BRANDED Leaders

Inside Moët Hennessy’s Marketing Playbook | Regan O'Kon, Why Some Brands Last 100 Years

Centuries of champagne and cognac tradition don’t survive on heritage alone. Regan O’Kon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/regan-o-kon-0140994/], SVP of Commercial Marketing at Moët Hennessy USA, shows how iconic maisons like Dom Pérignon, Hennessy, and Belvedere evolve through cultural moments, rituals, and innovation. From U.S. Open activations to music festivals and new serves like the Henny Rita, this is how luxury brands stay relevant while protecting their legacy.

The Job-Killing Myth About AI (And What Will Actually Replace You)

In this episode of Branded Leaders, host Ben Kaplan sits down with Leila Woodington, CMO at VEED, to talk about marketing in one of the fastest-changing spaces in tech: AI video. Leila shares how VEED balances brand and performance in a world where competitors shift overnight, why speed of execution is everything, and how the company helps non-professionals turn ideas into videos without needing editing skills. From AI “wow” moments to practical “AI how” use cases, she explains what it takes to stay relevant, build brand in a commoditized space, and turn rapid change into an advantage.

From Skepticism to Success: Scaling an AI Brand with Brooke Cunningham

In this episode of Branded Leaders, host Ben Kaplan sits down with Brooke Cunningham, Chief Marketing Officer at LogicMonitor, to unpack what it takes to lead global marketing in the agentic AI era. Brooke shares how she’s scaling an AI-powered observability platform in one of the most competitive markets in tech — from launching products that cut alert noise by 70% in an hour to building partner ecosystems that deliver exponential value. They discuss how to market when the landscape changes every quarter, why a learner’s mindset is a leadership superpower, and how to turn AI skepticism into trust with real proof points.  If you want a front-row seat to how top CMOs are redefining marketing, this one’s for you.

The Secret Behind Marketing 8 Brands at Once (Without Losing Your Mind)

What do gummy sharks, nostalgic sundaes, and spontaneous celebrity shoutouts have in common? Lauren Lumbley, VP of Marketing at Brix Holdings. She’s the creative force behind campaigns for Red Mango, Clean Juice, Orange Leaf, Friendly’s, and more. In this episode of Branded Leaders, Lauren reveals how she crafts emotional, omni-channel campaigns that actually get attention — even from the Jonas Brothers. From going viral on TikTok to launching a real partnership off a late-night TV mention, this is a masterclass in riding the cultural wave. We talk seasonal marketing that actually works, how to manage 120 franchisees without losing your mind, and what makes a great leader in the age of AI, coconut cream, and dopamine-driven scrolling. If you’ve ever tried to make frozen yoghurt famous, this one’s for you.

From VP Ego to CMO Clarity: Mark Wheeler’s Leadership Lessons

On this episode of Branded Leaders, host Ben Kaplan sits down with Mark Wheeler, Chief Marketing Officer at Storyblok, to unpack 30 years of hard-earned wisdom from the world of B2B tech. From navigating complex teams to avoiding the VP ego trap, Mark shares what it really takes to lead with authenticity. He also breaks down how “joyful headless” became more than just clever branding—it became Storyblok’s North Star, backed by real customer smiles and a facial recognition study. Yes, seriously.