Former TikTok Head of Marketing Nick Tran shares how the traditional marketing playbook is evolving and why brands need to rethink their approach to connecting with modern consumers.

Nick Tran is a marketing innovator whose career spans leadership roles at Samsung, Hulu and most notably as Head of Marketing at TikTok during its explosive growth phase. In this episode, he discusses how TikTok revolutionized content consumption, why traditional brand marketing needs to evolve, and his perspectives on AI, organic social media and the future of marketing in 2025. Nick also shares anecdotes on how he became a Co-Executive Producer on Kanye West’s documentary Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy.

Links mentioned from the podcast:

• Meta’s fact-checking changes are just what Trump’s FCC head asked for
• Vayner Media x Ipsos Report
• Nick’s Twitter
• Nick’s LinkedIn

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor:

• In Chinese, belief means trust. For 10 years, Consensus has united those who believe in building a new internet where everyone has value. Join us at Consensus Hong Kong February 18 - 20, 2025 where belief becomes real. Connect with global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of Web3, and experience the power of collaboration at the industry's most influential event. Register now: https://go.coindesk.com/3BeigBq

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gen C's first episode of 2025 features hosts Avery and Sam trading predictions about the future of entertainment, technology and sustainability, including bold forecasts about creator crossovers, AI personalization and the revival of dead brands.

In the first episode of the year, hosts Avery and Sam share their predictions for 2025 across various sectors including creator economy, AI, gaming, crypto and sustainability. They discuss predictions ranging from Kai Cenat getting a major movie deal and GTA VI becoming the biggest video game launch ever, to the rise of personalized AI and live shopping in the US. The episode concludes with discussions about reviving dead brands and the growing importance of carbon-neutral technology.

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor:

• In Chinese, belief means trust. For 10 years, Consensus has united those who believe in building a new internet where everyone has value. Join us at Consensus Hong Kong February 18 - 20, 2025 where belief becomes real. Connect with global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of Web3, and experience the power of collaboration at the industry's most influential event. Register now: https://go.coindesk.com/3BeigBq

-

"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comic Con pioneer Gareb Shamus discusses the transformation of geek culture from niche to mainstream and reveals his latest venture in collectibles.

Gareb Shamus, Founder of Wizard Magazine and Co-Founder of Comic Con, shares the untold origin story of cosplay at conventions and how his magazine revolutionized comic collecting through price guides and industry coverage. Gareb discusses transforming Comic Con into a cultural phenomenon and introduces StarPics, his new company creating authenticated celebrity autograph cards using innovative security features.

Links mentioned from the podcast:

• Pudgy Penguins PENGU Token Debuts at $2.3B Market Cap
• NVIDIA Unveils Its Most Affordable Generative AI Supercomputer
• Gareb’s Twitter
• StarPics Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

From our sponsor:

• In Chinese, belief means trust. For 10 years, Consensus has united those who believe in building a new internet where everyone has value. Join us at Consensus Hong Kong February 18 - 20, 2025 where belief becomes real. Connect with global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of Web3, and experience the power of collaboration at the industry's most influential event. Register now: https://go.coindesk.com/3BeigBq

-

"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.