Brand Slam Podcast

EP 55: Brand Portugal: TV, film & music stars from across the globe

Culture travels when people believe in it. In this special episode of Brand Slam, hosts Steve Rosa and Mary Sadlier take listeners inside the International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA) in Providence, Rhode Island, where music, storytelling and identity come together on a global stage. From red carpet conversations with actress Daniela Ruah from NCIS fame, to performances and interviews with artists like D.A.M.A., Nelson Sobral and Ensemble 17, the episode explores how Portuguese and Lusophone culture is shaping entertainment and music worldwide. What stood out throughout the night was not only the talent, but the clarity of identity behind it. These artists are building loyal audiences by embracing who they are, staying consistent in their message and creating emotional connection through authenticity and craft. For marketers, healthcare leaders and brand builders navigating crowded industries, this episode offers a powerful reminder that culture is not a limitation. It is a competitive advantage. The brands that resonate most deeply are the ones that create trust, emotional connection and a sense of belonging people can feel. The IPMAs prove that when brands stay rooted in identity and lead with emotional connection, they do not just grow audiences, they build movements. Have an idea for a guest? Reach out at brandslam@addventures.com [brandslam@addventures.com].

EP 54: Selling culture, not just products: The Portugalia story

Culture is not a marketing tactic. It is the brand. And winning brands know how to activate it.  In this episode of Brand Slam, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata sit down with Michael Benevides, President and CEO of Portugalia Marketplace and Portugalia Imports Inc., to explore how a family business rooted in Portuguese heritage became a nationally recognized brand experience. What began more than 30 years ago in a garage has grown into a 20,000 square foot marketplace that brings food, wine and tradition to life for customers across the country. Michael shares how Portugalia scaled beyond its local community without losing the authenticity that made it special. Every decision, from sourcing products directly from Portugal to creating an immersive in-store environment, is intentional. It is not just about selling. It is about creating a connection, trust and loyalty through culture. For CMOs and healthcare marketers navigating crowded, highly commoditized markets, this conversation hits at something deeper. Differentiation does not come from messaging alone. It comes from building an experience people believe in and want to be a part of. This episode breaks down the discipline required to grow a heritage-driven brand the right way. It is not growth at any cost. It is growth with clarity, consistency and conviction. Portugalia is proof that when you protect what makes you different, you do not just compete, you lead the pack. Have an idea for a guest? Reach out at brandslam@addventures.com [brandslam@addventures.com].

EP 53: Heartbreak Hill to global thrill: The Boston Marathon brand

The Boston Marathon is one of the most iconic and enduring brands in sports. On this episode of Brand Slam, presented by (add)victory, the sports marketing division of (add)global, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata sit down with Scott Stover, Chief Marketing Officer of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), to explore how the Boston Marathon has evolved into a global brand while staying true to its Boston roots. With “Marathon Monday” fast approaching, Stover breaks down what has kept the brand strong for 130 years. He points to its deep connection to the city and its traditions, as well as its ability to resonate with a worldwide audience. The conversation looks at the heart of the Boston Marathon, including how it maintains its prestige while still feeling accessible and why qualifying continues to represent one of the most meaningful accomplishments in sports. Stover also shares how sponsorships like Bank of American’s role of Presenting Partner help amplify the event’s impact as not just as a race, but as a major economic and cultural moment for Boston. Beyond competition, the episode highlights the Marathon as both a platform for storytelling and purpose and one of the largest charitable fundraising events in the world, where thousands of runners compete not just for time, but for causes that matter. As the brand continues to evolve, Stover discusses how the B.A.A. is engaging the next generation while preserving the authenticity and traditions that make Boston unique. From Hopkinton to Boylston Street, the Boston Marathon proves that great brands don’t stand still. They keep going the distance. Have an idea for a guest? Reach out at brandslam@addventures.com [brandslam@addventures.com].

EP 52: Going global: Baseball’s resurgence story with Dan Duquette

The strongest brands know when it’s time to reinvent themselves. And right now, baseball is in the middle of exactly that kind of transformation. Once challenged by shifting attention spans, the game is finding new life through global talent, a faster pace and a more connected, energized fanbase. On this episode of Brand Slam, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata sit down with longtime MLB executive Dan Duquette to explore how baseball is finding its way back to our hearts and why its future may be more international–and more exciting–than ever. Few people have witnessed baseball’s evolution up close the way Dan has. A two-time Major League Baseball Executive of the Year, he’s helped shape winning organizations across the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles. Along the way, he saw early what the game could become by investing in talent across Latin America and the Caribbean, helping expand baseball’s reach far beyond U.S. borders. It’s that perspective, grounded in people and a global view of the game, that makes his take on baseball’s future so compelling. Dan saw it before most others did: a global pipeline of talent that could elevate teams and expand the game itself. From stars like Vladimir Guerrero to today’s international icons like Shohei Ohtani, that vision has helped shape baseball into a sport that reaches far beyond its borders.  At its core, this is a story about people. Dan recognized potential early, invested in it, and built connections that stretch across continents. It’s the same instinct that drives the best brands: show up where your audience is and create something that truly connects. It’s a conversation about evolution, global thinking and what it takes for a legacy brand to win again. Have an idea for a guest? Reach out at brandslam@addventures.com [brandslam@addventures.com].

EP 51: Slides, swagger and Shark Tank: The ISlide story

The best brands don’t just sell products. They give people something to say about themselves. ISlide [https://islideusa.com/?gc_id=23663412855&h_ga_id=195963855482&h_ad_id=800871772767&h_keyword_id=kwd-1677248177975&h_keyword=islide%27&h_placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23663412855&gbraid=0AAAAADqKmT8DEANhKZlXunJlqmSRY2Gx5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwve7NBhC-ARIsALZy9HXZftEpGs9MaInO6D8Nyec5HF-uRXR0m8_M5PkLqNyQgUnCXQWbOLAaAny0EALw_wcB] built an entire company on that idea by taking a simple utility item, the slide sandal, and turning it into a platform for self-expression. Today, ISlide shows up on the feet of professional athletes, high school teams and fans across nearly every major sport. What started as a locker room staple has become a recognizable badge of personal identity. On this episode of Brand Slam, hosts Joe Kayata and Mary Sadlier talk with ISlide founder Justin Kittredge about the insight that sparked the company and the conviction it took to grow it. Few brands sit at the crossroads of sports culture and personal expression quite like ISlide. The concept is simple. Give fans and athletes a way to represent who they support and what they stand for, right down to what they wear after the game. Justin understood that dynamic long before ISlide existed. As a former Reebok basketball executive, he spent years inside one of the world’s most influential athletic brands, watching how credibility is built with players and fans. That experience helped shape his approach to partnerships, licensing and brand growth from the very beginning. Justin also recounts one of the company’s defining moments when he appeared on Shark Tank in 2016 alongside former NFL star Antonio Brown. After hearing the offers, he made the decision to walk away from the only deal on the table. For many contestants, the decision might have been simple. Accept the deal and take the momentum. Justin saw it differently. The offer could have compromised his vision for ISlide, and he trusted his belief in the idea and his business judgment enough to walk away and continue building on his own terms. It’s a moment that is just one chapter in a much larger story. Justin reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach to brand building. He also shares how basketball continues to influence his work today, including the global nonprofit he co-founded with his wife Lindsey, Shooting Touch.  It’s a conversation about insight, conviction and the unexpected places great brand ideas can begin. Have an idea for a guest? Reach out at brandslam@addventures.com [brandslam@addventures.com].