“First and foremost, brands that last a long time have to evolve, move, and adjust to what's happening in the world, culture, and people’s behavior. We're always trying to understand how that evolution needs to take place for the brand.” - Matt Story

As the payments ecosystem evolves at breakneck speed, brands must do more than digitize, they must resonate. Visa, a legacy brand that’s constantly redefining its purpose, is leaning into culture, innovation, and human connection to stay future-ready. In this episode, we sit down with VP of Global Integrated Marketing, Matt Story, to explore how Visa is leveraging major global moments, AI, and inclusive marketing to create deeper relevance, and why building emotional value is the next great differentiator.

Matt Story is the Vice President of Global Brand Integrated Marketing at Visa, where he leads the development of culturally resonant, purpose-driven marketing strategies. With a background spanning storytelling, innovation, and inclusive leadership, Matt is driving Visa’s evolution from a transactional platform to a cultural catalyst—whether it’s empowering creators, enhancing fan experiences, or redefining payment utility in an AI-driven world.

Tune into the latest episode or read the transcript below to learn more. Here are some top takeaways:

Building Cultural Impact Through Global Sports Moments

Matt unpacks Visa’s strategy across major global events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup. The focus is less on logo placement and more on enhancing fan experiences, from real-time utility to storytelling that stretches beyond the game. Visa uses these tentpole moments to create deeper brand affinity through what Matt calls the "third half"—the moments after the match that build lifelong fan connection.

Payments as a Brand Touchpoint, Not Just a Product

Visa’s marketing isn’t just about transactions, it’s about aligning the experience with consumers’ values and lifestyle goals. Matt discusses how every purchase is a “vote” toward who we want to be. Whether buying workout gear or travel tickets, Visa aims to enhance the journey behind each transaction by adding value before, during, and after the moment of payment.

The AI Layer Will Power the Next Evolution in Commerce

Matt outlines how Visa is preparing for a world where AI agents may do the buying. That means ensuring Visa’s services are visible and valuable in machine-to-machine interactions. He stresses the importance of trust and secure systems that work for both the buyer and seller, even when no human is in the loop. For marketers, the takeaway is clear: optimizing for humans is no longer enough.

Creators Are Entrepreneurs, and Core to Visa’s Business Strategy

Visa is treating creators not just as a media channel, but as small businesses. Two-thirds of creators struggle with payment issues, and Visa is actively building solutions to help them monetize effectively. On the brand side, Visa is forming authentic, values-driven creator partnerships that transcend superficial influencer marketing and speak to niche communities with depth.

Storytelling as Emotional Differentiator in a Transactional Industry

Visa’s iconic “Typewriter” campaign at the Oscars reframed transactions as meaningful progress toward personal identity and purpose. Matt explains how the campaign reflected the brand’s shift from "everywhere you want to be" to "everywhere you want to become," tying everyday payments to aspirational growth.