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Liquid Death is an “entertainment machine” with a water brand attached

Jan 25, 2023
“We think about our marketing team more like 'Saturday Night Live,'” says Mike Cessario, the beverage startup’s co-founder and CEO.
“Anybody can put water in a can,” said Mike Cessario, CEO of beverage startup Liquid Death. “But that's not why we're successful.” Above, Cessario at Liquid Death’s headquarters.
Maria Hollenhorst/Marketplace

Machines need to be funny if they want to sell us stuff

Dec 19, 2019
Tech companies are hiring entertainers to make their chatbots nimble and witty.
The Quartz chatbot is displayed on a cellphone above streams of binary code in this photo illustration.
Lionel Bonaventure/AFP via Getty Images

Society might finally be ready for the film "Booksmart"

May 23, 2019
Screenwriter Katie Silberman says there aren’t enough buddy comedies out there that center around female friends.
Katie Silberman, screenwriter and producer of "Booksmart," at Marketplace studios in Los Angeles, CA.
Daisy Palacios/Marketplace

Chris Hardwick on ‘The Wall,’ nerd ubiquity and fighting impostor syndrome

The founder of Nerdist talks about his new game show and why he worries about getting kicked out of parties.
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Moderator Chris Hardwick attends the San Diego Comic-Con International 2016 Marvel Panel in Hall H on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. ©Marvel Studios 2016
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

The Adventures of Mark Twain’s debt

May 6, 2016
The great American author was a not-so-great investor.
Archival picture of Mark Twain circa 1884.  
Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Chuck Lorre on creating TV sitcoms

Feb 24, 2016
Lorre's CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory will air its 200th episode on Feb. 25th
Writer/producer Chuck Lorre attends the Inside 'The Big Bang Theory' Writer's Room panel during Comic-Con International 2015.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

YouTube's Grace Helbig and her gig economy

Feb 19, 2016
She uses comedy and digital platforms to tackle eating disorders and fashion.
Robin Remer

For public good, not for profit.

Comedian Dave Ross takes the Marketplace Quiz

Feb 17, 2016
The Nerdist host talks about comedy's emotional drain and his prized possession.
Comedian Dave Ross.

The intellectual property of jokes

Jan 21, 2016
With allegations against Amy Schumer, we take a look at who really owns humor.

Fred Armisen on bringing Latino voices to comedy

Jan 12, 2016
Kai talks to actor and comedian Fred Armisen about new comedy studio, Más Mejor
Fred Armisen in the Marketplace studios on Monday, January 11, 2016.
Tony Wagner/Marketplace