The Art of the Brand

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.

Why Trend Forecasting Is Dead

This week on Art of the Brand, Camille and Phillip unpack why traditional authority in branding is collapsing — from Pantone’s fading relevance to corporations losing control of culture in the age of AI. They explore how trends now emerge from crowds instead of experts, why brands like Lululemon lose identity as they scale, and how nostalgia, heritage, and emotional storytelling are outperforming innovation. The episode also breaks down AI’s growing role in commerce, the rise of fake content and outrage cycles, and what Christmas advertising still teaches us about meaning, memory, and human connection. This is a candid conversation about why brands that chase growth, safety, or automation without soul inevitably lose relevance — and what it now takes to earn trust in a hyper-accelerated world.

The New Rules of Branding: From Chanel to TikTok Live

This week on Art of the Brand, Camille and Phillip unpack one of the biggest shifts happening across luxury, culture, and marketing. From A$AP Rocky becoming Chanel’s newest ambassador to Kim Kardashian reinventing live shopping, they break down why legacy brands are scrambling to stay relevant. They dive into the rise of parasocial relationships, Diet Coke’s genius “fridge cigarette” micro-script, the ethics of “Pick Your Baby” advertising, Justin Bieber’s attempted brand comeback, and the collapse of major advertising agencies in the age of AI. It’s a sharp, modern look at what it now takes to capture attention — and why risk, clarity, and creativity matter more than ever.

Why K-Beauty Is Taking Over Beauty

This week, we break down the Korean anti-aging experience everyone in beauty needs to understand — from the treatments we did, to what they cost, to why Korea is still a decade ahead of North America. We get into the real differences in technology, clinical efficiency, cultural attitudes toward skincare, and why K-Beauty’s functional approach completely outperforms the spa-ified North American model.We unpack the full treatment stack: salmon DNA injections (Rejuran/Healer), density tightening, collagen boosters, skin Botox, redness reduction, toning lasers, and more — including what actually works, what hurts, and what lasts for a full year. We also talk male skincare, founder takeaways, and why studying the Korean market is becoming mandatory for anyone in beauty.If you care about anti-aging, longevity, or building beauty brands that stay ahead of trends, this episode is your roadmap.

Bogota & Beauty Brands: The Power of World-Building

This week on Art of the Brand, Camille and Phillip return from Colombia with a masterclass in world-building, culture, and how unforgettable brands are actually built. From sitting beside Dua Lipa in a Bogotá speakeasy to experiencing Andrés Carne de Res — one of the most extraordinary brand worlds on the planet — they break down how atmosphere, detail, and emotional truth shape customer loyalty more than any marketing tactic ever could. They unpack Bella Beauty’s explosive rise, why the brand’s controversy made it stronger, how AI shopping will rewrite retail, why influencer fatigue is real, and why big brands like Sephora and Skims are heading