Hitmakers, Season 2 cover art
Podcast · 16 episodes

Hitmakers, Season 2

by Ana Andjelic and Lee Maschmeyer · English

If a finance podcast married a culture podcast, you would get the Season 2 of Hitmakers. Each episode reveals the new logic that driving multiples, margins, and advantages before they appear on balance sheets. Over the course of this season, my co-host Lee Maschmeyer, the co-founder of transformation consultancy Collins, and I decode how cultural forces create market value: why Hermès is worth more than Ford, a far larger company; why Nvidia hired its first community manager; why collaborations became a staple of business; why merch is often more desirable than a brand’s core offering; and how cultural capital creates financial capital. andjelicaaa.substack.com

Latest episodes

All episodes

How brands interact with subculturesThe episode explores how subcultures influence brand behavior—how brands adapt messaging, products, and marketing to align with or engage specific subcultural communities.4 Jun 2026 · 1 min
Resale as the stock market for brandsThe episode argues that fashion resale is evolving into a “stock market” for brands: product value continues after the point of sale, and buyers who resell or buy for future resale increase demand…25 Mar 2026 · 58 min · 28 chapters
What happened to luxury?In this episode, the hosts analyze the current state of the luxury industry, questioning why high prices have stopped attracting consumers and examining what has taken their place in a changing…11 Mar 2026 · 46 min · 16 chapters
The umami experienceIn this episode of the Hitmakers podcast, hosts Ana and Lee delve into the concept of "Neo-Umami," a term borrowed from cultural strategist Emily Segal's "Umami Theory of Value." The discussion…25 Feb 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 31 chapters
Popular culture is contradiction in terms“Popular culture is a contradiction in terms. If it’s popular, it’s not culture.” — Dame Vivienne Westwood11 Feb 2026 · 35 min · 19 chapters
What is next for merch?In this episode of *Hitmakers*, co-hosts Lee Maschmeyer and Anna discuss the evolution of merchandise (merch), its cultural significance, and the shifting landscape of consumer goods.28 Jan 2026 · 50 min · 38 chapters
What makes a brand iconicThis episode discusses the essential characteristics that make certain brands and products iconic.14 Jan 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 25 chapters
Weird on purposeThis episode discusses the changing landscape of culture, attention, and how brands can adapt in a fragmented world.31 Dec 2025 · 1 h 7 min · 27 chapters
Everybody is talking about world-building, nobody is doing itThis episode discusses the complexities of world-building in branding, emphasizing that it is not a one-size-fits-all strategy.17 Dec 2025 · 1 h 13 min
Trend Makers vs. Taste MakersIn this episode of *Hitmakers*, hosts Lee Maschmeyer and Anna explore the distinction between trend makers and taste makers in the fashion and retail industries.10 Dec 2025 · 1 h 4 min
Why we will never tire of collaborationsIn this episode of Hitmakers, hosts Lee Maschmeyer and Anna explore the concept of collaborations in branding and business, addressing the reasons behind brand collaborations, differentiating…26 Nov 2025 · 56 min
Live with Ana AndjelicIn this episode, Ana Andjelic explores the intersection of culture and business, specifically discussing how modern brands can effectively navigate fragmented consumer markets.7 Nov 2025 · 6 min
CMOs as showrunnersIn this episode titled "CMOs as Showrunners", hosts Lee Maschmeyer and Ana discuss the evolving role of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and the intersection of culture and business.5 Nov 2025 · 58 min
Live with Ana AndjelicA fusion of finance and culture, exploring how cultural forces impact market value.31 Oct 2025 · 6 min
How cultural capital becomes financial capitalAnna Angelic & Leland Mashmeyer22 Oct 2025 · 54 min
Live with Ana AndjelicThis season combines finance and culture, exploring how cultural forces shape market value.16 Oct 2025 · 29 min