From scoring a record deal (and a free ride home) with Will Smith to promoting superstars like Lady Gaga and Eve, it seemed Troy Carter had it all figured out. But it’s screwing up and learning from his mistakes that got him to where he is today – a high-flying music mogul and investment entrepreneur. In our season finale Damian and Troy talk all things tech, business, music and failure, plus how Covid-19 will change the way we connect. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...

Thanks to social media, emerging technologies and, let’s face it, an increasingly surreal zeitgeist, our idea of what’s real and what’s not is murkier than ever. This week Damian chats to Sara DeCou, co-founder of Brud and co-creator of Miquela – a computer-generated influencer who amassed over 1.5 million Instagram followers. The pair discuss alter egos, fake news and a dystopian-sounding future governed by technology.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

She ran one of the first ever influencer marketing campaigns, knows exactly how to reach Gen Z and has Kanye on her client roster – this week Damian chats to the indomitable Quynh Mai, founder of Moving Image & Content. The pair discuss the digitization of advertising, the companies that will survive COVID-19 and how good branding can be a beacon of hope in a dystopian political climate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Damian chats to Yancey Strickler, co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter, about how the notorious crowdfunding platform thrives on what money can’t buy: community, word of mouth and creating for creation’s sake. The pair discuss what it means to have “value” and Yancey introduces us to Bentoism – both of which feature in his new book This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

He’s repaired reputations, put a stop to scandals, and even had Harvey Weinstein clamouring at his door – so who better to turn to in a time of COVID-induced crisis? This week Damian chats to Matthew Freud, the world’s go-to man for publicity, access and damage control. The pair get real about hitting reset, knowing who to trust, and what it’s like to carry the weight of your great grandfather’s name (yes, that Freud). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we take the time to process this moment with Grist’s director of leadership programming Andrew Simon, and Brentin Mock, staff writer at CityLab. The pair discuss the sheer complexity of existing as Black men in America today, and why every step forward seems to be followed by another one back. Show Notes: Andrew Simon Website: andrew25simon.com Twitter: @andrew25simon Work: Grist Brentin Mock Twitter: @brentinmock Work: CityLab Brentin's Reading List: Nikole Hannah-Jones: The 1619...

90% of everything we say is communicated nonverbally. So can we ever get across how we really feel over chat apps, emails or conference calls? This week Damian talks to Rana el Kaliouby who, as founder and CEO of Affectiva, has pioneered a digital software that can read and analyze human emotion in real time. The pair discuss how tracking viewer response helps brands like Coke and Dove make better, more-inclusive ads, and why a future grounded in digital comms might see us emotionally...

Raking in billions of dollars in legal revenue (even during COVID-19), cannabis is one of the most sophisticated and tech-forward industries out there. This week Damian chats all things weed with renowned investor Karan Wadhera who, as managing partner of Casa Verde Capital, has seen first-hand how the industry can thrive. The pair discuss smart cannabis tech, doing business with Snoop and how to manage advertising for a product plagued with stigma.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and...

Damian Bradfield kicks off season 2 with straight-talking, advertising powerhouse, Cindy Gallop. From transforming the US market with her campaign for Axe to being the only speaker to say “cum on my face” on the TED stage, Cindy knows a thing or two about disrupting the system. She talks to us about her guaranteed formula for creative success (we’ll give you a hint, it’s all about trust), why women should ask for a shit ton of money and the reality of running a sex tech startup. See...

This season, we’re highlighting the people, technologies, and ideas that have catapulted advertising, PR, and marketing into the future...for better or for worse. Season 2 of Influence launches on May 13th. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Damian explores how the godfather of modern PR, Edward Bernays, mastered the art of spin. From soap to cigarettes, Damian chats with author Larry Tye on how Bernays dramatically changed the way we live.

Damian talks with Kari Shimmel, Chief Strategy Officer at Campbell-Ewald, about how the introduction of TV ads after World War II completely transformed consumer culture.

Damian talks with Kari Shimmel, Chief Strategy Officer at Campbell-Ewald, about how the introduction of TV ads after World War II completely transformed consumer culture.

Damian talks about the creation and impact of ads that raise awareness about health, environmental, and other pressing issues with Gail Gallie, co-founder of Project Everyone, a non-profit that helps spread awareness for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

In a wide-ranging discussion about the early days of internet advertising and how it shaped our online experience today, Damian chats with Rick Boyce – a former media buyer and one of the creators of the first ever banner ad.

The best way to find out what consumers really want? Ask them. This week, journalist and author Liza Featherstone takes us through the history of focus groups, and how their decisions and influence continue to shape the world around us.

Featuring culture writer and radio host, Kate Hutchinson, this week’s episode looks at the rise and fall of sex in advertising and its ability to sell everything – from chocolate to jeans.

Damian talks with Pelle Sjoenell, former Worldwide Chief Creative Officer at BBH, about the ins and outs of global advertising – what works, what doesn’t and why it’s so tricky to get it right.

In a fascinating discussion with Nick Thompson, Editor-in-Chief at Wired, Damian unearths the alarming power of Facebook advertising – from its potential disrupt and disable Western democracy, to some surprising reasons to stay logged in.

Why does Barbie look the way she does? How did cigarettes become a symbol of women’s liberation? And why do we vote the way we do? Learn the answers to these questions (and more) on Influence - a new podcast about the good, the bad, and the ugly of advertising, hosted by WeTransfer CCO Damian Bradfield. Get ready for a deep dive into how advertising transformed our economy and our world, and what can we do about it. Influence launches on November 4.