On WGOW 102.3 FM’s “Jed and JR Mornings” (24:45 mark), UTC Associate Lecturer of Marketing and Entrepreneurship Ryan Russell discussed how brands can better connect with younger audiences. Using Cracker Barrel’s recent rebrand as an example, he explained how social media now fosters two-way conversations between companies and consumers. Russell highlighted Rock City’s successful local rebranding effort and cautioned that backlash often stems from poor marketing choices—not “wokeness”—and that balancing nostalgia with modern relevance is key to brand evolution. >>>Listen>>>