What does it mean for brands to participate in culture? In this episode, Rei sits down with Oli Walsh, the visionary CEO of Invisible Dynamics, to discuss cultural relevance in branding, and take us behind the scenes of the electrifying Gap campaign that became a global sensation. In defining cultural relevance, Rei and Oli discuss how brands can authentically integrate into the cultural fabric without becoming mere spectators. Discover how the campaign “Better in Denim,” starring the global girl group KATSEYE, catapulted Gap back into the cultural spotlight, generating over 400 million views.

Invisible Dynamics helps the world's most ambitious Brands accelerate growth through harnessing creativity, culture, and commerce to drive revenue and relevance. Changing times require a new kind of support, and their programs, products, and platforms uniquely deliver the tools needed for impactful brand transformation.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Behind the Scenes of Gap's Viral Betting Denim Campaign
• 4:28 Cultural Relevance and Brand Participation in Modern Culture
• 13:59 Gap's Brand Transformation Through Strategic Leadership and Collaborations
• 29:52 Reviving Gap's Legacy Through Intentional Fashion Storytelling
• 37:42 The Impact of a Positive Message in Global Campaigns
• 43:50 Balancing Brand Identity with Humanistic and Competitive Enemies
• 53:25 Key Takeaways

Episode References:

• Oli Walsh | LinkedIn
• Invisible Dynamics | Website
• Invisible Dynamics | Finalists at the 2025 Digiday Awards
• Invisible Dynamics | Creativepool’s Small Agency of the Year
• Invisible Dynamics | Adweek’s Creative 100
• Invisible Dynamics | WWD: Meet Oli Walsh
• Invisible Dynamics | Forbes: Why Gap’s ‘Better In Denim’ Ad Struck The Right Chord
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alternative career choices? Next travel destinations? Favorite food? We welcome back Haruka Aoki for a fun round of lightning questions.

Haruka Aoki is a queer Japanese poet-illustrator and hope bender. They write and illustrate a regular narrative art column in The New York Times. Their picture book about a square navigating a world of circles, "Fitting In," was published in 2022 by Sky Pony Press / Simon & Schuster. Haruka’s narrative artwork aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as their hand-drawn characters engage the world around them. Growing up often unsure of where “home” would be next, Haruka has befriended the abundant imagination found in nature and community, a constant starting point in their work. By foraging inspiration from ancestral and metaphysical realms to nurture their artistic practice, they hope to grow and provide an accessible space for collective healing. Haruka often feels deeply grateful to be an earthling.

Episode References:

• Haruka Aoki | Website
• Haruka Aoki | Newsletter
• Haruka Aoki | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From meditation to meal sharing, daily rituals and habits have the power to bring out the best in your talent. Rei welcomes back Haruka Aoki, a Japanese poet and illustrator, to discuss Haruka's unique creative processes, aspirations to expand into various mediums, and day-to-day specifics of how they make a living as an artist. Haruka’s artistic process combines writing and illustrating with deeper emotional connections and cultural expressions. Through detailed anecdotes and personal reflections, they share how a structured routine—consisting of activities like meditation, stretching, and maintaining a consistent work attire—fuels creativity and productivity.

Haruka Aoki is a queer Japanese poet-illustrator and hope bender. They write and illustrate a regular narrative art column in The New York Times. Their picture book about a square navigating a world of circles, "Fitting In," was published in 2022 by Sky Pony Press / Simon & Schuster. Haruka’s narrative artwork aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as their hand-drawn characters engage the world around them. Growing up often unsure of where “home” would be next, Haruka has befriended the abundant imagination found in nature and community, a constant starting point in their work. By foraging inspiration from ancestral and metaphysical realms to nurture their artistic practice, they hope to grow and provide an accessible space for collective healing. Haruka often feels deeply grateful to be an earthling.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Haruka Aoki's Artistic Journey and Future Aspirations
• 8:08 The Joy of Sharing Life's Simple Pleasures Through Art
• 9:40 Creating Art Through Rituals and Structured Work Habits
• 14:23 Empowerment and Assurance in Career and Personal Growth
• 17:04 Habits and Rituals That Enhance Artistic Creativity
• 17:36 Key Takeaway

Episode References:

• Haruka Aoki | Website
• Haruka Aoki | Newsletter
• Haruka Aoki | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.