BRANDED Leaders

Ben Kaplan and TOP
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In-depth conversations and actionable insights with the branding and marketing leaders who influence our attention economy.

  1. Inside Moët Hennessy’s Marketing Playbook | Regan O'Kon, Why Some Brands Last 100 Years

    09/26/2025

    Inside Moët Hennessy’s Marketing Playbook | Regan O'Kon, Why Some Brands Last 100 Years

    Centuries of champagne and cognac tradition don’t survive on heritage alone. Regan O’Kon, SVP of Commercial Marketing at Moët Hennessy USA, shows how iconic maisons like Dom Pérignon, Hennessy, and Belvedere evolve through cultural moments, rituals, and innovation. From U.S. Open activations to music festivals and new serves like the Henny Rita, this is how luxury brands stay relevant while protecting their legacy.

    25 min
  2. The Job-Killing Myth About AI (And What Will Actually Replace You)

    08/22/2025

    The Job-Killing Myth About AI (And What Will Actually Replace You)

    In this episode of Branded Leaders, host Ben Kaplan sits down with Leila Woodington, CMO at VEED, to talk about marketing in one of the fastest-changing spaces in tech: AI video.Leila shares how VEED balances brand and performance in a world where competitors shift overnight, why speed of execution is everything, and how the company helps non-professionals turn ideas into videos without needing editing skills.From AI “wow” moments to practical “AI how” use cases, she explains what it takes to stay relevant, build brand in a commoditized space, and turn rapid change into an advantage.

    35 min
  3. From Skepticism to Success: Scaling an AI Brand with Brooke Cunningham

    08/13/2025

    From Skepticism to Success: Scaling an AI Brand with Brooke Cunningham

    In this episode of Branded Leaders, host Ben Kaplan sits down with Brooke Cunningham, Chief Marketing Officer at LogicMonitor, to unpack what it takes to lead global marketing in the agentic AI era.Brooke shares how she’s scaling an AI-powered observability platform in one of the most competitive markets in tech — from launching products that cut alert noise by 70% in an hour to building partner ecosystems that deliver exponential value.They discuss how to market when the landscape changes every quarter, why a learner’s mindset is a leadership superpower, and how to turn AI skepticism into trust with real proof points. If you want a front-row seat to how top CMOs are redefining marketing, this one’s for you.

    26 min
  4. The Secret Behind Marketing 8 Brands at Once (Without Losing Your Mind)

    08/01/2025

    The Secret Behind Marketing 8 Brands at Once (Without Losing Your Mind)

    What do gummy sharks, nostalgic sundaes, and spontaneous celebrity shoutouts have in common? Lauren Lumbley, VP of Marketing at Brix Holdings. She’s the creative force behind campaigns for Red Mango, Clean Juice, Orange Leaf, Friendly’s, and more.In this episode of Branded Leaders, Lauren reveals how she crafts emotional, omni-channel campaigns that actually get attention — even from the Jonas Brothers. From going viral on TikTok to launching a real partnership off a late-night TV mention, this is a masterclass in riding the cultural wave.We talk seasonal marketing that actually works, how to manage 120 franchisees without losing your mind, and what makes a great leader in the age of AI, coconut cream, and dopamine-driven scrolling.If you’ve ever tried to make frozen yoghurt famous, this one’s for you.

    23 min
  5. From VP Ego to CMO Clarity: Mark Wheeler’s Leadership Lessons

    07/25/2025

    From VP Ego to CMO Clarity: Mark Wheeler’s Leadership Lessons

    On this episode of Branded Leaders, host Ben Kaplan sits down with Mark Wheeler, Chief Marketing Officer at Storyblok, to unpack 30 years of hard-earned wisdom from the world of B2B tech. From navigating complex teams to avoiding the VP ego trap, Mark shares what it really takes to lead with authenticity. He also breaks down how “joyful headless” became more than just clever branding—it became Storyblok’s North Star, backed by real customer smiles and a facial recognition study. Yes, seriously.

    34 min
  6. From Fast Lanes to Fortune 100: Colin Fleming’s Journey

    07/18/2025

    From Fast Lanes to Fortune 100: Colin Fleming’s Journey

    In this episode of Branded, we sit down with Colin Fleming, Chief Marketing Officer at ServiceNow, whose journey from professional race car driver to Fortune 100 CMO is anything but conventional. Colin shares how his background in motorsport prepared him for high-stakes marketing, why bold moves like slashing content by 50% can pay off, and how ServiceNow is redefining B2B marketing by putting AI to work for people. From building digital twins of buyer personas to shifting from lead gen to buying group strategies, Colin gives a behind-the-scenes look at how he's helping transform a behind-the-scenes brand into a category-defining force. Packed with insight, clarity, and a few unexpected laughs, this episode is a must-listen for marketers navigating the evolving intersection of brand, tech, and strategy.

    32 min
  7. MrBeast, Messi, and the New Lowe’s: How a CMO Builds Modern Brands

    07/11/2025

    MrBeast, Messi, and the New Lowe’s: How a CMO Builds Modern Brands

    In this episode of Branded Leaders, Ben Kaplan sits down with Jennifer Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer at Lowe’s, to unpack her extraordinary journey from a small Amish town in Ohio to leading marketing at a Fortune 50 retailer. Jen reflects on her humble beginnings, her first job in a hardware store, and the early aspirations that almost led her to become a hairdresser. Instead, she followed her mother’s encouragement to pursue college, eventually finding her path in marketing and retail.She shares the pivotal career moments that shaped her rise at Lowe’s over the past 19 years, including her move from PR into merchandising, where she learned to run a P&L and gained the business acumen that makes her a modern, well-rounded CMO. Jen speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, missed promotions, work-life balance as a mom and executive, and how grit, curiosity, and mentorship propelled her forward.The conversation also dives into how the role of the CMO has dramatically evolved. Jen breaks down how Lowe’s is using high-profile partnerships (like Lionel Messi, MrBeast, and the NFL), experiential in-store marketing, and a creator network not just to drive brand awareness, but to generate measurable business outcomes. She offers a clear vision for the future of retail marketing, rooted in cultural relevance, real-life experiences, and owning white space others overlook.

    28 min
  8. A Discussion with One of the Leaders Behind Complex, Sneaker Shopping and Culture's Biggest Comeback

    07/04/2025

    A Discussion with One of the Leaders Behind Complex, Sneaker Shopping and Culture's Biggest Comeback

    What do you do after helping build one of the most influential media brands in youth culture—then watching it get bought, sold, and nearly lost? If you’re Moksha Fitzgibbons, you buy it back. In this episode, Moksha shares the rise, fall, and rebuild of Complex—from launching Hot Ones and ComplexCon, to navigating corporate ownership under BuzzFeed and Verizon, to reclaiming the brand’s future. It’s a story about business, identity, and what it really takes to stay culturally relevant in a world that moves fast and forgets faster.

    33 min
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In-depth conversations and actionable insights with the branding and marketing leaders who influence our attention economy.

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  • Creator
    Ben Kaplan and TOP
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ben Kaplan and TOP
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    BRANDED Leaders