Oh Canada! While in New Orleans for the annual AMA Collegiate Conference (1700 students, professors, more), we were fortunate to sit down with Erica Halvorsen, professor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and advisor to the AMA student chapter at the university. It was a terrific conversation, and especially so when the topic moved to the solidarity and pride in country Canadians are showing in the face of threats from the US government.

This was an incredibly informative and engaging episode. Thanks to Alex and Aveena, two rising stars, for sharing your experiences. It was really interesting to learn about the challenges of marketing and selling in the med tech sector. Even those working in very different businesses will find this episode intriguing.

Spring Break in Paris with students

Mattel introducing a line to compete with Lego - what are they thinking!?

Live TV programming thrives - Oscars, NCAA basketball

Sheri interviewed by the BBC about the 2026 World Cup final adding a Super Bowl like, halftime show

Why is the Midwest home to so many large pizza chains?

Monetizing AI - Google, Microsoft will run ads in AI searches

Orphan Brands - Suave thriving after separation from Unilever

Gummy Bear Crocs !

Some big stories this week!

• How should Lululemon, Athleta and Alo respond to the Nike-Skims new product line.
• P&G returns to its strategy of the 50s and 60s, introducing the first new Soap Opera in many years.
• Much more!

With the nova of Super Bowl ads fading, the home team fields a range of Marketing topics including:

• Brands using Influencers for new product introductions, ala Cera Ve hair care
• Coke enters the alt beverage segment to compete with Poppi and OlliPop
• Starbucks cuts 30% of their sku's, to improve the customer and barista experience
• Barnes & Noble embraces TikTok's BookTok to drive book sales and expand brick & mortar bookstores!
• Super Apps - eyeing the success of super apps in Asia, US brands are looking to expand consumer usage of their apps to new categories - Airbnb, Uber, DoorDash, Amazon Prime
• Walmart buys the Dawn of the Dead shopping mall

Talk about Marketing for better of for worse! The Super Bowl LIX ads completely earned that epithet. While the Eagles were soaring, brands provided flying facial hair. But their were also some excellent commercials. Will any drive sales for the brand - we think so. And others should have been left on the barber's floor.

Modern marketing and entrepreneurship at its best - Christina Mitchell and Rebecca Neckritz, the Philly Food Ladies share their incredible success as Influencers in the Philly market. Hired by restaurants and stores to create engaging videos, and through collaborations with well-known national and regional brands, the pair have built a very successful business, highlighted by almost 150,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok. Thanks to YDW team members Mackenzie and Min for arranging and hosting the Philly Food Ladies!

It was really fun to have former TU-AMA star, Maeve Coogan join the podcast. After graduation in 2023, Maeve joined the very popular, clothing and home furnishings retailer, Anthropologie. It was very interesting learning about the co-op programs, artist collaborations and fast-growing wedding business, that Maeve works on.

We already miss student producer, Joe DG who graduated at the end of the year. Joining Mackenzie and Min on the YDW team is Keenan who edited this episode. Welcome!