3 Fearless Questions

Luis Martinez is a marketing executive at Denny’s, specializing in digital media and Hispanic marketing. In this episode, student host Laosue asks our 3 Fearless Questions and has a chance to hear about Luis's experiences growing up and his commitment to having diverse teams at the table for connecting with diverse consumers.

Follow Luis: @Luis_A_Martinez
Follow Denny's: @DennysDiner

“I wish I had an organization like The BrandLab when I was figuring out my career path!  What a great creative, safe and engaging space for young people of color to get guidance, ask questions and become their fearless selves.”
– Michelle Benson

In this episode of 3 Fearless Questions our student host Gao Zong interviews Michelle Benson, the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at the Minnesota State Zoo, as well as the CEO and Founder of the integrated marketing communications firm M Worldwide. The episode features an interesting conversation between Michelle and Gao Zong about the consequences of racist stereotypes on young minds and the negative effects it has on self-image.

Follow the Minnesota Zoo: @mnzoo

Stanley Lumax is the current Group Director at Translation LLC in New York, where he manages major sport and culture accounts such as the NBA, Champs Sports and Apple Music. In this episode, our student host Kiara has the opportunity to interview Lumax where he shares his experience becoming aware of his own race as a small child and discovering his love for Black artists and activists such Tupac and Assata Shakur. Stanley also shares his insights on the importance of diversity in the creative industry– a topic on which he has also written an article for Adweek.

Follow Translation: @wearetranslation

In this episode of 3FQ student host, Gabby Cohen, interviews Neal Sharma on questions of race, exclusion and diversity. Neal is the CEO and Co-Founder of DEG, a full-service digital consulting agency. Listen to Neal’s interesting answers to our 3 Fearless Questions, as he shares his personal experiences regarding his awareness of race.

“I think the core of leadership and creativity is empathy. It’s very hard to communicate with somebody if you aren’t willing to put yourself in their shoes. The BrandLab’s devotion to increasing the diversity—and in turn the level of empathy—of the marketing industry makes me optimistic about the next generation of marketers.”
—Neal Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder of DEG

Follow DEG: @degdigital

In this episode of 3 Fearless Questions, student host Erianna has the opportunity to interview Chief Design Officer of 3M, Eric Quint. Eric oversees 3M’s global design organization and has been on the cutting edge of innovation and creative collaboration. Eric also serves on The BrandLab's Board of Directors. Listen to Eric’s interview, where he outlines the importance of diversity of thought in creating solutions that change people’s lives.

Follow 3M: @3M

In this episode of 3FQ, we have the chance to talk with the iconic and multi-talented singer, rapper and writer, Dessa. From her experience of being invited to Doomtree to seeking out diversity in her creative process– Dessa offers us an insightful look into themes of diversity, creativity and belonging.

Follow DOOMTREE: @DOOMTREE 

Follow Dessa: @dessa

Formerly at ConocoPhillips and now the president of Cargill Proteins, Sonya Roberts manages growth, new ventures, and strategic pricing. Sonya has years of experience working in marketing and is a board member of The Brand Lab. In Sonya’s interview, she shares with us the experience of being a minority as a child and a time she felt excluded in the workforce.

Named as one of the 15 Most Innovative Agency Executives by Adweek, Darnell Brisco has worked on strategy, content creation, execution, and business development for innovative social media campaigns across 300 film and television accounts during his career. Brisco is currently the vice president of accounts at McBeard. In Darnell’s interview, he shares his childhood experience as a minority and the comforting feeling of being included in college activities.

Lilli Hall is the president and CEO of KNOCK, a creative agency she found in 2001. Hall has served on the board of directors at The Enterprising Women Advisory Board, Juxtaposition Arts, and Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In Lili’s interview she tells us about adapting to new cultures and the diversity within KNOCK.

The BrandLab’s 3 Fearless Questions converses with Robert Clifton Jr., Chief Creative Officer of the agency Ten35 and co-founder of the consortium Contender. Clifton discusses his experience with discrimination in the workplace and in society, and he explains how people with different backgrounds and thoughts bring unique points of view to the table.