Eric Ries Explains How Marketers Can Win C-Suite Buy-in for Long-Term Brand Strategy in Exclusive Wunderdogs Interview

Nov 9, 2026

"The Lean Startup" and "Incorruptible" author says trustworthiness is the most underrated asset in business and shares how marketing and comms leaders can make the case for it.

San Francisco, California, United States, November 9, 2026 -- Wunderdogs, a brand strategy, design and digital agency for B2B tech and venture capital, today released an exclusive video interview with Eric Ries, author of "The Lean Startup" and the new New York Times bestseller "Incorruptible." In the conversation with Wunderdogs co-founder Daria Gonzalez, Ries offers marketing and communications leaders a practical playbook for defending long-term brand investment under quarterly pressure.

"The most valuable and underrated asset in all of business right now is trustworthiness," Ries said in the interview. He argues that marketers who treat trust as an investment, rather than a line item to justify each quarter, earn the credibility to shape executive and board-level decisions.

The 38-minute conversation covers:

  • How to reframe ROI conversations with finance and leadership
  • Why Ries calls "minimum viable product" his most misused term, and what marketers can learn about protecting language in an era of hollow buzzwords
  • His view that AI is both a financial bubble and a transformational technology, and how leaders can separate real value from hype

"I read 'The Lean Startup' at Stanford GSB 10 years ago, and building the website for 'Incorruptible' was a full-circle moment for our team," Gonzalez said. "Eric's message gives marketing leaders language for a fight they're having every quarter: how to build a brand that lasts when every KPI rewards the short term."

The full interview is available at https://www.wunderdogs.co/thoughts-and-views/eric-ries-explains-how-marketers-can-win-c-suite-buy-in-for-long-term-brand-strategy.

About Wunderdogs

Wunderdogs is a brand, digital and marketing agency for B2B technology, science and investment firms. Founded in 2017.

About Eric Ries

Eric Ries is an entrepreneur and the author of "The Lean Startup," which introduced concepts including the minimum viable product and the pivot to a generation of founders. His new book, "Incorruptible," examines how companies can build lasting trust and stay true to their mission as they grow. Learn more at incorruptible.co.

For more information about Wunderdogs use the contact details below:

Contact Info:
Name: Alissa MacDougall
Email: Send Email
Organization: Wunderdogs
Address: 15 Montgomery, San Francisco, California 94104
Website: https://www.wunderdogs.co

Release ID: 89208912

In the event of any inaccuracies, problems, or queries arising from the content shared in this press release, we encourage you to notify us immediately at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our diligent team will be readily available to respond and take swift action within 8 hours to rectify any identified issues or assist with removal requests. Ensuring the provision of high-quality and precise information is paramount to us.

More News

Olivarez reinforces status as PH tennis force, tops Nat’l Open anew

Nov 9, 2026

Olivarez reinforces status as PH tennis force, tops Nat’l Open anew

MANILA, Philippines — Eric Jed Olivarez underscored his growing stature as one of the country's premier tennis players, displaying a potent combination of power, experience and composure under pressure to defeat Eric Jay Tangub, 6-3, 6-4, and capture the men's singles crown in the Mayor Edwin Olivarez National Open Tennis Championships at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat over the weekend. The triumph further strengthened Olivarez's growing credentials on the Philippine tennis circuit, adding another major title to an impressive run in the Olivarez-sponsored national Opens. He pocketed the top prize of P100,000 from the tournament's total prize pool of P415,000. Olivarez previously captured the Mayor Eric Olivarez National Open and the Rep. Edwin Olivarez National Open in 2024, ending Johnny Arcilla's long reign in the process. He also defeated longtime rival Alberto Lim Jr. to win the Rep. Eric Olivarez National Open in 2025. Meanwhile, Noel Damian Brysl Libao spoiled Olivarez's bid for a double crown, teaming up with his partner to score a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Olivarez and Nilo Ledama in the men's doubles final. The annual championship, sponsored by Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Rep. Eric Olivarez, reflects the Olivarez family's enduring commitment to developing and promoting tennis, while providing a competitive platform for both established campaigners and emerging talents. The 28-year-old Western Michigan product dictated the tempo early, breaking Tangub in the third game and again in the seventh to seize control of the opening set. Although Tangub broke back in the eighth, Olivarez refused to yield momentum, overcoming a 0-30 deficit with four straight points to close out the frame. Tangub came out aggressively in the second set, breaking Olivarez before holding serve to take an early lead. But the latter quickly regrouped, held his serve and broke back in the fourth game to draw level at 2-all. Olivarez then held at love before breaking Tangub anew in the sixth to open a 4-2 cushion, seemingly putting himself firmly in command. Tangub, however, refused to go quietly. He fought back in the seventh, erasing a 0-30 deficit and stringing together three consecutive points to pull within a game. He then held serve to force a 4-4 deadlock, setting up a tense finish. But Olivarez's experience and competitive resolve proved decisive. He dominated the ninth game before delivering the finishing blow in the 10th, recovering from a 0-15 deficit with four consecutive points to seal the straight-set victory and another prestigious Open title. Beyond the titles and prize money, the tournament gives seasoned players an opportunity to sharpen their competitive edge and offers promising young players valuable exposure against stronger opposition. Through their sustained support for the sport, the Olivarez family continues to help expand the country's tennis base, nurture the next generation of players and create opportunities for Filipino talents to make their mark on the national and international stages. TMT

Second-year Warriors guard Will Richard sidelined by torn ligament in left thumb

Nov 9, 2026

Second-year Warriors guard Will Richard sidelined by torn ligament in left thumb

SAN FRANCISCO — Second-year Golden State Warriors guard Will Richard has a torn ligament in his left thumb that will sideline him for an undetermined stretch. The Warriors listed Richard on the injury report Sunday with a torn ulnar collateral ligament and he was out for Monday's game against New Orleans at Chase Center as the team concludes a six-game homestand. Golden State didn't have practice or media availability Sunday, so there wasn't an immediate timetable for Richard's recovery or a known treatment plan. Richard has been providing key minutes as both a starter and a reserve as Golden State has won seven straight games since an 0-3 start. He made two starts this past week, against Phoenix and Miami. Stephen Curry has credited the Warriors figuring out their roles to grab some momentum after dropping the first three games. "Everybody having an impact, throw Will Richard in there, too, he's had three straight games really where he's turned up the energy defensively for us," Curry said after a 116-113 win over the Suns on Monday. "Defensively he's just been a pest out there." The 23-year-old guard was a second-round draft pick last year out of Florida after he led the Gators to a national championship. Richard is averaging 5.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 47.5% from the floor and 42.9% from 3-point range. Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray dealt with the same injury early last season, underwent surgery and missed the first 15 games.

Coco Gauff opens WTA Finals with win over Jessica Pegula at Indian Wells

Nov 9, 2026

Coco Gauff opens WTA Finals with win over Jessica Pegula at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, Calif.  — Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in her first match of the 2026 WTA Finals on Sunday. Competing in Group 1 of the eight-woman field's round-robin draw, Gauff improved to 6-5 in her career against Pegula after two hours, 39 minutes at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. "I was having a lot of fun today," the 22-year-old No. 4 seed said after the match, joking she left bits of rubber from her shoes on court. "I had a match point in the second (set) and I didn't get too down on myself…I think today, the key was just trying to be aggressive, but I also had to run a lot." Gauff, who won the WTA Finals in 2024 and was playing her first match in over a month, held serve from 0-40 down at 4-4 in the first set and then earned the lone break of the set in the following game to take early control in the match. Pegula took a 5-1 lead in the second only to lose five straight games and face match point at 5-6, but she regained control in the subsequent tiebreaker and leveled the match with a forehand return winner. The momentum swung back towards Gauff in the final set. The two-time Grand Slam champion won the first three games on her way to a 5-2 advantage. A missed overhead from Pegula earned Gauff two more match points, and Gauff let out a celebratory roar after clinching the match on her third opportunity. Gauff will next face No. 8 seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who defeated alternate Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-4 in the first match of the day. Kostyuk, who will face Pegula after both lost their opening round-robin matches, was a late substitute for world No. 1 Elena Rybakina. Rybakina, last year's WTA Finals winner and this year's Australian Open and U.S. Open champion was forced to withdraw from the season-ending championships citing a viral illness. Indian Wells, which is home to the annual BNP Paribas Open, is hosting the WTA Finals after instability in the Middle East led to a move away from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the event had been held since 2024. The WTA Finals is set to move again in 2027 to Charlotte, North Carolina.

LeBron James shines as Sixers down Bulls

Nov 9, 2026

LeBron James shines as Sixers down Bulls

MIAMI, United States —  LeBron James had his best game yet for the Philadelphia 76ers, who bounced back with a 127-121 win in Chicago on Sunday over a Bulls side that has now lost seven straight NBA games. Veteran superstar James scored 22 points -- his highest tally since joining the Sixers this summer -- in a return to form after a paltry eight points in Friday's disappointing loss to Cleveland. James also had five assists while Jaylen Brown top-scored with 29, Tyrese Maxey poured in 27 and Joel Embiid pulled down 10 rebounds. The star-studded Sixers have lost just twice so far this season, for their best start after 11 games since 2000. Philadelphia grabbed the lead early in the second quarter and never trailed from there, though a resilient Chicago pulled within two points in the closing stages. "We have a lot of guys that's been in situations, late-game situations, and we have a 'no panic' button," said James. "We understand that we got to get stops on this end, but if teams make a run, we understand how to be calm on the other end as well." The Bulls remain second-bottom of the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the Milwaukee Bucks -- the only team Chicago has beaten so far this campaign. They were without shooting guard Norman Powell, their second-leading scorer this season, who was placed on the injury report hours before tip-off with back discomfort. But Josh Giddey provided some hope with a double-double including 19 points and 15 assists. Meanwhile, James' former Los Angeles Lakers team overcame the absence of red-hot talisman Luka Doncic to beat the Detroit Pistons 121-116, and also move to 9-2. Doncic, who has been averaging more than 40 points per game this season, was left out with lower back tightness, the team announced. Austin Reaves stepped up, scoring 43 points, including two calm free throws in the final seconds to take the game beyond Detroit's reach. The Lakers never trailed but had to fight hard to retain a razor-thin lead for most of the fourth quarter. Daniss Jenkins led the Pistons' comeback attempt from the bench with 31 points, while Kevin Huerter added 24. Minnesota extended its fine start with a 115-100 win over struggling Utah. It was the Timberwolves' fourth straight win despite losing Anthony Edwards to injury. The Bucks suffered another loss, falling 117-97 to the Celtics, who rallied from an early 14-point deficit, while Dallas thumped Brooklyn 130-93. Giannis Antetokounmpo top-scored for Miami in a 114-108 win at Sacramento with 29 points and 14 rebounds, while the Los Angeles Clippers grabbed a rare win, defeating New Orleans 139-123. The Charlotte Hornets announced that forward Kon Knueppel will miss at least four weeks with a left hamstring strain, while guard Dennis Schroder is out for at least two weeks with the same injury.

YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.

Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?

Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.