Episodes
225
Sept. 2, 2025
Bonus: Cadillac's American F1 Dream Team
Join Sonia Baschez and "F1 Guy" Vincenzo Landino as they dive into the exciting announcement of Cadillac's entry into the F1 world for the 2026 season. Discover the strategic marketing decisions behind choosing experienced drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, and explore the marketing implications for Cadillac and the broader F1 community. The conversation also touches on the American identity of the new team compared to existing teams like Haas, and the potential for Cadillac to leverage i...
22
Aug. 28, 2025
Weirdness, Wellness, Weapons, and the End of Monoculture | Meme Team 022
Join hosts Sonia Baschez and Amanda Natividad as we explore the cultural phenomena of Dubai chocolate and Labubu dolls, the impact of GLP-1 drugs on societal expectations, and the unique marketing strategies behind the film Weapons. We also quickly cover Zohran Mamdani's #zcavenger hunt, the viral success of Netflix's K-pop Demon Hunters, Sydney Sweeney's latest controversies, and the failed Cracker Barrel rebrand. 00:00 Introduction to the Meme Team Podcast 01:07 Zohran Mamdani's Innovative P...
21
Aug. 21, 2025
Trendjacking Taylor, Tariffs & Coach Bags, and Creating Timeless Brands
In this episode of the Meme Team Podcast, hosts Amanda and Sonia explore the intersection of marketing, culture, and branding. They discuss the recent rebranding of MSNBC, the legacy of Duolingo's social media strategy, and the backlash against AI personalities. The conversation also touches on creative marketing campaigns, the cultural impact of Taylor Swift, and the importance of authenticity in brand engagement. Additionally, they delve into the evolution of Coach, the impact of tariffs on fa...
205
Aug. 15, 2025
Bonus: Dropping Her Album on a Podcast Was Genius
In this bonus episode, Amanda and Sonia discuss Taylor Swift's recent appearance on the New Heights podcast, highlighting her marketing genius, personal insights, and the impact of her presence on the podcast landscape. They explore how Swift's approach to announcing new music and engaging with fans sets a new standard for artists, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and connection in the digital age. Chapters 00:00 Taylor Swift's Impact on New Heights Podcast 02:09 The Power of Podcas...
20
Aug. 14, 2025
Over-Hype, Under-Deliver: Lessons from ChatGPT, Cluely, and More | Meme Team Ep. 020
Taylor Swift Easter eggs, the GPT-5 backlash, and why your website traffic is tanking — we’re breaking it all down. In this episode, Amanda Natividad and Sonia Baschez unpack how over-hyping products can backfire, why even the biggest sites are losing Google traffic, the surprising comeback of DVDs and VHS, and what Instagram’s newest features mean for creators.Topics covered:Swifties crack the code on Travis Kelce’s New Heights guestGPT-5’s big launch (and bigger disappointment)The decline of o...
19
Aug. 7, 2025
Marketing in a World of Bots, Burnout, and Brand Missteps | Meme Team #019
Join Amanda, Sonia, and special guest Chi Thukral as they dive into the world of social media marketing and the logic behind viral content. The episode covers the cultural impact of K-pop, the challenges of bot-driven internet traffic, and the nuances of selling exclusivity in today's market.Key Topics:Introduction and Guest Introduction - Start to 5:00K-pop Demon Hunters and Cultural Impact - 5:01 to 20:00Bot-Driven Internet Traffic - 20:01 to 40:00Selling Exclusivity and Brand Allure - 40:01 t...
18
July 31, 2025
Sydney Sweeney‘s Jeans or Genes? + Appealing to LLMs will get you press
In this episode of the Meme Team podcast, Amanda and Sonia discuss the recent viral marketing strategies employed by companies like Astronomer and American Eagle, particularly in light of controversies surrounding their advertising campaigns. The conversation delves into the effectiveness of humor in addressing scandals, the implications of cultural sensitivity in marketing, and the evolving landscape of media influenced by AI. The hosts emphasize the importance of unique perspectives in content...
17
July 23, 2025
Kiss Cam Crisis Comms, Colbert Cancelled, Delta's AI, & Dumb Logo Updates
Description: In this episode, Amanda and Sonia dive into the intricacies of marketing, branding, and the impact of scandals on corporate reputation. They discuss the recent astronomer scandal, the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and the implications of AI-driven pricing strategies by Delta. The duo also explores the rebranding efforts of Goodreads and Range Rover, offering insights into the importance of maintaining brand legacy while embracing change.Key Topics: The astrono...
16
July 17, 2025
In a World of AI Slop, Be Human
In this episode of the Meme Team Podcast, hosts Sonia Baschez and Amanda engage with guest Vincenzo Landino to explore the intersection of marketing, culture, and technology. They discuss a controversial casting call for gentrifiers, YouTube's new monetization policies targeting AI-generated content, and the rise of AI influencers. The conversation shifts to privacy concerns in social media and the evolving landscape of Formula 1, particularly Apple's interest in acquiring broadcasting rights. T...
15
July 15, 2025
Why Being Real Wins: Mamdani, Oasis & Penguin Books
From political campaigns to fast food fashion, we're breaking down the most interesting marketing moves of 2025. Watch as we analyze how brands are winning (and failing) at authentic engagement, including: • How a politician's candid street interactions beat staged PR • Why Oasis turned Manchester's trams into viral marketing gold • McDonald's clever fusion of western wear and fast food • Nike's surprising move to Substack • How Penguin Books' tweet hit 1B views • The Buffalo Wild Wings vs. Gma...
14
July 10, 2025
When Brands Listen to Fans: F1, Superman & Star Wars
From F1's innovative approach to female fans to Superman's viral marketing success, we're breaking down how major brands are actually listening to their audiences in 2025. Join Sonia Baschez and guest Christina Garnett as they analyze the wins (and fails) in fan engagement across sports and entertainment.Key topics:• How F1 is revolutionizing female fan engagement• Superman's masterclass in social media marketing• Star Wars: when fan service goes right (and wrong)• The power of authentic fan col...
13
July 2, 2025
Zohran Mamdani’s Social Genius, Apple’s F1 Fail, Forensic Fandom, and the Doormat That Drove $500K
In this episode of the Meme Team Podcast, hosts Sonia Baschez and Amanda Natividad discuss innovative marketing strategies, focusing on the digital campaigning of Zohran Mamdani, the integration of product placements in films, and the rise of forensic fandom in audience engagement. They explore how brands can creatively connect with their audiences through unique outreach methods, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and cultural authenticity in marketing efforts.Chapters:00:00 Int...
12
June 26, 2025
Controversy Creates Cash: From Cluely to F1 to Canva | Meme Team 012
In this episode of the Meme Team Podcast, Sonia and Amanda discuss Cluely's controversial approach to gaining attention, the importance of zero-click marketing in today's social media landscape, explore influencer marketing tactics in F1, and highlight Canva's innovative out-of-home advertising campaign. The conversation emphasizes the need for creativity and authenticity in marketing, as well as the significance of influencer partnerships. Chapters 00:20 Tom Cruise Promotes the F1 Movie 02:0...
11
June 18, 2025
Amazon & Roku's Ad Network + Influencer Lawsuit + Apple's F1 Movie + Sprout Social | Meme Team 011
In this episode of the Meme Team Podcast, Amanda and Sonia discuss: - the evolving landscape of TV advertising - the recent class action lawsuit against Alo Yoga for misleading influencer promotions - the strategic shifts in Apple's marketing approach, particularly in film - insights from Sprout Social's annual report on social media trends Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 01:21 Deloitte's Unique Employee Benefits 05:55 Taylor Swift's Community Engagement 06:03 Amazon an...
10
June 10, 2025
Coco Gauff wins, Uber Eats creates their own TikTok, and Wedding Content Creators | Meme Team 010
On Meme Team, we talk about how to own your own story, narrative, and platform. This episode is brought to you by Sequel.io, the only platform that lets marketers host webinars directly on your website. You can see what your audience does on your site before, during, and after your webinar — giving you better data for retargeting and sales management. Learn more at Sequel.io. - Athlete - brand relationships have changed and we're here for it - Uber Eats is competing to own all...
9
June 4, 2025
From Taylor Swift to Hailey Bieber: When to Own vs. Sell Your Brand
We talk about when to own vs. sell your brand. This episode is brought to you by Sequel.io , the only platform that lets marketers host webinars directly on your website. You can see what your audience does on your site before, during, and after your webinar — giving you better data for retargeting and sales management. Learn more at Sequel.io . - We break down what Taylor Swift reclaiming her masters teaches marketers about community marketing, and creators about ownership. - Hailey Bieb...
8
May 29, 2025
Google Redoing SEO with AI, Dyson Disrupts, and Red Lobster Calls NSYNC
Did you know the American Music Awards were this week? We don't think anybody did. Google I/O: What the AI announcements mean for marketers Dyson's new vacuum (and how the Coanda effect works!) The AMAs nobody went to: Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish won, but didn't go. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton performed... but didn't do it live. And people hated on Jennifer Lopez. Red Lobster's and Joey Fatone's $19.99 in 1999 moment. (Can you send us Cheddar Bay Biscuits?) Follow us: Sonia Baschez (...
7
May 22, 2025
What Duolingo Got Wrong — and What Tom Cruise Gets Right
Bonus episode! You're welcome, teamsters. Is Tom Cruise the last movie star and... one of the best marketers? (Hear us out.) Duolingo purges its TikTok and Instagram and comes back... with a bizarre video. (Presumably to win us back after its AI-first disaster.) All-American Rejects playing in your backyard. (We wish.) Follow us: Sonia Baschez (@soniabaschez): LinkedIn and Twitter/X Amanda Natividad (@amandanat): LinkedIn and Twitter/X Sonia's consulting firm: b...
6
May 21, 2025
Netflix + Sesame Street Is a Smart Brand Deal. HBO’s Rebrand? Not So Much.
On the Meme Team podcast, we talk about the logic behind virality. Because marketing isn’t just logic — it’s culture… and this podcast decodes both. Sesame Street is now available on Netflix (but still on PBS!) Uber's route share announcement gets bungled (it's really not a bus!) HBO finally drops the "Max" (it's cleaner) Is everything going to become an AI chatbot? Follow us: Sonia Baschez (@soniabaschez): LinkedIn and Twitter/X Amanda Natividad (@amandanat): Linked...
5
May 15, 2025
Skechers’ $9B Play, Apple and Bono (ugh), and the Vatican’s Brand Moment
Marketing isn't just logic — it's culture. The Meme Team podcast decodes both. Let's goooo! Apple Vision Pro and Bono (it's like they're trying to make 'fetch' happen) Skechers doubled down on this one audience segment — and got to a $9.4 billion valuation Final Destination's brilliant guerilla marketing (but if I see a truck with logs on the freeway, I am taking the next exit) Pope Leo XIV (is this America's big marketing opportunity?) Follow us: Sonia Baschez (@soniabaschez)...
4
May 8, 2025
Duolingo Goes AI-First, KIND Rebrands, and Brands Bet on the Bots
The queen of Marketing Twitter joins the Meme Team podcast! Christina Garnett, author of the forthcoming book, "Transforming Customer–Brand Relationships: Use Emotional Connection To Build Loyalty" chats with Sonia and Amanda about: Duolingo declaring itself 'AI-first' How everything is content (and why this sucks) The magic of Lego F1 cars Rivian doubling down on community with its new ad campaign AI and Mark Zuckerberg KIND — and why a cringe moment outshined their thoughtfu...
3
April 30, 2025
Slate’s Truck Launch, Bot Farms, and Brands in Disguise
Sonia and Amanda talk about millennial nostalgia, the innovative Slate Truck, the impact of viral user-generated content, and the challenges posed by bot farms on social media narratives. Follow us: Meme Team Podcast (official website) @soniabaschez on LinkedIn and Twitter/X @amandanat on LinkedIn and Twitter/X
2
April 30, 2025
Protein Marketing, Katy Perry in Space, and Cultural WTFs
We talk about Americans' obsession with protein and protein products, the big problems about Katy Perry going to space (and what is wrong with Blue Origin), and then we end on a charming note about the Japanese ambassador to the UK Hiroshi Suzuki. Follow us: Meme Team Podcast (official website) @soniabaschez on LinkedIn and Twitter/X @amandanat on LinkedIn and Twitter/X
1
April 30, 2025
Luxury Brand Myths, Rory McIlroy’s Halo Effect, and Ryan Coogler’s Quiet Influence
First episode of the Meme Team podcast! We talk about why everyone cared so much about Rory McIlroy winning the Masters, the real tea about TikTokers saying all the luxury brands manufacture in China, and the significance of Ryan Coogler's thought leadership. The conversation emphasizes the importance of storytelling, authenticity, and understanding audience truths in effective marketing. Takeaways: Rory McIlroy’s win resonated due to his long journey and underdog status. Trend jack...