Marketing / And Podcast with Bennie F. Johnson

AMA’s Marketing / And Podcast with Bennie F. Johnson

In a world where marketing is everything, and everything is marketing, we explore the world through the reflection of marketing. Everything can be a marketing conversation, we’ll take it one step further and explore the space at the intersection of marketing and…

Join us as we delve into conversations with individuals that flourish at the intersection of the unexpected. We’ll introduce you to the visionaries whose stories you might not have heard but are exactly the ones you need to know. Through thought-provoking conversations, we’ll unravel the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that have been shaped by marketing. Join us as we talk with pioneering marketers, creative geniuses, and trailblazers who are revolutionizing the world around us.

Interested in joining us for a conversation? Send an email to Amy Gwiazdowski to learn more.

Find us on your favorite podcast app

AMA’s Marketing / And Podcast Named a Finalist in The 4th Annual Signal Awards

AMA’s Marketing / And — 2025 Silver Award Winner, Genre-Thought Leadership

Season 6 Episodes

On Purpose

On being a marketing reformer

Samuel Monnie, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Purpose Hive, joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about what it means to be a marketing reformer, why purpose and profit can live together, and how a global community can inspire.
on purpose

Finding meaning in our work

Melissa Fors Shackelford, Fractional CMO, Author of Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer’s Guide to Inspiring Connection, joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about finding meaning in the work we do, knowing clarity and authenticity need to be on purpose, and the need to start with value.
on purpose

Why kindness is a superpower

Islam ElDessouky, Global Vice President Creative Strategy & Content for Coca-Cola, joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about how kindness can change the world, what it means to be given the keys to an iconic brand, and why it’s important to find the unexpected in a partnership.
on purpose

The magic and wonder of marketing

Jimi Gibson, Vice President, Brand Communication, Thrive Agency,
joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about the magic and wonder that is marketing, why it’s always important to wow an audience, and the need to be intentional when building relationships.
on purpose

Finding marketing in ourselves

Lola Bakare, Author of Responsible Marketing: How To Create An Authentic & Inclusive Marketing Strategy, joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about finding marketing in ourselves, why we need to leave things better than we found them, and discovering what it means to be a writer.
on purpose

Marketing is innovation

Richard Davies, Co-Founder of Alchemy-Rx, joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about why marketing is innovation and innovation is marketing, how marketing can never be stationary, and the pursuit of the new.
on purpose

Brand essence and sonic marketing

Becky Wixon and Bryan Biniak of Balance the Mix, join AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about brand essence, the sticky middle parts, the need for sonic identities, and why we all need to be audio first.
on purpose

The need for a strategic enemy

Laura Ries, author The Strategic Enemy, joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about the value of strategic enemies, the need to create our own brand categories, and why nothing is possible without focus.
on purpose

The combination of behavioral science and marketing

Nancy Harhut, Founder of HBT Marketing, joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about the misconceptions of B2B marketing, what happens when you employ behavioral science in marketing campaigns, and why it’s always necessary to employ the brain.
on purpose

Community support and architectural visions

oyoung Kang, President of eos Products, joins AMA’s CEO and podcast host, Bennie F. Johnson, for a conversation about studying architecture and the value of setting a vision, the need to create desirability and joy in a brand, and why you need to lean into your skills and learn new things to find success and joy.

Season 5 Episodes

chicago live

Why every brand needs its legends and lore

Jen Martindale EVP, Marketing and Communications of the Chicago Cubs joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why we need to revere the past while finding new ways to celebrate the future, the necessity of a fan vibe check, and why every brands needs its legends and lore.
chicago live

Experimentation and innovation working together

Kevin Babcock, Head of Creative Partnerships for Google joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the creator economy, why brands need to maximize awareness, and how brands can bring together generations.
chicago live

Why curiosity and tenacity will always win the day

Lena Petersen, Chief Strategy Officer of Sugar23 joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why entertainment is everywhere, the need to align with the communities we want to connect with, and why more storytelling is what’s needed today.
Chicago live

Building the space for innovation and creating environments to inspire

Matt Witt, National Digital Experience Leader of Deloitte Digital joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the value of building a space for innovation and creating environments to inspire, the importance of design thinking, and finding the objective space.
Marketing’s Superpower = Innovation

Helping others, a convergence of marketing worlds, and supercharging your work

Dov Hoffman, Vice President, B2B Marketing, Weber Shandwick, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the importance of helping others, a convergence of marketing worlds, and why understanding your core principles can supercharge your work.
Marketing’s Superpower = Innovation

Human intelligence, ethical leadership, and why the fundamentals remain

Dr. Rajesh Bagchi, the R.B. Pamplin Professor of Marketing at the Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about AMA community, human intelligence, ethical leadership, and why the tools might change but the fundamentals remain.
Marketing’s Superpower = Innovation

From Ding Dongs to NASA and the homogeny of design

Rebekah Pagis, President of Design Bridge, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the importance of brand core, the excitement of branding a rocket ship, and why brand work needs to evolve.
Marketing’s Superpower = Innovation

Leaning into luck, measuring authenticity, and culture as a skillset

Donna Sharp, Managing Director for MediaLink and current partner at United Talent Agency, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why it’s important to lean into luck, why we should measure authenticity, and why culture is a skillset.
Marketing’s Superpower = Innovation

Global impact of marketing, making marketing better, and the circular economy

Alexis Eyre and Paul Randle, AMA’s 2024 Berry Book Award and authors of the book, “Sustainable Marketing: The Industry’s Role in a Sustainable Future”, join AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the global impact of marketing, why we all need to make marketing better, and the circular economy.
Marketing’s Superpower = Innovation

Finding talent, tackling risk aversion, and the necessity of curiosity

Jason Brown, CEO of Pearlfisher, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about finding talent that exceeds you, tackling risk aversion, and why curiosity and faith are both necessary.
Marketing’s Superpower = Innovation

Journey to transformation, evolution, and growth mindset

Kate Price and Adam Tremblay of Prophet join AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about transformational journeys, how marketing teams collaborate and how thoughts are evolving around a growth mindset.

Executive Marketer Conversations

executive marketer conversations

Moments of aha, creative destruction, and applying the so what

Marcus Collins, author of For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about finding those aha moments, the value of creative destruction, and why we need to show up, know the text, and have an opinion.
executive marketer conversations

Broad role of the CMO, unlocking challenges, and understanding the business

David Edelman, author of Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the role of the CMO, why we need to unlock challenges, and most of all, understand the business.

Season 4 Episodes

CMO and Beyond

The travel mindset and the travel vertical, creating the living room in the sky, and the complexity of logistics

Richard Nunn, the CEO of Mileage Plus for United Airlines, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the travel mindset and how we need to change our thinking around travel verticals, the value of creating the living room in the sky, and complexity of logistics.
CMO and Beyond

Retail and changes in commerce, making mind leaps, and the value of the foundational elements of marketing

Steve Dennis, author of Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about retail and changes in commerce, why making mind leaps can change your outlook, and the value of the foundational elements of marketing.
CMO and Beyond

Being fearless, the expanding senior executive marketing space, staying connected, and the value of critical thinking

Tiffany Wilburn, Fractional CMO at Clever Disruption, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why being fearless is important, the expanding senior executive marketing space, staying connected, and the value of critical thinking.
CMO and Beyond

Navigating chaos, changing the trajectory of business, and the impact of the Hispanic market

José Villa, CEO of Sensis, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about how we navigate chaos, the need to change the trajectory of business and the power of integration, and the impact of the Hispanic market.
CMO and Beyond

Resistance to change in higher education, finding good ideas in non-traditional spaces, and why we need to do the research

Brian Rosenberg, President Emeritus, Macalester College and author of the book, Whatever It Is, I’m Against It: Resistance to Change in Higher Education, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why there is resistance to change in higher education, how to find good ideas in non-traditional spaces, and why we need to do the research.
CMO and Beyond

Difference between the map and terrain, deeply understanding people, and why marketing is about humanity

Paul Frampton, Global President of Control vs Exposed (CvE), joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the difference between the map and the terrain, deeply understanding people, and why marketing is about humanity.
CMO and Beyond

The importance of nostalgia in rest, global scale and local experience, and taking the time to imagine and create your own future

Jon Cook, the Global CEO of VML, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the importance of nostalgia in rest, global scale and local experience, and taking the time to imagine and create your own future.
CMO and Beyond

Being the chief magic officer, learning to accept feedback, and getting better at dealing with change

Eugenia Blackstone, Chief Marketing Officer for Iris Powered by Generali, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the being the chief magic officer, learning to accept feedback and making teams work, and knowing that the more you deal with change, the better you are at dealing with change.

Season 3 Episodes

Live Conversations

From campus to national radio, the culture of radio, and the relationship between social media and marketing

LaFontaine E. Oliver, President & CEO of New York Public Radio,
joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about his start on a campus radio station and what it means to lead New York Public Radio today, the culture of radio, and the relationship between social media and marketing.
Live Conversations

The academic journey in marketing, encouraging the next generation of marketers, and the importance of relationships

Lerzan Aksoy, Ph.D., Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University
joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about her academic journey in marketing, how she is helping to encourage the next generation of marketers to be lifelong learners, and the importance of relationships.
Live Conversations

The early days of the internet, authenticity of audiences and showing up all the time, and why living in New York City is a gift

Fernando Romero, SVP of Digital Ad Sales at TelevisaUnivision joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the early days of the internet, why digital is no longer just a concept but integrated into everything we do in marketing, the authenticity of audiences and the value in showing up all the time, and why living in New York City is a gift.
Live Conversations

Career journey from consulting to in-house, sustainability, the capacity of caring, and why design has the power to transform

Forest Young, Executive Director of Design, FUNDAMENTAL.co joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about his career journey from consulting to in-house design leader, the importance of sustainability as more than a discussion point, the capacity of caring, and why design has the power to transform.
CMO Conversations

The strategy of brand, why brand is more than the logo, and understanding the company business

Dan Csont, Chief Marketing Officer of Corpay, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the strategy of branding, executive partnerships, and the importance of understanding the business of the company.
CMO Conversations

Enabling your team, the value of a thank you, and saying yes

Radhika Duggal, Chief Marketing Officer of Major League Soccer, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why you should enable your teams to do the important work, the value of a thank you, and figuring out how to say yes.
CMO Conversations

Being a creator first community, entrepreneurial spaces, and the value of simplicity

Alex Morrison, Chief Marketing Officer of Pearpop, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about what it means to be a creator first community, why entrepreneurial spaces are important, and the value in simplicity.
CMO Conversations

Finding connective threads, understanding perceptions, and how tourism can change lives

Leah Chandler, Chief Marketing Officer of Discover Puerto Rico, and AMA’s 2024 National Nonprofit Marketer of the Year, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why we need to find connective threads in our work, the value of understanding perceptions, and how tourism can change lives.
CMO Conversations

Finding opportunities in the pain points, knowing that innovation is about trying, and understanding the art of persuasion

Clemence Sop, Head of Marketing Innovation at InterSystems, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about finding opportunities in the pain points, knowing that innovation is about trying, and understanding the art of persuasion.
CMO Conversations

Value of the professional community, learning from partners in the global space, and understanding emotional connections with customers

Krenda Frushour, Senior Director International at Blistex Inc. joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the value of the professional community, learning from partners in the global space, and understanding emotional connections with customers.
CMO Conversations

Why we need to build experiences and human connections, the integration of emotional intelligence and technology, and why leaning into guilty pleasures is a good idea

Erin Levzow, innovative marketing leader and CMO and the Growth Advisor for Batch & Box , joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why we need to build experiences and human connections, the integration of emotional intelligence and technology, and why leaning into guilty pleasures is a good idea.
CMO Conversations

On being a marketing fanboy, the evolution of content marketing, and why we need to focus on delivering value

Robert Rose, founder and Chief Strategy Officer of The Content Advisory and author, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about being a marketing fanboy, the evolution of content marketing, and why we need to focus on delivering value.
CMO Conversations

Insights from Marketing Leaders: Building Brands, Empowering Teams, and Connecting with Customers

In this special “CMO Mashup” episode, AMA’s brings together insights from top marketing leaders across industries to explore the strategic and human sides of marketing. Join us for a powerful discussion that showcases diverse approaches to building resilient brands, nurturing creativity, and forging authentic connections in today’s marketing landscape.

Season 2 Episodes

RE:Mix

Career Breakthroughs, Leveraging the Power of Design, and Mentorship

Brian Rice, Senior Vice President, Global Chief Design and Brand Experience Officer at 3M Company joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about career breakthroughs, why we should all be leveraging the power of design, and the value of mentorship.
RE:Mix

Shoes as Entertainment, Brand Personalities, and Being the CMO

John Fisher, Senior Lecturer in the Marketing Department of Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about why shoes are now entertainment, running as a sport, brand personalities, and the importance of being the CMO.
RE:Mix

Getting It Right and Being Part of the Solution

Wes Michael, President of Rare Patient Voice, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about brand management, experimenting, listening to the voice of the consumer, and being part of the solution.
RE:Mix

Recognizing the Future and Connecting with Your Audience

Naomi Litowitz, marketing and strategy leader, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about how we recognize the future, why you never want to pay the creepiness tax, and why you need to connect with your audience.
RE:Mix

Promises and Perils of Tech and Ethical Frameworks

Clay Sharman, Founder and CEO of Krateo.ai, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about marketing and AI, machine learning, the promises and perils associated with technology, and why we need ethical frameworks.
RE:Mix

Value of Disruption and Future Proofing Skills

Dr. Jason Wingard, Visiting Professor at Harvard University, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the future of work, the value of disruption, and the importance of future-proofing skills.
RE:Mix

Cultural Intelligence and Responsibility of Marketers

Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel, cultural theorist, writer, social critic, and strategist and the author of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about cultural intelligence and the responsibility of marketers.
RE:Mix

Future Storytelling and Not Being the Hero

Rohit Bhargava, Founder of the Non-Obvious Company, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the future of storytelling, why it’s best to not be the hero, and how to see things that others don’t see.

Season 1 Episodes

Creative Leadership

Creative endeavors and system design

Sean Adams, the Dean of Visual Art and Communication at the ArtCenter College of Design, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson for a discussion about pushing the limits, being committed to your profession, and how branding is changing.
Creative leadership

Value of saying yes and strategic approaches

Zontee Hou, the Founder of Brooklyn-based digital marketing agency Media Volery and Managing Director for Convince & Convert, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to discuss why we should invest in our teams, the culture of curiosity, and privacy and personalization.
creative leadership

Innovation journey and finding patience in tech

Elav Horwitz, the Executive Vice President, Global Head of Applied Innovation, Gen AI Lead of McCann Worldgroup, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about creativity and the human experience, the needs for experimentation, and trends in technology.
creative leadership

Strategic intent and driving enduring change

Dr. Sylvia Long-Tolbert, the Founder of Know More Marketing, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to explore why a mental model can help transform old brands into new ones, the need to integrate data into our work, and the incredible power of empathy.
creative leadership

Value of the platform and business re-engineering

Ted Moser, Senior Partner at Prophet and the author of Winning Through Platforms, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about his new book, Winning Through Platforms, why the platform is a great company equalizer, and finding the thing you’re passionate about.
creative leadership

Marketing to children and privacy in advertising

Katie Goldstein, the Global Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at SuperAwesome, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about what marketers need to know when marketing to children, keeping kids safe online, and what we all need to know about online privacy.
Creative leadership

Human-driven innovation and career journeys

Paul M. Rand, the Vice President of Communications at the University of Chicago, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the value of human connections, innovation and exploring new ways of doing things, and entrepreneurial journeys.
Creative Leadership

Disruption, transformative marketing and demarketing

Philip Kotler, the S. C. Johnson Distinguished Professor of International Marketing at the J. L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about disruption in the marketing profession, why marketing should be transformative, and the value of demarketing.

Giving Tuesday Conversations

The #GivingTuesday Conversations

Trust, credibility, and service

Dr. Leonard L. Berry, Distinguished Professor of Marketing, Regents Professor, and the M.B. Zale Chair in Retailing and Marketing Leadership in the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about building trust through marketing, service in innovative ways, and the value of organizational generosity.
The #GivingTuesday Conversations

Entrepreneurship and the value of an internship

Taylor Falls, a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Specialist at Adobe, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about the value of learning, resilience and being an entrepreneur, and what’s next for DEI work and impact.
The #GivingTuesday Conversations

Finding community and full circle moments

Colin Adams, a fourth-year Business Administration student at North Carolina State University joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about leaning into your community, how marketing can make a difference, and the value of confidence and authenticity.
the #givingtuesday Conversations

Unexpected career paths and exiting comfort zones

Dr. Tracy A. Khan, Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, joins AMA’s Bennie F. Johnson to talk about her career journey and how she found her way to marketing, why we should all step out of our comfort zones, and the importance of giving back.