GEMA TALKS with Brett O'Brien (C '95), SVP and CMO, Frito Lay North America Artwork

GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista

GEMA TALKS is a podcast series from the Georgetown Entertainment and Media Alliance (GEMA), an alumni networking organization under the Georgetown University Alumni Association. Hosted by GEMA Founder/Chairman and veteran media executive Rich Battista (B '86), each episode welcomes a prominent Georgetown University alumnus working in the entertainment and media industry to discuss their career journey, their role in the industry, how the business has evolved and where it’s headed, how being a Hoya propelled them to their place within it and their advice for those looking to break into or rise up in the industry. Producers: Rich Battista and Alex Ghaffari Music theme: Teddy Zambetti Logo: Ross Patrick

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GEMA TALKS with Rich Battista

GEMA TALKS with Brett O'Brien (C '95), SVP and CMO, Frito Lay North America

January 10, 2023 • Rich Battista

In this episode of GEMA TALKS, we speak with accomplished, veteran consumer marketer Brett O'Brien (C '95). Brett is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Frito Lay North America, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. Brent has served in various roles and across various brands at PepsiCo for over 20 years, including a number of years overseeing the Gatorade brand. In our discussion, he speaks to his experience at Georgetown University and how he broke into the sports marketing world right out of college. He explains Gatorade's unique "point of sweat" sports marketing philosophy and how Gatorade came to partner with the NBA on the G League. Brent also discusses his goals at Frito Lay and explains its "fan experience" marketing philosophy and also reviews some of the key trends in the consumer marketing world. Finally, he shares his advice on breaking into the world of marketing, including the importance of building your own "Batman Tool Belt."