Behind the Playbook: How Financial Brands Win

OpenBrand

Behind the Playbook: How Financial Brands Win is a podcast for the leaders shaping the future of financial services. Each episode features intimate conversations with senior executives and industry thought leaders, unpacking the strategy behind how financial brands compete, grow, and earn share of wallet.

  1. 3h ago

    The Future Is Embedded: Interview with Scott Kazmierowicz, CEO of Cardless

    In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Scott Kazmierowicz, CEO and co-founder of Cardless, about how embedded finance is changing the relationship between brands, credit cards, and consumers. Scott shares how Cardless has evolved from powering co-branded cards to helping brands own the entire card experience within their apps. They discuss partnerships with Coinbase, Bilt, and Avelo Airlines, why customer engagement matters more than speed to market, and Cardless’s plans to expand beyond credit cards into debit, loans, and deposits. Scott also shares three lessons for building a successful card business and why the next generation of cards will need to serve AI agents as well as humans. Additional Resources- Get Andrew's take on the latest financial services launches in his bi-weekly newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lightbulb Moments (https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/lightbulb-moments-7414692053672222721/)- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OpenBrand⁠⁠ (https://openbrand.com/) ⁠⁠is pioneering the future of AI-driven data intelligence for durables brands and retailers, financial services, insurance and beyond

  2. Oct 5

    From Points to Access: Interview with Prashant Sharma, Head of Rewards Cards & Loyalty at Citi

    In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Prashant Sharma, Head of Rewards Cards and Loyalty at Citi, about how loyalty is moving beyond points to access and experiences. Prashant joined Citi after leading the SkyMiles program at Delta. Before that he headed credit cards at CIBC, one of Canada's top banks, and his experience touches nearly every aspect of the loyalty ecosystem. They discuss the Citi Strata Elite card, the ROI of events like The Curated Table at New York Fashion Week, and why dining has become a key battleground in premium cards. Prashant also shares his three C's of loyalty programs that work, and where he sees loyalty heading over the next five years. Additional Resources Get Andrew's take on the latest financial services launches in his bi-weekly newsletter ⁠⁠⁠Lightbulb Moments⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OpenBrand⁠⁠ ⁠is pioneering the future of AI-driven data intelligence for durables brands and retailers, financial services, insurance and beyond

  3. Trailer

    This is Behind The Playbook: A Podcast Covering How Financial Brands Win

    Behind the Playbook: How Financial Brands Win is a podcast for the leaders shaping the future of financial services. Each episode features intimate conversations with senior executives and industry thought leaders, unpacking the strategy behind how financial brands compete, grow, and earn share of wallet. The show continues more than two years of senior-level financial services interviews, now relaunched as a dedicated OpenBrand platform for the industry.

  4. Sep 28 ·  Bonus

    Balancing Mission, Scale and Risk: Interview with Brian Jones, President, Merrick Bank

    Note: This episode originally aired on May 19, 2026 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Brian Jones, President of Merrick Bank, about how to grow a business while staying true to its mission. Brian shares his career journey, with over three decades of experience at the intersection of law and banking. The conversation looks at how the bank's sub-prime customers are navigating economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and what that means for financial services today. They also discuss key moments in the bank’s growth, including acquisitions and rebrands, and how Merrick is thinking about its future. Brian also offers his perspective on what’s ahead for financial services, and the critical shifts he believes will define the next five years. Additional Resources Get Andrew's take on the latest financial services launches in his bi-weekly newsletter ⁠⁠Lightbulb Moments⁠⁠⁠OpenBrand⁠⁠ is pioneering the future of AI-driven data intelligence for durables brands and retailers, financial services, insurance and beyond

  5. Sep 28 ·  Bonus

    Leading a Brand Through Change: Interview with Melissa Stevens, CMO of Fifth Third Bank

    Note: This episode originally aired on April 9, 2026 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Melissa Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer at Fifth Third Bank, about the strategic acquisition of Comerica and what it means for brand integration in today’s competitive banking landscape. Melissa shares how the bank is balancing scale with authenticity—leveraging customer experience, community engagement, and AI-driven insights to build trust and drive growth. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of merging brands, and how a clear, customer-centric strategy can turn acquisition into long-term value. Additional Resources Get Andrew's take on the latest financial services launches in his bi-weekly newsletter ⁠⁠Lightbulb Moments⁠⁠⁠OpenBrand⁠⁠ is pioneering the future of AI-driven data intelligence for durables brands and retailers, financial services, insurance and beyond

  6. Sep 28 ·  Bonus

    The Future of Insurance Affordability

    Note: This episode originally aired on March 9, 2026 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson, Comperemedia expert Kendall Gadie, and industry veteran Marty Ellingsworth delve into the current insurance affordability crisis, exploring the factors driving rising premiums and the resulting shifts in consumer behavior. They discuss the impact of post-COVID changes, the role of agents and the strategies insurers are employing to navigate these challenges. Listen to find out more about the importance of AI and technology in shaping the future of insurance, as well as the need for effective communication of value to consumers who are increasingly price-sensitive. Additional Resources Get Andrew's take on the latest financial services launches in his bi-weekly newsletter ⁠⁠Lightbulb Moments⁠⁠⁠OpenBrand⁠⁠ is pioneering the future of AI-driven data intelligence for durables brands and retailers, financial services, insurance and beyond

  7. Sep 28 ·  Bonus

    Leading Customer-Centric Change: Interview with Krista Phillips, Chief Customer Officer at M&T Bank

    Note: This episode originally aired on February 5, 2026 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson welcomes Krista Phillips, M&T Bank's first Chief Customer Officer, back to the podcast. Krista shares her journey and insights into the evolving role of customer experience in banking. With a career spanning major financial institutions, Krista discusses how customer insights can be leveraged to drive innovation and improve service delivery, highlighting specific examples of changes made based on customer feedback, such as streamlining onboarding processes and enhancing fraud detection communication. Additional Resources Get Andrew's take on the latest financial services launches in his bi-weekly newsletter ⁠⁠Lightbulb Moments⁠⁠⁠OpenBrand⁠⁠ is pioneering the future of AI-driven data intelligence for durables brands and retailers, financial services, insurance and beyond

  8. Sep 28 ·  Bonus

    Barclays’ Doug Villone on What’s Next for Co-Brand Partnerships

    Note: This episode originally aired on December 22, 2025 as part of the Mintel Little Conversation podcast. Host Andrew Davidson and Doug Villone, Head of US Cards & Partnerships at Barclays discuss the evolving landscape of credit card usage and the potential future partnerships that may shape commerce. Listen to learn more about the importance of understanding consumer behavior and the role of non-traditional retailers in the credit card ecosystem. Additional Resources Get Andrew's take on the latest financial services launches in his bi-weekly newsletter ⁠⁠Lightbulb Moments⁠⁠⁠OpenBrand⁠⁠ is pioneering the future of AI-driven data intelligence for durables brands and retailers, financial services, insurance and beyond

See All (28)

Trailer

About

Behind the Playbook: How Financial Brands Win is a podcast for the leaders shaping the future of financial services. Each episode features intimate conversations with senior executives and industry thought leaders, unpacking the strategy behind how financial brands compete, grow, and earn share of wallet.

Information

You Might Also Like