Episodes

Halloween re-releases, 3-day theater drops, and brand ads masquerading as short films. This week we unpack how "eventfication" is reshaping entertainment and marketing, why most "make it go viral" mandates miss the point, and what Oura's $875M raise (at an $11B valuation) says about wearables — especially for women.We cover:"Sinners" returns for Halloween and why timing + communal cosplay can revive the box office (and awards chatter).Central Perk Times Square: great IP, mid vibes — how theme bu...

This episode explores how major institutions are adapting their content strategies for new audiences. We start with Robert Redford's passing, discussing how his work with Sundance created a blueprint for using cultural capital to build new communities. This ties into modern marketing innovations like "The Long Walk's" treadmill screenings—where the medium literally becomes the message. Our guest Caitlin Rease (San Antonio Spurs' content creator) breaks down how sports teams are evolving their c...

Comms pro Cristin Culver joins Meme Team to dissect Austin, TX's universally-dragged logo rollout, Reese Witherspoon’s shallow AI talking points (and how to master the PR art of bridging), and the Builder.ai collapse (aka why your ship-to-yap ratio matters). We also hit Instagram’s long-awaited iPad app, Threads’ watermarking, HBO’s latest rename spree, and Apple’s just-announced iPhone Air — with a through-line on hype vs. product and why social media is now entertainment first. Chapters: 00:...

In this episode of Meme Team, we break down three major marketing moments: Sabrina Carpenter's masterclass in brand authenticity after her album cover controversy, YouTube's game-changing new "Hype" feature for small creators, and Lionsgate's wild treadmill theater experience for "The Long Walk." From handling haters to innovative marketing stunts, we explore how brands and creators are pushing boundaries in 2025. Key moments: 00:00 Intro 00:10 Lego's Tom Holland campaign 04:20 Sabrina Carpe...

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...

Cracker Barrel's new logo threw away the character and nostalgia people loved, and guest Martin O'Leary says it should have leaned into the man in the old logo instead. Sonia Baschez and Amanda Natividad also cover KPop Demon Hunters' sing-along run, Labubu and Dubai chocolate, GLP-1s and how Weapons was marketed.

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...

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...

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...

KPop Demon Hunters became Netflix's most-watched animated movie by creating a cultural moment anyone could join, from chart-topping songs to TWICE's cover at Lollapalooza. Sonia Baschez, Amanda Natividad and guest Chi Thukral also cover American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney follow-up, bots overtaking human web traffic, and what it takes to sell exclusivity.

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...

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...

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...

Zohran Mamdani's street video worked because the excitement in it was genuine, while Andrew Cuomo's looked staged and made by committee. Sonia Baschez and Amanda Natividad also break down Oasis' Manchester tram announcements, McDonald's Calgary Stampede campaign, Nike's Substack and Penguin's viral lore reply.

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...

Zohran Mamdani's campaign paired fast, platform-native video (often posted about 60 minutes after an event) with door-to-door organizing, and the hosts tie it to 37,000 new voter registrations. Sonia Baschez and Amanda Natividad also cover Apple's F1 push notification in Apple Wallet, forensic fandom, and Delve's custom doormats that drove over $500K in pipeline.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 (...

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...

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...

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)...