CEOs You Should Know: Chon Nguyen, CEO of Newgentek
Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob PittmanShow Notes
Chon Nguyen started his career in the kitchen. As he shares on this episode of CEOs You Should Know, he became an entrepreneur but never left restaurants behind. Today he builds high-impact businesses at the intersection of technology and hospitality. He’s the founder of and CEO of Newgentek, an IT service provider offering a help desk, field services, technology infrastructure, and strategy for companies and restaurants without an IT department. He’s also the co-founder of FusionPrep, an iPad-based kitchen management platform used by restaurant operators to handle everything from food safety compliance to recipe management to operational checklists. On top of all that he’s a partner at Proper House Group, a restaurant group that has been recognized on the Florida Michelin Guide and with Bib Gourmand Awards. He’s been interested in technology since he got his first computer as a kid and talks about where we’re headed with automation and AI, how they complement each other, and why we’ll always need experts to rely on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Math & Magic: Stories from the Frontiers of Marketing with Bob Pittman
In this bonus episode of Math & Magic, we’re highlighting more of our favorite marketing stories — and they aren’t stories about when success came easily. Hear from Happy Baby Organics founder Shazi Visram, IBM Chief Global Affairs Officer Jonathan Adashek, Capital One Chief Brand Officer Marc Mentry, Sesame Workshop CEO Sherrie Westin, and Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick about times when mistakes were made, risks were taken, or pitfalls were avoided. Often, those are the moments when the most valuable lessons are learned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Through the many seasons of Math & Magic, we’ve heard from dozens of brilliant creative minds about the importance of authenticity. In this bonus episode, we’re highlighting some of our best marketing stories and how staying true to yourself can lead to not only a better life, but a better business. Media mogul and The Breakfast Club host Charlamagne tha God talks about his own origin story and how it inspires his radio personality. CMO Hall of Fame marketer Marisa Thalberg shares how her personal life inspired an unexpected second career. Plus, Martha Stewart explains what publishers originally missed about her vision for a lifestyle magazine, and Liquid Death founder Mike Cessario tells us how he threw traditional marketing out the window. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Diego Scotti has made a career of building businesses and brands that span industries and consumers, with leadership roles at American Express, Verizon, Condé Nast, J.Crew, and most recently PayPal, where he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Consumer Group and Global Marketing and Communications. He shares what that wide-ranging experience has taught him about connecting with consumers when culture is moving faster than ever, the importance of collaboration, and the power of purpose-driven marketing. Diego also reflects on how growing up in Argentina shaped his approach to business and shares great stories about the legendary mentors who helped shape his career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Millions of Americans feel like Hoda Kotb is a good friend. She’s an acclaimed journalist and TV pioneer, best known for her years at NBC and the TODAY Show. More recently, she’s turned her focus to joy, stepping into entrepreneurship with her company Joy 101 and launching a new podcast with iHeartPodcasts centered around joy. Born in Oklahoma to Egyptian immigrant parents and raised in West Virginia, Hoda built her career step by step, starting at Greenville News Center 15 in Mississippi and working her way to the top. She has plenty to share about perseverance, hard work, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Plus, she talks about what’s surprised her about podcasting, how she thinks about joy, and what she imagines for the future of news media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marc Mentry has cracked the code on community, culture, and live events to transform a brand and provide customers with high-value, unique experiences. As Executive Vice President of Brand Marketing for Capital One, Marc leads from the front line. Marc shares how the brand made its remarkable journey upmarket, from embracing its identity as a fintech company to creating its iconic tagline, “What’s in your wallet?” He talks about the value of unforgettable live experiences like The Eras Tour, Jingle Ball and March Madness and about the powerful opportunities that come from real, authentic relationship-building. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.