Best Brands on Earth, from the Clios

About Best Brands on Earth, from the Clios

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.

Publisher

Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Jul 2026

Latest episode

27 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Oct 2026

   Episode 017: Brooke Papiri and Cass Zawadowski of Lyft

   How does a 13-year-old brand grow up without losing its soul? In this episode of Best Brands on Earth, we sit down with Lyft's Cass Zawadowski (Global Executive Creative Director) and Brooke Papiri (Senior Director of Marketing, Brand Strategy and Operations) to unpack the biggest rebrand in the rideshare giant's history. From surviving the dark days of the pandemic to achieving $1 billion in free cash flow, Cass and Brooke reveal how Lyft leans into humanity over logistics. We discuss competing with Uber by focusing on habits instead of pricing, building a creative studio that uses AI with purpose, and why a brand's greatest asset is its personality. Chapters 00:00 - Welcome: The Underdog Vibe and Lyft's Early Days 07:09 - Evolving the Brand: Cute vs. Mature 11:19 - Surviving the Pandemic and Shifting Focus to Drivers 16:07 - Recovery and Navigating New Leadership 23:15 - Inside the Rebrand: An Evolution, Not a Revolution 35:19 - Relationship vs. Transaction: Competing with Uber 40:06 - The "Save the Money" Checklist and Breaking Auto-Pilot 46:12 - Pace with Purpose: How Lyft's Creative Studio Uses AI 52:28 - Growth Strategy and International Expansion Challenges 57:24 - Crumbs of Wisdom: Balancing Parenting and Career Bravery 1:04:09 - Brands We Admire: Patagonia and Starbucks 1:07:37 - Why Lyft is One of the Best Brands on Earth #Lyft #BestBrandsOnEarth #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #CreativeDirector #AIinMarketing #Rebrand #BusinessGrowth #TechLeadership #Rideshare

2. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Episode 016: Kim Chappell and Blair Pfander of Bobbie

   In this episode of Best Brands on Earth, hosts Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel sit down with Kim Chappell (Chief Brand Officer) and Blair Pfander (VP of Creative) from Bobbie—the fastest-growing infant formula company in the U.S. since the 1980s. From building desks with screwdrivers in a San Francisco basement to partnering with cultural icons like Cardi B and Narah Smith, Kim and Blair share the unfiltered truth about disrupting a legacy industry. They dive deep into why authenticity beats data, how leaning into satire and "the bit" creates viral cultural moments, and why true brand advocacy means fighting for systemic policy change on Capitol Hill. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome 02:01 - Meet Kim Chappell & Blair Pfander 03:27 - Leaving Tech for a Basement Startup: The Early Days of Bobbie 05:09 - Normalizing Combo Feeding & Defining Bobbie’s Visual Identity 07:58 - Challenging Legacy Formula Players with Radical Transparency 11:14 - The Power of Lived Experience Over Traditional MBAs 15:04 - The Cardi B Campaign: "Chief Confidence Officer" & 2 Billion Impressions 20:11 - Mid-Show Break 22:03 - Bobbie for Change: Connie’s Bill & Lobbying in D.C. 26:20 - The Narah Smith Campaign: Leaning into Satire & Standing by Creators 34:28 - Why Great Brands Have to "Lean Into the Bit" 35:32 - Retail Growth: Crushing it at Target & Costco 38:11 - What’s Next: Airport Vending Machines & Practitioner Stories 41:47 - Fortune Cookie Q&A: Company Culture & Remote Work Therapy 46:15 - Brands That Inspire: Fishwife, Sour Milk, Patagonia, Oura, & The Gap 51:03 - Why Bobbie Is One of the Best Brands on Earth #Bobbie #BrandStrategy #Marketing #StartupStory #Podcast #BestBrandsonEarth #Entrepreneurship #NarahSmith #CardiB #D2C #ConsumerBrands #WomenInBusiness

3. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Episode 015: Andrea Hopelain of EA Sports

   What does it take to keep a brand authentic when your fans expect the game to match the real world within 48 hours? Hosts Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel sit down with Andrea Hopelain, Global Marketing & Commercial Executive for EA & EA SPORTS, to talk about building brands at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and gaming. Andrea has led marketing and strategy at Disney, ESPN, Sony Pictures, and Hasbro, and now oversees marketing across EA’s sports portfolio, including EA SPORTS FC, Madden NFL, College Football, F1, UFC, and NHL. In this conversation she covers: Why “If it’s in the game, it’s in the game” still drives everything, and the Coach Madden 11-on-11 story behind it How EA SPORTS keeps pace with real-world sports through live services Turning ads in games from interruption into participation, with the State Farm “Jake” NIL deal as an example The four levers behind EA’s growth: social, frictionless, personal, and participatory The FIFA-to-EA SPORTS FC rebrand and why fan loyalty was never about the name Why a loud fanbase is a good sign, and how Madden player ratings get decided Why EA sees itself as leading the growth of women’s sports, and the new skeleton technology built to get the women’s game right How coaches use Madden as a teaching tool, and what Project Assist could mean for broadcasters and creators CHAPTERS 0:00 National Coffee Day and Starbucks talk 2:21 Two Minutes With Haley Clover 5:30 Introducing Andrea Hopelain and EA SPORTS 7:39 Andrea’s career path and the “learn-it-all” mindset 11:23 “It’s in the game”: authenticity and the Coach Madden story 15:01 Living at the speed of sport: real-time updates and live services 18:23 Advertising inside the game: context, participation, and scale 24:58 Ecosystem design: play modes, tailgates, and going beyond the screen 30:16 Sponsor break 32:16 Four levers for growth and the Ted Lasso crossover 35:25 From FIFA to EA SPORTS FC: the rebrand 42:28 Passionate fans: why silence is worse than backlash 45:46 Behind the scenes of Madden player ratings 47:31 Women’s sports and building a flywheel of discovery 52:35 Getting the women’s game right: new skeleton technology 55:01 Crumbs of Wisdom (Open Fortune) 57:49 Fast Money: brands that inspire Andrea (Disney and Google) 1:00:20 EA’s biggest opportunity: Madden as a visualization engine and Project Assist 1:04:39 Gen Z, creators, and how fans discover sports today 1:06:55 Why EA SPORTS is one of the best brands on Earth 1:09:12 Haley and Matt’s post-interview reactions 1:12:53 Wrap-up and where to find the show Find us at BestBrandsOnEarth.com Best Brands on Earth is hosted by Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel and produced by Third Wall Creative. #BestBrandsOnEarth #EASPORTS #Madden #EASPORTSFC #BrandStrategy #SportsMarketing #GamingMarketing #Marketing #WomensSports #Podcast

4. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Episode 014: Best Brands on Earth Atlanta Roundtable

   What do you get when you put a room of Atlanta marketing leaders together during Brand Week? An unfiltered conversation about what's working, what's cringe, and what the industry isn't talking about enough. On this roundtable episode of Best Brands on Earth, brand and marketing leaders from companies including Zoom, Delta, PrizePicks, and a canned wine startup get candid about the state of brand today. They cover why boards are suddenly asking for "iconic," why Zoom is leaning into culture to escape its category, and why metrics like "talk time" are replacing the old funnel. They also ask whether "unhinged" social media is just lazy marketing, why consistency is the most underrated brand strategy, and how a marketing team can speak the language of sales and finance. The group debates the Sydney Sweeney sports-betting campaign, prediction-market advertising, and why every AI company sounds the same. They also pick the ads they love, including Google Pixel's "put your phone down" spot and the DTC ads that keep following them around, and dig into the US Open's sponsorship wins and its influencer backlash. The episode closes with Crumbs of Wisdom: explaining marketing to your kids, trusting a creative gut you can't defend, and why direct mail still works. Featuring Conley Downing Chief Marketing Officer, Archer Roose Wines Dylan Feinstein Head of Partnership Sales & Client Services at OpenFortune Hayley Clover Co-Founder & Host, Best Brands on Earth Jason Pirock Vice President, Global Brand Marketing, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group Matt Kerbel Co-Founder & Host, Best Brands on Earth Nathan Smith General Manager, Delta Studio and Media Experiences, Delta Airlines Shawn Rinkenba Executive Creative Director, PrizePicks Whitney Magnuson Head of Brand & Media, Zoom Chapters 0:00 Welcome and kickoff 1:29 What conversations are leaders having now that they couldn't a year ago? 2:49 Zoom's board says "be iconic" 4:44 Beyond CPM: "talk time" and new ways to measure brand 6:18 In-person vs. virtual: why people want real experiences 8:10 Is marketing a cost center or a revenue driver? 10:12 Canned wine and owning a consumer's "first taste" 12:01 What's underhyped? Targeting 13:31 Designing for the audience you are (PrizePicks) 15:50 Nobody's teaching people how to write a brief 17:00 Human insight beats demographics 17:26 Breaking down channel silos 19:59 The "sea of sameness" and real differentiation 20:49 Is the unhinged brand voice just lazy marketing? 22:03 Duolingo, Liquid Death, and cultural permission 24:26 Back to basics: McDonald's, Heinz, Guinness, and brand equity 25:37 When is edgy worth the risk? 27:25 Consistency is the most underrated strategy 29:41 Why brand is underfunded and why conferences miss the point 30:46 Marketing's language barrier with sales and finance 32:49 The CMO title, and "sales wins the shelf, marketing drives the second purchase" 34:07 Hits and misses: setting up the debate 34:42 The Sydney Sweeney x NoVig controversy 39:23 Kalshi, Polymarket, and the media spend of prediction markets 41:16 Will your marketing get your whole industry regulated? AI ads and billboard sameness 44:06 Guilty-pleasure ads and DTC wellness marketing 46:21 Google Pixel's "put your phone down" and humanizing a product feature 50:41 Edutainment and the US Open sponsorship masterclass (IBM, AmEx, Rolex, Grey Goose) 52:01 US Open backlash: influencers vs. tradition 56:06 Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and celebrity-driven sports fandom 59:05 Crumbs of Wisdom with Open Fortune 1:00:13 What you can't explain about your job (Delta and the kids) 1:03:04 The creative instinct you trust but can't defend 1:04:29 The opinion you keep defending that fewer people share 1:05:28 Why direct mail still works #BestBrandsOnEarth #Marketing #Branding #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #BrandWeek #AtlantaMarketing #Advertising #CMO #BrandMarketing #MarketingStrategy #Podcast

5. 

   4 Oct 2026

   Episode 012: Marcus Fischer of Harley Davidson

   After 30 years on the agency side — including the Subaru turnaround and a long run at Carmichael Lynch — Marcus Fischer took his first client-side job as Chief Brand Officer of Harley-Davidson. He'd never ridden a motorcycle in his life.Nine months in, he joins Matt and Hayley to talk about what he found on the inside of a 125-year-old American icon: a dealer network that customers visit just to hang out on a Saturday, riders who tattoo the logo on their bodies, and five years of marketing imagery so dark and brooding it had stopped inviting anyone in. His first creative brief at Daytona Bike Week was three words: "I want to see teeth."We get into the "Ride" platform and why it launched globally without translation, bringing back the full bar and shield, why the outlaw image is dated (and the core riders agree), the museum tank wall as a lesson in individuality inside a tribe, and the feedback loop between factory and rider that he says is faster than any brand he's worked on. Plus: the t-shirt test, main character energy, and why you can't logic anyone into riding a motorcycle.00:00:00 - Intro: Welcome Marcus Fischer, Chief Brand Officer00:02:24 - Mystery Shopping at Harley Dealerships00:06:18 - The Shift from Agency to Brand Owner00:10:36 - What Surprised Marcus Most About Harley-Davidson00:13:23 - Learning to Ride & The Motorcycle Community00:16:06 - "I Want to See Teeth": Bringing Joy & Swagger Back00:24:37 - "Back to the Bricks": Innovating a 125-Year-Old Heritage00:30:40 - The Global "Ride" Platform & Immediate Feedback00:37:00 - Can Harley-Davidson Expand Beyond Motorcycles?00:43:04 - Audacious Goals & Reclaiming "Main Character Energy"00:48:47 - Crumbs of Wisdom: The Fortune Cookie Segment00:54:56 - The Brands That Inspire Harley-Davidson's Team00:59:46 - Why Harley-Davidson is the Best Brand on Earth01:01:34 - Outro: Hosts Debrief & Final Thoughts #HarleyDavidson #BrandStrategy #Marketing #BestBrandsOnEarth #ChiefBrandOfficer #BrandBuilding #MarketingPodcast #Branding #Advertising #MarcusFischer #MotorcycleCulture #AmericanBrands #CreativeStrategy #BrandMarketing #Podcast

6. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Episode 013: Tressie Lieberman of Starbucks

   How does a 54-year-old brand with 40,000 global locations rediscover its soul? In this episode of Best Brands on Earth, hosts Hayley and Matt are joined by Tressie Lieberman, the first-ever Chief Global Brand Officer at Starbucks. Tressie breaks down her strategy for bringing the magic back to the coffeehouse experience by balancing ultra-convenience with human connection. We dive into her non-traditional career path through Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Yahoo, how her team navigates viral TikTok trends like the Barista Glass and Unicorn Frappuccino, the intense pressure behind the iconic Holiday Cup, and why MrBeast is one of her biggest brand inspirations. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro & The Two-Minute Drill 04:20 - Introducing Starbucks Chief Global Brand Officer, Tressie Lieberman 05:34 - The New Starbucks Studio & Store Uplifts 07:05 - How Tressie Starts Her Day (Coffee Tastings) 08:49 - Designing the First Global Brand Officer Role 14:17 - Obsessing Over the Details & The Merchant Mindset 16:38 - Building Trust with Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol 18:45 - Rediscovering the Soul of Starbucks (Convenience vs. Connection) 24:53 - Leveraging Culture, TikTok, & The Barista Glass Trend 30:04 - Managing Ideas in a High-Frequency Brand 33:28 - Sponsor Break (Open Fortune & Tracksuit) 35:14 - Investor Day: Declaring "Starbucks is Back" 37:17 - The Pressure of the Holiday Cup & Online Feedback 41:48 - Channeling Founder Howard Schultz's Vision 43:52 - The Future of Starbucks: Tech & Ultra-Personalization 46:31 - Tressie's Favorite Global Roasteries & Locations 48:34 - Elevating the Digital App & Rewards Experience 50:05 - Tressie's Digital-First Career Journey to the C-Suite 54:37 - Crumbs of Wisdom: Courage & The Unicorn Frappuccino 58:32 - Why MrBeast Inspires Starbucks 01:01:01 - Tressie's Go-To Starbucks Order 01:03:28 - Why Starbucks is the Best Brand on Earth 01:04:58 - Episode Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways

7. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Episode 12 - Marcus Fischer of Harley Davidson

   After 30 years on the agency side — including the Subaru turnaround and a long run at Carmichael Lynch — Marcus Fischer took his first client-side job as Chief Brand Officer of Harley-Davidson. He'd never ridden a motorcycle in his life. Nine months in, he joins Matt and Hayley to talk about what he found on the inside of a 125-year-old American icon: a dealer network that customers visit just to hang out on a Saturday, riders who tattoo the logo on their bodies, and five years of marketing imagery so dark and brooding it had stopped inviting anyone in. His first creative brief at Daytona Bike Week was three words: "I want to see teeth." We get into the "Ride" platform and why it launched globally without translation, bringing back the full bar and shield, why the outlaw image is dated (and the core riders agree), the museum tank wall as a lesson in individuality inside a tribe, and the feedback loop between factory and rider that he says is faster than any brand he's worked on. Plus: the t-shirt test, main character energy, and why you can't logic anyone into riding a motorcycle. #HarleyDavidson #BrandStrategy #Marketing #BestBrandsOnEarth #ChiefBrandOfficer #BrandBuilding #MarketingPodcast #Branding #Advertising #MarcusFischer #MotorcycleCulture #AmericanBrands #CreativeStrategy #BrandMarketing #Podcast

8. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Episode 011: Cordell Broadus

   Cordell Broadus walked away from a UCLA football scholarship — twice — to build his own path. Now he's the creative director behind Doctor Bombay Ice Cream, the hip-hop inspired brand he co-founded with his father Snoop Dogg that's grown into an eight-figure business sold in Walmart and 7-Eleven. In this episode, Cordell opens up about growing up in a 17-person household, the Kobe Bryant conversation that changed his mindset, how a Bored Ape NFT turned into an ice cream empire, helping his family buy back Death Row Records, studying at Harvard Business School, and why he thinks the Broadus family still has more work to do to become one of the best brands on Earth. We sit down at the Snoop Dogg family compound in Inglewood, CA to talk legacy, failure, gaming, Web3, and what it really means to build a brand bigger than yourself. Chapters: 0:00 – Who is Cordell Broadus 1:03 – Inside the Broadus family compound 3:58 – Growing up in a 17-person household 9:41 – The conversation with Kobe Bryant 10:31 – Embracing his father's legacy 12:05 – Getting recruited to play football 14:29 – From Web3 to fashion to CPG — finding the thread 20:48 – Discovering he's "the connector," not the creative 21:27 – Learning from failure 23:17 – The origin story of Doctor Bombay 29:27 – Inside the brand's creative process 32:38 – Brick and mortar losses & lessons 33:40 – His North Star: gaming and Death Row Games 35:10 – The FaZe Clan meeting that led to Web3 36:55 – Helping buy back Death Row Records 37:40 – Studying at Harvard Business School 44:16 – A day in the life of Cordell Broadus 47:00 – His real estate portfolio 51:51 – Finding his superpower 54:25 – Crumbs of Wisdom segment 58:25 – Brands and people who inspire him 1:00:29 – Is the Broadus family one of the best brands on earth? This episode is brought to you by Tracksuit, Open Fortune, and The Clios Creator Awards. Best Brands on Earth is a podcast from The Clios, hosted by Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel, produced by Third Wall Creative. #BestBrandsOnEarth #CordellBroadus #SnoopDogg #DoctorBombay #DeathRowRecords #BrandBuilding #Entrepreneurship #Web3 #NFT #HipHopCulture #FamilyBusiness #PodcastClips #CreativeDirector #StartupStory #TheClios

9. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Episode 010 - Selena Kalvaria of Fanatics Betting & Gaming

   This week on Best Brands on Earth, Hayley and Matt break down the Good Good Golf x Callaway ad controversy that got the internet talking (and got Good Good dropped by every sponsor they had) — then sit down with Selena Kalvaria, CMO of Fanatics Betting & Gaming, for one of our best guest conversations yet. Selena has spent two decades building brands people actually love — Anheuser-Busch, Diageo, Away, and Gucci Americas — before taking on one of the most competitive categories in sports as CMO of Fanatics Betting & Gaming. We get into: The real story behind Fanatics' "Bet on Kendall" campaign and the internet's "Kardashian curse" meme that inspired it Why Fanatics went to market this football season telling a bigger brand story instead of just running promotions The data-driven bet on casting women as lead characters in sports betting ads (51% of NFL fans are women — so why weren't they in the ads?) How Fan Cash and Fair Play are built to reward fans, win or lose Casting Luke Wilson, Livvy Dunne, and Megatron for the new ensemble campaign Where AI fits (and where it doesn't) in representing real athletes The wildest pitches she's said no to Her Crumbs of Wisdom fortune cookie question, and the brands she's watching right now (hint: one of them isn't in sports at all) 00:00 Good Good Golf x Callaway ad controversy 06:57 Introducing Selena Kalvaria, CMO of Fanatics Betting & Gaming 15:34 Inside the Fanatics ecosystem: commerce, collectibles, betting 23:01 The new football season campaign and casting the ensemble 34:04 The "Bet on Kendall" campaign origin story 36:07 Why women are leading Fanatics' sports betting ads 47:10 What keeps Selena up at night 53:31 Crumbs of Wisdom: the fortune cookie segment 55:22 The brands Selena thinks are getting it right 57:44 Why Fanatics is one of the Best Brands on Earth #BestBrandsOnEarth #Fanatics #SportsBetting #Marketing #BrandStrategy #CMO #KendallJenner #SportsMarketing #Advertising #BrandBuilding #MarketingPodcast #TheClios #SportsBusiness #NFL #FootballSeason #FanEngagement

10. 

    1 Sept 2026

    Episode 009 - Marcelo Kertesz of Manscaped

    Manscaped went from a scrappy grooming startup to a $300M+ omnichannel brand — with balls, humor, and a Super Bowl ad to prove it. This week, Hayley and Matt sit down with Marcelo Kertesz, CMO of Manscaped, whose path to the C-suite runs through Brazilian political campaigns, a chance meeting over a logo design, and a pandemic-fueled all-hands rebrand pitch that could've gotten him fired.In this episode, Marcelo breaks down:🪒 How he went from directing 7 presidential campaigns across 5 countries (winning 6) to becoming Manscaped's first-ever CMO💌 The incredible story of discovering his late mother's decades of love letters — and turning them into a book (and soon, a movie)🎯 Why he staked his job on a total brand overhaul just weeks after being hired — presented to the entire company before he'd even settled in🏈 The real story behind Manscaped's first-ever Super Bowl ad, "Monster Hair" — including 49 rejected concepts📱 The data-driven insight behind their viral "Send Face Pics Instead" campaign (60M+ organic views)💰 Why Manscaped deliberately shifted ~70% of its marketing budget to upper-funnel brand building🚻 Whether a "Womanscaped" spinoff will ever happen🧠 His "Crumbs of Wisdom" fortune cookie question, courtesy of sponsor Open FortuneManscaped has become one of the fastest-growing men's grooming brands on the planet by refusing to be boring — and Marcelo explains exactly how they walk the line between premium and puerile.⏱️ Chapters00:00 — Cold open: float days & random Friday chaos04:10 — Pop culture round-up: teleprompter scandal, George Santos goes reality TV08:23 — Intro to today's guest + a game of "Greatest Hair Metal Ballads"11:04 — Meet Marcelo Kertesz, CMO of Manscaped13:24 — His parents' secret love letters and the book he's writing22:56 — From political marketing in Brazil to art direction26:15 — The winding road from Brazil to Encinitas, California30:25 — Hired to design a logo... ends up reinventing the brand32:17 — COVID hits, and he risks everything on a full rebrand pitch36:36 — The criticism that reshaped Manscaped's brand direction40:17 — Premium pricing, humor, and the upper-funnel marketing shift46:16 — Deciding to run Manscaped's first Super Bowl ad53:24 — The "Ball Trampoline" strategy and Send Face Pics Instead1:02:50 — Inside "Monster Hair": the Super Bowl ad concept1:08:03 — The 49 ideas that didn't make the cut1:11:51 — Building genuine community beyond the jokes1:13:27 — Manscaped's growth into the #3 electric shaver brand in the US1:14:33 — Will there ever be a "Womanscaped"?1:17:26 — Crumbs of Wisdom (brought to you by Open Fortune)1:20:54 — Brands Marcelo's watching right now1:22:47 — Why Manscaped is one of the Best Brands on Earth1:25:46 — Outro#BestBrandsOnEarth #Manscaped #Marketing #CMO #Branding #SuperBowlAds #Podcast

11. 

    25 Aug 2026

    Episode 008: Zech Francis, CMO of Recess

    Before Recess, Zech Francis launched his first apparel brand at 12, had it in Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's by 19, and exited a company before turning 30. After nearly 8 years leading marketing at BeatBox Beverages through a $490M acquisition, he's now CMO of Recess - the functional sparkling water brand building an entirely new "unwind" category. In this episode, Hayley and Matt sit down with Zech to talk brand architecture, why Recess is scaling from 50 in-person events a year to 50+ a month, the platform strategy behind the business, and why he thinks Recess is one of the Best Brands on Earth. WHAT WE COVER: How Zech evaluates a new role and why he joined Recess as CMO The real story behind Recess's gradient sunset can design Why "cans and hands" experiential marketing beats digital ads for new categories Going from 50 events a year to 85 events in a single month Building a platform brand instead of a single product (with Red Bull, Celsius, and Liquid Death as case studies) The rise of the "sober curious" and zero-proof mocktail movement How Recess thinks about consumer personas and capital allocation Zech's take on the future of the "unwind" shelf set in retail Crumbs of Wisdom: the weirdest part of Zech's job, and his brand crush CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Cold open: reality TV, Toy Story 5, and this week's theme song 05:10 - Song of the week: "School's Out" by Alice Cooper 06:42 - Meet Zech Francis: from teenage apparel founder to Recess CMO 08:11 - Cracking open Recess drinks 08:36 - Where Zech's based, and the "Great Guy" nickname origin story 11:08 - Laguna Beach roots and a Victoria Beach proposal story 12:28 - The can design story: sunsets, gradients, and Zech's mom 13:40 - Why Zech joined Recess and how the deal came together 20:25 - Cavu Consumer Partners, the Series B, and the "Avengers" hiring push 23:10 - Recess V2: going from niche cult brand to mainstream 24:25 - Zero-proof mocktails and the sober-curious trend 25:14 - Platform brands vs. single products: Red Bull, Celsius, Liquid Death 26:37 - Where the name "Recess" actually comes from 33:54 - The platform mindset, explained 39:26 - Why one product isn't enough to solve for "unwind" 42:07 - The big bet on experiential: from 50 events a year to 50 a month 44:33 - "I can't digitally put liquid in your mouth" — why in-person beats digital 47:43 - Case study: 85 events in one month 50:11 - Category creation and the crowded beverage landscape 51:31 - "The Red Bull of relaxation" 53:20 - The micro-events strategy: yoga, pickleball, and community 56:24 - The dream: airlines, apartments, and everywhere consumers are stressed 57:21 - Consumer personas and using data without losing the art 59:13 - Marketing as capital allocation 1:00:12 - The real skill: knowing what to say no to 1:01:02 - Zech's vision for Recess over the next 5–20 years 1:03:57 - Crumbs of Wisdom (presented by Open Fortune) 1:05:39 - The part of Zech's job nobody understands 1:07:24 - Lightning round: Zech's brand crush and why Recess is one of the Best Brands on Earth 1:11:25 - Wrap-up and where to find the show #BestBrandsOnEarth #Recess #CMO #BrandMarketing #CPG #BeverageIndustry #MarketingPodcast

12. 

    18 Aug 2026

    Episode 007: Tristan Pineiro & Sarah "SJ" Jenkins of Grindr

    This week on Best Brands on Earth, hosts Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel sit down with Tristan Pineiro (CMO) and Sarah "SJ" Jenkins (VP of Creative) of Grindr to unpack how the app behind one of the year's biggest cultural moments — Madonna's surprise Pride pop-up concert in Times Square — builds a brand that's radically honest, fearlessly weird, and impossible to ignore.From a Grand Clio-winning fashion show made from "gay sheep" wool to a $35-in-her-pocket Madonna partnership planned in total secrecy, Tristan and SJ break down the creative philosophy, internal permission structures, and brand truth-telling that's turned Grindr into a genuine cultural force — not just a dating app.In this episode:How Tristan and SJ define "brand" and why the strongest brands don't even need to say their own nameTristan's unconventional path from promoting queer clubs in Manchester to CMO of GrindrWhy Grindr thinks the industry has misjudged its cultural influence — and why "it's two words: gay sex"Inside the Madonna x Grindr Times Square takeover — planned since January, executed with 30 minutes' public noticeThe origin story behind "I Will Survive," Grindr's Grand Clio-winning fashion show made from rescued "gay sheep" woolWhy Grindr is "allergic" to the word sponsorshipChapters:00:00 – Cold open: launch day recap & podcast bloopers05:10 – Beastie Boys news & Mike D's new solo album09:53 – 23andMe rabbit hole & Scottish ancestry10:30 – Madonna's "Hung Up," Confessions II, and the Times Square teaser13:32 – Welcoming Tristan Pineiro & Sarah "SJ" Jenkins15:09 – What does "brand" actually mean?19:13 – How studying linguistics shaped Tristan's approach to comms22:13 – PR/comms background vs. traditional brand management25:27 – Tristan's early career promoting queer clubs in Manchester32:16 – Why is Grindr so underestimated in the marketing world?34:13 – "It's two words: gay sex" — the double-edged sword of Grindr's reputation36:46 – Grindr as a global cultural hub, not just a dating app40:50 – Ad break: Open Fortune & Tracksuit42:29 – Brand authenticity vs. performative allyship45:41 – How the Madonna partnership actually came together48:18 – Inside the Times Square takeover: 24 cameras, 200+ crew, total secrecy52:24 – Grindr as a launchpad for artists (Slayyyter, Chappell Roan)53:20 – The "I Will Survive" gay sheep fashion show & Grand Clio win58:26 – Grindr's creative philosophy: total creative authority1:01:19 – How Tristan got full creative permission from Grindr's CEO1:07:33 – Crumbs of Wisdom: Open Fortune segment1:08:35 – Quickfire: most misunderstood professionally1:11:27 – Brands Tristan & SJ admire (Virgin Atlantic, Coterie)1:15:43 – Why Grindr is one of the Best Brands on EarthAbout Best Brands on Earth:A podcast from The Clios, hosted by Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel, breaking down the strategy, creativity, and cultural moments behind the world's most talked-about brands. New episodes every Tuesday.#BestBrandsOnEarth #Grindr #BrandStrategy #Marketing #PodcastClips

13. 

    11 Aug 2026

    Episode 006: Megan Imbres, Chief Marketing Officer of Peloton

    Welcome back to Best Brands on Earth, hosted by Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel! In this episode, we sit down with Megan Imbres, Chief Marketing Officer at Peloton. Megan shares her incredible journey through top-tier marketing roles at Netflix, Amazon, and Apple—where her team brought the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show to life—before stepping into one of consumer fitness’s most compelling brand turnaround challenges. From navigating high-stakes campaigns like "Let Yourself Go" to completing an Ironman World Championship in Kona while settling into her role, Megan breaks down what it truly takes to build a culturally relevant brand. Key Highlights & Takeaways: Behind the Strategy: How Peloton pivoted its marketing to focus on how the product feels rather than just product demos. The Power of Music & Culture: Why music selection (like David Bowie) can make or break a campaign and how to negotiate high-profile licensing. Bringing Instructors Center Stage: Strategy around celebrity instructor talent and bringing them out of the screen and into IRL cultural moments like Formula 1. In-House Creative vs. Agencies: How moving major campaigns to an internal team saved costs and boosted creative passion. Simplicity is Hard: Key marketing lessons learned from Apple and Netflix on keeping messaging clear, bold, and effective. Timestamps / Chapter Marks00:00 - Guest Intro: Megan Imbres, CMO of Peloton 03:15 - Host Banter & Favorite Peloton Instructors 05:41 - Ironman Training on a Peloton Bike 07:03 - Joining Peloton & Working with Peter Stern 10:31 - Marketing IRL Experiences & Lessons from Netflix 12:13 - Integrating Peloton into Formula 1 Las Vegas 14:05 - Evolving Peloton’s Marketing: Showing How It Feels 17:09 - The "Netflix Party" Exercise & Evolving Brand Perception 20:00 - Crafting the "Let Yourself Go" Campaign with Hudson Williams 25:26 - The Importance of Music: Securing David Bowie Track Rights 30:04 - Leveraging Peloton’s Superstar Instructors as Talent 37:25 - Measuring Success & Expanding Modalities (Treadmills) 40:38 - Future Possibilities: Nutrition, Breathwork & Fitness Tech 45:01 - Luxury Hotel Partnerships & L.A. Hotel Residencies 48:00 - Internal Team Structure: Ditching Polished Decks for Action 52:14 - Earning C-Suite Trust & Celebrating Campaign Wins 55:09 - One-Year & Two-Year Visions for Peloton 1:02:46 - Crumbs of Wisdom: The Hall & Oates Hot Take 1:05:30 - Favorite Brands for Community Building (Nike ACG) 1:10:05 - Why Peloton is One of the Best Brands on Earth 1:12:32 - Host Post-Interview Breakdown & Key Takeaways

14. 

    4 Aug 2026

    Episode 005: Greg Fass & Andy Pearson of Liquid Death

    In this episode of Best Brands on Earth, hosts Hayley Clover and Matt Kerbel are joined by the creative minds behind Liquid Death: VP of Marketing Greg Fass and VP of Creative Andy Pearson! Together, they pull back the curtain on how Liquid Death transformed canned water into a global pop-culture phenomenon by treating the brand as a character rather than a traditional company. From hiring stand-up comedians and musicians to pulling off wild stunts with Burbank witches, they break down why prioritizing entertainment and genuine humor is the key to winning over modern consumers. 💡 Key Highlights & TakeawaysTreating the Brand as a Character: Discover why Liquid Death approaches branding like writing for a four-dimensional TV show rather than creating standard advertisements. Unexpected Collaborations: Learn how relationships with celebrity investors and non-traditional partners lead to viral campaigns like Tony Hawk’s blood skateboard and ultra-limited Ozzy Osbourne DNA cans. Andy’s 200-Mile Ultra-Marathon: Hear Andy Pearson describe his wild experience running 200 miles around Lake Tahoe with only two hours of sleep. Hiring Non-Traditional Talent: Why Liquid Death hires artists, punk musicians, and stand-up comics instead of standard corporate marketers. Embracing the Flops: The hilarious story behind placing a Super Bowl bet with a Burbank witch, and why consistent output matters more than perfection. Making People Laugh First: Why setting a simple goal of entertainment and humor is the fastest way to a consumer's heart. ⏱️ Chapter Timecodes 00:00 - Intro, Tech History & AirTags Banter 00:04:24 - News Catch-Up & Cancer Research Breakthroughs 00:07:48 - Pop Culture Hits: Convene, Will Ferrell & Serena Williams 00:10:33 - Song of the Day: Ozzy Osbourne & DNA Canned Tea 00:11:53 - Introducing Greg Fass & Andy Pearson 00:14:38 - Andy's 200-Mile Lake Tahoe Ultra-Marathon 00:18:42 - How the Liquid Death Dream Team Assembled 00:26:55 - Rebelling Against Mainstream Marketing 00:30:25 - Why Liquid Death Is Treated Like a Character 00:34:50 - Expanding Product Lines Without Losing Brand Identity 00:41:35 - The Strategy Behind Unexpected Collaborations 00:50:04 - How Liquid Death Hires "Doers" Over Marketers 00:57:07 - Super Bowl Bets & Hiring a Burbank Witch 01:03:30 - Analyzing Liquid Death Brand Data with Tracksuit 01:10:30 - Staying Fresh and Evolving Over Time 01:13:03 - Advice for Brands Wanting to "Not Suck" 01:22:08 - Crumbs of Wisdom: Can You Learn to Be Funny? 01:26:41 - Post-Interview Wrap-Up & Host Discussion

15. 

    28 Jul 2026

    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

16. 

    21 Jul 2026

    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

17. 

    14 Jul 2026

    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

18. 

    14 Jul 2026

    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

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Best Brands on Earth, from the Clios

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Uncensored CMO

• 

  Pivot

• 

  Morning Brew Daily

• 

  The Daily

• 

  Prof G Markets

• 

  On with Kara Swisher