Two months ago, Duolingo was at the top of its game. An untouchable marketing team with their beloved, chaotic owl mascot. But at the end of May, they announced they would be taking an “AI first approach.” The approach seemed innovative, but they also mentioned that they were replacing contractors with AI. Suddenly, everyone remembered that Duolingo is more than memes and languages - it’s also a tech company. And their younger audience who is already afraid of being replaced by AI turned on the owl, raising a lot of questions not only about the brand but about the future of work in general - all with Duo at the center.

So what happens when your marketing, your CEO, and your values don’t align?

And is marketing powerful enough to move past this kind of controversy?

Shelby and Matt explore the evolving landscape of content marketing, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and audience connection. They discuss various examples of brands like L'Oreal, Shopify, Pepsi, and H&R Block that have successfully integrated show business into their marketing strategies. The conversation highlights the shift towards long-form content, the significance of authenticity, and the future of brand storytelling in a rapidly changing digital environment.

In this conversation, Shelby and Matt are joined by Heidi Howes and Lisa Woodward to discuss marketing towards mothers. They also discuss the mission of Motherful, an organization supporting single mothers led by Heidi and Lisa. They explore the representation of mothers in marketing, the importance of ethical storytelling, and the challenges faced by single mothers. The discussion emphasizes the need for community support, understanding the diverse experiences of motherhood, and the power of words in shaping narratives.