Home Podcasts Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman
Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman

Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman

iHeartPodcasts 118 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

In this podcast, iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman interviews leading marketers and entrepreneurs about how they break through the noise. He explores the combination of 'math'—strategy and analytics—and 'magic'—creative spark—that drives successful campaigns. Each episode features conversations with top industry disruptors and compelling storytellers, offering insights into the art and science behind effective marketing.

Episodes

Bonus Episode: Secrets of the Marketing Masters (Part 3)
Bonus Episode: Secrets of the Marketing Masters (Part 3) Oct 8, 2026 1412 In this bonus episode of Math & Magic, we’re highlighting more of our favorite marketing stories — and they aren’t stories about when success came easily. Hear from Happy Baby Organics founder Shazi Visram, IBM Chief Global Affairs Officer Jonathan Adashek, Capital One Chief Brand Officer Marc Mentry, Sesame Workshop CEO Sherrie Westin, and Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Ze
Bonus Episode: Secrets of the Marketing Masters (Part 2)
Bonus Episode: Secrets of the Marketing Masters (Part 2) Oct 1, 2026 1206 Through the many seasons of Math & Magic, we’ve heard from dozens of brilliant creative minds about the importance of authenticity. In this bonus episode, we’re highlighting some of our best marketing stories and how staying true to yourself can lead to not only a better life, but a better business. Media mogul and The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne tha God talks about his ow
Diego Scotti: “Change always ends up winning.”
Diego Scotti: “Change always ends up winning.” Sep 24, 2026 2534 Diego Scotti has made a career of building businesses and brands that span industries and consumers, with leadership roles at American Express, Verizon, Condé Nast, J.Crew, and most recently PayPal, where he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Consumer Group and Global Marketing and Communications. He shares what that wide-ranging experience has taught him about co
Hoda Kotb: “Joy’s in us, it’s about unearthing it.”
Hoda Kotb: “Joy’s in us, it’s about unearthing it.” Sep 17, 2026 2443 Millions of Americans feel like Hoda Kotb is a good friend. She’s an acclaimed journalist and TV pioneer, best known for her years at NBC and the TODAY Show. More recently, she’s turned her focus to joy, stepping into entrepreneurship with her company Joy 101 and launching a new podcast with iHeartPodcasts centered around joy. Born in Oklahoma to Egyptian immigrant parents and raised i
Marc Mentry: “I need everybody to act like this brand is theirs.”
Marc Mentry: “I need everybody to act like this brand is theirs.” Sep 10, 2026 2573 Marc Mentry has cracked the code on community, culture, and live events to transform a brand and provide customers with high-value, unique experiences. As Executive Vice President of Brand Marketing for Capital One, Marc leads from the front line. Marc shares how the brand made its remarkable journey upmarket, from embracing its identity as a fintech company to creating its iconic tagline, “
Celebrating MTV’s 45th Anniversary with the Real Story of MTV
Celebrating MTV’s 45th Anniversary with the Real Story of MTV Jul 31, 2026 3179 In honor of the 45th anniversary of MTV, we’re rereleasing a classic episode: the real story of MTV, as told by the founders. Today MTV is a cultural institution, but people forget what a long shot it was to get the channel off the ground. Bob Pittman led the team that created MTV. In this special episode, he reminisces with co-founders and friends John Sykes, Judy McGrath, Fred Seibert, Tom
Charlamagne Tha God Live at POSSIBLE:  “Influencer means impact.”
Charlamagne Tha God Live at POSSIBLE:  “Influencer means impact.” Apr 30, 2026 1380 As a Radio Hall of Fame inductee, best-selling author, TV personality, and producer, Charlamagne Tha God is a singular shaper of culture. He’s the co-host of iHeartRadio's The Breakfast Club morning show, driving millions of listeners daily, and he’s expanded his collaboration with iHeart to create The Black Effect Podcast Network. Live from Miami at POSSIBLE 2026, Charlamagne talks wi
Sherrie Westin: “As long as we’re true to our purpose, the brand is authentic.”
Sherrie Westin: “As long as we’re true to our purpose, the brand is authentic.” Apr 23, 2026 2381 Working across 190 countries to deliver research-driven early learning, Sesame Workshop is the non-profit behind the longest running children’s television show and so much more. SherrieWestin is at its helm as President and CEO. Sherrie sits down with Bob to talk about the power of mission-driven work and how to stay relevant for generations of kids to come. From addressing social and enviro
Mike Milken: “Science could not move fast enough.”
Mike Milken: “Science could not move fast enough.” Apr 16, 2026 2321 From the free market to medical research to philanthropy, Mike Milken has had an outsized impact on it all. In the 1970s he ushered in an explosive era of innovation that changed the world of business and even the world itself. By the ‘90s, when facing his own life-threatening cancer diagnosis, he was determined to accelerate medical research and produce faster cures. Over the decades his wo
Lisa Coffey: “ Radio personalities are the original influencers."
Lisa Coffey: “ Radio personalities are the original influencers." Apr 2, 2026 2186 Chief Business Officer at iHeartMedia, Lisa Coffey has run the gamut in media sales. She started out as part of traditional media, at newspapers like USA Today and The Wall Street Journal and at the magazines of Time Inc. Then she made the jump to digital, first at LinkedIn and then spending a decade at Amazon before being named Chief Revenue Officer at LoopMe. Now she’s working across
Strauss Zelnick: “Doing something from scratch, that’s challenging.”
Strauss Zelnick: “Doing something from scratch, that’s challenging.” Mar 26, 2026 2342 After finding success from a young age at companies like 20th Century Studios, Vestron, and BMG Entertainment, Strauss Zelnick decided to go out on his own in his 40s. He founded Zelnick Media Capital and became CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the software company behind Grand Theft Auto. Together, they’re a $55 billion enterprise. He’s spent his career at the intersection of technology a
Mike Cessario: ”No investor was gonna write me a check for the concept.”
Mike Cessario: ”No investor was gonna write me a check for the concept.” Mar 19, 2026 2583 A skull-emblazoned design with a funny slogan is just not what people expect when they’re buying a healthy beverage. But that’s exactly why Liquid Death Founder and CEO Mike Cessario thought there was room for disruption. He didn’t think funny, cool, irreverent marketing should be limited to things that are bad for you. What if this approach could even help people make healthier

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