Brand Runner

Hosted by Fabien Hameline

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May 2026

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Brand Runner is a podcast about building better brands, stronger creative systems, and more thoughtful marketing work. Hosted by Fabien Hameline, a brand awareness leader and creative operator, the show explores how marketers, founders, and creative leaders can combine strategy, systems thinking, and human judgment to do more impactful work with less mental load. Expect solo reflections, guest conversations, brand breakdowns, and practical looks at AI, workflows, taste, and execution.

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May 26, 2026Episode 2123 min

Can AI Make Us Better Artists? with Farid Ismail (special episode in French

SummaryIn this engaging interview, Farid Ismail shares his multifaceted artistic journey, explores the impact of AI on filmmaking and art, and discusses the future of creativity in the age of technology. Discover insights on how AI supports and challenges creators, the importance of maintaining human authenticity, and the evolving landscape of cinema and digital art.To subscribe to the Substack here - https://brandrunner.substack.com/ KeywordsAI in filmmaking, digital art, artistic journey, creativity, future of cinema, AI ethics, artistic authenticityKey topicsAI's impact on filmmaking and artMaintaining authenticity in digital creationFuture prospects of cinema with AIGuest nameFarid Ismail Sound bites"AI can create with smaller budgets.""AI films can evoke real emotions.""Over-reliance on AI can be dangerous."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Artistic Versatility01:58 The Impact of AI on the Film Industry04:03 AI as a Tool for Creativity06:31 The Emotional Capacity of AI in Film09:15 Licensing and Ethical Concerns with AI12:03 The Role of AI in Creative Processes17:14 The Future of Human Creativity in an AI World18:34 Embracing AI in Filmmaking21:13 The Impact of Technology on Creativity22:21 Personal Projects and Artistic Expression23:35 Collaboration and Professionalism in FilmmakingResourcesThe Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman - https://the-coming-wave.com/ChatGPT by OpenAI - https://chat.openai.com/Claude by Anthropic - https://www.anthropic.com/Farid Ismail's linksInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/faridfilms/https://www.linkedin.com/in/faridismail/

January 7, 2026Episode 209 min

AI Is the New OS. Humans Are the Luxury — What You MUST Do in 2026

## SummaryIn this episode of Brand Runner, Fabien discusses the evolving landscape of marketing, focusing on the integration of AI as the new operating system. He explores six significant shifts in the industry, including the rise of AI in marketing, the transformation of search into answer engines, and the emergence of every company as a media company. Fabien also delves into the financial infrastructure of the creator economy and the importance of human elements in an AI-driven world. The episode concludes with actionable insights on how brands can adapt to these changes.KeywordsAI, marketing, brand strategy, creator economy, answer engines, media companies, human elements, digital transformation, marketing shifts, AI integrationTakeawaysAI is becoming the operating system of marketing.Search is evolving into answer engines.Every company is now a media company.The creator economy is gaining financial infrastructure.Human elements are becoming a luxury in an AI-driven world.Brands need to adapt to AI-driven changes.AI is transforming discovery and commerce.The importance of direct audience relationships is growing.Brands must simplify measurements before scaling.The shifts in marketing are already underway.Title OptionsAI: The New Marketing OSTransforming Search: The Rise of Answer EnginesEvery Company is a Media Company NowThe Creator Economy's Financial RevolutionHuman Elements in an AI WorldAdapting to AI-Driven ChangesAI's Impact on Discovery and CommerceBuilding Direct Audience RelationshipsSimplifying Measurements for GrowthNavigating Marketing ShiftsSound bitesAI is the new marketing OS. Search evolves into answer engines. Every company is a media company. Creator economy gains financial infrastructure. Human elements are a luxury now. Adapt to AI-driven changes. AI transforms discovery and commerce. Direct audience relationships matter. Simplify measurements before scaling. Marketing shifts are underway.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction to Marketing Shifts00:00:00 AI as the New Operating System00:00:00 The Evolution of Search00:00:00 Media Companies Everywhere00:00:01 Financial Infrastructure in the Creator Economy00:00:01 The Luxury of Human Elements00:00:01 Adapting to AI-Driven ChangesLinksConnect on LinkedIn: Fabien HamelineSubscribe to the newsletter: Brand Runner NewsletterThe app Creative TLDR: Sends a WhatsApp daily and keeps the pulse for you on all things marketing: https://creativetldr.comSources links:Amazon’s AI ads agent and campaign manager – https://www.adweek.com/media/amazon-ai-ads-agent-campaign-manager ↩WPP launches self-serve AI platform – https://www.adweek.com/agencies/wpp-launches-a-self-serve-version-of-its-ai-platform-to-court-small-biz-dollars ↩Unilever’s AI beauty marketing assembly line – https://digiday.com/marketing/inside-unilevers-ai-beauty-marketing-assembly-line-and-its-implications-for-agencies ↩Google AI Overviews reach 2B+ monthly users – https://digiday.com/media/googles-ai-overviews-reach-over-2-billion-monthly-users ↩ChatGPT Shopping changes ecommerce SEO – https://searchengineland.com/chatgpt-shopping-ecommerce-seo-rules-462865 ↩Zero-click landscape challenges – https://digiday.com/marketing/how-brands-are-trying-to-optimize-outsmart-ai-answer-engines-across-the-zero-click-landscape ↩American Express launches ad business – https://www.adweek.com/commerce/american-express-launches-ad-business-in-growing-commerce-media-race ↩

April 14, 202511 min

Inside Canva’s Visual Suite: AI, Creativity & the Future of Marketing Teams

Episode Summary:In this episode of Brand Runner, we explore Canva’s Visual Suite 2.0 — a major shift that brings design, AI, code, and data into a single creative workspace. From Magic Studio to Canva Code, we break down the most impactful features and what they mean for creative productivity, marketing teams, and the future of work.What We Cover:Canva AI and Magic Studio toolsVisual spreadsheets and real-time chartsCanva Code and no-code interactive toolsAI-powered workflows for faster content creationHow these changes impact collaboration and team structureResources Mentioned:Canva Create 2025 Keynote and Demos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LupwvXsOQqshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85f-fwJzUKMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnVsl3PIx8UMore on Canva’s Visual Suite:https://smallbiztrends.com/canva-launches-visual-suite-2-ai-tools/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250410082173/en/Canvas-Biggest-Launch-Yet-Introduces-Visual-Suite-2.0-to-Redefine-Creativity-and-ProductivityConnect with Fabien:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabien-hameline/Newsletter: https://brandrunner.substack.com/Get weekly insights on creative productivity, branding, and modern marketing.New Book – The Five Rings of MarketingUnlock timeless strategy for today’s marketing battles.Grab your copy here: https://brandrunner.kit.com/8b9a431f0f?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotesThis episode was produced with the help of AI.

April 1, 202514 min

AI Goes Ghibli: The Viral Trend and Its Implications

Summary: This episode dives into the explosive trend of transforming images into Studio Ghibli-inspired art using ChatGPT's latest GPT-4 model. We explore why this trend captivated the internet, its ease of use, and the deep cultural resonance of Studio Ghibli's unique aesthetic. From personal photos and pop-culture memes to historical moments, this style has touched every corner of digital culture.We also address critical copyright and ethical issues raised by this AI-driven phenomenon, highlighting Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s stark criticism of AI-generated animation as well as legal concerns over copyright infringement.What You'll Learn:Why the Ghibli-style AI art trend has rapidly spread.The cultural and nostalgic appeal of Studio Ghibli.Easy-to-use AI tools fueling creativity and virality.Ethical and copyright implications surrounding AI-generated art.Perspectives from key figures including Hayao Miyazaki and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.Key Highlights:The role of GPT-4 and platforms like MidJourney and BrockAI in democratizing AI art creation.Viral examples including Ghibli-style renditions of historical events, famous memes, and personal portraits.Debate over artistic authenticity: Miyazaki's intense opposition vs. the widespread public enthusiasm.Legal ambiguity around AI-generated images replicating recognizable artistic elements.Ongoing lawsuits and debates over copyright protection.Important References:Sam Altman's viral engagement and tweets.Miyazaki’s comments describing AI animation as an "insult to life."Coverage from Getting Animated, CNN, Variety, The Independent.Discussion Questions:What happens when AI blurs the line between inspiration and infringement?How can creators ethically engage with AI tools?What does the popularity of AI-generated Ghibli art say about nostalgia and creative ownership?Stay Connected:Subscribe to Brand Runner's newsletter here: https://brandrunner.substack.com/Fabien's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabien-hameline/Join us next episode as we continue exploring the intersection of creativity, branding, and technology.Linkshttps://variety.com/2025/digital/news/openai-ceo-chatgpt-studio-ghibli-ai-images-1236349141/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/studio-ghibli-chatgpt-openai-hayao-miyazaki-trend-copyright-b2723114.htmlhttps://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/27/style/chatgpt-studio-ghibli-ai-images-intl-hnk/index.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/style/ai-chatgpt-studio-ghibli.htmlhttps://www.businessinsider.com/openai-studio-ghibli-style-images-violate-copyright-or-not-2025-3This episode was generated with the help of AI.

March 24, 202522 min

Inside Adobe Summit 2025 (recap): Creativity is the New Productivity

In this episode of Brand Runner, we dive deep into the groundbreaking announcements from Adobe Summit 2025, where AI has officially stepped into the spotlight, fundamentally changing the game for creativity, productivity, and brand building.We explore how Adobe is transitioning from bolt-on AI features to embedding artificial intelligence into the foundation of their entire ecosystem. From the exciting new Firefly application that brings IP-friendly generative AI for images, vectors, video, and voice to a single platform, to the revolutionary AI assistant in Acrobat that lets you literally "talk to your PDFs," the creative landscape is being transformed.Key highlights include:Adobe's vision of "creativity for all" and how AI is democratizing design toolsThe blurring lines between productivity and creativity, as visual communication becomes essentialThe unveiling of Adobe's agentic AI platform with specialized agents for marketing, customer journeys, and data insightsCoca-Cola CEO James Quincy's insights on balancing AI-driven marketing with authentic experiencesB2B marketing's transformation with AI-orchestrated journeys and account-based intelligenceReal-world case studies showing dramatic improvements in efficiency and engagementWhether you're a creative professional, marketer, or brand strategist, this episode offers valuable insights into how AI is reshaping the tools we use every day and opening new possibilities for creativity and customer connection. As AI continues to advance, the question remains: how will you and your brand adapt while maintaining authentic human connections?SourceAdobe Summit keynoteshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQVpva50W74&list=TLGG8XCeg68IHIwyMjAzMjAyNQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmUZhAa6KW4&list=TLGGNvPSMz9qHZ4yMjAzMjAyNQhttps://www.zdnet.com/article/adobes-latest-projects-are-packed-with-ai-agents-heres-a-sneak-peek/https://diginomica.com/adobe-summit-coca-cola-using-gen-ai-make-cheaper-and-quicker-adverts-misses-human-touchLinks Sign up for the Brand Runner newsletter ⁠⁠ here⁠This episode was produced with the help of AI.

January 28, 2025Episode 1747 min

The State of VR with Sébastien Hameline

Show notes keywords: immersive marketing, virtual reality, VR milestones, consumer adoption, brand applications, metaverse, XR, Web3, healthcare VR, interactive experiences summary In this conversation, Fabien and Sébastien discuss the evolution of virtual reality (VR) and immersive marketing, highlighting key milestones, consumer adoption, and innovative applications by brands. They explore the importance of content in VR experiences, the impact of new technologies like the Apple Vision Pro, and the future of VR in the context of the metaverse and healthcare. The discussion emphasizes the need for brands to create engaging and unique content to leverage the immersive capabilities of VR. takeaways VR has evolved significantly since its inception, with key milestones marking its accessibility. The Oculus Go was a turning point for consumer access to VR. Content quality and relevance are crucial for consumer engagement in VR. Healthcare applications of VR are growing, providing therapeutic benefits. The Apple Vision Pro is setting new standards for VR technology. Brands are beginning to explore innovative uses of VR for marketing. The metaverse is becoming a focal point for social interaction and content consumption. Interactive experiences in VR can enhance storytelling and engagement. Consumer adoption of VR is still in its early stages, with growth expected. The future of VR includes a blend of entertainment, education, and productivity applications. Sound Bites "VR is not just live actions, it's games." "The consumer cares about the content." "Accessibility was a milestone in VR." Chapters 00:00Introduction to Immersive Marketing and VR 02:18The Evolution of VR: Key Milestones 13:43Consumer Landscape: Who Uses VR Today? 18:29Barriers to Mass Adoption of VR 22:56Apple Vision Pro: A New Milestone? 24:09Meta Connect: Key Takeaways 24:56Innovative Brand Uses of VR 33:22Future of VR: Innovations and Trends 44:50The Future of Work and VR Links Sébastien's VR work Sébastien's LinkedIn Fabien's LinkedIn Sign up for the Brand Runner newsletter here

October 8, 20247 min

From Dojo to Boardroom: Martial Arts Insights for Marketers and Entrepreneurs

Buckle up, brand warriors! 🚀 As a creative producer with a 25-year love affair with Taekwondo, I've got a treat for you. I recently spent 10 unforgettable days in Korea with elite warriors, conquering the prestigious Kukkiwon master instructor course. 🏆 Get ready to kick your marketing game up a notch as I share mind-blowing insights from this ancient martial art that'll revolutionize your entrepreneurial journey! 💡💼 🔥 Hot Take Alert: This thousand-year-old wisdom is about to transform your marketing strategies and business mindset. Stay tuned for some serious knowledge bombs! 💣💥 📫 Don't Miss Out: Craving more branding brilliance? Subscribe to the Brand Runner newsletter: https://brandrunner.substack.com/ Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabien-hameline/ this episode was inspired by my substack post: https://brandrunner.substack.com/p/i-spent-10-days-with-elite-warriors 📚 Exciting Book Announcement 📢 Prepare for marketing mastery with my upcoming book: "The Five Rings of Marketing" 🥋📈 Inspired by Miyamoto Musashi's legendary samurai guide, I'm blending ancient wisdom with modern marketing strategies to help you dominate your market. It's time to unleash your inner marketing samurai! ⚔️🏯 Be the first to know when it drops 👉 https://brandrunner.ck.page/8b9a431f0f

July 9, 2024Episode 1417 min

Paris 2024 Olympics: a golden opportunity for brands

In this episode, we are talking about one of the biggest events of the year for 2024: the Olympic Games, set to happen in my dear hometown: Paris. The event is set to take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024. In today’s post, we will talk about why it is a unique opportunity for brands, as well as what partnerships are available, and what are the costs involved for such partnerships. Connect Get direct brand nugget insights and subscribe to the Brand Runner newsletter here: https://brandrunner.substack.com/ Follow me on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabien-hameline/ Links The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics had a global broadcast audience of over 3 billion viewers across the entire event Paris 2024 Olympic trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EKrtd-zty4 Announced Olympic partnerships: https://www.sportspromedia.com/insights/analysis/paris-2024-olympics-sponsors-lvmh-carrefour-revenue/

May 23, 2024Episode 137 min

Apple's Creative Destruction: Unpacking the "Crush" Ad Debacle

In this explosive solo episode of Brand Runner, we dissect Apple's disastrous "Crush" ad campaign that sparked outrage across the creative community. From the disturbing industrial visuals to the cringe-worthy implications of AI replacing human artistry, we'll unpack what forced a rare public apology from the tech titan. You'll hear shocking details about an emotional test screening that should have been a major red flag, and why this $3 billion marketing misfire highlights the importance of getting creatives right before going live. Tune in for an insightful autopsy of one of Apple's most controversial campaigns in years - a cautionary tale of what happens when marketing meets tone-deafness. Subscribe to the newsletter and get brand insights here: https://brandrunner.substack.com/ Links Ad Age "Apple apologizes" article https://adage.com/article/digital-marketing-ad-tech-news/apple-apologizes-ipad-pro-crushed-ad-it-missed-mark/2559321 The 2024 Apple iPad ad https://youtu.be/XTi5cGnVTzQ The 2008 LG Renoir ad https://youtu.be/NcUAQ2i5Tfo?feature=shared Hydraulic press compilation https://youtu.be/XTi5cGnVTzQ The emotional testing from System1 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew-tindall_advertising-marketing-ugcPost-7195742654964383744-j-gC/ Brand Runner podcast episode about AI and the future of marketing https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/brand-runner/id1685793277?i=1000612304664 All opinions are Fabien's.

May 14, 2024Episode 1236 min

Virtual Realms, Real Brands: VR Marketing in the Metaverse with Charlie Ferguson

In this insightful episode, we explore the future of branding, marketing, and consumer engagement in the metaverse and spatial internet era. Our guest is seasoned digital brand strategist Charlie Ferguson, who shares his thoughts on extended reality (XR), immersive virtual worlds, user-generated experiences, and the convergence of technologies driving this metamodern shift. We dive deep into the evolution of VR/AR, discussing the major technological hurdles that still need to be overcome for mainstream metaverse adoption. Charlie provides a fascinating perspective on interoperability across metaverse platforms and the emergence of decentralized "Fediverses." The conversation also covers how brands can embrace user-generated content and virtual co-creation in this new paradigm. From virtual McDonald's franchises created by fans to overlaying experiences on games and products, we unpack the ownership and IP challenges companies will face. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Background 06:27 The Evolution of VR and Apple's Entry into the Market 21:25 Leveraging User-Generated Experiences in the Metaverse 22:22 The Rise of Branded Content in the Metaverse 22:51 Virtual Concerts on Gaming Platforms 24:18 The Intersection of Gaming and Music 25:03 The Youth and Future of the Metaverse 30:22 The Gamification of Virtual Concerts 32:18 Interoperability and the Future of the Metaverse Links Charlie Ferguson's Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/solidferguson/⁠ Charlie's article that inspired this episode: https://medium.com/@maince/working-title-the-metaverses-unconventional-take-on-mcdonald-s-2fb25c9cf3b0 Charlie Ferguson's Medium: https://medium.com/@maince Charlie Ferguson's Twitter: https://twitter.com/maince Other links mentioned in this episode Shameless plug for my brother Sebastien who is an Immersive experience producer and DP. Check out his work, it is impressive https://www.sebastienhameline.com/case-studies-1 https://www.sebastienhameline.com/case-studies-1 Statista VR/AR adoption article https://www.statista.com/chart/28467/virtual-and-augmented-reality-adoption-forecast/ Wired's Neil Stephenson named the metaverse, now he is building it // https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-neal-stephenson-named-the-metaverse-now-hes-building-it/ Matthew Ball's The Metaverse: How it will revolutionize everything https://www.amazon.com/Metaverse-How-Will-Revolutionize-Everything/dp/1324092033 Steve Jobs answers rude question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeqPrUmVz-o Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer laughs at Apple iPhone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXq9NTjEdTo