Randi Stipes, CMO of The Weather Company, reveals how AI-driven weather intelligence is reshaping industries—from marketing and supply chains to aviation and defense. 

“We know that weather impacts consumer behavior. We can extract insights that we then help brands recognize and activate on.” - Randi Stipes

Weather is more than just a forecast—it’s a powerful decision engine shaping what we buy, where we go, what we wear, and even how we feel. Yet, many brands aren’t leveraging its full potential. The Weather Company is changing that. On this episode of The Speed of Culture Podcast, CMO Randi Stipes explores how AI-powered weather intelligence is transforming industries beyond consumer weather apps, from aviation and defense to retail and advertising. With 360M+ users on The Weather Channel app, she shares how data and AI are fueling smarter decisions for consumers and brands alike—whether it’s predicting demand surges, optimizing supply chains, or integrating into platforms like TikTok. The takeaway? Every brand needs a weather strategy.

Randi Stipes is the Chief Marketing Officer of The Weather Company, leading brand strategy, marketing innovation, and business intelligence for one of the world’s most relied-upon weather platforms. With a background in AI, data, and media, she has played a key role in evolving The Weather Company from a forecasting service to a data powerhouse. Under her leadership, the company has expanded into enterprise weather intelligence, AI-driven insights, and global industry partnerships that go beyond traditional weather reporting—helping businesses predict consumer behavior, manage operations, and navigate climate volatility.

Weather Is Predictable—But More Unpredictable Than Ever - Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and volatile, making reliable, real-time intelligence more critical than ever. The Weather Company’s mission is to arm consumers with facts that help them make informed choices—whether it’s deciding what to wear or preparing for a storm. But weather data goes far beyond personal use. Companies across industries—from retail to insurance to logistics—are integrating weather intelligence to stay ahead of disruptions, predict demand shifts, and improve decision-making.

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The Invisible Influence: How Weather Impacts Mental & Physical Health - The connection between weather and human behavior runs deeper than most people realize. 76% of Weather Channel app users say they check forecasts to manage health conditions—from allergies to chronic pain. 81% say weather directly impacts their mental health. Understanding these patterns doesn’t just benefit consumers—it gives brands a data-driven way to anticipate customer needs and tailor their messaging, promotions, and product availability accordingly.

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Weather Intelligence Is the New Competitive Edge - Would you expect ice cream sales to surge when the temperature hits 57°F? In Ohio Valley, that’s exactly what happens—not because of the summer heat, but because when the temperature drops, people stay inside and crave comfort. Randi unpacks how The Weather Company’s 40 years of data reveal patterns like this, turning weather from a passive backdrop into a predictive business tool. From inventory planning to real-time pricing, companies that tap into weather intelligence aren’t just forecasting the forecast—they’re staying ahead of consumer demand before it even happens.

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AI & The Next Era of Hyper-Local Forecasting - AI isn’t new to weather forecasting—it’s been powering meteorological predictions for decades. But today, The Weather Company is taking it further. Randi shares how a new partnership with NVIDIA is on the horizon which will make hyper-local predictions possible, breaking forecasts down to a 1-kilometer radius. That precision doesn’t just help people plan their day—it’s a game-changer for industries that depend on real-time weather insights. Airlines can reroute flights with confidence, retailers can stock smarter, and event organizers can anticipate conditions before they become a problem. This level of granularity makes weather data work smarter for businesses and consumers alike.

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The Weather Company’s Next Chapter: AI-Powered, Insight-Driven, & Everywhere - The Weather Company is no longer just a weather provider—it’s a strategic data engine. Its new autonomy has given it the ability to move faster, expand enterprise solutions, and meet consumers where they are. From integrating weather data into TikTok search results to powering aviation, retail, and defense industries, the company is proving that weather intelligence isn’t just useful—it’s essential.