from the Pac-Man × Atari campaign and what made it resonate. Passion into Profession: Tim’s journey from author and fan to leading Atari’s creative vision. AI as an Ally: How AI supports creativity without replacing human insight. Next-Gen Appeal: Connecting Gen Z and Gen Alpha to gaming’s original storytelling brand. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Atari’s Creative Vision 00:51 Guest Introduction: Tim Lapetino, Creative Director at Atari 02:02 Balancing Nostalgia with Modern Branding 03:48 Creative Philosophy and Brand Storytelling 06:42 Campaign Highlight: Pac-Man × Atari Collaboration 09:20 “Art of Atari” – Tim’s Book 12:19 Turning Passion into Profession 14:45 Creativity vs. Passion in Branding 15:32 Navigating AI in Creative Processes 17:09 Engaging the Next Generation of Gamers 18:37 Closing Remarks

Join hosts Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) on the Brand Forum as they dive into the inspiring story of Loren, founder of Sweet Loren's. From battling Hodgkin's lymphoma at 22 to revolutionizing the cookie dough industry, Loren shares her journey of resilience, innovation, and authenticity. Discover how she turned personal challenges into a thriving business, and learn about the power of staying true to one's story in the world of brand building. Takeaways Loren's journey from being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at 22 to becoming a successful entrepreneur highlights the power of resilience and turning adversity into strength. Staying authentic and relatable has been a cornerstone of Sweet Loren's growth and success. Loren’s passion for clean, natural ingredients and her innovative approach to baking have positioned Sweet Loren's as a leader in the natural cookie dough market. Building a strong community and listening to customer feedback have been crucial in shaping the brand and its offerings. While leveraging AI for business growth, Loren stresses the importance of maintaining a human touch in the food industry. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 2:15 Loren's Personal Journey 5:30 Overcoming Challenges 10:45 Building Sweet Loren's 15:00 Branding and Marketing Insights 20:30 Future of Sweet Loren's 25:00 Closing Thoughts

Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) engage with Vinny Rinaldi, Vice President, Media & Marketing Technology at The Hershey Company, a leading figure in the marketing world, to explore the delicate balance between performance marketing and brand building. Vinny shares his insights on leveraging AI, maintaining brand authenticity, and the importance of emotional storytelling in today's data-driven landscape. The conversation offers a deep dive into the strategies behind iconic brands like Reese's and Hershey, providing listeners with actionable insights and industry trends. Takeaways Vinny emphasizes the balance between performance marketing and brand building. AI should enhance, not replace, human storytelling in marketing. Brand authenticity is key to the success of iconic brands. Emotional storytelling drives brand loyalty and engagement. The marketing landscape is constantly evolving with new trends and innovations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Vinny Rinaldi and His Journey 05:01 Balancing Marketing Strategies 15:01 AI and Technology in Marketing 25:01 Maintaining Brand Magic 35:01 The Power of Storytelling 45:01 Industry Innovations and Trends

In this episode of The Brand Forum, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) speak with Amy Benford, Head of Integrated Marketing for North America at Colgate-Palmolive. Amy walks us through her multifaceted career, from HBO to Campbell’s to leading marketing for some of the most recognizable CPG brands in the world. She reflects on what makes a brand resonate in today’s tech-driven, AI-saturated world and why performance marketing and long-term brand building aren't opposing forces—but partners. Amy also shares personal insights on mentorship, leadership, and how assembling the right team can shape a marketer’s growth. We also hear the story behind Colgate’s inclusive “Power of the Gap” campaign and how authenticity drives lasting impact.

In this episode of The Brand Forum, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) sit down with Lisa Perez, Vice President and General Manager of Marketing at Bayer. Lisa shares her experience leading well-known brands like One A Day, Flintstones, Aleve and Midol, and how her team keeps those brands relevant in an industry that’s always evolving. She talks about balancing brand consistency with the need to take creative risks, building good agency relationships, and what it means to stay curious as both a marketer and a leader.

In this episode of The Brand Forum, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) sit down with Zach Lain, Head of Media Strategy and Investment at PepsiCo, to explore what it takes to build brand love in a culture-led, Gen Z-driven world. Zach pulls back the curtain on how PepsiCo’s media approach goes beyond paid ads, tapping into authentic, creative storytelling and earned attention. From breaking the traditional brief to partnering deeply with creators and platforms like TikTok and YouTube, Zach shares how PepsiCo thinks about cultural relevance, media innovation, and risk-taking. Learn why Lain’s philosophy centers around staying uncomfortable, thinking like an editor, and designing campaigns that start from culture—not just from product.

In this episode of The Brand Forum, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) sit down with Brad Feinberg, VP of Media, Digital, and eComm at Molson Coors, to talk about what it takes to evolve iconic brands in a modern marketing landscape. With nearly 30 years in the industry (16 of those at Molson Coors) Brad brings a sharp mix of creative thinking and data-led precision. From leading transformations in media, digital, and e-commerce to integrating generative AI, Brad shares why brand equity and performance shouldn't be siloed — and how keeping a modern mindset is the only way to avoid becoming obsolete.

In this episode of The Brand Forum, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (Media and AdTech executive and America’s favorite plus one) sit down with Natasha Shaikh, VP and Head of Paid Media at Wells Fargo. Natasha brings a sharp, no-nonsense perspective on what’s real (and what’s rebranded) when it comes to AI in marketing. She shares how marketers can cut through the noise, evaluate new platforms amidst regulatory uncertainty, and stay grounded in strategic partnerships that truly move the needle. From her career beginnings in digital agencies to overseeing paid media at one of America’s biggest banks, Natasha gets candid about the evolution of ad tech, the risks of platform association, and the power of treating partners with empathy and respect. Plus don’t miss her hilarious commentary on trash TV, the genius of The Office, and why Level Up by Ciara is her walk-up song.

In this episode of The Brand Forum, Jeremy Bloom (Marketecture Media co-founder, OhHello.ai founder) and Josh Palau (marketing executive) sit down with Sarah Harms, VP of Ad Measurement and Marketing at Roku, to unpack what it takes to build a modern brand inside one of the most complex ecosystems—streaming television. Sarah shares what makes Roku more than just a TV device, how her team translates a technically advanced ad platform into a story that actually resonates with marketers, and how personalization and AI are reshaping the relationship between brands and consumers. They get into the strategic evolution of Roku’s brand story, how to maintain clarity in a crowded landscape, and what it means to be both a consumer-loved platform and a business-critical media partner. Plus, you’ll hear a few of Sarah’s favorite brands, her thoughts on career pivots in ad tech, and why shoppable TV might be closer than you think.

In this exciting second episode of Marketecture’s The Brand Forum, hosts Josh Palau and Jeremy Bloom sit down with Erika Lamoreaux, one of the driving forces behind Workday’s renowned brand strategy. Discover how Erika and her team leverage Workday’s forward-thinking culture to deliver meaningful experiences for both customers and employees. From adopting fresh brand perspectives to navigating the evolving world of HR and finance solutions, Erika sheds light on the powerful ways Workday stays innovative in a fast-changing market. Don’t miss this compelling conversation packed with insights on collaboration, culture, and building a future-ready brand.

Marketecture’s Jeremy Bloom and co-host Josh Palau go deep on what matters to brands. Each week the Brand Forum brings in leading brand marketers to talk advertising, media, and marketing through an insider's lens. In our inaugural episode, Josh and Jeremy sit down with Alex Birchmeier of Conagra Brands. Alex talks through testing new channels, pushing new boundaries, and all in all how he balances time and efforts across a powerhouse portfolio of brands.

The Brand Forum is the newest podcast from Marketecture. Every week we'll feature conversations with leading voices from brands, exploring their challenges, techniques, and vision for how to move advertising and marketing forward. Hosted by Marketecture co-founder Jeremy Bloom, and Pfizer's Josh Palau, we hope The Brand Forum will become one of your weekly "must listens".