Advertise on podcast: Secrets to Win Big With Arjun Sen

What does branding look like in a world driven by AI, real-time search, and changing buyer behavior? In this episode of Secrets to Win Big, Arjun Sen sits down with marketing strategist Jeff Pedowitz to explore how brands can stay relevant, disciplined, and effective as marketing continues to evolve. Jeff shares lessons from restaurants, leadership, and decades of marketing experience, while offering practical guidance on AI-driven content, customer-centric storytelling, brand consistency, and the future of search. The conversation culminates in a powerful challenge for marketers and business leaders alike: Be Bold. The brands that win tomorrow will be the ones willing to rethink old assumptions, focus on customer outcomes, and adapt before the market forces them to. Key Takeaways Why great brands create emotional connection How AI is changing search and content strategy The shift from selling to facilitating Why ROI matters more than attribution Building brand consistency across every channel What “Be Bold” really means for marketers today #SecretsToWinBig #Branding #MarketingStrategy #AI #Leadership #CustomerExperience #BusinessGrowth #BeBold

In this episode, Arjun Sen and Kevin Lee explore what truly makes brands win in today’s crowded, AI-driven world. They share why branding is the ultimate emotional tiebreaker, why storytelling is essential in an attention-starved marketplace, and how brands must balance short-term performance marketing with long-term brand building. The conversation dives into the power of customer experience, the danger of over-focusing on bottom-funnel tactics, and why winning big means becoming the #1 choice for the right customers, not everyone. This episode is packed with practical insights for founders, marketers, and business leaders looking to build brands that create emotional connection, customer loyalty, and lasting growth.

In this episode, VIP guest William Espey, the creative visionary behind Chipotle, joins us to talk about why authentic brands win, how values shape culture, and why brand truth always beats brand spin. If you want to build a brand people actually trust, this conversation is a must-listen.

You are spending obscene amount of money in marketing to acquire one customer at a time. Are you reaching your business potential by maximizing your customer retention? Is your business undervalued by leaking customers? The path to growth is not a mechanical loyalty program but your team going all out to wow one customer and then wow one more. Over last thirty years in the corporate trenches, I have seen over and over, when this mindset becomes a brand’s culture, it maximizes growth. Wow One More: One Person. One Moment. One Reputation. Seven Questions Business Leaders Ask What is the true lifetime value of one customer? If one of your customers left today, would your team feel it? Are you buying just transactions or building loyalty? When was the last time you walked your customer journey end to end? How will your business change if every team member wowed just one more customer a day? What is stopping your team members? Are they empowered to act—or just trained to comply? And most importantly— What would your last 10 customers say about you when you’re not in the room? If even one of these questions gives you pause, perhaps the real opportunity isn’t another strategy PowerPoint deck—but a disciplined commitment to WOW ONE MORE. If you’re ready to examine the value of one customer and build growth that compounds, let’s start that conversation. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode

Yourness is the core of your personal brand and the earned credibility that shapes how others perceive you. In the business world, perception becomes reality. Our future opportunities are influenced not only by what we have done, but by what people believe we can do. And that belief is grounded in the impact we have demonstrated over time. Let’s dive deeper into frameworks, stories, and actionable steps to help you take control of your personal brand, communicate your value clearly, and build trust that lasts. If you are ready to understand, articulate, and elevate your personal brand and lead with authenticity and lasting impact—this episode is designed for you. Key takeaways for this episode include: Yourness is something we uncover, invest in, and embrace. Six steps to discovering and living your Yourness. Perfecting your 15 second introduction. Past impact is the strongest indicator of future value. Trust is earned through consistent action.

Branding is never a solo act, it is a team journey. But beyond experience, titles, and functional expertise, there is one critical ingredient that often determines whether a brand truly wins: an unquit heart. This episode explores why having at least one person who simply refuses to give up can make the difference between brands that stall and brands that stay in the game long enough to win. Through real-world stories this episode unpacks how unquit DNA shows up in unexpected places and why it is essential to building brands that endure, adapt, and grow. Key takeaways for this episode include: Why branding success depends on who is in the room, not just what roles they hold The concept of the “unquit heart” and why it matters more than experience alone How brands lose momentum when they fail to take the extra step The importance of staying with an idea long enough to make it bigger

What does it take for a brand to rise from being “one of many” to becoming “one of one?” Arjun Sen unpacks through powerful personal stories and brand lessons from 30 years in the corporate trenches, why humility, empathy, and curiosity about your customer are the foundation of sustained brand success. From an almost career-changing decision in the beer industry, to insights learned at a bagel chain, to a night spent in a retirement home — every story reveals the same truth: great brands begin with knowing the customer deeply. There is no faking it. This episode dives into how to think like your customer, feel like your customer, and act in ways that create meaningful emotional connection — not just transactions. Key takeaways for this episode include: Three kinds of brands: One of many (forgettable), One of few (considered but ignored), One of one (loved) Start with humility: Admit you are not the customer — but you can learn to know and serve them. Be, Think, Feel, Act like your customer: The mindset for every brand leader who wants to build real connection. Go for the customer’s heart (not the wallet): When you truly know your customer, you can connect with them. See more episodes at https://www.secretstowinbig.com

After a journey of nearly 100 brands over 30 years, partnering with numerous leaders around the world; it is time to sit back and reflect on the branding moments and the threads that connect them. Behind every brand success story that resulted in a big win, every failure that gave birth to big learning driving future wins, there are hidden stories of branding do’s and do-not’s. Unlike in other areas of business, in branding, pushing today’s do-not’s often opens the door for future big wins. So here it is, a season marking my reflections into branding nostalgia, blended with conversations with special guests, and ready to find nuggets that will enlighten us in the journey forward. Key takeaways for this season include: Brand differentiation: What makes your brand unique? Brand fulfillment: Living the brand, not just talking about it. Businesses are built by wow one more: Wowing one more customer. Brand strategy and marketing strategy: Using your one-of-one brand positioning. Brand communication: Effectively communicating expectations and perceptions. Brand storytelling: Telling your one-of-one unique brand story that connects to customers. See more episodes at https://www.secretstowinbig.com

Vivek Bahl is a social media genius who has been running his own social media marketing agency since 2011. Before this he was Creative Director at Cheil and Dentsu and has also worked in Grey, besides being in the Brand Team at The Times of India and Head of Marketing at PVR Cinemas. He launched India’s first talent based social network in the fields of modeling, fashion photography and Bollywood dancing. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Inner voice leads down the right path. - Play for yourself, not just to win every time. - Don’t let external parameters define your accomplishments. - Overthinking is overrated. - Why put out thoughts on a pedestal to judge ourselves? - Do not look back to regret the choices made in the past. - Live life now. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode #unquitforever #unquitter

Partha Sinha is the President of the Times of India Group, one of the most influential media groups of India. He’s a seasoned leader with proven track record in the brand, media, digital and communication space. Ex Citibanker, ex VP Strategy Ogilvy, ex marketing chief Zee Telefilms, ex head of strategy SE Asia for Publicis, ex Managing Partner BBH, ex MD and Vice Chairman, McCann WordGroup. In 2020, I asked Partha to connect me to a few people for my podcast. He connected me to one of India’s top directors, Shoojit Sircar. The podcast with Shoojit turned into ongoing chat over the next two years. When Shoojit first talked about making a movie on me, I thought this was the biggest prank Partha had played on me. It was the connection from him that set the ball rolling for the movie, I Want To Talk. I was very excited that Partha and his wife Chaitali were the first to see the movie outside of the core group. In this podcast, Partha, a brilliant mind who guided the conversation so effortlessly into the depth of the heart, but never making it too serious. Thank you Partha for being you, always. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: Life is never over till it is over. “I Want to Talk” is a story of crossing one hurdle at a time. You play differently when you know you are going to win the game. The screen Arjun had the advantage of knowing that he will make it in the end. Sometimes bad ideas can trigger amazing ideas. Talking comes with responsibility. Words once spoken, are out there forever. If we give up, we will never know what life can bring for us. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #iwanttotalk #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode

Pearle is a very talented young actor who played the role of Baby Reya in the movie ‘I Want To Talk’. It was fascinating to see young Pearle be at the center of the movie for the first hour, charming us with her presence and one liners. This amazing kid, who we all called ‘the real boss’ during filming, made the journey of making the movie unforgettable. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: I felt very shy when I met the director Shoojit Sircar for the first time. I just like to act, I don't like seeing myself on the screen. Once I saw the movie, I felt nervous and happy, but also scared and excited. This movie is very meaningful. It says, “Keep fighting! Never give up!” I am happy when someone cracks a good joke. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #iwanttotalk #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode

Jayant Kripalani has donned many hats as a film, television, and stage actor. Jayant has also written scripts, directed, and produced films for multinationals and is actively involved with theatre. He is known for 3 Idiots (2009), Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008) and Ru-Ba-Ru (2008) among others. Our path crossed during his most recent work was in the critically acclaimed movie by Shoojit Sircar, I Want to Talk, as Dr. Deb. It was an interesting conversation with the person who saw the character ‘Arjun Sen’ in the movie from up close. His reflections and questions after living the movie were simply fascinating. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: Playing a cynical, yet sympathetic character was an experiment for me. I got a learning on human behavior by doing this film. If you’ve got your eye on the ball, you really can’t go wrong. When we get out of our own way, we get on much better in life. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #iwanttotalk #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode

Rachna Chhachhi is a cancer, nutrition, mental health and yoga therapist, and author of 5 books. Her incurable autoimmune condition changed the course of her life in 2006 when she was bedridden. She healed herself, re-studied, and for the last 15 years, has been treating cancer and chronic diseases patients across 27 countries, with highly successful clinical outcomes. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - When you close the door to the past, looking back is not an option. - When we release our pain, the pain of others can be seen. - ⁠When we heal from within, we find a new path that helps us become a better version of ourselves. - Every day, we have a choice to give up, or choose the path of self care. - The ability to forgive is one of the biggest rewards life gives us. - Letting go of anger is the single most impactful step in our healing. - Learning to take nothing personally is difficult, but helps you become physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually free.

When I first met Ahilya Bamroo in the sets of the movie, I was trying to find my daughter in her. Very soon I realized why Shoojit Sircar chose her to play the role of Reya in the movie I Want to Talk. It was fascinating to see how she processed the evolving relationship with her on-screen dad, who was going through every possible life challenge, while holding on to her unique personality. When I sat down with her for this conversation, I really wished my daughter Raka was there in the conversation too. It would have been fascinating to see Raka and Reya talk. Here is my conversation with my movie daughter Ahilya. I am excited to see her career evolve and blossom in her journey ahead.

It started on August 20th, 2020. Shoojit Sircar was my VIP guest on my podcast. 1,537 days later, on November 4th, 2024 we sat down together for the follow-up episode. A lot has changed for us. He is now my Shoojit and a baby brother to me. I am his Arjunda (da in Bengali means older brother). And we are connected forever by the movie I Want to Talk. We have hundreds of hours of Zoom recordings for our conversations and huge amount of WhatsApp messages and phone calls. Here is our November 4th, 2024 conversation. It is a celebration of our journey together, our friendship, and the movie.