86 episodes

How do the smartest marketers and business entrepreneurs cut through the noise? And how do they manage to do it again and again? It's a combination of math—the strategy and analytics—and magic, the creative spark. Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman as he analyzes the Math and Magic of marketing—sitting down with today's most gifted disruptors and compelling storytellers.

Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman iHeartPodcasts

    • Business
    • 4.7 • 93 Ratings

How do the smartest marketers and business entrepreneurs cut through the noise? And how do they manage to do it again and again? It's a combination of math—the strategy and analytics—and magic, the creative spark. Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman as he analyzes the Math and Magic of marketing—sitting down with today's most gifted disruptors and compelling storytellers.

    Scott Borchetta: “This is the future – we better figure this out.”

    Scott Borchetta: “This is the future – we better figure this out.”

    Country music is the biggest radio music format and Nashville’s Scott Borchetta knows the genre inside and out. He’s the founder, president, and CEO of Big Machine Label Group and the founder of Big Machine Distillery. Scott has signed deals with artists like Tim McGraw, Jewel, Lady A, Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, and many others.  Scott sits down to talk about his impressive career, from how he discovered his place in the music industry to when he knew it was the right time to go out on his own. His optimism, strategic thinking, and competitive spirit has helped him master music promotion and he feels more energized than ever to take on the next big thing. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 32 min
    Kenneth Feld: “People make an organization.”

    Kenneth Feld: “People make an organization.”

    Audiences love a spectacle, and Kenneth Feld knows better than anyone how true this is. As the Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, he’s an acclaimed visionary when it comes to live, family friendly theatrics. He took over the business from his father, who founded it back in 1967 when he discovered the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Kenneth sat down with Bob to describe how he maintains the company’s core principles, from valuing families above all else to championing live entertainment as a way of bringing people together–even during a global pandemic.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 30 min
    Kellyn Smith Kenny: “The working world is a team sport.”

    Kellyn Smith Kenny: “The working world is a team sport.”

    Kellyn Smith Kenny was born to innovate. From her early years, she was a textbook over-achiever, thriving as both an athlete and a mathlete and joining any additional club she could squeeze her way into. Growing up, she watched her mom run a hospital and her dad contribute to groundbreaking work at Bell Labs, inspiring her to dedicate herself to meaningful work. This well-rounded foundation has taken Kellyn far in the world of marketing. Her resume is stacked with giants of business like Microsoft, Hilton, Capital One, and Uber, where she learned to approach work like she’s captain of a sports team. Knowing the game inside and out and fostering a diverse, cohesive team is of the utmost importance. Currently, as the Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at AT&T, she has continued making bold moves to breathe new life into an iconic brand. She sat down with Bob to explain just how she does it. 
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    • 37 min
    Math & Magic Returns Thursday, February 29th

    Math & Magic Returns Thursday, February 29th

    Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman for the new season of Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing, starting Thursday, February 29th. This season, Bob sits down with leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries across music, film, live entertainment, marketing, and more. 
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    • 2 min
    Ted Leonsis: “People want purpose.”

    Ted Leonsis: “People want purpose.”

    Tech pioneer Ted Leonsis is never one to shy away from a challenge. He’s an uncanny trend spotter, from his beginnings at companies like Wang Laboratories and AOL to his current role as Founder and CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment. He’s also the ambitious co-founder of investment group Revolution Growth and even did a stint as mayor of a small Florida town. But before college, Ted was a self-described “lazy” student who would just get by. So, what changed? In this conversation, Ted tells Bob about the monumental event that changed the trajectory of his life and ignited his passion for technology. He also explains how a near death experience propelled him to create a list of 101 things to do before he died – a list that guides and motivates him in all aspects of his life to this day. 
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    • 37 min
    Howard Makler: “Your brand is a fingerprint of your behavior.”

    Howard Makler: “Your brand is a fingerprint of your behavior.”

    Howard Makler knows how vital small and medium-sized businesses are to the economy. But he also knows not everyone appreciates their value. A successful serial entrepreneur and CEO of Innovation Refunds, Howard is working to make sure smaller businesses are no longer ignored. Innovation Refunds helps small businesses gain access to government funding, along with the knowledge, resources, and technology to succeed. Howard started small too—he founded his first company out of his bedroom at 13 years old—and knows that paths to success aren’t always traditional. Bob sat down with Howard to hear how he went from opting out of college to teaching classes at Wharton. Howard also shares what big businesses can learn from small businesses – and why taking care of your employees should be a priority for every company, regardless of size.
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    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
93 Ratings

93 Ratings

Osimoto ,

As a marketer and student of advertising, this podcast inspires.

Bob knows how to talk to people and equally important are the people he brings in to interview. I have one solid takeaway from 90% of the Math and Magic episodes.

Marketing at it’s best.

Mercury Forward ,

More magic than math

Update: If you only listen to one episode, try the one with Bobbi Brown. Her career is a testament to magic!

Having worked at MTV Networks along with Pittman and several of his guests, I can attest to the importance and focus on math (data), but the real stars always involve more than a little magic.✨ So a podcast that includes and informs on both? Makes sense to me! There can be a lot to learn from pioneers, even if nobody has said “I want my MTV” for a couple decades. These folks are pioneers, like the Mercury astronauts were pioneers. 🚀 Would we even be in space without them?

TownsendFitnessSystems ,

The BEST in the game!

Bob brings the top business + media professionals in the game to sit down for an ultra practical + tactical strategy. This is one of the best shows out there - BAR NONE! Thanks Bob for sharing a refreshing breath of air in a sea of informational diversity!

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