Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman

Fashion designer Norma Kamali has stayed relevant for generations by tapping into culture, creativity, and technology. In the early 60s, she got a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology but didn’t fit in with the style of the time. She abandoned design to work for an airline instead, giving her access to travel. During frequent trips to London, Norma discovered a fashion revolution that hadn’t hit the States yet. Soon she would be at the forefront of New York’s changing style. With her famous sweats collection, unforgettable sleeping bag coats, and iconic swimwear, she’s been credited with pioneering trends that still reverberate today. Unlike many designers, Norma never sold her brand, retaining control of both the creative and the business. Listen in to Norma’s conversation with Bob to tap into her wisdom– from the importance of disruption to sourcing creativity to innovative and forward-thinking uses of AI.

When he was 14, Tarang Amin’s family sold their home and bought a motel. They fixed it up and expanded their business, buying one motel after another. Since those days, Tarang’s gotten an MBA, built an impressive resume at Procter & Gamble, Clorox, and Schiff Nutrition, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of e.l.f. Beauty. Tarang still credits his days at the family motels for his achievements in the business world. Tarang shares stories about the incredible growth he’s built for brands across the board, even after hitting walls or stepping into unexpected roles. Underlying his success are core values and strategies like incentivizing employees with ownership opportunities, constantly learning from mistakes, and creating a culture of teamwork and innovation.

Jewel–with just that name, you know exactly who she is. With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, four Grammy nominations, and an American Music Award she has all the accomplishments of stardom, but didn’t get there the traditional way. She spent her childhood in Alaska performing in bars with her dad and left home at 15, struggling with homelessness as a young adult. It was performing at a coffee shop that led to a bidding war between four major labels and eventually a hit record. Yet the most surprising part of her career was when, at the peak of her fame, she stepped away from it all. Jewel recounts her journey navigating what she’s learned about mental health, the ebbs and flows of fame, and why she turned down a million dollar advance. Listen in for an insightful conversation about creativity, inspiration, and the importance of living a life in service of others.

Moderna’s CEO Stéphane Bancel will go down in history for pioneering the Covid-19 vaccine. He sits down with Bob to recount the story of the pandemic from his perspective, from the moment he knew it would become an international disaster to the decision to throw out Moderna’s playbook and risk everything to help humanity. At the time, Moderna had never sold a product, requiring Stéphane to adapt to a new strategy, scale the business, and sustain seven day work weeks. All of this has set Moderna up for a strong future. In fact, Stéphane believes Moderna’s next decade will be so critical for the healthcare industry that its name will no longer be synonymous with the pandemic.