The Speed of Culture Podcast

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton and Christian Muche, Global President and Co-Founder of POSSIBLE, discuss how an industry-defining event is built from scratch. Christian shares how POSSIBLE came out of a gap he saw in the market during COVID, why Miami Beach became the right home for it, and how the conference has grown into something closer to a year-round platform than an annual gathering. They also touch upon what makes sponsorship activations work, how POSSIBLE Connect is reshaping the buyer-seller relationship, and why Christian believes trust is the most valuable currency in business today. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Christian Muche on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with David Grutman, one of the most influential entrepreneurs in modern hospitality. Known for transforming Miami into a global nightlife and dining destination, Grutman shares how social media, authentic relationships, and relentless attention to experience helped him build a hospitality empire. The conversation also explores his investments in emerging consumer brands, his growing entertainment ventures, and why “taking it personal” remains the core philosophy behind everything he builds. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow David Grutman on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with David A. Steinberg, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Zeta Global. David shares how Zeta built a data and AI platform that now serves 51% of the Fortune 100, why the company sees itself as the disruptor rather than the disrupted in a rapidly shifting martech landscape, and what it took to rearchitect the business around artificial intelligence starting in 2017. The conversation covers the launch of Athena, Zeta's voice-enabled AI copilot built in partnership with OpenAI, the internal transformation required to make AI native to the way teams work, and what the rise of generative search means for how brands reach consumers. David also reflects on his career, his advice for the next generation of marketers, and the mantra he has carried through every crisis. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow David A. Steinberg on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with Roberto Ramirez Laverde, Global Senior Vice President of Patrón Tequila at Bacardi. Roberto shares how Patrón built and protected its position in the super premium tequila category by staying true to quality, transparency, and craft. They discuss the Pursuit of Greatness campaign, the creative partnership with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, and how Gen Z is reshaping consumption habits across the spirits industry. The conversation also covers how Patrón approaches music and culture partnerships, why the on-premise channel still defines brand equity, and how human connection remains the anchor in an AI-driven world. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Roberto Ramirez Laverde on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with Dolores Assalini, Head of Axe US at Unilever. Dolores unpacks how one of the most culturally iconic men's personal care brands is reinventing itself for a new generation. From the launch of their new spray technology to the creator-led campaign History of Overdoing It, she explains how Axe is leaning into humor, social insight, and authenticity to win back cultural relevance. The conversation covers how AI is reshaping product discoverability, why the linear advertising model is officially dead, and what modern brand stewardship looks like when your consumer lives on TikTok. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Dolores Assalini on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, recorded live at CES in Las Vegas, Matt Britton sits down with Michael Lacorazza, Chief Marketing Officer at U.S. Bank. Michael shares how U.S. Bank is operationalizing AI across synthetic audiences, personalization, CRM intelligence, and product bundling to drive measurable growth. The conversation explores balancing innovation with risk, building cross-functional buy-in, the cultural power of sports, and why understanding the P&L is the ultimate unlock for modern marketing leaders. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Michael Lacorazza on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, recorded live at CES in Las Vegas, Matt Britton sits down with Natasha Madan, Head of Marketing at Intuit Credit Karma. Natasha shares how Credit Karma is evolving from a credit score provider into a personalized financial assistant powered by AI and 80,000+ data points. The conversation explores democratized creativity in the AI era, financial literacy in the age of “FinTok,” Gen Z acquisition strategy, and how trust, personalization, and human intelligence will define the next phase of financial services. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Natasha Madan on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, recorded live at CES in Las Vegas, Matt Britton sits down with Diana Marshall, EVP and Chief Experience Officer at Sam’s Club. Diana shares how Sam’s Club is building a human-led, tech-powered membership model, why experience is now the primary differentiator in retail, and how closed-loop data and AI-driven personalization are reshaping acquisition, loyalty, and retail media. The conversation explores the shift from frictionless to effortless retail, the power of associate experience, and what the future of buying looks like in an AI-enabled world. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Diana Marshall on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with Kelly Mahoney, Chief Marketing Officer at Ulta Beauty, live from CES 2026 in Las Vegas. In this interview, Kelly unpacks how Ulta Beauty’s loyalty program and personalization engine drive nearly all sales. They also discuss why motivation-based marketing segmentation has replaced traditional demographics, and how AI-powered personalization in beauty and wellness retail shapes everything from recommendations to creative execution. The conversation further explores Ulta Beauty’s omnichannel customer journey, its evolving beauty and wellness retail strategy, and how Adobe CDP and Adobe Firefly creative automation support marketing at scale. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Milo Speranzo on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Milo Speranzo, Chief Marketing Officer for Lenovo North America, live from CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Milo breaks down what it took to deliver Lenovo’s sold-out Sphere showcase, the product story behind AI PCs, servers, wearables, and Motorola, and why edge computing AI privacy now shapes a new hardware refresh cycle. The conversation also explores the Lenovo FIFA World Cup partnership, FootballAI analytics, and Milo’s leadership mantra for 2026: learn, iterate, and be a goldfish. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Milo Speranzo on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton speaks with Rachael Zaluzec, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Customer Experience and Brand Marketing at Volkswagen of America. Rachael explains how the Volkswagen ‘Drivers Wanted’ campaign returns as a cultural statement about independence and identity. The conversation explores 2026 Automotive marketing trends, the role of AI in automotive customer experience, and how Volkswagen is blending heritage with modern technology while preparing for the future of autonomous driving Volkswagen strategy. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Rachael Zaluzec on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with Jennifer Wilson, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Lowe’s, to examine how one of America’s largest retailers is executing a modern marketing strategy rooted in culture, experience, and long-term relevance. Jennifer breaks down Lowe’s brand transformation, from expanding beyond traditional home improvement into lifestyle and community, to using AI in home improvement retail, scaling creator partnerships, and building a powerful retail media network. The conversation offers a clear look at how brands evolve without losing trust, and what it takes to stay relevant as consumer behavior, technology, and culture continue to shift. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Jennifer Wilson on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Melissa Harrison, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), live from CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Melissa breaks down how CES grew from a gadget showcase into a cross-industry business hub where enterprise innovation, media, creators, and global partnerships collide. They explore what it takes to build a 13-venue event at this scale, how CTA markets a two-sided marketplace of attendees and exhibitors, the rise of the creator economy at CES, and why AI at CES 2026 marks a turning point from theory to real-world application. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Melissa Harrison on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Tom Donaldson, Senior Vice President and Head of Creative Play Lab at the LEGO Group, live from CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Tom introduces LEGO SmartPlay at CES 2026, a new platform powered by LEGO SMART Brick technology that allows LEGO creations to respond to how they are played with, all through interactive LEGO play without screens. The conversation explores LEGO System in Play innovation, long-cycle R&D product development, and how creativity and AI leadership shape the future of play. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Tom Donaldson on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits with Selina Sykes, VP and Global Head of Digital Marketing and Social-First, Unilever, Beauty & Wellbeing, for a deep look at the company’s marketing transformation. Selina breaks down how Brand DNAI, AI in content creation, digital twins, creators, and cultural insight come together to build “desire at scale.” She also explains how AI agents and agentic shopping will rewrite the future consumer journey, and why authenticity and community matter more than ever in global beauty. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Selina Sykes on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with Jessica Ling, EVP of Global Advertising at American Express, to explore how Amex is redefining premium for a new generation. Jessica breaks down the shift from exclusivity to experiential access, how the brand consistently delivers emotional and rational value, and what it takes to build modern connection across culture, sports, entertainment, and travel. She also dives into AI and the future of commerce, the power of personalization and connected experiences, and the evolving role of creators and live sport in customer engagement and brand storytelling at scale. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Jessica Ling on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton shares his perspective on the Top consumer AI trends for 2026 and how they reshape daily life, commerce, and creativity. He explains how Consumer AI adoption behavior moves beyond work tools into search, shopping, health, and learning. This reflection covers the rise of the Gen Alpha AI generation, the shift toward a new AI-powered front door of the internet, the growth of Chat-based shopping, and why hyperpersonalization marketing becomes a basic expectation. Matt also explains why this moment signals AI and the end of the knowledge economy and what brands must prepare for next. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Matt Britton on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with Koen Burghouts, President of Sweet Snacking at Mondelēz International, to unpack how one of the world’s largest snack companies continues to grow through culture, speed, and conviction. Koen shares how Mondelēz marketing strategy connects brand, culture, partnerships, and AI to keep iconic brands like Oreo and Chips Ahoy relevant. They further explore Oreo marketing strategy, Chips Ahoy marketing strategy, and what modern leaders must understand about food and beverage brand marketing trends shaping the next decade. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Koen Burghouts on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with Dr. Eliza Filby, historian of generational change, bestselling author of Inheritocracy and Founder of The Generational Blueprint, to examine how work, identity, and power are being rewritten across generations. Eliza breaks down the forces reshaping the future of work, from multi-generational workforce dynamics and economic interdependence inside families to AI workforce disruption and the rise of the inheritance economy. She explores how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are shifting expectations around ambition, personal identity, and work, and why human skills in an AI world are becoming the real currency of progress. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Eliza Filby on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Christina Panos, Chief Marketing Officer at The Corcoran Group, to discuss how emotion, trust, and creativity drive modern real estate brand strategy. Christina shares how Corcoran’s marketing uses emotional storytelling, community insight, and agent partnership to reach Millennial and Gen Z home buyers who want clarity and connection. She also discusses real estate and AI, social platforms, and the next era of real estate marketing trends across a shifting housing landscape. Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBiz Follow Christina Panos on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.