I speak to Airbnb's CMO, Hiroki Asai, fresh off their 2025 Summer Release, where they announced their brand new "Services" and "Experiences" addition to the platform. This now positions Airbnb as the perfect alternative to a hotel when travelling. Hiroki touches on how they have launched this massive new innovation, why they do all their creative work in-house and rounds off with some poignant advice to marketers.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:42 - Joining Airbnb at the start of COVID
• 02:44 - Why Airbnb turned off performance marketing but invested in brand
• 04:01 - Airbnb’s origin story as told by their CMO, Hiroki Asai
• 06:31 - The importance of design for Airbnb
• 07:37 - Why all branding and advertising is done in house
• 17:36 - How the new launch helps Airbnb hosts
• 18:33 - What went into such a big launch
• 20:36 - Some of the notable Airbnb experiences
• 21:28 - The big redesign of the Airbnb app
• 23:59 - How Hiroki leads the marketing organisation
• 27:29 - How to launch a big product update
• 29:37 - Revamping the Airbnb host experience
• 31:45 - Hiroki’s advice for aspiring CMOs

Since Elon Musk acquired X (formerly Twitter) in 2022, the platform has undergone dramatic changes; slashing headcount, losing major advertisers, and redefining its identity. Now, under CEO Linda Yaccarino and marketing lead Angela Zepeda (formerly of Hyundai), X is staging a comeback. Angela joins Jon to discuss her leap from automotive to tech, rebuilding advertiser trust, and the bold vision of turning X into “the everything app.”

They cover the platform's role in breaking news, championing free speech, and why brands are flocking back.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro
00:39 - From Hyundai to X: Angela’s leap
03:46 - Leading marketing when everyone has an opinion
05:56 - Free speech and platform identity
07:45 - Why news breaks on X
13:11 - X as a place to think differently
15:58 - The rise of sports on X
19:35 - Helping brands join the conversation
26:16 - Winning back advertisers
34:25 - What advertisers gain from returning
36:06 - How X markets itself
39:58 - The “everything app” vision
42:54 - Integrating Grok AI
47:20 - How advertisers can win on X

Rankin Carroll is the Chief Brand Officer at Mars, having joined the company in 2002. Mars is responsible for some of the most well-known advertising in the world, for brands including M&M’s, Twix, Snickers, Skittles, and more. Jon speaks to Rankin about long-term brand building vs. performance marketing, how to get the most out of agencies, and what it takes to build a portfolio of incredible brands.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Rankin’s career journey
05:49 - How the Chief Brand Officer role works at Mars
07:37 - Marketing mix spend at Mars – can you implement a fully earned strategy?
13:27 - Brand building vs. performance marketing
15:13 - How Mars stays so consistent with their marketing
19:06 - The power of consistency and longevity at Mars
24:55 - How agencies can get the most out of their clients
32:09 - How Twix became a $1 billion brand
38:41 - Own Goal Snickers AI campaign explained
40:43 - The dominance of M&M’s advertising in the System1 database
44:40 - The power of the M&M’s characters
48:04 - Rankin’s advice to young marketers