In this episode, we sit down with Meghann McNally, Chief Marketing Officer at Wrench Group, to explore how she’s transforming the home services industry through predictive analytics, local brand empowerment, and a bold growth mindset.

From leading digital disruption in traditionally offline sectors to integrating marketing with data science, Meghann shares her approach to building trust, scaling rapidly, and avoiding “one-size-fits-all” marketing traps.

We dig into how she helped grow Wrench Group’s market share from 73% to 87%, why authentic local storytelling beats corporate polish, and how she balances acquisition, retention, and culture across 27 markets. Whether you're scaling a brand or trying to outpace competitors, this episode is packed with actionable insights on how to lead with both heart and hard numbers.

Rand Fishkin—founder of Moz, cofounder of SparkToro, and now leading indie game studio Snackbar—joins us to talk about what it really takes to build a brand people care about.

From disrupting the SEO world to rethinking audience research, Rand shares how transparency, community, and a bit of rebellion have shaped every step of his journey.

We dig into why most marketers get audience targeting wrong, how SparkToro is fixing it, and what launching a video game has in common with startup life. Plus, Rand opens up about burnout, honesty in branding, and why Lost and Founder struck a nerve with so many entrepreneurs.

If you're in marketing, startups, or just like hearing from someone who tells it like it is—this one’s for you.

In this episode of Branded, Ben Kaplan speaks with Jennie Platt, the Chief Marketing Officer of TD Bank US. With a career spanning American Express, Citi, and now TD, Jennie shares her unique perspective on how large financial institutions can remain genuinely connected with their customers.
She dives into TD's Unexpectedly Human brand promise, explaining how it’s more than just a tagline, it’s a company-wide commitment to understanding and anticipating customer needs. Jennie discusses the power of data-driven marketing, why personalization matters more than ever, and how TD is blending digital innovation with old-school human touch to redefine banking experiences.
From dog-friendly ATMs to real-time data insights, Jennie reveals the strategies behind TD's growth and how they're staying ahead in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Whether you’re in marketing, finance, or just curious about how big brands build real connections, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

How do you scale a beloved burger brand without losing the heart that made it special?
In this episode of Branded, host Ben Kaplan speaks with Chris Dull, President and CEO of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Chris opens up about the balancing act of fast growth and genuine hospitality—sharing how Freddy’s has expanded into 37 states, reimagined its digital experience, and stayed laser-focused on franchisee success.
From caramelized steakburgers to post-pandemic innovation, this conversation dives into the power of brand consistency, listening to your guests, and creating “one-of-a-kind moments” in everyday life.
If you’re in branding, franchising, or just trying to grow something the right way—don’t miss this one.

How does a global giant like IKEA stay affordable, sustainable, and deeply personal—all at once?
In this episode of Branded, host Ben Kaplan sits down with Belen Frau, a senior global leader at IKEA who’s helped shape the brand from the inside out. With over 20 years at the company, Belen shares how IKEA's democratic design philosophy drives everything from flat-packs to climate impact.

From launching secondhand platforms to redefining what it means to be “for the many,” this is a masterclass in brand purpose, strategy, and resilience.

What does it take to make a 150-year-old bank feel like a startup?
In this episode of Branded, host Ben Kaplan talks with Shruti Patel, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer for Business Banking at US Bank, about reinventing customer experience in one of the most regulated industries on the planet.
From AI-powered tools to embedded financial products, Shruti shares how US Bank is transforming the way it serves small businesses—while still staying grounded in trust, compliance, and community. It’s a conversation about balancing innovation with responsibility, and how big banks can stay nimble in a FinTech-first world.

What do you ask a man who’s helped shape the future of both education and technology?

In this episode of Branded, host Ben Kaplan sits down with John Hennessy—former President of Stanford University and current Chairman of Alphabet (yes, the Google one)—for a rare conversation about leadership, innovation, and what it really takes to build something that lasts.

From founding tech companies to guiding the next generation of Silicon Valley leaders, Hennessy shares what separates good ideas from great ones, why humility beats hype, and how to stay grounded when you're building for the stratosphere.

This isn’t just a conversation about tech. It’s about legacy.

In this episode of Branded, hosted by Ben Kaplan, we sit down with Camilla Matias, COO of Brex, to unpack the bold decisions, hard-earned lessons, and unconventional thinking behind one of FinTech’s most remarkable scale-ups.
Camilla joined Brex when it was a scrappy startup solving one problem: helping fellow founders get access to corporate credit. Today, Brex is a global financial platform used by both startups and Fortune 500 giants.
We explore:

• How Brex went from “do everything” chaos to ruthless focus
• Why scaling down was key to scaling up
• The power of building your own infrastructure—and your own brand
• How a Brazilian mindset shaped Brex’s adaptability and culture
• What most leaders get wrong about growth, AI, and simplification

Whether you're a founder, operator, marketer, or just obsessed with how great companies grow—this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.