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

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.

Ron Howard is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning film director. With work spanning from comedies like Splash and Parenthood to critically acclaimed dramas like Apollo 13, Frost/Nixon and A Beautiful Mind, he is one of the most popular and prolific filmmakers of the last 50 years. His first on-screen appearance was at just 18 months old and he was cast as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show at age five. By the time he was 10, adults on set predicted he would make a great director; but at the time, it was a major challenge to transition from acting to directing feature films. In his conversation with Bob, Ron shares how he leveraged one green light to make that improbable jump, how his feelings about collaboration have changed over his career, and his advice for young people in the entertainment industry today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh Howey is an international best-selling author whose work has been published in 40 languages. But he’s not just a writer, he’s an entrepreneur in the purest sense. When Hugh self-published a short story, the world demanded more. Soon enough the income from that one story was enough to quit his job to begin work on what became the now-iconic Silo trilogy. Instead of going the traditional route with a publisher, Hugh stuck with his instinct to self-publish, disrupting an entire industry along the way. His conversation with Bob dives into the inspirations and the dollars behind his decision-making. Plus, he talks about turning Silo into the acclaimed AppleTV+ series, how he ended up in a performance of the Nutcracker, and the sailing trip he’s planning to take around the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When he was 14, Tarang Amin’s family sold their home and bought a motel. They fixed it up and expanded their business, buying one motel after another. Since those days, Tarang’s gotten an MBA, built an impressive resume at Procter & Gamble, Clorox, and Schiff Nutrition, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of e.l.f. Beauty. Tarang still credits his days at the family motels for his achievements in the business world. Tarang shares stories about the incredible growth he’s built for brands across the board, even after hitting walls or stepping into unexpected roles. Underlying his success are core values and strategies like incentivizing employees with ownership opportunities, constantly learning from mistakes, and creating a culture of teamwork and innovation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jewel–with just that name, you know exactly who she is. With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, four Grammy nominations, and an American Music Award she has all the accomplishments of stardom, but didn’t get there the traditional way. She spent her childhood in Alaska performing in bars with her dad and left home at 15, struggling with homelessness as a young adult. It was performing at a coffee shop that led to a bidding war between four major labels and eventually a hit record. Yet the most surprising part of her career was when, at the peak of her fame, she stepped away from it all. Jewel recounts her journey navigating what she’s learned about mental health, the ebbs and flows of fame, and why she turned down a million dollar advance. Listen in for an insightful conversation about creativity, inspiration, and the importance of living a life in service of others.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. How do the most successful minds in marketing, entertainment, business, and even health and science evolve in an ever-changing world? This season, Bob sits down with visionaries across a wide range of industries to hear how they’ve used data, analytics, and creativity to adapt to new technology, lead strong teams, and build successful businesses that will shape our future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the years Bob has asked dozens of business titans to share their secrets –what’s inspired them, how they’ve exceeded their career goals, and the important lessons they’ve learned along the way. In this bonus episode, we’re highlighting memorable stories and secrets from marketing masters. AT&T CMO Kellyn Smith Kenny is honest about her takeaways from unsuccessful campaigns and Gwyneth Paltrow talks about the piece of feedback that changed everything for Goop. Entrepreneur and filmmaker Andrew Jarecki reveals that his successful business came out of trying to solve a problem for himself, while Jon Bon Jovi and Bobbi Brown have wise words on the power of authenticity. Finally, Olivier Francois gives us a behind-the-scenes look at an unforgettable Superbowl commercial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.