What happens when brand building collides with an explosion of AI tools?
Marketers face 17,000 “solutions,” endless noise, and growing confusion about what actually drives growth. In this episode, Nick Jezarian — founder of Dime House and former media leader at Kraft Heinz, Target, and Coca-Cola — shares how modern brands can find clarity in the chaos.
We get into why long-term brand building still matters, how to measure what feels unmeasurable, and Nick’s simple “layer-cake” framework for connecting creativity, culture, and commercial impact. Plus: when to invest in brand, how to know it’s working, and why generalists are rising again in the age of AI.
A must-listen for anyone shaping brand strategy in a rapidly changing world.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Overwhelming Landscape of AI in Marketing 01:45 Nick Chazarian's Journey in Media and Marketing 03:50 The Birth of Dimehouse: A Consultancy for Growth 05:42 Navigating the Brand, Agency, and Platform Ecosystem
07:44 Investing in Brand: Timing and Fundamentals
09:34 Understanding Brand Value and Consumer Experience
11:58 The Role of Social Listening in Brand Strategy
13:38 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Marketing Insights
15:37 The Speed of Change in Marketing Technology
17:33 The Future of Advertising: Small Agencies vs. Big Corporations
19:42 The Complexity of Measurement in Marketing
21:46 Layered Measurement: Balancing Short-term and Long-term Goals
25:40 Tactical vs. Strategic Signals in Marketing
27:42 The Importance of Measurement Culture
31:13 Career Journey Through Iconic Brands
35:26 Cultural Moments and Brand Impact
38:27 Challenges in Measuring Brand Building
46:08 The Future of Marketing Technology and Strategy
CONTACT NICK
nick@dimehouse.co https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjezarian/
Join Slingwave Founder & CEO Paul Boruta as he sits down with top marketing leaders to uncover the strategies, experiments, and data-driven moves that actually drive growth. No fluff. No vanity metrics. Just real, actionable insights to help you optimize, scale, and win.
If you geek out on analytics, love testing what really works, and want to stay ahead of the latest marketing trends, this show is for you.
👉 Ways to connect & explore:
🎙️ Smarter marketing starts here →slingwave.com