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

After finding success from a young age at companies like 20th Century Studios, Vestron, and BMG Entertainment, Strauss Zelnick decided to go out on his own in his 40s. He founded Zelnick Media Capital and became CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the software company behind Grand Theft Auto. Together, they’re a $55 billion enterprise. He’s spent his career at the intersection of technology and media working across film, music, and home entertainment. Not to mention he holds an MBA as well as a JD from Harvard and is the author of Becoming Ageless: The Four Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger Than Ever. He’s also a longtime friend of Bob’s who sits down to talk about what it looks like to operate on the business side of creative industries, the importance of developing talent, his outlook on the future of technology, and his own personal commitment to health and wellness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A skull-emblazoned design with a funny slogan is just not what people expect when they’re buying a healthy beverage. But that’s exactly why Liquid Death Founder and CEO Mike Cessario thought there was room for disruption. He didn’t think funny, cool, irreverent marketing should be limited to things that are bad for you. What if this approach could even help people make healthier choices? Now the healthy beverage company trying to “Murder Your Thirst” has expanded to soda-flavored sparkling water, iced tea, and energy drinks and it was valued at $1.4 billion in March 2024. Mike sits down with Bob to talk about how he got from inspiration, to concept, to funding an original order of 150,000 cans. He has great insights on both creativity and analytics, shares lessons from all the surprises and challenges he faced in becoming an entrepreneur and explains why he dislikes traditional marketing as much as most people do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman for a new season of Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing. Bob is taking you behind the scenes of the biggest businesses and industries while sharing insights from the smartest minds in marketing, business and creativity. New episodes start March 19th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sean Nugent is the Founder and CEO of Newgentek, specializing in IT services for the hospitality industry, and a co-founder of FusionPrep, a kitchen management platform. In this conversation, he shares insights on how technology is revolutionizing restaurants. Sean discusses the importance of balancing automation with expert support, and offers practical AI adoption tips for small businesses. He also reflects on his journey from a kitchen worker to a tech entrepreneur, highlighting the evolution of the industry and the future of IT in hospitality.

Avani Desai is the CEO of Schellman, the largest specialized CPA firm focusing on cybersecurity assessments for major companies like Walmart, Meta, and OpenAI. In this episode of CEOs You Should Know, she discusses the firm's role in building trust through third-party cybersecurity evaluations, the increasing importance of data privacy, and the evolving landscape of AI technologies. Avani emphasizes the shift towards integrating security and privacy in the design phase and shares insights on the future of AI, encouraging a proactive approach to emerging technologies. Their conversation also touches on how AI can streamline administrative tasks, allowing professionals to focus on their core responsibilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Math & Magic host Bob Pittman shares some iconic stories from the launch of MTV in this episode preview of Tetragrammaton, a podcast by record industry legend Rick Rubin. Find the full episode here. For more from Rick, visit his website and YouTube channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, is on a mission to revive commercial supersonic travel. He shares his innovative vision and the challenges he faces in making supersonic flights a reality. The conversation also dives into the evolution of children's television through Nickelodeon's groundbreaking strategies. Listeners will discover how Paris Hilton crafted her brand from media scrutiny and Ted Leonsis discusses the future of sports broadcasting. It's a thrilling ride through innovation across various sectors!

From the White House, to Edelman, Microsoft, Nissan and IBM, Jonathan Adashek has had a wide-ranging career. His experiences may span from politics, to the business side of PR, to tech, to automotive, but he has developed core beliefs about corporate culture, work ethic, marketing, and communications. Now as IBM’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Jonathan joins Bob to share incisive thoughts on what a brand is really made of, adept insight on the current landscape and future of AI, and inspiring advice for building a career. He also speaks fondly about his upbringing in Milwaukee, summers spent at camp, and how he’s passing those meaningful experiences down to his kids. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can take decades to build breakthrough brands and noteworthy careers, and this bonus episode examines an essential building block to getting there – the college years. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon didn’t get the training you might expect for a leader in investment banking at his small liberal arts college. United Talent Agency CEO Jeremy Zimmer skipped college altogether, whereas Progressive Insurance CMO Remi Kent was confident about what she wanted to get out of her education. Advertising executive Tim Castree and Host of The Breakfast Club Charlamagne tha God both reflect on their experiences and consider the best options and opportunities for young people today, while Innovation Refunds co-founder and CEO Howard Makler discusses the importance of giving back to those who are still learning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this engaging discussion, Bobby Bones, the charismatic host of The Bobby Bones Show, shares his journey from a small town in Arkansas to becoming a key figure in country music. He emphasizes the power of tenacity in achieving success and the emotional intelligence needed for effective interviews. Bobby also sheds light on the evolution of country music and its connection with diverse audiences. His reflections on authenticity in media and the unique freedom of podcasting spark fascinating insights into his dynamic career.