D/USA – The latest episode of the podcast, Branded Wor(l)ds– A Transatlantic Dialogue by Steven Baumgaertner, CEO of the Cybergroup International, and Jeff Solomon, co-founder of Branded Merch Network came out on August 31, 2025. In this edition, Heather Smartt, Global Head of Goldstar is interviewed and she explains what happens when simplicity becomes the strategy and empathy the brand’s strength.
In the course of the dialogue, Baumgaertner, Solomon and Smartt examine how Goldstar succeeds in maintaining its brand identity “simply human” across the international markets, how the company reconciles purpose and profit without losing agility or accessibility and how it has developed a global voice that remains authentic in different cultures. Smartt reflects about the difference between European and North American approaches towards branded merchandise and shares her vision for the future of Goldstar, the industry as a whole and the growing influence of women in managerial positions.
The podcast episode Simply Human – How Goldstar Balances Reach, Relevance, and Responsibility is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and at brandedworlds.online now.
