Campaign Chemistry

Campaign US

On Campaign Chemistry, a podcast from Campaign US, we pick the brains of creative alchemists, business wizards and marketing geniuses behind the world’s greatest brands.

  1. Campaign Chemistry: Brooks Running’s Mike Peck

    1 DAY AGO

    Campaign Chemistry: Brooks Running’s Mike Peck

    In an industry where every brand is racing for a piece of the lifestyle pie, Brooks Running has stayed remarkably obsessed with one thing: the run. But as the running community undergoes a massive cultural shift—moving from solitary miles to a booming, community-driven movement—the brand is finding itself in a new position of influence. In this episode, Mike Peck, Vice President of Creative at Brooks Running, pulls back the curtain on Brooks’ "Creative Lab," and explains why he feels he has the coolest job in the business and how his team operates like a nimble agency within a global brand.  We also dive into the brand’s evolution, from its "Run Happy" roots to its recent high-impact campaigns and partnerships with running communities across the globe, as well as with high-profile runners, including the "superhuman" Cynthia Erivo, ahead of the Boston and London Marathons. Peck shares how Brooks balances technical performance with cultural relevance, the importance of showing up authentically (including in the social media algorithm), and why being "worthy of being cool" is all about staying true to the community that keeps them moving. campaignlive.com   Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.    What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min
  2. Campaign Chemistry: Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, creator of La Borinqueña

    18 MAR

    Campaign Chemistry: Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, creator of La Borinqueña

    What happens when a Puerto Rican superhero steps off the page and into the heart of a social movement?  For Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, creating La Borinqueña wasn't just about drawing capes and powers; it was about addressing a profound void in the stories we tell. As a graphic novelist and advocate, Miranda-Rodriguez has woven the real-world struggles, culture and resilience of Puerto Rico into a narrative that resonates across generations. In this episode, we explore the intersection of art, empathy and philanthropy. Miranda-Rodriguez shares how his commitment to authenticity has led to over a quarter of a million dollars in grants for Puerto Rican nonprofits and why he believes artists have a responsibility to be champions of diversity. The conversation also discusses the similarities with Bad Bunny’s role in mainstream culture and seamlessly incorporates Puerto Rican narratives into his music in a similar fashion. From the dominance of manga in the West to the ethics of brand collaborations and the importance of maintaining independence, Miranda-Rodriguez provides a master class in connecting with the Latino community and using storytelling as a vehicle for genuine social change. The sound bite "I follow the news. I follow the stories." The key takeaways To move beyond performative representation, storytellers must immerse themselves deeply in the culture. Miranda-Rodriguez is constantly listening to local news, debates and public radio such as Radio Universidad to stay in tune with the latest in Puerto Rico. Marketers trying to reach specific communities must immerse themselves in that culture rather than relying on surface-level assumptions. Purpose and profit do not have to be mutually exclusive. Social responsibility shouldn't be an afterthought or a PR stunt to make a company look “less greedy.” Miranda-Rodriguez uses an entrepreneurial and philanthropic model where a portion of sales directly funds the La Borinquena Grant Awards to support nonprofits. Embrace nuanced intersectionality. The Latino community is not a monolith; it includes Asian, African, mestizo and white backgrounds. Miranda-Rodriguez intentionally designed his main character to be a Gen Z Afro-Latina to counter Eurocentric media portrayals and represent the underrepresented. Integrate real-world issues organically. Miranda-Rodriguez weaves actual social and economic issues — such as climate change, privatization and the Jones Act — naturally into his superhero plots. Brands should align with social causes in a way that feels organic to their narrative rather than forcing a heavy-handed history lesson. Partner strictly on shared ethical values. When choosing brand collaborations, Miranda-Rodriguez requires partners to have an ethical approach and to embrace equity organically. He protects his IP by rejecting lucrative offers from brands that approach him with disingenuous motives. Create mutually beneficial synergies in collaborations. A successful partnership elevates both parties. The Chocolate Cortés Campaign featured La Borinqueña on its wrappers, while the comic highlighted the chocolate brand's farm-to-table practices and charitable foundation. Adapt to audience shifts while keeping your core identity. Recognizing that younger generations (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) gravitate toward manga over traditional Western comics, Miranda-Rodriguez adapted his work into a "manga criolla" format. He leveraged his own experience with manga and its role in Puerto Rican culture and history to seamlessly connect both worlds. Acknowledge and leverage your privilege. Miranda-Rodriguez openly acknowledges his "light skin privilege" as a lighter-complexioned Puerto Rican man, using his platform to champion diversity and push narratives of equity not often seen in mainstream media. Marketers should assess their brand's position and leverage it to uplift marginalized voices. Authenticity doesn't require a massive corporate budget. A multibillion-dollar corporation is not vital to produce high-value, impactful content. An independent, small studio can create authentic stories and secure mainstream coverage by being unique, accessible and deeply connected to its mission. campaignlive.com   Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.    What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    48 min
  3. Campaign Chemistry Rewind: 4As CEO Justin Thomas-Copeland

    25 FEB

    Campaign Chemistry Rewind: 4As CEO Justin Thomas-Copeland

    This week, we revisit a conversation from last August when we first sat down with Justin Thomas-Copeland, who was in his first 100 days as the new CEO of the 4As. We get to catch up with Thomas-Copeland again at our annual Convene conference on February 25th in NYC for the highly anticipated session, State of the Nation. In this conversation, the new CEO discusses his transition into leadership and his vision for the future of the advertising organization that services ad agencies. He discusses the need for agility in serving members, with a focus on developing next-gen talent, driving human ingenuity, enhancing community engagement and lastly, leveraging technology to better deliver 4As offerings. Thomas-Copeland also shares his take on the future of awards in the industry, the impact of entertainment and influencers on the ad industry and what brands he thinks are driving the future of marketing.The Takeaways Grace is essential when transitioning into new positions, especially in leadership roles.   Talent development, incorporating technology and community engagement are amongst the key focuses for the 4As moving forward.   Copeland aims to foster a culture of human ingenuity within the industry. Agencies need safe spaces to learn and grow, especially in the age of AI.   Talent management is a key concern for agencies.   Brand building must adapt to new consumer behaviors. There used to only be ad agencies to execute brand messaging; today, there are a variety of services and specialized agencies to choose from.   Technology is reshaping the competitive landscape.   Awards need to evolve with industry standards and the incoming wave of new creatives who care less about awards and more about brand purpose and effectiveness.   The entertainment industry and the creator economy are changing marketing dynamics. campaignlive.com   Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.    What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min
  4. Campaign Chemistry: Campaign Convene Countdown

    17 FEB

    Campaign Chemistry: Campaign Convene Countdown

    The countdown is on.  With only two weeks to go until Campaign Convene, marketers are getting their passes ready for Campaign’s one-day conference in New York City. In this episode, editor Luz Corona sits down with Campaign data journalist Cecilia Garzella to peel back the curtain on the programming and themes defining this year’s gathering for marketing and advertising professionals. They dive into a jam-packed agenda featuring 11 high-impact sessions, ranging from the “State of the Nation” to complex legalities of bold, innovative campaigns to the possibilities of AI in marketing. It’s not just about the big names, though; it’s about the next generation of big names. The duo discusses the inaugural Spark Awards, celebrating 20 honorees who represent the most vibrant emerging talent in the field today, to be celebrated during a reception following the conference. This year’s theme, Rewired for Relevance, was created to inform marketers on major industry challenges and drive inspiration to keep brands and marketers at the forefront of creativity and innovation. Key topics include AI, sports, the creator economy and more. Registration is open now — head over to campaignUSconvene.com to secure your tickets and join us in NYC. Interested in reading up on the speakers, topics and brands featured in the lineup? Check out past coverage that paved the way to this year’s Campaign Convene for a preview. campaignlive.com   Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.    What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    11 min

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On Campaign Chemistry, a podcast from Campaign US, we pick the brains of creative alchemists, business wizards and marketing geniuses behind the world’s greatest brands.

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