Amanda Lee Smith talks to some of the world’s best marketers to hear their path into marketing, and the story behind one career-defining campaign—their first global spot, a major rebrand, a video that went viral, or maybe something that just changed the way people saw their brand.

When it comes to advertising, what is the far edge of edgy? How much risk is too risky? Niclas Bornling thinks maybe we're playing it too safe, and letting the algorithms dumb down creativity. In this episode, he talks about his days at Salomon and the campaign that almost cost the brand its biggest retailer. We look back at the heyday of print advertising in ski and snowboarding and consider what we can bring to our marketing and brand campaigns today.

Austin Hodges was running NBA partnerships at adidas when he got tapped to make what might sound like a surprising leap: lead global marketing at a baby brand. Since then he brought the adidas sports partnership playbook to life at Nuna—and Nuna's sub brands, Tavo and Hedgren—totally changing the game in marketing to parents. This episode is a masterclass in sports partnerships. It's also an incredible lesson in leadership—Austin spells out his distinct approach that has rocketed him from a single brand CMO to global oversight of three verticals for three brands.

Remember that shiver of excitement that comes with opening a fresh box of 64-count crayons? That's what Crayola CMO Victoria Lozano has been capturing for more than 15 years. In this episode we dive deep into the world of location-based brand experiences, creating original brand IP and how to keep a campaign fresh when it runs over multiple years. She even gives the secret to getting a competitive brand management role without an MBA.
Amanda loves exploring and sharing new ideas. She designed and teaches a course at the University of British Columbia and regularly speaks on panels, podcasts, and stages—including SXSW and the Sustainable Fashion Forum. Beyond branding and marketing, she particularly likes to explore ideas in innovation, circularity and regenerative capitalism.
Amanda Lee Smith is the CEO and co-founder of Monday—a branding and creative agency in Vancouver. With clients including Adidas, Arc’teryx, lululemon, and Allbirds, Monday builds brands that enhance human potential and help us form deeper connections with each other and nature.