March 19, 2015
While some might not recognize the brand name Fremantle, it can be said with certainty that one of their various brands including: American Idol, X Factor, or The Price is Right is sure to strike a chord. This cult brand believes in the power of storytelling and empowering viewers, and clearly it has paid off. Check out the full interview below.
At the core of this brand behind brands is a desire to not simply create quality television, which it certainly does, but also immerses viewers in the growing lifestyle aspects that surround these brands. Building a franchise around the shows and ensuring there are continual evolving experiences and touchpoints are key to ensuring longevity and success, how else could The Price is Right manage to capture viewers for the past 40 years?
Cult brands know who they are and aren’t afraid to show it. That’s right, at the core of any great brand is authenticity.
Cult brands know who they are and aren’t afraid to show it. That’s right, at the core of any great brand is authenticity. While this may be no easy feat, cult brands know that if they are going to stand the test of time they will have to make some bold choices and stick to who they are; you can’t manufacture authenticity.
I had the chance to sit down with the former President of Brand Partnerships and Franchise Management for FremantleMedia at last year’s Gathering, and learn how the brand has managed to create such iconic lifestyle shows. Stay tuned for features from this year’s event.
Ryan began his professional life in digital marketing. His first company, Suitcase Interactive, was a consistent best-digital-agency award winner. And his tenacity and forward thinking also led him, personally, to being awarded a coveted place on the auspicious 40 under 40 list. (Notice that we're not telling you how many years ago that was, we're kinda attached to our kneecaps ; ) Those seminal years also led Ryan to the enlightenment that the whole concept of advertising and digital agencies was dead. From there it was a short putt to the birth of Cult, one of North America's first true engagement agencies. As Cult's President, his legacy as a pioneering thinker has blossomed from pushing pixels, to pushing forward what marketing actually means. Ryan then founded The Gathering in 2012, an annual international event to honor cult-like brands that put the generation of movements before the creation of ad campaigns. The Gathering is now widely acknowledged to be one of North America's premier annual marketing conferences. And it's an idea that has introduced Cult to brands like Keurig, Converse, Airbnb, UFC, Las Vegas Tourism and Red Bull, among many others… hey, there's only so many names you can drop in one bio. Never one to whine about the status quo, but rather put his energy into finding a better way, Ryan’s latest innovation is the founding of a whole new operating model for marketers, both on the client side and in the industry that serves them. Called Communo, this tech-enabled work model is an incomparable brain trust of talent for brands, a human resources platform for marketing professionals, and an unprecedented business development engine for both. In his "spare time" Ryan continues his strong commitment to giving back, both at home in Calgary, and around the world. He spearheads Cult's ongoing monthly commitment to Ronald McDonald House and continues to lead Project Smile, the international relief organization he founded over a decade ago. He even managed to find some spare, spare time to co-author three editions of Fix: Break The Addictions That Are Killing Brands, Cult's thought leadership book that's changing the way CEOs and CMOs see the marketing function. 
