Best Jo Lepore Podcasts (2025)

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Big companies optimize for profit, not the consumer - strategy advisor Peter McDonald 53:20

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1d ago53:20

53:20

If strategic planning in the consumer goods sector feels different right now, you’re not imagining it. For the past 15 years, leaders in CPG categories have struggled to build plans that deliver the kinds of predictable, reliable profit of days past. Former General Mills Chief Strategy Officer, and a leading independent voice in long range strategi…

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There's no way to fix fast fashion - French designer Justine Leconte 51:27

25d ago51:27

51:27

Fashion is a massive $1.8 Trillion industry. Within that two tales unfold: one of quality, timelessness and individualized expression, and another of wastefulness, shame and pride. On this episode of Looking Outside, we explore how fast fashion competes with slow fashion; where craftsmanship, carefulness and scarcity supersede fleeting trends. For …

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Media we create and consume is becoming synthetic. Who is this for? - Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies 1:00:44

28d ago1:00:44

1:00:44

This podcast was not read by synthetic AI generated replicas … although it could be. Live from the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies in Denmark, together with three trained communications professionals, we discuss the future of their field. If there even is one. FARSIGHT podcast host and Head of Publications at the CIFS Casper Skovgaard Pete…

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Economics is a social science that doesn't reflect our current society - economist Hans Stegeman 46:12

1M ago46:12

46:12

Financial stability and economic growth has been a staple of national prosperity and business success. In this search for predictable prosperity, fueled by individual ownership and material attainment, we forget that economic models were built as a fix to a problem within the specific context of a social need. Today, economic models have become the…

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124. Dig (In)spiration: The redesign lesson every legacy brand should learn 4:18

2M ago4:18

4:18

In our final episode of season 3 of Dig In, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Marat Fleytlikh, Director of Consumer Insights at Perdue Farms, on why you shouldn't fix what isn't broken when it comes to brand redesigns, why insights professionals should own their seat at the table as strategic partners—not just data interpreters—and how…

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124. How insights helped Classico evolve without losing its core brand identity 26:53

2M ago26:53

26:53

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Marat Fleytlikh, Director of Consumer Insights at Perdue Farms, to explore how to strike the right balance between refreshing design without losing what makes a brand iconic, the transformative impact of knowledge management and AI on the insights function, and why empathy and curiosity are the…

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123. Dig (In)spiration: How one moment transformed cross-functional teams at Danone 2:49

3M ago2:49

2:49

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Liz Ackerley, Senior Director of Strategic Insights & Analytics at Danone, on how real consumer stories can shift mindsets across departments, how branding and gamification helped scale Danone’s Consumer Love program, and why mentoring isn’t just about fixing problems,…

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The crisis of disbelief is paralyzing decision making - intelligence strategist Jake Sotiriadis 44:00

2M ago44:00

44:00

Your business could benefit from a chief geopolitical officer. Not just because of the large shift in operational complexity accelerated by geopolitical conflicts, but because not looking at these topics in a considered way, through a lens of expertise, could lead to poor decisions, lost opportunities, or worse, paralysis. But, says our Looking Out…

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123. Why consumer empathy is Danone’s new growth engine 25:06

3M ago25:06

25:06

On this week’s episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Elizabeth Ackerley, Senior Director of Strategic Insights & Analytics at Danone, to talk about how her team sparked a global empathy movement through the “Consumer Love” program, why mentorship and coaching are essential tools for leadership growth, and how Danone is staying head of the curve in a f…

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122. Dig (In)spiration: How Cheetos became top-tier in branding 2:35

3M ago2:35

2:35

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, Jess reflects on her conversation with Brodie Dunn, Brodie Dunn, Director of Strategic Insights at PepsiCo Foods North America, on how the iconic Cheetle (Cheeto dust) taps into deep-seated brand associations, why true incrementality starts with a human perspective, and how brand experiences will need to evolve in …

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Change is incredibly slow and exponentially fast - venture capitalist Roger Spitz 23:54

3M ago23:54

23:54

You can’t talk about the future without talking about change. But change can trick you, as guest Roger Spitz says on this latest episode, filmed live at the Rulebreaker Future Congress in Germany. Roger is the founding Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute and, there, instructs global leaders in operating with agility in uncertain environments.…

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Stop romanticizing analog experiences - tech entrepreneur Lyron Bentovim 20:02

3M ago20:02

20:02

We’ve been living digitally for decades. While many of us think romantically about an analog and physical existence, the future is not taking us back there, but deeper into a digital immersion. So says our guest today, Lyron Bentovim, CEO and President of The Glimpse Group, a company advancing augmented and virtual reality innovation. In this episo…

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From the lab to the market: challenges in cellular technology - biotech scholar Dr Hamid Noori 20:17

3M ago20:17

20:17

Bioengineering is a complex field. In some industries it’s well established, in others still nascent. But one thing is true regardless of where it’s applied – it poses interesting problems. Dr Hamid Noori is one scientist motivated by solving these kinds of big, difficult and (he would say) fun problems. As CEO of bioengineering company, The Cultiv…

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122. How Cheetos turned messy fingers into an award-winning brand platform 35:31

3M ago35:31

35:31

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Brodie Dunn, Director of Strategic Insights at PepsiCo Foods North America, to explore how empathy earns you a seat at the table (and keeps it), why embracing the mess made Cheetos a cultural icon, and what it really takes to turn Super Bowl ads into long-term brand platforms.…

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121. Dig (In)spiration: How embracing uncertainty drives smarter global expansion 2:53

4M ago2:53

2:53

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Jo Lepore, EVP of Global Market Expansion & Foresight at Dig Insights, on how understanding market nuances is critical for global expansion, how foresight requires embracing uncertainty and multiple possible futures, and how diverse leadership perspectives drive strong…

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It’s not science fiction: how we’re preserving human life - future scientist Sven Gabor Janszky 33:25

3M ago33:25

33:25

For over two decades, Germany's most demanded futurist, Sven Gabor Janszky, has been gathering business leaders across Europe, exposing them to the 'rulebreaking' ideas that are changing our world. In this 24th edition of this event, Sven sits down with host (and international keynote at the congress) Jo Lepore, to discuss the science behind findin…

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121. How Jo Lepore uses foresight to power smarter global expansion 31:24

4M ago31:24

31:24

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Jo Lepore, Dig Insights new EVP of Global Market Expansion & Foresight, to explore how foresight fuels smarter strategy, why market expansion is more than just “lift and shift,” and how the insights function must evolve to stay human and stay relevant.…

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120. Dig (In)spiration: Why the right insights are the key to completing the revenue puzzle 3:15

4M ago3:15

3:15

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Ronda Slaven, VP of Market Insights & Competitive Intelligence at Synchrony, on how a long-running shopper study turned into a revenue-driving program, the need for industry-wide accountability on data quality, and the power of insights that truly add value.…

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Why forecasts fail in the game of predicting the future - forecaster Paul Saffo 1:20:21

4M ago1:20:21

1:20:21

Arguably, the most important thing we need to do when thinking about the future, is to hold our strong opinions weakly. In the world of business strategy, the process of mapping what may lie ahead is usually tempted by a perfected, tried-and-true, method. So what happens when the forecast is wrong? On this episode of Looking Outside we are explorin…

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120. How Synchrony turned one shopper study into a business-building insights program 31:00

4M ago31:00

31:00

On this week’s episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Ronda Slaven, VP of Market Insights & Competitive Intelligence at Synchrony, to explore how a one-off research study turned into a 13-year insights program that now fuels brand trust, sales conversations, and long-term strategy. Plus what it takes to make research truly stick, how AI is changing the…

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119. Dig (In)spiration: How shopper empathy drove smarter decisions at General Mills 3:05

5M ago3:05

3:05

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Khary Campbell, VP of Consumer Research & Insights at Comcast, on how creating in-context learning capabilities like virtual reality shelf sets can streamline innovation, how embedding empathy into research through real-life consumer interactions creates business value…

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Art profoundly impacts physiology, psychology and sociability - neuroarts expert Susan Magsamen 46:30

5M ago46:30

46:30

Art is nice, but it’s not just a nice-to-have. And it’s not relegated to galleries, museums and exclusive circles. Not only is art everywhere in our lives, day in and out, it has a profound impact on our physiology, psychology and our ability to better connect with other people. On this episode of Looking Outside we speak with author of ‘Your Brain…

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119. How General Mills used virtual reality shelf testing to accelerate innovation 38:47

5M ago38:47

38:47

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Khary Campbell, VP of Consumer Research & Insights at Comcast, to explore how immersive, in-context learning unlocked innovation at General Mills, why true empathy starts with stepping outside the office and into people’s homes, and how frameworks like “How might we…” can reshape the future of …

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118. Dig (In)spiration: How PepsiCo redefined equity with global impact 3:21

5M ago3:21

3:21

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Nick Graham, former Head of Insights & Analytics at Mondelēz and PepsiCo, on how defining equity with conviction laid the groundwork for global alignment, why clarity means marinating in the problem—not jumping to solutions, and how empowering local ownership led to gr…

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Planetary boundaries: what we can’t account for - climate finance leader David Carlin 52:42

5M ago52:42

52:42

After 200 years of rapid growth, we’re seeing the consequences of putting the planet to the limits of habitability. But with future endless growth goals, and finite resources it’s time we get climate action into the P&L. On this episode of Looking Outside, we’re talking about sizing the impact of climate change, with climate and sustainability lead…

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118. How Nick Graham bridged the gap between global strategy and local consumer needs 40:01

5M ago40:01

40:01

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Nick Graham, former Head of Insights & Analytics at PepsiCo and Mondelēz, to explore how truly lasting transformation begins with understanding human behavior, the importance of building co-ownership across global and local teams, and why defining the why before the how is the secret weapon of …

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LIVE from SXSW: Spotting signals in noise 44:58

5M ago44:58

44:58

Futures Thinking: Spotting Signals in Turbulent Times In a world of constant flux and uncertainty, the ability to spot signals of change is an essential skill for navigating the future. Volatility has been escalating for over a decade, and the exponential growth of data presents both challenges and opportunities. Understanding how to contextualize …

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117. Dig (In)spiration: Sexy shopper insights and the power of the purchase moment 3:15

5M ago3:15

3:15

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Anna Estlund, Senior Director of Insights & Strategy at Pernod Ricard, on how building empathy in context can align global stakeholders to local market dynamics, how in-store immersion helps cross-cultural teams see the shopper reality firsthand, and why Shopper Insigh…

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117. How shopper insights helped Pernod Ricard stand out in a crowded RTD market 42:03

6M ago42:03

42:03

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Anna Estlund, Senior Director of Insights & Strategy at Pernod Ricard, to explore how the team navigated the canned cocktail boom by rooting strategy in consumer behavior, the importance of cultivating empathy across global stakeholders, and why Shopper Insights is the most underrated (and sexi…

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LIVE from SXSW: Staying human in the age of AI 53:58

6M ago53:58

53:58

Enough with the “Delving” – Staying Human in the Age of AI. Is AI making us better or worse at communicating? On one hand, platforms like ChatGPT have unlocked the ability to instantly create and customize vast reams of messaging – emails, social posts, and more. But the telltale fingerprints of AI, from overused words like “innovative” and “delve,…

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116. Dig (In)spiration: How visual storytelling brings iconic brands to life 3:18

6M ago3:18

3:18

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Ron Burrage—former head of design at PepsiCo, Hershey, and P&G—on the creative power of design in brand revitalization. Jess highlights how small but iconic visual elements, like the Hershey’s Kiss plume, can unlock big storytelling moments, how packaging innovati…

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116. How Hershey’s Kisses became a masterclass in brand reinvention 32:55

6M ago32:55

32:55

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Ron Burrage, design industry veteran and strategist at goDutch to explore the lessons learn from the Hershey’s Kisses brand refresh, how cross-functional collaboration fuels innovation, and how design is a strategic tool that connects brands with consumers in meaningful ways.…

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115. Dig (In)spiration: How emotional insights unlock smarter marketing 2:39

6M ago2:39

2:39

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Jorge Calvachi, Director of Insights at La-Z-Boy, on the power of emotional connection in brand building—how tapping into emotional and social dimensions of comfort helps craft more meaningful campaigns, how a deep understanding of the consumer drives agility and …

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115. How La-Z-Boy built an insights function that transformed the brand 33:49

7M ago33:49

33:49

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Jorge Calvachi, Director of Insights at La-Z-Boy, to discuss how building a consumer-first insights function transformed the iconic brand. They explore how understanding the emotional meaning of comfort reshaped La-Z-Boy’s marketing and why insights leaders must proactively uncover growth oppor…

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114. Dig (In)spiration: Why failure is the ultimate teacher in innovation 2:51

7M ago2:51

2:51

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Paul de Larzac, President of Nestlé Ice Cream Canada, about the realities of product innovation—why failure is one of the best teachers, how the pressure to move fast can lead to critical missteps, and why taking smart, calculated risks is key to long-term success…

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Biological limitation is our biggest strength - historian & futurist Jamie Metzl 53:51

7M ago53:51

53:51

In this episode of Looking Outside we’re going back to the past and into the future - exploring the biggest transformative breakthroughs in science and technology that have and are transforming civilizations and societal values. Historian and futurist Jamie Metzl joins us to step into the world of science innovation, and equally to take a step back…

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114. How Nestlé’s ambitious launch led to lessons in failure, innovation, and growth 27:06

7M ago27:06

27:06

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Paul de Larzac, President, Ice Cream at Nestlé, to discuss the power of risk-taking in innovation and leadership. They explore the lessons learned from launching F'Real in Canada, how empowering teams to experiment drives business growth, and why the future of food will be shaped by evolving co…

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113. Dig (In)spiration: The essential skills every insights pro needs 4:08

7M ago4:08

4:08

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Elizabeth Oates, former VP of Consumer Insights & Guest Services at Ulta Beauty and author of More Than Just Interesting. Jess highlights Elizabeth’s approach to building an impactful insights function, the essential skills every insights pro needs, and why AI is …

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Flawed political ideologies are hurting and not helping us - political scientist Verlan Lewis 59:51

7M ago59:51

59:51

Today we’re going to get a little political, without the hostility. We’re exploring the bias, misrepresentation and dangers that come with ascribing to the ‘left wing’ and ‘right wing’ political spectrum. Political scientist, professor in political and constitutional studies, and co-author of ‘The Myth of Left and Right’ Verlan Lewis joins us to de…

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113. How insights leaders can turn research into real business action (straight from a pro) 28:54

8M ago28:54

28:54

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Elizabeth Oates, former VP of Consumer Insights at Ulta Beauty and author of More Than Just Interesting: How to Build an Insights Function for Impact. They discuss how insights teams can move beyond being “interesting” to truly driving business impact, the critical skills every insights profess…

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112. Dig (In)spiration: Why the best campaigns make us rethink what we know 3:24

8M ago3:24

3:24

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Denise Siebert, Design Officer at 3M, on the cultural impact of the Like a Girl campaign—how it went beyond advertising to reshape social narratives, how working under pressure led to a more powerful, intuitive creative process, and why diverse representation in d…

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Serendipitous pathways to learning - professor Radhika Zaveri 28:40

7M ago28:40

28:40

Being a marketer today is challenging enough, just imagine what it’s like for the next generation of brand leaders coming in to study marketing. On this episode of Looking Outside we explore the mindset and skills that future brand leaders are considering, with Professor of Practice at SMU Cox School of Business, Radhika Zaveri. With over 20 years …

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112. How this famous Super Bowl ad turned a phrase into a movement 24:13

8M ago24:13

24:13

On this week’s episode host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Denise Siebert, Design Officer at 3M, and a driving force behind the iconic “Like a Girl” campaign. They discuss how insights uncovered the confidence gap and inspired the "Like a Girl" movement, why diversity in design teams leads to better, more impactful campaigns, and how embracing AI will s…

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111. Dig (In)spiration: The power of curiosity-driven leadership and brand innovation 4:05

8M ago4:05

4:05

In this week's Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Kajoli Tankha, Senior Director, Consumer and Brand Insights at Microsoft on how Kajoli’s deep-rooted curiosity drives her success as a leader and researcher, why understanding the underlying drivers of consumer behavior is critical for building stronger brand connectio…

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"Doing" philosophy by going down the rabbit hole - experimental philosopher & artist Jonathon Keats 1:13:35

8M ago1:13:35

1:13:35

The very best philosophy is equal parts exhilarating and distressing. As one of the most profound pursuits towards greater understanding, through the love of wisdom, philosophy employs logic and demands critical thinking. But at worst it is left in the esoteric world of theory: disconnected from the world we live in. Out of touch. While philosophy …

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111. How empathy and AI are redefining insights at Microsoft 33:41

9M ago33:41

33:41

In this week’s episode Jess is joined by Kajoli Tankha, Senior Director of Consumer Marketing Insights at Microsoft and they discuss how storytelling can unlock deeper consumer connections, why balancing AI optimism with skepticism is essential for transformative insights, and the secrets behind collaborative problem-solving in global organizations…

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2024 Recap: highlights from 18 topics 19:36

9M ago19:36

19:36

After 18 topics explored in 2024, it's time to reflect back on the themes covered, the insight gained and the ideas sparked from this year's podcast. ---------- More: Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com Connect with host, Jo Lepore Watch this episode on YouTube ---------- ⭐ Follow, like and rate the show - it makes a difference! -------…

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110. Dig (In)spiration: Gen AI and the new era of hyper-personalized marketing 3:26

9M ago3:26

3:26

On this week’s Dig Inspiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Anish Raul, Senior Marketing Lead at Sling TV, on Anish’s initiative to use AI creatively to innovate in marketing, how brands are leveraging Gen AI to provide personalized experiences at scale, and the importance of seamless, platform-agnostic customer experiences to bu…

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Sustainable Business LIVE from Dubai: Marc Buckley, Dina Baenninger, Ben McCabe (Cross-over episode) 49:10

9M ago49:10

49:10

This is a cross-over podcast episode between Looking Outside and Ree-thinking Sustainability, co-hosted by Ben McCabe and Jo Lepore. This episode was filmed LIVE at the 2024 Dubai Future Forum, the largest gathering of futurists from around the world, which features some of the most prominent activists and climate innovators pushing for environment…

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110. How Gen AI is creating a new future of marketing at Dish Network (and beyond) 27:38

9M ago27:38

27:38

On this week’s episode host Jess Gaedeke is speaking with Anish Raul, Senior Marketing Lead at Sling TV, a part of Dish Network on how Sling TV his revolutionizing their digital marketing with Gen AI, how AI is feeling hyper-personalized content reshaping consumer experience, and how Ai is empowering marketers to bring ideas to life quickly and wit…