Which companies are on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence? What’s the next major breakthrough in healthcare? How do iconic brands reinvent themselves t...
Why Robinhood, Waymo, and Nvidia made our MIC list
On today’s episode, cohosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen break down the latest news in the world of business and innovation including Elon Musk’s DOGE staff breaking into the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Trump administration's plans to cut 25% of the IRS workforce, and Pepsi's acquisition of prebiotic soda company Poppi for nearly $2 billion. (01:01)
Next, Fast Company executive editor Amy Farley joins the show to discuss this year's Most Innovative Companies. (07:41)
Finally, senior staff writer Ainsley Harris talks to Yaz and Josh about her feature on Robinhood and the company's recent bets on crypto and prediction markets. (34:45)
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1:03:02
I'd like to AI the world a Coke
This past December, Coca-Cola released a set of holiday ads made entirely from generative AI. They asked three different studios to create their own interpretations of the 1995 Coke holiday spot called “Holidays Are Coming” using AI video-generation models, including Leonardo, Luma, and Runway. The brand got three unique adaptations from studios Silverside AI, the Wild Card, and Jason Zada’s Secret Level.
Even though the AI ads were supposed to be a reimagining of Coke’s holiday ads from the '90s, which is a pretty innocuous concept, the backlash was intense. The reactions were passionate and numerous enough to get coverage from The New York Times, USA Today, NBS News, and more. Despite the backlash, the ads were effective and these new AI ads also got the job done. Coke is confident that its early experimentation is not only fun, but a meaningful investment that—despite the negative reviews in the short term—is setting the company up for long-term marketing success.
In this episode, host Jeff Beer talks to Pratik Thakar, Coca-Cola's global vice president for generative AI, about the companies' approach to using AI, creative risk-taking, and those holiday ads.
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40:25
Tarana Burke on what’s next for the #MeToo Movement ON STAGE at SXSW
On today’s episode, cohosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen break down the latest news in the world of business and innovation including the stock market tumble, what’s going on with all those tariffs, Elon Musk blaming X’s outage last week on an alleged cyberattack, and Mark Carney becoming the next prime minister of Canada.
Next, It’s SXSW again with Josh and Yaz down in Austin for the annual festival and holding court at the Fast Company Grill. We recapped our time at SXSW with ‘Fast Company’ senior editor Max Ufberg.
Finally, Yaz interviewed author, activist, and founder of the MeToo Movement, Tarana Burke, on stage at SXSW.
For more of the latest business and innovation news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/news
To see the latest ‘Fast Company’ coverage on SXSW, go to: https://www.fastcompany.com/section/sxsw
Be sure to subscribe, rate and review Most Innovative Companies on your podcast app of choice. You can also find more Most Innovative Companies podcast content on Fast Company’s YouTube channel along with more videos on business news, tech, design, and work/life.
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1:00:29
The Next Creative Revolution
If GenAI is the biggest technological advancement since the internet itself, then the creative possibilities are or will be pretty much endless. From a brand marketing and advertising perspective, we are still very early days, but there needs to be those willing and able to push the envelope, test boundaries, make mistakes, learn lessons, and evolve from there. Yet how far should the boundaries of brand content be pushed?
In this episode, I look for some answers by talking to two founders of boutique creative shop Food Arts & Technology, industry legends creative technologist Iain Tait and designer Richard Turley. I also sat down with Jason Zada, founder of AI-focused production studio Secret Level, who has worked with major brands like Coke on utilizing these new tools.
There are so many different perspectives on how this tech will and should be used creatively. Here you’ll get a glimpse into the perspective of people trying their best to push the tech and their own creativity for brands.
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37:52
CEOs want us back in the office
On today’s episode, co-hosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen break down the latest news in the world of business and innovation including the will-they-won’t-they tariffs on Mexico and Canada, Walgreens plans to go private, and a “huge win” for the NFT industry (52:00)
Next, along with the federal workforce, private companies are increasingly calling their employees back to full-time in-person work. Fast Company staff writer Pavithra Mohan joins Yaz and Josh to discuss return-to-office mandates. (07:05)
Finally, Yaz talks with Fast Company’s global design editor, Mark Wilson, about the 25th anniversary and enduring popularity of the beloved PC video game, The Sims. (33:36)
For more of the latest business and innovation news, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/news
To read the latest ‘Fast Company’ coverage on return-to-office mandates, go to: https://www.fastcompany.com/work-life
Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review ‘Most Innovative Companies’ on your podcast app of choice. You can also find more ‘Most Innovative Companies’ podcast content on Fast Company’s YouTube channel, along with more videos on business news, tech, design, and work life.
Which companies are on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence? What’s the next major breakthrough in healthcare? How do iconic brands reinvent themselves to appeal to the next generation? Most Innovative Companies is where tech, business, and innovation convene. Join hosts Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen as they bring you the latest innovations transforming business and society—and highlights the companies that are reshaping industries and culture.
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