TOP Thought Leader

Marketing a free product might sound like a breeze, but the reality? It’s a whole different challenge. In this episode of BRANDED+, we sit down with Jennifer Leitman, MBA CMO of OverDrive —the powerhouse behind Libby, Kanopy, and Sora, apps that give millions of people free access to books, audiobooks, and films. Jen shares how to build demand for a free product, the power of emotional connection in marketing, and the unique challenges of working with libraries and institutions. ?? Key takeaways: ? How OverDrive reaches and retains users—without charging a penny ? Why word-of-mouth is a game-changer for free products ? The challenges (and opportunities) of marketing through institutions ? What every brand can learn from OverDrive’s success With a career spanning TV production, wine marketing with Francis Ford Coppola, and now leading one of the most influential brands in the library space, Jen’s insights are a must-hear for any marketer. ?? Tune in now: SPOTIFY https://bit.ly/3DkpLb5 APPLE PODCASTS https://bit.ly/41pBTiX YOUTUBE Coming soon!

Why America’s Healthcare System Is Failing The U.S. healthcare system is a $4 trillion industry, yet it’s riddled with misaligned incentives, rising costs, and systemic inefficiencies. The result? A system that prioritizes profit over patient outcomes—and leaders struggling to drive real change. Take Mark Bertolini of Oscar Health and former head of Aetna. When he stepped in, Oscar Health was bleeding cash, fully dependent on the Affordable Care Act, and on the brink of collapse. In just 10 weeks, he uncovered $1.4B in hidden opportunities, cut costs with AI, and restructured the company—proving that bold leadership can drive real transformation. ?? The question is: Can the healthcare system as a whole be fixed?

How do you fix a business bleeding cash, fully dependent on government regulations, and struggling to turn a profit? Mark Bertolini, CEO of Oscar Health and former head of Aetna, did it in just 10 weeks—uncovering $1.4 billion in hidden opportunities and turning the company around for the first time ever. In a new episode, Ben Kaplan sits down with Mark to break down one of the biggest healthcare turnarounds in recent history. They cover: ?? Why Oscar’s founders avoided hiring healthcare experts—and how that nearly doomed them. ?? How AI and large language models cut costs by 1400 basis points. ?? The high-stakes reality of running a company entirely dependent on U.S. government policy. ?? The leadership mindset required to fix broken businesses and out-negotiate industry giants. ?? Check out the full episode now! SPOTIFY https://bit.ly/4hXixsv APPLE PODCASTS https://bit.ly/41zaQ62 YOUTUBE coming soon!

"Worst advice? Sometimes even good advice can be bad—for you." ?? In this upcoming episode of BRANDED, hosted by Ben Kaplan. Michael Costello (GNC) shares how he once got career advice from someone he highly respected. The advice? Stay in domestic business instead of going international. And on paper, it made sense—except not for him. Because here’s the thing: not all good advice is good advice for YOU. The right path isn’t one-size-fits-all. What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received? Don’t miss this episode—subscribe now to get the latest insights first. ???? https://lnkd.in/dGnwnW4S

“It is really hard in this business to not be distracted by a new shiny toy. We try to stick to what we know is going to work really well.”?– Dana Paris, Chief Commercial Officer,?Skinny Mixes, LLC In this episode of?BRANDED Dana Paris shares how?Jordan’s Skinny Mixes?stays focused on strategy, adapts quickly, and scales what works—without chasing every new trend. ?? Listen now:? ?? SPOTIFY? https://spoti.fi/4aJYmf4 ?? APPLE PODCASTS? https://bit.ly/40DuCvB ?? Watch the full episode:? https://lnkd.in/dsHiV-yB #Marketing #BrandStrategy #BrandedPodcast?

Cost has always been sort of the prohibitive piece of mental health care, and Talkspace is really eliminating that."?– Katelyn Watson, CMO of Talkspace The healthcare industry is evolving fast.?Legacy brands are fighting to stay relevant, disruptors are reshaping the landscape, and consumers are more skeptical than ever. In the latest episode of?Branded, host?Ben Kaplan?explores what it takes to?stand out, build trust, and drive engagement?in this competitive space. ??? Katelyn Watson - Talkspace CMO of?Talkspace, shares how the company repositioned its brand and made virtual mental health care more accessible. ?? Robert Krane co-founder of?Talkiatry, tackles one of the biggest challenges in psychiatry—access to care. ?? Pam Morrisroe?of?Breakthrough T1D?discusses how nonprofits build credibility and deepen audience trust. From?brand refreshes?to?social impact marketing, partnerships, and storytelling, this episode is packed with insights for anyone in healthcare, marketing, or brand strategy. ?? Listen now: ?SPOTIFY https://bit.ly/4hNMOKr APPLE PODCASTS https://bit.ly/4k6eR9p COMING SOON ON YOUTUBE! ?? #BrandStrategy #HealthcareMarketing #Podcast #Branded

Not all advice is good advice. Someone told Alice Cherry: ? “Just do what leadership wants—don’t share your thoughts.” This was framed as the “safe” move. But looking back, playing it safe was the real risk. The best leaders value your ideas—even when they challenge the status quo. Speaking up is how you grow. What’s the worst career advice you’ve ever received? ?? Catch the full conversation SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly/4k3afkv APPLE PODCASTS: https://bit.ly/4hZS6Sy

How do you evolve a legacy brand to meet the modern consumer—without losing what made it special? Retail is changing fast. Over 650 retailers have closed their doors, but DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse is proving that physical stores can still be a powerhouse. ?? “There’s not a single competitor for DSW. Our consumers tell us that DSW is the only place that serves multiple occasions and multiple parts of their family.” – Sarah Crockett CMO, DSW If you’re into brand strategy, consumer behavior, or the future of retail, this episode is packed with insights. ?? Listen now: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/40KE1Tf Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4gZdsQ1 ?? YouTube: Coming soon! Great conversation with Sarah Crockett— We appreciate you sharing your perspective with us!

?? How S&P Global Built a Brand That Drives Trust & Growth. What does it take to scale a $160B global brand in a world where data is everything—but trust matters even more? Ben Kaplan?sat down with?Alice Cherry?from S&P Global?to break down the?brand and culture strategy that fueled S&P Global’s evolution?from a?legacy company into a modern financial intelligence powerhouse. ?? Here’s what you’ll learn: How a bold rebrand positioned S&P Global for the future How a high-stakes merger succeeded by aligning brand + culture Why “familiarity” often beats “awareness” in brand-building How even B2B brands win by creating emotional connections Culture alignment. Brand transformation. Data-driven trust. This is the playbook. ?? Catch the full conversation? SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly/4k3afkv APPLE PODCASTS: https://bit.ly/4hZS6Sy YOUTUBE >> Coming soon!

?? From Birthday Parties to Bankruptcy—And Back: The $350M Chuck E. Cheese Comeback. For millions, Chuck E. Cheese is a childhood memory. But what happens when a brand built on fun faces bankruptcy, $1B in debt, and a pandemic that shut down its biggest marketing vehicle—birthday parties? They could’ve faded into nostalgia. Instead, they pulled off one of the boldest brand transformations in entertainment history: ? Wiped out $700M in debt ? Invested $350M into a full brand reinvention ? Revamped every U.S. location ? Ditched the animatronics for a modern experience How do you turn crisis into a comeback? And what’s next for Chuck E. Cheese as a global entertainment brand? ??? On Branded, Ben Kaplan sits down with David McKillips, President & CEO of CEC Entertainment, to unpack this high-stakes transformation story. ?? Watch the full episode here YOUTUBE: https://lnkd.in/d9i6xrjf SPOTIFY: https://bit.ly/3WSn338 APPLE PODCASTS: https://bit.ly/41geEt3