Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

Earned is a podcast by CreatorIQ.

by CreatorIQ

About Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

Earned is a podcast by CreatorIQ. The series explores creator marketing by sitting down with the industry leaders who do it best: the marketing philosophies and strategies behind today's top brands and agencies, best practices for building communities online and off, and career advice for newcomers and veterans alike.

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Episodes

New episodes usually come out every two weeks.Latest 200 episodes in the feed

Oct 28, 2026 · 31 min

Creator Marketing at Scale: How e.l.f. Cosmetics Builds Community Through Creators, According to Micah Jesse Koffler

Creator marketing works best when a brand shows up where its community already gathers. In this live Earned episode from CreatorIQ Connect, Micah Jesse Koffler, who manages creator content and relationships across e.l.f. Cosmetics, skin and hair, draws on a career that spans beer, food and beverage, and red carpet correspondent work. He walks through the 60/40 rule behind 135 campaigns in a year, the Texas and…
Oct 14, 2026 · 31 min

Beauty Marketing Should Be Fun: How DIME Built a $3.6M EMV Month, According to Bernice Merlini

Creator marketing delivers its biggest results when it connects product, brand, and culture, and DIME is putting that idea to work. In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ Global Head of Strategic Services Joy Osinloye talks with Bernice Merlini, who leads product development, brand creative, creator social, and product marketing at DIME. Bernice has worked across the full beauty life cycle, from founding teams at new…
Sep 30, 2026 · 30 min

Jasmine Wong on Why Data Security Should Come Before the AI Tool

In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ VP of Brand Marketing, Ashley Waxman sits down with Jasmine Wong, security engineer and creator with a community of over 115,000 followers, to explore how AI is reshaping both security practices and creator-brand relationships. Jasmine brings a rare combination of skills to the creator economy, a trained security engineer who also builds content and community around making AI…
Sep 16, 2026 · 29 min

Why the Consumer, Not the Brand, Is Choosing Creators Now: KIKO Milano's Katie O'Reilly Explains

In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ Chief Customer Officer Jennifer Cho sits down with Katie O'Reilly, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of North America at KIKO Milano, to explore how Italian beauty heritage scales in the American market while staying culturally relevant. Drawing on a career spanning nearly every major function in beauty, including roles at Macy's, MAC, and now KIKO Milano, Katie…
Sep 2, 2026 · 27 min

How Brands Can Build Stronger Creator Partnerships, According to Gigi Robinson

In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ Chief Customer Officer Jennifer Cho sits down with Gigi Robinson, founder of Hosts of Influence and Creator Etiquette, Penguin Random House author, keynote speaker, and creator, to explore what it takes to build a more professional and sustainable creator economy. Drawing on her experience building a multifaceted creator business and long-term brand partnerships, Gigi shares why…

Earlier episodes (195)

Aug 19, 2026 From Audience to Fandom: Sharon Mussalli on Building Media Brands People Love
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ Chief Customer Officer Jennifer Cho sits down with Sharon Mussalli, CEO of NowThis, to explore what it takes to build a sustainable media business in an era shaped by social platforms, creators, and rapidly changing audience behaviors. Drawing on more than two decades of experience across media, entertainment, and technology, Sharon shares why enduring brands turn audience…
Aug 5, 2026 200 Episodes Later, Earned Enters Its Next Chapter
In this special 200th episode of Earned, CreatorIQ celebrates a major milestone with the official introduction of its four new hosts: Ashley Waxman, Vice President of Brand Marketing; Jennifer Cho, Chief Customer Officer; Joy Osinloye, Vice President of Customer Success, Americas; and Tim Sovay, Chief Partnerships Officer. Together, they share the unique perspectives they'll bring to the podcast—from brand strategy…
Jul 22, 2026 What Cannes Lions 2026 Revealed About the Future of Creator Marketing
In this special Cannes Lions edition of Earned, CreatorIQ VP of Brand Marketing Ashley Waxman is joined by creator economy experts Lia Haberman, Antoine Hery, and Shira Lazar to unpack the biggest conversations shaping the future of creator marketing. Drawing on insights from across Cannes Lions 2026, they explore the evolution of creator strategy, the growing role of employee advocacy, and why trust continues to…
Jul 8, 2026 From Reach to Relationship: Why the Future of Creator Marketing Is Customer Experience
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ Chief Partnerships Officer Tim Sovay sits down with Karthik Suri, Chief Product & Corporate Strategy Officer at Sprinklr, to discuss how creator marketing is becoming a core part of the customer experience. Drawing on leadership roles at PayPal, GE Digital, and Sprinklr, Karthik shares his perspective on the evolution of social, the growing influence of creators, and the…
Jun 24, 2026 What Heritage Brands Can Learn From the Creator Economy, According to Gap Inc.'s Damon Berger
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ Chief Partnerships Officer Tim Sovay sits down with Damon Berger, SVP of Shared Marketing Services at Gap Inc., to discuss the evolution of digital storytelling and the growing role creators play in shaping culture. With a career spanning Disney, What's Trending, Fullscreen, Mattel, and Gap Inc., Berger brings a unique perspective on how audiences, platforms, and brands have…
Jun 10, 2026 Why Lived Experience Is Every Creator's Competitive Advantage With Fola Amudipe
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ VP of Customer Success Joy Osinloye sits down with creator and storyteller Fola Amudipe to explore what it takes to build a meaningful community in today's creator economy. Known for her beauty, lifestyle, and travel content, Fola shares how she evolved from an educational creator into a storyteller focused on connection, purpose, and lived experience—and why that shift has…
May 27, 2026 Chase Fitzgerald on the Evolution of Creator Relations, Measurement, and Modern PR
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ VP of Brand Marketing Ashley Waxman sits down with Archetype SVP of Strategy Chase Fitzgerald to explore how creator relationships are reshaping earned media, PR, and modern communications strategy. Drawing on experience across agency leadership, creator strategy, and large-scale programs like CES, Chase shares why brands need to stop thinking transactionally about creators and…
May 13, 2026 From Campaigns to Infrastructure: Jamie Gutfreund on What Brands Still Get Wrong
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ Chief Partnerships Officer Tim Sovay sits down with Jamie Gutfreund, founder of Creator Vision, Forbes contributor, and former executive at Hasbro, Microsoft, Expedia, CAA, and Whalar, to explore why the creator economy still lacks the infrastructure needed to truly scale. Drawing from experience across brands, agencies, and media, Jamie shares her perspective on how creator…
Apr 30, 2026 REPLAY: Anastasia Soare, the Legend Behind Anastasia Beverly Hills, on Mastering Makeup and Market Influence
REPLAY: Conor Begley sits down (in the iconic flagship location) with Anastasia Soare—legendary founder and CEO of iconic beauty powerhouse, Anastasia Beverly Hills—to discuss her journey to creating a beauty (and brow) empire. To start, we discuss Anastasia's journey from arriving in the U.S. in 1989 without knowing English, to transforming her passion for beauty into a billion-dollar empire. Anastasia shares the…
Apr 15, 2026 How Creators Are Transforming Marketing Strategy: From Campaigns to Infrastructure with Monica Khan
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ VP of Brand Marketing Ashley Waxman sits down with Monica Khan—multihyphenate creator economy advisor, operator, and founder—to explore how brands must evolve from campaign thinking to creator-led infrastructure. Monica shares her unique perspective from working across platforms like YouTube and Meta, advising top creators through her firm Creator Revolution, and consulting with…
Mar 18, 2026 REPLAY: Unveiling Luxury: Inside Four Seasons' Marketing Strategies with Christina McCarthy
In this replay episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Christina McCarthy, Vice President of Global Media at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. To start, we dive into Christina's impressive career journey from fashion and beauty giants like Victoria's Secret and MAC. We delve into Four Seasons' strategic shift from traditional marketing to crafting rich, brand-building experiences that resonate with audiences.…
Mar 5, 2026 How Dove Turns Cultural Moments into Creator Marketing
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Dana Paolucci, Head of Influence and PR at Dove North America, to unpack how one of beauty's most iconic brands is evolving creator marketing—without losing sight of its mission. Dana reflects on the "everything and nothing changes" reality of the space, from creators becoming full-fledged brands and franchises to the enduring importance of trust,…
Feb 18, 2026 How Creators Drive Demand Across the Customer Journey with Frank Dudley
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Frank Dudley—marketing leader, Northwestern professor, and author of an upcoming Wiley book on Creator Marketing and Commerce Media—to unpack why the industry's shift from influencer marketing to creator marketing is more than semantics. Frank argues that creators aren't a channel; they're the connective tissue across the customer choice journey,…
Feb 4, 2026 Epidemic Sound's Gracie Schram on Using Sound as a Strategy for Creators
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Gracie Schram, Head of Strategic Initiatives for Creators at Epidemic Sound, live from Dubai during the 1 Billion Followers Summit. Gracie brings a rare, dual perspective to the conversation, shaped by nearly 15 years in the music industry as a recording artist and her current role helping creators and brands harness the power of sound at scale.…
Jan 22, 2026 Credibility Over Clout: Inside LinkedIn's Vision for Creators
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Sam Clanon, Director of Product, Create at LinkedIn, live from Dubai during the Billion Follower Summit, to explore how today's platforms can better serve creators, professionals, and businesses alike. Sam reflects on his career shaping content ecosystems at TikTok and Snapchat before stepping into LinkedIn's uniquely complex mandate: designing…
Jan 6, 2026 Building a VIP Community That Drives Retention With Jenna Habayeb
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Jenna Habayeb, President of Posh Peanut and four-time CMO (formerly of IPSY and Ruggable), to unpack how community, speed, and product obsession power sustainable brand growth. Jenna shares Posh Peanut's origin story—founded by Fiona on Etsy—and how the brand differentiated itself in kids apparel through buttery-soft viscose bamboo fabric, bold…
Dec 22, 2025 How to Build Brands and Influence People's Predictions for Creator Marketing in 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, Alex Rawitz—CreatorIQ's Director of Research & Insights—hosts the final How to Build Brands and Influence People: Live of the year with a special crossover guest: Brit Starr, CreatorIQ's Chief Marketing Officer and host of the Earned podcast. Together, they unpack the biggest creator marketing shifts of 2025 and lay out what brands should prepare for in 2026. Brit names 2025 the year the…
Dec 9, 2025 Center of Excellence, Center of Execution: Leah Walker on Scaling Creator Marketing at Adobe
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Leah Walker, Director of Social Media at Adobe, to unpack how one of the world's leading creative companies is scaling its creator strategy. Leah reflects on her decade at Adobe and shares how the brand moved from scattered influencer activations to establishing its first dedicated influencer marketing team—marking a major shift in how Adobe views…
Nov 25, 2025 From Creators to Entrepreneurs With Sidewalker Daily's Nina Zadeh
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Nina Zadeh, co-founder of Sidewalker Daily, to explore the evolving landscape of the creator economy and the transition of creators into savvy entrepreneurs. Nina shares her extensive experience in brand management and offers invaluable insights into how creators can strategically position themselves as essential partners to brands. The discussion…
Nov 12, 2025 Live From CreatorIQ Connect LA: Expert Takes on What's Next in the Creator Economy
This week on Earned, we dive into the dynamic evolution of the creator marketing landscape. Recorded onsite at our CreatorIQ Connect LA event, this episode brings you insights from industry leaders like Kate Brady from PepsiCo, Brian Manning from Wayfair, Leah Walker from Adobe, Dana Paolucci from Dove, and Amy Johnson from Wasserman as they discuss the shift from traditional advertising to more genuine,…
Oct 28, 2025 How INNBEAUTY's Alisa Metzger Builds Trust Through Real People and Real Results
In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Alisa Metzger, co-founder of INNBEAUTY Project, to explore her journey from leading roles at beauty giants like L'Oréal and La Prairie to building her own clean, vegan, affordable skincare brands. Alisa shares how her passion for beauty and marketing fueled the creation of INNBEAUTY Project with co-founder Jen Shane, and how they're redefining…
Oct 14, 2025 Unpacking the State of Creator Marketing with Jasmine Enberg
In Episode 184 of Earned, CreatorIQ's Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Jasmine Enberg, former VP, Principal Analyst at EMARKETER. We dive into CreatorIQ's annual State of Creator Marketing Report and what it reveals about the future of trust, community, and content performance. Brit and Jasmine unpack the shift from creator-focused to content-first strategies that are driving measurable business…
Sep 30, 2025 Unveiling the Magic of Toy Marketing: Inside Moose Toys with Liz Grampp
In Episode 183 of Earned, CreatorIQ's Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Liz Gramp, VP of Marketing and Communications at Moose Toys, to explore how the brand brings play to life through characters kids love—like Bluey and Little Live Pets. Liz pulls back the curtain on Moose's approach to capturing attention during the all-important July–December season, guiding caregivers through purchase…
Sep 16, 2025 Harnessing Curiosity: Insights from Roya Zeitoune, Head of Culture and Trends at YouTube EMEA
In Episode 182 of Earned, CreatorIQ's Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Roya Zeitoune, Head of YouTube Culture & Trends, EMEA. Diving in, Roya shares her journey—from early days in the matchmaking industry to leading YouTube's whimsically named "cats team"—and what it's taught her about connecting audiences with content that matters. She opens up about her unconventional career path, which includes…
Sep 2, 2025 From Aussie Brand to Culture Shaper: Outcast's Bold Brand Identity with CMO Christina McGonagle
In Episode 181 of Earned, CreatorIQ's Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Christina McGonagle—Chief Marketing Officer of Outcast, the bold Australian fashion brand taking the world by storm—to unpack how a bikini startup transformed into a global powerhouse. From its humble beginnings selling swimwear out of a bedroom, Outcast has grown into an international sensation, fueled by a fearless brand…
Aug 19, 2025 Bridging Authenticity and Business with Trend CEO Ted Raad
In Episode 180 of Earned, CreatorIQ's Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Ted Raad—founder and CEO of Trend, a top U.S. creator management agency—to explore what happens when business acumen meets creative purpose. After a career in mergers and acquisitions, Ted's perspective shifted thanks to one person: his wife, a fashion and lifestyle creator navigating brand partnerships and authenticity. Now,…
Aug 6, 2025 Strategies & Success Stories From Trailblazers in Beauty
In this special episode of Earned, we're compiling the best moments from our conversations with five powerhouse beauty brand founders: Sarah Gibson Tuttle of Olive & June, Lilly Ghalichi of Lilly Lashes, Rea Ann Silva of Beautyblender, Taylor Frankel of Nudestix, Courtney Shields of DIBS, and Deepica Mutyala of Live Tinted. Tune in to hear how these women transformed personal inspiration and experiences into…
Jul 30, 2025 FP Movement's Courtney Wartman Weis on Growing From Free People Sub-Brand to Global Activewear Powerhouse
In Episode 179 of Earned, CreatorIQ's Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Courtney Wartman Weis, managing director of brand marketing at FP Movement, to explore how the activewear label is scaling purposefully in today's creator-driven landscape. Courtney shares how FP Movement evolved from a sub-brand of Free People into a global community-led brand of its own—and reveals how the pandemic-era shift…
Jul 22, 2025 How Venting Went Viral: Shima Katouzian's Journey to Social Media Stardom
In Episode 178 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Shima Katouzian, powerhouse beauty creator ( @sheemoma on Instagram, 2.8M followers) and founder of BODO Makeup. To start, we dive into Shima's remarkable journey from Tesla employee to beloved Instagram influencer who's fostered a community of nearly 3 million passionate fans. We learn how during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shima discovered her passion…
Jul 15, 2025 The Future Is Wearable: Marketing Innovation With Meta's Raashi Rosenberger
In Episode 177 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Raashi Rosenberger, head of marketing for Meta Wearables, for a compelling conversation on the intersection of technology, humanity, and innovation. Raashi shares how devices like Ray-Ban Meta AI are designed not to distract, but to deepen real-world connection—reducing screen time while enhancing everyday experiences through seamless AI integration.…
Jul 8, 2025 From Creator to Co-Founder: Jess Hunt's REFY Journey from CreatorIQ Connect Europe
In this inspiring session at CreatorIQ Connect Europe, REFY co-founder Jess Hunt shares her evolution from creator to entrepreneur and unpacks how authenticity, community, and creator collaboration have been central to the brand's rapid growth. From launching top-performing products with real-time feedback from REFY's creator community to building long-term, trust-based partnerships, Jess offers a behind-the-scenes…
Jun 24, 2025 Meet CreatorIQ's Newest Leaders: Jennifer Cho & Brig Graff
In Ep. 176 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Jennifer Cho, CreatorIQ's new chief customer officer, and Brig Graff, our new SVP of services. To start, Jennifer and Brig dive into the dynamic world of creator marketing. With Jennifer's extensive experience in brand marketing across music, sports, and entertainment, the episode offers a fresh perspective on the transformative power of creators in…
Jun 18, 2025 AI With a Human Touch: Building Better Creator Partnerships at Scale from CreatorIQ Connect London
AI's role in creator marketing has been a subject of much conversation and debate in a human-centered business. How can AI accelerate versus compete with human connection and creativity? In today's episode of Earned, we're sharing a replay of a panel from Connect London, where Google Meta and CreatorIQ share perspectives on how AI unlocks value without blocking the power of the people who make it all work. The…
Jun 11, 2025 Building Resilient Brands: Insights from AG1, Uber and Yeti from AG1 CMO Paulie Dery
In Ep. 175 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Paulie Dery, the CMO of AG1—the clinically-backed daily health drink. To start, we dive into Paulie's transformative journeys of renowned brands such as Uber, Yeti, and AG1. Paulie shares his unique approach to crafting iconic brands, emphasizing the importance of avoiding mediocrity and embracing inflection points that fuel creativity and innovation.…
Jun 3, 2025 Strategic Shifts: Beiersdorf's Venture into Influencer Marketing and the Creator Economy
In Ep. 174 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Hassan Daoud, Global Head of Social Media & Influencers and Antoine Héry, Change Management, CDO Office from Beiersdorf. To start, we dive into how Beiersdorf, the company behind iconic brands like La Prairie, Nivea and Eucerin, is investing heavily in influencer marketing to unify global efforts and optimize returns on investment. Antoine and Hassan…
May 28, 2025 What Creator Marketing Looks Like in 2025 from CreatorIQ Connect Europe
Earlier this month, we hosted our second annual CreatorIQ Connect Europe in London. 800 marketers, including more than 200 CEOs, CMOs, founders and VPs across 436 different brands and agencies from 17 countries joined us to learn and connect around the power of creators in transforming business. We are witnessing a fundamental shift in how trust is built, how culture is shaped, and how communities are formed, and…
May 21, 2025 Transforming Communication for Impactful Leadership with Tim Fortescue
In Ep. 173 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Tim Fortescue, Executive Communication Coach for Global Leaders and Teams. To start, we dive into Tim's journey, from his early days as a high school basketball coach to his current status as a sought-after advisor for leaders at companies like L'Oreal, Intel, and Google. Tim's path was shaped by a serendipitous encounter at a public speaking workshop,…
May 13, 2025 Strategic Disruption in the Creator Economy With Jen Costello
In Ep. 172 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Jen Costello, the Global CSO at TBWA\Worldwide. To start, we dive into Jen's remarkable career, starting from her humble beginnings as a senior planner at Chiat to becoming a pivotal figure in the industry. Then, Jen delves into the dynamic interplay of authenticity and creativity, emphasizing the importance of challenging conventional norms in the…
May 4, 2025 Data-Driven Creator Marketing with Jasmine Enberg
In Ep. 171 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Jasmine Enberg, VP, Principal Analyst at EMARKETER. To start, we dive into the transformative journey of the creator economy. As influencer marketing becomes a more mature industry and marketing function in 2025, Jasmine shares how brands are adopting data-driven strategies to navigate this dynamic space. We explore the profound impact of TikTok's rise,…
Apr 28, 2025 Building Brand Influence through Authenticity with Haley Kaliszewski
In Ep. 170 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Haley Kaliszewski, the former influencer marketing manager at Kendra Scott. To start, Haley dives into the origin story of the Texas based, woman-founded brand that is Kendra Scott. Coined by the phrase, "$500 and a dream," the brand has grown from a storefront on South Congress Street in Austin to 150+ storefront locations across the country. The…
Apr 22, 2025 Unveiling Luxury: Inside Four Seasons' Marketing Strategies with Christina McCarthy
In Ep. 169 of Earned, Conor sits down with Christina McCarthy, Vice President of Global Media at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. To start, we dive into Christina's impressive career journey from fashion and beauty giants like Victoria's Secret and MAC. We delve into Four Seasons' strategic shift from traditional marketing to crafting rich, brand-building experiences that resonate with audiences. Christina…
Apr 15, 2025 REPLAY: Prioritizing Long-Term Partnerships as an Investor and Influencer with Riccardo Pozzoli
REPLAY - In Episode 12 of Earned, Conor sits down with Riccardo Pozzoli, esteemed entrepreneur, investor, and influencer himself, as well as co-founder of the mega-popular fashion blog The Blonde Salad. We learn why Riccardo decided to create The Blonde Salad with Chiara Ferragni at a time before the blogosphere and social media—and of course, influencers—were in style. We hear how the pair grew the site into the…
Apr 9, 2025 Turning Creators into Brand Storytellers and Community Builders With Iris Coker
In Ep. 168 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Iris Coker, former director of influencer relations and social media at Kate Spade New York. To start, we dive into Iris' journey from agency life to leading innovative strategies at Kate Spade New York. Iris shares how the brand successfully merges its cherished legacy with modern influencer dynamics, particularly through TikTok. We explore how creators…
Apr 1, 2025 Embracing Vulnerability and Building Community with Zaina Sesay
In Ep. 167 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Zaina Sesay, content creator with over 130k followers. To start, we dive into Zaina's journey from high school storytelling enthusiast to becoming a figure in the creator economy. Her unique background in casting and creative development at major networks like MTV and VH1 has equipped her with the experiences that now fuel her content creation. We…
Mar 25, 2025 Why Authenticity Is the Currency of Influence on LinkedIn
In Ep. 166 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Katie Carroll, Sr. Editor at Large at LinkedIn. To start, we dive into LinkedIn's transformation from job-seeking platform to a dynamic space for sharing ideas, fostering conversation, and building personal brands. Katie shares her insights on the shift towards authenticity and vulnerability in content creation, emphasizing the importance of genuine…
Mar 18, 2025 Why Customers Swipe Right on Brands That Share Their Values With Ayal Pascal
In Ep. 165 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Ayal Pascal, VP of Marketing at Allies of Skin—a skincare brand that has successfully combined high-performance clinical formulations with emotionally charged narratives to revolutionize the beauty industry. To start, we dive into Ayal's journey from working on product development at L'Oreal to the indie brand scene, offering fascinating insights into…
Mar 11, 2025 How Creators are Driving the Fragrance Boom with Mona Kattan
In Ep. 164 of Earned, Conor sits down with Mona Kattan, CEO and founder of Kayali Fragrances. To start, Mona shares her transformative journey from a social media skeptic to a celebrated fragrance entrepreneur, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped her path. We dive into how Mona's diverse experiences influenced her approach to business, underscoring the significance of authenticity and engaging consumers…
Mar 4, 2025 The Link Between Marketing Momentum & Virality with Terrence Sweeney
In Ep. 163 of Earned, Conor sits down with Terrence Sweeney, former CMO at Hint—an alternative to soda and sugar beverages. To start, we dive into how momentum can transform a struggling company into a viral success, using compelling examples like the Stanley 1913's brand revival. Terrence reveals how strategic branding and influencer marketing have elevated Hint's brand recognition to compete with industry giants…
Feb 25, 2025 Innovative Leadership and Emerging Media Trends with Publicis' Emily Hare and Anna O'Mahony
In Ep. 162 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Emily Hare, Global Influencer Lead and Anna O'Mahony, Global Lead, Content and Innovation at Publicis. To start, we dive into the transformative landscape of creator marketing and influencer strategies. As we chart the course for 2025, marked by significant agency consolidations and acquisitions, Anna and Emily reveal the pivotal role of creators in…
Feb 18, 2025 The Future of Creator-Led Media and Tech with Jacklyn Dallas
In Ep. 161 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Jacklyn Dallas, YouTube creator and CEO of Nothing But Tech, entertaining and informative content that both reviews and discusses innovations in the consumer electronics industry. To start, we dive into what inspired Jacklyn to start her YouTube channel at just 13 years old, and how she's since become a seasoned interviewer of tech industry giants.…
Feb 11, 2025 Transforming Digital Connections into Real-World Experiences: The Eventbrite Evolution with Jessie Young
In Ep. 160 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Jessie Young, Director of Brand Marketing at Eventbrite. To start, we dive into Eventbrite's remarkable transformation from a simple ticketing platform to a pivotal partner in fostering genuine human connections. Jessie shares how Eventbrite is countering digital loneliness by bringing online communities to life through unique, niche events—ranging from…
Jan 28, 2025 158 - Jackie Aina + Denis Asamoah, FORVR Mood
In Ep. 158 of Earned, Conor sits down with Jackie Aina and Denis Asamoah, co-founders of fragrance brand FORVR Mood. To start, we dive into how the global pandemic became a catalyst for Jackie, a beauty content creator, and Dennis, an investment banker, to combine their passions and areas of expertise, leading to the creation of a brand that sold out six months' worth of inventory in just two hours. We learn about…
Jan 21, 2025 157 - Vasiliki Petrou, Unilever Prestige
In Ep. 157 of Earned, Conor sits down with Vasiliki Petrou, formerly the CEO of Unilever Prestige. To start, we dive into Vasiliki's extraordinary journey as a leader in the luxury brand sector. Vasiliki shares how she transformed brand management at Unilever Prestige by nurturing founders as integral co-pilots and aligning brand values with the evolving demands of luxury consumers. Her leadership has not only…
Jan 14, 2025 156 - Shanice Engel, oona.agency
In Ep. 156 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Shanice Engel, Managing Partner & Director Business Development at oona.agency. To start, we dive into Shanice's transformative journey from the early days of blogging to the vibrant era of Instagram content creation, highlighting the pivotal role of Instagram Stories in the evolution of marketing strategies. Shanice shares the art of crafting genuine…
Jan 14, 2025 How Beauty Brands are Banding Together to Help LA Recovery Efforts — and How You Can Help
Brands: Here's how you can join LA fire recovery efforts. On this special edition of Earned, beauty brand founder Josie Maran introduces Beauty Together — a fund uniting beauty brands, businesses, and creators to provide direct relief to families and small businesses affected by the ongoing LA fires. Want to get involved? Reach out to [email protected] #LA #SupportLA #LosAngeles Connect with the Guest: Josie…
Jan 7, 2025 155 - Ahad Khan, Kajabi
In Ep. 155 of Earned, Conor sits down with Ahad Khan, the CEO of Kajabi—the creator commerce platform that allows creators to support thriving online businesses. To start, we dive into how Kajabi empowers creators to build and control their businesses beyond social media. Ahad shares how he sees the diverse landscape of the creator economy, likening today's creators to the new wave of small and medium enterprises.…
Jan 1, 2025 REPLAY: Samantha Sichel, Live Nation Entertainment
REPLAY: For our 95th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Samantha Sichel, the Head of Social Product and Digital Innovation at leading live entertainment company Live Nation. To start the show, we dive into Samantha's nearly two-decade career at Live Nation, and she shares how the company and industry have evolved during the rise of digital media. We unpack Live Nation's rapid growth via vertical integration,…
Dec 17, 2024 154 - Ava Donaldson, Google
In Ep. 154 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Ava Donaldson, Senior Marketing Manager of Global Talent and Creators at Google. To start, we dive into Ava's journey of integrating creativity and technology to elevate marketing, particularly focusing on leveraging creator marketing to showcase products like Google Pixel and Android. Ava shares how Google has shifted from traditional marketing tactics…
Dec 10, 2024 153 - Ukonwa Ojo, Zaia Ventures
In Ep. 153 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Ukonwa Ojo, CEO of Zaia Ventures—a company that builds and scales businesses for underrepresented and marginalized communities. To start, we dive into Ukonwa's career as former Global Chief Marketing Officer for major brands like Cody Consumer Beauty, MAC Cosmetics, and Amazon Prime Video. Ukonwa shares how she shifted from the executive suite to establishing her…
Dec 3, 2024 152 - Vivienne Walsh, Marketing Strategy Consultant, Meta, VISA, Uber
In Ep. 152 of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Vivienne Walsh, a marketing strategy consultant who previously led at powerhouse brands such as VISA, Meta, and Uber. To start, we dive into Vivienne's inspiring journey from Ireland to Australia and California, and her strategic roles with industry giants such as McDonald's, Nestlé, and Unilever. Vivienne shares invaluable insights into brand perception…
Nov 26, 2024 REPLAY: Doug Sweeney, CMO of ŌURA Ring
REPLAY - In Ep. 93 of Earned, We start the episode by digging into this success, and learn about the qualities Doug looks for in a company before joining. Doug emphasizes his interest in companies that are solving real-world problems, and shares his experience working at One Medical during the peak of the pandemic. We then hear about what attracted Doug to Oura, and how the company navigates the tech ecosystem and…
Nov 19, 2024 151 - Shane Heath, MUD\WTR
In Ep. 151 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Shane Heath, Co-Founder & CEO of MUD/WTR—a powerful coffee alternative rooted in wellness. Tackling the cultural norms around caffeine consumption, MUD/WTR has transformed the lives of many with their unique blend of functional mushrooms, cacao, and chai. To start, Shane dives into his career path, beginning as a tech designer and then pivoting to being a brand…
Nov 12, 2024 Overheard at CreatorIQ Connect: Insights from Creator Economy Experts
On this special episode of Earned, we're sharing Conor Begley's onsite interviews with creator economy experts and speakers at CreatorIQ Connect 2024. To start, Conor and Danessa Myricks dive into how leveraging micro-communities and tailored messaging can drive authentic connections and build brand loyalty. Then, Kim Larson discusses the innovative ways platforms are using new tools to amplify engagement with…
Nov 6, 2024 150 - Colette Laxton, The INKEY List
In Ep. 150 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Colette Laxton, co-founder The INKEY List, a skincare company centered around knowledge, quality and efficacy, transparency, and equality. To start, Colette shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to becoming a skincare innovator. Launching The INKEY List in 2018 with her partner Mark Curry, Colette embraced a market shift towards transparency and…
Oct 22, 2024 149 - Doug Jensen, SVP & Experienced Data and Analytics Leader
In Ep. 149 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with an experienced data and analytics leader with over 35 years in the marketing analytics field: Doug Jensen. To start, Doug delves into the strategic intricacies of marketing mix models (MMM) and how they address modern challenges like iOS privacy changes. Doug shares his strategies for measuring influencer marketing impact beyond sales, and enhancing brand…
Oct 15, 2024 148 - Michel Brousset, Waldencast
In Ep. 148 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Michel Brousset—founder and CEO of Waldencast, a company whose mission is to acquire, accelerate, and scale beloved beauty and wellness brands including Milk Makeup and Obagi. To start, Michel recounts his successful corporate career, from his early days at Procter & Gamble to transitioning to L'Oréal, and shares how this journey inspired him to found his own…
Oct 8, 2024 147 - Brit Starr, CreatorIQ
In Ep. 147 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with CreatorIQ's newly crowned CMO and creator marketing expert Brit Starr. To start, Brit recounts how a cold call from Conor led her to pivot from traditional brand marketing into the thriving tech world. We discuss the crucial role Brit has since played in growing CreatorIQ from a small startup to an over 300-employee powerhouse, before diving into her passion for…
Oct 1, 2024 146 - Jim Louderback, Inside the Creator Economy
In Ep. 146 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Jim Louderback—editor and CEO of "Inside The Creator Economy" Newsletter. To start, we dive into Jim's remarkable career spanning from management consulting to leading iconic media entities like PCMag, VidCon, and Revision3, and Jim shares invaluable insights for anyone navigating the media landscape. Jim then reveals his secret sauce to maintaining authenticity,…
Sep 24, 2024 145 - Vandana Tandon, L'Occitane Group
In Ep. 145 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Vandana Tandon—Chief Brand Marketing Officer of global retail conglomerate L'Occitane Group. To start, Vandana pulls back the curtain on L'Occitane's social transformation—from having a minimal social media presence to becoming a power player in the beauty industry. We dive into L'Occitane's strategic adoption of Instagram and TikTok, and hear how fostering…
Sep 17, 2024 144 - RJ Larese, Paramount+
In Ep. 144 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with RJ Larese—VP of Talent & Influencer Marketing at entertainment powerhouse, Paramount, overseeing strategy for Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and Awesomeness. With over 14k followers on LinkedIn, RJ is also a thought leader in the creator economy. To start, RJ reveals his tried-and-true strategies for integrating creators into the brand ecosystem, redefining how…
Sep 12, 2024 143 - Monica Khan, Creator & Community Executive
In Ep. 143 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Monica Khan—former Executive Vice President of Creator Experience at Spotter, whose mission is to empower YouTube creators to accelerate their business and achieve creative freedom with transformative capital, innovative AI productivity software, expert knowledge, and a supportive community.To start, Monica takes us through her fascinating journey from the financial…
Sep 3, 2024 142 - Chris Chesebro, Wella Company
In Ep. 142 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Chris Chesebro— Chief Digital Officer at Wella Company, an innovative global leader in the beauty industry with a portfolio of winning professional and retail hair, nails, and beauty tech brands. To start, we delve into the seismic shifts occurring in the beauty industry through digital innovation. Chris shares how his team harmonizes digital marketing strategies…
Aug 27, 2024 REPLAY - Marc Hustvedt, MrBeast
REPLAY - In Ep. 71 of Earned, Conor sits down with Marc Hustvedt, president of the largest YouTube channel in America (137 MILLION subscribers at time of recording, now 312 MILLION): MrBeast. Marc's impressive resume also includes founding ventures like Tubefilter, Supergravity Pictures, and the Streamy Awards. We start the episode by learning why Marc enjoys building new companies, and hear why he's particularly…
Aug 20, 2024 141 - Anastasia Soare, Anastasia Beverly Hills
In Ep. 141 of Earned, Conor Begley sits down with Anastasia Soare, founder and CEO of iconic beauty powerhouse, Anastasia Beverly Hills. To start, we discuss Anastasia's journey from arriving in the U.S. in 1989 without knowing English, to transforming her passion for beauty into a billion-dollar empire. Anastasia shares the remarkable story behind building ABH from scratch, highlighting the importance of…
Aug 13, 2024 140 - Paul Jauregui, BK Beauty
In Ep. 140 of Earned, Conor sits down with Paul Jauregui, co-founder of viral makeup brush brand BK Beauty. To start, Paul unpacks the remarkable journey of building a successful beauty brand with his wife, professional makeup artist and YouTube sensation Lisa J, from her early days as a makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics, to building a community of over 300k subscribers on YouTube. Next, we dive into the intricacies…
Aug 6, 2024 139 - Jenna Habayeb, Ruggable
In Ep. 139 of Earned, Conor sits down with Jenna Habayeb, CMO of trendy, washable rug brand Ruggable. To start, Jenna unpacks how she transitioned from a career in the beauty industry with Ipsy to the innovative world of home decor at Ruggable. We discuss the complexities and differences when it comes to marketing home decor compared to beauty products, including the role of creators and the logistical challenges…
Jul 24, 2024 138 - David Jones, The Brandtech Group, and Heather Kehrberg, Amazon
In this week's special double episode of Earned, we hear from both David Jones, founder and CEO of the Brandtech Group, and Heather Kehrberg, Director of Amazon Ads Creative Studios. To start, David Jones discusses the transformative impact of generative AI on the marketing and advertising industries. From founding the BrandTech Group in 2015 to achieving monumental growth, David shares how strategic investments,…
Jul 16, 2024 137 - Chris Harrington, CreatorIQ
In Ep. 137 of Earned, Conor sits down with Chris Harrington, the newly appointed CEO of CreatorIQ, for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable journey and strategic vision for the influencer marketing industry. Chris opens up about his rigorous evaluation process, CreatorIQ's growth potential and alignment with his strategic vision. Drawing on personal experiences, including his wife Angie's successful…
Jul 9, 2024 136 - Noella Gabriel, ELEMIS
In Ep. 136 of Earned, Conor sits down with Noella Gabriel, co-founder and global president of ELEMIS—the UK-based skincare line with beloved, collagen-powered products that helped the brand achieve an 87% YoY EMV growth. To start, we dive into Noella's early years which were marked by an intense focus on voice training, and learn how this period of her life instilled a profound understanding of the connection…
Jul 2, 2024 135 - Julie Haleluk, Amazon Shopping Videos
Recorded live from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, this week's guest host Chris Curtis, Global Head of Strategic Accounts at CreatorIQ, sits down with Julie Haleluk, Global Head of Growth for Amazon Shopping Videos. To start, we dive into the transformative world of shoppable video content and its impact on digital marketing. Julie shares her professional journey from agency work to…
Jun 25, 2024 134 - Gregory Galant, Muck Rack and The Shorty Awards
In Ep. 134 of Earned, Conor sits down with Gregory Galant, co-founder and CEO of innovative PR-software company Muck Rack and The Shorty Awards—the first award show to honor digital and social media content. To start, we dive into Greg's early adventures in podcasting before unpacking his role in reshaping the public relations landscape. Greg shares how his experience interviewing social media pioneers influenced…
Jun 17, 2024 133 - Neahle Jones, L'Oréal
In Ep. 133 of Earned, Conor sits down with Neahle Jones, VP of US Consumer Engagement for L'Oréal's Consumer Product Division. To start, we dive into L'Oréal's tried-and-true strategies for crafting authentic and accessible content—including leveraging creative material and influencer collaborations. Neahle discusses how L'Oréal shifted from following the traditional marketing playbook to fostering community and…
Jun 11, 2024 132 - Kim Larson, YouTube Creators
In Ep. 132 of Earned, Conor sits down with Kim Larson, Global Managing Director & Head of YouTube Creators. To start, we dive into Kim's career at Jamba Juice and Google, which helped shape her interest in diverse global markets and growing niche communities. We pivot to YouTube, and Kim explains how the platform's monetization strategies empower creators to earn an income outside of brand deals. We also discuss…
Jun 4, 2024 131 - Bridget Dolan, YouTube Shopping
In Ep. 131 of Earned, Conor sits down with Bridget Dolan, Managing Director of the YouTube Shopping division. To start, we explore how the creator economy has evolved on YouTube and unpack its significant influence on e-commerce. Bridget explains how creators, viewers, and brands are entwined in a symbiotic relationship that's reshaping retail through authentic content and seamless shopping experiences. We then…
May 21, 2024 129 - Brad Schultz, Beatbox
In Ep. 129 of Earned, Conor sits down with Brad Schultz, co-founder and CMO of BeatBox. To start, we dive into how Brad and his high school buddy Justin Fenchel (fellow co-founder and CEO of BeatBox) evolved from teenage business enthusiasts to the masterminds behind a beverage revolution. Brad pulls back the curtain around the pair's experience on Shark Tank, and we hear how the critical mentorship of Mark Cuban…
May 14, 2024 CreatorIQ Connect Europe | Trailblazing Beyond Beauty: How e.l.f. Stays On The Cutting Edge of Culture.
In this Earned x CreatorIQ Connect Europe session, Conor introduces Kory Marchisotto, CMO of e.l.f. Beauty and President of Keys Soulcare. To start, we dive into what e.l.f. achieved during 2023, and how the brand has managed to lock down the title of No. 1 stock on the NYSE out of over 1.6k companies. Kory shares how e.l.f. has climbed the ranks and caught up with long-tenured beauty brands. We then learn about…
May 7, 2024 128 - Deepica Mutyala, Live Tinted
In Ep. 128 of Earned, Conor sits down with Deepica Mutyala, founder and CEO of inclusive beauty brand Live Tinted. To start, we dive into how Deepica harnessed her online influence to establish the beauty empire that is Live Tinted. Deepica shares why she created the viral Hue Stick, a product that has won three Allure Best of Beauty Awards since launch, and has helped fill a void in the beauty industry for…
Apr 30, 2024 127 - Larissa Jensen, Circana
In Ep. 127 of Earned, Conor sits down with Larissa Jensen, SVP and Global Beauty Industry Advisor at Circana. With more than two decades of experience in the beauty industry, Larissa shares how beauty standards have evolved in that time, and the pivotal role social media has played. We explore how the landscape is shifting from traditional department store dominance to a personalized digital marketplace for each…
Apr 23, 2024 126 - Ashton Wall, GateMaker Community
In Ep. 126 of Earned, Conor sits down (again!) with Ashton Wall, co-founder of GateMaker Community and expert in all things creator economy. To start, we dive into how Ashton achieved her dream of owning her own B2B company, GateMaker Community—a brand-focused, performance-driven earned media agency built around the power of community. Ashton shares GateMaker's greatest strength as a marketing agency, and how…
Apr 16, 2024 125 - Jackie Pimentel, Meta
In Ep. 125 of Earned, Conor sits down with Jackie Pimentel, Senior Director of Creators and Threads at trillion-dollar social networking conglomerate Meta. To start, we dive into the origin story of Facebook, and learn how our previously fragmented world has become increasingly more connected. Jackie shares why Meta keeps users at the center of everything they do, and how that contributes to a constantly evolving…
Apr 8, 2024 124 - Courtney Shields, DIBS Beauty
In Ep. 124 of Earned, Conor sits down with Courtney Shields, social media icon (with over 1M Instagram followers) and Co-founder of fast-growing beauty brand DIBS. To start, we dive into the ups and the downs of product creation, and learn the story behind two of DIBS Beauty's most successful product launches. Courtney shares why she needs to feel 100% confident in a product before putting it out in the world, and…
Apr 3, 2024 123 - Michelle Crossan-Matos, Ulta Beauty
Today not only marks Earned's 123rd episode, but also its fourth birthday! To celebrate this milestone, Conor sits down with an esteemed guest: Michelle Crossan-Matos, Chief Marketing Officer of retail powerhouse Ulta Beauty. We kick off the episode by diving into what Michelle calls a "fabulous year of results and people." While Michelle only joined the Ulta Beauty team one year ago, we learn that she's had over a…
Mar 26, 2024 122 - Taylor Frankel, Nudestix
In Episode 122 of Earned, Conor sits down with Taylor Frankel, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Nudestix. To start, we dive into the founding story of Nudestix. Back in 2014, at the young age of 17, Taylor launched the brand in collaboration with her mother (Jenny Frankel) and sister (Ally Frankel) back in 2014. With a desire to create a product for those wanting "just enough" to feel more put together, the…
Mar 15, 2024 121 - Chris Ruder, Spikeball
In Ep. 121 of Earned, Conor sits down with Chris Ruder, CEO of Spikeball—the world's largest supplier of roundnet equipment. To start, we dive into the background of Spikeball, which originally launched in 1989, before learning how Chris revived the name in 2004. With his original job being a sales position at Microsoft, Chris shares that he had no idea what steps to take, but that inspiration struck after seeing…
Mar 13, 2024 120 - Alex Rawitz, CreatorIQ
For Ep. 120 of Earned, we decided to spice things up. Conor sits down with Alex Rawitz, CreatorIQ's own Director of Research & Insights, and author of the renowned newsletter, "How to Build Brands and Influence People." Conor puts Alex in the hot seat by tackling the famed Hot Ones challenge, wherein they both eat progressively spicier chicken wings throughout the interview. To start the show, we dive into Alex's…
Mar 5, 2024 119 - Kyle Leahy, Glossier
In Ep. 119 of Earned, Conor sits down with Kyle Leahy, CEO of Glossier—the skin first, makeup second, multi-generational brand that generated nearly $300M in retail sales last year. To start, we dive into Kyle's philosophy to "work hard and be nice to people," which has guided her through not only her professional career, but her personal life as well. With Glossier's impressive revenue in 2023, we learn about the…
Feb 28, 2024 118 - Cassandra Thurswell, Kitsch
In Ep. 118 of Earned, Conor sits down with Cassandra Thurswell, founder and CEO of Instagram's favorite haircare brand, Kitsch. (Use code " EARNED20 " at checkout for 20% off Kitsch products!) We start by hearing Cassandra's journey to launching Kitsch, including the sacrifices she had to make to fund the business. Cassandra explains how building the brand was like "building the plane in the air," and why she…
Feb 21, 2024 117 - Taylor Lorenz, The Washington Post
In Ep. 117 of Earned, Conor sits down with Taylor Lorenz, Technology Columnist at The Washington Post, and author of "Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet." We start the episode with an excerpt from Taylor's recent essay in Marie Claire, and hear how she deals with the hate and harassment that runs rampant on the internet. Taylor explains what attracted her to journalism…
Feb 13, 2024 116 - Lucia Ruehlemann, SAIE
In our 116th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Lucia Ruehlemann, President of Saie—a clean makeup brand that prioritizes superhero ingredients and high-performance outcomes, all while maintaining sustainable packaging and products. To start, we dive into Lucia's decade of experience building successful indie brands such as Fresh and Drunk Elephant. Unlocking what makes Lucia who she is, we learn how she…
Feb 6, 2024 115 - Rea Ann Silva, Beautyblender
In our 115th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Rea Ann Silva, Founder and CEO of Beautyblender—the egg-shaped sponge that took the makeup industry by storm. To start, we dive into the creation of Beautyblender, and Rea Ann's journey along the way. Rea Ann explains that by cultivating her love of dreaming big, she was introduced to new things, people, and experiences that shaped her life into what it is today.…
Jan 30, 2024 114 - Ahmet Mercan, AlphaTauri (Red Bull)
In Ep. 114 of Earned, Conor sits down with Ahmet Mercan, the CEO of Red Bull's premium fashion line AlphaTauri. First, we dive into why the beverage brand decided to foray into fashion, and hear how innovation is the throughline across the Red Bull family of brands. Ahmet details his experience building the AlphaTauri brand from the ground up, and shares why he believes the brand has been successful amid a…
Jan 23, 2024 113 - Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Olive & June
In Episode 113 of Earned, we sit down with Sarah Gibson Tuttle, the Founder and CEO of Olive & June—the industry leader holding the No. 1 spot in the nail category. To start, we dive into the overall journey of Olive & June, with Sarah explaining how she got her inspiration for the original business model from Drybar, the premium blow-out hair salon. To reach the full potential for what Olive & June could do, Sarah…
Jan 16, 2024 112 - Christiane Pendarvis, PATTERN Beauty & Savage X Fenty
In the 112th episode of Earned, we sit down with Christiane Pendarvis, Co-CEO of Pattern Beauty and former Co-President of Savage X Fenty. To start, we dive into what it was like for Christiane as she came into the top role at Pattern: CEO. After years of working in the fashion industry, the jump to beauty was daunting, but Christiane explains how she took a humble approach and understood that listening would help…
Jan 10, 2024 111 - Terence Reilly, Stanley
Drumroll please…today's guest is Terence Reilly, president of TikTok's favorite water bottle brand, Stanley 1913. While the brand went mega-viral in November for replacing a woman's car after her Stanley cup survived a fire, it's enjoyed remarkable growth over the last few years, jumping from $70M in annual revenue in 2020 to $750M in 2023. We start the episode by unpacking Stanley's explosive growth in recent…
Jan 2, 2024 110 - Lilly Ghalichi, Lilly Lashes
In the 110th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Lilly Ghalichi, social media star and founder of creator favorite brand, Lilly Lashes. To start, we dive into the founding of Lilly Lashes, and hear the story of why Lilly classifies it as 'accidental.' A lawyer by trade, Lilly explains that it was her love of all things glam that led her to creating the brand. Next, Lilly shares that in the world of founders,…
Dec 27, 2023 109 - David Neyman, Logitech
In Ep. 109 of Earned, we sit down with David Neyman, Global Lead of Talent and Content at Logitech. We dive into Logitech's innovative approach to marketing, and David explains how the brand builds "cultural cachet" with consumers by partnering with talent (like Lizzo) on creative campaigns. David emphasizes the importance of aligning internally and externally on the purpose and goals of a creator partnership, and…
Dec 19, 2023 108 - Preston Rutherford, Chubbies
To start, we dive into the unique story behind the founding of Chubbies, and learn about what sets Chubbies apart from the competition. Next, Preston shares what went into a couple of Chubbies' creative marketing programs, such as its tailgate tour and "koozie palooza." With the goal of maintaining "human to human friendship" versus becoming a corporate company selling to faceless customers, we unpack how Chubbies…
Dec 12, 2023 What Does Good Creator Marketing Look Like? | CreatorIQ Connect
It's clear that creators have become an integral component in successful marketing strategies. But what does good creator marketing really look like? Who's doing it well? And how do you measure success? For today's episode of Earned, we're sharing one of the most popular sessions from our blowout CreatorIQ Connect event in October titled "What Does Good Creator Marketing Look Like?", hosted by Conor Begley himself.…
Dec 5, 2023 107 - Stephanie Fried, Fandom
In Ep. 107 of Earned, we sit down with Stephanie Fried, CMO of the world's largest fan wiki platform, Fandom. To start, we dive into Stephanie's personal favorite fandoms and hear about the content that's shaped who she is. We learn about Fandom's mission and vision, and discover what makes it the world's best resource for fans. Next, Stephanie shares what went into Fandom's branding process, and explains Fandom's…
Nov 28, 2023 106 - Rose-Marie Swift & Elaine Sack, RMS Beauty
In today's episode of Earned, Conor has the pleasure of sitting down with two incredible guests: Rose-Marie Swift, veteran celebrity makeup artist and founder of RMS Beauty, and her partner in crime for 15+ years, Chief Strategic Officer Elaine Sack. To start, we hear why Rose-Marie was inspired to disrupt the industry and create her own clean beauty line after years of being a professional makeup artist to the…
Nov 21, 2023 105 - Dan Elton, ASOS
In Ep. 105 of Earned, we sit down with Dan Elton, Senior Director of Customer and Marketing at trendy, fashion-forward online boutique, ASOS. To start, we dive into Dan's thought process behind "starting at the ground floor" by focusing on stabilizing the brand, rebuilding the balance sheet, and refreshing the leadership team. We learn about ASOS' goal to be in a position of growth, as well as its unique…
Nov 14, 2023 104 - Carolyn Dawkins, David Yurman
In Ep. 104 of Earned, we sit down with Carolyn Dawkins, CMO of luxury jewelry company David Yurman. We start the episode by diving into Carolyn's career trajectory and unpacking her learnings from "finishing school" brands like P&G, L'Oréal, Google, and The Estée Lauder Companies. We explore how Carolyn uses data and analytics to understand consumer behavior and build better pattern recognition, and Carolyn…
Nov 7, 2023 103 - Natasha Vaquer, VICE Media
In Ep. 103 of Earned, we sit down with Natasha Vaquer, SVP of Talent Partnerships and Influencer Strategy at VICE Media—the largest independent youth media company in the world. To start, we dive into the ever-evolving relationship between publishers and creators, and Natasha reveals where she thinks it's heading next. With a decade of experience in the industry, Natasha sheds light on how editors have now become…
Nov 1, 2023 102 - Lia Haberman, Creator Economy Expert
In Ep. 102 of Earned, we're back with Lia Haberman: advisor, educator, newsletter publisher, and one of Insider's "Top Creator Economy Experts." We start by discussing Lia's time in the editorial world, and she recounts the shifting ownership of celebrities' narratives from their PR and management teams to the celebrities themselves. We then discuss the approach Lia's students take to the social media landscape,…
Oct 25, 2023 REPLAY - Katie Welch, Rare Beauty
This week on Earned, we're revisiting our incredible episode with Katie Welch, CMO of Selena Gomez's smash-hit makeup brand Rare Beauty! We kick off the episode by hearing about how Katie uses her own TikTok platform (that now boasts over 96k fans!) to mentor young professionals interested in the beauty industry, and how Katie herself broke into the space. We then walk through Katie's enviable marketing career, as…
Oct 17, 2023 101 - Avi Gandhi, Creator Logic
In Ep. 101 of Earned, we sit down with Avi Gandhi—prolific LinkedIn creator and Founder of the creator economy's hit newsletter Creator Logic. To start, we dive into Avi's vast experience building and leading creator-facing teams. Avi reveals that after 15 years of working in the creator economy, he's worn nearly every possible hat. This experience led him to start his educational, data-backed newsletter Creator…
Oct 11, 2023 100th Episode Compilation Celebration!
It's our 100th episode of Earned! What an incredible ride it's been. We truly couldn't have done it without you, our loyal listeners. Thank you! To celebrate this milestone, we've compiled all of the best moments, learnings, and takeaways from our amazing guests over the last 100 episodes, highlighting their tried-and-true approaches and philosophies around influencer marketing, the creator economy, brand building,…
Oct 3, 2023 99 - Oshiya Savur, Maesa
In Ep. 99 of Earned, we sit down with Oshiya Savur, Chief Brand Officer at No. 1 mass beauty incubator Maesa. To start, we discuss how Maesa began as a private label for fragrances before transforming into the successful incubator behind brands like Kristin Ess, Flower Beauty (Drew Barrymore), and Being Frenshe (Ashley Tisdale). We then switch gears and dive into Oshiya's unexpected career journey, from getting her…
Sep 26, 2023 98 - Lexie Barnhorn, Notion
In Ep. 98 of Earned, we sit down with Lexie Barnhorn, the Head of Influencer Marketing at Notion, the $10B productivity and organization web application. To start, we dive into why Lexie joined Notion after championing the platform at her previous company, Curology, and hear how working in the scrappy, startup world allows her to stay at the forefront of fast-growing businesses. Next, Lexie explains why Notion taps…
Sep 19, 2023 97 - Jesse Draper, Halogen Ventures
In Ep. 97 of Earned, Conor sits down with Jesse Draper: actor, fourth-generation venture capitalist, and founding partner of early-stage, female-focused VC firm Halogen Ventures. To start the show, we learn why Jesse pursued Hollywood stardom, with notable acting credits including Nickelodeon's hit TV show "The Naked Brothers Band," before jumping into the investing business. Jesse shares the inspiration behind her…
Sep 12, 2023 96 - Amy Liu, Tower 28 Beauty
In Ep. 96 of Earned, Conor sits down with Amy Liu, founder and CEO of fast-growing clean beauty brand Tower 28. We dive into Tower 28's success both online and off, and Amy shares the past investments she's made that are now paying off. We hear why she believes you have to earn your reputation, and how investing in people and products have fueled much of the beauty brand's success. Next, we take a step back and…
Sep 5, 2023 95 - Samantha Sichel, Live Nation Entertainment
For our 95th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Samantha Sichel, the Head of Social Product and Digital Innovation at leading live entertainment company Live Nation. To start the show, we dive into Samantha's nearly two-decade career at Live Nation, and she shares how the company and industry have evolved during the rise of digital media. We unpack Live Nation's rapid growth via vertical integration, and hear…
Aug 30, 2023 94 - Eurie Kim, Forerunner Ventures
In Ep. 94 of Earned, we sit down with Eurie Kim, managing partner at Forerunner Ventures, the wildly successful early-stage venture capital firm that has helped skyrocket consumer-favorite brands like Glossier, Dollar Shave Club, Outdoor Voices, and more. We start the episode by looking back on the past few years in the venture capital market, and Conor asks Eurie whether Forerunner has reconsidered its brands'…
Aug 23, 2023 93 - Doug Sweeny, ŌURA
In today's episode of Earned, we sit down with Oura CMO Doug Sweeny, whose marketing prowess helped drive the $3B+ acquisitions of Nest Labs and One Medical. We start the episode by digging into this success, and hear the qualities Doug looks for before joining a company. Doug emphasizes his interest in companies that are solving real-world problems, and shares his experience working at One Medical during the peak…
Aug 15, 2023 92 - Steven Waldberg, Kiehl's
In Ep. 92 of Earned, Conor sits down with Steven Waldberg, SVP of Global Brand Engagement & Communications at Top 10-certified skincare brand Kiehl's. Conor and Steven start by diving into Meta's latest app launch—Threads—and Steven shares his thoughts on the platform thus far, explaining why marketers should be there to test and learn. Next, we take a step back and discuss Steven's experience growing up in France…
Aug 8, 2023 91 - Peter Hollens, YouTuber & Founder of Inhouse Creators
In Ep. 91 of Earned, Conor sits down with Peter Hollens, a powerhouse a cappella singer who has amassed a following of over 3M subscribers on YouTube, and over a billion views across his various social channels. To start the show, Peter explains why he has pursued other business ventures outside of being a creator, including investing, consulting, and recently founding his own business (Inhouse Creators), and…
Aug 2, 2023 90 - Amina Pasha, Thrive Market
In our 90th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Amina Pasha, CPG marketing expert and current CMO of Thrive Market, the cult-favorite healthy food retailer that brought in nearly $500 million in revenue last year. To start the show, Amina unpacks Thrive Market's mission to make healthy living easy, affordable, and accessible. We then hear what drew Amina—who previously served as VP of Marketing at Jessica…
Jul 26, 2023 89 - Danessa Myricks, Danessa Myricks Beauty
In Ep. 89 of Earned, Conor sits down with the legendary Danessa Myricks, founder of the inclusive, "boundary-breaking" beauty brand Danessa Myricks Beauty. We jump in by discussing how Danessa became an "accidental makeup artist," and broke into the beauty industry by creating educational makeup DVDs. We learn how the success of those DVDs led Danessa to consult for other beauty brands, and even become Director of…
Jul 19, 2023 88 - Dulma Altan, TikTok Creator (@iamdulma)
In Ep. 88 of Earned, Conor sits down with TikTok star and podcast host Dulma Altan (@iamdulma). We start by learning how Dulma went from a career in tech at Google to launching her own clean fragrance business, all before becoming an "accidental creator" during the pandemic, when she began spotlighting noteworthy women-led brands in the DTC space on TikTok. We discuss how TikTok's unpredictable algorithm leads to…
Jul 11, 2023 87 - Ana Maria Henao, Microsoft
In Ep. 87 of Earned, Conor sits down with Ana Maria Henao, the CMO and general manager of US Consumer Channel and Partnership Marketing at Microsoft. We start the show by diving into Ana Maria's recent transition from 25 years in the CPG sector—with much of her career spent at Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo—into the tech industry, and how the recent AI boom has shaped her experience thus far. We then discuss Ana…
Jul 5, 2023 REPLAY - Ken Landis, Bobbi Brown & TULA Skincare
REPLAY - In Ep. 68 of Earned, we sit down with beauty industry veteran Ken Landis. Ken has a proven track record of success, co-founding some of today's top beauty brands, including Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, TULA Skincare, and DIBS Beauty. To begin the episode, Ken reveals the core characteristics of a successful beauty brand, emphasizing the importance of a focused distribution strategy and unpacking his mantra of…
Jun 28, 2023 86 - Ziad Ahmed, JUV Consulting
In Ep. 86 of Earned, Conor sits down with 24 year-old wunderkind, public speaker, and entrepreneur Ziad Ahmed, the founder and CEO of Gen Z agency JUV Consulting. We start the episode by learning how Ziad, who was featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 at just 19 years old, unintentionally became an entrepreneur while launching JUV Consulting seven years ago, before hearing his aspirations for the next decade. We dive…
Jun 21, 2023 85 - Alicia Yoon, Peach & Lily
In our 85th episode of Earned, we're joined by Alicia Yoon, founder and CEO of fast-growing Korean skincare brand Peach & Lily. With her second child on the way, Alicia shares her approach to balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood, emphasizing the importance of prioritization. We then dive into Peach & Lily's origin story, and Alicia reveals why she was inspired to pivot her career away from the corporate…
Jun 14, 2023 84 - James Nord, Fohr
In Ep. 84 of Earned, we chat with James Nord, former Tumblr star, podcast host, and founder and CEO of ambassador marketing company Fohr. We start by learning the origin story behind Fohr's most well-known program, developed in partnership with Sephora: the Sephora Squad. James explains why the program was built on creators' genuine passion for beauty over follower size, and shares the company's motto: "don't spend…
Jun 6, 2023 83 - Jeremy Lowenstein, Milani Cosmetics
In Ep. 83 of Earned, we're joined by Jeremy Lowenstein, Chief Marketing Officer at cult-favorite mass beauty brand Milani. We start by learning how Jeremy broke into the beauty industry with a college internship at Estée Lauder, and why he's remained in the industry ever since. We then examine Milani's recent success on social, and Jeremy shares how the brand has invested even more deeply in developing…
May 31, 2023 82 - David Craig, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
In Ep. 82 of Earned, Conor sits down with author, professor, Emmy-nominated TV producer, and media industry expert David Craig. As a clinical professor at USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, David's research focuses on "Social Media Entertainment" and the rise of "Creator Culture." To start the show, we ask David about the looming threat of a TikTok ban in the U.S., and he shares his views on…
May 23, 2023 81 - Dr. Jason Wersland, Therabody
In Ep. 81 of Earned, Conor chats with Dr. Jason Wersland, founder and Chief Wellness Officer of tech wellness brand Therabody. We start by unpacking Jason's background, and hear how he transitioned from construction worker to chiropractor. Next, Jason shares how his painful recovery from a motorcycle accident inspired the invention of the cult-favorite Theragun, the hand-held, percussive massage therapy device…
May 16, 2023 80 - Adrienne Lahens, TikTok
In our 80th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Adrienne Lahens, the Global Head of Operations for Creator Marketing Solutions at the world's hottest social platform: TikTok. We start the episode by diving into Adrienne's role, and she explains what the TikTok Creator Marketplace is, and how it serves creators, brands, agencies, and influencer marketing platforms like CreatorIQ (wink). We then discuss why…
May 9, 2023 79 - Adam Ross, Awin
In Ep. 79 of Earned, we sit down with Adam Ross, CEO of leading affiliate marketing platform Awin. To start, Adam explains what affiliate marketing is, and how Awin helps connect companies to affiliate partners with engaged consumer audiences. We discuss why affiliate marketing is relevant to any industry, and Adam reveals how Awin is working to unite the influencer and affiliate marketing industries for a more…
May 2, 2023 78 - Sean Harrington, Elemis
In Ep. 78 of Earned, Conor sits down with Sean Harrington, co-founder and CEO of luxury skincare brand Elemis. We start the episode by hearing how Sean's relationship with his co-founders has evolved over the last three decades, and the unique skill set that each of them brings to the table. We then ask Sean about his core business learnings and tenets, and he explains why a positive mindset, talented people, and a…
Apr 25, 2023 77 - Roxy Young, Reddit
In Ep. 77 of Earned, we're joined by Roxy Young, Chief Marketing Officer at Reddit, the mega-popular discussion forum that's home to thousands of digital communities, aka Subreddits. We start the episode by hearing what's on the horizon for Reddit, including its goal to expand beyond English-speaking geographies, before learning what drew Roxy to join Reddit back in 2017. Next, Roxy breaks down Reddit's main…
Apr 19, 2023 76 - Akash Mehta, Fable & Mane
In Ep. 76 of Earned, Conor sits down with Akash Mehta, co-founder and CEO of fast-growing, Ayurvedic-inspired haircare brand Fable & Mane. To start the episode, we discuss the resurgence of brick-and-mortar retail, and Akash explains the importance of continuing to invest in both online and in-store experiences. He shares some takeaways from the recent Sephora Brand Summit, including the importance of influencer…
Apr 11, 2023 75 - Lee Stimmel, Prime Video & Amazon Studios
In our 75th episode of Earned, we're joined by Lee Stimmel, a veteran of the music industry and the current head of global partnership marketing at Prime Video & Amazon Studios. We start by diving into Lee's time at Amazon, and learn how he spearheaded the company's influencer marketing program before taking on his new partnerships role. Lee explains how the lines between traditional talent and socially native…
Apr 4, 2023 74 - Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Beekman 1802
In Ep. 74 of Earned, we sit down with Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, the incredible founders of goat milk-powered skincare line Beekman 1802. To start, we explore why Brent and Josh are so eager to pursue new, varied opportunities, such as starring in their own reality TV show, *WINNING* Season 21 of The Amazing Race, and authoring best-selling memoirs, to name just a few. We then dive into the couple's…
Mar 28, 2023 73 - Evan Horowitz, Movers+Shakers
In today's episode of Earned, we sit down with Evan Horowitz, co-founder and CEO of Movers+Shakers, today's fastest-growing creative agency that "connects brands to culture." We start by diving into Evan's background, and learn how he went from earning an engineering degree from Stanford to pursuing an MBA at Harvard. Evan shares why he decided to pivot into the marketing field, and what eventually inspired him to…
Mar 21, 2023 72 - Silvia Galfo, Armani Beauty
In Ep. 72 of Earned, Conor sits down with Silvia Galfo, general manager of Armani Beauty. We start by talking about influencers: when Silvia first realized their potential, and how the narrative—and budgets—around influencer marketing have shifted in recent years. Silvia describes how important it is for luxury brands to strike the right balance between establishing a brand-led narrative and giving up some control…
Mar 14, 2023 71 - Marc Hustvedt, MrBeast
In Ep. 71 of Earned, Conor sits down with Marc Hustvedt, president of the largest YouTube channel in America (137 MILLION subscribers): MrBeast. Marc's impressive resume also includes founding ventures like Tubefilter, Supergravity Pictures, and the Streamy Awards. We start the episode by learning why Marc enjoys building new companies, and hear why he's particularly interested in YouTubers. We ask Marc about the…
Mar 7, 2023 70 - Winnie Park, Forever 21
In our 70th episode of Earned, we sit down with Winnie Park, CEO of Gen Z retailer Forever 21. We start by discussing the resurgence of retail and in-store shopping, and how the industry has changed since the start of the pandemic. Winnie unpacks the evolution of Forever 21's omnichannel strategy, and emphasizes the importance of meeting the customer where they're at. We dive into the retailer's approach to…
Feb 28, 2023 69 - Jason Wagenheim, Bustle Digital Group
In our latest episode of Earned, we sit down with Jason Wagenheim, President and Chief Revenue Officer at global media company Bustle Digital Group. To start, we dive into Jason's long-spanning career in publishing at Condé Nast, including his time at Vanity Fair, Glamour, and Teen Vogue. Jason reveals how accurate "The Devil Wears Prada" was, then unpacks how digital publishing took the print world by storm. We…
Feb 21, 2023 68 - Ken Landis, Bobbi Brown & TULA Skincare
In Ep. 68 of Earned, we sit down with beauty industry veteran Ken Landis. Ken has a proven track record of success, co-founding some of today's top beauty brands, including Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, TULA Skincare, and DIBS Beauty. To begin the episode, Ken reveals the core characteristics of a successful beauty brand, emphasizing the importance of a focused distribution strategy and unpacking his mantra of "narrow and…
Feb 8, 2023 67 - Rodrigo Velloso, YouTube & Roblox
In Ep. 67 of Earned, Conor sits down with creator economy expert and gaming industry veteran Rodrigo Velloso. We begin by learning what attracted Rod, who built his early career in traditional media, to join the then-booming tech industry. Conor and Rod then share their predictions for how the rise in AI technology like ChatGPT will impact industries across the board. We dive into Rod's time at YouTube in the early…
Jan 25, 2023 66 - Chelsea Riggs, Amika
In Ep. 66 of Earned, Conor sits down with Chelsea Riggs, Global President of top-ranking professional haircare brand Amika. To start the episode, we learn what attracted Chelsea, who joined the founding team of Amika out of college, to the then-small startup, and how she worked her way up in six years from being a business development manager to Global Brand President. We then dive into Amika's standout success on…
Jan 10, 2023 65 - Raissa Gerona, Revolve
In our first episode of the new year, we sit down with Raissa Gerona, Chief Brand Officer of fashion retailer and influencer marketing powerhouse Revolve. We start by learning how Raissa was a pioneer in the influencer marketing space, leveraging the then-new blogosphere in 2008 to promote her own Lovers and Friends clothing brand. Raissa shares her advice to marketers who question whether influencer marketing is…
Dec 28, 2022 [Rewind] Ju Rhyu, Hero Cosmetics
This week, we're taking a trip down memory lane and re-sharing one of our top episodes of 2022: Ep. 47, featuring Ju Rhyu, co-founder and CEO of Hero Cosmetics—an acne-focused skincare brand that achieved $100 million in revenue last year. To start the episode, we learn how running Hero Cosmetics today differs from when Ju launched the brand four years ago, and Ju shares why she says no to a lot more opportunities…
Dec 14, 2022 64 - Michelle Miller, K18
In our last episode of 2022, Conor sits down with one of Glossy's Top Marketers of 2022: Michelle Miller, SVP of Global Marketing at biotech-backed superstar K18 Hair. We start by learning why K18 prioritizes top-of-funnel brand marketing over paid advertising, and Michelle emphasizes the importance of fostering your core community—which, for K18, has always been professional hairstylists. We then hear what…
Nov 29, 2022 63 - Zeena Koda, 2K
In today's episode of Earned, we're joined by our first gaming industry guest: Zeena Koda, head of global digital community marketing at gaming powerhouse 2K. With previous experience at renowned companies like Sirius XM Radio, Capitol Records, Atlantic Records, and The North Face, Zeena's expertise spans far beyond the gaming industry. We learn how this broad career experience has influenced Zeena's approach to…
Nov 16, 2022 62 - Doug Weiss, Instagram (Meta)
In Ep. 62 of Earned, CreatorIQ's own Tim Sovay sits down with Meta's Doug Weiss, head of creator commerce at Instagram. We start the episode by learning how Meta has grown and changed over the years, with Doug unpacking the evolution of creators, shoppable content, and content format on Facebook and Instagram. We learn what attracts creators to Instagram, and Doug emphasizes how the platform allows creators to…
Nov 2, 2022 61 - Catherine Gore, Biossance & JVN Hair
In Ep. 61 of Earned, we sit down with beauty industry veteran Catherine Gore, Global Brand President of sustainable skin and hair brands Biossance and JVN Hair (yes, as in Jonathan Van Ness, professional hairstylist and star of Queer Eye). We start the episode by unpacking the key areas of focus that help Catherine scale a brand, before learning why she prioritizes building a positive, supportive team culture. We…
Oct 19, 2022 60 - Craig Brommers, American Eagle Outfitters
For our 60th episode of Earned, we're bringing you a titan of the retail industry: Craig Brommers. Craig is currently the CMO of Gen Z-favorite apparel brand American Eagle Outfitters, but his previous work experience spans across iconic brands like Calvin Klein, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Speedo. We start the interview by learning how American Eagle has navigated shifting momentum around legacy social platforms…
Oct 5, 2022 59 - Megan Streeter, Prose
In Ep. 59 of Earned, Conor sits down with Megan Streeter, CMO of customizable haircare brand Prose, which achieved $100 million in revenue in its first five years. To start the episode, Megan unpacks her long career in the beauty industry, which spans from corporate giants L'Oréal and Estée Lauder to independent, direct-to-consumer haircare brands like DevaCurl and now Prose. We learn why Megan was interested in…
Sep 20, 2022 It's a Matter of...Earned: Unleashing the Power of Influence
Today's episode of Earned might sound a bit different…that's because it is! This week, we wanted to share Conor's conversation with BeautyMatter founder and CEO Kelly Kovack from her own podcast, "It's a Matter of…" This time, it's a matter of "Earned." To start the show, Conor shares the origin story for Tribe Dynamics, which he co-founded nearly a decade ago at the forefront of the influencer marketing boom.…
Sep 6, 2022 58 - Rich Gersten, True Beauty Ventures
In Episode 58 of Earned, Conor sits down with beauty investor Rich Gersten, co-founder and Managing Partner of beauty-focused growth fund (and newly announced Tribe Dynamics partner) True Beauty Ventures. To start the episode, Rich walks us through his career trajectory, unpacking his transition from private equity to venture capital, before explaining how he wound up investing exclusively in beauty brands. We then…
Aug 24, 2022 57 - Jake Danehy, Fair Harbor
In Episode 57 of Earned, we sit down with Jake Danehy, co-founder and CEO of sustainable beachwear brand Fair Harbor. To start the episode, we dive into how Jake and his sister/co-founder Caroline conceived the idea for Fair Harbor—named after their hometown on Fire Island—while in college, after learning about how plastic bottles can be converted into yarn. We learn how the brand generated the majority of its…
Aug 9, 2022 56 - Jeff Lee, DIBS Beauty
In Ep. 56 of Earned, we sit down with Jeff Lee, co-founder and CEO of DIBS ("Desert Island Beauty Status"), the beauty brand created in partnership with star influencer Courtney Shields. We start by unpacking Jeff's many noteworthy accomplishments, including earning his MBA at Stanford and his law degree at Yale, coaching several successful Miss Universe pageant contestants, visiting every Equinox gym across the…
Jul 26, 2022 55 - Dan Reich, TULA Skincare & Troops
In Ep. 55 of Earned, we sit down with Dan Reich—entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of top-ranking, probiotic-powered skincare brand TULA. We start the episode by diving into Dan's entrepreneurial trajectory, beginning with his first company in high school, to co-founding software companies Spinback and Troops, both of which were acquired by Salesforce, to launching TULA with Ken Landis and Dr. Roshini Raj. We…
Jul 12, 2022 54 - Doug Jensen, Estée Lauder Companies
On Ep. 54 of Earned, we spoke to Doug Jensen, SVP of Go-to-Market Analytics & Activation for the Estée Lauder Companies (ELC). We start the episode by unpacking what Doug's analytics-focused role entails, and learn more about his path from statistical analyst to business consultant to beauty analytics expert. We then explore how Doug leverages an industry technique called "marketing mix modeling" to understand the…
Jun 29, 2022 53 - Susan Yara, NATURIUM
In Episode 53 of Earned, Conor sits down with skincare veteran Susan Yara, powerhouse YouTuber and co-founder of ingredient-focused skincare line NATURIUM. We start the episode by diving into Susan's career path, from her stint as a broadcast news reporter to her time as an online beauty editor. After recapping these experiences, Susan shares why she decided to transition to launching her own beauty-focused YouTube…
Jun 14, 2022 52 - Thomas Rankin, Dash Hudson
In Ep. 52 of Earned, Conor sits down with fellow B2B social media marketing software leader Thomas Rankin, co-founder and CEO of Dash Hudson. To start the episode, Thomas explains how Dash Hudson puts creative at the center of everything they do, as well as how the brand helps its clients understand which creative will perform well and deepen consumer relationships. Thomas reveals that Dash Hudson was originally…
May 31, 2022 51 - Stephanie Wissink, Jefferies
In Ep. 51 of Earned, we sit down with Wall Street wizard Stephanie Wissink, Managing Director at global investment bank Jefferies. Stephanie answers all of our burning questions about the state of the market right now, including: are we entering a recession? And if so, how will that impact consumer behavior, and what will that mean for brands? From there, we explore how companies have responded to market volatility…
May 11, 2022 50 - David Chung, Farmacy Beauty & iLABS
It's our 50th episode of Earned! Today we're sitting down with David Chung, founder of Farmacy Beauty and CEO of innovation and manufacturing company iLABS. To start the episode, David walks us through his impressive entrepreneurial journey, and we hear how his frustrations with third-party contract manufacturers led him to launch OEM and ODM manufacturing company Englewood LAB. David then shares why he wanted to…
Apr 26, 2022 49 - Shai Eisenman, Bubble
In Episode 49 of Earned, Conor sits down with Shai Eisenman, founder and CEO of the affordable, Gen Z-tailored skincare brand Bubble. We start by discussing the challenges of launching and scaling a business during the pandemic, and hear why Shai was inspired to disrupt the outdated mass skincare market and create a brand catering to today's teens. Shai then explains how every decision the brand makes is rooted in…
Apr 12, 2022 48 - Daniel Landver, Digital Brand Products
In Episode 48 of Earned, Conor sits down with Daniel Landver, CEO of influencer-brand incubator Digital Brand Products (DBP). To start the episode, Daniel shares which creator brand launches he's most excited about, and reveals that DBP's 50 brands at market are expected to achieve $250 million in retail sales this year. Daniel then breaks down what separates a $50 million brand from a $1 million brand, and…
Mar 29, 2022 47 - Ju Rhyu, Hero Cosmetics
In Ep. 47 of Earned, Conor sits down with Ju Rhyu, co-founder and CEO of Hero Cosmetics, an acne-focused skincare brand that achieved $100 million in revenue last year. We start the episode by learning how running Hero Cosmetics today differs from when Ju launched the brand four years ago, and Ju shares why she says no to a lot more opportunities that come her way. We then hear why Hero Cosmetics launched on Amazon…
Mar 15, 2022 46 - JuE Wong, Olaplex
In Episode 46 of Earned, we sit down with a true industry leader: JuE Wong, CEO of Olaplex, a top-ranking haircare brand valued at $15 billion. We start the episode with JuE sharing her general leadership philosophies, as well as how her leadership style has evolved since her first executive role. We then explore the investments that JuE made when she joined Olaplex in January of 2020 that helped accelerate the…
Mar 1, 2022 45 - April Gargiulo, Vintner's Daughter
In Episode 45 of Earned, Conor sits down with April Gargiulo, founder and CEO of nutrient-powered luxury skincare brand Vintner's Daughter. We start the episode by learning why April, whose family owns the renowned Gargiulo Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, applies the same principles of quality and craftsmanship principles at the heart of winemaking to Vintner's Daughter, as evidenced by the brand's limited…
Feb 15, 2022 44 - Somer Tejwani, Too Faced
In Episode 44 of Earned, Conor sits down with Somer Tejwani, VP of Global Marketing at powerhouse beauty brand Too Faced. We start by discussing Somer's long tenure at Too Faced, and hear how the brand's great products—and savvy influencer strategy—played major roles in Too Faced's $1.4B acquisition by Estée Lauder in 2016. We then dive into Too Faced's influencer marketing playbook, as Somer shares the brand's…
Feb 1, 2022 43 - Janet Gurwitch, Laura Mercier, Advent International
In Episode 43 of Earned, Conor sits down with industry legend Janet Gurwitch—founder and former CEO of Laura Mercier Cosmetics, and operating partner at Advent International. Additionally, Janet has invested in many popular brands, and currently serves on the board of directors for Olaplex, Drybar, and the Houston Astros. We start the episode by discussing Advent's acquisition of Laura Mercier (along with…
Jan 18, 2022 42 - Robert Zajac, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, & Social Tourist
In Episode 42 of Earned, Conor sits down with Robert Zajac, the SVP of Global Brand Marketing & Experience for Hollister, Gilly Hicks, and Social Tourist, with previous experience leading marketing teams at ESPN and Nike. We start the episode by discussing how Robert joined Hollister at the start of the pandemic, and learn how the brand pivoted to digital practically overnight. Robert explains how Hollister's Gen Z…
Jan 4, 2022 41 - Liah Yoo, KraveBeauty
In our first episode of 2022, Conor sits down with Liah Yoo. A powerhouse YouTuber, Liah is the founder and CEO of KraveBeauty, the sustainable beauty brand dedicated to demystifying skincare. We start the episode by hearing where Liah's interest in beauty came from, and learn why she decided to launch her own YouTube channel in 2011. Liah shares her "trial and error" strategies for expanding her YouTube audience…
Dec 14, 2021 40 - Aïda Moudachirou-Rébois, MAC Cosmetics
In our 40th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Aïda Moudachirou-Rébois, SVP, Global CMO of MAC Cosmetics. We start by discussing the current "makeup rebound," and Aïda shares why she believes the vertical is picking up steam. We then dive into MAC's community of 13,000 professional makeup artists, and learn how the brand leverages their field insight to inform product development. Aïda speaks to her personal…
Nov 30, 2021 39 - Susan Kim, Kopari Beauty
In Ep. 39 of Earned, Conor sits down with a true industry titan: Susan Kim. Now the CEO of fast-growing, coconut-powered skincare brand Kopari Beauty, Susan previously led the marketing divisions of influencer-favorite brands Huda Beauty and Benefit Cosmetics. We start by learning about Kopari's focus for 2022, and Susan shares why she's prioritizing top-of-funnel brand awareness and articulating the brand's DNA.…
Nov 16, 2021 38 - Angelic Vendette, Alo Yoga
In Ep. 38 of Earned, Conor sits down with Angelic Vendette, VP of Marketing at influencer-favorite activewear brand Alo Yoga. We begin by walking through Angelic's impressive career journey, from her time at Holt Renfrew, to starting and selling her own digital marketing agency, to leading marketing teams at Sephora, Dolby, and Stitch Fix, before landing her dream role at Alo Yoga. We learn what drew Angelic to the…
Nov 3, 2021 37 - Steve Lesnard, The North Face & Nike
In Ep. 37 of Earned, Conor sits down with an expert on brand building and outdoor apparel: Steve Lesnard. Now the Chief Brand Officer at Sephora, Steve previously served as the CMO and Global VP of Product Creation at The North Face, and Global VP and GM of Nike's Running division. We first hear how The North Face adapted its practices and culture to prioritize employee well-being throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.…
Oct 19, 2021 36 - Sandrine Crener de Schutter, Harvard Business School
In Ep. 36 of Earned, Conor sits down with Sandrine Crener de Schutter, program director at Harvard Business School and expert in all things luxury marketing. We start the episode by diving into the challenges and advantages of online teaching and remote learning, and hear why Sandrine believes virtual instruction can facilitate more individualized learning models for different types of students. Sandrine then…
Oct 5, 2021 35 - Soyoung Kang, EOS
In Episode 35 of Earned, Conor sits down with Soyoung Kang, CMO of TikTok's favorite brand, EOS. We start the episode by diving into the origins of the brand's unfiltered "Bless Your F-ing Cooch" shaving cream collaboration with TikTok creator Carly Joy (@killljoyy), which went viral and doubled EOS' business practically overnight. We then take a step back to hear about Soyoung's impressive background (she received…
Sep 20, 2021 34 - Igor Vaks, CreatorIQ
In today's very special episode, Conor sits down with Igor Vaks, founder and CEO of influencer marketing platform CreatorIQ, to share some exciting news. We're thrilled to announce the new global combination of CreatorIQ and Tribe Dynamics, bringing together the best in the business in influencer marketing, performance management, advanced analytics and benchmarking solutions, and creating the definitive platform…
Sep 7, 2021 33 - Adeline Leong, Kosas
In Ep. 33 of Earned, Conor sits down with Adeline Leong, CMO of fast-growing clean makeup brand Kosas. We start the episode by exploring Adeline's own professional journey, and learn why she decided to pursue a career in the beauty industry. We then dive into the differences between working at large, established companies and smaller, up-and-coming brands, and Adeline shares advice for how young brands can best…
Aug 25, 2021 32 - Robert Triefus, Gucci
In Episode 32 of Earned, Conor sits down with Robert Triefus, CMO of iconic, top-ranking luxury fashion brand Gucci. We start the episode by learning how Gucci has embraced digital to expand and engage its community, and Robert shares a few ways the brand leverages technology to enhance and personalize the customer experience. We then dive into Gucci's investment in the gaming industry, with Robert unpacking the…
Aug 3, 2021 31 - Amy Martin, P.volve
In Episode 31 of Earned, Conor sits down with Amy Martin, head of marketing at the fast-growing functional fitness company P.volve. We start the episode by unpacking P.volve's growth, and hear how the omnichannel brand was well-positioned to weather the COVID-19 pandemic with its at-home training equipment and virtual classes. We dive into P.volve's functional movement methodology and "no injury" promise, and learn…
Jul 20, 2021 30 - Julian Reis, SuperOrdinary
For Earned's 30th episode, Conor sits down with Julian Reis, founder and CEO of SuperOrdinary: the beauty incubator and global growth partner helping popular U.S. brands break into the Chinese market. We start by discussing the challenges foreign brands encounter competing with domestic brands in China, and which Chinese brands to look out for. Julian then explains the recent changes in China's animal testing…
Jun 30, 2021 A Message from Conor
As the Earned podcast takes a summer break (we'll be back on July 21st!), Conor reflects back on the learnings and milestones from the last 29 episodes.
Jun 15, 2021 29 - Chandra Coleman Harris, Revlon
In Episode 29 of Earned, Conor sits down with Chandra Coleman Harris, General Manager of beauty giant Revlon. We dive into Revlon's digital transformation during the pandemic, and learn how the brand leveraged lighthearted "edutainment" content, along with its #ButItHelps campaign, to stay connected with audiences. We also explore how Revlon amped up product categories like nails and hair color as consumers turned…
Jun 1, 2021 28 - Katie Welch, Rare Beauty
For Ep. 28 of Earned, we're joined by Katie Welch, CMO of Selena Gomez's smash-hit makeup brand Rare Beauty! We kick off the episode by hearing about how Katie uses her own TikTok platform (with over 16,000 fans!) to mentor young professionals interested in the beauty industry, and how Katie herself broke into the space. We then walk through Katie's enviable marketing career, as she shares how the lessons she…
May 18, 2021 27 - Josie Maran, Josie Maran
In Ep. 27 of Earned, Conor talks to former supermodel and clean beauty pioneer Josie Maran. We unpack why Josie decided to expand her eponymous brand's distribution by launching in Ulta, and learn about the 14-year-old company's upcoming rebrand. Josie reveals why she set out to "help the beauty industry become healthier to the planet and to the people," discussing the early challenges that came with launching her…
May 4, 2021 26 - Marianna Hewitt, Summer Fridays
In Episode 26 of Earned, we chat with Marianna Hewitt, powerhouse influencer, podcaster, and co-founder of sustainable, fast-growing, and oh-so-Instagrammable skincare line Summer Fridays. We explore how being an influencer equipped Marianna to be a brand founder, and conversely, how being a brand founder has made her a more effective influencer. But first, we learn why Marianna, who now boasts over one million…

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Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

About Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

Episodes

Creator Marketing at Scale: How e.l.f. Cosmetics Builds Community Through Creators, According to Micah Jesse Koffler

Beauty Marketing Should Be Fun: How DIME Built a $3.6M EMV Month, According to Bernice Merlini

Jasmine Wong on Why Data Security Should Come Before the AI Tool

Why the Consumer, Not the Brand, Is Choosing Creators Now: KIKO Milano's Katie O'Reilly Explains

How Brands Can Build Stronger Creator Partnerships, According to Gigi Robinson

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