The IBJ Podcast

IBJ Podcast: Conor Daly, Lilly Diabetes and sponsorship controversy

Eli Lilly and Co. pulled its Lilly Diabetes brand name off a race car driven by Conor Daly after his father — Derek Daly — was fired from his job as a WISH-TV Channel 8 racing analyst for a racial slur he uttered 35 years ago. 

The move raised questions about why the Conor Daly should be punished for something his father said before he was even born. And even WISH-TV's move came under some scrutiny, after Derek Daly said he used the n-word in an interview when he was new to the United States. He said the word was part of what was then an often-used phrase in Ireland, and once he found out it was offensive in America, never used it again.

In this week's IBJ Podcast, host Mason King talks with two local marketing experts — Bruce Bryant, president and creative director of Promotus Advertising and Ken Ungar, president of Charge — about whether Lilly made the right move and about the risks associated with sponsorships.

You can also read IBJ's take on the issue in this week's editorial.

Credits:

Sound from WTHR-TV Channel 13 and WRTV-TV Channel 6.

Music from Transmutation by Kara Square, (c) copyright 2017. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/mindmapthat/56527 Ft: Spinningmerkaba

IBJ Podcast: What will it take to turn the Brickyard 400 around?

NASCAR's Brickyard 400 drew a crowd of 275,000 people when it debuted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994. And it came at a great time, as then-Speedway President Tony George created the Indy Racing League, which depressed Indy 500 interest for years. 

But fast forward 25 years and the Brickyard 400 is facing its own issues. Last year, only about 70,000 people attended the race — although it did turn a profit.

Host Mason King interviews IMS President Doug Boles about the track's efforts to turn the race around — including moving it to a cooler date and adding a dirt-track race. And then King talks with IBJ's Anthony Schoettle about whether those efforts are likely to work.

Read Anthony's story about the Brickyard 400 for even more information.

IBJ Podcast: Why business execs say the state needs a hate-crime law

Central Indiana business leaders are pushing lawmakers to pass a hate-crime law, joining 45 states that already have one in place. They say without it, Indiana is an unappealing place for workers, especially younger workers who want their employers involved in social and community issues.

Host Mason King talks with Ann Murtlow, CEO of United Way of Central Indiana, and Jeff Smulyan, CEO of Emmis Communications, about why they signed a letter of support for a hate-crime law. And Mason role plays with both, pretending to be a lawmaker who needs to be convinced to vote for the legislation.

For more information, check out IBJ reporter Lindsey Erdody's story in this week's IBJ.

IBJ Podcast: At 57, she's quitting her gig as a top executive to volunteer around the world

Cassie Stockamp, president of the Athenaeum Foundation Inc., will leave the organization later this year to travel around the world and volunteer for charities wherever she goes.

Host Mason King talks with Stockamp about why she's choosing to leave the group she has led through a reinvigoration—and why she's doing it now, at 57 years old, when most people are worried more about saving for retirement.

Stockamp explains why it helps to be frugal, why she's trying not to plan her trip too much and what she thinks about the Athenaeum's future.

 

IBJ Podcast: The local stars of HGTV's "Good Bones" on the show, making a living, and their impact on neighborhoods

Karen Laine and Mina Starsiak, the mother/daughter duo who star on HGTV's "Good Bones," talked to host Mason King about the show's fourth season, why being on TV doesn't make you rich and why Laine is semi-retiring. Plus, learn about the home-decor store they're planning to open and what they think about charges that they're contributing to gentrification in Fountain Square, Bates-Hendricks and other near-downtown neighborhoods.

Learn more about the duo's company Two Chicks and a Hammer, and how the woman are working to diversify their incomes at our story: Priorities evolve as ‘Good Bones’ stars begin filming fourth season.

 

Photo courtesy of HGTV.

IBJ Podcast: SupplyKick CEO talks about running one of the fastest-growing firms in central Indiana

SupplyKick, which helps businesses sell their products on Amazon and other online marketplaces, grew 335 percent from 2015 through 2017, earning it a spot near the top of IBJ's Fast 25 list. CEO Josh Owens talks about how the company has managed that growth — and what Owens did right and wrong along the way. He's got great advice for any firm managing growth or hoping to do so.

 

IBJ Podcast: Will Indy Mayor Joe Hogsett seek re-election?

Democrat Joe Hogsett is in the third year of a four-year term as mayor of Indianapolis and calls it the hardest job he's ever had. Soon, Hogsett must decide whether to seek a second term, and he tells IBJ's Hayleigh Colombo he's undecided. Colombo talks to the mayor about what will play into his decision, and host Mason King talks to Colombo about the chances that he'll run again.

Click to read Colombo's story about the mayor's re-election decision.

IBJ Podcast: Tackling sexual harassment issues in the workplace

With accusations against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill dominating the political news (allegations he flatly denies), host Mason King talks to two experts — attorney Michael Blickman and human resources professor Liz Malatestinic — about questions facing employers and employees. What's acceptable and what isn't? How do you talk to employees about the issues? Plus, get Mason's recommendations for further reading on the issue.

Credits: 

Music for this episode from Like Music (cdk Mix) by Analog By Nature (c), copyright 2013. Licensed under a Creative Commons, Attribution Share-Alike  (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/cdk/43816 Ft: snowflake

 

IBJ Podcast: St. Elmo co-owner Craig Huse on the condition of Circle Centre, Burger Study and expansion in Fishers

The restaurants operated by Huse Culinary — St. Elmo, Harry & Izzy's and Burger Study — are among the most successful in Indianapolis. That's despite decreased traffic at Circle Centre mall and increasing competition from other steak houses downtown. CEO Craig Huse talks about the changes he'd like to see at the mall, how the restaurants combat competition and the company's expansion plans in Fishers.

To read more about Circle Centre's current financial situation, read IBJ's story: Circle Centre profit gets lift from eateries, IPS tax cut.

 

Credits:

Music by Eerkoysh key by Gnagno (c), copyright 2013. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/Gnagno/44380

Audio clips from WRTV-Channel 6 and Parks & Recreation (NBC).

 

 

IBJ Podcast: Author Andrea Neal on chronicling the roundabout rise of Mike Pence

Andrea Neal's soon-to-publish book, "Pence: The Path to Power," examines how Indiana native Mike Pence rose from a skilled debater in high school to the vice president of the United States. Neal, a journalist and teacher, leads host Mason King through the process of interviewing dozens of people from throughout Pence's life and assembling a comprehensive account of the making of a vice president.

Music for this episode of the IBJ Podcast from LogansBar by airtone (c) copyright 2010. Licensed under a Creative Commons Sampling Plus license.