Brand Next - SoundSage

View Details

"Imagine the data from the 5 biggest companies in the world. What happens when you start to democratise their data?" - GMoney

It’s a big question and you’ll have to like to this special GMoney podcast to get his point of view on the answer. And I guess that’s how I’m introducing our guest on this episode. GMoney. For those of you who don’t know him already, he initially made headlines early in the NFT speculation phase of 2020 / 2021 for buying a Cryptopunk, but it’s not his NFT collecting that we are talking about today. Rather it’s his luxury fashion company 9dcc, and his vision for where tokenized products can take business and the relationships that people have with brands.

You might recall an article I wrote at the end of last year about his company 9dcc and their Iteration-02 drop which allowed people wearing his clothing to distribute tokens from the NFT chip in the clothing item. If you haven’t read the article, you can find it here, but this Podcast is the follow-up to that article.

In our conversation, G shares a bit more about his vision for both 9dcc and for the potential of tokenized products to transform brand relationships in general. It’s a great conversation with one of the true pioneers, builders and deep thinkers in the space. I am certain there is something for everyone in this Podcast so give it a listen.

SPECIFIC TOPICS WE DISCUSS:

GMoney has been innovating and building in the web3 space since early days and he shares details about what’s influenced, what inspires him and a few hints on what his vision is for the future and what’s next for 9dcc. But more specifically what we cover in our conversation is:

Introductions
The vision for 9dcc as a tokenised product company
A social graph built on POAPs
Tokens as the bridge between digital and IRL connections
The potential this offers to marketing funnel
Scaling and transporting reputation across brands and channels
POAP Leaderboards at IRL events and how this gamifies things not just for marketing, but for human connection
Advice for brands
Where you get the best croissant in Paris

CREDITS & LINKS:

Host: Justin Peyton
Guest: GMoney

GMoney on Twitter
9dcc Website
Cedric Grollet as mentioned on the podcast

Nothing in this podcast should be considered Financial Advice.

For more insights and deeper dives into the content, subscribe to the BRAND N3XT newsletter at https://brandn3xt.substack.com/

View Details

“My member can get cool stuff because you can treat them like your member”

-Brent Annells

Last year we saw the world of web3 shift from talking about speculative value and flipping NFTs to obsessing over utility. The elephant in the room though was always that no one could really define was “utility” meant.

Welcome Brent and the team from Smart Token Labs.

While most people have been busy focusing on the art, Smart Token Labs has launched multiple open-source web3 products including Token Script and Alpha wallet. What are those you are asking … well listen in. You will hear about what Brent and the team have been up to. But really, what you will hear is how they have been building a foundation for the future of loyalty - or Open Loyalty as they call it.

It’s an exciting discussion, and one that I hope will be of particular interest to all the brands and marketers who are listening in.

SPECIFIC TOPICS WE DISCUSS:

Brent has been at the forefront of emerging tech and channels for a long time. He built his reputation working with and helping to scale brands like Uber and Facebook to name just a few. He’s also worked on the agency side working directly with brands so he knows what they need. Now he’s busy showing the world how web3 is going to deliver value and what it offers to all of us. More specifically what we cover in our conversation is:

The products that Smart Token Labs has created and how they are being used.
Use case around tokenized car ownership and what benefits it will offer
How web3 solves many of the PII challenges associated with brand partnerships
Developing ticketing solutions and open perk solutions that both consumers and brands can leverage as a marketplace
The importance of wallets and tokens as reverse cookies in enabling Open Loyalty
The upcoming release of a Cricket membership - $20 for 20 pieces of utility
Open edition utility
How Marketers should think about Open Loyalty and token gated sponsorship

CREDITS & LINKS:

Host: Justin Peyton

Guest: Brent Annells

Smart Token Labs: https://smarttokenlabs.com
Brent is active on LinkedIn so give him a follow here.

View Details

“The technology isn’t the challenge, it’s the imagination that we need to inspire in order to think about why we are actually doing this, what’s the purpose and who [we’re doing it for]” - Patrick Workman

There are builders in the world, and then there is Patrick Workman and the team behind Unlock Protocol. What makes talking to Patrick special is that has such a clear understanding of the technology that he is able to explain concepts in simple easy to understand ways. Talking to him was really refreshing because even though he understands the tech, the focus isn’t on how we onboard millions / billions of people into crypto, but on how we unlock value for people through experiences what are intuitive. Most likely by getting rid of talk about wallets, keys and crypto babble and just making a brands app the wallet.

This is really a fun discussion that goes into the world of music, retail, customer experience, and so much more. One thing that’s clear from the conversation is that they are building the technology needed to unlock opportunities, to unlock value, but to get there, as Patrick implies in the quote above, you just need to unlock your imagination.

SPECIFIC TOPICS WE DISCUSS:

Patrick is a builder who built his reputation and know how in the world of Web2 and comes to Web3 with a clear understanding of the challenges of the past, and the opportunities that the emerging web3 ecosystem provides. In our conversation he shares about:

His perspective on FTX, the and how he sees the difference between Crypto and Web3
How Unlock is giving NFTs super powers and additional functionality
The difference between a subscription today, and what added value a tokenized subscription will enable
How new business models for the internet will be created that migrate the economic models from attention to membership
Moving past intermediaries through open blockchains and how this will inspire new areas of creative innovation
How Unlock Protocol is taking people on a five stage membership journey, and how it relates to the memberships people have and value today (eg. Prime)
The value of Open Memberships - starts around the 26.30 mark and this part is really important and really insightful so don’t skip it
Experience vs. Tech and how they work together, and the types of experiments brands could take that are fit for purpose today

LINKS TO UNLOCK AND OTHER SERVICES WE DISCUSS IN THE PODCAST:

Unlock Protocol: https://unlock-protocol.com/
Advent Calendar from Unlock Protocol: https://unlock-protocol.com/blog/advent-calendar-2022
Patrick’s Twitter: @PatrickWorkman

CREDITS:

Host: Justin Peyton
Guest: Patrick Workman

View Details

I’m back with another Podcast. This time with Artist, NFT Collector and Degen Jeremy Penn. Jeremy was one of the people behind the Degen Arcarde earlier this year at NFT.NYC and he tells us all about what he has in store for Art Basel Miami.

The mission of the Degen Arcade is to make Web3 accessible to everyone and if you were at NFT.NYC, then you know it was one of the must see / must go locations. Now as they prep to launch in a few days, Jeremy tells me more about what they have in store.

But honestly, his story is about so much more than just the Degen Arcade. He is a person who sees the long term of NFTs and believes they provide an amazing way to give people more and add more value. He even tells us stories about his childhood memories and where rebellion comes from. This episode is definitely a lot of fun.

SPECIFIC TOPICS:

Jeremy is an artist who got into this space early and has seen the cycles so it was great to talk to him and get his point of view on things. In our conversation he shares about:

How and why he got into the NFT space.
His perspective on Artist Royalties
The motivation behind the Degen Arcade.
Some specifics around what they have in store for Art Basel, although still plenty of surprises to come.
The partners he is working with to make it happen. Both brands and people, and why the team is so exceptional.
How to work with Brands successfully in the space
Other things he has been working on

LINKS TO OTHER PROJECTS WE DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Degen Argen - https://www.degenarcade.xyz/
Jeremy Penn Art - https://www.jeremypenn.com/
Bones by Jarritos - https://opensea.io/collection/bonesbyjarritos
Art Basel Miami - https://www.artbasel.com/miami-beach

CREDITS:

Host: Justin Peyton

Guest: Jeremy Penn

View Details

Decentralized identity. It’s without a doubt one of the innovations that has me most excited about the future potential for web3.

You might be asking your self - what is decentralized identity? Well the answer can actually be quite varied as different companies are approaching it differently as they aim to solve for different use cases. In today’s conversation, I speak with Seema Khinda Johnson about her company Nuggets and how they are building decentralized identity solutions designed to protect us against fraud, identity theft, etc.

It’s a huge and growing problem. It’s so big in fact that even if it’s never happened to you, I’m sure you’ve felt the effect. The moment of panic when you don’t recognise a charge on your credit card and you think it might be fraud, or when your bank calls you to validate a transaction and you have to think if it was really you.

Seema and the whole team at Nuggets are building the solutions to help with this and so much more so listen in to find out more.

SPECIFIC TOPICS:

In my conversation with Seema we covered a wide range of topics, but some of the things we talk about include:

How and why she launched a blockchain business focused on identity
What is decentralized and self-sovereign identity.
Why decentralized identity is critical for both people and for brands
Key use cases for the technology, and what it will mean for marketing use cases such as personalization, crm, etc
Other brands and approaches to decentralized identity - for example prioritizing social media
ZK proofs as a technology enabler. What they are and why they are important.
Her vision for the future and how the technology will mature and grow
A few points of advice we can take today.

CREDITS:

Host: Justin Peyton
Guest: Seema Khinda Johnson

View Details

Over the past 24 months just about every sport has started testing the waters of Web3 and the Metaverse. From NBA Top Shots, to Socios Fan Tokens, to Man City’s launch of their virtual stadium and so many more. But one of the first and most successful big sporting events to step into the space and show us what’s made possible by mixing Metaverse, NFTs and live sports was the Australian Open.

To learn more about their approach I spoke with Ridley Plummer. Ridley has what I believe must be a dream job in that he is responsible for NFTs, Metaverse and Web3 for Tennis Australia. The Australian Open was in January this year meaning he’s had time to consider the learnings from that event and he was kind enough to share many of his thoughts.

SPECIFIC TOPICS:

In our conversation, Ridley shares details about what sounded like an epic journey to concept, develop and launch simultaneously in Decentraland and with NFTs for the Australian Open 2022. Specifically we spoke about:

What they developed and launched in Decentraland
The idea and ambition behind the AO Artball NFT project
Thoughts on what makes a web3 and metaverse project successful
The role of storytelling in developing a project
The role of a virtual world as a complement to a live event – spoiler alert – it’s not just to recreate the same activities you can experience offline in the virtual space
The role of community and how the Web3 and the sports communities came together.
Other sports moving into the space
The opportunity for brands and the lessons that we can all take
And of course I tried to get him to spill on plans for 2023 …

LINKS TO OTHER PROJECTS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

AO Artball - https://ao.artball.io/
NBA Top Shop - https://nbatopshot.com/
The Otherside - https://otherside.xyz/
Nike - https://opensea.io/collection/rtfkt-nike-cryptokicks
Gucci - https://vault.gucci.com/en

CREDITS

Host: Justin Peyton
Guest: Ridley Plummer

View Details

Some of the largest and most innovative companies to come out of the Web2 era have come from China. Many of these companies have become household names around the world including the most recent, and most prominent example: TikTok (or Douyin as it is known in China). But what is China’s approach to the Metaverse and how are the Chinese brands building the Metaverse thinking about the future?

I recently spoke with Alvin Graylin who may well be the most qualified person to share thoughts on the subject. Alvin is President of HTC China, President of the Virtual Reality Venture Capital Alliance (VRVCA), and Vice Chairman of the Industry of Virtual Reality Alliance (IVRA), and he was kind enough to share his views on the technology today and how he sees its future potential coming to fruition.

PODCAST TOPICS:

Our discussion was wide ranging, but a few of the subjects covered include:

The difference between Metaverse and Web3
China's approach to growing and investing in Metaverse
A perspective on the different phases of Metaverse evolution: from Walled Garden to Open Metaverse
Key use cases that are taking shape
How brands are getting involved in China
Responsible governance
Learning from the different approaches taken to developing the Metaverse

It was a fascinating conversation, and I encourage you to listen to what Alvin has to say. I know I learned a lot.

CREDITS

Host: Justin Peyton
Guest: Alvin Graylin

View Details

Over the past few weeks and months, we’ve seen a lot of discussion, confusion and frustration about IP in the world of Web3. What IP usage rights come with the purchase of an NFT? What is CC0? How can a Web3 project change the usage rights after launch? It’s a topic that is far from simple, but one that is critical to understand and be clear about if we expect NFTs, and the digital asset category as a whole to continue to grow.

To help explain the issues, what they mean, and why they matter, I recently spoke with Oliver Scherenberg. Oliver is a German IP lawyer with a long history of helping brands and corporates to navigate the challenges of IP. More recently Oliver took up a personal interest in NFTs and has expanded the focus on his practice to include legal advice focus around digital assets.

Oliver is also in the process of launch web3lex. While the tool isn’t yet live it is described as online legal education tool for the web3 community. It will contain insight not just from his home country of Germany, from a experts and contributors in markets around the world. This is one of the tools I am most excited to see launch in the near term.

Note that nothing in this podcast should be viewed as legal or financial advice.

PODCAST TOPICS:

In our discussion, Oliver shares the story of how he missed Bitcoin and how that created an initial barrier to his diving into digital assets. That said, he is here now and has quickly become one of the foremost thinkers around IP in the space.

The topics we discuss include:

NFTs and the IP issues and questions that digital assets create
What people are really buying when they buy an NFT
What is CC0, and what it means for NFTs and NFT projects
How IP rights impact NFT communities
IP challenges that brands face in launching NFTs, as well as in partnering with existing NFT projects
His ambitions for web3lex, the free to access legal education platform that he is in the process of building

LINKS TO SOME OF THE PROJECTS LAUREN AND I DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Moonbirds - https://www.moonbirds.xyz/

Mfers - https://opensea.io/collection/mfers

Non-Fungible Animals - https://www.wwf-nfa.com/

web3lex – https://www.web3lex.io/

CREDITS

Host: Justin Peyton

Guest: Oliver Scherenbert

View Details

Web3 has a diversity and inclusivity challenge. Sadly, there is no silver bullet to fix this. That said, if we want to improve things and move in a positive direction - if we want web3 to live up to its potential and solve for some of the problems that exist in digital today, it’s going to take attention, discussion, honesty, and, action.

With that in mind, I was really pleased to speak with Lauren Ingram recently. Lauren is a marketer turner founder who is helping to put inclusivity at the core of web3 through the Women of Web3 platform which she launched earlier this year. Consisting of a Podcast, an employment platform, and an events platform Lauren is making an impact on many levels.

Her podcast has attracted some of the most prominent and impactful women in the space including Cathy Hackl (Journey) and Nicola Mendelsohn (Meta), while also tackling complex issues such as how NFTs can support reproductive rights.

PODCAST TOPICS:

In our conversation, Lauren shares the story of how she got into Web3, along with her perspectives a vision for Women of Web3. The topics we discussed include:

Definition of Web3
The mission of Women of Web3
Future potential for the technology to deliver on egalitarian ideals
Projects and brands that are making a difference
How to be an ally in the journey to Web3 inclusivity

LINKS TO SOME OF THE PROJECTS LAUREN AND I DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Women of Web3 podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2NzkbMfrYBz3OkgPe2MxYo?si=30a77031759a449c
Women of Web3 website - https://www.womenofweb3.co/
Women of Web3 jobs board - https://www.womenofweb3.co/jobs
HUG - https://www.thehug.xyz/
RTFKT - https://rtfkt.com/
Byredo + RTFKT - https://alphameta.rtfkt.com/
Women of Web3 Twitter: @womenofweb3co

CREDITS

Host: Justin Peyton
Guest: Lauren Ingram

CREDITS

If you enjoy this Podcast and wand more content from Brand N3xt, please subscribe to the newsletter at: https://brandn3xt.substack.com/

NOT FINANCIAL ADVICEBrand N3xt is for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not investment advice of any kind, and no commentary contained herein should be viewed as a recommendation to make any financial decisions related to assets of any kind.

View Details

Tim Walther is a long-term marketing professional or he refers to himself: a marketing nerd. His path into Web3 and the Metaverse isn’t a straight line, but his experience has probably prepared him for these new primitives like few other. His experience includes a Masters in Communication, Film & Television as well as time working for Germany’s biggest media broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1. In short, Tim knows how what it takes to tell great stories and to connect with people on an emotional level.

In 2011, Tim joined Volkswagen where he has held various marketing roles before taking on his current position as Group Manager for NFTs Metaverse.

There aren’t a huge number of brands out there with dedicated roles in this area yet, but Tim has been in the role doing it for nearly a year - pioneering what it means for marketers to enter Web3 and paving the way to success.

He recently gave talks to both TED X and at MET AMS, and will be speaking at DMexco in Germany later this year.

________________

PODCAST TOPICS:

In our conversation, Tim shares his view on the potential that Web3 technologies offer to brand marketers and shares a few observations about how he envisions success in the space today. More specifically we discuss:

The role of a Metaverse specialist in a global brand
Examples of what brands in the VW family have done and how they can learn from each other
What success means for brands working on the frontier
Up-skilling your organisation
The impact of crypto prices and volatility on marketing belief
Advice to marketers who want to dive into Web3

________________

LINKS FROM THE SHOWSeveral projects were mentioned during my discussion with Tim. For your benefit, I've attached links to those projects such that you can learn more:

Porsche NFT - https://art.porsche.digital/
Audi Holiride - https://www.holoride.com/en/newsroom/audi-series-integration
Cupra - https://www.cupraofficial.com/metahype
Lamborgini to the Moon - https://www.lamborghini.com/en-en/news/space-time-memory-lamborghinis-first-nft-is-here
RTFKT - https://rtfkt.com/
BAYC - https://boredapeyachtclub.com/

CREDITS

Host: Justin Peyton
Guest: Tim Walther

View Details

Diego Borgo is a recognised leader in the NFT and Web3 and in this first episode of the BRAND N3XT podcast he shares lessons and observations about what it takes to be successful in the space today.

________________

DIEGO'S PROFILE:

As a Metaverse native, Web3 ambassador, NFT collector and advisor to global brands, Diego has made it his personal mission to lead the mainstream adoption of blockchain and NFT technology. He works with major global brands and NFT native brands in both as both an advisor and and a builder and can often be seen speaking at conferences and keynotes.

He famously worked with Adidas to help bring their "Into the Metaverse" project to life. But some of the other brands that he has worked with include G-Star, Unilever, L'Oreal, Skoda, Salesforce, along with Web3 native brands like Boson Protocol and The Fabricant.

But Diego isn't just a new Web3 wonder, he has an MBA in Marketing and brings over 10 years of experience in Digital Strategy, Content and Marketing to the table making him one of those rare individuals who are truly capable of connecting the now, the next, and the known needs of today's modern marketer.

________________

PODCAST TOPICS:In conversation with Diego he shares lessons and observations about what it takes to be successful in the space today. More specifically we discuss:

What originally got him excited about NFTs, Web3, and how he entered the space
Lessons from the brands that he has worked with and consulted with, and what it takes to be successful
The reactions that he is seeing from brands to the current bear market conditions and volatility
His personal mission to bring people and brands into Web3 in a safe way, and the role of both his Discord channel #RightClickSaveAs and his new course with Nas Academy in making it happen
A few of his favorite projects and what he loves about them
The importance of Utility in the NFT space
His personal predictions for the future

________________

LINKS FROM THE SHOW:

As background into Diego's past work, and in reference to the projects he mentioned during this podcast, I've attached the following the links:

Adidas into the metaverse: https://www.adidas.com/into_the_metaverse
Adidas x Prada: https://www.adidas.com/prada-nft
Nemus: https://nemus.earth/
G-Star: https://www.g-star.com/en_nl/metaverse
The Fabricant: https://www.thefabricant.com/
10KTF: https://10ktf.com/

Links to learn more about Diego:

His linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegoborgo/
His Twitter: https://twitter.com/don_borgo
His Discord #RightClickSaveAs: https://discord.gg/s9GJN7ZDy9
His course How Brands Should Enter the Metaverse and NFT Space: https://nasacademy.com/diego

________________

CREDITS:Host: Justin Peyton
Guest: Diego Borgo

Brand Next: Recent Episodes

Justin Peyton