In Episode 23 of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata attend the Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-out at Addieville East Farm. They interview Matt Light about his New England Patriots career and transition to his eponymous foundation brand. Plus, the laughter is non-stop with comedian and actor Lenny Clarke who was in Something About Mary, Rescue Me, and DraftKings commercials.

This event, organized by three-time Super Bowl champion and Light Foundation founder Matt Light, raises funds to provide young people with hands-on learning experiences outside of their everyday environments. Matt reflects on his transition from being a New England Patriot to leading the Light Foundation. He shares how the lessons he learned on the field—successes, failures and the people he met—served as a catalyst for the Foundation's growth.

A supporter of the foundation, Boston comedian Lenny Clarke, a well-known figure in the comedy and acting world, adds a touch of humor to the episode. With a career that spans movies, TV shows and TV commercials, including the memorable Sam Adams Super Bowl commercial, he discusses the importance of authenticity, especially in Boston. He shares funny anecdotes from Hollywood auditions and these iconic commercials, while underlining the crucial role of humor in advertising and everyday life.

To learn more about the Light Foundation, visit https://www.mattlight72.com/

Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.

In Episode 22 of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata attend the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) National Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. They speak with Michelle Carr, executive director of Leadership Rhode Island (LRI), and Lura Hammond, executive director of ALP.

Michelle shares the immense honor LRI feels hosting the event—this is the first time since 1988 that they’ve had the opportunity. She reflects on the rich history of LRI and the hard work that’s led to this moment, sharing the pride and excitement of bringing such a prestigious event to Rhode Island.

Lura discusses the wide-reaching membership of ALP, which extends across the country and includes participants globally. She emphasizes the conference’s role as a unique platform for global engagement and connection—she explains the value lies not only in the diverse learning opportunities but also in the invaluable connections made among attendees.

Both guests highlight the essential qualities needed in today’s rapidly evolving world, such as passion, collaboration, critical thinking, empathy and leading by example. They believe these traits are crucial for effective leadership and can significantly impact overcoming challenges faced by leaders today.

Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.

In Episode 21 of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata attend the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP) National Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. There, they engage with the event’s keynote speaker, Reginald Lewis, Executive Director of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership and Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University.

Lewis highlights the core principles of servant leadership, stressing the importance of being a great listener, demonstrating empathy, fostering others' growth and building community. He also underscores the need for leaders to envision a better future despite daily challenges.

Emphasizing the crucial link between strong leadership and business success, Lewis provides actionable steps and real-world examples of how servant leadership can help businesses thrive. He also demonstrates how this approach aligns with modern consumer demands for authenticity and social impact, proving its effectiveness in today's business landscape.

Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.

On episode 20 of the Brand Slam podcast, host Steve Rosa is joined by a standout group of interns from the (add)prentice summer 2024 program: Jessica Kalmowitz, Ella Waryas and Kenzie Freedman.

A major focus of the discussion is on brand authenticity and the critical role it plays in today’s marketing landscape. The interns delve into how brands can build genuine connections with their audiences and why transparency is key. They explore how their generation, often termed “the anxious generation,” values honesty and open dialogue, and how brands can adapt to meet these expectations. Having grown up with challenges such as Covid-19 school closings, the trauma of school and mass shootings and the pervasive influence of growing up on screens, their perspectives offer valuable insights into the importance of trust and authenticity.

They share their skepticism towards overly polished influencer endorsements and emphasize the importance of relatable and honest content in fostering trust with consumers. The conversation also touches on how (add)ventures prioritizes trust and authenticity within its own company culture and extends these values to its external brand strategies.

Our summer interns were the best cohort ever. Jessica, a rising senior at the University of Maryland majoring in public relations with a business minor, has played a key role in developing engaging content for both clients and internal communication initiatives. Ella, a graphic design major and athlete from Roger Williams University, has significantly impacted the team through her design skills and leadership. Kenzie, an incoming junior at Penn State majoring in public relations with a minor in recreation, park and tourism management, has brought a fresh and creative perspective to the marketing team.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from the next generation of marketing professionals and see how their fresh viewpoints and innovative ideas are shaping the future of branding.

Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.

In this episode of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata discuss the branding triumphs of the 2024 Summer Olympics. They are joined by Kathryn Tappen, the celebrated daytime studio host for USA Network’s Olympic coverage. Kathryn shares her behind-the-scenes experiences at NBC Sports, discussing the challenges and rewards of broadcasting such a major event.

This episode uncovers the secrets behind NBC's successful coverage, including the impactful addition of hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg to the coverage. They also explore the powerful emotional narratives that captivated audiences and highlight the standout brands that harnessed the Olympic spirit to create memorable marketing moments.

We also look towards the upcoming Paralympics and the importance of authentic, inclusive brand representation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in sports, broadcasting and the strategic branding that makes the Olympics a global phenomenon.

Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.

In this episode of the Brand Slam podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata are joined by Dave Stangle, the VP of Brand Marketing at Bark. As Bark continues to redefine luxury pet services, Dave dives into the fascinating world of premium pet care, including their groundbreaking offerings like Bark Box and the newly launched Bark Air, the world's first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs.

Dave shares the intriguing backstory of how Bark Air was conceived. He also explains how Bark maintains a cohesive brand identity across various platforms and why humor is a crucial element in their marketing strategy. The conversation also explores the luxury pet market—unveiling trends, popular products, and future expansions.

From discussing Bark Air's current operations in major hubs like London, NYC, Los Angeles and Paris, to a playful round of rapid-fire questions, this episode is packed with insights and light-hearted moments. Whether you're a pet parent, a brand enthusiast, or just curious about innovative marketing strategies, this episode is sure to entertain and inform.

Tune in to understand why pets might just be the new kids, and get a sneak peek into what's next on Bark’s agenda.

Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.

On episode 17 of Brand Slam: The winning brands podcast, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata sit down with Claire Rogers from GOLF.com. She is their Director of Social Media and host of The Scoop where she brings you the sweetest stories in golf, all over a scoop of ice cream.

Claire shares fascinating anecdotes, including an unforgettable Tiger Woods story that catapulted her onto the national scene and she reveals Justin Thomas’ favorite hole in all of golf.

On the show we also deep dive into the state of golf as Claire discusses the clash between the traditional PGA and the new LIV Tour. She also sheds light on the brands that are thriving with their association with professional golf and shares invaluable advice for companies looking to get involved in the golfing world.

You'll also hear about Claire’s unique interview style, conducting conversations over ice cream with notable figures like Niall Horan from One Direction, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson Dechambeau, Max Homa and Nelly Korda just to name a few.

The episode wraps up with a fun and delicious rapid-fire ice cream round, where Claire reveals her favorite flavor and discusses the best treats to enjoy while watching a golf tournament.

The donation from our (add)love charitable-giving program for this episode is for Button Hole Golf, which is a non profit organization providing affordable and accessible golf facilities and programs to people of all ages and abilities. Visit addventures.com for more information.

Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.

In Episode 16, hosts Steve Rosa and Joe Kayata bring you an enlightening conversation on the future of virtual production. This episode’s guest is none other than Academy Award-nominated visual effects supervisor, Jacques Stroweis, who was recruited from Hollywood to lead (add)ventures innovation of in-camera visual effects.

In this episode, Jacques breaks down virtual production, explaining how it combines live-action filming, LED volumes and 3D elements in real time to create breathtaking visual content. Steve shares the strategic decisions he made during the pandemic when traditional film production was halted, leading to the establishment of New England’s first Virtual Production Studio. This visionary move allowed (add)ventures to continue producing vital video content safely and efficiently while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in brand storytelling.

As the episode unfolds, listeners get an insider's look at the profound impact of virtual production on efficiency, cost savings and environmental sustainability.

With Jacques’ decades of experience in the movie industry and his work on iconic films like "True Lies" with James Cameron, this episode is packed with valuable insights and some behind-the-scenes secrets on some of Hollywood’s biggest stunts.

Interested in a particular topic or want to be a guest? Contact us at brandslam@addventures.com.