Best Brands on Earth, from the Clios

Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel
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  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

What does it take to build something people don’t just buy, but truly believe in? BBOE brings you inside conversations with leaders behind the brands that have shaped culture and earned lasting relevance, unpacking the ideas, decisions, and creative ingenuity that made them what they are, and what any builder can learn from them.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 004: Dea Lawrence, Publisher and Co-President of Variety

    How does a 120-year-old brand stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape? In this episode of Best Brands on Earth, hosts Matt and Hayley sit down with Dea Lawrence, Co-President and Publisher of Variety. Dea shares her incredible career journey—from starting as an actor on the New York stage to navigating Silicon Valley, before ultimately returning to Variety to help scale its live events business, build the Variety Content Studio, and win a Daytime Emmy along the way. We dive deep into: Brand Authority & Trust: How Variety maintains editorial integrity in an era dominated by clickbait. Diversifying Revenue: Scaling beyond print into custom live events, digital features, and award-winning video series. Adapting to Industry Shifts: Lessons learned from tech disruption, global expansion (from Hollywood to London), and the rise of the creator economy. Career Growth: The power of non-linear career paths and leaning into high-energy problem solving. Key Highlights & Takeaways Editorial Integrity over Fast News: Why holding high journalistic standards creates a trusted, bulletproof brand that actors and executives continuously rely on. Building Future-Proof Ecosystems: Moving beyond traditional media revenue by expanding into video IP like Actors on Actors, custom tentpole events, and global partnerships. Culture Eats Disruption for Breakfast: How creating an open-idea culture where every team member is encouraged to pitch initiatives drives long-term innovation. Episode Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 – Intro Chatter: Costa Rica, Earthquakes & Fast Fashion Trends 06:08 – Affordable EVs, Wendy's Meme Stock & The Bear Finale 12:12 – Today's Song: Bert Williams and the History of 1905 14:00 – Introducing Dea Lawrence, Co-President & Publisher of Variety 15:10 – From Broadway Actor to Digital Marketing Pioneer 22:00 – The Cold Call That Led to Variety 26:55 – The 120-Year History of Variety & Maintaining Editorial Integrity 31:10 – Diversifying Revenue: Live Events, Award Campaigns, and Video IP 36:45 – Embracing AI as an Efficiency Tool vs. Human Storytelling 38:55 – Sponsor Break41:10 – Inside the Variety Content Studio & Actors on Actors 46:40 – Expanding Variety Globally (UK & International Film Festivals) 50:10 – Dominating Social Engagement: TikTok & Micro-Dramas 54:30 – Building an Open, Innovation-Driven Newsroom Culture 59:50 – The Current State of Hollywood & Shifting Production Hubs 01:06:12 – Crumbs of Wisdom: Dea’s Work Ethic & Drive 01:10:35 – Why Auto Brands Master Customer Loyalty 01:12:46 – What Makes Variety One of the Best Brands on Earth 01:14:18 – Episode Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell so you never miss an episode! 🔔#BestBrandsOnEarth #Variety #EntertainmentIndustry #MediaStrategy #DeaLawrence #ActorsOnActors #Podcast

  2. Jul 21

    Episode 003: Dhar Mann, Founder of Dhar Mann Studios

    What does it take to build a digital media empire that reaches hundreds of millions of people without losing your core purpose?On this episode of Best Brands on Earth, hosts Matt Kerbal and Hayley Clover sit down with viral content creator and entrepreneur Dhar Mann! Dhar opens up about his unbelievable journey—from being days away from eviction at age 30 to founding Dhar Mann Studios, scaling to over 170 million followers, and securing landmark deals with Samsung and Fox. 💡 Key Takeaways & Episode Highlights:Turning Pain into Power: How Dhar converted personal struggles and cultural pressures into a relatable, mission-driven media powerhouse. The $250k Launch: How a scrappy $600 setup and an accidental YouTube algorithm boost saved his beauty business overnight. Decoding Viral Content: The secret behind Dhar Mann Studios' unique storytelling model—why they start with the moral first and design content for short attention spans. Bridging Digital & Hollywood: Why the line between traditional studios and digital creators is disappearing, and how hiring former MTV executive Sean Atkins transformed the business. Authenticity vs. Perfection: Dhar's candid story about freezing on stage next to YouTube's CEO and the NFL Commissioner, and why "imperfection" is the ultimate brand superpower. The Future of Dhar Mann Studios: Navigating AI in screenwriting, scaling beyond one person's face, and expanding into IP development and CPG. ⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Host Banter (Morning Routines, TV, & Sports) 07:36 - Marketing Moments: Coors Light & AI Shopping Tools 10:18 - Song of the Day: Shakira & Burna Boy 12:05 - Sponsor: Open Fortune & Tracksuit 13:52 - Welcome Dhar Mann! 16:53 - Inspiring New Projects: Unlikely Romances & Breaking Expectations 18:45 - Turning Life's Greatest Struggles Into Superpowers 21:10 - Hitting Rock Bottom at 30 & Redefining Failure 25:05 - Publishing the First Video & Doing it for the Mission 27:48 - Building LiveGlam & Going From Eviction to a $250k Launch 37:50 - Finding True Purpose Beyond Financial Success 42:08 - How Dhar Mann Studios Crafts Stories (Moral-First Strategy) 45:20 - Disrupting Traditional Hollywood & Operating In-House 51:40 - Scaling to Big Tech & Hollywood: Samsung, Fox, & Bringing on a CEO56:33 - Why Brands Are Turning to Storytelling Over Spectacle01:05:35 - Staying Authentic When You're a Public Figure01:08:45 - The Super Bowl Speech Story & The Pratfall Effect01:12:10 - Dhar's View on AI, Creator IP, & the Next 20 Years01:17:20 - Crumbs of Wisdom: Kintsugi & Finding Beauty in Imperfection01:21:40 - Why Dhar Mann Studios is One of the Best Brands on Earth01:23:30 - Post-Interview Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways

  3. Jul 14

    Episode 001: This is Us

    The inaugural episode of the Best Brands on Earth podcast introduces co-hosts Matt Kerbel and Hayley Clover, setting the stage for a recurring exploration into iconic products, creative campaigns, and the human truths behind successful marketing.  In this episode: Why the best marketing ditches dense business-speak for authentic, human storytelling State Farm's entertainment-first strategy — how "Jake from State Farm" became a cultural icon Challenger brand breakdown: how Vacation sunscreen wins with targeted nostalgia The rise of social commerce and what it means for brand building Creators as businesses: why independent creators are the new challenger brand Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Best Brands on Earth Episode 1 00:58 The Power of Polarizing Brands: Michael Jackson & Rotten Tomatoes 05:09 Star Wars Day History: May the 4th Be With You 08:20 Who are Matt Kerbal and Hayley Clover? 12:56 Behind the Scenes vs. Consumer Perspective in Marketing 15:38 Creative Excellence vs. Real Business Results 20:00 Missing the Plot: The State Farm vs. Geico Mascot Debate 28:20 Humanizing Big Tech: TurboTax Music & H&R Block Agents 33:18 Creator Economy Shifts: Celebrities, Crossovers, and Business Entities 39:25 Lightning Round: Disrupted Industries & App Ideas 41:27 The Hill I'd Die On: Soft Skills vs. Technical Aptitude 44:39 What Does Brand Actually Mean? Redefining the Industry 45:50 Rapid Fire Fun: Birthmarks and Bus Teeth Disasters 50:05 Crumbs of Wisdom: Reflections on Career Pride 54:47 Outro & What's Coming Next Week

  4. Jul 14

    Episode 002: Radhika Duggal, CMO of Major League Soccer

    In this episode of the Best Brands on Earth, Radhika Duggal, Chief Marketing Officer of Major League Soccer, joins Matt Kerbel and Hayley Clover to break down the strategy behind one of the fastest-growing sports brands in America. Duggal shares her unique perspective as an industry outsider who transitioned to sports marketing after a successful career spanning finance, healthcare, and consumer goods. She dives deep into the intentional mechanics of modern brand building, discussing how MLS systematically leverages data analytics and tight league-to-club alignment to convert casual tournament viewers into long-term fans. In this episode: From finance and healthcare to sports: Radhika's path to becoming CMO of MLS How MLS uses data analytics and league-to-club alignment to convert tournament viewers into long-term fans Why community and player storytelling beat transactional sales pitches Marketing "optimism": selling the high-energy experience of live soccer Leadership lessons on empowering teams Why soccer is the most accessible entry point for families getting into sports Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Best Friends on Earth: World Cup & Pop Culture 03:06 Consuming Pop Culture: Project Hail Mary and Book Adaptations 06:30 Speculation & Details: The Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Wedding 09:13 Analyzing the World Cup: U.S. vs. Belgium and FIFA Controversy 10:49 Seven Nation Army: The Story Behind the Iconic Soccer Anthem 13:19 Introduction: Radhika Duggal, CMO of Major League Soccer 18:05 Transitioning to Sports: Why Marketing "Joy" Matters 20:26 First 90 Days: Listening, Enterprise Goals, and Brand Strategy 23:49 The Ted Lasso Effect: Soccer Fandom and North American Culture 24:47 Harnessing Cultural Momentum: Players, Clubs, and Global Heroes 28:11 Crumbs of Wisdom: Open Fortune and Trojan Horse Marketing 29:12 Measuring Impact: The Role of Track Suit in Brand Health 29:50 Converting Casual Viewers: Inviting Fans to the MLS Season 34:10 Targeting Strategy: Defining the 24-44 Demographic 37:09 Participation as a Driver of Fandom 40:25 Adding MLS to the "Sports Obsessed Diet" 42:51 Capturing Stadium Atmosphere: FOMO and Fan Culture 48:02 Long-Term Vision: The Future of MLS and the Global Calendar 53:14 Crumbs of Wisdom: Reflecting on Leadership and Team Credit 55:42 Defining Brand Excellence: Learning from Disney’s Wonder 56:11 Why MLS is a Top Brand: Selling Optimism 57:36 Looking Ahead: World Cup Semifinals & MLS Season Restart 01:00:10 The Importance of Fan Demand in Attracting Global Stars 01:01:25 Football Culture Stories: Atmosphere in Marseille & Rio 01:02:25 Outro

  • 4 Episodes

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What does it take to build something people don’t just buy, but truly believe in? BBOE brings you inside conversations with leaders behind the brands that have shaped culture and earned lasting relevance, unpacking the ideas, decisions, and creative ingenuity that made them what they are, and what any builder can learn from them.

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