Business Innovators UnPlugged

LA Times Studios
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

  1. 23h ago

    The Future of Omni-Channel: Why AI is Your Next Audience

    As audiences move fluidly across channels and devices, building a seamless brand journey is more complex than ever. How can marketers scale their efforts using AI without losing human authenticity? Recorded live at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, host Anna Magzanyan speaks with Elizabeth Barringer (President of Real Chemistry Media), Dr. Rukmini Iyer (Head of Engineering at Microsoft AI for Advertising and Commerce), and Xhemile Poley (Head of Global Marketing and Events at LG Ad Solutions) to explore the future of omni-channel brand experiences. They discuss the critical difference between personalization and relevance, the risks of hyper-targeting, and why brands must start marketing to AI agents. Key Takeaways: Consistency of Meaning: Brands should centralize their core message while allowing creative expression to vary across channels and audiences. The "Human in the Loop": AI is best used to scale up production and handle busywork, freeing up human creatives to focus on strategy and connection. A Window, Not a Mirror: Over-personalizing content can cause engagement to wane; audiences still need adjacent, real-world content to stay interested. AI as an Audience: The shift from the "internet of websites" to the "internet of agents" means brands must prepare their centralized story for AI consumption. Chapter Breakdown:The Challenges of Building Cross-Platform Brand JourneysWhen to Push Boundaries vs. Stay ConsistentConnecting Channels Without Slowing Down CreativityCreating Brand Experiences That Feel Genuinely HumanWhere Human Judgment is Still Essential with AIThe Future of Connected Brand Journeys How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

  2. Oct 28

    Brand Strategy: How to Sell Prevention & the "Invisible" ROI

    Selling a product that offers an immediate visual transformation is easy. But how do you market an invisible benefit like long-term cellular health?   In this episode of Business Innovators Unplugged from Cannes Lions, host Anna Magzanyan (President of LA Times Studios & Nant Games) is joined by Mona Rosene, Global Director of Medical and Science Affairs at Niagen Bioscience. They explore the brand strategy behind the booming longevity market and how Niagen cuts through a noisy, trend-driven supplement industry by leading with intellectual property and clinical data instead of marketing hype.   Key Takeaways:David vs. Goliath: Why independent research and patents allow science-first brands to outperform massive competitors with high ad spend.   Marketing the Invisible: How to build consumer trust and lifelong loyalty for a preventative product without an overnight fix.   Translating the Science: The playbook for turning complex biological processes (like NAD+ depletion and "inflammaging") into actionable consumer insights.   The Health Span Revolution: Why consumers are flipping the script from simply wanting to live longer, to demanding a higher quality of life.   Chapter Breakdown:IntroductionThe Consumer Shift: Selling Health Span vs. LifespanThe Elevator Pitch: Explaining Complex NAD+ ScienceBrand Building: Cutting Through Wellness Industry NoiseTranslating Clinical Data into Consumer BenefitsProduct Pipeline: What is Next in the Longevity MarketIdentifying and Targeting the NAD+ AudienceThe Marketing Dilemma: How to Sell PreventionQ&A: Why Unbiased Science Beats Big Ad SpendQ&A: Testing, Tracking, and Validating the Product    How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

  3. Oct 21

    The Future of AI Content: How Brands Avoid "AI Slop"

    When the cost of generating content drops to zero, the value of average content plummets. So, what is left to capture attention? Creative distinction.   In this episode of Business Innovators Unplugged from Cannes Lions, host Anna Magzanyan (President of LA Times Studios & Nant Games) explores how AI is forcing a complete paradigm shift in marketing. Joined by Jonah Goodhart (CEO, Mobian) and Gerry Dakin (Head of International Media, Restaurant Brands International), the panel unpacks why the world has split into human and AI agent audiences—and how brands must adapt to both.   Key Takeaways:The Deflation of Value: Why the infinite scale of AI generation has made human intuition the ultimate premium.   Marketing to Machines: How to rethink persuasion when AI agents make purchasing decisions instead of humans.   Avoiding "AI Slop": Why challenger brands are cautious about fully automated creative.   The "Robot Marathon" Analogy: Why AI can mimic art, but only humans can create meaning.   Chapter Breakdown:IntroductionThe Zero-Dollar Content Trap & Deflation of ValueEscaping the "Sea of Sameness"What Does the Data Say About AI-Generated Creative?Should Creative Differ for Humans vs. AI Agents?How Do You Blend Persuasion Science With Creative?Can AI Ever Truly Understand Great Creative?The "Robot Marathon" Problem: Why AI Can't Replicate MeaningWhy Human Intuition is Still the Ultimate Algorithm PremiumCan AI Test Your Creative Brief Before You Spend?Organizational Shifts: How to Build an AI-Ready Marketing Team  How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

  4. Oct 14

    Tina Knowles on Legacy, Resilience, and Reclaiming Your Voice

    Tina Knowles sits down for a candid conversation about Matriarch, her memoir, and the line of resilient seamstresses she uncovered while tracing her family history. Ms. Knowles talks openly about rebuilding her self-worth after a 33-year marriage and the stage one breast cancer diagnosis that taught her to put herself first. She also covers building Houston’s biggest hair salon for professional women and how she became the stylist for Destiny’s Child almost by accident. Along the way, she shares how she raised Beyoncé and Solange as individuals, what makes a great leader, and the four words she would tell her 25-year-old self. Recorded at the 2025 Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards. Learn more about this year’s speakers at https://www.latimes.com/IW. 00:00 Introduction02:30 The message behind Matriarch04:40 Tracing a legacy of enslaved seamstresses06:21 Who Tina Knowles is today, at 7107:20 What it really means to be a matriarch09:20 Raising Beyoncé and Solange as individuals13:20 Healing and self-worth after a 33-year marriage19:15 Breast cancer and the case for self-care22:05 Building Houston’s biggest hair salon24:45 How she became Destiny’s Child’s stylist28:15 Leadership, joy, and purpose29:20 Four words for her 25-year-old self How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

  5. Oct 8

    AI & The 73-Day Knowledge Boom: Rebuilding Trust in Healthcare with City of Hope CEO Robert Stone

    By 2020, the pace of medical knowledge was already doubling every 73 days. With innovation accelerating even faster today, are we moving quickly enough to get life-saving breakthroughs to the patients who need them most? conversation with City of Hope CEO Robert Stone from the 2026 LA Executive Forum. Stone discusses how academic medical centers can better serve patients by focusing on "bedside to bench and back" innovation, breaking down silos between research and clinical care, and leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery, imaging, and cybersecurity. Beyond technology, Stone shares the strategy behind Access Hope, a bold spinout expanding specialized oncology care to up to 10 million people across the country, and explains why physician empathy and genuine human connection remain essential to rebuilding public trust in institutions.  00:00 Introduction: The LA Executive Forum00:55 The Real Competition and Bedside to Bench Innovation03:39 Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare06:10 Accessibility and Equity in Cancer Care12:18 Rebuilding Public Trust in Institutions17:20 Staying Grounded in a Demanding Executive Role18:57 Optimism for the Future of Medicine23:25 Conclusion and Outro    How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

  6. Apr 7

    Anthony Marguleas, Founder, Amalfi Estates

    In this episode of "Business Innovators UnPlugged," real estate agent and Amalfi Estates owner Anthony Marguleas breaks down why buying a home in Los Angeles feels harder than ever. Marguleas, who lost his Pacific Palisades home in last year’s fires, also discusses who is buying in burn areas, who's staying and what those communities may look like after the rebuild.   Marguleas and BIU host Anna Magzanyan discuss how the rise of celebrity-driven real estate has reshaped the market and why he turned down an offer to be in a reality TV show.  And for first-time buyers, he shares what actually works if you’re trying to break into today’s market. How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

  7. Mar 31

    Sabina Gault, CEO, Konnect Agency

    Sabina Gault is founder and CEO of Konnect Agency, a full-service communications and marketing firm in Los Angeles. She discusses building her brand, offers tips on crisis communications, and explains how she is rethinking PR for today’s audiences. Those interested in building a creative, high-profile agency will find insight here. How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

  8. Mar 24

    Meet the developer behind Koreatown’s comeback

    Jaime Lee helped turn Koreatown into one of Los Angeles’ most active development hubs. As the former CEO of Jamison, one of the city’s largest private landlords, she led major office-to-residential conversions, including 38 apartment buildings since 2013.   Lee has often been the only Asian woman serving on civic and nonprofit boards of directors. Her volunteer service has included the Board of Harbor Commissioners for the Port of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System Board of Administration, and the Board of Trustees for USC, where she earned undergraduate and law degrees. She’s currently serving as a member of the California Coastal Commission.   Now, she’s calling out the obstacles slowing housing and sharing how the city can fix them. How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

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How does becoming a billionaire overnight change a person? How is the next music superstar discovered? And for a pick-me-up, how about a fusion energy drink? Join LA Times Studios President Anna Magzanyan on "Business Innovators UnPlugged," a weekly podcast that goes beyond the headlines. From Fortune 500 CEOs to rising leaders in fashion, tech and real estate, each episode explores the decisions, risks and turning points that shape innovators and the worlds they’re building.

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