This week on the Pixel Retentive Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alain S. Levi, founder and CEO of Motivare, one of the most recognized experiential marketing agencies in Latin America. Alain has over three decades of industry experience and has led over 10,000 projects for major brands like Microsoft, Unilever, PepsiCo, and Mondelez. Starting his career in the early '90s with Unilever, he transitioned from a marketing trainee to a pioneer of experiential marketing, a field that was once considered “below the line.” Today, Alain continues to shape the future of human-focused brand engagement through purpose-driven campaigns and bold creativity.

What You’ll Learn:

• What experiential marketing actually means and why it’s becoming more strategic than ever.
• How Alain started Motivare and scaled it into a top-tier agency in Latin America—without selling out.
• Why post-COVID marketing has shifted dramatically toward human connection and real-life experiences.
• The difference between creating consumers vs. fans, and why fandom is the future of brand loyalty.
• How brands like Microsoft, Itaú, and Unilever are integrating experiential touchpoints globally.
• The pivotal story of launching Internet Explorer in Brazil with a spaceship, a blackout, and a full-scale immersive experience.
• Insights into emerging trends: AR/VR, the vintage return to physical interaction, and Liquid Death-style branding.

Focus not on the money, but on the quality, the creativity, the innovation, the success - and the money will come." - Alain S. Levi

This quote hits at the heart of Alain’s entrepreneurial philosophy. Over 35 years, he’s resisted offers to sell, stayed independent, and prioritized creative integrity over short-term profits. Alain reminds us that sustainable success isn’t built on greed but on vision, resilience, and obsessing over the craft. It’s a message all creatives should take to heart, especially in a time where shortcuts and surface-level engagement are so common.

Overview:

Man, what a powerful conversation this was. Alain dropped story after story - from pioneering trade marketing at Unilever to literally landing a spaceship in a São Paulo park to launch Internet Explorer. We dove deep into how marketing must evolve beyond screens and clicks, toward meaningful human experiences that spark community and fandom. His perspective, sharpened by decades of cultural shifts and business challenges, is a timely reminder that creativity and empathy still win. You’ll walk away inspired to create with purpose and connect with your audience in ways that matter. I know I did.

Until next time,
Carl Cleanthes

Danielle Letayf is the powerhouse founder and CEO behind Badassery HQ, a podcast guest booking agency that champions bold visionaries. With a background in community building, marketing, and events spanning over a decade, Danielle’s journey from AOL corporate life to full-time founder showcases her deep commitment to personal branding and authentic connection. Since 2018, she’s taken fearless strides through multiple pivots - speaker bureaus, membership platforms, and now a dynamic mix of podcast guest booking and personal brand development. Her work is rooted in helping individuals step into their voice and visibility with confidence.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to fall in love with the problem and not just the solution
• Why fluidity is the most underrated superpower in entrepreneurship
• The importance of candor in client relationships and business growth
• How Danielle successfully pivoted her business model to meet client demand
• Why being “too resilient” can sometimes be a sign to reassess your direction
• The psychological toll - and liberation - of letting go of control
• Why founders should always stay students of the game, no matter their stage
• Building a business around what actually fuels your passion, not just what pays
• The underestimated value of **genuine, fun client relationships
• How corporate beginnings can be an incredible sandbox for future founders

“You genuinely have to fall in love with the people you’re serving - and not particularly even the solution.” - Danielle Letayf

This quote cuts right to the heart of sustainable entrepreneurship. Danielle isn’t just talking about product-market fit here; she’s describing a mindset. The people you’re building for become your anchor in moments of uncertainty. If your love for the solution outweighs your empathy for the people, you’re more likely to cling to a failing idea than pivot to a successful one. It’s that relationship with your audience, their needs, habits, and evolutions, that helps you stay grounded when the business itself keeps changing.

Overview:
Hey friends, it’s Carl here. This episode was a conversation that flew by because it was so real, honest, and deeply useful. Danielle and I talked about what it means to bet on yourself - not just as a founder but as a whole human being navigating the unpredictable currents of creative business. From her early days in corporate America to the calculated leaps that built Badassery HQ, Danielle reminded us that success doesn’t come from stubbornness but from fluidity, introspection, and straight-up love for your people. She’s not just building a business, she’s building momentum for the voices of tomorrow. If you’re looking to get unstuck or feel seen in your struggle, this one’s for you.

Stay gritty, stay curious, and most importantly, stay you.

Until next time,
Carl

This week, I had the pleasure of talking with the endlessly creative Jon Kane, founder of Optic Nerve and an early trailblazer in the MTV visual revolution. Jon has spent over four decades at the bleeding edge of motion graphics, editing, and multimedia experimentation. From shaping the visual identity of MTV and Nickelodeon to helping legendary directors bring their visions to life, Jon’s career reads like a love letter to the intersection of art, instinct, and innovation. And now, in his 60s, Jon’s wisdom hits harder than ever.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Jon became a creative force in the early days of MTV - without any formal film training
• Why he turned down high-paying jobs to stay aligned with what made him happy
• His reflections on the balance between striving and being content
• The importance of knowing your personal “currency” and living in alignment with it
• How building \$20M companies can still leave you creatively empty if you lose your compass
• The power of “refilling your creative cup” through personal projects, rock stacking, and fatherhood
• Insights into the evolving accessibility of creative tools, from \$1,200/hr edit bays to today's \$15K home studios
• Stories of wild DJ nights, creative partnerships, and intentionally stepping out of the spotlight
• Practical advice for young creatives on identifying passion and staying out of soul-draining jobs

“When things balance, no matter what the objects are, they look good.”

This beautiful metaphor from Jon captures the essence of creative harmony, not just in sculpture or design, but in life. Whether you’re editing a film, structuring your career, or deciding how to spend your day, there’s a moment when everything just clicks. Jon’s obsession with physical balance in objects mirrors his pursuit of emotional and professional balance. It’s not about perfection, it’s about listening to gravity, literally and metaphorically, and letting it guide you toward alignment.

Overview:

This episode was one of the most relaxed, free-flowing conversations I've had on the podcast. Jon’s journey is a powerful case study in creative autonomy. We traced his path from the scrappy VHS edits of his college days to building and intentionally downsizing a $20 million company. He’s done the high-end production thing, the art-for-art’s-sake thing, and everything in between. And through it all, he’s stayed grounded by asking himself one question: "Am I happy doing this right now?" His answer shaped a life full of purpose, balance, and meaning, and it’s a reminder that you get to choose your story. Whether you’re a striver or a soul searcher, there’s gold in here for everyone.