Episodes

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...