Podcast Summary: The GaryVee Audio Experience

Episode: How To Build a Brand That Actually Wins In 2026 l Best Episodes of 2025
Host: Gary Vaynerchuk
Date: December 26, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Gary Vaynerchuk provides a masterclass in modern brand building as he discusses the future of marketing, the evolution of creative agencies, and the ingredients necessary for long-term brand success as we look towards 2026. Gary candidly shares his philosophies on leadership, team building, culture, authenticity, and staying relevant in a rapidly shifting landscape. Drawing from his personal journey, the ethos behind VaynerMedia and VaynerX, and his ventures like Veefriends, he spares no energy challenging long-standing advertising dogmas and offers actionable predictions for trends like live social shopping and AI influencers.

1. The DNA and Uniqueness of VaynerMedia and VaynerX

00:15–08:57

• Integrated Model is Key:

  • VaynerMedia stands out for being independent and boasting both media and creative under one roof—"we're dramatically more integrated" [00:15].
  • Despite notable campaigns, Vayner is often typecast as “social creative,” a perception Gary fully embraces, believing social is where modern brands are actually built.

• Culture and Leadership:

  • Still founder-led (Gary himself), bringing unique personality and vision.
  • “People don’t cry at VaynerMedia the way they cry at most agencies—I think we have a better culture.” [01:21]

• VaynerX's Hodgepodge Advantage:

  • Distinct from traditional holding companies—includes publisher (PureWow), a speaking bureau (Vayner Speakers), a unique production company (Eva Nosa Domain), a barter agency (Tingley Lane), and The Sasha Group for mid-market brands.
  • "We're really unique in that it's a hodgepodge that's different than just a media and creative and maybe technology… all with the purpose to like get the thing done." [03:59]

• Commitment to Humility:

  • Gary stresses saying “no” to clients if his team isn’t confident they can do the job well, prioritizing brand reputation above everything else [04:41].

Notable Quote:

“We say no because we don't think we can do it well. And we're scared shitless of ruining our brand.” — Gary Vaynerchuk [04:47]

2. Veefriends: The Power of Creative Independence

05:51–09:02

• Veefriends is Gary’s playground for creativity, outside the limitations of client-driven agency work.

• It blends media IP, collectibles, NFT innovation, kids' content, and more, aiming to become the next Disney or Marvel-like giant.

• “Veefriends is my creative outlet because being an agency owner, we are at the mercy of the people that are signing the checks… Veefriends allows me to do it my way, all the way.” [07:37]

• Driven by the desire to positively impact youth, inspired by how his own content resonated with young people on TikTok.

3. Foundational Values: Lessons from Gary’s Mother

09:03–11:36

• Gary credits his mother for shaping his worldview, instilling both compassion and accountability.
• “My mom taught me purple. I think the world right now is incredibly red and blue… my mother is the sweetest, most empathetic, caring woman on earth… but she's also a Soviet woman. She doesn't fuck around.” [09:05]
• She reinforced kindness and responsibility, and never shielded him from consequences, preparing him for real-world leadership and empathy.

Memorable Story:

• After making excuses for a baseball loss, his mom immediately shut him down—“Now you got parents going to kids' schools fighting with teachers. She didn't fight my fights. She taught me so much.” [10:44]

4. The Essence of an Ideal Client/Partner

11:47–16:06

• Gary looks for authentic, transparent, and intellectually curious clients who seek honest partnerships.
• Emphasizes candor on both sides, sharing how being overly nice (and lacking candor with those he cares about) was a challenge he's worked on [12:39].
• VaynerMedia’s craft is about mastering the quant and qual skills needed for social creative—not just making shiny commercials.
• The agency seeks brands willing to truly embrace modern marketing and invest in practices beyond 1990s traditions.

Notable Quote:

“Clients always tell us we want you to push us, we want you to push us. We fucking push. And a lot of times when we push, they don't like it.” [15:36]

5. Gary’s Entrepreneurial Journey

16:12–19:21

• Learned foundational business running his father’s wine business—one of the first to make e-commerce, email marketing, and Google Ads work in the space.
• Early adopter of YouTube and Twitter, leading brands to seek his expertise when “a kid in New Jersey” had more followers than global corporations.
• The transition from consulting to founding VaynerMedia came from recognizing social’s untapped potential in the ad industry.

Notable Quote:

“It was literally like, why do you have a million followers on Twitter and we have 54 and we're Nike and you’re some random kid in New York or New Jersey doing wine?” [18:01]

6. Mantras and Principles Shaping the Team

19:22–22:06

• Underpriced Attention:
  • Highest value is placed on attention that costs less but gets results—Super Bowl ads are great, but only if they truly reach people.
• Honey Empire:
  • The central internal culture: “treat each other with honey over vinegar… a lot of humanity, a lot of kindness, a lot of feelings. Good stuff. But don’t go too far where it’s delusional and ridiculous. ’Cause we’re building a fucking empire.” [21:17]
• Wartime Generals:
  • Prefers leaders who can stand firm and provide safety for their teams during hard moments—not just during success.

7. Adapting to and Harnessing Trends

22:13–24:47

• Gary is unabashedly obsessed with trends and argues they’re misunderstood due to industry inertia.
• Trends signal what matters to consumers and may evolve into lasting culture (e.g., sneakers at work, baggy jeans).
• He dismisses the idea that industry “sets culture” with traditional TV spots—urges the field to wake up.

Notable Quote:

"Your fucking 30 second TV spot that runs on fucking midday television isn't doing shit for culture." [24:28]

8. Debunking Branding Myths

24:55–26:09

• Gary sees it as a harmful myth that TV is where brand is built.
• "I think brand is built in social media… That is what I believe." [25:41]
• He worries for the industry and its people as old models fail to deliver results and security for professionals.

9. Predictions: The Future of Social Shopping and AI Influencers

26:09–29:21

• Live Social Shopping:
  • The “QVCification of social media is here. It’s coming and it’s gonna come harder.” [26:19]
  • Major social and ecommerce platforms are participating, with Gary’s own Veefriends doing $200K in a 3-hour live sale.
  • He stresses every marketer needs to take it seriously for the next wave.
• AI Influencers:
  • AI will reshape life—including influencer marketing: “Fake people, AI people, are gonna be some of the biggest influencers in the world in 10 years.” [28:34]
  • Predicts a world with more AI influencer personas than humans.

10. Personal Reflection: Leadership Roots and Style

29:43–34:46

• Gary’s first jobs (lemonade stands, card shows, helping at his father’s store) ingrained the importance of attention and human behavior in marketing.
• “I learned that marketing mattered and that I could sell the same amount of lemonade every day, but if the sign was better and placed in a better spot, I'd sell more.” [31:53]
• Describes his leadership as “always kind. I'm very proud of that… Nice guys finish first.” [33:09]
• Loves all aspects of his job—accountability, creativity, competitiveness, and responsibility.
• Thrives under pressure: “I want the ball. With 3 seconds left and the whole stadium's watching. And if I miss the shot, then I have to deal with the reporters after the game and own it. And if I make it, the crowd cheers and it feels good.” [34:18]

11. Team: Foundation of Success

34:52–end

• Vayner’s team is built on trust, care, and a commitment to real impact for clients.
• Rejects portfolio-driven or self-serving work—focus remains on making marketing that sells.
• “Our team is built for success because they care and they're good people and I love them a lot.” [35:39]

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "We’re unique that we are still founder led even though we're thousands of employees globally. And so. And I'm a character, so that creates a unique thing." — Gary, [00:54]
• “My mom taught me purple. I think the world right now is incredibly red and blue.” — Gary, [09:03]
• “Show me what kind of leader you are once you become an SVP in this company. When shit's hard, when the client is nasty… are you then passing that onto your team and scaring them or are you blocking that as a shield and making it safe for your team?” — Gary, [21:35]
• “Trends matter. I think relevance matters… Sometimes trends become culture.” — Gary, [22:50]
• “Your fucking 30 second TV spot that runs on fucking midday television isn't doing shit for culture.” — Gary, [24:28]
• “Live social shopping is please, even if you're watching this, to find something to make fun because you want to razz me and don't like me. Please get serious about live social shopping. The QVC ification of social media is here.” — Gary, [26:19]
• "Fake people, AI people, are gonna be some of the biggest influencers in the world in 10 years." — Gary, [28:34]

Key Timestamps for Reference

• [00:15] – VaynerMedia’s unique integrated model
• [03:00] – VaynerX’s structure and philosophy
• [05:51] – Origins and ambitions of Veefriends
• [09:03] – Values from Gary's mom and how they translate to business
• [11:47] – What makes a strong client relationship
• [16:12] – Foundational entrepreneurial journey
• [19:22] – Company mantras and internal culture
• [22:13] – On trends and industry misconceptions
• [24:55] – Busting myths about brand-building
• [26:09] – Future of live social shopping and AI influencers
• [29:49] – Lessons from Gary’s first job
• [33:06] – Leadership style: Kindness and competitiveness
• [34:52] – The strength and focus of the Vayner team

Tone and Delivery

Gary’s tone is candid, intense, peppered with humor and strong opinions—equal parts motivational and provocative. His sense of urgency for the industry’s evolution and care for his team/culture shine throughout, making the episode both a practical guide and a manifesto for modern brand builders.

For business leaders, marketers, and anyone curious about brand relevance in 2026, this episode is packed with perspective, actionable advice, and classic GaryVee energy.