Do Companies Need Storytellers, Ford’s EV Flop, Kushner Paramount Pullout | Diet TBPN

Overview

This episode explores the rising trend of hiring storytellers in corporate America, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and its historical roots. The hosts also discuss Ford's significant pivot in its electric vehicle strategy and Jared Kushner's withdrawal from a major media acquisition deal.

Notable Quotes

- In a world of infinite output, story is the scarce primitive. Whoever can compress chaos into something people can feel, remember, forgive, and rally around actually runs the system. – John Coogan, on the power of storytelling in business.

- Hiring a storyteller is fine, but if the goal is to be remembered and you lack a Joe Rogan CEO, remember that one great campaign is worth 10,000 posts. – Jordi Hays, on the importance of impactful campaigns over constant content.

- Life is short. Go from an Olympic snowboarder to a SaaS icon. Let it rip. – Jordi Hays, humorously encouraging bold career moves.

🎙️ The Rise of Corporate Storytellers

- John Coogan and Jordi Hays discuss the Wall Street Journal's report on the growing demand for storytellers in corporate America, with companies like Google and Microsoft creating dedicated storytelling roles.

- Storytelling is framed as a critical skill for imposing coherence on chaos, with John arguing it’s more valuable than traditional C-suite roles.

- Historical examples of storytelling in tech include Apple's Guy Kawasaki, who popularized evangelism marketing, and Microsoft's early adoption of the chief storyteller title in 2010.

- Jordi critiques the trend, suggesting that while storytelling is valuable, the most elite storytellers are often founders like Elon Musk or Palmer Luckey, who naturally embody their brand's narrative.

🔥 The Joe Rogan CEO Phenomenon

- Jordi introduces the concept of the Joe Rogan CEO – a leader who can captivate audiences with long-form storytelling, akin to a podcast performance.

- While not every CEO fits this mold, Jordi and John emphasize the importance of charisma and narrative skills in breaking through the noise of modern content saturation.

- They highlight that even without a Joe Rogan CEO, companies can achieve success through standout campaigns, citing examples like Anduril’s Don’t Work at Anduril and Avi Schiffman’s Buy Every Billboard strategy.

🚗 Ford’s EV Strategy Pivot

- Ford announces a $19.5 billion write-down on its electric vehicle (EV) business, signaling a shift back to hybrids and gas-powered cars.

- The hosts discuss the challenges of EV profitability, noting Ford’s $50,000 loss per EV sold in 2023.

- They critique the over-reliance on government subsidies in the EV market and highlight Ford’s decision to scrap its all-electric F-150 Lightning as a major turning point.

🎥 Jared Kushner’s Media Exit

- Jared Kushner withdraws from financing Paramount’s bid for Warner Brothers, citing changing investment dynamics.

- John and Jordi humorously speculate on Kushner’s motivations, joking about a lack of Looney Tunes characters in the deal.

📈 AI’s Real Impact and Market Scrutiny

- The hosts touch on the ongoing debate about AI’s role in business, with John agreeing that AI is not a bubble but rather a transformative force in areas like coding, tech support, and advertising.

- They praise the market’s rational approach to scrutinizing AI companies, citing examples like Oracle and Broadcom.