Gen Z Media Brand on the Future of Internet Culture with Lauren & Jordyn of Centennial World

Gaby Bayona is a force in the bridal and modeling industries. The humble entrepreneur has been building her empire since her teens and is now the owner of multiple businesses. After starting out as a seamstress in her mom’s bridal business, Gaby discovered a passion for the industry. By the time she graduated high-school she knew she wanted to own her own business. Now, she owns 3 bridal dress brands and a boutique with multiple locations in Canada, as well as a modeling agency based out of Vancouver, BC. We talk with Gaby about what inspired her to take on such an ambitious lifestyle and what moves she’s making next. Gaby shares her career journey, explains the strategic reason behind why she created multiple dress brands, how she manages it all and what she thinks is next for the bridal industry. 

Learn more about Gaby and her companies:

• Gaby’s Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/gabybayona/
• Gaby’s TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@gaby.bayona
• Truvelle Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/truvellebridal/
• Laudae Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/laudaebride/
• Aesling Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/aeslingbride/
• Lovenote Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lovenotebride/
• Stranger Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/strangeragency/

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes - Gaby Bayona

1. 01:00 - Gaby’s story of growing up in the bridal industry.
2. 03:30 - Lessons Gaby learned from her mom’s business. 
3. 09:00 - The rundown on Gaby’s businesses: Why start multiple businesses?
4. 14:00 - How to keep a personal connection with your customers as your business scales. 
5. 15:50 - Advice for someone looking to start a bridal business in today’s noisy digital environment.
6. 17:40 - Digging in the branding and marketing side of Gaby’s businesses. How she was able to explode on Etsy and Pinterest early on and what is she doing now? 
7. 19:00 - Building publicly from a place of vulnerability. 
8. 26:40 - Has Gaby ever wanted to quit?
9. 30:00 - How does Gaby manage her time and energy between the multiple brands and companies?
10. 39:00 - Trends to watch for in the wedding and bridal industries. 
11. 41:15 - Who is making Waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

1. Sara Blakely, from Spanx: https://www.instagram.com/sarablakely/?hl=en 
2. Boheme Goods: https://www.bohemegoods.com/ 
3. Field & Social: https://www.fieldandsocial.com/ 
4. Mirror Palais: https://www.instagram.com/mirrorpalais/?hl=en 
5. House of CB: https

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

This year, it seems like every company is trying to get involved in sports. It had us wondering, is there really an increased interest in sports or is this a perceived growth we’re seeing on our own feeds? We brought in sports marketing expert and Director of Content Strategy for William Raymond Communications, Shahob Mehr, to answer our questions. 

Shahob shares his journey from being a student, to getting a seat at the table in this incredibly competitive industry. He unveils the hidden layers of the sports industry, exploring topics like: the art of creating compelling social media pathways for athletes and how to build rock-solid relationships. And, he answers our big question: Do all companies need a sports partnership?

Learn more about Shahob:

1. Follow Shahob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shahobmehr/ 
2. Follow Shahob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahobmehr/ 
3. William Raymond Communications: https://www.william-raymond.com/ 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 02:50 - How Shahob got started in such a competitive industry. 
2. 06:28 - What it’s like being in the room with such elite athletes. 
3. 07:15 - Going from green in the industry to running the NFL’s Snapchat early in Shahob’s career. 
4. 08:30 - Getting the fear out of the way early in your career. 
5. 18:10 - Is Shahob noticing a growing interest in sports? What opportunities should marketers be paying attention to in 2024?
6. 20:22 - How Shahob and his larger team help athletes figure out what their digital footprint should be. 
7. 25:03 - What does the content cycle look like for athletes? How involved are they?
8. 26:30 - Why LinkedIs is one of Shahob’s favorite platforms right now.
9. 33:35 - Advice for brand managers looking to build relationships with athletes. 
10. 34:51 - Who is making waves and why?
11. 35:50 - Athletes that left a lasting impression on Shahob. 
12. 38:20 - How to connect with Shahob. 

Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). 

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Mitzi and Mike are back with another solo episode. This week, they’re talking through the top 3 news stories (signals) that they’re following. We break down what each signal could mean for the future of digital marketing. First up, Chipotle renames one of their locations after a Travis Kelce tweet resurfaces. Then, we talk about the rise of print with NYLON relaunching their physical magazine for the first time since 2017. Last, we talk about Kendrick Lamar’s “anti-smart” phone and what it might mean. We wrap things up with a listener question about getting through the busy Q4 season as both a marketer and business owner. 

Show Notes:

1. 00:00 - We’re pivoting! 
2. 02:08 - How we’re prepping for December with a business and two kids. Plus, Mike learns a lesson about Elf on the Shelf. 
3. 05:13 - Diving into our first news story (signal): Chipotle made a hilarious move after Swifties dug through Travis Kelce’s old tweets. 
4. 09:33 - NYLON is bringing back print. They’ll be launching their inaugural issue spring of 2024. Is print making a real comeback, or is it a gimmick?
5. 13:06 - What other analog experiences we want to see come back (roller rinks, piano bars and award show parties).
6. 18:39 - How magazine culture influenced Arcade’s marketing agency name.
7. 21:03 - Kendrick Lamer’s “anti-smart” phone sold out in minutes. People are buying Nokia flip phones. Is there going to be a resurgence of simpler tech? Who is this a best fit for?
8. 25:44 - What games we’d wake up in the middle of the night to play on our old devices.
9. 28:35 - Listener question: How do you get through a busy Q4 season with your team? Both as business owners and marketers. 
10. 31:00 - How to change your perspective around feeling “busy.” 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Chipolte prank: https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/chipotle-kansas-city-changes-name-travis-kelce-rcna126238 
• NYLON is bringing back print: https://www.nylon.com/life/nylon-print-return-april-2024
• Kendrick Lamar’s “anti-smart” phone: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/11/07/kendrick-lamars-limited-edition-anti-smart-phone-sells-out-in-a-day 

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Marketers hold their breath and pray the Facebook pixel was installed correctly. Hopefully this episode will breathe some levity into your week. We’re shaking things up a bit this week–taking some time to have a catch-up and chat through some listener questions we’ve gotten. From handling tough client feedback and giving mistakes the attention they deserve, to our thoughts on sports brand collabs and sonic branding, this episode is a fun, light listen for marketers trying to finish Q4 strong. 

Show Notes:

1. 01:26 - A bit about today’s episode: we’re trying something a little different. 
2. 01:55 - What Mitzi and Mike have been up to lately: thoughts on Q4, live music and fantasy sports. 
3. 16:00 - What do we recommend if you have a social media client who keeps posting on their own? 
4. 21:28 - How do you handle tough client feedback? Or when a client is disappointed with something that you do?
5. 25:05 - Don’t rush through a mistake, give it your attention and care. 
6. 31:24 - How to handle feeling rejected when your ideas get shot down. 
7. 33:52 - About Scan Club and the signals we’ve been watching recently.
8. 36:51 - SKIMS x the NBA and the rise of sports in marketing culture. 
9. 40:27 - Gen Z’s sonic branding knowledge and cringing at the term “brand beats.”
10. 43:05 - Bringing artists & DJs into the sonic branding conversation.
11. 45:30 - Strong branded “sounds” and the stigma of jingles.

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Katarina (Kate) Terentieva went from studying International Relations, to building Tumblr blogs, to being a Partner and the Chief Creative Officer at Louder. Now, Louder invests in the world’s most competitive startups and helps them disrupt at scale. We break it down with Kate to learn about her story, how TikTok helped her grow her brand, her advice on discovering what you’re passionate about, what Gen Z wants from advertisers, and how to capture and revive moments past the trend cycle. Kate also explains the difference between becoming a creative or an art director and how to choose what’s right for you. 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

More from Kate:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katarinaterentieva
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katarinaterentieva
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateterentieva/

Show Notes:

1. 00:00 - Scan Club Ad + Intro
2. 01:20 - Meet Katarina (Kate)! Introducing her story and today’s topic. 
3. 03:15 - How Kate became a Creative Director. 
4. 04:25 - How Kate went from studying international relations and building Tumblr blogs to becoming a Creative Director.
5. 06:56 - How Kate started designing runway sets for bridal companies. 
6. 10:00 - The early start of Louder and making yourself a seat at the table. 
7. 12:05 - Discovering what you’re passionate about in your industry. 
8. 16:45 - The difference between being an Art Director and a Creative Director.
9. 21:55 - How Kate blew up on TikTok and how she used the platform to grow her business. 
10. 29:10 - Connecting with your target demographic by leveraging a relevant personal brand. 
11. 32:48 - What does Gen Z want from advertisers? 
12. 38:00 - Capturing and reviving trending moments past their trend cycle. The magic of nostalgia for brands. 
13. 42:18 - Can TikTok trends inform creative campaigns? And, are jingles back? 
14. 44:20 - Ask yourself these questions before pursuing a career in Creative Direction.  
15. 47:45  - Who is making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode: Hugo Boss

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

When Lauren Meisner and Jordyn Christensen noticed a gap in the market for influencer news that actually felt relevant, they decided they would be the ones to fill it. Now co-founders of Gen Z media brand, Centennial World, and popular podcast, “infinite scroll,” they join Mike and Mitzi to talk about their journey. The duo shares advice about carving out space in a saturated media landscape for something new, the importance of staying in your lane and why they don’t sell to their online community group. They also talk about what media companies are getting wrong with Gen Z and how they’ve managed to cater their content to Gen Z’s distinct media consumption preferences. The episode ends with a discussion around the impact of internet drama on consumer behavior and if influencer marketing is losing its charm. 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

More from Lauren & Jordyn:

• Centennial World: https://centennialworld.com/ 
• infinite scroll: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/infinite-scroll/id1499785732 
• Find them on IG & TikTok: @centennialworld @infinitescrollpodcast
• Newsletter: https://centennialworld.substack.com/ 

Show Notes:

1. 2:00 - What content is everyone consuming right now?
2. 6:40 - How did Lauren and Jordyn meet and decide to become business partners?
3. 11:30 - The business before the podcast and the importance of longform content.
4. 13:45 - Why it’s important to stay consistent and in your lane while building a niche brand. 
5. 17:20 - Content direction and finding your niche.  
6. 18:47 - What is means to be a “Gen Z media brand.” 
7. 22:40 - What the future of internet casting might look like. 
8. 26:00 - The importance of forming a strong bond, without promotion, in a Geneva Group. 
9. 29:20 - Starting a “closed community” from a brand perspective. 
10. 30:50 - You don’t want to “sell” to Gen Z.
11. 33:57 - Internet drama and its impact on greater consumer behavior. 
12. 38:40 - Are these dramas “produced?”
13. 40:40 - Who’s making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

• Sunroom App: https://sunroom.so/ 

Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). 

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster of wins and losses. But what if we told you that viewing these losses as opportunities for growth could change everything? In this episode, we’re joined again by founder of I Love Ugly, Valentin Ozich, to have a candid conversation about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Valentin returns as a follow-up to our interview last year to explain the mindset shift that helped him continue to grow his brand, even when life got really hard. He explores the power of personal growth and self-care, the importance of celebrating life’s mundane moments and how to ease up on ourselves. 

We explore topics including the fascinating world of subconscious reprogramming, how to overcome obstacles, finding clarity in our goals and finding connection. This episode is motivating, uplifting and real. Join us on this inspiring journey of self-discovery and purpose. 

Learn more about Valentin:

1. I Love Ugly: https://www.iloveugly.com/ 
2. I Love Ugly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iloveugly/  
3. Valentin Ozich on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentinozich 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 00:15 - Catching up on I Love Ugly and how the past year has gone for the brand and Valentin. 
2. 01:20 - Big changes in Valentin’s life and thoughts on “The War of Art.”
3. 08:10 - Mindset, discipline and celebration. 
4. 12:30 - How to live in the moment as an entrepreneur and relieve the pressure of “the grind.”
5. 17:10 - Why you need to work harder on yourself than on your business.
6. 23:45 - Clarify what you want to accomplish and how to show up. 
7. 27:00 - How to achieve your goals through persistence. 
8. 31:00 - Thoughts on 15 years of I Love Ugly and what inspired Valentin to step out of the driver’s seat.
9. 38:00 Life will always intervene and force you to take breaks
10. 40:15 Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Remember to keep “wise council” around you.
11. 47:25 - How Valentin stays creative artistically while managing a business. 
12. 51:40 - How to use your subconscious mind to solve problems. 
13. 53:30 - Valentin’s art and future goals with helping others. 
14. 55:40 - Who is making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

• Danny Morel https://www.instagram.com/dannymorel/?hl=en 

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

What if you could unlock the secret to bring a top performer at a marketing agency? That’s exactly what our 2023/2024 social media interns, Andrée Sonnenberg and Chamane Dizon, are looking to discover in this fascinating episode. Andrée and Charmane put Mike and Mitzi in the hot seat, turning the tables to ask them the questions they want to know as students and new marketers.

Not just a regular Q&A session, this episode goes deep into what distinguishes a top performer (from people who hire and promote!), how to make an impact without ruffling feathers, tips for becoming a problem-solver and letting yourself lean into the newness of a situation. Mike and Mitzi discuss boundary setting, imposter syndrome, work-life balance and self-care advice.

This episode will equip you with practical insights for navigating the marketing industry, no matter what stage you’re at!

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Show Notes:

1. 00:30 - Meet Arcade’s Social Media Interns: Andrée and Charmane!
2. 02:00 - Icebreaker round! Learn a bit about Mike & Mitzi.
3. 04:30 - Some less obvious ways top performers show up in the workplace. 
4. 06:00 - Problem solving is a superpower. 
5. 08:30 - Expectations Mike and Mitzi have with students applying for internships.
6. 13:15 - SCAN CLUB AD
7. 13:49 - How does creativity play into being a top performer?
8. 20:15 - The different ways creativity exists in marketing. 
9. 22:20 - How to continue growing in the marketing industry. 
10. 26:50 - How to stay in beta even when it’s uncomfortable. 
11. 29:55 - How to show up as a new employee without crossing boundaries or stepping on toes. 
12. 38:40 - How to overcome imposter syndrome.
13. 42:00 - How to strike the balance between hustling and self-care. 

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Jimmy Kim, CEO and co-founder of Sendlane, is known for his expertise in email and SMS marketing. In this episode, he shares his incredible journey from working in the car industry to becoming a digital marketing powerhouse. He shares his top tips for mastering the art of email marketing, particularly for ecommerce brands. Jimmy explains how email is about more than campaigns and automations, diving into the importance of crafting personalized experiences for customers and evolving strategies based on new data. We discuss KPIs, understanding audience behavior and optimizing campaigns. 

We continue the conversation by delving into the potent combination of copywriting and storytelling in email marketing. With Jimmy’s guidance, learn how to weave compelling narratives and create experiences that captivate customers. Then, we wrap things up with a discussion around SMS marketing for acquisition and retention. Join us, and learn from one of the best in the business!

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

Connect with Jimmy on LinkedIn

Or follow Jimmy on X: @yojimmykim

Show Notes:

1. 01:30 - How Jimmy made moves from a career in vehicle sales to founding Sendlane. 
2. 09:30 - Building a business by accident.
3. 11:00 - What it means to be the world’s best generalist. 
4. 15:00 - The types of emails Jimmy recommends ecommerce brands use. 
5. 17:40 - The longevity problem batch and blast emails create. Audience management dos and don’ts.
6. 21:00 - Where does storytelling come in with email marketing? 
7. 28:40 - KPIs Jimmy closely watches for email marketing.
8. 31:50 - Why it’s so crucial to watch your unsubscribes. 
9. 34:15 - How to build a solid acquisition strategy. 
10. 39:00 - How SMS complements email marketing. 
11. 42:50 - How to create an SMS message that works. 
12. 44:30 - Who is making waves and why?
13. 46:45 - Where to connect with Jimmy. 
14. 46:45 - Where to connect with Jimmy. 

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Do you struggle to create and release video content? If you aren’t at least dipping your toes into video, you’re falling behind. Half of all social media users prefer video over other types of content. 58% of viewers will watch an entire brand video if it’s less than 60 seconds long*. So, why aren’t all businesses and content creators doing it? In this episode, we’re joined by Natasha Pierre, host of the Shine Online Podcast and Video Marketing Coach, to talk about the 5 biggest mindset blocks she sees with creating video. From perfectionism and imposter syndrome, to overwhelm and content planning, we talk about how these mindset blocks show up and how you can overcome them to create impactful video content. Natasha also shares her rationale for creating over 100 podcast episodes in an era where short-form content continues to gain popularity. 

Take Natasha’s 5 Day Video Confidence Challenge! https://shinewithnatasha.com/challenge 

Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club 

*Source: https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-video-statistics/

Show Notes:

1. 01:30 - Mike and Natasha catch up about using Threads after speaking at a recent Thinkific webinar. 
2. 02:55 - How Natasha landed in the content space and chose her niche. 
3. 05:20 - Transitioning out of social media management into a new phase of your career. 
4. 06:53 - Working through perfectionism around creating video content.
5. 08:52 - Showing up exactly as you are online to build connection. 
6. 11:30 - Not feeling represented in the content you watch. 
7. 13:35 - How Natasha coaches creators experiencing overwhelm with video content. 
8. 15:05 - How to create content sustainably and maintain a social media presence for the long-term. 
9. 17:25 - How Natasha preps a thought-leadership piece. 
10. 20:12 - Handling Imposter Syndrome and feeling cringey when making video content. 
11. 24:08 - How to figure out what to post. 
12. 26:07 - How to map out and evolve your content pillars. 
13. 28:02 - Choosing your niche, rounding out your content and deciding what to post where. 
14. 30:58 - Deciding which social media platform is right for your brand.
15. 33:20 - Choosing your non-negotiables with posting.
16. 36:55 - How Natasha has stayed dedicated to The Shine Online Podcast to create over 100 episodes. 
17. 39:03 - Who is making waves and why?

Mentioned in this episode:

1. The Shine Online Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/shineonline 
2. Berna Anat: https://www.heyberna.com/

Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).

For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.