The Art of the Brand

How world building is taking over Hollywood in a different way

Celebrity brands are everywhere, but most of them are quietly failing. In this episode, Camille and Phillip unpack why influencer-led beauty and fashion brands struggle to scale, how fake luxury is eroding trust, and why Hollywood has shifted from making movies to manufacturing products. From Alo’s controversial bag strategy to Makeup by Mario’s valuation ceiling, the collapse of department stores, AI reshaping commerce, and why brands like Saks didn’t actually “fail”, they were flipped, this is a candid breakdown of what still works, what doesn’t, and why authenticity and real strategy matter more than hype.

Why “Well-Produced” Brands Still Fail

From the Golden Globes to AI-generated campaigns, this episode breaks down why brands are struggling to stay relevant in a culture-first world. Camille and Phillip unpack what award shows, Alo’s HQ, influencer entitlement, celebrity beauty brands, and AI creativity all reveal about modern branding. They explore why “well-done but unmemorable” has become the industry’s biggest problem, how shortcuts are eroding trust, and what still works when attention is fragmented and audiences are skeptical. A candid conversation about strategy, storytelling, and why relevance now requires more than visibility.

How Backlash Turned Into a Billion-Dollar Brand Play ft. Isabella Chams

People hated her pricing, attacked her brand, and tried to tear it down-- little did they know they were helping build the #1 beauty brand in Colombia. In this episode, Camille sits down with Isabella Chams, founder of Belah Beauty, the leading beauty brand in Colombia. Together, they unpack the unintended benefits of backlash and controversy, and how relentless standards turned a two-year-old Colombian beauty brand into a cultural obsession. They break down why Isabella refused to be “just an influencer,” how world-building and community replaced traditional marketing, why controversy can accelerate trust instead of destroy it, and what most founders get wrong about pricing, launches, and public opinion. This episode is a masterclass in building a meaningful brand that breaks through.

Why Influencers, AI & Brands Are Colliding in 2026

In this episode, Camille and Phillip unpack the shifts shaping branding in 2026: the collision of influencers and ownership, AI’s growing impact on creativity and speed, why luxury and fashion brands are pushing back on influencer entitlement, and how “well-done but unmemorable” has become the industry’s biggest problem. They break down creator power, parasocial relationships, monoculture’s collapse, viral moments without velocity, and why strategy, not trends, will separate the brands that win from the ones that disappear. This is a candid, high-level conversation about attention, authority, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts this year

132: TV Is Over. TikTok Is the Store. Brands Need to Adapt Fast

This week, we break down the brand and media power shift that’s happening in real time — and why legacy players are losing ground fast. We unpack why Lululemon feels increasingly irrelevant, how TikTok Shop is now outperforming Sephora and Ulta combined, and why creators with equity (not ad deals) are becoming the most powerful distribution channel in the market. We also dive into the collapse of traditional TV as Instagram launches on smart TVs, YouTube takes over the Oscars, and Netflix moves into podcast-driven sports culture. Plus: heritage branding’s unexpected comeback, why gorp-core is becoming luxury, what brands can learn from Trump’s media strategy (whether you like it or not), and why rewarding your core audience matters more than chasing mass appeal. If you’re a founder, brand builder, or operator trying to understand where attention, influence, and revenue are actually moving — this episode is required listening.