Marketing Beyond with Alan B. Hart

Alan B. Hart

Join Alan B. Hart as he dives into conversations with the world’s leading chief marketing officers and business innovators. Tune in to get inspired by the stories and experiences of marketing visionaries—and stay ahead of the curve.

  1. 6D AGO

    19: Standing out in a ‘sea of sameness’: Insights from Tati Lindenberg, chief brand officer at Dirt Is Good

    In today’s episode, Alan wraps up our Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity content series with Tati Lindenberg, chief brand officer at Dirt Is Good. Together, they explore global brand strategy for balancing consistency with local relevance, the origin and evolution of the Dirt Is Good brand, and the brand’s deliberate movement through distinct “eras.”   Tati discusses the importance of identifying which parts of the brand are “sacred” and must remain unchanged, versus those elements that can be evolved and iterated to stay culturally relevant. She notes the brand’s intentional move to highlight women athletes as main characters, showing its response to evolving consumer expectations. Drawing on her experiences as a mother and her life across multiple countries, Tati shares how these perspectives have shaped her approach to global brand strategy and her management of a diverse portfolio of brands across regions. As a highly awarded marketer, she offers insights into the role of industry recognition in building high-performing teams. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining brand distinctiveness while encouraging influencer authorship. Tati also reflects on the future of creativity in an artificial intelligence-driven landscape, her concerns about the growing "sea of sameness" in marketing, the dynamics of superfan culture, and the value of taking life a bit less seriously.    In this episode, you'll learn:  Ways to balance a global brand strategy with local execution  How Dirt Is Good has evolved while maintaining consistency and relevance  The impact advertising awards have on creativity and execution     Key quotes:  “We understand what trends are happening out there, what the company strategy is, and try to combine those two things to maintain the fresh brand.” - Tati Lindenberg, chief brand officer at Dirt Is Good  “I’m really concerned that everybody seems to be doing the same thing... we need to keep asking ourselves, are we modern enough? Are we culturally relevant? Are we compelling enough for consumers?” Tati Lindenberg, chief brand officer at Dirt Is Good    Key highlights:  [00:30] Introduction   [01:25] From São Paulo to the United Kingdom  [03:45] Tati’s path to Dirt Is Good  [07:55] The scope of the fabric cleaning business  [09:50] Balancing a global brand strategy with local execution  [12:45] The Dirt Is Good origin story   [15:20] A new way to manage brand portfolio  [17:00] Balancing consistency with fresh ideas  [20:50] In their women’s sports era  [22:00] The importance of awards  [24:40] An experience that defines you: Coca-Cola Christmas  [28:10] Advice to your younger self: Take it easy  [29:35] A topic marketers need to learn more about: Availability and affordability of tools  [32:45] Subcultures and trends to follow: Superfans  [33:45] Largest threat for marketers: “The sea of sameness”    Resources mentioned:    Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity  Dirt Is Good  Arsenal Football Club    Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify      Connect with Tati Lindenberg and Dirt Is Good:  Tati Lindenberg on LinkedIn  Tati Lindenberg on Instagram  Dirt Is Good on LinkedIn  Dirt Is Good on Instagram    Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube   Deloitte Digital on Threads

    36 min
  2. 18: The secret to Klarna’s AI advantage: Insights from David Sandstrom, chief marketing officer at Klarna

    SEP 17

    18: The secret to Klarna’s AI advantage: Insights from David Sandstrom, chief marketing officer at Klarna

    In today’s episode, we continue our Cannes Lions series as Alan and David Sandstrom, chief marketing officer at Klarna, discuss how embracing change, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), and balancing data-driven efficiency with creativity are shaping the future of marketing and brand-building.   Klarna is a financial technology company that is well-known for its "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) options. David highlights the macroeconomic trends that he believes are contributing to the continuing growth of BNPL, while also sharing Klarna’s efforts to diversify their offerings with digital banking and mobile phone plans. Innovation and experimentation are core to Klarna’s culture, and can be seen in initiatives like their interactive customer hotline featuring an AI avatar of their chief executive officer. David also outlines how he and his team encourage employees to use AI internally by actively measuring AI usage, using it as a team on a daily basis, and challenging team members to complete tasks that would be impossible without it. However, despite Klarna embracing AI usage and adopting new technologies, David emphasizes the essential role of human creativity in creating resonant messaging. He also discusses his interest in “anti-trends”, like long-form content, as open spaces to build brands and tell stories.    In this episode, you'll learn:  How building an AI-driven culture can boost innovation and efficiency  Why combining technology with creativity can be key to brand success  How expanding and educating beyond your core offering can drive growth    Key quotes:  “We’re not doing anything new based on AI. We’re only doing the things we used to do, but way more efficiently, way faster, at a way lower cost.” - David Sandstrom, chief marketing officer at Klarna  “I think our investment in AI culture has been more important than our investment in AI infrastructure” - David Sandstrom, chief marketing officer at Klarna    Key highlights:  [00:30] Introduction  [01:05] What’s new for Klarna  [01:50] David’s career path  [03:25] The key to David’s CMO longevity  [04:00] Growth of BNPL  [05:20] Extending beyond BNPL   [06:15] Moving to digital banking  [08:00] Creating a culture to embrace AI  [11:30] The impact of AI on the creative process  [13:40] An experience that defines you: Being born to a juxtaposing pair  [14:25] Advice to your younger self: Enjoy the ride  [14:55] A topic marketers need to learn more about: How to build a brand today  [16:00] Subcultures and trends to follow: Anti-trends and long-form  [17:30] Largest threat to marketers today: Becoming too data-driven     Resources mentioned:    Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity  Klarna’s AI chief executive officer report     Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify      Connect with David Sandstrom and Klarna:  David Sandstrom on X  David Sandstrom on LinkedIn  Klarna on X  Klarna on LinkedIn  Klarna on Instagram    Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube   Deloitte Digital on Threads

    21 min
  3. 17: Google it: Smarter marketing with AI: Insights from Sean Downey, president of Americas & Global Partners at Google

    SEP 10

    17: Google it: Smarter marketing with AI: Insights from Sean Downey, president of Americas & Global Partners at Google

    Sean Downey is the president of Americas & Global Partners at Google, overseeing the company’s expansive advertising business, including Google Search and YouTube. With a background rooted in the earliest days of digital marketing startups and leadership roles at DoubleClick and Google, Sean draws on leadership lessons learned from his father, particularly the importance of creating a workplace where everyone feels they are contributing to something greater than themselves. He emphasizes authenticity, empathy, and continuous learning as core leadership values.  As part of our Cannes Lions content series, Alan and Sean connect at the International Festival of Creativity to discuss AI’s impact on marketing. Sean explains how Google integrates AI and automation into its advertising platforms to help marketers achieve better results while protecting consumer privacy. He notes that marketers today have to be more efficient than ever and highlights how AI-powered tools help them work smarter and adapt to rapidly changing consumer behaviors. Sean also stresses the importance of first-party data, privacy-safe solutions, strong change management, and a growth mindset for teams navigating technological shifts.    In this episode, you'll learn:  The ways Google balances consumer privacy with marketing performance  Why change management and a growth mindset are essential as technology evolves  Strategies Google uses to empower brands and agencies to confidently adopt and leverage AI-powered tools     Key quotes:  “Brands can get caught in the trap of thinking they know exactly who their customer is. When in reality, they're looking for people that they didn't know existed, that are incremental to their business.” - Sean Downey, president of Americas & global partners at Google  “Everyone knows when they walk to the doors in my building that they contribute to something greater than that. And that powers innovation, that powers customer orientation, and most importantly, it empowers growth personally and professionally.” - Sean Downey, president of Americas & global partners at Google      Key highlights:  [00:30] Introduction  [01:15] Work-life balance    [02:45] Sean’s path to Google  [04:20] A North Carolina connection   [05:10] The scope of Google’s advertising business   [07:15] Balancing privacy with marketing effectiveness  [09:25] Three tips for brands  [10:45] How AI is influencing Google products  [14:00] Empowering product adoption for brands and agencies   [20:20] Sean's leadership principles   [23:50] An experience that defines you: Learning from the most challenging times  [26:45] Advice to your younger self: Be honest with yourself  [27:35] A topic marketers need to learn more about: Change management  [29:10] Subcultures and trends to follow: What makes people resonate  [31:10] Largest opportunity to marketers today: The pace of ideas    Resources mentioned:    Sean Downey  Google  YouTube  Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity    Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify      Connect with Sean Downey and Google  Sean Downey on LinkedIn  Google on LinkedIn  Google on Instagram  Google on YouTube      Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube   Deloitte Digital on Threads

    34 min
  4. 16: Driving audience engagement with the magic of Disney: Insights from Andrew Messina, senior vice president at Disney Advertising

    SEP 3

    16: Driving audience engagement with the magic of Disney: Insights from Andrew Messina, senior vice president at Disney Advertising

    Andrew Messina is a Senior Vice President at Disney Advertising. He began his career on the agency side before moving into daytime sales at ABC, then advancing to a primetime senior account executive role, and ultimately rising to his current position. For the past 17 years, Andrew has led all brand advertising initiatives at Disney Advertising, including linear, programmatic, and addressable campaigns across platforms such as Disney, Disney+, Hulu, FX, and ESPN.  In today’s episode, Alan and Andrew connect at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to discuss the integration, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities Disney offers brands across its many properties. Andrew shares how live events – particularly women’s sports – are shaping advertising, highlights the importance of relationship-building in media sales, and explains Disney’s approach to reaching diverse audiences. He also reflects on the importance of mentorship and how AI and youth culture are influencing marketing strategies.    In this episode, you'll learn:  How rising viewership of women’s sports is creating new advertising opportunities   Why cultivating trust is essential for career growth, plus actionable development tips   Disney’s approach to building relationships with brands     Key quotes:  “Relationships really, really matter, and the only way some of these things are going to get done is through making sure you’re connected.” - Andrew Messina, senior vice president at Disney Advertising    Key highlights:  [00:30] Introduction   [01:10] A nontraditional introduction to the industry   [02:15] Andrew’s path to Disney   [04:10] The scope of his role  [05:00] How consumer brands shape the sports landscape  [07:45] Some of the most valued properties for brands  [08:45] Co-creation with consumers  [10:00] Stand-out strategies for auto and retail  [11:30] Industry transformation over the years  [13:25] An experience that defines you: The opportunity to learn sales  [15:40] Advice to your younger self: Develop relationships  [16:50] A topic marketers need to learn more about: AI  [17:35] Subcultures and trends to follow: Tastes of the younger audience  [18:50] Largest threat to marketers today: Complacency     Resources mentioned:    Disney Advertising  Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity  College GameDay Built by The Home Depot  Generation AI by Matt Britton    Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify      Connect with Andrew Messina and Disney Advertising:  Andrew Messina on LinkedIn   Disney Advertising on LinkedIn   Disney Advertising on X  Disney Advertising on Instagram    Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube   Deloitte Digital on Threads

    20 min
  5. 15: Live from Cannes Lions 2025: Candid conversations on the future of marketing

    AUG 27

    15: Live from Cannes Lions 2025: Candid conversations on the future of marketing

    Each year, top creative minds gather at the Cannes Lions Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for a week of innovations, awards, and candid conversations about the future of marketing. Over the next month, you will get exclusive insight into the latest trends and stories shaping the industry through interviews with leaders from some of the world’s most influential brands, including Google, Disney, and Unilever.    In this episode, Alan kicks off the miniseries with our “crystal ball confessionals.” Unlike our usual one-on-one interview style episode, today you’ll hear snippets of Alan's conversations with industry leaders, creators, and innovators at Deloitte Digital’s exclusive ‘Collaborate with Certainty’ and ‘Engage with Certainty’ brunches. These short, candid conversations explore the future of marketing, focusing on the evolution of the creator economy, the changing landscape of fan engagement, and the role of data and technology in shaping authentic connections.  Beginning at the ‘Collaborate with Certainty’ brunch, we explore how the creator economy transforms how brands connect with customers and drive growth. First, Celia Salsi, global head of product marketing at YouTube, shares her insights on why attention, relevance, and trust are crucial for brands striving to stand out in a crowded market. Building on this theme, Kaya Yurieff, team leader for the creator economy at The Information, explores creators' complex and evolving identities. Rounding out the conversation, Kenny Gold, Deloitte Digital’s head of social and creator, shifts the focus to AI, reminding us that, despite technological advances, the true impact of creators remains grounded in authentic human connection.  Shifting to the ‘Engage with Certainty’ brunch, we tackle the question: What does the fan of the future expect from their entertainment experiences? First, we hear from Emma Simkiss, associate director of brand and marketing at the International Olympic Committee, on how authentic fan engagement is measured by meaningful interaction and loyalty, not just numbers. Michelle McGuire Christian, chief commercial officer for Converge™ by Deloitte for Sports, explains how leveraging data and AI can unlock deeper personalization and help brands truly listen to their audiences. Finally, David Geisinger, Marketing Technology, Data & Operations offering leader at Deloitte Digital, discusses a future where technology transforms fans from passive spectators into active participants, building vibrant two-way communities.    Key quotes:  “What we realized through research is that reach alone is no longer enough...They need attention, relevance, and trust. And what we've seen is that creators are best positioned to drive those three.” - Celia Salsi, Global head of product marketing at YouTube    In this episode, you'll learn:  The importance of building authentic, long-term relationships with creators  The value of data in measuring creator impact and fan engagement  Ways to leverage AI to create personalized connections with your audience    Key highlights:  [00:30] Episode introduction   [02:50] The ‘Collaborate with Certainty’ brunch  [03:00] Celia Salsi on the evolution of creator relationships   [06:15] Kaya Yurieff on authentic connections for lasting engagement  [08:15] Kenny Gold on the importance of genuine collaboration   [10:20] The ‘Engage with Certainty’ brunch  [10:30] Emma Simkiss on driving and measuring engagement   [11:55] Michelle McGuire Christian on the role of data in engagement strategies  [13:55] David Geisinger on how technology is impacting fan engagement  [18:00] One-word summaries    Resources mentioned:    Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025  YouTube  The Information  Deloitte Digital  Deloitte  International Olympic Committee  Converge™ by Deloitte for Sports    Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify      Connect with the guests:     Celia Salsi  Kaya Yurieff  Kenny Gold  Emma Simkiss  Michelle McGuire Christian  David Geisinger    Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube

    20 min
  6. JUL 30

    14: Bridging the gap between marketers and consumers: Insights from Gayle Troberman, executive advisor at iHeartMedia

    Are your ads landing with consumers?  According to iHeartMedia's “The New American Consumer 2.0” study, 44% of Americans feel ignored by most media and advertisers .1  In today’s episode, Alan chats with Gayle Troberman, executive advisor at iHeartMedia, about the gap between marketers and consumers, ways for marketers to bridge this gap, and the marketing principles that stay consistent despite technological advancements.   Gayle emphasizes the importance of balancing new technology with classic marketing approaches and cautions against neglecting potential customers by focusing too narrowly on the target audience.  She highlights the power of evoking memories in advertising, primarily through audio, with examples of iconic jingles. She also describes why radio and podcasting are effective tools for mass reach and emotional engagement.  Gayle Troberman is a highly respected marketing industry veteran. She spent 16 years as chief creative officer at Microsoft, then as chief marketing and ideas officer at IPG Mediabrands. She then became chief marketing officer at iHeartMedia for over a decade before moving into her current role as executive advisor. Today, Gayle works across all iHeartMedia businesses to help them connect with consumers in a deeper, more meaningful way. Her “human first, outcome second” approach to life and marketing has kept her consistently in tune with consumers throughout her career.    In this episode, you'll learn:  The inspiration behind “The New American Consumer 2.0” study and insights from the research   How marketers can better understand their audience   Approaches to using AI and targeting to add value from a consumer perspective    Key quotes:  “Every time a new technology comes along... marketers think it's like the world has to change, and it really doesn't. If you know who your brand is and you know where you want to find growth, then it's about telling good stories. It's about being relevant to those consumers.” - Gayle Troberman, executive advisor at iHeartMedia    “We sometimes let innovation get in the way of growth, or we get so enamored with the technology or the opportunity that we forget any of these platforms, any of these news tools, whether it's AI or targeting, are only as good as the stories we put out there.” - Gayle Troberman, executive advisor at iHeartMedia    “The average marketer may not be as in touch with their consumers as they think they are... I think part of the problem is that we're very often talking to ourselves. Our ads are reflecting this bubble we live in. Our ads are not reflecting the values, the beliefs, the interests, or the passions of the real American consumers.” - Gayle Troberman, executive advisor at iHeartMedia    “There's genius out there everywhere if you just talk to humans.” - Gayle Troberman, executive advisor at iHeartMedia        Key highlights:  [00:32] Introduction   [01:45] A ”muppalucky” life   [02:50] Gayle’s career path   [05:50] The secret to a long CMO tenure   [07:45] Enduring truths in marketing   [13:40] “The New American Consumer Report 2.0”  [18:25] How marketers can reconnect with everyday consumers  [22:40] Who has influence?   [24:15] Using AI in a mindful way  [28:30] An experience that defines you: Developing a human-first philosophy  [31:30] Advice to your younger self: A little more patience and empathy  [33:00] A topic marketers need to learn more about: Balancing the new with the classics  [34:15] Subcultures and trends to follow: Young people taking strong stances  [35:35] Largest opportunity and threat to marketers today: Fake performance indicators    Resources mentioned:    Gayle Troberman  iHeartMedia  "The New American Consumer 2.0" press release  “The New American Consumer 2.0” study     Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify      Connect with Gayle Troberman and iHeartMedia:  Gayle Troberman on LinkedIn   iHeartMedia on LinkedIn  iHeartMedia on Instagram  iHeartMedia on YouTube    Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube   Deloitte Digital on Threads

    37 min
  7. JUL 16

    13: Ways to nail your product positioning: Insights from Sjoerd Handgraaf, chief marketing officer at Sharetribe

    How do you determine your product's market value beyond its features?  In today’s episode, Alan and Sjoerd Handgraaf, Sharetribe's chief marketing officer (CMO), discuss Sharetribe’s origins, product evolution, and how Sjoerd’s team identified its ideal product positioning by evaluating the true value it provides to marketplace founders. Sjoerd shares insights into the unique dynamics of building and branding two-sided marketplaces and explains how a “give first, ask later” philosophy has helped Sharetribe develop trust and lasting relationships with its community.   Sjoerd grew up as a do-it-yourself (DIY) punk rocker in a steel town in the Netherlands. He originally planned to become an English teacher, but love brought him to Finland, where he discovered the startup world. With his DIY background, Sjoerd joined Sharetribe as the first marketing hire in 2016 and became CMO in 2020. Sharetribe is a software as a service (SaaS) solution that aims to democratize the sharing economy by empowering marketplace founders with a no-code platform builder.     Key quotes:  “We just put value out in the world, and we hope that convinces people to at least give us a try.” - Sjoerd Handgraaf, chief marketing officer at Sharetribe   “Look at what your [product’s] unique benefits are compared to those [competitive alternatives] and then try to wrap those [benefits] in value, not features. A lot of tech marketers are quite fond of listing the features, but what is the value that [the feature] unlocks? What is the thing that it gives to customers?”” - Sjoerd Handgraaf, chief marketing officer at Sharetribe    In this episode, you'll learn:  Common pitfalls to avoid when starting a marketplace business   How to conduct an objective self-assessment to clarify positioning  Sjoerd’s tips for marketers on navigating AI     Key highlights:  [00:30] Introduction   [01:38] A punk record label mogul  [03:00] The Dutch directness   [05:15] Sjoerd’s path to Sharetribe  [09:17] Who does Sharetribe serve?  [10:40] Sharetribe’s origin story   [16:30] How to get the product positioning right  [33:27] The notion of “give first, ask later”  [28:25] Why marketing is moving back to basics  [31:15] Lessons learned from Two-Sided: The marketplace podcast  [36:15] An experience that defines you: Being a DIY punk  [37:20] Advice to your younger self: Be even more entrepreneurial  [38:05] A topic marketers need to learn more about: AI is unavoidable  [42:55] Subcultures and trends to follow: No-Code and Indie Hackers  [44:35] Largest opportunity and threat to marketers today: Leveling up with AI     Resources mentioned:    Sjoerd Handgraaf  Sharetribe  Two-sided: The Marketplace Podcast   The Lean Marketplace    Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify      Connect with Sjoerd Handgraaf and Sharetribe:  Sharetribe on X  Sharetribe on Facebook  Sharetribe on YouTube     Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube   Deloitte Digital on Threads

    48 min
  8. 12: Forging a regenerative future for fashion: Insights from Eric Liedtke, executive vice president of brand strategy at Under Armour and founder and chief executive officer of UNLESS Collective

    JUL 2

    12: Forging a regenerative future for fashion: Insights from Eric Liedtke, executive vice president of brand strategy at Under Armour and founder and chief executive officer of UNLESS Collective

    Can streetwear be made with zero plastic?   Eric Liedtke says it can be, and he is on a mission to systematically change the fashion industry by shifting away from petroleum-based materials to plant-based materials. In 2014, Eric was already a leader in the fashion industry as the Head of Sports Performance at Adidas when the issues of micro and nano plastics were brought to his attention. As a vegan who loves to surf, Eric could not turn away from the fact that his work in fashion was contributing to the problem. By 2019, he stepped away from his executive board position at Adidas to launch UNLESS Collective, a statement streetwear brand with a regenerative creation model, meaning their products are made sustainably using zero plastic and decompose into nutrient-rich soil. UNLESS was recently acquired by Under Armour, and with that acquisition, Eric was also hired as their executive vice president of brand strategy.   In today’s episode, Alan and Eric talk about what the acquisition means for UNLESS Collective’s mission, how it fits into Under Armour’s larger strategy, and where Eric thinks the Under Armour brand can go. UNLESS is on the cutting edge of sustainable fashion, and solutions to many of its challenges are still being invented. The backing of Under Armour has empowered UNLESS to invest in the research needed to make Eric’s dreams a reality. With a background leading brands like Reebok, Eric also understands that UNLESS must meet consumers where they are and not ask them to compromise their tastes or budgets. Once the tech is fully developed and brought to market correctly, Eric believes they will truly transform the fashion industry.    Key quotes:  “People care. The [challenge] is they don’t want to compromise their taste or the quality of the product for their values, and they don’t want to compromise really too much on price.” - Eric Liedtke, executive vice president of brand strategy at Under Armour and founder and chief executive officer of UNLESS Collective  “So, step one, get the value at the same level they’re [the customer is] expecting, get the quality at the same level they’re expecting, get the taste at the same level they’re expecting, [and] get it built on a better stack. Step two is scaling the brand and getting the volumes to hit the unit economics on par.” - Eric Liedtke, executive vice president of brand strategy at Under Armour and founder and chief executive officer of UNLESS Collective    In this episode, you'll learn:  How UNLESS is overcoming the challenges of manufacturing streetwear with zero petroleum-based materials  Eric's strategy to bring innovative value-aligned products to market at scale  The importance of authenticity in modern marketing     Key highlights:  [02:25] Eric's career path   [06:40] The founding story of UNLESS  [10:40] Zero wasted hours   [13:20] The logistics of moving from plastic to plant-based   [18:00] Evolving marketing with technology  [21:30] Benefits of working with Under Armour   [23:45] Propelling the Under Armour brand  [27:15] An experience that defines you: Having purpose-led parents  [30:10] Advice to your younger self: Don’t let perfect get in the way of better  [31:25] A topic marketers need to learn more about: People want real  [34:00] Subcultures to follow: Surf  [35:40] Largest opportunity and threat to marketers today: AI and authenticity     Resources mentioned:    Eric Liedtke  UNLESS Collective  Under Armour  Parley for the Oceans    Follow the podcast:    Listen on Apple Podcasts    Listen on Amazon Music   Listen on Audible   Listen on iHeart Radio  Listen on Spotify      Connect with Eric Liedtke, UNLESS Collective, and Under Armour  Eric Liedtke on LinkedIn   Eric Liedtke on Instagram  UNLESS Collective on Instagram  UNLESS Collective on TikTok  Under Armour on X  Under Armour Instagram    Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:     Alan Hart on X  Alan Hart on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn   Deloitte Digital on Instagram   Deloitte Digital on YouTube   Deloitte Digital on Threads

    39 min

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Join Alan B. Hart as he dives into conversations with the world’s leading chief marketing officers and business innovators. Tune in to get inspired by the stories and experiences of marketing visionaries—and stay ahead of the curve.