The Art of the Brand

Why World Building Can’t Be Replaced by AI

World-building is everywhere, but most brands still don’t understand what it actually means. In this episode, Camille and Phillip unpack why branding can’t be reduced to checklists, platforms, or AI-generated output. From speaking at Harvard Business School to breaking down why Substack, YouTube, and creator-led media are signals, not strategies, they explore how context, creativity, and point of view are becoming the real competitive advantage. The conversation spans brand patriotism, AI fatigue, binary thinking in business, and why the brands that win in 2026 will be the ones that understand how to build worlds people want to belong to, not just content people scroll past.

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