In our debut episode we explore how AI-powered virtual characters are reshaping the branding playbook. From voice assistants that greet you with “Hey Mercedes” to Puma’s Instagram-native avatar Laila, we unpack why always-on, perfectly on-brand spokespeople are so appealing—and where they outperform their human counterparts.

You’ll hear:

• - What makes a Virtual Brand Ambassador (VBA) different from a human influencer—think total creative control, 24/7 availability and multilingual reach.

  - Case studies that work (KFC’s CGI Colonel, Renault’s Liv, McDonald’s drive-thru AI) and why some campaigns stay experimental.

• - The business math: lower ongoing costs, no reputational surprises, and the freedom to tell richer, data-driven stories at scale.

• - How global audiences—from anime-loving fans to fashion shoppers—already bond with digital personas, and what that means for the future of influence.

• - A candid look at potential pitfalls: authenticity, audience backlash, and the fine line between “human-like” and “uncanny.”

  
  

• Whether you’re a marketer sizing up new tools, a creator eyeing the competition, or just curious about the next wave of social media, this conversation will get you up to speed on why VBAs may be more than a passing trend—and how they could reinvent modern marketing.