Advertise with Googlier.com Ad Age Insider Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:05:49 +0000 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:05:49 +0000 Libsyn RSSgen 1.0 106851 2026-06-16T13:44:40Z http://www.adage.com en http://www.adage.com https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/5/8/2/3/5823895decfcec9ad959afa2a1bf1c87/aa_the-ad-age-insider_1x1.jpg Ad Age Insider Ad Age false Ad Age Podcasts aapodcast@crain.com episodic 7007fd80-7de5-11f0-b448-63a69686e84f no Company culture, AI overhype and the workforce gap | Catch Up Company culture, AI overhype and the workforce gap | Catch Up Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:02:00 +0000 In the AI era, company culture is the real differentiator. Ad Age's Senior Editor Adrianne Pascarelli breaks down the workforce gap nobody's solved, the AI overhype she's most suspicious of and the influencer disclosure loophole about to blow up in brands' faces. She also shares the three words marketers put in a live word cloud when asked to sum up the moment (humanity, insanity, never-ending change), and the one workforce question she's still trying to get answered.

Listen to the full conversation from Ad Age Insider wherever you're currently listening.

]]> In the AI era, company culture is the real differentiator. Ad Age's Senior Editor Adrianne Pascarelli breaks down the workforce gap nobody's solved, the AI overhype she's most suspicious of and the influencer disclosure loophole about to blow up in brands' faces. She also shares the three words marketers put in a live word cloud when asked to sum up the moment (humanity, insanity, never-ending change), and the one workforce question she's still trying to get answered.

Listen to the full conversation from Ad Age Insider wherever you're currently listening.

]]> 08:20 false full 43142843 2026-10-02T13:05:48Z Weekly Report: Rich Silverstein leaves Goodby Silverstein & Partners Weekly Report: Rich Silverstein leaves Goodby Silverstein & Partners Thu, 01 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Rich Silverstein is stepping down as co-chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners after 43 years, with an AI hotline trained on his voice now fielding creative pitches in his place. Plus, Burger King turns its own product failures into ad material; Meta's Muse and Anthropic's Claude Commerce Blueprint push brands toward agentic holiday shopping prep; CampStudios, Pufferfish and StudioB pull creator-led work into agency rosters once reserved for traditional shops.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating agency succession, AI's expanding role in creative work, transparency as a trust-building strategy and the shift toward agentic commerce. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Rich Silverstein steps away from Goodby Silverstein & Partners—inside the art director's storied career

~Rich Silverstein's unfiltered wisdom lives on in the AI-powered 'GPT Rich'

~Burger King's CMO on why the chain keeps turning failures into ad campaigns

~How brands should prepare for an agentic holiday shopping season

~Where creator-led agencies are winning work from traditional shops

]]> Rich Silverstein is stepping down as co-chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners after 43 years, with an AI hotline trained on his voice now fielding creative pitches in his place. Plus, Burger King turns its own product failures into ad material; Meta's Muse and Anthropic's Claude Commerce Blueprint push brands toward agentic holiday shopping prep; CampStudios, Pufferfish and StudioB pull creator-led work into agency rosters once reserved for traditional shops.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating agency succession, AI's expanding role in creative work, transparency as a trust-building strategy and the shift toward agentic commerce. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Rich Silverstein steps away from Goodby Silverstein & Partners—inside the art director's storied career

~Rich Silverstein's unfiltered wisdom lives on in the AI-powered 'GPT Rich'

~Burger King's CMO on why the chain keeps turning failures into ad campaigns

~How brands should prepare for an agentic holiday shopping season

~Where creator-led agencies are winning work from traditional shops

]]> 06:14 false full 43098293 2026-10-01T09:06:55Z What mid-size marketer budget strategy teaches every brand, with Adrianne Pasquarelli What mid-size marketer budget strategy teaches every brand, with Adrianne Pasquarelli Fri, 25 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Marketing budgets are tight across the board, but mid-size brands—companies roughly between $50 million and $1 billion in revenue—have been finding ways to make theirs work harder. Adrianne Pasquarelli, senior editor of CMO strategy and commerce at Ad Age, digs into how these brands operate with fewer resources, fewer layers of approval and a lot more speed. She breaks down what's driving bolder creative risks, how AI is showing up in unexpected ways and what bigger brands could actually learn from smaller ones.

Parker Herren talks with Pasquarelli about why mid-size CMOs are willing to take creative swings that bigger legal departments would shut down, how one baby food brand built an internal AI tool to keep its marketing on-brand without slowing anyone down and why leaner teams often mean less data and more gut instinct. It's a look at what happens when constraints force creativity instead of killing it. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider so you don't miss the next conversation.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Introducing the 2026 Ad Age Mid Size Brand Leaders

~How mid-size marketers are turning budget constraints into a competitive edge

~What 15 mid-size brand leaders are prioritizing—and cutting—right now

]]> Marketing budgets are tight across the board, but mid-size brands—companies roughly between $50 million and $1 billion in revenue—have been finding ways to make theirs work harder. Adrianne Pasquarelli, senior editor of CMO strategy and commerce at Ad Age, digs into how these brands operate with fewer resources, fewer layers of approval and a lot more speed. She breaks down what's driving bolder creative risks, how AI is showing up in unexpected ways and what bigger brands could actually learn from smaller ones.

Parker Herren talks with Pasquarelli about why mid-size CMOs are willing to take creative swings that bigger legal departments would shut down, how one baby food brand built an internal AI tool to keep its marketing on-brand without slowing anyone down and why leaner teams often mean less data and more gut instinct. It's a look at what happens when constraints force creativity instead of killing it. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider so you don't miss the next conversation.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Introducing the 2026 Ad Age Mid Size Brand Leaders

~How mid-size marketers are turning budget constraints into a competitive edge

~What 15 mid-size brand leaders are prioritizing—and cutting—right now

]]> 24:29 false 44 full Ad Age 43022018 2026-10-01T00:00:12Z Is spec work overrated or underrated, with X&O co-founders | Agencies on Record Is spec work overrated or underrated, with X&O co-founders | Agencies on Record Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:15:00 +0000 X&O co-founders Brett Banker and Eric Segal play a game of overrated or underrated, dishing on the holding company vs. independents debate, spec work, content creators and more. Check out Ad Age's full conversation with the duo in the first episode of Agencies on Record, a new quarterly podcast from Ad Age.

 Don't miss the full conversation with Brett Banker and Eric Segal

]]> X&O co-founders Brett Banker and Eric Segal play a game of overrated or underrated, dishing on the holding company vs. independents debate, spec work, content creators and more. Check out Ad Age's full conversation with the duo in the first episode of Agencies on Record, a new quarterly podcast from Ad Age.

Don't miss the full conversation with Brett Banker and Eric Segal

]]> 11:25 false bonus Ad Age 43010898 2026-10-01T00:00:12Z How splitting vision from execution powers the sprint model, with X&O | Agencies on Record How splitting vision from execution powers the sprint model, with X&O | Agencies on Record Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Develop the strategic idea, then step back—the client can take it in-house, hand it to another agency or bring X&O back to build it themselves. That's the split that co-founders Brett Banker and Eric Segal say powers their sprint model: five-to-six-day timelines, a top-to-top rule that puts C-level talent in the room from day one and a hard "no" on pitching for free, even against a strong prospect.

In Agencies on Record, Ad Age's new quarterly podcast, the pair also break down how their model scales into more complex categories, including an eight-week version built for healthcare's regulatory hurdles. Banker and Segal explain why they've stayed deliberately small—capping the agency at roughly 50 people—even as revenue climbed from $4.2 million in 2024 to more than $8 million in 2025, driven by fixed-fee project work with clients including Coca-Cola and Verizon and talent like Heated Rivalry's Connor Storrie. 

The duo weigh in on Dentsu's move into the sprint space with its relaunched 360i unit, the challenges of maintaining focus inside a holding company, and why they've trademarked their own answer to the traditional agency-of-record model: what they call "answers on repeat." They also explain their hard line against speculative pitching, even when a prospective client all but promises the win.

Dig deeper

~Read the Small Agency Playbook

~Why agencies are adopting sprint models and how they work

~How small agencies choose the right pitches—and prepare to win

~Agency reviews in 2030—24 leaders predict what the marketing pitch process will look like

~CMO Survival Guide: What CMOs want from agencies—3 ways to improve relations

]]> Develop the strategic idea, then step back—the client can take it in-house, hand it to another agency or bring X&O back to build it themselves. That's the split that co-founders Brett Banker and Eric Segal say powers their sprint model: five-to-six-day timelines, a top-to-top rule that puts C-level talent in the room from day one and a hard "no" on pitching for free, even against a strong prospect.

In Agencies on Record, Ad Age's new quarterly podcast, the pair also break down how their model scales into more complex categories, including an eight-week version built for healthcare's regulatory hurdles. Banker and Segal explain why they've stayed deliberately small—capping the agency at roughly 50 people—even as revenue climbed from $4.2 million in 2024 to more than $8 million in 2025, driven by fixed-fee project work with clients including Coca-Cola and Verizon and talent like Heated Rivalry's Connor Storrie.

The duo weigh in on Dentsu's move into the sprint space with its relaunched 360i unit, the challenges of maintaining focus inside a holding company, and why they've trademarked their own answer to the traditional agency-of-record model: what they call "answers on repeat." They also explain their hard line against speculative pitching, even when a prospective client all but promises the win.

Dig deeper

~Read the Small Agency Playbook

~Why agencies are adopting sprint models and how they work

~How small agencies choose the right pitches—and prepare to win

~Agency reviews in 2030—24 leaders predict what the marketing pitch process will look like

~CMO Survival Guide: What CMOs want from agencies—3 ways to improve relations

]]> 26:46 false bonus Ad Age 43005848 2026-10-01T00:00:12Z Weekly Report: A plushie data center satirizes AI's environmental toll Weekly Report: A plushie data center satirizes AI's environmental toll Thu, 24 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Creative studio Basura's satirical "Adopt a Data Center" campaign imagines AI data centers as rescue animals. Plus, Applebee's names BBDO Chicago its new creative agency as CMO Michelle Chin looks to reverse falling same-store sales; Subway casts Will Arnett as America's tempted subconscious in its first campaign from new AOR Martin; OpenAI rolls out chat-based ad formats, tightening advertising's ties to its enterprise business; Parke offers lessons in community-based brand building.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating skepticism toward AI infrastructure, legacy brand reinvention and community-first retail growth. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Cuddly toy emits the hum of an AI data center in biting satirical campaign

~Applebee's turns to BBDO Chicago in a bid to regain growth

~Subway casts Will Arnett as your 'SUBconscious'—inside the campaign with CMO Jeff Klein

~How OpenAI is connecting ChatGPT ads to its enterprise business—and what it means for brands

~How DTC brand Parke is turning its social-first community into retail growth

]]> Creative studio Basura's satirical "Adopt a Data Center" campaign imagines AI data centers as rescue animals. Plus, Applebee's names BBDO Chicago its new creative agency as CMO Michelle Chin looks to reverse falling same-store sales; Subway casts Will Arnett as America's tempted subconscious in its first campaign from new AOR Martin; OpenAI rolls out chat-based ad formats, tightening advertising's ties to its enterprise business; Parke offers lessons in community-based brand building.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating skepticism toward AI infrastructure, legacy brand reinvention and community-first retail growth. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Cuddly toy emits the hum of an AI data center in biting satirical campaign

~Applebee's turns to BBDO Chicago in a bid to regain growth

~Subway casts Will Arnett as your 'SUBconscious'—inside the campaign with CMO Jeff Klein

~How OpenAI is connecting ChatGPT ads to its enterprise business—and what it means for brands

~How DTC brand Parke is turning its social-first community into retail growth

]]> 08:21 false full 43010983 2026-10-01T00:00:12Z How to bring creators to the brand strategy table | Catch Up How to bring creators to the brand strategy table | Catch Up Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Creators aren't just making content anymore—they're getting pulled into the actual strategy conversation. Ad Age social and influencer marketing reporter Gillian Follett explains how creators are shaping product decisions and campaign direction with brands, not just showing up in the final cut. She also weighs in on the branded-series gold rush (and why most of it isn't landing), a friend-group content format quietly gaining traction, and the one question about AI companies and creator partnerships she's still trying to get answered.

Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform.

]]> Creators aren't just making content anymore—they're getting pulled into the actual strategy conversation. Ad Age social and influencer marketing reporter Gillian Follett explains how creators are shaping product decisions and campaign direction with brands, not just showing up in the final cut. She also weighs in on the branded-series gold rush (and why most of it isn't landing), a friend-group content format quietly gaining traction, and the one question about AI companies and creator partnerships she's still trying to get answered.

Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform.

]]> 06:55 false full 42945543 2026-10-01T00:00:12Z Weekly Report: US Open creator backlash exposes brands' event strategy gaps Weekly Report: US Open creator backlash exposes brands' event strategy gaps Thu, 17 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Viral videos of influencers disrupting US Open matches exposed how many brands still lack clear systems for briefing talent, picking the right creators or vetting whether an event even fits their brand. Plus, WPP is set to retain Coca-Cola's global media, data and technology business but won't compete for its North America media pitch; KFC's new Open House concept restaurant joins a wave of experimental formats as quick service chains test menu, pricing and design ideas before rolling them out at scale; Amazon Ads becomes ChatGPT's biggest ad tech partner, letting marketers reserve ad inventory inside the chatbot; and QuikTrip's Home Bun activation drew more than 230 million views.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator accountability, agency fragmentation, experimental innovation and the rise of conversational advertising. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~WPP is set to win Coca-Cola's global agency review

~Inside fast food's big bet on experimental restaurant concepts

~Amazon becomes a new funnel for buying ChatGPT ads

~3 creator event mistakes the US Open exposed—and how to avoid them

~How QuikTrip dreamed up its viral in-stadium MLB hot dog game

]]> Viral videos of influencers disrupting US Open matches exposed how many brands still lack clear systems for briefing talent, picking the right creators or vetting whether an event even fits their brand. Plus, WPP is set to retain Coca-Cola's global media, data and technology business but won't compete for its North America media pitch; KFC's new Open House concept restaurant joins a wave of experimental formats as quick service chains test menu, pricing and design ideas before rolling them out at scale; Amazon Ads becomes ChatGPT's biggest ad tech partner, letting marketers reserve ad inventory inside the chatbot; and QuikTrip's Home Bun activation drew more than 230 million views.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator accountability, agency fragmentation, experimental innovation and the rise of conversational advertising. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~WPP is set to win Coca-Cola's global agency review

~Inside fast food's big bet on experimental restaurant concepts

~Amazon becomes a new funnel for buying ChatGPT ads

~3 creator event mistakes the US Open exposed—and how to avoid them

~How QuikTrip dreamed up its viral in-stadium MLB hot dog game

]]> 05:59 false full 42931952 2026-10-01T00:00:12Z Creators are now brand strategists, not just talent, with Gillian Follett Creators are now brand strategists, not just talent, with Gillian Follett Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Gillian Follett, social marketing and influencer reporter at Ad Age, breaks down how brand-creator partnerships have evolved in 2026, from creators taking on strategic roles in product development and marketing decisions to equity deals reshaping the influencer economy. The conversation covers creator advisory boards at holding companies, the rise of creator-founded agencies producing social-first branded content and the growing use of livestreaming creators in brand campaigns. It also gets into an emerging trend: brands working with creators to optimize content for AI search tools.

Host Parker Herren digs into where traditional, one-off sponsored posts still fit, why influencer fatigue is pushing brands toward more selective partnerships, and what's overhyped in the scripted branded-content boom right now. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations that turn Ad Age's reporting into strategy marketers can implement now.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Subscribe to The Creator Brief by Ad Age!

~A new creator agency with an advisory board model gives talent a seat at the strategy table

~How four friends built a creator business—and landed 30 brand deals in four months

~OpenAI's creator trip fallout—what to do before signing an AI brand deal

~Inside the rise of creator-brand equity deals—and how they're reshaping creator marketing

~4 ways creator-brand partnerships are evolving

]]> Gillian Follett, social marketing and influencer reporter at Ad Age, breaks down how brand-creator partnerships have evolved in 2026, from creators taking on strategic roles in product development and marketing decisions to equity deals reshaping the influencer economy. The conversation covers creator advisory boards at holding companies, the rise of creator-founded agencies producing social-first branded content and the growing use of livestreaming creators in brand campaigns. It also gets into an emerging trend: brands working with creators to optimize content for AI search tools.

Host Parker Herren digs into where traditional, one-off sponsored posts still fit, why influencer fatigue is pushing brands toward more selective partnerships, and what's overhyped in the scripted branded-content boom right now. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations that turn Ad Age's reporting into strategy marketers can implement now.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Subscribe to The Creator Brief by Ad Age!

~A new creator agency with an advisory board model gives talent a seat at the strategy table

~How four friends built a creator business—and landed 30 brand deals in four months

~OpenAI's creator trip fallout—what to do before signing an AI brand deal

~Inside the rise of creator-brand equity deals—and how they're reshaping creator marketing

~4 ways creator-brand partnerships are evolving

]]> 24:55 false 43 full Ad Age 42826290 2026-10-01T00:00:12Z Weekly Report: Planters hires Mr. Peanut a fixer without a pitch, and why character-driven branding is back Weekly Report: Planters hires Mr. Peanut a fixer without a pitch, and why character-driven branding is back Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Planters named Martin, the agency behind the Geico Gecko, its creative agency of record without running a formal review, betting on character-driven branding to sharpen Mr. Peanut's point of view. Plus, Callaway ended its Good Good Golf partnership after a controversial ad, exposing gaps in how brands vet creator-made content; The Trade Desk overhauled Kokai with more visibility into automated ad buying OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft and Google are marketing AI to two audiences at once, exposing a marketing dilemma; and new sunscreen brand Pasty Man is targeting men with a an elderly dancer's backside.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating agency hiring strategy, creator content oversight, ad tech transparency and AI trust building. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Planters hires Martin to help Mr. Peanut win the protein wars

~Callaway controversy reveals gaps in how brands review creator ads

~The Trade Desk is overhauling its ad-buying platform—here's what marketers need to know

~Why AI CMOs have a problem that goes beyond advertising

~Pasty Man uses a 90-year-old butt to make its case for sunscreen

]]> Planters named Martin, the agency behind the Geico Gecko, its creative agency of record without running a formal review, betting on character-driven branding to sharpen Mr. Peanut's point of view. Plus, Callaway ended its Good Good Golf partnership after a controversial ad, exposing gaps in how brands vet creator-made content; The Trade Desk overhauled Kokai with more visibility into automated ad buying OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Microsoft and Google are marketing AI to two audiences at once, exposing a marketing dilemma; and new sunscreen brand Pasty Man is targeting men with a an elderly dancer's backside.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating agency hiring strategy, creator content oversight, ad tech transparency and AI trust building. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Planters hires Martin to help Mr. Peanut win the protein wars

~Callaway controversy reveals gaps in how brands review creator ads

~The Trade Desk is overhauling its ad-buying platform—here's what marketers need to know

~Why AI CMOs have a problem that goes beyond advertising

~Pasty Man uses a 90-year-old butt to make its case for sunscreen

]]> 06:42 false full 42718460 2026-10-01T00:00:12Z Will the AI marketing bubble burst? | Catch Up Will the AI marketing bubble burst? | Catch Up Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Catch the full conversation: https://adage.substack.com/p/ai-is-all-over-earnings-calls-ai

Ad Age's senior tech editor Garett Sloane joins Parker to answer the question everyone's asking: is the AI bubble about to pop, or are we still just getting started? They get into AI search (AEO), the OpenAI-vs-Google power struggle, and why Garett thinks holograms are the next big sleeper trend—plus a chatbot customer service story gone hilariously wrong.

]]> Catch the full conversation: https://adage.substack.com/p/ai-is-all-over-earnings-calls-ai

Ad Age's senior tech editor Garett Sloane joins Parker to answer the question everyone's asking: is the AI bubble about to pop, or are we still just getting started? They get into AI search (AEO), the OpenAI-vs-Google power struggle, and why Garett thinks holograms are the next big sleeper trend—plus a chatbot customer service story gone hilariously wrong.

]]> 07:36 false full 42574235 2026-09-01T00:01:32Z Weekly Report: YouTube raises the bar for creator payouts Weekly Report: YouTube raises the bar for creator payouts Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 YouTube is doubling the watch time and engagement thresholds creators need to qualify for its Partner Program starting February 2027, a shift that matters less than it sounds since brands are already striking direct deals with creators regardless of their eligibility status. Plus, The Variable acquired Gen Z and Gen Alpha-focused agency Carson+Doyle; Athleta launched "My World, My Rules," aiming to reverse a sales decline; Nielsen will begin applying Latency Adjusted DASH Universe Estimates to its Big Data Plus Panel currency, changing how TV and streaming viewing gets weighted; and Spotify and Uncommon New York turned real user playlist titles into outdoor ad headlines across New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator partnerships, agency M&A, TV measurement shifts and brand repositioning. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The Variable acquires a Gen Z marketing agency—behind the move

~Athleta's first campaign with Invisible Dynamics underscores its female-first brand identity

~Nielsen announces latency tweaks for DASH universe estimates

~How YouTube monetization is changing for the platform's smaller creators

~Spotify features users' playlist titles as headlines in witty OOH campaign

]]> YouTube is doubling the watch time and engagement thresholds creators need to qualify for its Partner Program starting February 2027, a shift that matters less than it sounds since brands are already striking direct deals with creators regardless of their eligibility status. Plus, The Variable acquired Gen Z and Gen Alpha-focused agency Carson+Doyle; Athleta launched "My World, My Rules," aiming to reverse a sales decline; Nielsen will begin applying Latency Adjusted DASH Universe Estimates to its Big Data Plus Panel currency, changing how TV and streaming viewing gets weighted; and Spotify and Uncommon New York turned real user playlist titles into outdoor ad headlines across New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator partnerships, agency M&A, TV measurement shifts and brand repositioning. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The Variable acquires a Gen Z marketing agency—behind the move

~Athleta's first campaign with Invisible Dynamics underscores its female-first brand identity

~Nielsen announces latency tweaks for DASH universe estimates

~How YouTube monetization is changing for the platform's smaller creators

~Spotify features users' playlist titles as headlines in witty OOH campaign

]]> 06:46 false full 42562640 2026-09-01T00:01:32Z AI is all over earnings calls. AI ROI isn't, with Garett Sloane AI is all over earnings calls. AI ROI isn't, with Garett Sloane Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age senior tech editor Garett Sloane unpacks why AI dominates earnings calls at companies from Meta and Google to Colgate-Palmolive, Amazon and Booking Holdings even if it's not yet moving the bottom line for most. The conversation covers AI search and chatbots reshaping consumer discovery, ChatGPT's ad business outlook, agentic commerce experiments and the slow, standards-limited rollout of agentic ad buying across PubMatic, Criteo and Magnite.

Sloane and host Parker Herren discuss where the AI hype-to-results gap is widest, and why even the companies racing forward are still working with incomplete data on what's actually working. They dig into why ChatGPT ad spend remains experimental, what a real agentic buying breakthrough would take and the state of the "AI bubble" conversation. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations that turn Ad Age's reporting into what marketers actually need to know.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~AI is reshaping ad infrastructure but hasn't boosted company results just yet

~ChatGPT beefs up ad measurement, but gaps remain for buyers

~Amazon's AI shelf—what brands must do to compete for visibility

]]> Ad Age senior tech editor Garett Sloane unpacks why AI dominates earnings calls at companies from Meta and Google to Colgate-Palmolive, Amazon and Booking Holdings even if it's not yet moving the bottom line for most. The conversation covers AI search and chatbots reshaping consumer discovery, ChatGPT's ad business outlook, agentic commerce experiments and the slow, standards-limited rollout of agentic ad buying across PubMatic, Criteo and Magnite.

Sloane and host Parker Herren discuss where the AI hype-to-results gap is widest, and why even the companies racing forward are still working with incomplete data on what's actually working. They dig into why ChatGPT ad spend remains experimental, what a real agentic buying breakthrough would take and the state of the "AI bubble" conversation. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations that turn Ad Age's reporting into what marketers actually need to know.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~AI is reshaping ad infrastructure but hasn't boosted company results just yet

~ChatGPT beefs up ad measurement, but gaps remain for buyers

~Amazon's AI shelf—what brands must do to compete for visibility

]]> 28:31 false 42 full Ad Age 42499640 2026-09-01T00:01:32Z Weekly Report: PepsiCo's AI agency review signals a shift from experiments to infrastructure Weekly Report: PepsiCo's AI agency review signals a shift from experiments to infrastructure Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 This week: PepsiCo is running a global agency review focused on building out AI marketing capabilities, with Omnicom, Accenture, Deloitte, and Publicis Sapient all vying for the assignment. 

Plus, Google enlists creatives Susan Credle, Tiffany Rolfe and Jayanta Jenkins to make AI-generated ads using Flow and Gemini to shift industry sentiment on AI; OpenAI's CMO for business argues ChatGPT is letting non-marketers like engineers make ads; Kick launches Kick Ads with tiered brand suitability controls, betting advertisers will trust its content moderation despite past controversy; and Garage Beer and Liquid Death team up on a music video and pee-collection stunt urging fans to help cool AI data centers, with Jason Kelce starring.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating AI's shift from hype to operational strategy, creative trust in generative tools, platform brand safety and the culture war brewing around AI. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~PepsiCo is conducting an AI marketing transformation review

~3 top creatives made AI spots with Google—will they help ease the stigma?

~OpenAI's business CMO says with ChatGPT everyone's a marketer

~How Kick is addressing brand suitability for cautious buyers

~Garage Beer and Liquid Death want you to cool AI data centers—with your pee

]]> This week: PepsiCo is running a global agency review focused on building out AI marketing capabilities, with Omnicom, Accenture, Deloitte, and Publicis Sapient all vying for the assignment.

Plus, Google enlists creatives Susan Credle, Tiffany Rolfe and Jayanta Jenkins to make AI-generated ads using Flow and Gemini to shift industry sentiment on AI; OpenAI's CMO for business argues ChatGPT is letting non-marketers like engineers make ads; Kick launches Kick Ads with tiered brand suitability controls, betting advertisers will trust its content moderation despite past controversy; and Garage Beer and Liquid Death team up on a music video and pee-collection stunt urging fans to help cool AI data centers, with Jason Kelce starring.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating AI's shift from hype to operational strategy, creative trust in generative tools, platform brand safety and the culture war brewing around AI. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~PepsiCo is conducting an AI marketing transformation review

~3 top creatives made AI spots with Google—will they help ease the stigma?

~OpenAI's business CMO says with ChatGPT everyone's a marketer

~How Kick is addressing brand suitability for cautious buyers

~Garage Beer and Liquid Death want you to cool AI data centers—with your pee

]]> 07:51 false full 42488270 2026-09-01T00:01:32Z Weekly Report: Dollar Tree shifts to emotional branding as it eyes $1 billion in untapped sales Weekly Report: Dollar Tree shifts to emotional branding as it eyes $1 billion in untapped sales Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Dollar Tree named independent agency Tombras its first-ever creative agency of record ahead of a September brand campaign—what it reveals about the shift from performance marketing to full-funnel brand building. Plus, Quality Meats co-founders launched cannabis beverage Herb Light, using retro beer nostalgia to help THC drinkers understand dosage before they try it; OpenAI expanded ChatGPT's ad infrastructure with new partners including Kochava, though brand safety and independent verification tools are still missing; creator economy veterans launched JERi, a new agency built to give creators a seat at strategy and planning instead of just execution; and Columbia Sportswear closed its eight-month flat earth campaign with adam&eve/TBWA, handing out consolation gift cards after no one could prove the earth is flat.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating full-funnel brand building, emerging ad measurement channels, and the creator economy's shift toward strategic partnership. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Dollar Tree chooses Tombras as its first creative agency of record

~Quality Meats founders move into cannabis—inside their Herb Light launch

~ChatGPT beefs up ad measurement, but gaps remain for buyers

~A new creator agency with an advisory board model gives talent a seat at the strategy table

~Columbia Sportswear calls off 'Expedition Impossible' but has consolation prizes for Flat Earthers

]]> Dollar Tree named independent agency Tombras its first-ever creative agency of record ahead of a September brand campaign—what it reveals about the shift from performance marketing to full-funnel brand building. Plus, Quality Meats co-founders launched cannabis beverage Herb Light, using retro beer nostalgia to help THC drinkers understand dosage before they try it; OpenAI expanded ChatGPT's ad infrastructure with new partners including Kochava, though brand safety and independent verification tools are still missing; creator economy veterans launched JERi, a new agency built to give creators a seat at strategy and planning instead of just execution; and Columbia Sportswear closed its eight-month flat earth campaign with adam&eve/TBWA, handing out consolation gift cards after no one could prove the earth is flat.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating full-funnel brand building, emerging ad measurement channels, and the creator economy's shift toward strategic partnership. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Dollar Tree chooses Tombras as its first creative agency of record

~Quality Meats founders move into cannabis—inside their Herb Light launch

~ChatGPT beefs up ad measurement, but gaps remain for buyers

~A new creator agency with an advisory board model gives talent a seat at the strategy table

~Columbia Sportswear calls off 'Expedition Impossible' but has consolation prizes for Flat Earthers

]]> 07:11 false full 42413465 2026-09-01T00:01:32Z The consumer trends marketers can't ignore this fall, with Erika Wheless The consumer trends marketers can't ignore this fall, with Erika Wheless Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Erika Wheless, consumer culture and brand behavior reporter at Ad Age, breaks down the consumer trends shaping the back half of 2026, and how they connect to the brands gaining the most ground with Gen Z. The conversation covers why credibility is starting to matter more than authenticity, with audiences favoring "frontline authority" voices—actual employees and experts—over traditional influencer marketing, plus AI's growing role in that shift. It also digs into Gen Z's renewed appetite for physical ownership, from DVDs and game cartridges to novelty popcorn buckets and dumb phones, and why that's less nostalgia than a response to rising costs.

Host Parker Herren presses Wheless on what's driving purchase decisions among older Gen Z shoppers now managing real budgets, and which brands—AliExpress, Aldi, Longhorn Steakhouse among them—are winning by leaning into affordability and collectible, shareable experiences. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations translating Ad Age's reporting into insight you can actually use.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~4 consumer trends for brands to watch in the second half of the year

~20 brands catching Gen Z's attention right now and how they are doing it

~20 brands catching millennials' attention right now

~Movie marketing for the TikTok generation—how theater chains are trying to reach Gen Z

~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Erika Wheless, consumer culture and brand behavior reporter at Ad Age, breaks down the consumer trends shaping the back half of 2026, and how they connect to the brands gaining the most ground with Gen Z. The conversation covers why credibility is starting to matter more than authenticity, with audiences favoring "frontline authority" voices—actual employees and experts—over traditional influencer marketing, plus AI's growing role in that shift. It also digs into Gen Z's renewed appetite for physical ownership, from DVDs and game cartridges to novelty popcorn buckets and dumb phones, and why that's less nostalgia than a response to rising costs.

Host Parker Herren presses Wheless on what's driving purchase decisions among older Gen Z shoppers now managing real budgets, and which brands—AliExpress, Aldi, Longhorn Steakhouse among them—are winning by leaning into affordability and collectible, shareable experiences. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider for more conversations translating Ad Age's reporting into insight you can actually use.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~4 consumer trends for brands to watch in the second half of the year

~20 brands catching Gen Z's attention right now and how they are doing it

~20 brands catching millennials' attention right now

~Movie marketing for the TikTok generation—how theater chains are trying to reach Gen Z

~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 30:37 false 41 full Ad Age 42345145 2026-09-01T00:01:32Z Weekly Report: McDonald's admits its promotional calendar backfired Weekly Report: McDonald's admits its promotional calendar backfired Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:00:00 +0000 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: McDonald's opens up about how an overloaded promotional calendar, stacking a K-pop Demon Hunters tie-in, value messaging, beverage launches, and a FIFA World Cup push, confused customers and dragged down second-quarter sales, and what it reveals about the real cost of promotional saturation and the discipline brands need to know what to cut. Plus, the Martin Agency wins Subway's creative account after pitching a single "brutally simple" idea in its final review; Yahoo Sports leans on Robert Griffin III and BBDO for a college fantasy football push as part of its broader brand revival; Japan Airlines starts running paid ads on ChatGPT and adopts "share of model" as a new visibility metric as AI search reshapes travel discovery; and Lemonade and Cash Studios reward safe drivers in Texas with a message board that only lights up for cars going the speed limit.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating promotional overload, long-term brand platforms versus campaign-by-campaign thinking, authentic talent partnerships, and the shift from clicks to AI visibility as a marketing metric. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~McDonald's rethinks crowded promotional calendar

~Martin wins Subway's creative account

~Inside Robert Griffin III's back-to-school Yahoo College Fantasy Football ad

~How Japan Airlines will track its new ChatGPT ad strategy

~Lemonade's 'Slow Sign' salutes the 10% of Texans who drive the speed limit

~Vote for the best campaign of July 2026

]]> This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: McDonald's opens up about how an overloaded promotional calendar, stacking a K-pop Demon Hunters tie-in, value messaging, beverage launches, and a FIFA World Cup push, confused customers and dragged down second-quarter sales, and what it reveals about the real cost of promotional saturation and the discipline brands need to know what to cut. Plus, the Martin Agency wins Subway's creative account after pitching a single "brutally simple" idea in its final review; Yahoo Sports leans on Robert Griffin III and BBDO for a college fantasy football push as part of its broader brand revival; Japan Airlines starts running paid ads on ChatGPT and adopts "share of model" as a new visibility metric as AI search reshapes travel discovery; and Lemonade and Cash Studios reward safe drivers in Texas with a message board that only lights up for cars going the speed limit.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating promotional overload, long-term brand platforms versus campaign-by-campaign thinking, authentic talent partnerships, and the shift from clicks to AI visibility as a marketing metric. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~McDonald's rethinks crowded promotional calendar

~Martin wins Subway's creative account

~Inside Robert Griffin III's back-to-school Yahoo College Fantasy Football ad

~How Japan Airlines will track its new ChatGPT ad strategy

~Lemonade's 'Slow Sign' salutes the 10% of Texans who drive the speed limit

~Vote for the best campaign of July 2026

]]> 06:58 false full 42330515 2026-09-01T00:01:32Z Weekly Report: Creators are betting on equity over paid partnerships Weekly Report: Creators are betting on equity over paid partnerships Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: creators like Alix Earle are increasingly chasing equity stakes instead of traditional brand deals, and what it reveals about creators becoming long-term business partners rather than just marketing assets. Plus, Popeyes names Stagwell's Anomaly as its new U.S. Creative Agency of Record following a sales decline and roster overhaul; Equinox pulls an AI-generated out-of-home ad after Asian creators call out racist and sexist stereotypes; Apple quietly expands its ad terms to run beyond its own properties and rolls out an AI-powered bidding tool; and Lego and Olivia Rodrigo launch a global scavenger hunt built around Lego vinyl records.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator ownership models, AI representation risks in campaign production, agency roster overhauls, and the tension between privacy positioning and ad revenue growth. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside the rise of creator-brand equity deals—and how they're reshaping creator marketing

~Popeyes names Anomaly its US creative agency as part of a broader roster overhaul

~Equinox pulls AI ad after creators call out racist Asian stereotypes

~How Apple's ads business could move beyond the App Store and its other properties

~Lego and Olivia Rodrigo send fans on a brick-built vinyl treasure hunt

]]> This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: creators like Alix Earle are increasingly chasing equity stakes instead of traditional brand deals, and what it reveals about creators becoming long-term business partners rather than just marketing assets. Plus, Popeyes names Stagwell's Anomaly as its new U.S. Creative Agency of Record following a sales decline and roster overhaul; Equinox pulls an AI-generated out-of-home ad after Asian creators call out racist and sexist stereotypes; Apple quietly expands its ad terms to run beyond its own properties and rolls out an AI-powered bidding tool; and Lego and Olivia Rodrigo launch a global scavenger hunt built around Lego vinyl records.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating creator ownership models, AI representation risks in campaign production, agency roster overhauls, and the tension between privacy positioning and ad revenue growth. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside the rise of creator-brand equity deals—and how they're reshaping creator marketing

~Popeyes names Anomaly its US creative agency as part of a broader roster overhaul

~Equinox pulls AI ad after creators call out racist Asian stereotypes

~How Apple's ads business could move beyond the App Store and its other properties

~Lego and Olivia Rodrigo send fans on a brick-built vinyl treasure hunt

]]> 07:30 false full 42257085 2026-08-01T00:00:28Z Small Agencies are Winning Business with these 2026 Moves, with Judy Pollack, Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Small Agencies are Winning Business with these 2026 Moves, with Judy Pollack, Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 The leaders of the 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards—Judy Pollack, Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin—break down what actually separated this year's winners from the pack. They dig into why small shops are ditching billable hours for outcomes-based and equity models and how agencies like Conscious Minds and Zambezi rebuilt their entire structures to compete at scale. They also talk about why social-first, technology-driven creative work, from CAPTCHA microsites to intern jackets, is what's winning clients over right now. Tune in for the full breakdown of consolidation, reinvention and what clients are actually paying for in a leaner ad economy.

Host Parker Herren presses the judges on where the industry goes next: expect more shops merging into "super indies," pitches built around certainty rather than promises and creative-first agencies pushing into media and production to avoid getting boxed into one lane. Listen to hear what it takes to survive—and win—as a small agency in 2026. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider so you don't miss what's next.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See the winners of Ad Age's 2026 Small Agency Awards

~Read Ad Age's Small Agency Playbook

~Apply to join Ad Age's Small Agency Network

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> The leaders of the 2026 Ad Age Small Agency Awards—Judy Pollack, Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin—break down what actually separated this year's winners from the pack. They dig into why small shops are ditching billable hours for outcomes-based and equity models and how agencies like Conscious Minds and Zambezi rebuilt their entire structures to compete at scale. They also talk about why social-first, technology-driven creative work, from CAPTCHA microsites to intern jackets, is what's winning clients over right now. Tune in for the full breakdown of consolidation, reinvention and what clients are actually paying for in a leaner ad economy.

Host Parker Herren presses the judges on where the industry goes next: expect more shops merging into "super indies," pitches built around certainty rather than promises and creative-first agencies pushing into media and production to avoid getting boxed into one lane. Listen to hear what it takes to survive—and win—as a small agency in 2026. Subscribe to Ad Age Insider so you don't miss what's next.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See the winners of Ad Age's 2026 Small Agency Awards

~Read Ad Age's Small Agency Playbook

~Apply to join Ad Age's Small Agency Network

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 28:27 false 40 full Ad Age 42195430 2026-08-01T00:00:28Z Weekly Report: Taco Bell's trust test during cyclosporiasis crisis Weekly Report: Taco Bell's trust test during cyclosporiasis crisis Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: Taco Bell's Cyclospora outbreak and what it reveals about crisis communications, food safety, and brand trust. Plus, four Madwell alumni launch independent agency Five Cherries; ChatGPT's advertising platform shifts toward conversion-based pricing; creators Grant Gibbs and Ashley Gill talk brand partnerships without sanitizing their content; and Plato's Closet's immersive back-to-school campaign with agency Tombras.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating food safety and crisis response, the shift toward senior-led independent agencies and creator partnerships built on trust over reach. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~How the cyclosporiasis outbreak is testing Taco Bell's brand

~Four former Madwell executives launch their own agency

~How ChatGPT advertising works now—and what marketers still need

~'A Twink and a Redhead' on landing brand deals without sanitizing their risqué comedy

~Plato's Closet built a high school hall inside a store for kids to test their outfits

]]> This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: Taco Bell's Cyclospora outbreak and what it reveals about crisis communications, food safety, and brand trust. Plus, four Madwell alumni launch independent agency Five Cherries; ChatGPT's advertising platform shifts toward conversion-based pricing; creators Grant Gibbs and Ashley Gill talk brand partnerships without sanitizing their content; and Plato's Closet's immersive back-to-school campaign with agency Tombras.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating food safety and crisis response, the shift toward senior-led independent agencies and creator partnerships built on trust over reach. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~How the cyclosporiasis outbreak is testing Taco Bell's brand

~Four former Madwell executives launch their own agency

~How ChatGPT advertising works now—and what marketers still need

~'A Twink and a Redhead' on landing brand deals without sanitizing their risqué comedy

~Plato's Closet built a high school hall inside a store for kids to test their outfits

]]> 07:26 false full 42185390 2026-08-01T00:00:28Z Weekly Report: Starbucks' Culture Play, Predictive AI Targeting, Emmy-Nominated Ads Weekly Report: Starbucks' Culture Play, Predictive AI Targeting, Emmy-Nominated Ads Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: Starbucks leans into culture over explanation with its 'Pink Energy' platform, built around the fan-favorite Pink Drink. Gary Vaynerchuk takes a personal stake in affiliate marketing agency Paul Street. Forward deployed engineers are embedding directly in agencies for AI development. Bayer tests predictive AI targeting that outperforms standard demand-side platform benchmarks. And the 2026 Emmy nominees for Outstanding Commercial include Apple, Nike, Adidas, Coinbase and Levi's.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating AI adoption, affiliate marketing growth and culture-first branding. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Starbucks builds a summer platform around Pink Drink

~Gary Vaynerchuk on why he's investing in an affiliate marketing agency

~How brands get more from AI with forward-deployed engineers

~How Bayer's head of media is using AI-powered predictive targeting and navigating AI search

~Adidas, Apple, Coinbase, Levi's and Nike earn Emmy nominations for best ad

]]> This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: Starbucks leans into culture over explanation with its 'Pink Energy' platform, built around the fan-favorite Pink Drink. Gary Vaynerchuk takes a personal stake in affiliate marketing agency Paul Street. Forward deployed engineers are embedding directly in agencies for AI development. Bayer tests predictive AI targeting that outperforms standard demand-side platform benchmarks. And the 2026 Emmy nominees for Outstanding Commercial include Apple, Nike, Adidas, Coinbase and Levi's.

Host Parker Herren breaks down what each story means for marketers navigating AI adoption, affiliate marketing growth and culture-first branding. Subscribe for weekly industry news roundups, plus biweekly deep-dive conversations with Ad Age reporters.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Starbucks builds a summer platform around Pink Drink

~Gary Vaynerchuk on why he's investing in an affiliate marketing agency

~How brands get more from AI with forward-deployed engineers

~How Bayer's head of media is using AI-powered predictive targeting and navigating AI search

~Adidas, Apple, Coinbase, Levi's and Nike earn Emmy nominations for best ad

]]> 06:16 false full 42104115 2026-08-01T00:00:28Z 2026 ad budget check-in: where media money's moving, with Brandon Doerrer 2026 ad budget check-in: where media money's moving, with Brandon Doerrer Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age Media Reporter Brandon Doerrer gives a midyear check-in on 2026 ad spend, and breaks down the insights behind the data. He gets into why budgets are holding steady despite the economic pressure, what's happening in the upfronts (Disney's ask was a lot higher than buyers wanted to pay) and why streaming—not linear—is the thing keeping TV's growth numbers alive.

Hear more on growth in gaming advertising, Netflix and Omnicom's new AI targeting partnership and the complex shift in search. Plus, how World Cup marketing spend has impacted 2026 budgets.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~More on third quarter media buying trends

~How brands are using AI to solve data challenges

~EA's head of ads on video game brand integrations

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Ad Age Media Reporter Brandon Doerrer gives a midyear check-in on 2026 ad spend, and breaks down the insights behind the data. He gets into why budgets are holding steady despite the economic pressure, what's happening in the upfronts (Disney's ask was a lot higher than buyers wanted to pay) and why streaming—not linear—is the thing keeping TV's growth numbers alive.

Hear more on growth in gaming advertising, Netflix and Omnicom's new AI targeting partnership and the complex shift in search. Plus, how World Cup marketing spend has impacted 2026 budgets.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~More on third quarter media buying trends

~How brands are using AI to solve data challenges

~EA's head of ads on video game brand integrations

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 25:45 false 39 full Ad Age 42022800 2026-08-01T00:00:28Z Weekly Report: How 2 indie shops beat larger rivals for a $550M account Weekly Report: How 2 indie shops beat larger rivals for a $550M account Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: how two indie agencies—Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners and Canvas Worldwide—beat holding company giants Stagwell and Publicis for California Lottery's $550 million account. Plus Meta's marketing shake-up as Chief Marketing Officer Alex Schultz moves into a new chief data officer role and Denise Moreno takes over amid Meta's AI race against Google, Microsoft, Amazon, OpenAI and Anthropic. And why brands are underestimating 50-plus consumers; how e.l.f. Beauty, L'Oréal and Tarte are winning at AI adoption; and Windhoek Beer's anti-AI ad campaign.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~BSSP and Canvas land California Lottery's $550 million account

~4 ways to reach older consumers

~Meta switches CMOs

~Why beauty brands are ahead of the curve with AI

~Man born with extra fingers stars in anti-AI campaign

]]> This week on Ad Age Insider's Weekly Report: how two indie agencies—Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners and Canvas Worldwide—beat holding company giants Stagwell and Publicis for California Lottery's $550 million account. Plus Meta's marketing shake-up as Chief Marketing Officer Alex Schultz moves into a new chief data officer role and Denise Moreno takes over amid Meta's AI race against Google, Microsoft, Amazon, OpenAI and Anthropic. And why brands are underestimating 50-plus consumers; how e.l.f. Beauty, L'Oréal and Tarte are winning at AI adoption; and Windhoek Beer's anti-AI ad campaign.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~BSSP and Canvas land California Lottery's $550 million account

~4 ways to reach older consumers

~Meta switches CMOs

~Why beauty brands are ahead of the curve with AI

~Man born with extra fingers stars in anti-AI campaign

]]> 06:21 false full 42015380 2026-08-01T00:00:28Z Weekly Report: Alex Cooper says ad agencies are the problem Weekly Report: Alex Cooper says ad agencies are the problem Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 In Ad Age Insider's July 2 Weekly Report: inside Alex Cooper's pitch to brands at Cannes Lions; why Mr. Clean is going after beauty creators; how brands are combating conquesting on ChatGPT; how Q3 ad budgets are being spent; and iShowSpeed's collaboration with Expedia.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Q&A with Alex Cooper

~Inside Mr. Clean's beauty influencer campaign

~How conquesting is taking over ChatGPT ads

~What media buyers are prioritizing right now

~IShowSpeed and Expedia's shoppable stream

]]> In Ad Age Insider's July 2 Weekly Report: inside Alex Cooper's pitch to brands at Cannes Lions; why Mr. Clean is going after beauty creators; how brands are combating conquesting on ChatGPT; how Q3 ad budgets are being spent; and iShowSpeed's collaboration with Expedia.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Q&A with Alex Cooper

~Inside Mr. Clean's beauty influencer campaign

~How conquesting is taking over ChatGPT ads

~What media buyers are prioritizing right now

~IShowSpeed and Expedia's shoppable stream

]]> 07:38 false full 41922940 2026-08-01T00:00:28Z Cannes Lions takeaways: Lessons for marketers to carry through 2026 Cannes Lions takeaways: Lessons for marketers to carry through 2026 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 On this week's episode of Ad Age Insider, host Parker Herren recaps the news, trends and takeaways that have emerged from the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Hear reactions and pitches from companies including Tubi, Microsoft, EA, Google, OpenAI and Anthropic.

From how the AI conversation has shifted to how agencies are approaching creator marketing and emerging ad formats, catch up on the industry buzz that will set the tone for the rest of the year.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See all the Cannes Lions winners here

~How AI has shown up at Cannes

~Inside OpenAI's Cannes ad pitch

~Why Microsoft is connecting with creators in Cannes

~What Ad Age's conversations in Cannes reveal about AI, agencies and creators

~Why gaming ad spend still lags

~Listen: Everything marketers need to know about microdramas

~Cannes Lions entries drop more than 25%

]]> On this week's episode of Ad Age Insider, host Parker Herren recaps the news, trends and takeaways that have emerged from the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Hear reactions and pitches from companies including Tubi, Microsoft, EA, Google, OpenAI and Anthropic.

From how the AI conversation has shifted to how agencies are approaching creator marketing and emerging ad formats, catch up on the industry buzz that will set the tone for the rest of the year.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See all the Cannes Lions winners here

~How AI has shown up at Cannes

~Inside OpenAI's Cannes ad pitch

~Why Microsoft is connecting with creators in Cannes

~What Ad Age's conversations in Cannes reveal about AI, agencies and creators

~Why gaming ad spend still lags

~Listen: Everything marketers need to know about microdramas

~Cannes Lions entries drop more than 25%

]]> 12:07 false 1 38 full 41806960 2026-07-01T00:01:41Z Cannes Lions pre-brief: indies and creators surge plus key topics, with Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Cannes Lions pre-brief: indies and creators surge plus key topics, with Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin break down the key topics, trends and questions to watch at this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. From how industry mergers including Omnicom-IPG will shift agency priorities to the rise of independent agencies, they describe what factors are impacting the awards, events and conversations on the ground this year.

Plus, they discuss why the presence of social media creators is on the rise, how sports marketing is showing up and the top questions they're seeking answers to at Cannes.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Everything to know about Cannes Lions 2026

~Cannes Lions 2026 schedule

~The Cannes Lions creator playbook

~Enter Ad Age's 40 Under 40 by July 23

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin break down the key topics, trends and questions to watch at this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. From how industry mergers including Omnicom-IPG will shift agency priorities to the rise of independent agencies, they describe what factors are impacting the awards, events and conversations on the ground this year.

Plus, they discuss why the presence of social media creators is on the rise, how sports marketing is showing up and the top questions they're seeking answers to at Cannes.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Everything to know about Cannes Lions 2026

~Cannes Lions 2026 schedule

~The Cannes Lions creator playbook

~Enter Ad Age's 40 Under 40 by July 23

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 26:11 false 37 full Ad Age 41689055 2026-07-01T00:01:41Z CMOs on CMOs: Hippo and Solo Stove on AI and grassroots marketing tactics CMOs on CMOs: Hippo and Solo Stove on AI and grassroots marketing tactics Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Watch this episode and see additional resources for marketers at AdAge.com/cmo.

In the first episode of the Ad Age CMOs on CMOs series, Andrea Collins, CMO of Hippo, and Liz Vanzura, CMO of Solo Stove, break down how they're implementing AI into team workflows, and how marketers can start discussing AI implementation with teams mindfully. They also dig into grassroots marketing tactics and the power of bringing your brand to consumers.

CMOs on CMOs is a new series from Ad Age. Each episode will feature two marketing leaders, discussing the trends, changes and trials of their work. Stay tuned for more episodes in the coming months.

]]> Watch this episode and see additional resources for marketers at AdAge.com/cmo.

In the first episode of the Ad Age CMOs on CMOs series, Andrea Collins, CMO of Hippo, and Liz Vanzura, CMO of Solo Stove, break down how they're implementing AI into team workflows, and how marketers can start discussing AI implementation with teams mindfully. They also dig into grassroots marketing tactics and the power of bringing your brand to consumers.

CMOs on CMOs is a new series from Ad Age. Each episode will feature two marketing leaders, discussing the trends, changes and trials of their work. Stay tuned for more episodes in the coming months.

]]> 13:53 false bonus 41662580 2026-07-01T00:01:41Z Best World Cup campaigns and the new sports marketing playbook, with Tim Nudd and Jon Springer Best World Cup campaigns and the new sports marketing playbook, with Tim Nudd and Jon Springer Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 For years, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been must-buy media inventory for marketers. But numerous controversies as well as the bigger-than-ever nature of the soccer games have presented new challenges and considerations for brands. 

Creativity Editor Tim Nudd and Senior Marketing Reporter Jon Springer discuss trends that have emerged across World Cup creative, sports marketing trends on the rise versus on the outs and how recent fan disruptions from ticket prices to geopolitical disruption have impacted brand plans.

 

Plus, they reveal the first-ever Ad Age Insider World Cup Marketing Award winners, including the most unique work, best brand strategy and best World Cup campaign. Listen to discover which brands took home trophies.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Everything brands need to know about World Cup marketing

~How brands are using access to break through World Cup clutter

~See Coca-Cola's unique AI activation

~See Air Transat's pricing-themed OOH campaign

~Watch Adidas' campaign starring Timothee Chalamet

~Inside Nike's star-studded World Cup spot

~See McDonald's World Cup collectors' cups

~These brands nailed World Cup work this year

~Enter Ad Age's 40 Under 40 by July 23

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> For years, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been must-buy media inventory for marketers. But numerous controversies as well as the bigger-than-ever nature of the soccer games have presented new challenges and considerations for brands.

Creativity Editor Tim Nudd and Senior Marketing Reporter Jon Springer discuss trends that have emerged across World Cup creative, sports marketing trends on the rise versus on the outs and how recent fan disruptions from ticket prices to geopolitical disruption have impacted brand plans.

Plus, they reveal the first-ever Ad Age Insider World Cup Marketing Award winners, including the most unique work, best brand strategy and best World Cup campaign. Listen to discover which brands took home trophies.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Everything brands need to know about World Cup marketing

~How brands are using access to break through World Cup clutter

~See Coca-Cola's unique AI activation

~See Air Transat's pricing-themed OOH campaign

~Watch Adidas' campaign starring Timothee Chalamet

~Inside Nike's star-studded World Cup spot

~See McDonald's World Cup collectors' cups

~These brands nailed World Cup work this year

~Enter Ad Age's 40 Under 40 by July 23

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 25:40 false 36 full Ad Age 41615955 2026-07-01T00:01:41Z Publicis-LiveRamp deal: what to know and how to react, with Garett Sloane Publicis-LiveRamp deal: what to know and how to react, with Garett Sloane Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Senior Technology and AI editor Garett Sloane breaks down Publicis Groupe's acquisition of LiveRamp, including why it matters for brands and first steps for auditing your ad tech stack. He discusses the impact of data ownership on future AI development, how to leverage greater transparency with ad tech partners and the meaning of a composable ad tech stack.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Publicis-LiveRamp deal reshapes data landscape—what it means for rival agencies and the industry

~Publicis-LiveRamp deal sparks agency scramble for alternatives

~How to lock in your ad tech stack before the Publicis-LiveRamp deal closes

~How to submit for the 2026 Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Senior Technology and AI editor Garett Sloane breaks down Publicis Groupe's acquisition of LiveRamp, including why it matters for brands and first steps for auditing your ad tech stack. He discusses the impact of data ownership on future AI development, how to leverage greater transparency with ad tech partners and the meaning of a composable ad tech stack.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Publicis-LiveRamp deal reshapes data landscape—what it means for rival agencies and the industry

~Publicis-LiveRamp deal sparks agency scramble for alternatives

~How to lock in your ad tech stack before the Publicis-LiveRamp deal closes

~How to submit for the 2026 Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 22:01 false 35 full Ad Age 41535875 2026-07-01T00:01:41Z AI marketing brief: trust, creativity and careers—ICYMI AI marketing brief: trust, creativity and careers—ICYMI Fri, 29 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 The industry is transforming in real time as AI growth impacts workflows, output and career paths from one moment to the next. Industry leaders are continually refining uses of AI platforms, best practices for prompting and how to communicate new tech initiatives to teams. As Ad Age honors trailblazers in innovation with the 2026 Tech Power List, reporters and editors share their tips for where AI use can go right and wrong in marketing.

 

This ICYMI roundup features Tech Reporter Asa Hiken, News Editor E.J. Schultz, Creativity Editor Tim Nudd, Influencer Reporter Gillian Follett and Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse. They offer tips and tricks for topics ranging from consumers' primary AI fears to worst-case brand scenarios and the new talent pipeline conundrum.

 

Listen to each episode in its entirety:

~Your AI ad playbook: red flags, hard lessons and brand wins, with Asa Hiken

~What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd

~Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli

~'Fruit Love Island' brand lessons: skip this viral trend, with Gillian Follett

~Agency hiring in the AI era: What grads need now, with Lindsay Rittenhouse

]]> The industry is transforming in real time as AI growth impacts workflows, output and career paths from one moment to the next. Industry leaders are continually refining uses of AI platforms, best practices for prompting and how to communicate new tech initiatives to teams. As Ad Age honors trailblazers in innovation with the 2026 Tech Power List, reporters and editors share their tips for where AI use can go right and wrong in marketing.

This ICYMI roundup features Tech Reporter Asa Hiken, News Editor E.J. Schultz, Creativity Editor Tim Nudd, Influencer Reporter Gillian Follett and Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse. They offer tips and tricks for topics ranging from consumers' primary AI fears to worst-case brand scenarios and the new talent pipeline conundrum.

Listen to each episode in its entirety:

~Your AI ad playbook: red flags, hard lessons and brand wins, with Asa Hiken

~What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd

~Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli

~'Fruit Love Island' brand lessons: skip this viral trend, with Gillian Follett

~Agency hiring in the AI era: What grads need now, with Lindsay Rittenhouse

]]> 13:30 false bonus 41450980 2026-06-01T00:00:28Z CMO Lessons: Brand trust, creative strategy and agency audits—ICYMI CMO Lessons: Brand trust, creative strategy and agency audits—ICYMI Fri, 22 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 The checklist for effective marketing leadership has grown exponentially more complex—balancing trust and efficiency, growing loyalty in an age of skepticism and ensuring transparent agency relationships. Ad Age reporters share advice on all of these topics, and more, in this special edition of Ad Age Insider, which surfaces critical insights for CMOs across recent episodes.

 

This ICYMI roundup features Creativity Editor Tim Nudd, Reporter Erika Wheless, News Editor E.J. Schultz,  Senior Reporter Brian Bonilla, Reporter Ewan Larkin and Executive Editor Judy Pollack. Together, they make the case for why the power of the idea is more important than ever in an AI-saturated market, what Gen Z brand loyalty actually requires from marketers and what questions every CMO should be asking their agency right now.

 

Listen to each episode in its entirety:

~What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd

~Winning Gen Z brand loyalty—quality, service and community, with Erika Wheless

~Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli

~How to win new business in 2026, with Brian Bonilla

~What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat, with Ewan Larkin

~How to win the Ad Age A-List, with Judann Pollack

]]> The checklist for effective marketing leadership has grown exponentially more complex—balancing trust and efficiency, growing loyalty in an age of skepticism and ensuring transparent agency relationships. Ad Age reporters share advice on all of these topics, and more, in this special edition of Ad Age Insider, which surfaces critical insights for CMOs across recent episodes.

This ICYMI roundup features Creativity Editor Tim Nudd, Reporter Erika Wheless, News Editor E.J. Schultz, Senior Reporter Brian Bonilla, Reporter Ewan Larkin and Executive Editor Judy Pollack. Together, they make the case for why the power of the idea is more important than ever in an AI-saturated market, what Gen Z brand loyalty actually requires from marketers and what questions every CMO should be asking their agency right now.

Listen to each episode in its entirety:

~What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd

~Winning Gen Z brand loyalty—quality, service and community, with Erika Wheless

~Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli

~How to win new business in 2026, with Brian Bonilla

~What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat, with Ewan Larkin

~How to win the Ad Age A-List, with Judann Pollack

]]> 12:15 false bonus 41377960 2026-06-01T00:00:28Z Winning Gen Z brand loyalty—quality, service and community, with Erika Wheless Winning Gen Z brand loyalty—quality, service and community, with Erika Wheless Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Consumer Trends Reporter Erika Wheless discusses the top factors that influence brand loyalty with Gen Z—including product quality, sustainability and customer service. Plus, the brands Gen Z considers luxury from Coach, Louis Vuitton and Gucci to Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, Amazon and Target. She breaks down tactics brands are using to translate product quality into marketing, brand missteps that have been called out by young consumers and tips for building brand loyalty with Gen Z.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The data on how brands can build loyalty with Gen Z

~How brands have successfully implemented product quality messaging

~How rising gas prices are impacting brands

~Get tickets to Ad Age's Small Agency Conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Consumer Trends Reporter Erika Wheless discusses the top factors that influence brand loyalty with Gen Z—including product quality, sustainability and customer service. Plus, the brands Gen Z considers luxury from Coach, Louis Vuitton and Gucci to Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, Amazon and Target. She breaks down tactics brands are using to translate product quality into marketing, brand missteps that have been called out by young consumers and tips for building brand loyalty with Gen Z.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The data on how brands can build loyalty with Gen Z

~How brands have successfully implemented product quality messaging

~How rising gas prices are impacting brands

~Get tickets to Ad Age's Small Agency Conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 29:16 false 34 full Ad Age 41293570 2026-06-01T00:00:28Z Inside the TV upfronts—winners and losers, measurement and AI, with Brandon Doerrer Inside the TV upfronts—winners and losers, measurement and AI, with Brandon Doerrer Fri, 08 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Media Reporter Brandon Doerrer breaks down the trends defining this year's TV upfronts, including top questions to look out for from NBCUniversal, Disney, Amazon, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery and more. He discusses how factors from outcomes-based measurement to agentic AI buying tech and short-form video formats in streaming will play into negotiations. Plus, how CMOs can ensure transparency around principal media buying in dealmaking.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~2026 TV Upfronts calendar

~What agentic AI means for upfront negotiations

~TV measurement changes impacting the upfront

~Magnite's agentic media buying test with Disney

~What to ask about media transparency and the upfront

~Apply for the Ad Age Mid-Size Brand Leaders award

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Media Reporter Brandon Doerrer breaks down the trends defining this year's TV upfronts, including top questions to look out for from NBCUniversal, Disney, Amazon, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery and more. He discusses how factors from outcomes-based measurement to agentic AI buying tech and short-form video formats in streaming will play into negotiations. Plus, how CMOs can ensure transparency around principal media buying in dealmaking.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~2026 TV Upfronts calendar

~What agentic AI means for upfront negotiations

~TV measurement changes impacting the upfront

~Magnite's agentic media buying test with Disney

~What to ask about media transparency and the upfront

~Apply for the Ad Age Mid-Size Brand Leaders award

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 27:40 false 33 full Ad Age 41207580 2026-06-01T00:00:28Z Agency hiring in the AI era: What grads need now, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Agency hiring in the AI era: What grads need now, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse breaks down the complex entry-level job market, with examples of how agency leaders are rethinking junior work as AI automates tasks traditionally done by early-career hires. She digs into what skills recent grads need on their resume right now, the gap employers are finding in formal marketing education and how to stand out as the number of applicants far outweighs opportunities in the current market.

Plus, data that shows why the ad industry isn't struggling as much as Wall Street thinks it is, and how the CEO-CMO relationship has evolved.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~How agencies are reshaping junior-level roles and training in the AI era

~How to land a junior ad agency job—what leaders say works as roles change due to AI

~Listen to Ad Age Insider's 2025 episode on AI and entry-level roles to hear how much has changed

~Get tickets to Ad Age's Small Agency Conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse breaks down the complex entry-level job market, with examples of how agency leaders are rethinking junior work as AI automates tasks traditionally done by early-career hires. She digs into what skills recent grads need on their resume right now, the gap employers are finding in formal marketing education and how to stand out as the number of applicants far outweighs opportunities in the current market.

Plus, data that shows why the ad industry isn't struggling as much as Wall Street thinks it is, and how the CEO-CMO relationship has evolved.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~How agencies are reshaping junior-level roles and training in the AI era

~How to land a junior ad agency job—what leaders say works as roles change due to AI

~Listen to Ad Age Insider's 2025 episode on AI and entry-level roles to hear how much has changed

~Get tickets to Ad Age's Small Agency Conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 26:27 false 32 full Ad Age 41075645 2026-05-01T09:06:39Z What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd What's driving marketing impact: lessons from award-winning campaigns, with Tim Nudd Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Creativity Editor Tim Nudd breaks down trends and lessons from award-winning campaigns for Nike, The New York Times, ChatGPT, Anthropic and more. From comedy's comeback to experimental experiential and a focus on exceptional craft, he reveals what CMOs need to know from the 2026 Ad Age Creativity Awards. And he shares a few close-calls that led to surprising prizes awarded by this year's juries.

Plus, why brands like Ugg, Owala and Claude are gaining equity with Gen Z. And how to win Ad Age's new Mid Size Brand Leaders award.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See Ad Age's 2026 Creativity Award winners

~See Ad Age's 2026 A-List winners

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Creativity Editor Tim Nudd breaks down trends and lessons from award-winning campaigns for Nike, The New York Times, ChatGPT, Anthropic and more. From comedy's comeback to experimental experiential and a focus on exceptional craft, he reveals what CMOs need to know from the 2026 Ad Age Creativity Awards. And he shares a few close-calls that led to surprising prizes awarded by this year's juries.

Plus, why brands like Ugg, Owala and Claude are gaining equity with Gen Z. And how to win Ad Age's new Mid Size Brand Leaders award.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See Ad Age's 2026 Creativity Award winners

~See Ad Age's 2026 A-List winners

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 27:18 false 31 full Ad Age 40990820 2026-05-01T00:00:17Z Testing ChatGPT ads—what brands need to know about AI strategy, with Asa Hiken Testing ChatGPT ads—what brands need to know about AI strategy, with Asa Hiken Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Tech Reporter Asa Hiken gives a vibe check on how advertisers are feeling about OpenAI two months after it launched ads on ChatGPT, and how the AI company is stacking up against competitors Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. Plus, he gives advice for developing a brand AI strategy as products develop, and reacts to a live test of how paid ads may influence organic chat results.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The state of ChatGPT ads post-launch

~Why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout faced challenges

~Lessons from OpenAI sunsetting Sora

~Listen: AI search strategy 101

~Apply for Ad Age's Mid-Size Brand Leaders award

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Tech Reporter Asa Hiken gives a vibe check on how advertisers are feeling about OpenAI two months after it launched ads on ChatGPT, and how the AI company is stacking up against competitors Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. Plus, he gives advice for developing a brand AI strategy as products develop, and reacts to a live test of how paid ads may influence organic chat results.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The state of ChatGPT ads post-launch

~Why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout faced challenges

~Lessons from OpenAI sunsetting Sora

~Listen: AI search strategy 101

~Apply for Ad Age's Mid-Size Brand Leaders award

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 28:13 false 30 full Ad Age 40899790 2026-05-01T00:00:17Z Brand community strategy: turning reach into participation, with Mark Fischer and Sabrina Sanchez Brand community strategy: turning reach into participation, with Mark Fischer and Sabrina Sanchez Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Senior Engagement Editor Mark Fischer interviews Ad Age's communities and Substack strategy leaders Sabrina Sanchez and Parker Herren on how brands are turning consumers into brand builders. Learn how brands are meeting audiences where they are, designing repeatable, low‑lift interactions and choosing platforms that teams can sustain. 

Sanchez and Herren also outline first steps for marketers and agencies: audit existing audiences, prioritize trust and feedback loops, and treat community as a long‑term distribution and relationship strategy.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Subscribe to Ad Age's Substack

~More on Ad Age's The List community

~If you're an early-career professional and want to sign up for Ad Age's NextGen community, send an email to nextgen@adage.com

~Applications for Ad Age's Small Agency Network will reopen this summer. Stay tuned at AdAge.com for more information

~Read Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Playbook

~How brands can help Gen Z find fulfillment beyond curated feeds

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Senior Engagement Editor Mark Fischer interviews Ad Age's communities and Substack strategy leaders Sabrina Sanchez and Parker Herren on how brands are turning consumers into brand builders. Learn how brands are meeting audiences where they are, designing repeatable, low‑lift interactions and choosing platforms that teams can sustain.

Sanchez and Herren also outline first steps for marketers and agencies: audit existing audiences, prioritize trust and feedback loops, and treat community as a long‑term distribution and relationship strategy.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Subscribe to Ad Age's Substack

~More on Ad Age's The List community

~If you're an early-career professional and want to sign up for Ad Age's NextGen community, send an email to nextgen@adage.com

~Applications for Ad Age's Small Agency Network will reopen this summer. Stay tuned at AdAge.com for more information

~Read Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Playbook

~How brands can help Gen Z find fulfillment beyond curated feeds

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 28:24 false 29 full Ad Age 40792310 2026-05-01T00:00:17Z 'Fruit Love Island' brand lessons: skip this viral trend, with Gillian Follett 'Fruit Love Island' brand lessons: skip this viral trend, with Gillian Follett Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Brain rot content has become a staple of virality on TikTok. But brands eager to jump into trending conversations should be wary of "Fruit Love Island" and similar AI-generated posts. Users will be far less kind to corporations than their peers. Influencer and Social Media Marketing Reporter Gillian Follett breaks down the "Fruit Love Island" trend, why it's become so popular and what it reveals about brands on social media. Plus, the shift of content toward entertainment and brands that have successfully tapped into emerging formats.

And, what you need to know about Kristen Cavallo's return to the ad industry as well as CVS Health's creative and media agency reviews.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~What brands need to know about "Fruit Love Island"

~Creator takeaways from this year's NewFronts

~Submit for Ad Age's Small Agency Awards

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Brain rot content has become a staple of virality on TikTok. But brands eager to jump into trending conversations should be wary of "Fruit Love Island" and similar AI-generated posts. Users will be far less kind to corporations than their peers. Influencer and Social Media Marketing Reporter Gillian Follett breaks down the "Fruit Love Island" trend, why it's become so popular and what it reveals about brands on social media. Plus, the shift of content toward entertainment and brands that have successfully tapped into emerging formats.

And, what you need to know about Kristen Cavallo's return to the ad industry as well as CVS Health's creative and media agency reviews.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~What brands need to know about "Fruit Love Island"

~Creator takeaways from this year's NewFronts

~Submit for Ad Age's Small Agency Awards

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 22:45 false 28 full Ad Age 40711150 2026-05-01T00:00:17Z Identity marketing and how beverage brands are winning Gen Z, with Jon Springer Identity marketing and how beverage brands are winning Gen Z, with Jon Springer Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Senior Reporter Jon Springer breaks into the rise of identity marketing, including how soda brands like Poppi, Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke are winning with Gen Z. Plus, how all marketers can incorporate better social listening and fan engagement to turn their branding into cultural currency.

And why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout ad product flopped, and Apple's plans to bring brands to Maps.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Why the drinks people carry matter more to marketers now

~Takeaways from Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Playbook

~Behind the rise of alcoholic sports drinks

~Summer alcohol marketing trends to know

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Senior Reporter Jon Springer breaks into the rise of identity marketing, including how soda brands like Poppi, Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke are winning with Gen Z. Plus, how all marketers can incorporate better social listening and fan engagement to turn their branding into cultural currency.

And why ChatGPT's Instant Checkout ad product flopped, and Apple's plans to bring brands to Maps.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Why the drinks people carry matter more to marketers now

~Takeaways from Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Playbook

~Behind the rise of alcoholic sports drinks

~Summer alcohol marketing trends to know

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 23:15 false 27 full Ad Age 40631850 2026-04-01T00:00:37Z NewFronts 2026 survival guide, with Garett Sloane, Brandon Doerrer and Gillian Follett NewFronts 2026 survival guide, with Garett Sloane, Brandon Doerrer and Gillian Follett Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 As the industry gears up for a week of presentations from YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Tubi and more, Ad Age reporters break down the topics trending at this year's NewFronts, from AI and agentic tools to creator amplification. Hear how to decipher hype from reality, how digital ad dollars are being spent in 2026 and why these presentations matter to the industry.

Plus, why Publicis is calling out the Trade Desk.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~2026 NewFronts trends

~2026 NewFronts calendar

~Inside Q2 media budgets

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> As the industry gears up for a week of presentations from YouTube, Meta, TikTok, Tubi and more, Ad Age reporters break down the topics trending at this year's NewFronts, from AI and agentic tools to creator amplification. Hear how to decipher hype from reality, how digital ad dollars are being spent in 2026 and why these presentations matter to the industry.

Plus, why Publicis is calling out the Trade Desk.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~2026 NewFronts trends

~2026 NewFronts calendar

~Inside Q2 media budgets

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 24:16 false 26 full Ad Age 40549050 2026-04-01T00:00:37Z How to win the Ad Age A-List, with Judann Pollack How to win the Ad Age A-List, with Judann Pollack Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Executive Editor and editorial lead of the Ad Age A-List Judann (Judy) Pollack talks the value of industry awards, and tips for climbing Ad Age's annual list of top agencies. She describes what defines success despite industry challenges, what judges look for in award submissions, the dos and don'ts of a good entry and trends to watch for next year's A-List.

Plus, DraftKings' new creative agencies. And what Milan Cortina Winter Olympics marketers learned about brand safety, and how to apply those lessons to the FIFA World Cup.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See 2026 Ad Age A-List winners

~Attend Ad Age's Editors Roundtable on March 26

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Executive Editor and editorial lead of the Ad Age A-List Judann (Judy) Pollack talks the value of industry awards, and tips for climbing Ad Age's annual list of top agencies. She describes what defines success despite industry challenges, what judges look for in award submissions, the dos and don'ts of a good entry and trends to watch for next year's A-List.

Plus, DraftKings' new creative agencies. And what Milan Cortina Winter Olympics marketers learned about brand safety, and how to apply those lessons to the FIFA World Cup.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~See 2026 Ad Age A-List winners

~Attend Ad Age's Editors Roundtable on March 26

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 25:29 false 25 full Ad Age 40413055 2026-04-01T00:00:37Z How to win new business in 2026, with Brian Bonilla How to win new business in 2026, with Brian Bonilla Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Senior agency reporter Brian Bonilla goes deep on the current new business marketplace, including how government policy, tech and AI innovation and industry consolidation are impacting agency account reviews. Bonilla shares current brand needs, explains how those are different from recent years, and provides tips for brands to get a leg up in pitches. Plus, tips for marketers overwhelmed by the review process.

Plus, the lesson for brands in McDonald's cringe CEO taste test and what ChatGPT's first third-party ad tech partner means for brands.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~What separates agencies winning 2026 reviews

~How agencies are helping clients become more self-sufficient

~Inside agencies' new self-service platforms

~What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat

]]> Senior agency reporter Brian Bonilla goes deep on the current new business marketplace, including how government policy, tech and AI innovation and industry consolidation are impacting agency account reviews. Bonilla shares current brand needs, explains how those are different from recent years, and provides tips for brands to get a leg up in pitches. Plus, tips for marketers overwhelmed by the review process.

Plus, the lesson for brands in McDonald's cringe CEO taste test and what ChatGPT's first third-party ad tech partner means for brands.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~What separates agencies winning 2026 reviews

~How agencies are helping clients become more self-sufficient

~Inside agencies' new self-service platforms

~What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat

]]> 23:29 false 24 full Ad Age 40334435 2026-04-01T00:00:37Z What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat, with Ewan Larkin What are media rebates? Agency transparency in the hot seat, with Ewan Larkin Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Agency reporter Ewan Larkin decodes a recent lawsuit against WPP Media that has made agency transparency the industry's buzziest topic. Larkin defines media rebates and principal media buying, explaining how agencies aggregate billions in client ad budgets to negotiate volume deals with platforms such as Google, Meta and Amazon, and how those arrangements can create conflicts over who benefits from discounted or proprietary inventory. He describes potential red flags in these practices and lists what questions marketers should be asking their agencies to protect their marketing budgets.

Plus, Estée Lauder's media agency shakeup, and a shocking agency executive exit.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside the lawsuit against WPP Media 

~Acadia's CEO on media rebate transparency

~Get tickets to Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Agency reporter Ewan Larkin decodes a recent lawsuit against WPP Media that has made agency transparency the industry's buzziest topic. Larkin defines media rebates and principal media buying, explaining how agencies aggregate billions in client ad budgets to negotiate volume deals with platforms such as Google, Meta and Amazon, and how those arrangements can create conflicts over who benefits from discounted or proprietary inventory. He describes potential red flags in these practices and lists what questions marketers should be asking their agencies to protect their marketing budgets.

Plus, Estée Lauder's media agency shakeup, and a shocking agency executive exit.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside the lawsuit against WPP Media

~Acadia's CEO on media rebate transparency

~Get tickets to Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 25:16 false 23 full Ad Age 40244305 2026-03-01T00:00:44Z Your AI ad playbook: red flags, hard lessons and brand wins, with Asa Hiken Your AI ad playbook: red flags, hard lessons and brand wins, with Asa Hiken Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Ad Age Tech Reporter Asa Hiken chronicles the evolution of generative AI use in major brands' advertising, the common mistakes that upset viewers and the checklist every marketer needs to know if they plan to scale generative AI use. 

Plus, why agencies are rushing to get their clients on ChatGPT, including the benefits they predict will come from being a first mover. And Raymour & Flanigan's new media agency.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Subscribe to Ad Age's Emerging Tech newsletter

~See AI generated work from Coca-Cola, Google, Progressive, Svedka, McDonald's and Kalshi

~Register for Ad Age's AI-focused Editor's Roundtable

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Ad Age Tech Reporter Asa Hiken chronicles the evolution of generative AI use in major brands' advertising, the common mistakes that upset viewers and the checklist every marketer needs to know if they plan to scale generative AI use.

Plus, why agencies are rushing to get their clients on ChatGPT, including the benefits they predict will come from being a first mover. And Raymour & Flanigan's new media agency.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Subscribe to Ad Age's Emerging Tech newsletter

~See AI generated work from Coca-Cola, Google, Progressive, Svedka, McDonald's and Kalshi

~Register for Ad Age's AI-focused Editor's Roundtable

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 27:02 false 22 full Ad Age 40163605 2026-03-01T00:00:44Z Your 2027 Super Bowl strategy starts here: Big Game takeaways from Ad Age reporters Your 2027 Super Bowl strategy starts here: Big Game takeaways from Ad Age reporters Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Ad Age reporters and editors share their top Super Bowl takeaways that indicate elements of winning Big-Game strategies. From the downfall of celebrity slop to the best uses of social media and the risks brands take when they play it safe, take notes on what hit and missed last Sunday so that your brand can get ahead on its 2027 plan. 

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Ad Age's Super Bowl ad review

~How brands plan for the Monday after the Super Bowl

~Agency winners from Super Bowl LX

~Ad Age's Super Bowl diversity report

~Super Bowl advertisers fall behind on Hispanic representation

]]> Ad Age reporters and editors share their top Super Bowl takeaways that indicate elements of winning Big-Game strategies. From the downfall of celebrity slop to the best uses of social media and the risks brands take when they play it safe, take notes on what hit and missed last Sunday so that your brand can get ahead on its 2027 plan.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Ad Age's Super Bowl ad review

~How brands plan for the Monday after the Super Bowl

~Agency winners from Super Bowl LX

~Ad Age's Super Bowl diversity report

~Super Bowl advertisers fall behind on Hispanic representation

]]> 27:56 false 21 full Ad Age 40090905 2026-03-01T00:00:44Z The Super Bowl ad formula and Olympics marketing trends, with Tim Nudd and Jon Springer The Super Bowl ad formula and Olympics marketing trends, with Tim Nudd and Jon Springer Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000 The countdown to Super Bowl Sunday is on. Creativity Editor Tim Nudd and Senior Marketing Reporter Jon Springer discuss the formula for a timeless Super Bowl ad, how marketers are approaching televised events amid political and cultural upheaval, emerging trends across Olympics and Big Game campaigns and whether AI slop has infiltrated the industry's biggest night.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Track all of this year's Super Bowl ads

~Watch Olympics ads from Visa and Hershey's

~Watch Super Bowl ads from Grubhub, Squarespace, Instacart, Budweiser, Bud Light, Pringles and Svedka 

~Throwback to sports marketing work from P&G, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Nike, Tide, Coinbase, CeraVe, E-Trade, Budweiser and Coors Light

~How advertisers are handling political upheaval at the Super Bowl 

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> The countdown to Super Bowl Sunday is on. Creativity Editor Tim Nudd and Senior Marketing Reporter Jon Springer discuss the formula for a timeless Super Bowl ad, how marketers are approaching televised events amid political and cultural upheaval, emerging trends across Olympics and Big Game campaigns and whether AI slop has infiltrated the industry's biggest night.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Track all of this year's Super Bowl ads

~Watch Olympics ads from Visa and Hershey's

~Watch Super Bowl ads from Grubhub, Squarespace, Instacart, Budweiser, Bud Light, Pringles and Svedka

~Throwback to sports marketing work from P&G, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Nike, Tide, Coinbase, CeraVe, E-Trade, Budweiser and Coors Light

~How advertisers are handling political upheaval at the Super Bowl

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 26:59 false 20 full Ad Age 40008885 2026-06-01T16:34:17Z Going viral in 2026: strategy, subcultures and engagement, with Gillian Follett Going viral in 2026: strategy, subcultures and engagement, with Gillian Follett Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Ad Age's Gillian Follett redefines going viral for 2026, from how to pivot marketing strategies to the new metrics measuring social media success and emerging platforms brands should dig into. Plus, how to win with subcultures, manage fractured virality and avoid cringe.

And the chaos behind the scenes of TikTok's ownership transition, why auto brands are skipping the Super Bowl and Home Depot's agency shakeup.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Universal viral moments are over—what brands need to know

~Inside social trends: Jet2 holiday, 2016 throwback, Brat Summer, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

~Lessons from Taylor Swift's viral engagement

~Buy tickets for the Ad Age NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Ad Age's Gillian Follett redefines going viral for 2026, from how to pivot marketing strategies to the new metrics measuring social media success and emerging platforms brands should dig into. Plus, how to win with subcultures, manage fractured virality and avoid cringe.

And the chaos behind the scenes of TikTok's ownership transition, why auto brands are skipping the Super Bowl and Home Depot's agency shakeup.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Universal viral moments are over—what brands need to know

~Inside social trends: Jet2 holiday, 2016 throwback, Brat Summer, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

~Lessons from Taylor Swift's viral engagement

~Buy tickets for the Ad Age NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 26:29 false 19 full Ad Age 39926785 2026-02-01T00:00:33Z Microdramas and ad strategy: Lessons from long-form brand storytelling, with Brandon Doerrer Microdramas and ad strategy: Lessons from long-form brand storytelling, with Brandon Doerrer Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Creativity and media innovation reporter Brandon Doerrer breaks down the recent surge of long-form marketing and how brands are tapping into the microdrama surge. From measurement and performance, to platform strategy and this see-what-sticks mentality, learn what branded entertainment means for media strategy, and takeaways for marketers, even if they don't have a Hollywood budget.

Also, OpenAI has begun testing ads in ChatGPT. Hear Ad Age's reporting on how much it costs to be first to market and strategy takeaways. Plus, how to win the Gen Z 2016 social trend.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside brands' long-form ad experimentation

~Watch long-form work from Maybelline, Gushers and Doritos

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> Creativity and media innovation reporter Brandon Doerrer breaks down the recent surge of long-form marketing and how brands are tapping into the microdrama surge. From measurement and performance, to platform strategy and this see-what-sticks mentality, learn what branded entertainment means for media strategy, and takeaways for marketers, even if they don't have a Hollywood budget.

Also, OpenAI has begun testing ads in ChatGPT. Hear Ad Age's reporting on how much it costs to be first to market and strategy takeaways. Plus, how to win the Gen Z 2016 social trend.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside brands' long-form ad experimentation

~Watch long-form work from Maybelline, Gushers and Doritos

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 24:15 false 18 full Ad Age 39827475 2026-02-01T00:00:33Z Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli Decoding 2026 hype vs. reality for marketers, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 After attending CES and NRF's Big Show, Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli decipher what industry leaders are saying on stages versus the anxieties they face as the CMO role continues to fundamentally change. From the increasing complexity of AI innovation to how agencies are struggling to differentiate innovation and consumers' hunger for simplicity, hear how 2026 predictions are actually taking shape.

Also, what Google's new agentic commerce framework means for brands and lessons on how to get the most out of TikTok Shop.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Top marketing takeaways from CES 2026

~Trending topics at NRF's Big Show 2026

~5 tips for selling on TikTok Shop

~Track 2026 Super Bowl ads

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> After attending CES and NRF's Big Show, Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli decipher what industry leaders are saying on stages versus the anxieties they face as the CMO role continues to fundamentally change. From the increasing complexity of AI innovation to how agencies are struggling to differentiate innovation and consumers' hunger for simplicity, hear how 2026 predictions are actually taking shape.

Also, what Google's new agentic commerce framework means for brands and lessons on how to get the most out of TikTok Shop.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Top marketing takeaways from CES 2026

~Trending topics at NRF's Big Show 2026

~5 tips for selling on TikTok Shop

~Track 2026 Super Bowl ads

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

]]> 27:18 false 17 full Ad Age 39749335 2026-02-01T00:00:33Z 2026 marketing predictions: Ad Age reporters on industry trends and pivots 2026 marketing predictions: Ad Age reporters on industry trends and pivots Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000 On Ad Age Insider's first episode of 2026, reporters from across the Ad Age newsroom share the most and least surprising takes from their predictions reporting, and what it all means for the industry. From how changes in the media landscape might impact brands' agency rosters to how consumer crazes around protein and weight loss drugs will influence marketing trends and plenty of AI, hear how this year's trending topics will impact your work and the industry.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Media buying and strategy predictions

~100 creativity predictions

~2026 influencer marketing shifts

~AI marketing predictions for 2026

~100 ad leaders predict 2026 marketing trends

~Food and beverage marketing trends to watch

~The future of retail in 2026

~Enter Ad Age's 2026 Tech Power List

~Listen to the Ad Age Marketer's Brief

]]> On Ad Age Insider's first episode of 2026, reporters from across the Ad Age newsroom share the most and least surprising takes from their predictions reporting, and what it all means for the industry. From how changes in the media landscape might impact brands' agency rosters to how consumer crazes around protein and weight loss drugs will influence marketing trends and plenty of AI, hear how this year's trending topics will impact your work and the industry.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Media buying and strategy predictions

~100 creativity predictions

~2026 influencer marketing shifts

~AI marketing predictions for 2026

~100 ad leaders predict 2026 marketing trends

~Food and beverage marketing trends to watch

~The future of retail in 2026

~Enter Ad Age's 2026 Tech Power List

~Listen to the Ad Age Marketer's Brief

]]> 22:17 false 16 full Ad Age 39660910 2026-02-01T00:00:33Z Laid off from an agency? What to do now and next, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Laid off from an agency? What to do now and next, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse breaks down ad industry instability and why agencies are undergoing heavy waves of layoffs, including from the recent Omnicom acquisition of IPG. She provides guidance on what to do when impacted by agency layoffs, how to prepare for the sparse job market and when to consider alternative job paths.

Plus, the campaign Ad Age readers voted the best of 2025 versus creativity editor Tim Nudd's top picks from the year.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~What to know if you've been laid off

~The latest industry employment stats

~Listen: Why the Omnicom-IPG deal matters for all advertisers

~Agency layoff warning signs

~How agencies are changing their strategies for the AI era

~How AI is changing ad jobs

~Listen: the state of entry-level ad careers

]]> Senior Agency Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse breaks down ad industry instability and why agencies are undergoing heavy waves of layoffs, including from the recent Omnicom acquisition of IPG. She provides guidance on what to do when impacted by agency layoffs, how to prepare for the sparse job market and when to consider alternative job paths.

Plus, the campaign Ad Age readers voted the best of 2025 versus creativity editor Tim Nudd's top picks from the year.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~What to know if you've been laid off

~The latest industry employment stats

~Listen: Why the Omnicom-IPG deal matters for all advertisers

~Agency layoff warning signs

~How agencies are changing their strategies for the AI era

~How AI is changing ad jobs

~Listen: the state of entry-level ad careers

]]> 22:39 false 15 full Ad Age 39442475 2026-01-01T00:00:49Z How to win Marketer of the Year, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli How to win Marketer of the Year, with E.J. Schultz and Adrianne Pasquarelli Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli go behind the scenes of Ad Age's annual Marketer of the Year list. They share tips on how brands can increase their odds for next year's competition as well as a rundown of takeaways from this year's group of brands that might be useful for your 2026 marketing strategy.

Plus, a look inside the Kansas City Chiefs' play to become the top Christmas NFL team, with key strategy takeaways from CMO Lara Krug. And the latest on Warner Bros. Discovery's sale saga.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Garage Beer is Ad Age's 2025 Marketer of the Year

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

~Vote for 2025's biggest brand fail

~Vote for the best ad campaign of 2025

~Share your 2026 ad industry predictions with Ad Age

]]> Ad Age News Editor E.J. Schultz and Senior Marketing Reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli go behind the scenes of Ad Age's annual Marketer of the Year list. They share tips on how brands can increase their odds for next year's competition as well as a rundown of takeaways from this year's group of brands that might be useful for your 2026 marketing strategy.

Plus, a look inside the Kansas City Chiefs' play to become the top Christmas NFL team, with key strategy takeaways from CMO Lara Krug. And the latest on Warner Bros. Discovery's sale saga.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Garage Beer is Ad Age's 2025 Marketer of the Year

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

~Vote for 2025's biggest brand fail

~Vote for the best ad campaign of 2025

~Share your 2026 ad industry predictions with Ad Age

]]> 25:14 false 14 full Ad Age 39372030 2026-01-01T00:00:49Z Omnicom-IPG deal: industry ripple effects, with Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Omnicom-IPG deal: industry ripple effects, with Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin dig into Omnicom's acquisition of IPG, and its impact for the advertising industry beyond just agency holding companies. They break down how independent agencies can win, what the deal means for the hold-co hierarchy and key factors to track as the industry's future structure takes shape.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Watch Brian and Ewan's day-one Omnicom takes on Breaking & Entering

~Everything to know about the Omnicom-IPG deal

~Inside Omnicom's new structure

~Top execs to know at new Omnicom

~Omnicom & IPG's joint Kenvue pitch

~The details on Havas and Horizon's joint venture

~Wpromote acquires Giant Spoon

~Inside Just Born's account review

~Recapping Publicis' acquisitions of Captiv8 and Influential

~Rewind: the failed Omnicom-Publicis merger

]]> Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin dig into Omnicom's acquisition of IPG, and its impact for the advertising industry beyond just agency holding companies. They break down how independent agencies can win, what the deal means for the hold-co hierarchy and key factors to track as the industry's future structure takes shape.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Watch Brian and Ewan's day-one Omnicom takes on Breaking & Entering

~Everything to know about the Omnicom-IPG deal

~Inside Omnicom's new structure

~Top execs to know at new Omnicom

~Omnicom & IPG's joint Kenvue pitch

~The details on Havas and Horizon's joint venture

~Wpromote acquires Giant Spoon

~Inside Just Born's account review

~Recapping Publicis' acquisitions of Captiv8 and Influential

~Rewind: the failed Omnicom-Publicis merger

]]> 27:49 false 13 full Ad Age 39273730 2026-01-01T00:00:49Z AI in 2026: What's hype vs. what's real, with Garett Sloane AI in 2026: What's hype vs. what's real, with Garett Sloane Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Ad Age Chief Technology Reporter Garett Sloane discusses how to separate artificial intelligence noise from real utility, the state of chatbot shopping, AI brand readiness and tools marketers are creating to better their businesses.

Plus, put your tech knowledge to the test. In this week's episode, take Ad Age Insider's AI readiness quiz for marketers. Or dig deeper with additional questions here.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~All your AI Qs answered in Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook

~The state of AI commerce

~Inside Lavazza's AI persona that says no

~How Amazon is testing ads in Rufus

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

]]> Ad Age Chief Technology Reporter Garett Sloane discusses how to separate artificial intelligence noise from real utility, the state of chatbot shopping, AI brand readiness and tools marketers are creating to better their businesses.

Plus, put your tech knowledge to the test. In this week's episode, take Ad Age Insider's AI readiness quiz for marketers. Or dig deeper with additional questions here.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~All your AI Qs answered in Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook

~The state of AI commerce

~Inside Lavazza's AI persona that says no

~How Amazon is testing ads in Rufus

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

]]> 25:06 false 12 full Ad Age 39112650 2025-12-01T00:01:07Z Starbucks' Bearista cup and viral drop strategy, with Gillian Follett Starbucks' Bearista cup and viral drop strategy, with Gillian Follett Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Ad Age reporter Gillian Follett breaks down why brands are leaning into the limited-edition strategy, the elements of a successful product drop strategy and more holiday social media trends.

Plus, what Unilever's big bet on influencer marketing means for the industry, and the details on Peeps, Mike and Ike's and Hot Tamales' new ad agency.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Dig deeper into Starbucks' Bearista cup strategy

~Catch up on little treat culture and the trinket craze

~Watch holiday ads from Disney, Amazon and Brach's

~Dive into Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook package

~Listen to this week's Marketer's Brief episode

]]> Ad Age reporter Gillian Follett breaks down why brands are leaning into the limited-edition strategy, the elements of a successful product drop strategy and more holiday social media trends.

Plus, what Unilever's big bet on influencer marketing means for the industry, and the details on Peeps, Mike and Ike's and Hot Tamales' new ad agency.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Dig deeper into Starbucks' Bearista cup strategy

~Catch up on little treat culture and the trinket craze

~Watch holiday ads from Disney, Amazon and Brach's

~Dive into Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook package

~Listen to this week's Marketer's Brief episode

]]> 23:13 false 11 full Ad Age 39023305 2025-12-01T00:01:07Z AI and entry-level ad roles—how marketers, educators and junior talent are adapting, with Lindsay Rittenhouse AI and entry-level ad roles—how marketers, educators and junior talent are adapting, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Ad Age Senior Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse explains how AI is automating work typically done by entry-level talent, and how marketers and educators are responding by training students and junior staff to use the technology themselves. Plus, what early career professionals can do to increase employment prospects in a difficult job market. 

Plus, Omnicom and IPG's joint pitch for health care giant Kenvue acts as a test for success of the mega-merger, but it may be riddled with complications. And, why Anomaly Co-Founder Jason DeLand decided to depart the agency. 

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~ Inside Kimberly-Clark's bid to buy Kenvue for $40 billion

~ How production companies are coming to terms with AI 

~ Vote for the 2025 Ad Age Marketer of the Year

]]> Ad Age Senior Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse explains how AI is automating work typically done by entry-level talent, and how marketers and educators are responding by training students and junior staff to use the technology themselves. Plus, what early career professionals can do to increase employment prospects in a difficult job market.

Plus, Omnicom and IPG's joint pitch for health care giant Kenvue acts as a test for success of the mega-merger, but it may be riddled with complications. And, why Anomaly Co-Founder Jason DeLand decided to depart the agency.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~ Inside Kimberly-Clark's bid to buy Kenvue for $40 billion

~ How production companies are coming to terms with AI

~ Vote for the 2025 Ad Age Marketer of the Year

]]> 22:59 false 10 full Ad Age 38942805 2025-12-01T00:01:07Z Can RFK Jr. ban pharma ads? What it means for marketers, with Jack Neff Can RFK Jr. ban pharma ads? What it means for marketers, with Jack Neff Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age Editor-at-Large Jack Neff explains why pharma ads can't be banned, and how the Trump administration is cracking down on marketers. Plus, what stricter regulation would mean for creatives and how a ban would impact media channels including linear TV and social media.

And, inside the financial crisis at experiential agency Verb. Read more on how the surging shop grew too fast. Also, the NFL's CMO stood up to criticism of Bad Bunny's 2026 halftime show. See his callout on critics. 

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The state of the pharmaceutical ad crackdown

~Listen to the data on U.S. Hispanic consumer trends

~Listen to Blumhouse's CMO talk horror marketing

]]> Ad Age Editor-at-Large Jack Neff explains why pharma ads can't be banned, and how the Trump administration is cracking down on marketers. Plus, what stricter regulation would mean for creatives and how a ban would impact media channels including linear TV and social media.

And, inside the financial crisis at experiential agency Verb. Read more on how the surging shop grew too fast. Also, the NFL's CMO stood up to criticism of Bad Bunny's 2026 halftime show. See his callout on critics.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The state of the pharmaceutical ad crackdown

~Listen to the data on U.S. Hispanic consumer trends

~Listen to Blumhouse's CMO talk horror marketing

]]> 24:48 false 9 full Ad Age 38850975 2025-11-01T00:00:33Z Best Halloween ads 2025, with Tim Nudd Best Halloween ads 2025, with Tim Nudd Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age creativity editor Tim Nudd crowns the top spooky season marketing campaigns in the first-ever Halloween Marketing Awards. He also digs into the trends behind October's best work, including why brands are bringing energy previously reserved for April Fools' Day to the season of the witch.

Plus, Ad Legends is a new agency offering brands access to AI replicas of industry legends. The offering is meant to allow marketers access top-tier creative ideas without having to hire an agency. It also offers agencies the ability to replicate their own talent for internal use.

Read more about the 2025 Halloween Marketing Awards winners:

~Six Flags, "Come Out and Play"

~Disney+, "EDGEOFYØR Seat"

~Capri Sun, "Trick & Treat Pouches"

~Skittles, "Ghost Roommate"

~Gushers, "Fruithead"

Dig deeper into additional stories mentioned in this week's episode:

~Burger King's 2017 "Scary Clown Night"

~Columbia Sportswear's Grim Reaper social takeover and Mini's Waymo disguise

~Yahoo's terrifying "Reply All" short

~Skittles' ghoulish TikTok series

~Airheads' unsettling robot trick-or-treater

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

]]> Ad Age creativity editor Tim Nudd crowns the top spooky season marketing campaigns in the first-ever Halloween Marketing Awards. He also digs into the trends behind October's best work, including why brands are bringing energy previously reserved for April Fools' Day to the season of the witch.

Plus, Ad Legends is a new agency offering brands access to AI replicas of industry legends. The offering is meant to allow marketers access top-tier creative ideas without having to hire an agency. It also offers agencies the ability to replicate their own talent for internal use.

Read more about the 2025 Halloween Marketing Awards winners:

~Six Flags, "Come Out and Play"

~Disney+, "EDGEOFYØR Seat"

~Capri Sun, "Trick & Treat Pouches"

~Skittles, "Ghost Roommate"

~Gushers, "Fruithead"

Dig deeper into additional stories mentioned in this week's episode:

~Burger King's 2017 "Scary Clown Night"

~Columbia Sportswear's Grim Reaper social takeover and Mini's Waymo disguise

~Yahoo's terrifying "Reply All" short

~Skittles' ghoulish TikTok series

~Airheads' unsettling robot trick-or-treater

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

]]> 25:07 false 8 full Ad Age 38758735 2025-11-01T00:00:33Z Social bots and brand crises—how to fight fake accounts, with Erika Wheless Social bots and brand crises—how to fight fake accounts, with Erika Wheless Fri, 17 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age marketing reporter Erika Wheless describes the growth of AI-generated bot networks that fuel large percentages of current brand controversies. In the episode, Wheless breaks down how to identify fake social media accounts, tools brands can use to measure bot impact and how to prepare for potential fake outrage.

Plus, Ad Age's 2025 Brand Report breaks down the numbers behind the world's largest advertisers. And TikTok is making aggressive pushes to up ad commitments, despite uncertainty over the platform's future with the Trump administration's planned spin-off.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside the social media bot crisis

~Listen to marketing takeaways from American Eagle and Cracker Barrel's recent controversies

~What Elf Cosmetics got wrong with its comedian collab

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

]]> Ad Age marketing reporter Erika Wheless describes the growth of AI-generated bot networks that fuel large percentages of current brand controversies. In the episode, Wheless breaks down how to identify fake social media accounts, tools brands can use to measure bot impact and how to prepare for potential fake outrage.

Plus, Ad Age's 2025 Brand Report breaks down the numbers behind the world's largest advertisers. And TikTok is making aggressive pushes to up ad commitments, despite uncertainty over the platform's future with the Trump administration's planned spin-off.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside the social media bot crisis

~Listen to marketing takeaways from American Eagle and Cracker Barrel's recent controversies

~What Elf Cosmetics got wrong with its comedian collab

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

]]> 24:30 false 7 full Ad Age 38609710 2025-11-01T00:00:33Z Bad Bunny and brands: Hispanic engagement lessons, with Adrianne Pasquarelli Bad Bunny and brands: Hispanic engagement lessons, with Adrianne Pasquarelli Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age senior marketing reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli breaks down takeaways from the controversy surrounding the NFL's Bad Bunny pick for 2026's Super Bowl Halftime Show. Listen to hear data on U.S. Hispanic spending, best practices for building loyalty with multicultural audiences and how brands can prepare for political pushback.

Plus, Domino's debuted new branding for the first time in 13 years, including a jingle by Shaboozey. And Hennessy launched a new partnership with LeBron James that took a risk with the athlete's fans.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~How to build loyalty with Hispanic consumers

~Papa Johns seeks a new creative agency

~Read Ad Age's coverage of Advertising Week New York

~Submit entries for Ad Age's 2026 A-List and Creativity Awards

~Buy tickets for the Ad Age AI Marketing Playbook

~Listen to Meta's CMO on Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

]]> Ad Age senior marketing reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli breaks down takeaways from the controversy surrounding the NFL's Bad Bunny pick for 2026's Super Bowl Halftime Show. Listen to hear data on U.S. Hispanic spending, best practices for building loyalty with multicultural audiences and how brands can prepare for political pushback.

Plus, Domino's debuted new branding for the first time in 13 years, including a jingle by Shaboozey. And Hennessy launched a new partnership with LeBron James that took a risk with the athlete's fans.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~How to build loyalty with Hispanic consumers

~Papa Johns seeks a new creative agency

~Read Ad Age's coverage of Advertising Week New York

~Submit entries for Ad Age's 2026 A-List and Creativity Awards

~Buy tickets for the Ad Age AI Marketing Playbook

~Listen to Meta's CMO on Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

]]> 21:39 false 6 full Ad Age 38529915 2025-11-01T00:00:33Z Agencies under pressure—who survives, who shifts: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Agencies under pressure—who survives, who shifts: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age reporters go deep on the future of marketing agencies, from consolidation to AI in-housing. Listen to hear more on the potential demise of mid-size agencies, resurgence of social media agencies of record and transformation of capabilities, plus what industry leaders need to know to start strategizing now.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~2030 readiness checklist

~How to incorporate AI into your work

~The future of social media and influencer

~How AI is changing the RFP process

]]> Ad Age reporters go deep on the future of marketing agencies, from consolidation to AI in-housing. Listen to hear more on the potential demise of mid-size agencies, resurgence of social media agencies of record and transformation of capabilities, plus what industry leaders need to know to start strategizing now.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~2030 readiness checklist

~How to incorporate AI into your work

~The future of social media and influencer

~How AI is changing the RFP process

]]> 14:45 false bonus Ad Age 38428790 2025-11-01T00:00:33Z Loyalty, influencers and consumers: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Loyalty, influencers and consumers: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age reporters break down the transformation of consumer behavior that will impact marketing strategies over the next five years, and how brands can begin preparing now. From changing demographics to revamped loyalty programs and the role of the Super Bowl in 2030, listen for insights into how consumers will interact with brands in 2030.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~The CMO job in 2030

~Loyalty and shopping in 2030

~How AI is changing the RFP process

~Will the Super Bowl still matter in 2030?

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~The future of social media and influencer

]]> Ad Age reporters break down the transformation of consumer behavior that will impact marketing strategies over the next five years, and how brands can begin preparing now. From changing demographics to revamped loyalty programs and the role of the Super Bowl in 2030, listen for insights into how consumers will interact with brands in 2030.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~The CMO job in 2030

~Loyalty and shopping in 2030

~How AI is changing the RFP process

~Will the Super Bowl still matter in 2030?

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~The future of social media and influencer

]]> 15:10 false bonus Ad Age 38392415 2025-10-01T00:00:38Z Future-proof your marketing career: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Future-proof your marketing career: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age reporters dig into the evolution of skills needed to climb the ad industry ladder amid industry transformation. From the new responsibilities CMOs will take on as AI automates other C-suite roles to how entry-level marketers should differentiate their expertise, listen to hear insights that will inform your career path strategy.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements. Through Sept. 26, get the best deal yet on an Ad Age All Access subscription.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~The CMO job in 2030

~The evolution of entry-level skillsets

~How to incorporate AI into your work

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~2030 readiness checklist

~The future of creativity

]]> Ad Age reporters dig into the evolution of skills needed to climb the ad industry ladder amid industry transformation. From the new responsibilities CMOs will take on as AI automates other C-suite roles to how entry-level marketers should differentiate their expertise, listen to hear insights that will inform your career path strategy.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements. Through Sept. 26, get the best deal yet on an Ad Age All Access subscription.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~The CMO job in 2030

~The evolution of entry-level skillsets

~How to incorporate AI into your work

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~2030 readiness checklist

~The future of creativity

]]> 12:49 false bonus Ad Age 38353140 2025-10-01T00:00:38Z How tech will reshape marketing: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 How tech will reshape marketing: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age reporters discuss AI, and the industry transformation being caused by emerging technology. From influencer clones and shopping agents to contract terms and ad tech tools, listen to hear how marketers can strategize for the industry's AI future.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements. Through September 26, get the best deal yet on an Ad Age All Access subscription.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~How AI will impact creativity

~Building a 2030-ready tech stack

~The changing role of agencies in the AI future

~5 things to do to get ready for 2030

~The future of social media and influencer

~How shopping will be different in 2030

]]> Ad Age reporters discuss AI, and the industry transformation being caused by emerging technology. From influencer clones and shopping agents to contract terms and ad tech tools, listen to hear how marketers can strategize for the industry's AI future.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements. Through September 26, get the best deal yet on an Ad Age All Access subscription.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~How AI will impact creativity

~Building a 2030-ready tech stack

~The changing role of agencies in the AI future

~5 things to do to get ready for 2030

~The future of social media and influencer

~How shopping will be different in 2030

]]> 13:50 false bonus Ad Age 38311650 2025-10-01T00:00:38Z How tech will reshape marketing: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 How tech will reshape marketing: Ad Age Future of Advertising 2030 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age reporters discuss AI, and the industry transformation being caused by emerging technology. From influencer clones and shopping agents to contract terms and ad tech tools, listen to hear how marketers can strategize for the industry's AI future.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements. Through September 26, get the best deal yet on an Ad Age All Access subscription.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~How AI will impact creativity

~Building a 2030-ready tech stack

~The changing role of agencies in the AI future

~5 things to do to get ready for 2030

~The future of social media and influencer

~How shopping will be different in 2030

]]> Ad Age reporters discuss AI, and the industry transformation being caused by emerging technology. From influencer clones and shopping agents to contract terms and ad tech tools, listen to hear how marketers can strategize for the industry's AI future.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements. Through September 26, get the best deal yet on an Ad Age All Access subscription.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~How AI will impact creativity

~Building a 2030-ready tech stack

~The changing role of agencies in the AI future

~5 things to do to get ready for 2030

~The future of social media and influencer

~How shopping will be different in 2030

]]> 13:50 false bonus Ad Age 38311655 2025-10-01T00:00:38Z AI search ads 101—everything marketers need to know, with Asa Hiken AI search ads 101—everything marketers need to know, with Asa Hiken Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age technology reporter Asa Hiken breaks down the state of AI search advertising, what ads on ChatGPT may look like, how much they'll cost and the different approaches companies including OpenAI, Google, Meta and Perplexity are taking. Plus, how marketers can strategize for consumers' changing AI habits.

YouTube announced new ad tools that will give creators more power to curate sponsorships across their content libraries. Read how YouTubers are becoming more like traditional media networks. And a tax change set for 2026 threatens the future of free agency food. Get the info on how lunches might become the next differentiator for recruiting talent.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Everything to know about AI search ads

~Inside Perplexity's ad test

~Answer engine optimization tips

~Listen to Grillo's CMO on the importance of experiential activations

]]> Ad Age technology reporter Asa Hiken breaks down the state of AI search advertising, what ads on ChatGPT may look like, how much they'll cost and the different approaches companies including OpenAI, Google, Meta and Perplexity are taking. Plus, how marketers can strategize for consumers' changing AI habits.

YouTube announced new ad tools that will give creators more power to curate sponsorships across their content libraries. Read how YouTubers are becoming more like traditional media networks. And a tax change set for 2026 threatens the future of free agency food. Get the info on how lunches might become the next differentiator for recruiting talent.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Everything to know about AI search ads

~Inside Perplexity's ad test

~Answer engine optimization tips

~Listen to Grillo's CMO on the importance of experiential activations

]]> 25:17 false 5 full Ad Age 38270130 2025-10-01T00:00:38Z Inside agency hold co power dynamics, with Ewan Larkin Inside agency hold co power dynamics, with Ewan Larkin Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age agency reporter Ewan Larkin demystifies the changing power dynamics at agency holding companies such as WPP, Publicis and Omnicom. Global account leads are becoming more important to agency growth, changing the position of regional and agency brand CEOs.

Plus, Netflix announced it would make ad inventory available through Amazon's DSP. The partnership is a milestone in both companies' ad journeys—read more on the implications. And Goodby Silverstein & Partners named Sarah Thompson as its first-ever CEO. Go inside the reasons why.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The meaning of agency holding companies' changing power dynamics

~Dentsu's strategy to stand out amid industry M&A

~Behind the scenes of the updated "How Many Licks" campaign

~Listen to Little Caesar's CMO talk sports marketing strategy

]]> Ad Age agency reporter Ewan Larkin demystifies the changing power dynamics at agency holding companies such as WPP, Publicis and Omnicom. Global account leads are becoming more important to agency growth, changing the position of regional and agency brand CEOs.

Plus, Netflix announced it would make ad inventory available through Amazon's DSP. The partnership is a milestone in both companies' ad journeys—read more on the implications. And Goodby Silverstein & Partners named Sarah Thompson as its first-ever CEO. Go inside the reasons why.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The meaning of agency holding companies' changing power dynamics

~Dentsu's strategy to stand out amid industry M&A

~Behind the scenes of the updated "How Many Licks" campaign

~Listen to Little Caesar's CMO talk sports marketing strategy

]]> 22:16 false 4 full Ad Age 38179340 2025-10-01T00:00:38Z Firing your ad agency? Try marriage counseling first, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Firing your ad agency? Try marriage counseling first, with Lindsay Rittenhouse Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age senior agency reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse goes inside the growing trend of brand-agency marriage counseling. Rather than jumping straight into a costly and time-intensive agency review, consultancies are increasingly suggesting services that evaluate the existing relationship, and potentially improve both the agency and brand's practices.

Plus, Group Black is changing its name to Portrait Media Group. In an exclusive interview with Ad Age, co-founder Bonin Bough explained the reason as well as the company's future path. And one change for future CMOs is the rise of test-running roles before committing full-time. Read more on how to get noticed for interim marketing positions.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside brand-agency marriage counselling

~The stats on client-agency tenure

~Google won't be forced to sell Chrome

~What Kraft Heinz's reorganization means for its future

~Keep up with the latest account reviews

~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference

~Listen to Manscaped's CMO talk unconventional media strategies

]]> Ad Age senior agency reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse goes inside the growing trend of brand-agency marriage counseling. Rather than jumping straight into a costly and time-intensive agency review, consultancies are increasingly suggesting services that evaluate the existing relationship, and potentially improve both the agency and brand's practices.

Plus, Group Black is changing its name to Portrait Media Group. In an exclusive interview with Ad Age, co-founder Bonin Bough explained the reason as well as the company's future path. And one change for future CMOs is the rise of test-running roles before committing full-time. Read more on how to get noticed for interim marketing positions.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside brand-agency marriage counselling

~The stats on client-agency tenure

~Google won't be forced to sell Chrome

~What Kraft Heinz's reorganization means for its future

~Keep up with the latest account reviews

~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference

~Listen to Manscaped's CMO talk unconventional media strategies

]]> 21:23 false 3 full Ad Age 38089910 2025-10-01T00:00:38Z Cracker Barrel, American Eagle and surviving social uproar, with Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett Cracker Barrel, American Eagle and surviving social uproar, with Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett Fri, 29 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age reporters Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett break down the brand lessons from the recent Cracker Barrel and American Eagle dramas: How can marketers better prepare for social pushback, what to know about official brand responses and how the brand-consumer relationship is changing on social media.

Plus, AI ad networks are beginning to emerge, which place paid content in chatbots such as ChatGPT. Dig into the debate between maintaining chat quality and monetizing the technology. And Svedka has resurrected its Fembot character in a plea for people to put down their phones and go out with friends.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The latest on the Cracker Barrel rebrand saga

~Refresh yourself on American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney campaign backlash

~Inside E.l.f. Cosmetics' Matt Rife social campaign

~Keep up with the latest account reviews

~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference

~Listen to Hinge's CMO talk connecting with Gen Z

]]> Ad Age reporters Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett break down the brand lessons from the recent Cracker Barrel and American Eagle dramas: How can marketers better prepare for social pushback, what to know about official brand responses and how the brand-consumer relationship is changing on social media.

Plus, AI ad networks are beginning to emerge, which place paid content in chatbots such as ChatGPT. Dig into the debate between maintaining chat quality and monetizing the technology. And Svedka has resurrected its Fembot character in a plea for people to put down their phones and go out with friends.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The latest on the Cracker Barrel rebrand saga

~Refresh yourself on American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney campaign backlash

~Inside E.l.f. Cosmetics' Matt Rife social campaign

~Keep up with the latest account reviews

~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference

~Listen to Hinge's CMO talk connecting with Gen Z

]]> 26:23 false 2 full Ad Age 38004915 2025-09-01T00:00:08Z Marketing Trends of 2025 so far, with Tim Nudd Marketing Trends of 2025 so far, with Tim Nudd Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age Creativity Editor Tim Nudd reveals the creativity trends of 2025 so far, including the impact of AI on brand marketing, the resurgence of experiential activations and the secret to an effective modern Super Bowl campaign.

Plus, data reveals the impact of AI search on brand's website visits—some categories are seeing a lift while others are staying flat. Dig deeper into the differentiators. And E.l.f. Cosmetics finds itself the latest subject of consumer scrutiny after partnering with controversial comedian Matt Rife. Find out where experts are saying the brand went wrong.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Tim's list of the top ads of 2025 so far

~Coca-Cola's AI-generated holiday campaign

~Google's not-so-good Olympics AI ad

~Walton Goggins' Doritos porn spoof

~Apply to join Ad Age's Small Agency Network

~Keep track of agency account reviews here

]]> Ad Age Creativity Editor Tim Nudd reveals the creativity trends of 2025 so far, including the impact of AI on brand marketing, the resurgence of experiential activations and the secret to an effective modern Super Bowl campaign.

Plus, data reveals the impact of AI search on brand's website visits—some categories are seeing a lift while others are staying flat. Dig deeper into the differentiators. And E.l.f. Cosmetics finds itself the latest subject of consumer scrutiny after partnering with controversial comedian Matt Rife. Find out where experts are saying the brand went wrong.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Tim's list of the top ads of 2025 so far

~Coca-Cola's AI-generated holiday campaign

~Google's not-so-good Olympics AI ad

~Walton Goggins' Doritos porn spoof

~Apply to join Ad Age's Small Agency Network

~Keep track of agency account reviews here

]]> 24:55 false 1 full Ad Age 37876620 2025-09-01T00:00:08Z Introducing Ad Age Insider Introducing Ad Age Insider Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:30:00 +0000 Ad Age Insider is the weekly podcast for breaking down marketing, advertising and media's biggest stories and trends. Host Parker Herren goes behind the biggest headlines, emerging innovations and brand campaigns—from the rise of AI and streaming ads to the future of ad creativity—with the Ad Age reporters who cover it all.

]]> Ad Age Insider is the weekly podcast for breaking down marketing, advertising and media's biggest stories and trends. Host Parker Herren goes behind the biggest headlines, emerging innovations and brand campaigns—from the rise of AI and streaming ads to the future of ad creativity—with the Ad Age reporters who cover it all.

]]> 01:12 false trailer Ad Age 37877050 2025-09-01T00:00:08Z Why Rick Astley is never gonna give up snacks or drums Why Rick Astley is never gonna give up snacks or drums Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:41:48 +0000 The 80s pop star takes a break from shooting a Frito-Lay commercial to discuss the music industry, becoming a meme, and what he's been up to during the pandemic.

]]> The 80s pop star takes a break from shooting a Frito-Lay commercial to discuss the music industry, becoming a meme, and what he's been up to during the pandemic.

]]> 39:31 false 161 full Jessica Wohl 17223704 2021-01-01T00:00:13Z How The Lincoln Project's endless stream of viral ads were actually made (in record time) How The Lincoln Project's endless stream of viral ads were actually made (in record time) Fri, 11 Dec 2020 15:50:43 +0000 Ben Howe of Howe Creative, one of The Lincoln Project's key video collaborators, on the making of 'Mourning in America'—and what it takes to go viral

]]> Ben Howe of Howe Creative, one of The Lincoln Project's key video collaborators, on the making of 'Mourning in America'—and what it takes to go viral

]]> 41:00 false 160 full Ad Age 17156360 2021-01-01T00:00:13Z Behind Hendrick's Gin's quirky ad approach Behind Hendrick's Gin's quirky ad approach Thu, 03 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000 On this week's episode of Ad Lib, E.J. Schultz is joined by Harvey Purchese, senior VP of marketing at liquor marketer William Grant & Sons. We get behind Hendrick's quirky ad approach, which has included stunts like the "Hendrick's High Wheel," a decidedly old-fashioned exercise bike. It's part of the brand's Luddite marketing shtick, which has included the Horatio, a "somewhat smart" speaker and the Hendrick's Streaming Service, which consists of videos of actual streams—yes, running water. 

]]> On this week's episode of Ad Lib, E.J. Schultz is joined by Harvey Purchese, senior VP of marketing at liquor marketer William Grant & Sons. We get behind Hendrick's quirky ad approach, which has included stunts like the "Hendrick's High Wheel," a decidedly old-fashioned exercise bike. It's part of the brand's Luddite marketing shtick, which has included the Horatio, a "somewhat smart" speaker and the Hendrick's Streaming Service, which consists of videos of actual streams—yes, running water.

]]> 29:51 false 158 full E.J. Schultz 17041919 2021-01-01T00:00:13Z Behind Calm's unexpected Election Night win Behind Calm's unexpected Election Night win Tue, 24 Nov 2020 18:52:59 +0000 In this week's episode Ad Age's Jeanine Poggi is joined by Katie Shill, senior director of brand marketing at Calm. The meditation app won election night with its sponsorship of CNN's "Key Race" alerts, encouraging viewers to take a break and find a moment of calm. Shill discusses how the sponsorship came together, results of the buy and how the meditation company plans to sustain the momentum moving into 2021.

]]> In this week's episode Ad Age's Jeanine Poggi is joined by Katie Shill, senior director of brand marketing at Calm. The meditation app won election night with its sponsorship of CNN's "Key Race" alerts, encouraging viewers to take a break and find a moment of calm. Shill discusses how the sponsorship came together, results of the buy and how the meditation company plans to sustain the momentum moving into 2021.

]]> 28:49 false 157 full Jeanine Poggi 16941125 2020-12-01T00:01:47Z How Activision Blizzard found success amid a global pandemic How Activision Blizzard found success amid a global pandemic Thu, 19 Nov 2020 19:44:59 +0000 On this week's episode of Ad Age Ad Lib, senior editor Jeanine Poggi speaks with Brandon Snow, senior VP, chief revenue officer, esports, Activision Blizzard. Pandemic lockdowns were a boon for esports, with viewers flocking to gaming as other live sports and entertainment were shut down. Activision Blizzard was one of the benefactors of the pandemic, garnering impressive momentum around its leagues, including the inaugural season of the Call of Duty league. 

]]> On this week's episode of Ad Age Ad Lib, senior editor Jeanine Poggi speaks with Brandon Snow, senior VP, chief revenue officer, esports, Activision Blizzard. Pandemic lockdowns were a boon for esports, with viewers flocking to gaming as other live sports and entertainment were shut down. Activision Blizzard was one of the benefactors of the pandemic, garnering impressive momentum around its leagues, including the inaugural season of the Call of Duty league.

]]> 32:37 false 156 full Jeanine Poggi 16878770 2020-12-01T00:01:47Z How streaming news channels made their mark in the 2020 election How streaming news channels made their mark in the 2020 election Thu, 12 Nov 2020 20:26:41 +0000 On this week's episode of Ad Age Ad Lib, senior editor Jeanine Poggi speaks with Christy Tanner, executive VP and general manager of CBS News Digital, and Elaine Quijano, anchor, CBSN, about the state of the streaming news marketplace. 

]]> On this week's episode of Ad Age Ad Lib, senior editor Jeanine Poggi speaks with Christy Tanner, executive VP and general manager of CBS News Digital, and Elaine Quijano, anchor, CBSN, about the state of the streaming news marketplace.

]]> 22:18 false 155 full Jeanine Poggi 16788932 2020-12-01T00:01:47Z How to not miss the mark in multicultural marketing How to not miss the mark in multicultural marketing Wed, 04 Nov 2020 10:01:00 +0000 Senior editor Jeanine Poggi and agency reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse, speak with industry leaders Jill Kelly, U.S. chief marketing officer, GroupM, Kimberly Paige, exec VP and chief marketing officer, BET Networks, Soon Mee Kim, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer and executive VP at Omnicom Public Relations Group, and Tiffany Edwards, global head of diversity and inclusion, Droga5, on how to move multicultural marketing beyond a check box. 

]]> Senior editor Jeanine Poggi and agency reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse, speak with industry leaders Jill Kelly, U.S. chief marketing officer, GroupM, Kimberly Paige, exec VP and chief marketing officer, BET Networks, Soon Mee Kim, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer and executive VP at Omnicom Public Relations Group, and Tiffany Edwards, global head of diversity and inclusion, Droga5, on how to move multicultural marketing beyond a check box.

]]> 43:38 false 154 full Jeanine Poggi & Lindsay Rittenhouse 16672118 2020-12-01T00:01:47Z The state of the CMO The state of the CMO Thu, 01 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Lisa Mann, a former CPG marketer who recently joined an executive search firm, joins to discuss CMO hiring trends and look at how the role is changing—in some cases for the worse.

]]> Lisa Mann, a former CPG marketer who recently joined an executive search firm, joins to discuss CMO hiring trends and look at how the role is changing—in some cases for the worse.

]]> 31:05 false 152 full Ad Age 16220204 2020-10-01T09:06:27Z How a microbe from Yellowstone could shake up the food industry How a microbe from Yellowstone could shake up the food industry Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:01:00 +0000 When Karuna Rawal got a call from a recruiter about a marketing gig at a startup using a microbe to make protein-packed, animal-free food, she was intrigued. The lifelong vegetarian joined the company, now called Nature's Fynd, as its chief marketing officer and first marketing hire. Now, she and her Chicago-based team are just starting to get the company's name out in the world while preparing to launch its first products next year. 

]]> When Karuna Rawal got a call from a recruiter about a marketing gig at a startup using a microbe to make protein-packed, animal-free food, she was intrigued. The lifelong vegetarian joined the company, now called Nature's Fynd, as its chief marketing officer and first marketing hire. Now, she and her Chicago-based team are just starting to get the company's name out in the world while preparing to launch its first products next year.

]]> 28:38 false 151 full Jessica Wohl 16132193 2020-10-01T00:01:39Z LinkedIn's head of global sales on the early pandemic ad panic LinkedIn's head of global sales on the early pandemic ad panic Thu, 10 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age spoke with Penry Price, LinkedIn's VP of global sales, to understand how the site managed through the crises that have hit all industries. The pandemic affected digital advertising as sectors like travel pulled back on spending while other industries pulled ads temporarily to make them more appropriate for the national mood.

]]> Ad Age spoke with Penry Price, LinkedIn's VP of global sales, to understand how the site managed through the crises that have hit all industries. The pandemic affected digital advertising as sectors like travel pulled back on spending while other industries pulled ads temporarily to make them more appropriate for the national mood.

]]> 33:01 false 150 full Ad Age 15953186 2020-10-01T00:01:39Z Omnicom Media Group CEO on how covid has changed the ad landscape Omnicom Media Group CEO on how covid has changed the ad landscape Thu, 27 Aug 2020 16:14:42 +0000 In a time period when there seems to be little cause for optimism, Ad Age spoke with Omnicom Media Group CEO Scott Hagedorn on where he sees bright spots starting to emerge within his agency and the industry overall.

]]> In a time period when there seems to be little cause for optimism, Ad Age spoke with Omnicom Media Group CEO Scott Hagedorn on where he sees bright spots starting to emerge within his agency and the industry overall.

]]> 26:58 false 149 full Lindsay Rittenhouse 15779765 2020-09-01T00:00:09Z Marketing a Mexican import Marketing a Mexican import Thu, 20 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Oscar Martinez, Senior Brand Director of Tecate, joins the pod to talk about the brand's marketing overhaul, which includes a move away from boxing and into music. We break down the brew's "Mexico is in US" campaign that emphasizes the brand's border-town heritage while seeking to appeal to drinkers who are unapologetically Mexican-American. 

]]> Oscar Martinez, Senior Brand Director of Tecate, joins the pod to talk about the brand's marketing overhaul, which includes a move away from boxing and into music. We break down the brew's "Mexico is in US" campaign that emphasizes the brand's border-town heritage while seeking to appeal to drinkers who are unapologetically Mexican-American.

]]> 38:01 false 149 full Ad Age 15680474 2020-09-01T00:00:09Z Main Street One CEO Curtis Hougland on the launch of a senior political influencer network Main Street One CEO Curtis Hougland on the launch of a senior political influencer network Fri, 14 Aug 2020 12:43:25 +0000 Curtis Hougland, the founder and CEO of communications and strategy shop Main Street One, explains the social and political science behind voter/consumer persuasion, and why the time is right for campaigns and brands to leverage older (55+) influencers.

]]> Curtis Hougland, the founder and CEO of communications and strategy shop Main Street One, explains the social and political science behind voter/consumer persuasion, and why the time is right for campaigns and brands to leverage older (55+) influencers.

]]> 32:23 false 148 full Ad Age 15611573 2020-09-01T00:00:09Z Defeating D.C. Council's ad and personal information tax Defeating D.C. Council's ad and personal information tax Thu, 06 Aug 2020 20:42:59 +0000 4A's Executive VP of Government Relations Alison Pepper discusses how she and other industry organizations fought a 3 percent tax on advertising services and the sale of "personal information" proposed by The Washington, D.C. City Council as part of a plan to combat a growing budget deficit, and won. She says the fight isn't over though.

]]> 4A's Executive VP of Government Relations Alison Pepper discusses how she and other industry organizations fought a 3 percent tax on advertising services and the sale of "personal information" proposed by The Washington, D.C. City Council as part of a plan to combat a growing budget deficit, and won. She says the fight isn't over though.

]]> 27:50 false 147 full Lindsay Rittenhouse 15513359 2020-09-01T00:00:09Z Moving from CMO to CEO Moving from CMO to CEO Thu, 30 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Pernod Ricard North America CEO Ann Mukherjee describes why the liquor marketer will resume social media spending after pausing it in July. The longtime marketer also describes what it's like moving into the CEO job, and she explains her leadership style, which involves bringing your personal experiences to the job.

]]> Pernod Ricard North America CEO Ann Mukherjee describes why the liquor marketer will resume social media spending after pausing it in July. The longtime marketer also describes what it's like moving into the CEO job, and she explains her leadership style, which involves bringing your personal experiences to the job.

]]> 32:42 false 145 full Ad Age's EJ Schultz 15398270 2020-08-01T00:00:31Z Marketing the (delayed) Olympics Marketing the (delayed) Olympics Thu, 23 Jul 2020 11:00:00 +0000 Christopher Carroll, director of digital engagement and marketing for the International Olympic Committee, joins the pod to talk about how the IOC is going about plugging the Tokyo games, which were delayed by a year due to the pandemic.

]]> Christopher Carroll, director of digital engagement and marketing for the International Olympic Committee, joins the pod to talk about how the IOC is going about plugging the Tokyo games, which were delayed by a year due to the pandemic.

]]> 33:08 false 144 full Ad Age 15318062 2020-08-01T00:00:31Z The latest ad law news The latest ad law news Thu, 16 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Ad lawyer Linda Goldstein joins to discuss what brands need to know about sponsorship contract changes during COVID-19, new 'Made in the USA,' ad regulations and what to expect at the FTC if Democrats take over. Plus, she explains how ad lawyers can co-exist with creatives.

]]> Ad lawyer Linda Goldstein joins to discuss what brands need to know about sponsorship contract changes during COVID-19, new 'Made in the USA,' ad regulations and what to expect at the FTC if Democrats take over. Plus, she explains how ad lawyers can co-exist with creatives.

]]> 35:54 false 143 full Ad Age 15222689 2020-08-01T00:00:31Z Mark Robinson Mark Robinson Fri, 10 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0000 The author of "Black on Madison Avenue" talks about what it was like getting a job in advertising 40 years ago and how much the industry has failed to change since that time.

]]> The author of "Black on Madison Avenue" talks about what it was like getting a job in advertising 40 years ago and how much the industry has failed to change since that time.

]]> 50:32 false 142 full Ad Age 15149831 2020-08-01T00:00:31Z Taking Latin-inspired creative to the mainstream Taking Latin-inspired creative to the mainstream Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Former LatinWorks chief creative Sergio Alcocer joins to talk about his 3-year-old cultural marketing shop Rest of the World and give his take on how brands and agencies should respond to new calls for diversity. He weighs in on other topics, like his love of jazz music and how he would rebrand the Catholic Church.

]]> Former LatinWorks chief creative Sergio Alcocer joins to talk about his 3-year-old cultural marketing shop Rest of the World and give his take on how brands and agencies should respond to new calls for diversity. He weighs in on other topics, like his love of jazz music and how he would rebrand the Catholic Church.

]]> 40:06 false 141 full Ad Age 15050000 2020-08-01T00:00:31Z Publicis CMO Justin Billingsley on the Power of One and what his client-side past brings to his new role Publicis CMO Justin Billingsley on the Power of One and what his client-side past brings to his new role Thu, 25 Jun 2020 09:01:00 +0000 Justin Billingsley has one hell of a Lego set.

Publicis Groupe's first global chief marketing officer used the famed building blocks in an analogy during the Ad Age Ad Lib podcast to explain how the holding company's Power of One works for clients. Billingsley said that for client Mercedes-Benz the company constructed a shop, Publicis Emil, composed of 650 people in 39 countries customized specifically to the automaker's needs.

]]> Justin Billingsley has one hell of a Lego set.

Publicis Groupe's first global chief marketing officer used the famed building blocks in an analogy during the Ad Age Ad Lib podcast to explain how the holding company's Power of One works for clients. Billingsley said that for client Mercedes-Benz the company constructed a shop, Publicis Emil, composed of 650 people in 39 countries customized specifically to the automaker's needs.

]]> 42:01 false 140 full Ad Age's Judann Pollack 14956469 2020-07-01T00:01:38Z Behind the AP's new marketing push Behind the AP's new marketing push Thu, 18 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Julie Tucker, global marketing director for the Associated Press, on the news wire service's new marketing and what separates it from the 'Truth' campaign she oversaw at The New York Times. We also discuss newsroom diversity and how the AP is preparing for the 2020 election. Plus, Tucker explains why she left agency life behind.

 

]]> Julie Tucker, global marketing director for the Associated Press, on the news wire service's new marketing and what separates it from the 'Truth' campaign she oversaw at The New York Times. We also discuss newsroom diversity and how the AP is preparing for the 2020 election. Plus, Tucker explains why she left agency life behind.

]]> 39:04 false 139 full Ad Age's E.J. Schultz 14862830 2020-07-01T00:01:38Z There's no mistaking Leeann Leahy There's no mistaking Leeann Leahy Thu, 11 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Portland Maine's Via agency CEO talks about the moral renaissance, directing a commercial with Jim Perdue via iPhone, her Catholic school education and the disco ball in her home.

]]> Portland Maine's Via agency CEO talks about the moral renaissance, directing a commercial with Jim Perdue via iPhone, her Catholic school education and the disco ball in her home.

]]> 38:31 false 138 full Ad Age's Judy Pollack 14775179 2020-07-01T00:01:38Z Auto marketing during the pandemic Auto marketing during the pandemic Thu, 04 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Allyson Witherspoon, VP of marketing communications and media at Nissan North America, on how the automaker responded in the early days of the coronavirus outbreak and what it is doing now to restore buyer confidence. She also weighs in on online car-buying and why she thinks it's here to stay. Plus, she shares management tips she learned while working in Japan.

]]> Allyson Witherspoon, VP of marketing communications and media at Nissan North America, on how the automaker responded in the early days of the coronavirus outbreak and what it is doing now to restore buyer confidence. She also weighs in on online car-buying and why she thinks it's here to stay. Plus, she shares management tips she learned while working in Japan.

]]> 34:55 false 137 full Ad Age's E.J. Schultz 14685710 2020-07-01T00:01:38Z The pandemic paradox The pandemic paradox Thu, 28 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Anush Prabhu, chief strategy officer at Mediacom, talks about the new—and often contrasting—behaviors that have come about since COVID, and how smart marketers should navigate them as the world opens up.

]]> Anush Prabhu, chief strategy officer at Mediacom, talks about the new—and often contrasting—behaviors that have come about since COVID, and how smart marketers should navigate them as the world opens up.

]]> 37:25 false 136 full Ad Age's Judy Pollack 14588924 2020-06-01T00:00:11Z Marketing cannabis during the pandemic Marketing cannabis during the pandemic Fri, 22 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Greg Butler, chief commercial officer at Cresco Labs, explains how the cannabis firm has pivoted during COVID-19, which has forced the firm to rely more on digital and less on retail and experiential activations that had been critical components of cannabis marketing. The former Molson Coors marketer also discusses Cresco's strategy on taking a brand portfolio approach with each offering geared for a specific set of consumers.

]]> Greg Butler, chief commercial officer at Cresco Labs, explains how the cannabis firm has pivoted during COVID-19, which has forced the firm to rely more on digital and less on retail and experiential activations that had been critical components of cannabis marketing. The former Molson Coors marketer also discusses Cresco's strategy on taking a brand portfolio approach with each offering geared for a specific set of consumers.

]]> 43:29 false 135 full Ad Age's E.J. Schultz 14517410 2020-06-01T00:00:11Z Finding creative inspiration in a pandemic Finding creative inspiration in a pandemic Fri, 15 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Goodby, Silverstein & Partners' Chief Creative Officer Margaret Johnson explains how the agency has created more than 30 campaigns for 80 percent of its clients remotely--and how working from home has opened up new avenues of inspiration.

]]> Goodby, Silverstein & Partners' Chief Creative Officer Margaret Johnson explains how the agency has created more than 30 campaigns for 80 percent of its clients remotely--and how working from home has opened up new avenues of inspiration.

]]> 38:07 false 134 full Ad Age's Judy Pollack 14424482 2020-06-01T00:00:11Z Behind the e-commerce surge Behind the e-commerce surge Tue, 05 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Longtime agency exec Sarah Hofstetter joins to talk about her new role as president of e-commerce analytics firm Profitero, which serves more than 4,000 clients. We discuss the coronavirus-induced e-commerce surge and whether or not it's sustainable. She also talks about her career journey and why she took this job after previous stints at 360i and Comscore. And, Sarah shares some personal tips on how to stay calm during the pandemic.

]]> Longtime agency exec Sarah Hofstetter joins to talk about her new role as president of e-commerce analytics firm Profitero, which serves more than 4,000 clients. We discuss the coronavirus-induced e-commerce surge and whether or not it's sustainable. She also talks about her career journey and why she took this job after previous stints at 360i and Comscore. And, Sarah shares some personal tips on how to stay calm during the pandemic.

]]> 32:36 false 133 full Ad Age's E.J. Schultz 14281571 2020-06-01T00:00:11Z Brian Braiker, former editor, Ad Age Brian Braiker, former editor, Ad Age Mon, 20 Apr 2020 09:01:00 +0000 Today's podcast guest is, well, me. After three wonderful, challenging, intense, stressful and exhilarating years, I'm sad to say I'm parting ways with this iconic institution. Friday was my last day. Working with the Ad Age newsroom in both good times and weird has been an honor. In a conversation with my colleagues Judy Pollack and Alfred Maskeroni, we take a look back on my time. Thank you for listening.

]]> Today's podcast guest is, well, me. After three wonderful, challenging, intense, stressful and exhilarating years, I'm sad to say I'm parting ways with this iconic institution. Friday was my last day. Working with the Ad Age newsroom in both good times and weird has been an honor. In a conversation with my colleagues Judy Pollack and Alfred Maskeroni, we take a look back on my time. Thank you for listening.

]]> 48:16 false 132 full Brian Braiker, Judy Pollack & Alfred Maskeroni 14050463 2020-05-01T00:01:53Z Jason DeLand, founding partner, Anomaly Jason DeLand, founding partner, Anomaly Wed, 08 Apr 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Ad Age is working from home, just like you. As the coronavirus has become the new reality for all of us, Jason DeLand has some thoughts about the likely lasting implications of the pandemic on all aspects of life and business, from brand behavior to consumer behavior, the environment, the cannabis industry and more. There will be no "returning" to life as it was, he says. Rather this is an opportunity to bounce forward. This conversation is a recording of a live video broadcast that was streamed online last week.

]]> Ad Age is working from home, just like you. As the coronavirus has become the new reality for all of us, Jason DeLand has some thoughts about the likely lasting implications of the pandemic on all aspects of life and business, from brand behavior to consumer behavior, the environment, the cannabis industry and more. There will be no "returning" to life as it was, he says. Rather this is an opportunity to bounce forward. This conversation is a recording of a live video broadcast that was streamed online last week.

]]> 38:31 false 131 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 13896347 2020-05-01T00:01:53Z Nick Kokonas, author and restaurateur Nick Kokonas, author and restaurateur Thu, 02 Apr 2020 09:00:00 +0000 The U.S. restaurant industry is in a grim predicament, particularly high-end, dine-in restaurants that can't be open as the coronavirus pandemic grinds on. Chicago-based restaurant executive Nick Kokonas has helped prepared his restaurants as well as others to navigate the situation in creative ways. The moves include a shift to carryout, something that until now was unheard of for high-end eateries like his.

]]> The U.S. restaurant industry is in a grim predicament, particularly high-end, dine-in restaurants that can't be open as the coronavirus pandemic grinds on. Chicago-based restaurant executive Nick Kokonas has helped prepared his restaurants as well as others to navigate the situation in creative ways. The moves include a shift to carryout, something that until now was unheard of for high-end eateries like his.

]]> 26:25 false 130 full Ad Age 13802465 2020-05-01T00:01:53Z Mira Kaddoura, founder and ECD, Red &. Co. Mira Kaddoura, founder and ECD, Red &. Co. Fri, 13 Mar 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Mira Kaddoura grew up in Beirut, where she witnessed war firsthand. With a striking head of frizzy red hair, Kaddoura learned early on how to live life as someone who stands out: The themes of inclusion, representation and the other have all colored her work. Kaddoura joins the podcast to discuss the Red & Co. ethos. The agency has partnered with Google on an initiative to teach girls to code and developed global brand strategy for Netflix and created the "Make Room" campaign to boost representation of those missing in most mass media.

]]> Mira Kaddoura grew up in Beirut, where she witnessed war firsthand. With a striking head of frizzy red hair, Kaddoura learned early on how to live life as someone who stands out: The themes of inclusion, representation and the other have all colored her work. Kaddoura joins the podcast to discuss the Red & Co. ethos. The agency has partnered with Google on an initiative to teach girls to code and developed global brand strategy for Netflix and created the "Make Room" campaign to boost representation of those missing in most mass media.

]]> 34:48 false 129 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 13527122 2020-04-01T00:00:25Z Debra Lee, former Chairman and CEO, BET Debra Lee, former Chairman and CEO, BET Thu, 05 Mar 2020 10:00:00 +0000 When Debra Lee stepped down as Chairman and CEO of BET in May of 2018, she put a cap on a 32-year run at the network. Today, we talk about her legacy—among other things, she took programming in a new direction, pivoting away from music videos and into original fare. We discuss life after BET and the media landscape today compared to three decades ago, including a look at the streaming wars. Lee also sits on a number of corporate boards and is a champion of diversity and inclusion, herself having paved the way for others like her. 

]]> When Debra Lee stepped down as Chairman and CEO of BET in May of 2018, she put a cap on a 32-year run at the network. Today, we talk about her legacy—among other things, she took programming in a new direction, pivoting away from music videos and into original fare. We discuss life after BET and the media landscape today compared to three decades ago, including a look at the streaming wars. Lee also sits on a number of corporate boards and is a champion of diversity and inclusion, herself having paved the way for others like her.

]]> 46:01 false 128 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 13394363 2020-04-01T00:00:25Z Taylor Lorenz, New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz, New York Times reporter Thu, 27 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0000 Taylor Lorenz covers internet culture and trends for the Gray Lady--memes, yes, but also influencers, TikTok, YouTubers and more. She has a knack for identifying zeitgeisty moments just before they break through to mainstream consciousness. Her recent headlines include a look at the Bloomberg campaign's meme strategy, a visit to the so-called Hype House group home for LA Tok Tok influencers and more. She may be the reason you've heard the expression OK Boomer, quite possibly leveled directly at you.

]]> Taylor Lorenz covers internet culture and trends for the Gray Lady--memes, yes, but also influencers, TikTok, YouTubers and more. She has a knack for identifying zeitgeisty moments just before they break through to mainstream consciousness. Her recent headlines include a look at the Bloomberg campaign's meme strategy, a visit to the so-called Hype House group home for LA Tok Tok influencers and more. She may be the reason you've heard the expression OK Boomer, quite possibly leveled directly at you.

]]> 37:47 false 127 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 13314191 2020-03-01T00:01:07Z Bill Koenigsberg, founder and CEO, Horizon Media Bill Koenigsberg, founder and CEO, Horizon Media Thu, 20 Feb 2020 11:01:00 +0000 The founder of the world's largest privately held media company joins us to look back on a career that flourished along with the rise of the modern media agency era. We talk about the explosion of data that digital has brought with it, and why he has chosen to rent rather than own data. We look at the streaming wars and talk about Horizon's loss of Disney as a client last year, plus where the company is growing today. Plus, a discussion of culture, talent, the pros and cons of remaining defiantly independent--and under what circumstances he'd ultimately sell.

 

]]> The founder of the world's largest privately held media company joins us to look back on a career that flourished along with the rise of the modern media agency era. We talk about the explosion of data that digital has brought with it, and why he has chosen to rent rather than own data. We look at the streaming wars and talk about Horizon's loss of Disney as a client last year, plus where the company is growing today. Plus, a discussion of culture, talent, the pros and cons of remaining defiantly independent--and under what circumstances he'd ultimately sell.

]]> 42:17 false 126 full Brian Braiker 13221626 2020-03-01T00:01:07Z Louisa Wong, COO, Carat Louisa Wong, COO, Carat Fri, 14 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0000 For the first decade of her career, Louisa Wong worked at pioneering digital media outlets in the U.K., starting with CNET and then Skye. Today, as the chief operating officer at Carat, Dentsu Aegis Network's flagship media agency, Wong applies that background in media as she navigates at the intersection of tech and disruption. Here, we discuss addressable TV, data as the new currency, privacy and regulation, life in a post-cookie world, the coronavirus and more. 

]]> For the first decade of her career, Louisa Wong worked at pioneering digital media outlets in the U.K., starting with CNET and then Skye. Today, as the chief operating officer at Carat, Dentsu Aegis Network's flagship media agency, Wong applies that background in media as she navigates at the intersection of tech and disruption. Here, we discuss addressable TV, data as the new currency, privacy and regulation, life in a post-cookie world, the coronavirus and more.

]]> 36:47 false 125 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 13144127 2020-03-01T00:01:07Z Martin Sorrell, S4 Capital Martin Sorrell, S4 Capital Thu, 06 Feb 2020 10:00:00 +0000 Today's guest needs no introduction. And yet, over the past 21 months, the financial wizard who built WPP into the world's largest advertising holding company has been busy reintroducing himself as the executive chairman of S4 capital. Days before his 75th birthday, we discuss everything from what motivates him today, why the holding company model he helped create is an "albatross," what the game plan is for S4 and why he bristles at the old criticism that he is not a creative person.

]]> Today's guest needs no introduction. And yet, over the past 21 months, the financial wizard who built WPP into the world's largest advertising holding company has been busy reintroducing himself as the executive chairman of S4 capital. Days before his 75th birthday, we discuss everything from what motivates him today, why the holding company model he helped create is an "albatross," what the game plan is for S4 and why he bristles at the old criticism that he is not a creative person.

]]> 57:23 false 124 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 13035575 2020-03-01T00:01:07Z Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein, founders of Goodby Silverstein & Partners Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein, founders of Goodby Silverstein & Partners Thu, 30 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0000 Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein, founders of Goodby Silverstein & Partners, worked on four Super Bowl brands this year, including Pepsi, Cheetos, Doritos and SodaStream. The team who created the infamous "Got, Milk?" slogan is taking their advertising expertise to the MasterClass platform where they will lead a series of classes, including one on Super Bowl advertising. In the podcast, the duo discuss some of their Big Game top hits, such as the E-Trade monkey and the Budweiser lizards. They also talk about Donald Trump and Michael Bloomberg advertising in the game, the inclusionary nature of many of the spots, the boundaries of taste in Super Bowl spots and the demise of Mr. Peanut.

]]> Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein, founders of Goodby Silverstein & Partners, worked on four Super Bowl brands this year, including Pepsi, Cheetos, Doritos and SodaStream. The team who created the infamous "Got, Milk?" slogan is taking their advertising expertise to the MasterClass platform where they will lead a series of classes, including one on Super Bowl advertising. In the podcast, the duo discuss some of their Big Game top hits, such as the E-Trade monkey and the Budweiser lizards. They also talk about Donald Trump and Michael Bloomberg advertising in the game, the inclusionary nature of many of the spots, the boundaries of taste in Super Bowl spots and the demise of Mr. Peanut.

]]> 40:00 false 123 full Ad Age 12944171 2020-02-01T00:00:16Z Amy Astley, editor-in-chief, Architectural Digest Amy Astley, editor-in-chief, Architectural Digest Tue, 21 Jan 2020 10:01:00 +0000 In 2016 Astley, a Condé Nast lifer, inherited a stodgy brand and was tasked with brining a fresh voice and new vision to it. Architectural Digest, which turns 100 this month, had hardly any digital presence to speak of: No video footprint, fewer than a million followers on Instagram. Today it is coming up on 5 million Instagram followers and has more than 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube. Astley joins the podcast today to talk about modernizing the mag without losing touch with its DNA. And the ads. All those beautiful ads.

]]> In 2016 Astley, a Condé Nast lifer, inherited a stodgy brand and was tasked with brining a fresh voice and new vision to it. Architectural Digest, which turns 100 this month, had hardly any digital presence to speak of: No video footprint, fewer than a million followers on Instagram. Today it is coming up on 5 million Instagram followers and has more than 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube. Astley joins the podcast today to talk about modernizing the mag without losing touch with its DNA. And the ads. All those beautiful ads.

]]> 35:03 false 122 full Brian Braiker 12788075 2020-02-01T00:00:16Z Mark Read, CEO/executive director, WPP Mark Read, CEO/executive director, WPP Mon, 13 Jan 2020 10:01:00 +0000 In a wide-ranging conversation on all things WPP, Read discusses his early moves, including merging agency brands VML with Y&R and JWT with Wunderman. In the past 18 months, WPP has shared more than 40 assets in a bid to become more streamlined. Read, the chief executive of the world's largest advertising holding company, talks about creativity, and examines what's holding WPP back in North America, the companies data play, his response to his feisty predecessor's potshots and more.

]]> In a wide-ranging conversation on all things WPP, Read discusses his early moves, including merging agency brands VML with Y&R and JWT with Wunderman. In the past 18 months, WPP has shared more than 40 assets in a bid to become more streamlined. Read, the chief executive of the world's largest advertising holding company, talks about creativity, and examines what's holding WPP back in North America, the companies data play, his response to his feisty predecessor's potshots and more.

]]> 45:01 false 121 full Brian Braiker 12707330 2020-02-01T00:00:16Z Wyclef Jean Wyclef Jean Mon, 06 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0000 The founding Fugee has in recent years become a fixture at CES and at Cannes Lions, where he will be the president of the music jury this year. Here, he describes what brands can better understand about working with music and musicians. We talk about his childhood in Haiti, where he lived until he was 9 before emigrating to Brooklyn. He also shares a bit about his relationships with two very different mentors: Quincy Jones and, uh, Gary Vaynerchuk. 

]]> The founding Fugee has in recent years become a fixture at CES and at Cannes Lions, where he will be the president of the music jury this year. Here, he describes what brands can better understand about working with music and musicians. We talk about his childhood in Haiti, where he lived until he was 9 before emigrating to Brooklyn. He also shares a bit about his relationships with two very different mentors: Quincy Jones and, uh, Gary Vaynerchuk.

]]> 57:08 false 120 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 12515225 2020-01-06T10:13:33Z David Droga (Repeat) David Droga (Repeat) Thu, 26 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0000 The industry's collective mind was blown when David Droga announced in April that his namesake agency, Droga5, would be acquired by Accenture Interactive. The consultants are coming for the creatives, the narrative went. Not so fast, says Droga. In this conversation, recorded in July, he discusses the three-year journey toward acquisition—and what comes next.

]]> The industry's collective mind was blown when David Droga announced in April that his namesake agency, Droga5, would be acquired by Accenture Interactive. The consultants are coming for the creatives, the narrative went. Not so fast, says Droga. In this conversation, recorded in July, he discusses the three-year journey toward acquisition—and what comes next.

]]> 27:23 false 119 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 12514883 2020-01-01T00:01:49Z Andrew Robertson, CEO, BBDO Worldwide Andrew Robertson, CEO, BBDO Worldwide Mon, 16 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Andrew Robertson is by all accounts the longest-running agency CEO working today. And he's got a track record to back it up:  Renowned for its creativity, you've seen BBDO Worldwide's imprint on work for Ford, for which it is the lead agency, Snickers, Macy's, M&Ms, Sandy Hook Promise, Avocados from Mexico and more. It's been named network of the year at the International Festival of Creativity in Cannes seven times in the last 12 years, including in 2017 and 2018. We discuss BBDO, the work, parent company Omnicom, Ford as a client and more.

]]> Andrew Robertson is by all accounts the longest-running agency CEO working today. And he's got a track record to back it up: Renowned for its creativity, you've seen BBDO Worldwide's imprint on work for Ford, for which it is the lead agency, Snickers, Macy's, M&Ms, Sandy Hook Promise, Avocados from Mexico and more. It's been named network of the year at the International Festival of Creativity in Cannes seven times in the last 12 years, including in 2017 and 2018. We discuss BBDO, the work, parent company Omnicom, Ford as a client and more.

]]> 35:00 false 118 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 12395348 2020-01-01T00:01:49Z Terence Kawaja, CEO, Luma Partners Terence Kawaja, CEO, Luma Partners Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:00:00 +0000 In a conversation that ranges from the upcoming streaming wars to the ongoing direct-to-consumer trend to a look ahead at next month's CES, Terence Kawaja gives a general sense of the state of things from his vantage point of an investment banker obsessed with digital media and marketing. Oh, he is also, pretty funny. For an investment banker.

]]> In a conversation that ranges from the upcoming streaming wars to the ongoing direct-to-consumer trend to a look ahead at next month's CES, Terence Kawaja gives a general sense of the state of things from his vantage point of an investment banker obsessed with digital media and marketing. Oh, he is also, pretty funny. For an investment banker.

]]> 42:52 false 117 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 12269822 2020-01-01T00:01:49Z David-Michel Davies, CEO, the Webby Awards David-Michel Davies, CEO, the Webby Awards Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Now in their 24th year, the Webbys are currently accepting submissions for what's been called the Oscars of the internet. Joining the podcast today is David-Michel Davies, the CEO of the Webbys, presented annually by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. We discuss the trends he's been watching in the online space and what it even means to be a website in 2020. We also unpack the deeply critical viral speech comedian Sacha Baron Cohen made at the Anti-Defamation League last week about Facebook and the so-called "Silicon Six."  

]]> Now in their 24th year, the Webbys are currently accepting submissions for what's been called the Oscars of the internet. Joining the podcast today is David-Michel Davies, the CEO of the Webbys, presented annually by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. We discuss the trends he's been watching in the online space and what it even means to be a website in 2020. We also unpack the deeply critical viral speech comedian Sacha Baron Cohen made at the Anti-Defamation League last week about Facebook and the so-called "Silicon Six."

]]> 39:15 false 116 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 12188744 2019-12-01T00:00:50Z Live from Ad Age: Next Live from Ad Age: Next Thu, 21 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Last week in New York, Ad Age brought together executives from some of the best media brands in the world to explore the industry's challenges and, more interesting, opportunities. This podcast is a live recording of a conversation with three media execs about what they've learned from leaning into the subscription model. Joining us on stage were Pam Wasserstein, president of Vox Media, Scott Havens, global head of digital and media distribution for Bloomberg Media Group and Nina Lassam, executive director of ad innovation at the New York Times. 

]]> Last week in New York, Ad Age brought together executives from some of the best media brands in the world to explore the industry's challenges and, more interesting, opportunities. This podcast is a live recording of a conversation with three media execs about what they've learned from leaning into the subscription model. Joining us on stage were Pam Wasserstein, president of Vox Media, Scott Havens, global head of digital and media distribution for Bloomberg Media Group and Nina Lassam, executive director of ad innovation at the New York Times.

]]> 35:47 false 115 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 12115256 2019-12-01T00:00:50Z David Angelo, co-founder, David & Goliath David Angelo, co-founder, David & Goliath Mon, 11 Nov 2019 10:00:00 +0000 David & Goliath founder David Angelo looks back at a three decade career that started as a junior art director at DDB New York, followed by stints at Chiat/Day and Cliff Freeman & Partners. We talk about what prompted him to hang his own shingle 20 years ago and how the industry has changed in the past three decades. David & Goliath, a creative independent shop, was bought in 2017 by Innocean, the agency created by Hyundai. He talks about life after acquisition, life in LA and his cause célèbre: bravery. 

]]> David & Goliath founder David Angelo looks back at a three decade career that started as a junior art director at DDB New York, followed by stints at Chiat/Day and Cliff Freeman & Partners. We talk about what prompted him to hang his own shingle 20 years ago and how the industry has changed in the past three decades. David & Goliath, a creative independent shop, was bought in 2017 by Innocean, the agency created by Hyundai. He talks about life after acquisition, life in LA and his cause célèbre: bravery.

]]> 36:01 false 114 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11963528 2019-12-01T00:00:50Z Jarrod Dicker, vp commercial technology and development, Washington Post Jarrod Dicker, vp commercial technology and development, Washington Post Fri, 01 Nov 2019 09:00:00 +0000 In a space where the word "innovation" gets tossed around a lot, Jarrod Dicker seems to actually be building a better mousetrap. Dicker's remit is to make advertising, subscriptions and technology better at the Bezos-owned media giant. He'll discuss how media companies can no longer rely solely on advertiser and subscriber revenue alone, plus we get into his early career as a music blogger and Deadhead.

]]> In a space where the word "innovation" gets tossed around a lot, Jarrod Dicker seems to actually be building a better mousetrap. Dicker's remit is to make advertising, subscriptions and technology better at the Bezos-owned media giant. He'll discuss how media companies can no longer rely solely on advertiser and subscriber revenue alone, plus we get into his early career as a music blogger and Deadhead.

]]> 48:22 false 113 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11857775 2019-11-01T09:03:35Z Paul Woolmington, CEO, Canvas Paul Woolmington, CEO, Canvas Thu, 24 Oct 2019 09:00:00 +0000 A three-time entrepreneur, Paul Woolmington is the founding CEO of media agency Canvas Worldwide and a keen observer of the marketing landscape. He is a former vet of holding companies IPG and WPP, founded and ran Media Kitchen, an MDC Partners agency, and he can rock a jaunty cravat. Paul joins us for a wide ranging conversation on just about everything in the media space—from the holding company existential crisis to the recent Disney media agency review and even to the rebate mishegoss of the past four years.

]]> A three-time entrepreneur, Paul Woolmington is the founding CEO of media agency Canvas Worldwide and a keen observer of the marketing landscape. He is a former vet of holding companies IPG and WPP, founded and ran Media Kitchen, an MDC Partners agency, and he can rock a jaunty cravat. Paul joins us for a wide ranging conversation on just about everything in the media space—from the holding company existential crisis to the recent Disney media agency review and even to the rebate mishegoss of the past four years.

]]> 44:36 false 112 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11759276 2019-11-01T00:01:38Z Jessica Pels, editor-in-chief, Cosmopolitan Jessica Pels, editor-in-chief, Cosmopolitan Thu, 17 Oct 2019 09:00:00 +0000 In October of last year, at just 32 Jessica Pels was named the youngest-ever editor in chief at Cosmopolitan. Now exactly one year into the gig, web traffic is through the roof, even as single issue print sales continue to decline (just as they do everywhere else). We dig into her web-driven, data-centric approach to content strategy as we discuss where she's taking the storied glossy.

]]> In October of last year, at just 32 Jessica Pels was named the youngest-ever editor in chief at Cosmopolitan. Now exactly one year into the gig, web traffic is through the roof, even as single issue print sales continue to decline (just as they do everywhere else). We dig into her web-driven, data-centric approach to content strategy as we discuss where she's taking the storied glossy.

]]> 36:35 false 111 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11671034 2019-11-01T00:01:38Z Barak Moffit, Universal Music Group Barak Moffit, Universal Music Group Thu, 10 Oct 2019 09:00:00 +0000 A producer, composer and technologist, Barak Moffat heads UMG's content and strategy. UMG's massive catalog includes 40 percent of all of the world's music. He discusses that, and what it means to be creating new commercial opportunities for audio visual content across all of UMG's labels. Essentially tasked with charting the company's next chapters, he also discusses the rise of voice and smart sneakers, and how UMG thinks about both data and metadata.

]]> A producer, composer and technologist, Barak Moffat heads UMG's content and strategy. UMG's massive catalog includes 40 percent of all of the world's music. He discusses that, and what it means to be creating new commercial opportunities for audio visual content across all of UMG's labels. Essentially tasked with charting the company's next chapters, he also discusses the rise of voice and smart sneakers, and how UMG thinks about both data and metadata.

]]> 35:46 false 110 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11581370 2019-11-01T00:01:38Z Morgan Spurlock, filmmaker, and David Littlejohn, founder of Humanaut Morgan Spurlock, filmmaker, and David Littlejohn, founder of Humanaut Thu, 03 Oct 2019 09:00:00 +0000 It's been 15 years since "Super Size Me" came out. Today Spurlock is back with a sequel. With "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken" Spurlock asks whether fast food has gotten any healthier in the intervening years. As the title suggests he focuses on industrial chicken farming—going so far as to open his own chicken farm to raise birds for a chicken sandwich shop. Along the way, Spurlock teamed up with David Littlejohn, founder and chief creative officer of the small agency Humanaut, to learn about the misleading ways fast food is marketed today.

]]> It's been 15 years since "Super Size Me" came out. Today Spurlock is back with a sequel. With "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken" Spurlock asks whether fast food has gotten any healthier in the intervening years. As the title suggests he focuses on industrial chicken farming—going so far as to open his own chicken farm to raise birds for a chicken sandwich shop. Along the way, Spurlock teamed up with David Littlejohn, founder and chief creative officer of the small agency Humanaut, to learn about the misleading ways fast food is marketed today.

]]> 42:40 false 109 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11484617 2019-11-01T00:01:38Z Mark Penn, chairman and CEO of MDC Partners Mark Penn, chairman and CEO of MDC Partners Thu, 26 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Mark Penn, the president and managing partner of Stagwell Group, raised industry eyebrows six months ago when he plonked $100 million into the flailing agency holding company MDC Partners—and became its CEO in the process. Six months in, we take a look at what the polarizing pollster has been up to (both in the agency world and the political sphere), what he's learned and where he's taking the holding company.

]]> Mark Penn, the president and managing partner of Stagwell Group, raised industry eyebrows six months ago when he plonked $100 million into the flailing agency holding company MDC Partners—and became its CEO in the process. Six months in, we take a look at what the polarizing pollster has been up to (both in the agency world and the political sphere), what he's learned and where he's taking the holding company.

]]> 35:17 false 108 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11396852 2019-10-01T00:01:12Z Jen Wong, COO, reddit Jen Wong, COO, reddit Thu, 19 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Reddit is on a roll. The self-styled "front page of the internet" is on target to double its ad revenue in the U.S. from $100 million in 2019 to $200 million in 2021, according to eMarketer. This growth is the result of tightening moderation on the platform and building out its advertising business. To discuss Reddit's evolution, strengths and next steps, chief operating officer Jen Wong joins the "Ad Lib" podcast—and questions host Brian Braiker's faith in humanity. 

]]> Reddit is on a roll. The self-styled "front page of the internet" is on target to double its ad revenue in the U.S. from $100 million in 2019 to $200 million in 2021, according to eMarketer. This growth is the result of tightening moderation on the platform and building out its advertising business. To discuss Reddit's evolution, strengths and next steps, chief operating officer Jen Wong joins the "Ad Lib" podcast—and questions host Brian Braiker's faith in humanity.

]]> 36:38 false 107 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11306441 2019-10-01T00:01:12Z Andrew Essex, co-founder and CEO, Plan A Andrew Essex, co-founder and CEO, Plan A Thu, 12 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0000 What do you do after writing a book called "The End of Advertising?" If you're Andrew Essex, you co-found an advertising company. But Plan A, he says, is built on a different model than the traditional holding company. A former journalist and the co-founding CEO of Droga5, Essex brings with him an impressive pedigree. We get into that background, where the industry is going, consultancies, the breakdown of the traditional models and what's next for Plan A.  

]]> What do you do after writing a book called "The End of Advertising?" If you're Andrew Essex, you co-found an advertising company. But Plan A, he says, is built on a different model than the traditional holding company. A former journalist and the co-founding CEO of Droga5, Essex brings with him an impressive pedigree. We get into that background, where the industry is going, consultancies, the breakdown of the traditional models and what's next for Plan A.

]]> 23:18 false 106 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 11214224 2019-10-01T00:01:12Z Ad lawyer Jeffrey Greenbaum, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz Ad lawyer Jeffrey Greenbaum, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz Fri, 06 Sep 2019 09:00:00 +0000 With a trade war brewing, there's a lot more focus on products Made in the USA—but don't believe everything you see. There are some cases of marketers blurring the lines when it comes to products actually made here, and the FTC rules enforcing truthful "Made in USA" claims lack teeth. But that could be changing.

]]> With a trade war brewing, there's a lot more focus on products Made in the USA—but don't believe everything you see. There are some cases of marketers blurring the lines when it comes to products actually made here, and the FTC rules enforcing truthful "Made in USA" claims lack teeth. But that could be changing.

]]> 22:52 false 105 full Ad Age's EJ Schultz 11143376 2019-10-01T00:01:12Z Why Ryan Kutscher joined the circus Why Ryan Kutscher joined the circus Fri, 23 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Ryan Kutscher may have been a noted chef if he didn't decide to go into advertising. Today he is chief creative officer and founder of Circus Maximus, a New York shop which has won its fair share of Ad Age Small Agency awards over the years. In this Ad Lib podcast, he talks about everything from his early days at Crispin Porter & Bogusky and the creation of "Whopper Freakout" to where he and his agency fit into today's project-led world.

]]> Ryan Kutscher may have been a noted chef if he didn't decide to go into advertising. Today he is chief creative officer and founder of Circus Maximus, a New York shop which has won its fair share of Ad Age Small Agency awards over the years. In this Ad Lib podcast, he talks about everything from his early days at Crispin Porter & Bogusky and the creation of "Whopper Freakout" to where he and his agency fit into today's project-led world.

]]> 46:30 false 104 full Ad Age's Judann Pollack 10961171 2019-09-01T00:01:02Z Kai Devereaux Lawson, advocate, agitator and associate operations director at Essence Kai Devereaux Lawson, advocate, agitator and associate operations director at Essence Fri, 16 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0000 An associate operations director at the GroupM shop Essence by day, Lawson writes and podcasts extensively and candidly about diversity and inclusion issues on the side—on the Mixed Company podcast and her own blog. In an industry where young black women are too often unseen and unheard, she's making a point of speaking up.

]]> An associate operations director at the GroupM shop Essence by day, Lawson writes and podcasts extensively and candidly about diversity and inclusion issues on the side—on the Mixed Company podcast and her own blog. In an industry where young black women are too often unseen and unheard, she's making a point of speaking up.

]]> 40:27 false 103 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 10891971 2019-09-01T00:01:02Z David Droga, founder & creative chairman, Droga5 David Droga, founder & creative chairman, Droga5 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0000 The industry's collective mind was blown when David Droga announced in April that his namesake agency, Droga5, would be acquired by Accenture Interactive. The consultants are coming for the creatives, the narrative went. Not so fast, says Droga. Here, he discusses the three-year journey toward acquisition—and what comes next.  

]]> The industry's collective mind was blown when David Droga announced in April that his namesake agency, Droga5, would be acquired by Accenture Interactive. The consultants are coming for the creatives, the narrative went. Not so fast, says Droga. Here, he discusses the three-year journey toward acquisition—and what comes next.

]]> 26:34 false 102 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 10808612 2019-09-01T00:01:02Z Lindsey Slaby, founder, Sunday Dinner Lindsey Slaby, founder, Sunday Dinner Thu, 01 Aug 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Lindsey Slaby is a one woman three ring circus: In one ring is her brand consultancy, Sunday Dinner, which coaches clients through various stages of organizational transformation. The second ring is networking on steroids, be it on her invite-only Slack channel or through the invite-only brainstorming dinners that gave Sunday Dinner its name. The third ring is, well, just any old conversation with her, like this one, which can ricochet into myriad directions at any moment. 

]]> Lindsey Slaby is a one woman three ring circus: In one ring is her brand consultancy, Sunday Dinner, which coaches clients through various stages of organizational transformation. The second ring is networking on steroids, be it on her invite-only Slack channel or through the invite-only brainstorming dinners that gave Sunday Dinner its name. The third ring is, well, just any old conversation with her, like this one, which can ricochet into myriad directions at any moment.

]]> 41:09 false 101 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 10727513 2019-08-01T09:07:25Z Laurent Ezekiel, chief marketing and growth officer, WPP Laurent Ezekiel, chief marketing and growth officer, WPP Thu, 25 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Laurent Ezekiel has his work cut out for him: The Publicis vet joined WPP in May to serve as its first CMO and growth officer. It's a new position at the world's largest advertising holding company, which was the worst performing agency holding company in 2018. He discusses how WPP aims to dig out of its hole and explains what his new boss, WPP CEO Mark Read, means when he talks about becoming a "creative transformation company." 

]]> Laurent Ezekiel has his work cut out for him: The Publicis vet joined WPP in May to serve as its first CMO and growth officer. It's a new position at the world's largest advertising holding company, which was the worst performing agency holding company in 2018. He discusses how WPP aims to dig out of its hole and explains what his new boss, WPP CEO Mark Read, means when he talks about becoming a "creative transformation company."

]]> 35:25 false 100 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 10644440 2019-08-01T00:01:09Z David Fischer, CEO and publisher, Highsnobiety David Fischer, CEO and publisher, Highsnobiety Thu, 18 Jul 2019 09:01:00 +0000 David Fischer started Highsnobiety in 2005 as personal blog dedicated to his passion for sneaker culture and fashion. Today it is a multi-pronged media brand, a magazine that prints twice a year and a creative agency. With 500 million social media impressions, and nine million unique visitors a month, Highsnobiety is about to enter a new phase: The company is partnering with Prada this month for a limited edition product launch this month as it rolls out its new commerce business.

]]> David Fischer started Highsnobiety in 2005 as personal blog dedicated to his passion for sneaker culture and fashion. Today it is a multi-pronged media brand, a magazine that prints twice a year and a creative agency. With 500 million social media impressions, and nine million unique visitors a month, Highsnobiety is about to enter a new phase: The company is partnering with Prada this month for a limited edition product launch this month as it rolls out its new commerce business.

]]> 38:16 false 99 full 10561154 2019-08-01T00:01:09Z Rob Reilly, Global Creative Chairman, McCann Worldgroup Rob Reilly, Global Creative Chairman, McCann Worldgroup Thu, 11 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0000 In an industry with no shortage of Negative Nancies, Rob Reilly is a perpetual, evangelical optimist. But he wasn't always: He once had an employer require him to take a year's worth of classes to learn how to be more respectful of others. Reilly credits that work—among other things—with why he's having such a good run now: The Global Creative Chairman for McCann Worldgroup since 2014, Reilly and his team picked up network of the year for the first time in the agency's history.

]]> In an industry with no shortage of Negative Nancies, Rob Reilly is a perpetual, evangelical optimist. But he wasn't always: He once had an employer require him to take a year's worth of classes to learn how to be more respectful of others. Reilly credits that work—among other things—with why he's having such a good run now: The Global Creative Chairman for McCann Worldgroup since 2014, Reilly and his team picked up network of the year for the first time in the agency's history.

]]> 44:55 false 98 full 10475933 2019-08-01T00:01:09Z Richard Edelman, president and CEO, Edelman Richard Edelman, president and CEO, Edelman Wed, 03 Jul 2019 09:00:00 +0000 According to a global survey of more than 25,000 respondents, consumer trust in brands is down across the board — and expectations of social responsibility from brands is up. That is the core takeaway from the 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report, released last week. Richard Edelman joins the podcast to discuss this crisis of brand trust and opportunities for companies. We talk about what his clients increasingly want from him as he evolves his own business—the largest PR firm in the world--to include more advertising capabilities. We also get a little personal and discuss what it's like running an independent family-owned company that was started by his father, Daniel J. Edelman. Plus he describes a visit from Orville Redenbacher. 

]]> According to a global survey of more than 25,000 respondents, consumer trust in brands is down across the board — and expectations of social responsibility from brands is up. That is the core takeaway from the 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report, released last week. Richard Edelman joins the podcast to discuss this crisis of brand trust and opportunities for companies. We talk about what his clients increasingly want from him as he evolves his own business—the largest PR firm in the world--to include more advertising capabilities. We also get a little personal and discuss what it's like running an independent family-owned company that was started by his father, Daniel J. Edelman. Plus he describes a visit from Orville Redenbacher.

]]> 34:52 false 97 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 10378568 2019-08-01T00:01:09Z Bradley Johnson, director of data analytics, Ad Age Datacenter Bradley Johnson, director of data analytics, Ad Age Datacenter Fri, 28 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0000 If you want to see what's driving ad spending, just look for the net gains. Bradley Johnson joins us to break down the most interesting findings in our annual Leading National Advertisers report, out this week (hint, FANG has developed a big bite). We also dive into Datacenter's 2019 agency rankings to draw some big and small conclusions about the state of the industry in 2019. 

]]> If you want to see what's driving ad spending, just look for the net gains. Bradley Johnson joins us to break down the most interesting findings in our annual Leading National Advertisers report, out this week (hint, FANG has developed a big bite). We also dive into Datacenter's 2019 agency rankings to draw some big and small conclusions about the state of the industry in 2019.

]]> 32:07 false 96 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 10319402 2019-07-01T00:00:25Z Nick Kelly, Anheuser-Busch Nick Kelly, Anheuser-Busch Fri, 21 Jun 2019 14:07:17 +0000 What happens when Big Football meets Big Beer? Until now active pro athletes could not appear in beer ads during games. The head of sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch discusses what a rules change means for Bud Light, and dishes on the brewer's overall sports marketing strategy.

]]> What happens when Big Football meets Big Beer? Until now active pro athletes could not appear in beer ads during games. The head of sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch discusses what a rules change means for Bud Light, and dishes on the brewer's overall sports marketing strategy.

]]> 26:40 false 95 full Ad Age 10236965 2019-07-01T00:00:25Z Avi Dan, CEO, Avidan Strategies Avi Dan, CEO, Avidan Strategies Thu, 13 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0000 An advertising vet who started his own search consultancy in 2007 Avi Dan brings with him close to 4 decades of experience. As the rest of the agency world packs for Cannes, he breaks down how the festival has changed over the years, and who he thinks win big. We take a 30,000 foot view of the entire landscape, from consultancies in the agency space, the in-housing trend, data and creativity, and more. Avi also gets a little personal and describes his life growing up in Tel Aviv and his stint in the military, including a volunteer tour during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. 

]]> An advertising vet who started his own search consultancy in 2007 Avi Dan brings with him close to 4 decades of experience. As the rest of the agency world packs for Cannes, he breaks down how the festival has changed over the years, and who he thinks win big. We take a 30,000 foot view of the entire landscape, from consultancies in the agency space, the in-housing trend, data and creativity, and more. Avi also gets a little personal and describes his life growing up in Tel Aviv and his stint in the military, including a volunteer tour during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

]]> 45:45 false 94 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 10135849 2019-07-01T00:00:25Z Linda Yaccarino & Josh Feldman, NBCUniversal Linda Yaccarino & Josh Feldman, NBCUniversal Fri, 07 Jun 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Depending on whom you ask, this is either the worst time to be in TV, or the most exciting. Count Linda Yaccarino and Josh Feldman among the hopeful. The two share the company's moves to modernize measurement across the industry, and NBC's plans to launch an ad supported streaming over the top service next year--to do battle with the Netflixes and Hulus of the world. They also explain why Cannes is going through something of a renaissance.

]]> Depending on whom you ask, this is either the worst time to be in TV, or the most exciting. Count Linda Yaccarino and Josh Feldman among the hopeful. The two share the company's moves to modernize measurement across the industry, and NBC's plans to launch an ad supported streaming over the top service next year--to do battle with the Netflixes and Hulus of the world. They also explain why Cannes is going through something of a renaissance.

]]> 54:41 false 93 full Brian Braiker 10082168 2019-07-01T00:00:25Z Bhavana Smith, chief client officer Bhavana Smith, chief client officer Thu, 30 May 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Usually when you hear about consultancies in the marketing and advertising space these days, it's in the context of them luring talent away from agencies or making full blown acquisitions. But last year when MediaCom was looking to hire a new chief client officer, it went right into the lion's den. In hiring Bhavana Smith, a six-and-a-half year Accenture vet, the WPP media network is seeking to burnish its digital transformation capabilities—and take a page from the consultancy playbook.

]]> Usually when you hear about consultancies in the marketing and advertising space these days, it's in the context of them luring talent away from agencies or making full blown acquisitions. But last year when MediaCom was looking to hire a new chief client officer, it went right into the lion's den. In hiring Bhavana Smith, a six-and-a-half year Accenture vet, the WPP media network is seeking to burnish its digital transformation capabilities—and take a page from the consultancy playbook.

]]> 28:58 false 92 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 9969557 2019-06-01T00:00:50Z Rishad Tobaccoawala, chief growth officer, Publicis Rishad Tobaccowala, chief growth officer, Publicis Fri, 24 May 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Rishad Tobaccowala, who has logged nearly four decades at Publicis, joins the podcast to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. In a conversation that kicks off by unpacking Publicis's recent announcement that it will be acquiring data marketing juggernaut Epsilon, Rishad breaks down the industry from his own unique vantage point as someone who has spent time in creative, digital and media. We discuss how the holding company model is being forced to evolve and what it means to be a brand in 2019. And we get into what growth means to him both as a chief growth officer and as a human being. Stick around and you might pick up a few life hacks.

]]> Rishad Tobaccowala, who has logged nearly four decades at Publicis, joins the podcast to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. In a conversation that kicks off by unpacking Publicis's recent announcement that it will be acquiring data marketing juggernaut Epsilon, Rishad breaks down the industry from his own unique vantage point as someone who has spent time in creative, digital and media. We discuss how the holding company model is being forced to evolve and what it means to be a brand in 2019. And we get into what growth means to him both as a chief growth officer and as a human being. Stick around and you might pick up a few life hacks.

]]> 44:53 false 91 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 9898010 2019-06-01T00:00:50Z DDB's Keith Reinhard: 'Betty Crocker was my first pin-up girl' DDB's Keith Reinhard: 'Betty Crocker was my first pin-up girl' Fri, 17 May 2019 09:00:00 +0000 In this week's Ad Age Ad Lib podcast, we interview the chairman emeritus of DDB Worldwide, who tells us about his legendary 65-year history in advertising, including  why he pointed a cannon--literally--at Leo Burnett's offices and the inside story of the "Big Bang" merger that created Omnicom (and why he had to keep changing rooms at The Palace Hotel.) Reinhard also discusses his admiration for Bill Bernbach, who he calls "the Picasso of the business," and tells us where he sees the ad industry going in the future.

]]> In this week's Ad Age Ad Lib podcast, we interview the chairman emeritus of DDB Worldwide, who tells us about his legendary 65-year history in advertising, including why he pointed a cannon--literally--at Leo Burnett's offices and the inside story of the "Big Bang" merger that created Omnicom (and why he had to keep changing rooms at The Palace Hotel.) Reinhard also discusses his admiration for Bill Bernbach, who he calls "the Picasso of the business," and tells us where he sees the ad industry going in the future.

]]> 38:28 false 90 full Ad Age's Judann Pollack 9813647 2019-06-01T00:00:50Z Peter McGuinness, CMO of Chobani Peter McGuinness, CMO of Chobani Thu, 09 May 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Peter McGuinness wasn't always a yogurt guy. Before joining Greek yogurt brand Chobani in 2013, he had a career in ad agencies. On this episode of the podcast, he discusses making the transition to the brand side, and the fresh self-awareness that brought him. He describes working for a brand with purpose and how Chobani is grappling with the current dip in U.S. yogurt sales as more alternatives come to market.

]]> Peter McGuinness wasn't always a yogurt guy. Before joining Greek yogurt brand Chobani in 2013, he had a career in ad agencies. On this episode of the podcast, he discusses making the transition to the brand side, and the fresh self-awareness that brought him. He describes working for a brand with purpose and how Chobani is grappling with the current dip in U.S. yogurt sales as more alternatives come to market.

]]> 36:26 false 89 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 9706892 2019-06-01T00:00:50Z Alex Magnin, Giphy head of revenue Alex Magnin, Giphy head of revenue Fri, 03 May 2019 09:00:00 +0000 People are conducting more than a billion searches for GIFs on messaging apps a day. At the heart of their results is, usually, Giphy, a shareable online database of those short looping soundless videos. Giphy's Alex Magnin who claims to net in the ballpark of 10 percent of the search traffic of Google, joins the podcast today to discuss all things GIF and messaging, what it looks like from an advertising and branded content perspective, plus what the most popular GIF search terms are. (Hint: They might just restore your faith in humanity!)

]]> People are conducting more than a billion searches for GIFs on messaging apps a day. At the heart of their results is, usually, Giphy, a shareable online database of those short looping soundless videos. Giphy's Alex Magnin who claims to net in the ballpark of 10 percent of the search traffic of Google, joins the podcast today to discuss all things GIF and messaging, what it looks like from an advertising and branded content perspective, plus what the most popular GIF search terms are. (Hint: They might just restore your faith in humanity!)

]]> 32:42 false 88 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 9629948 2019-06-01T00:00:50Z Shelly Lazarus, chairman emeritus, Ogilvy Shelly Lazarus, chairman emeritus, Ogilvy Thu, 25 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Our conversation with Shelly Lazarus, Ogilvy's chairman emeritus, covered a lot of ground—from what it was like to be a woman ad exec in the 1970s to today's #MeToo movement to where holding companies are going in the future.

]]> Our conversation with Shelly Lazarus, Ogilvy's chairman emeritus, covered a lot of ground—from what it was like to be a woman ad exec in the 1970s to today's #MeToo movement to where holding companies are going in the future.

]]> 48:28 false 87 full Brian Braiker & Judy Pollack 9516713 2019-05-01T00:01:07Z Jeff Goodby, Chairman and co-founder, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners Jeff Goodby, Chairman and co-founder, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners Thu, 18 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Goodby, Silverstein & Partners are on a roll. The agency nabbed the number two spot on the Ad Age A-List, released this week. Its founders, Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein, will be in Cannes this summer to pick up the prestigious Lion of St. Mark, rewarding a career filled with creative triumphs, including, most famously, the "Got Milk?" campaign. Goodby joins the podcast to discuss career highs and lows, his philosophy of openness, his favorite David Ogilvy story, his next chapter and more. 

]]> Goodby, Silverstein & Partners are on a roll. The agency nabbed the number two spot on the Ad Age A-List, released this week. Its founders, Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein, will be in Cannes this summer to pick up the prestigious Lion of St. Mark, rewarding a career filled with creative triumphs, including, most famously, the "Got Milk?" campaign. Goodby joins the podcast to discuss career highs and lows, his philosophy of openness, his favorite David Ogilvy story, his next chapter and more.

]]> 31:20 false 86 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 9436310 2019-05-01T00:01:07Z Ad Block: Tiffany R. Warren, chief diversity officer and SVP at Omnicom, founder and president of the diversity advocacy organization AdColor Ad Block: Tiffany R. Warren, chief diversity officer and SVP at Omnicom, founder and president of the diversity advocacy organization AdColor Wed, 10 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Tiffany R. Warren talks about the skin care tradition handed down through her family and the ways she's improved upon it. "In a way, when I take care of my skin, it's a connection to my grandmother," she says. She also weighs in on her ideal breakfast, what to do with your privilege and the enduring legacy of New Edition.

]]> Tiffany R. Warren talks about the skin care tradition handed down through her family and the ways she's improved upon it. "In a way, when I take care of my skin, it's a connection to my grandmother," she says. She also weighs in on her ideal breakfast, what to do with your privilege and the enduring legacy of New Edition.

]]> 35:04 false 85 full Ad Age's I-Hsien Sherwood and Alfred Maskeroni 9332978 2019-05-01T00:01:07Z Alicia Hatch, CMO, Deloitte Digital Alicia Hatch, CMO, Deloitte Digital Thu, 04 Apr 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Deloitte Digital is one of the world's 10 biggest agency companies: In 2017 Ad Age ranked Deloitte Digital as the world's second-largest digital network, behind rival Accenture Interactive. Hatch joins me today to explain what, exactly, it is Deloitte Digital does. "We exist to make old companies new again," she says. She explains what that means, how data and tech like AI come into play and discuss her early career on a disease control project during an outbreak in West Africa.

]]> Deloitte Digital is one of the world's 10 biggest agency companies: In 2017 Ad Age ranked Deloitte Digital as the world's second-largest digital network, behind rival Accenture Interactive. Hatch joins me today to explain what, exactly, it is Deloitte Digital does. "We exist to make old companies new again," she says. She explains what that means, how data and tech like AI come into play and discuss her early career on a disease control project during an outbreak in West Africa.

]]> 38:02 false 84 full Ad Age's Brian Braiker 9258431 2019-05-01T00:01:07Z Ad Block: Deutsch North American CCO Pete Favat on woodworking Deutsch North American CCO Pete Favat on woodworking, Wed, 03 Apr 2019 14:59:50 +0000 Pete Favat talks about building useful things from scrap and renovating his home on "This Old House." The C-suite leaves less time to get his hands dirty on the job, he says. "You're using your brain, which is good, but there's no physical gratification at all. We weren't put on this earth to just bang keys on a keyboard." So he creates on his own time, putting together whatever strikes his fancy: a dog sled, a chandelier, a garden.

]]> Pete Favat talks about building useful things from scrap and renovating his home on "This Old House." The C-suite leaves less time to get his hands dirty on the job, he says. "You're using your brain, which is good, but there's no physical gratification at all. We weren't put on this earth to just bang keys on a keyboard." So he creates on his own time, putting together whatever strikes his fancy: a dog sled, a chandelier, a garden.

]]> 29:43 false 83 full I-Hsien Sherwood and Alfred Maskeroni 9254393 2019-05-01T00:01:07Z Nicolas Bidon, CEO, Xaxis Nicolas Bidon, CEO, Xaxis Thu, 28 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0000 When Nicolas Bidon talks about his business, he talks about becoming an "outcome" media company. As part of WPP and GroupM, Xaxis is a billion-dollar business — arguably the world's largest global programmatic media and technology platform — boasting some 3000 clients across 47 markets. The evolution to an outcome-based focus, Bidon says, represents a shift away from fairly crude metrics like CPMs to more real, specific business goals—with an assist from emerging tech like artificial intelligence. We get into all of that, plus some weedy topics like arbitrage, transparency and FBI investigations.

]]> When Nicolas Bidon talks about his business, he talks about becoming an "outcome" media company. As part of WPP and GroupM, Xaxis is a billion-dollar business — arguably the world's largest global programmatic media and technology platform — boasting some 3000 clients across 47 markets. The evolution to an outcome-based focus, Bidon says, represents a shift away from fairly crude metrics like CPMs to more real, specific business goals—with an assist from emerging tech like artificial intelligence. We get into all of that, plus some weedy topics like arbitrage, transparency and FBI investigations.

]]> 39:25 false 82 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Nicolas Bidon 9167063 2019-04-01T00:01:36Z Ad Block: Joan CCO Jaime Robinson on knitting Ad Block: Joan CCO Jaime Robinson on knitting Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:28:38 +0000 Joan Creative CCO Jaime Robinson keeps both a spinning wheel and a loom in her closet so she can spin yarn and knit blankets and sweaters, "like the lady in Rumpelstiltskin." She also reveals her favorite Joan and goes deep on the allure of "Russian Doll" and her childhood memories of the Sears Wish Book.

]]> Joan Creative CCO Jaime Robinson keeps both a spinning wheel and a loom in her closet so she can spin yarn and knit blankets and sweaters, "like the lady in Rumpelstiltskin." She also reveals her favorite Joan and goes deep on the allure of "Russian Doll" and her childhood memories of the Sears Wish Book.

]]> 34:50 false 81 full Ad Age's I-Hsien Sherwood and Alfred Maskeroni 9160682 2019-04-01T00:01:36Z Bryan Yasko, president, Johannes Leonardo Bryan Yasko, president, Johannes Leonardo Thu, 21 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0000 It's been a busy couple months for Johannes Leonardo. In February the shop announced that it would buy a "significant" portion of itself back from WPP. Then, weeks later, another tantalizing bit of news: Volkswagen named JL its lead agency. Bryan Yasko joins the podcast to discuss these developments, plus working with Adidas, the broader trend toward project work and why he doesn't like holding companies.

]]> It's been a busy couple months for Johannes Leonardo. In February the shop announced that it would buy a "significant" portion of itself back from WPP. Then, weeks later, another tantalizing bit of news: Volkswagen named JL its lead agency. Bryan Yasko joins the podcast to discuss these developments, plus working with Adidas, the broader trend toward project work and why he doesn't like holding companies.

]]> 23:31 false 80 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Bryan Yasko 9082265 2019-04-01T00:01:36Z Marketer's Brief Marketer's Brief Tue, 19 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0000 Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, is overseeing a 10-year, $2 billion investment on zero-emissions vehicle technology and awareness. The group's marketing director, Richard Steinberg, discusses what it is doing to help nudge the EV sector into the mainstream, including how charging stations might create branding opportunities.

]]> Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, is overseeing a 10-year, $2 billion investment on zero-emissions vehicle technology and awareness. The group's marketing director, Richard Steinberg, discusses what it is doing to help nudge the EV sector into the mainstream, including how charging stations might create branding opportunities.

]]> 30:08 false 79 full Ad Age - Host E.J. Schultz 9053738 2019-04-01T00:01:36Z Sebastian Tomich, global head of advertising, New York Times Sebastian Tomich, global head of advertising, New York Times Thu, 14 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0000 In a digital media landscape littered with layoffs, mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcy, the New York Times remains a bright spot. Last week, the Times reported adding more than a quarter million new digital-only subscriptions in its fourth quarter earnings call. The publisher's success invites the question: what does a subscription-first model mean for the paper's ads business? Tomich joins the podcast to answer that — and more. We get into the runaway success of "The Daily" podcast, and how it has informed the publisher's new video product, "The Weekly." Tomich will break down the Times' wary relationship with platforms and how it looks at innovation in tech. And we also discuss the paper's antagonistic relationship with a certain sitting president. 

]]> In a digital media landscape littered with layoffs, mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcy, the New York Times remains a bright spot. Last week, the Times reported adding more than a quarter million new digital-only subscriptions in its fourth quarter earnings call. The publisher's success invites the question: what does a subscription-first model mean for the paper's ads business? Tomich joins the podcast to answer that — and more. We get into the runaway success of "The Daily" podcast, and how it has informed the publisher's new video product, "The Weekly." Tomich will break down the Times' wary relationship with platforms and how it looks at innovation in tech. And we also discuss the paper's antagonistic relationship with a certain sitting president.

]]> 43:18 false 78 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Sebastian Tomich 8993960 2019-04-01T00:01:36Z Marketer's Brief Marketer's Brief Tue, 12 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0000 In a 20-year marketing career with Anheuser-Busch, Bob Lachky oversaw some of the most memorable ad campaigns in beer, including "Whassup," the Budweiser Frogs and Real Men of Genius. Lachky, now a consultant, joins us to talk about the brewing marketing war between his old company and MillerCoors over corn syrup, as well as why Lachky thinks the beer industry has lost its way.

]]> In a 20-year marketing career with Anheuser-Busch, Bob Lachky oversaw some of the most memorable ad campaigns in beer, including "Whassup," the Budweiser Frogs and Real Men of Genius. Lachky, now a consultant, joins us to talk about the brewing marketing war between his old company and MillerCoors over corn syrup, as well as why Lachky thinks the beer industry has lost its way.

]]> 27:52 false 77 full Ad Age - Host E.J. Schultz with guest Bob Lachky 8964368 2019-04-01T00:01:36Z Ryan Ford, Chief Creative Officer and EVP, Cashmere Ryan Ford, Chief Creative Officer and EVP, Cashmere Thu, 07 Mar 2019 10:00:00 +0000 The brand wizards behind Snoop Dogg's career, Cashmere has done work on "Black Panther," "Get Out," "Atlanta" and more. Beyond entertainment, it also counts as clients BMW, Jack in the Box, Adidas, and Diageo among others. Cashmere's Ryan Ford joins us to break down what it means to be a multicultural agency in 2019, the current state of the influencer landscape, and what brands get right — and wrong — when it comes to tapping into the culture.

]]> The brand wizards behind Snoop Dogg's career, Cashmere has done work on "Black Panther," "Get Out," "Atlanta" and more. Beyond entertainment, it also counts as clients BMW, Jack in the Box, Adidas, and Diageo among others. Cashmere's Ryan Ford joins us to break down what it means to be a multicultural agency in 2019, the current state of the influencer landscape, and what brands get right — and wrong — when it comes to tapping into the culture.

]]> 43:37 false 76 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Ryan Ford 8906819 2019-04-01T00:01:36Z Marketer's Brief Marketer's Brief Mon, 04 Mar 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Iconic brands are struggling to remain relevant in today's food industry. More evidence came with Kraft Heinz's recent $15 billion asset write-down. We examine the fallout and why Kraft's fall could be good for ad agencies.

]]> Iconic brands are struggling to remain relevant in today's food industry. More evidence came with Kraft Heinz's recent $15 billion asset write-down. We examine the fallout and why Kraft's fall could be good for ad agencies.

]]> 24:17 false 75 full Ad Age - Host E. J. Schultz 8842097 2019-04-01T00:01:36Z Ben Lerer, CEO, Group Nine Media Ben Lerer, CEO, Group Nine Media Thu, 28 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Group Nine Media was formed in 2016 with a $100 million investment from Discovery and today rolls up four media brands: Thrillist, NowThis, the Dodo and Seeker. The rationale for consolidation, according to CEO Ben Lerer: Bigger is better. By combining the brands under one holding company, he says, he has gained a seat at the table with advertisers. He joins us today to discuss those conversations and his relationship with platforms like YouTube and Facebook. He also addresses the rumors that Group Nine and BuzzFeed have been in consolidation talks of their own lately.

]]> Group Nine Media was formed in 2016 with a $100 million investment from Discovery and today rolls up four media brands: Thrillist, NowThis, the Dodo and Seeker. The rationale for consolidation, according to CEO Ben Lerer: Bigger is better. By combining the brands under one holding company, he says, he has gained a seat at the table with advertisers. He joins us today to discuss those conversations and his relationship with platforms like YouTube and Facebook. He also addresses the rumors that Group Nine and BuzzFeed have been in consolidation talks of their own lately.

]]> 51:46 false 74 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Ben Lerer 8812181 2019-03-01T00:00:13Z Bob Pittman, CEO, iHeartMedia Bob Pittman, CEO, iHeartMedia Thu, 21 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000 If you wrote iHeartMedia off as DOA last year, you may have made the call too soon. Last month the radio giant gained court approval for a plan that would allow it to emerge from bankruptcy. Its CEO, Bob Pittman, joined the company in 2010 as an investor when it was still called Clear Channel. His mandate: completely transform the company. A quick glance at a few recent stats suggest how far he's come: The multiplatform player boasts more than 120 million registered users, is the number one all-in-one digital audio service with more than a billion downloads and is the top commercial podcast producer in the business. Pittman—a co-founder of MTV and one-time CEO of AOL Networks--joins the podcast to talk all things radio, streaming and his remarkable career.

]]> If you wrote iHeartMedia off as DOA last year, you may have made the call too soon. Last month the radio giant gained court approval for a plan that would allow it to emerge from bankruptcy. Its CEO, Bob Pittman, joined the company in 2010 as an investor when it was still called Clear Channel. His mandate: completely transform the company. A quick glance at a few recent stats suggest how far he's come: The multiplatform player boasts more than 120 million registered users, is the number one all-in-one digital audio service with more than a billion downloads and is the top commercial podcast producer in the business. Pittman—a co-founder of MTV and one-time CEO of AOL Networks--joins the podcast to talk all things radio, streaming and his remarkable career.

]]> 43:06 false 73 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Bob Pittman 8718851 2019-03-01T00:00:13Z Tim Cadogan, CEO, OpenX Tim Cadogan, CEO, OpenX Thu, 14 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Independent ad exchange OpenX raised eyebrows in the programmatic realm last month when it announced a five-year agreement totaling more than $110 million with Google to use its cloud computing services. The news came just a month after the supply-side platform laid off some 100 employees as it prepared for the deal and continues to push into the video arena. Tim Cadogan, CEO of OpenX, joins the podcast to discuss the arrangement and how the programmatic landscape looks in 2019.

]]> Independent ad exchange OpenX raised eyebrows in the programmatic realm last month when it announced a five-year agreement totaling more than $110 million with Google to use its cloud computing services. The news came just a month after the supply-side platform laid off some 100 employees as it prepared for the deal and continues to push into the video arena. Tim Cadogan, CEO of OpenX, joins the podcast to discuss the arrangement and how the programmatic landscape looks in 2019.

]]> 38:47 false 72 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Tim Cadogan 8636984 2019-03-01T00:00:13Z Marla Kaplowitz, president and CEO, 4A's Marla Kaplowitz, president and CEO, 4A's Thu, 07 Feb 2019 10:00:00 +0000 In a time where there is no shortage of gloom and doom in the agency landscape, the job falls to Marla Kaplowitz to be its biggest booster. Kaplowitz joins this episode of Ad Lib to field questions about the agency talent crunch, consultancy creep, brands bringing advertising capabilities in-house and, of course, that little FBI investigation into agency media-buying practices launched last fall.

]]> In a time where there is no shortage of gloom and doom in the agency landscape, the job falls to Marla Kaplowitz to be its biggest booster. Kaplowitz joins this episode of Ad Lib to field questions about the agency talent crunch, consultancy creep, brands bringing advertising capabilities in-house and, of course, that little FBI investigation into agency media-buying practices launched last fall.

]]> 31:32 false 71 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Marla Kaplowitz 8548673 2019-03-01T00:00:13Z Laura Hutfless, FlyteVu Agency Laura Hutfless, FlyteVu Agency Thu, 31 Jan 2019 14:00:00 +0000 With its first Super Bowl ad, Bumble set out to empower women both in front of and behind the camera. On this special Super Bowl edition of the Ad Lib podcast, Laura Hutfless, partner at FlyteVu Agency, which worked on the ad, discusses how the social networking app pulled together a Big Game commercial in six weeks with a team composed almost entirely of women. 

]]> With its first Super Bowl ad, Bumble set out to empower women both in front of and behind the camera. On this special Super Bowl edition of the Ad Lib podcast, Laura Hutfless, partner at FlyteVu Agency, which worked on the ad, discusses how the social networking app pulled together a Big Game commercial in six weeks with a team composed almost entirely of women.

]]> 28:54 false 70 full Ad Age - Host Jeanine Poggi with guest Laura Hutfless 8459843 2019-02-01T00:00:18Z Azania Andrews, Michelob Ultra Azania Andrews, Michelob Ultra Tue, 29 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Michelob Ultra will air two commercials in Super Bowl LIII – one featuring robots and the other making a direct appeal to female football viewers. Azania Andrews, VP marketing, at the Anheuser-Busch brewer, joins this special Super Bowl edition of the Ad Lib podcast to discuss just what goes into creating an ad for the Big Game and how Michelob is trying to change how women are portrayed on marketers' biggest stage. 

]]> Michelob Ultra will air two commercials in Super Bowl LIII – one featuring robots and the other making a direct appeal to female football viewers. Azania Andrews, VP marketing, at the Anheuser-Busch brewer, joins this special Super Bowl edition of the Ad Lib podcast to discuss just what goes into creating an ad for the Big Game and how Michelob is trying to change how women are portrayed on marketers' biggest stage.

]]> 30:46 false 69 full Ad Age - Host Jeanine Poggi with guest Azania Andrews 8430380 2019-02-01T00:00:18Z Erika Nardini, CEO, Barstool Sports Erika Nardini, CEO, Barstool Sports Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000 A publisher of podcasts, radio shows and online articles about sports and sports culture, Barstool Sports has a robust commerce and pay-per-view events business to feed its rabidly dedicated fanbase, known as Stoolies. It is, to hear CEO Erika Nardini tell it, the publisher model of the future. All of this despite — or perhaps because of — a habit of courting controversy. The company has repeatedly been taken to task for language and behavior that ranges from juvenile to full-blown misogynistic. Nardini unpacks all of that and more on this episode of Ad Lib.

]]> A publisher of podcasts, radio shows and online articles about sports and sports culture, Barstool Sports has a robust commerce and pay-per-view events business to feed its rabidly dedicated fanbase, known as Stoolies. It is, to hear CEO Erika Nardini tell it, the publisher model of the future. All of this despite — or perhaps because of — a habit of courting controversy. The company has repeatedly been taken to task for language and behavior that ranges from juvenile to full-blown misogynistic. Nardini unpacks all of that and more on this episode of Ad Lib.

]]> 40:30 false 68 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Erika Nardini 8369387 2019-02-01T00:00:18Z Keith Grossman, Bloomberg Media global chief revenue officer Keith Grossman, Bloomberg Media global chief revenue officer Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Bloomberg Media has been experimenting across the board lately — from its consultancy play to an aggressive over-the-top streaming strategy to TicToc, a video partnership with Twitter. Joining us on the podcast is chief global revenue officer Keith Grossman, who breaks down why these are both the best of times and the worst of times to be in digital media -- and why there's never been a better moment to be a media brand that knows what it stands for.

]]> Bloomberg Media has been experimenting across the board lately — from its consultancy play to an aggressive over-the-top streaming strategy to TicToc, a video partnership with Twitter. Joining us on the podcast is chief global revenue officer Keith Grossman, who breaks down why these are both the best of times and the worst of times to be in digital media -- and why there's never been a better moment to be a media brand that knows what it stands for.

]]> 41:32 false 67 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Keith Grossman 8286086 2019-02-01T00:00:18Z Meg Goldthwaite, CMO, NPR Meg Goldthwaite, CMO, NPR Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:00:00 +0000 Twenty-one percent of the population now owns at least one smart speaker. A full 14 million people in the U.S. got their first smart speaker device in 2018 — meaning voice as a topic of fascination is not going away any time soon. From the floor of the Las Vegas Convention center this week, NPR CMO Meg Goldthwaite joins us to discuss the revolution in voice, and what it means for marketers and consumers alike.

]]> Twenty-one percent of the population now owns at least one smart speaker. A full 14 million people in the U.S. got their first smart speaker device in 2018 — meaning voice as a topic of fascination is not going away any time soon. From the floor of the Las Vegas Convention center this week, NPR CMO Meg Goldthwaite joins us to discuss the revolution in voice, and what it means for marketers and consumers alike.

]]> 29:43 false 66 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Meg Goldthwaite 8199401 2019-02-01T00:00:18Z Shannon Simpson Jones and Yadira Harrison, co-founders, Verb Shannon Simpson Jones and Yadira Harrison, co-founders, Verb Thu, 20 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0000 Launched in January, Verb is a hybrid shop that claims to have a new approach to the agency space. Verb boasts both traditional agency chops and consultancy offerings for both brands and other agencies — with a specialty in experiential marketing. It is the brain child of Shannon Simpson Jones and Yadira Harrison, both former VPs of the Civic Entertainment Group. We discuss the challenges and opportunities in the experiential, and the gap between brand expectations and reality. Both executives who happen to be women of color, they also weigh in on diversity and inclusivity and why it's important to take a step back to look at who is in the room with you.

]]> Launched in January, Verb is a hybrid shop that claims to have a new approach to the agency space. Verb boasts both traditional agency chops and consultancy offerings for both brands and other agencies — with a specialty in experiential marketing. It is the brain child of Shannon Simpson Jones and Yadira Harrison, both former VPs of the Civic Entertainment Group. We discuss the challenges and opportunities in the experiential, and the gap between brand expectations and reality. Both executives who happen to be women of color, they also weigh in on diversity and inclusivity and why it's important to take a step back to look at who is in the room with you.

]]> 33:03 false 65 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guests Shannon Simpson Jones and Yadira Harrison 7982828 2019-01-01T00:00:29Z Ben Wiener, CEO, Wongdoody Ben Wiener, CEO, Wongdoody Thu, 13 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0000 The Seattle-based creative shop Wongdoody (yes, that's its real name) celebrated its 25th anniversary this year — and as it did so, it was acquired by Indian tech giant Infosys, once known for offshoring jobs. It is, says CEO Ben Wiener, a great time for an agency like Wongdoody. As the big advertising holding companies continue to fumble, Wongdoody is seeing double digit growth, he says. It is winning new business and expanding globally. A Wongdoody lifer, Wiener started at the company as an intern in 1994. Now he runs the show from his perch in Los Angles. We discuss industry trends at large as the year winds to a close and what's next for in 2019.

]]> The Seattle-based creative shop Wongdoody (yes, that's its real name) celebrated its 25th anniversary this year — and as it did so, it was acquired by Indian tech giant Infosys, once known for offshoring jobs. It is, says CEO Ben Wiener, a great time for an agency like Wongdoody. As the big advertising holding companies continue to fumble, Wongdoody is seeing double digit growth, he says. It is winning new business and expanding globally. A Wongdoody lifer, Wiener started at the company as an intern in 1994. Now he runs the show from his perch in Los Angles. We discuss industry trends at large as the year winds to a close and what's next for in 2019.

]]> 31:29 false 64 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Ben Wiener 7897940 2019-01-01T00:00:29Z Edward Felsenthal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Time magazine Edward Felsenthal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Time magazine Thu, 06 Dec 2018 10:00:00 +0000 Days after Salesforce co-founder Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne closed on their purchase of Time, the new owners gave its editor, Edward Felsenthal, the additional title of CEO. Felsenthal joins Ad Lib to discuss his role in the negotiation process with the Benioffs – and where he plans to take things under the new ownership. Time is on something of a roll: it won an Emmy in 2017, a National Magazine Award in 2018 and will see nearly 2 billion video streams this year. And, despite declining print revenues, Time remains the largest U.S. print title in news, with 2 million subscribers.

]]> Days after Salesforce co-founder Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne closed on their purchase of Time, the new owners gave its editor, Edward Felsenthal, the additional title of CEO. Felsenthal joins Ad Lib to discuss his role in the negotiation process with the Benioffs – and where he plans to take things under the new ownership. Time is on something of a roll: it won an Emmy in 2017, a National Magazine Award in 2018 and will see nearly 2 billion video streams this year. And, despite declining print revenues, Time remains the largest U.S. print title in news, with 2 million subscribers.

]]> 38:32 false 63 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Edward Felsenthal 7814666 2019-01-01T00:00:29Z Julio Bruno, CEO of Time Out Group Julio Bruno, CEO of Time Out Group Thu, 29 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0000 In 2015, when Julio Bruno took over as the chief executive at Time Out, it was taking on heavy losses. An executive who had held senior positions at Diageo and TripAdvisor, Bruno saw an opportunity. Now, three years on, as Time Out celebrates its 50th anniversary, Bruno has not only begun to turn the publisher around and make it digitally relevant, but he's taken it public, leaned into an ecommerce strategy and is building a chain of physical market places.

]]> In 2015, when Julio Bruno took over as the chief executive at Time Out, it was taking on heavy losses. An executive who had held senior positions at Diageo and TripAdvisor, Bruno saw an opportunity. Now, three years on, as Time Out celebrates its 50th anniversary, Bruno has not only begun to turn the publisher around and make it digitally relevant, but he's taken it public, leaned into an ecommerce strategy and is building a chain of physical market places.

]]> 32:54 false 62 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Julio Bruno 7717670 2018-12-01T00:00:33Z Karina Wilsher, Anomaly's next global CEO Karina Wilsher, Anomaly's next global CEO Tue, 20 Nov 2018 18:21:32 +0000 After 14 years at Anomaly, founding partner Karina Wilsher will be assuming the global CEO title at the agency. Currently the global COO, Wilsher has long been groomed for the new role and will assume the chief executive position in January. True to its name, Anomaly is an outlier in its space, a non-traditional agency that was founded with a commitment to intellectual property and creating products. Wilsher joins me today to discuss the news and what it means for her and for Anomaly. We discuss its most famous product, the legal cannabis pen Dosist, the breaking down of the holding company model, Brexit — which the London-based Wilsher describes as a "shit show." We get into the struggles of Anomaly's parent company MDC Partners, evolving consumer behaviors and what 2019 looks like for Anomaly. 

]]> After 14 years at Anomaly, founding partner Karina Wilsher will be assuming the global CEO title at the agency. Currently the global COO, Wilsher has long been groomed for the new role and will assume the chief executive position in January. True to its name, Anomaly is an outlier in its space, a non-traditional agency that was founded with a commitment to intellectual property and creating products. Wilsher joins me today to discuss the news and what it means for her and for Anomaly. We discuss its most famous product, the legal cannabis pen Dosist, the breaking down of the holding company model, Brexit — which the London-based Wilsher describes as a "shit show." We get into the struggles of Anomaly's parent company MDC Partners, evolving consumer behaviors and what 2019 looks like for Anomaly.

]]> 28:27 false 61 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Karina Wilsher 7633430 2018-12-01T00:00:33Z Aaron Walton, co-founder, Walton Isaacson Aaron Walton, co-founder, Walton Isaacson Thu, 15 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0000 The co-founder of 14-year-old agency Walton Isaacson first went to work for the brand side in 1983 — Pepsi specifically. As it happens Pepsi at the time was working with a singer by the name of Michael Jackson. Walton's job would take him on tour with Jackson. Now, some 35 years after that first incredible gig, Walton is not only still in the business of telling brand stories, he's still at culture's cutting edge. It was Walton Isaacson client Lexus that teamed up with Marvel for the Black Panther ads that ran during this year's Super Bowl. More recently the agency added the New York Police Department to its roster, where the mandate is to help the department integrate its ranks.

]]> The co-founder of 14-year-old agency Walton Isaacson first went to work for the brand side in 1983 — Pepsi specifically. As it happens Pepsi at the time was working with a singer by the name of Michael Jackson. Walton's job would take him on tour with Jackson. Now, some 35 years after that first incredible gig, Walton is not only still in the business of telling brand stories, he's still at culture's cutting edge. It was Walton Isaacson client Lexus that teamed up with Marvel for the Black Panther ads that ran during this year's Super Bowl. More recently the agency added the New York Police Department to its roster, where the mandate is to help the department integrate its ranks.

]]> 46:54 false 60 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Walton Isaacson 7561175 2018-12-01T00:00:33Z Lizzie Widhelm, Pandora svp of ad innovation Lizzie Widhelm, Pandora svp of ad innovation Thu, 08 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0000 In September, satellite radio company Sirius XM offered to plunk down $3.5 billion to acquire streaming music service Pandora. Joining us today is Pandora svp of ad innovation Lizzie Widhelm to break down what the Sirius offer means to Pandora — and vice versa. Sirius has more than 36 million subscribers in North America, Pandora has 70 million monthly listeners — fewer than 6 million of whom pay for the service. We discuss the state of advertising in the streaming space, the future of audio and why she's bullish on podcasts. We also discuss why she thinks she didn't experience noticeable gender discrimination until she reached senior leadership positions. Oh, and we get into what her favorite TV show was growing up. 

]]> In September, satellite radio company Sirius XM offered to plunk down $3.5 billion to acquire streaming music service Pandora. Joining us today is Pandora svp of ad innovation Lizzie Widhelm to break down what the Sirius offer means to Pandora — and vice versa. Sirius has more than 36 million subscribers in North America, Pandora has 70 million monthly listeners — fewer than 6 million of whom pay for the service. We discuss the state of advertising in the streaming space, the future of audio and why she's bullish on podcasts. We also discuss why she thinks she didn't experience noticeable gender discrimination until she reached senior leadership positions. Oh, and we get into what her favorite TV show was growing up.

]]> 34:40 false 59 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Lizzie Widhelm 7477883 2018-12-01T00:00:33Z Rich Antoniello, CEO of Complex Media Rich Antoniello, CEO of Complex Media Thu, 01 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000 This weekend some 60,000 sneakerheads, hip hop aficionados, jocks, gamers, design nerds and foodies will descend on Long Beach, California, for the fourth annual ComplexCon. The consumer-facing pop culture bonanza is the physical expression of media brand Complex, which CEO Rich Antoniello has been driving for the past 17 years. Rich — who is outspoken on just about any topic you can throw at him — joins us today for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from media's pivot to revenue diversification (after it's failed pivot to video) and how Complex's joint acquisition by Hearst and Verizon in 2016 has been playing out for the brand. We talk about why he's bullish on over-the-top streaming platforms and how his own background as an agency and print guy left him perfectly unprepared to be a modern media CEO.

]]> This weekend some 60,000 sneakerheads, hip hop aficionados, jocks, gamers, design nerds and foodies will descend on Long Beach, California, for the fourth annual ComplexCon. The consumer-facing pop culture bonanza is the physical expression of media brand Complex, which CEO Rich Antoniello has been driving for the past 17 years. Rich — who is outspoken on just about any topic you can throw at him — joins us today for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from media's pivot to revenue diversification (after it's failed pivot to video) and how Complex's joint acquisition by Hearst and Verizon in 2016 has been playing out for the brand. We talk about why he's bullish on over-the-top streaming platforms and how his own background as an agency and print guy left him perfectly unprepared to be a modern media CEO.

]]> 43:31 false 58 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Rich Antoniello 7389413 2018-11-01T09:04:39Z Troy Ruhanen, president and CEO, TBWA Worldwide Troy Ruhanen, president and CEO, TBWA Worldwide Thu, 25 Oct 2018 09:00:00 +0000 An Aussie giant of a former Rugby player, Troy Ruhanen joined TBWA as president and CEO four years ago. Today he joins us on the Ad Lib podcast to spill some tea on his competitors — including WPP and Publicis — and give us some insight into clients including Apple, McDonald's and Nissan. We discuss what their pain points are, what his agency's big wins over the last four years have been, and growing up blue collar in Brisbane.

]]> An Aussie giant of a former Rugby player, Troy Ruhanen joined TBWA as president and CEO four years ago. Today he joins us on the Ad Lib podcast to spill some tea on his competitors — including WPP and Publicis — and give us some insight into clients including Apple, McDonald's and Nissan. We discuss what their pain points are, what his agency's big wins over the last four years have been, and growing up blue collar in Brisbane.

]]> 35:24 false 57 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Troy Ruhanen 7304690 2018-11-01T00:00:40Z Frances Webster, co-founder and CEO, Walrus Frances Webster, co-founder and CEO, Walrus Thu, 18 Oct 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Launched in 2005 in the ashes of Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Walrus is a fiercely independent shop that's worked with such clients as Amazon, HBO, and Staples. Frances Webster — who co-founded Walrus with her husband, Chief Creative Officer Deacon Webster — has been outspoken about the need to train more women for agency leadership roles. She discusses the decision to offer media and buying services, reconciling programmatic with creative, and her clients' biggest pain points as marketers gear up for the ANA conference next week.  

]]> Launched in 2005 in the ashes of Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Walrus is a fiercely independent shop that's worked with such clients as Amazon, HBO, and Staples. Frances Webster — who co-founded Walrus with her husband, Chief Creative Officer Deacon Webster — has been outspoken about the need to train more women for agency leadership roles. She discusses the decision to offer media and buying services, reconciling programmatic with creative, and her clients' biggest pain points as marketers gear up for the ANA conference next week.

]]> 23:57 false 56 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Frances Webster 7223048 2018-11-01T00:00:40Z Andrew McKechnie, chief creative officer at Verizon Andrew McKechnie, chief creative officer at Verizon Thu, 11 Oct 2018 09:00:00 +0000 For the past 18 months, Andrew McKechnie has been building Verizon's in-house agency, 140. It's no easy task. Networks, unlike the smartphones that run on them, are tough to make especially sexy. Still, he comes by the gig honestly. McKechnie had most recently served as global group creative director at Apple, after holding creative director titles at agencies including DDB, Y&R and JWT. Andrew joins us to discuss the pros and cons of moving from adland to the brand side, the tension between creativity and technology, and the challenges specific to Verizon.

]]> For the past 18 months, Andrew McKechnie has been building Verizon's in-house agency, 140. It's no easy task. Networks, unlike the smartphones that run on them, are tough to make especially sexy. Still, he comes by the gig honestly. McKechnie had most recently served as global group creative director at Apple, after holding creative director titles at agencies including DDB, Y&R and JWT. Andrew joins us to discuss the pros and cons of moving from adland to the brand side, the tension between creativity and technology, and the challenges specific to Verizon.

]]> 38:29 false 55 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Andrew McKechnie 7153271 2018-11-01T00:00:40Z Jon Steinberg, Cheddar founder Jon Steinberg, Cheddar founder Thu, 04 Oct 2018 09:00:00 +0000 After a five-year stint at BuzzFeed and a brief run as the CEO of DailyMail.com the last thing you would probably think to do is start a TV network. From scratch. Yet that's precisely what Jon Steinberg did. The former President and COO of BuzzFeed launched Cheddar Inc in 2016, a new media company with the initial goal of becoming the CNBC for millennials. Two and half years in, Cheddar is a bona fide media concern, a live and on demand video news network that broadcasts weekdays from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Marketsite, and the Flatiron Building in New York alone. Steinberg joins us to discuss the Cheddar business model, skinny bundles, the future of over-the-top streaming video and where he goes from here. 

]]> After a five-year stint at BuzzFeed and a brief run as the CEO of DailyMail.com the last thing you would probably think to do is start a TV network. From scratch. Yet that's precisely what Jon Steinberg did. The former President and COO of BuzzFeed launched Cheddar Inc in 2016, a new media company with the initial goal of becoming the CNBC for millennials. Two and half years in, Cheddar is a bona fide media concern, a live and on demand video news network that broadcasts weekdays from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Marketsite, and the Flatiron Building in New York alone. Steinberg joins us to discuss the Cheddar business model, skinny bundles, the future of over-the-top streaming video and where he goes from here.

]]> 32:57 false 54 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Jon Steinberg 7126011 2018-11-01T00:00:40Z Refinery29's Philippe von Borries and Piera Gelardi Refinery29's Philippe von Borries and Piera Gelardi Thu, 27 Sep 2018 09:00:00 +0000 As two of the four co-founders of media and entertainment company Refinery29, Philippe von Borries and Piera Gelardi have used a pro-women, taboo-shattering ethos to build a behemoth catering to the interests and cravings of young women that reaches an audience of upwards of half a billion globally across platforms. It is an audience that brands love (and to hear Refinery's founders tell it, an audience that loves brands back). The couple joins the podcast today as their 29Rooms event packs up in New York and prepares to head to California in December. The two of them — who have also spent the last 13 years as a married couple — discuss the journey, working and living together, and what comes next. 

]]> As two of the four co-founders of media and entertainment company Refinery29, Philippe von Borries and Piera Gelardi have used a pro-women, taboo-shattering ethos to build a behemoth catering to the interests and cravings of young women that reaches an audience of upwards of half a billion globally across platforms. It is an audience that brands love (and to hear Refinery's founders tell it, an audience that loves brands back). The couple joins the podcast today as their 29Rooms event packs up in New York and prepares to head to California in December. The two of them — who have also spent the last 13 years as a married couple — discuss the journey, working and living together, and what comes next.

]]> 37:36 false 53 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guests Philippe von Borries and Piera Gelardi 7097034 2018-10-01T00:00:35Z Nick Brien, CEO Americas of Dentsu Aegis Network Nick Brien, CEO Americas of Dentsu Aegis Network Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:00:00 +0000 "We're not in the advertisement business. We're in the engagement business," says Nick Brien, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Americas. The advertising company was formed in 2013 to manage parent company Dentsu's operations outside of Japan. Dentsu now generates more than half of its revenue — 59 percent last year — from outside its home market. Yet Dentsu and Dentsu Aegis Network are less known and less understood in the U.S. than the big holding companies WPP, Omnicom, Publicis and IPG. Dentsu, and therefore Brien, has a stated goal of becoming a 100 percent digital business by 2020. We get into that, his background in an industry that he says he loves, creativity (something Dentsu Aegis Network is not particularly known for), acquisition goals and why he's tired of the narrative of the big bad consulting companies infringing on agency turf.

]]> "We're not in the advertisement business. We're in the engagement business," says Nick Brien, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Americas. The advertising company was formed in 2013 to manage parent company Dentsu's operations outside of Japan. Dentsu now generates more than half of its revenue — 59 percent last year — from outside its home market. Yet Dentsu and Dentsu Aegis Network are less known and less understood in the U.S. than the big holding companies WPP, Omnicom, Publicis and IPG. Dentsu, and therefore Brien, has a stated goal of becoming a 100 percent digital business by 2020. We get into that, his background in an industry that he says he loves, creativity (something Dentsu Aegis Network is not particularly known for), acquisition goals and why he's tired of the narrative of the big bad consulting companies infringing on agency turf.

]]> 35:15 false 52 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Nick Brien 7066746 2018-10-01T00:00:35Z Studio 71 co-founder Reza Izad Studio 71 co-founder Reza Izad Thu, 13 Sep 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Chances are, even if you are an avid consumer of short form streaming videos, you've never heard of Studio 71. But you've seen their work — or at least your kids have. From Canadian YouTube superstar Lilly Singh to vlogger Roman Atwood to Good Mythical Morning with Rhett and Link — Studio 71 is the media agency behind videos that generate a reported 9.5 billion views across platforms every month. The company, co-founded by Reza Izad, helps creators make money and grow their offering for advertisers, and through merchandizing and intellectual property. Izad joins us today to talk about the streaming media space, where there's been no shortage of sturm und drang over the past year or so. 

]]> Chances are, even if you are an avid consumer of short form streaming videos, you've never heard of Studio 71. But you've seen their work — or at least your kids have. From Canadian YouTube superstar Lilly Singh to vlogger Roman Atwood to Good Mythical Morning with Rhett and Link — Studio 71 is the media agency behind videos that generate a reported 9.5 billion views across platforms every month. The company, co-founded by Reza Izad, helps creators make money and grow their offering for advertisers, and through merchandizing and intellectual property. Izad joins us today to talk about the streaming media space, where there's been no shortage of sturm und drang over the past year or so.

]]> 37:09 false 51 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Reza Izad 7038676 2018-10-01T00:00:35Z Wondery founder and CEO Hernan Lopez Wondery founder and CEO Hernan Lopez Thu, 06 Sep 2018 15:00:00 +0000 When Hernan Lopez left his post as president and CEO of Fox International Channels in 2016 to launch a podcast company people asked him a straightforward question: Are you nuts? But he saw parallels between the nascent medium of podcasting and the cable industry of the early 2000s. The company he started is called Wondery, and today it produces premium podcast fare like Dirty John and Business Wars. Wondery's newest show is called Dr. Death. It was released just this Tuesday and is already topping the iTunes charts. Lopez joins me today as the podcast upfronts get underway in New York to break down the landscape as he sees it.

]]> When Hernan Lopez left his post as president and CEO of Fox International Channels in 2016 to launch a podcast company people asked him a straightforward question: Are you nuts? But he saw parallels between the nascent medium of podcasting and the cable industry of the early 2000s. The company he started is called Wondery, and today it produces premium podcast fare like Dirty John and Business Wars. Wondery's newest show is called Dr. Death. It was released just this Tuesday and is already topping the iTunes charts. Lopez joins me today as the podcast upfronts get underway in New York to break down the landscape as he sees it.

]]> 29:29 false 50 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Hernan Lopez 7011441 2018-10-01T00:00:35Z Sub Rosa founder Michael Ventura gets empathic Sub Rosa founder Michael Ventura gets empathic Thu, 30 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Michael Ventura wrote the book on empathy. Literally. The founder of the New York strategy and design consultancy Sub Rosa is a multi-hyphenate. When he's not advising a portfolio of Fortune 500 clients and progressive start-ups, he is running an experiential shopping venture called Calliope with his wife, running an art gallery and event space, publishing a newsletter called La Petite Mort — the french expression for orgasm — and running an eastern and indigenous medicine and healing practice. Now he's an author, too. His book "Applied Empathy" came out earlier this spring and aims to promote how empathy can be a competitive advantage in business. He joins us on this episode of Ad Lib to discuss empathy, what he means by it, how he arrived at it as a guiding principle and how it's won him some surprising clients, like West Point Military Academy. 

]]> Michael Ventura wrote the book on empathy. Literally. The founder of the New York strategy and design consultancy Sub Rosa is a multi-hyphenate. When he's not advising a portfolio of Fortune 500 clients and progressive start-ups, he is running an experiential shopping venture called Calliope with his wife, running an art gallery and event space, publishing a newsletter called La Petite Mort — the french expression for orgasm — and running an eastern and indigenous medicine and healing practice. Now he's an author, too. His book "Applied Empathy" came out earlier this spring and aims to promote how empathy can be a competitive advantage in business. He joins us on this episode of Ad Lib to discuss empathy, what he means by it, how he arrived at it as a guiding principle and how it's won him some surprising clients, like West Point Military Academy.

]]> 32:10 false 49 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Michael Ventura 6979238 2018-09-01T00:00:31Z How Terry Young, CEO of Sparks & Honey, is mapping culture How Terry Young, CEO of Sparks & Honey, is mapping culture Thu, 23 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000 When Terry Young founded the agency Sparks & Honey in 2012, it was billed as a "next-generation" agency that really gets culture. Last month the Omnicom shop announced that it was — you guessed it — repositioning as a technology-led cultural consultancy. If it sounds like yet another agency scrambling to maintain relevance with buzzwords, Young says it's an outward reflection of what they've been up to internally for years. He joins us on the Ad Lib podcast to talk about how the agency maps culture. Every day at noon everyone stops what they're doing for an hour for a briefing that distills the Internet's latest (and next) obsessions. We get into what frontiers fascinate him today – space and voice top the list -- and how a mid-career Peace Corps stint continues to inspire. 

]]> When Terry Young founded the agency Sparks & Honey in 2012, it was billed as a "next-generation" agency that really gets culture. Last month the Omnicom shop announced that it was — you guessed it — repositioning as a technology-led cultural consultancy. If it sounds like yet another agency scrambling to maintain relevance with buzzwords, Young says it's an outward reflection of what they've been up to internally for years. He joins us on the Ad Lib podcast to talk about how the agency maps culture. Every day at noon everyone stops what they're doing for an hour for a briefing that distills the Internet's latest (and next) obsessions. We get into what frontiers fascinate him today – space and voice top the list -- and how a mid-career Peace Corps stint continues to inspire.

]]> 30:38 false 48 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Terry Young 6956793 2018-09-01T00:00:31Z USA Today Network CRO Kevin Gentzel USA Today Network CRO Kevin Gentzel Thu, 16 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000 A zen koan for 2018: How, as a media company today, does one build both scale and trust? It might be easy to cultivate one, but it often comes at the expense of the other. The USA Today Network has managed to do both. With 109 local papers scattered throughout the country, the newspaper company has certainly cobbled together scale. And the journalists on the ground are putting the lie to the idea of "fake news," picking up three Pulitzers for the network this year alone. Still, news is a tough business. And local news is even tougher. USA Today Network has seen continued growth in digital revenue, but not enough to offset declines in traditional advertising. Tasked with solving that riddle is Kevin Gentzel, who joins us on the podcast today.

]]> A zen koan for 2018: How, as a media company today, does one build both scale and trust? It might be easy to cultivate one, but it often comes at the expense of the other. The USA Today Network has managed to do both. With 109 local papers scattered throughout the country, the newspaper company has certainly cobbled together scale. And the journalists on the ground are putting the lie to the idea of "fake news," picking up three Pulitzers for the network this year alone. Still, news is a tough business. And local news is even tougher. USA Today Network has seen continued growth in digital revenue, but not enough to offset declines in traditional advertising. Tasked with solving that riddle is Kevin Gentzel, who joins us on the podcast today.

]]> 38:57 false 47 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Kevin Gentzel 6907591 2018-09-01T00:00:31Z Arnold Worldwide CEO Kiran Smith Arnold Worldwide CEO Kiran Smith Thu, 09 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000 On the first day of her job as CEO, Kiran Smith broke her left foot. What could easily be interpreted as a bad omen turned out to be a blessing in a cast: Smith says the boot she's had to wear these past five weeks have endeared her to new staffers and broken the ice with clients. She could use all the help she can get: In its second quarter earnings release last month, parent company Vivendi blamed weak organic results of its agency network Havas on "the impact of Arnold's underperformance." A veteran marketer — her most recent gig was as CMO at Brookstone — with no agency experience, Smith says she brings with her a fresh perspective to a gig that is sorely in need of one. She joins the podcast today to discuss the challenges she faces in her new job, what she brings to the table as a former marketer and what she's learning from clients like Progressive and Jack Daniels.

]]> On the first day of her job as CEO, Kiran Smith broke her left foot. What could easily be interpreted as a bad omen turned out to be a blessing in a cast: Smith says the boot she's had to wear these past five weeks have endeared her to new staffers and broken the ice with clients. She could use all the help she can get: In its second quarter earnings release last month, parent company Vivendi blamed weak organic results of its agency network Havas on "the impact of Arnold's underperformance." A veteran marketer — her most recent gig was as CMO at Brookstone — with no agency experience, Smith says she brings with her a fresh perspective to a gig that is sorely in need of one. She joins the podcast today to discuss the challenges she faces in her new job, what she brings to the table as a former marketer and what she's learning from clients like Progressive and Jack Daniels.

]]> 25:47 false 46 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Kiran Smith 6903984 2018-09-01T00:00:31Z Carla Serrano, CEO of Publicis New York and Chief Strategy Officer of PublicisCommunications Carla Serrano, CEO of Publicis New York and Chief Strategy Officer of PublicisCommunications Fri, 03 Aug 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Publicis Groupe has had quite a year. In June of 2017 Maurice Levy stepped down as the holding company's CEO, handing the reins over to Arthur Sadoun. That same month, the company made waves at Cannes for saying it would abstain from sending work to awards shows for a full year in order to devote resources to an internal tech platform called Marcel. Still, Publicis missed its revenue targets in second-quarter earnings reported last month -- despite winning some major accounts in the first half 2018. Serrano joins the podcast to discuss what distinguishes the Publicis strategy at a time when holding companies are under pressure from clients to cut costs and under siege from consultancies and tech giants Google, Facebook and Amazon. Plus we talk about her childhood as the family's black sheep — and she tells us about the time she gave advertising legend Lee Clow some really bad advice.

]]> Publicis Groupe has had quite a year. In June of 2017 Maurice Levy stepped down as the holding company's CEO, handing the reins over to Arthur Sadoun. That same month, the company made waves at Cannes for saying it would abstain from sending work to awards shows for a full year in order to devote resources to an internal tech platform called Marcel. Still, Publicis missed its revenue targets in second-quarter earnings reported last month -- despite winning some major accounts in the first half 2018. Serrano joins the podcast to discuss what distinguishes the Publicis strategy at a time when holding companies are under pressure from clients to cut costs and under siege from consultancies and tech giants Google, Facebook and Amazon. Plus we talk about her childhood as the family's black sheep — and she tells us about the time she gave advertising legend Lee Clow some really bad advice.

]]> 24:57 false 45 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Carla Serrano 6881626 2018-09-01T00:00:31Z Bill Holiber, President & CEO of US News Bill Holiber, President & CEO of US News Wed, 18 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000 For a publication with "news" in its title US News doesn't focus much on what's happening in the papers these days. Formerly known as US News and World Report, the publisher is perhaps best known to the average reader for its annual college rankings. But it is actually something of a digital pioneer. The media brand ditched its print magazine in 2010 to go all digital and shifted its focus to pure service. While its core business is still advertising-based it does a monster business in lead generation, or, as CEO Bill Holiber calls it, performance marketing. Something seems to be working: The brand sees roughly 40 million monthly visitors, about 10 million going to each of its four core subject areas: education, health, government and money.

]]> For a publication with "news" in its title US News doesn't focus much on what's happening in the papers these days. Formerly known as US News and World Report, the publisher is perhaps best known to the average reader for its annual college rankings. But it is actually something of a digital pioneer. The media brand ditched its print magazine in 2010 to go all digital and shifted its focus to pure service. While its core business is still advertising-based it does a monster business in lead generation, or, as CEO Bill Holiber calls it, performance marketing. Something seems to be working: The brand sees roughly 40 million monthly visitors, about 10 million going to each of its four core subject areas: education, health, government and money.

]]> 32:20 false 44 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Bill Holiber 6807019 2018-08-01T00:00:22Z Maria Bartiromo, Fox Business Maria Bartiromo, Fox Business Tue, 10 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000 The Fox Business anchor joined the "Ad Lib" podcast before her news-making interview with President Trump last week. Here, Bartiromo discusses her evolution from a CNBC pioneer—where she was the first reporter to broadcast from the stock exchange floor—to a somewhat more ideological Fox Business headliner. We discuss her "Money Honey" nickname and industry sexism, the future of cable news and the demographics of her audience.

]]> The Fox Business anchor joined the "Ad Lib" podcast before her news-making interview with President Trump last week. Here, Bartiromo discusses her evolution from a CNBC pioneer—where she was the first reporter to broadcast from the stock exchange floor—to a somewhat more ideological Fox Business headliner. We discuss her "Money Honey" nickname and industry sexism, the future of cable news and the demographics of her audience.

]]> 46:02 false 43 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Maria Bartiromo 6789583 2018-08-01T00:00:22Z Mark DiMassimo, CEO of DiMassimo Goldstein Mark DiMassimo, CEO of DiMassimo Goldstein Thu, 05 Jul 2018 09:00:00 +0000 With 22 years heading up an independent agency under his belt, DiMassimo Goldstein's Mark DiMassimo believes traditional advertising's days are numbered. Of course, he would say that. A long-ago JWT creative who logged years at holding companies, DiMassimo says he saw the light when he realized agencies fundamentally failed to meet clients needs. Proud to never have been to Cannes over the span of his entire career, DiMassimo discusses using advertising to fight the opioid epidemic and why, for the first time in his life, he finds himself agreeing with Martin Sorrell.

]]> With 22 years heading up an independent agency under his belt, DiMassimo Goldstein's Mark DiMassimo believes traditional advertising's days are numbered. Of course, he would say that. A long-ago JWT creative who logged years at holding companies, DiMassimo says he saw the light when he realized agencies fundamentally failed to meet clients needs. Proud to never have been to Cannes over the span of his entire career, DiMassimo discusses using advertising to fight the opioid epidemic and why, for the first time in his life, he finds himself agreeing with Martin Sorrell.

]]> 33:09 false 42 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Mark DiMassimo 6767720 2018-08-01T00:00:22Z The Trade Desk's Brian Stempeck The Trade Desk's Brian Stempeck Thu, 28 Jun 2018 09:00:00 +0000 At a time when ad tech is besieged by brand safety concerns, transparency issues and industry-wide consolidation, the Trade Desk has been having a solid run. The demand side programmatic ad buying platform — have we lost you yet? — generated $85.7 million in revenue during the first quarter of 2018, a 61 percent jump from the same period last year. Today we are joined by Brian Stempeck, chief client officer for the Trade Desk and rhythm guitarist for the company band, whose job is, in part, to translate the bewildering jargon of the industry and parse the challenges and opportunities around things like cross-device targeting and leveraging data, specifically as it pertains to addressable TV.  We get into all that, plus what it's like going toe-to-toe with Google, what GDPR means for the future of ad tech consolidation, and what this week's AT&T acquisition of AppNexus means for the industry.

]]> At a time when ad tech is besieged by brand safety concerns, transparency issues and industry-wide consolidation, the Trade Desk has been having a solid run. The demand side programmatic ad buying platform — have we lost you yet? — generated $85.7 million in revenue during the first quarter of 2018, a 61 percent jump from the same period last year. Today we are joined by Brian Stempeck, chief client officer for the Trade Desk and rhythm guitarist for the company band, whose job is, in part, to translate the bewildering jargon of the industry and parse the challenges and opportunities around things like cross-device targeting and leveraging data, specifically as it pertains to addressable TV. We get into all that, plus what it's like going toe-to-toe with Google, what GDPR means for the future of ad tech consolidation, and what this week's AT&T acquisition of AppNexus means for the industry.

]]> 32:36 false 41 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Brian Stempeck 6751222 2018-07-01T00:01:41Z Michael Wolff Michael Wolff Wed, 20 Jun 2018 14:29:03 +0000 Michael Wolff has some thoughts about conflict. A consummate media insider for decades, the journalist-provocateur-entrepreneur shot into the public consciousness in January with the publication of his sensational peek inside the Donald Trump White House, "Fire and Fury." He, along with the rest of the advertising and media ecosystem, is in Cannes for the International Festival of Creativity. In a panel with adman Jeff Goodby, Wolff riffed on Trump's psyche. On this episode of Ad Lib, recorded earlier this week on the Croisette, Wolff opened up about the success of the book, the nature of fame – and our collective fascination with conflict, understanding Trump, the role of the journalist and more. 

]]> Michael Wolff has some thoughts about conflict. A consummate media insider for decades, the journalist-provocateur-entrepreneur shot into the public consciousness in January with the publication of his sensational peek inside the Donald Trump White House, "Fire and Fury." He, along with the rest of the advertising and media ecosystem, is in Cannes for the International Festival of Creativity. In a panel with adman Jeff Goodby, Wolff riffed on Trump's psyche. On this episode of Ad Lib, recorded earlier this week on the Croisette, Wolff opened up about the success of the book, the nature of fame – and our collective fascination with conflict, understanding Trump, the role of the journalist and more.

]]> 23:00 false 40 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Michael Wolff 6725494 2018-07-01T00:01:41Z Shingy, digital prophet, Oath Shingy, digital prophet, Oath Mon, 18 Jun 2018 17:18:50 +0000 You may not have heard of David Shing, but you probably know about Shingy. The self-styled "digital prophet" at Oath – the Verizon-owned juggernaut that comprises AOL, Yahoo, the Huffington Post and some 50 media and b-to-b brands – is in Cannes on a mission that seems counterintuitive to what a digital prophet ought to be all about. He wants people to dial down their anxiety-inducing reliance on their phones. On this pop-up Cannes-themed edition of the Ad Lib podcast, we caught up with Shingy, who was en route to his keynote address. Here, we discuss tech dependence, Oath, 5G, living a bit more mindfully – and what exactly it is that he does.

]]> You may not have heard of David Shing, but you probably know about Shingy. The self-styled "digital prophet" at Oath – the Verizon-owned juggernaut that comprises AOL, Yahoo, the Huffington Post and some 50 media and b-to-b brands – is in Cannes on a mission that seems counterintuitive to what a digital prophet ought to be all about. He wants people to dial down their anxiety-inducing reliance on their phones. On this pop-up Cannes-themed edition of the Ad Lib podcast, we caught up with Shingy, who was en route to his keynote address. Here, we discuss tech dependence, Oath, 5G, living a bit more mindfully – and what exactly it is that he does.

]]> 25:20 false 39 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Shingy 6717363 2018-07-01T00:01:41Z Havas Creative North American Chairman and CEO, Paul Marobella Havas Creative North American Chairman and CEO, Paul Marobella Thu, 14 Jun 2018 09:00:00 +0000 In a challenging time with so much gloom and doom out there, Paul Marobella remains a consummate optimist. The North American Chairman and CEO of Havas creative says the current climate reminds him of the mid-1990s, "when digital was going to change everything." Marobella joins the Ad Lib podcast today to discuss the advantages of being owned by Vivendi as opposed to a traditional advertising holding company, creating a culture of creativity and what he's looking forward to in Cannes.

]]> In a challenging time with so much gloom and doom out there, Paul Marobella remains a consummate optimist. The North American Chairman and CEO of Havas creative says the current climate reminds him of the mid-1990s, "when digital was going to change everything." Marobella joins the Ad Lib podcast today to discuss the advantages of being owned by Vivendi as opposed to a traditional advertising holding company, creating a culture of creativity and what he's looking forward to in Cannes.

]]> 34:01 false 38 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Paul Marobella 6701475 2018-07-01T00:01:41Z Mastercard CMO Raja Rajamannar Mastercard CMO Raja Rajamannar Thu, 07 Jun 2018 09:00:00 +0000 An expansive marketer in an era of the incredible shrinking CMO, Rajamannar joins the Ad Lib podcast to discuss what he calls the CMO existential crisis. We talk about marketing at scale in a time when people hate ads and have the power to block them, the surprising durability of the 20-year-old "Priceless" campaign and increasing gender diversity at his company's ranks. We also talk about a recent Mastercard campaign that received a bit of social media backlash for promising to donate meals to starving children every time footballers Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr score a goal during the World Cup – an ad that the company ended up pulling.

]]> An expansive marketer in an era of the incredible shrinking CMO, Rajamannar joins the Ad Lib podcast to discuss what he calls the CMO existential crisis. We talk about marketing at scale in a time when people hate ads and have the power to block them, the surprising durability of the 20-year-old "Priceless" campaign and increasing gender diversity at his company's ranks. We also talk about a recent Mastercard campaign that received a bit of social media backlash for promising to donate meals to starving children every time footballers Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr score a goal during the World Cup – an ad that the company ended up pulling.

]]> 48:10 false 37 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Raja Rajamannar 6676506 2018-07-01T00:01:41Z Ken Auletta, 'Frenemies' author Ken Auletta, 'Frenemies' author Tue, 05 Jun 2018 09:00:00 +0000 You're going to be hearing Ken Auletta's name a lot this month. Auletta, who has been writing the Annals of Communication column for The New Yorker since 1992, is the author of a new book about the industry's current existential crisis. "Frenemies" comes out June 5. He'll also be at Cannes at the end of the month interviewing Martin Sorrell on stage. This, however, is our moment to turn the tables on Auletta and interview him for the Ad Lib podcast. We discuss privacy, Sir Martin, platforms, publishers and his least favorite ad of all time.

]]> You're going to be hearing Ken Auletta's name a lot this month. Auletta, who has been writing the Annals of Communication column for The New Yorker since 1992, is the author of a new book about the industry's current existential crisis. "Frenemies" comes out June 5. He'll also be at Cannes at the end of the month interviewing Martin Sorrell on stage. This, however, is our moment to turn the tables on Auletta and interview him for the Ad Lib podcast. We discuss privacy, Sir Martin, platforms, publishers and his least favorite ad of all time.

]]> 36:14 false 36 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Ken Auletta 6668157 2018-07-01T00:01:41Z Andrew Swinand, Leo Burnett North America CEO Andrew Swinand, Leo Burnett North America CEO Thu, 31 May 2018 09:00:00 +0000 When Andrew Swinand was tapped to be Leo Burnett's North America CEO last January, he had a daunting remit. Burnett had long been a flagship Chicago agency, but after losing McDonald's in September 2016 — and a few other accounts — the legendary creative shop had lost some of its luster. Swinand, who had most recently been at sister Publicis shop Starcom Mediavest, brought in a history of data and analytics to the role of burnishing Burnett. He joins us today to discuss all things Leo Burnett and Publicis, data and creativity, sitting out Cannes, consultancy creep and how an incident when he was an infantryman during the Gulf War helps inform him what's really important. 

]]> When Andrew Swinand was tapped to be Leo Burnett's North America CEO last January, he had a daunting remit. Burnett had long been a flagship Chicago agency, but after losing McDonald's in September 2016 — and a few other accounts — the legendary creative shop had lost some of its luster. Swinand, who had most recently been at sister Publicis shop Starcom Mediavest, brought in a history of data and analytics to the role of burnishing Burnett. He joins us today to discuss all things Leo Burnett and Publicis, data and creativity, sitting out Cannes, consultancy creep and how an incident when he was an infantryman during the Gulf War helps inform him what's really important.

]]> 29:09 false 35 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Andrew Swinand 6650920 2018-06-01T00:01:01Z Terri & Sandy's Terri and Sandy Terri & Sandy's Terri and Sandy Thu, 24 May 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Terri Meyer and Sandy Greenberg are the co-founders of the New York independent shop Terri & Sandy. Both refugees from the big holding company world — Meyer and Greenberg had worked together as a creative team at both J. Walter Thompson and FCB — the two bring a big sensibility toward small agency life. On this episode of Ad Lib we discuss life as a small agency, building—and maintaining—agency culture, and how to get on the radar of big marketers. (Side note: it's not too late to buy your tickets for our Small Agency Conference and Awards July 17 and 18 in beautiful Marina Del Rey Los Angeles! Check it out at adage.com)

]]> Terri Meyer and Sandy Greenberg are the co-founders of the New York independent shop Terri & Sandy. Both refugees from the big holding company world — Meyer and Greenberg had worked together as a creative team at both J. Walter Thompson and FCB — the two bring a big sensibility toward small agency life. On this episode of Ad Lib we discuss life as a small agency, building—and maintaining—agency culture, and how to get on the radar of big marketers. (Side note: it's not too late to buy your tickets for our Small Agency Conference and Awards July 17 and 18 in beautiful Marina Del Rey Los Angeles! Check it out at adage.com)

]]> 35:20 false 34 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guests Terri and Sandy 6627437 2018-06-01T00:01:01Z Upfront and personal: The week's big TV takeaways Upfront and personal: The week's big TV takeaways Fri, 18 May 2018 15:32:59 +0000 The major broadcast networks wound down the 2018 upfront week Friday. Top-line takeaways: In 2019, look forward to more reboots, shorter ad slots and lots of live sports. If the scripted programming leaves a little to be desired there's still a staggering amount of money on the table: Roughly $10 billion in advertising for the broadcast networks and an additional $10 billion for cable. Ad Age media reporters Jeanine Poggi and Anthony Crupi break it all down in a spirited special upfront edition of Ad Lib. 

]]> The major broadcast networks wound down the 2018 upfront week Friday. Top-line takeaways: In 2019, look forward to more reboots, shorter ad slots and lots of live sports. If the scripted programming leaves a little to be desired there's still a staggering amount of money on the table: Roughly $10 billion in advertising for the broadcast networks and an additional $10 billion for cable. Ad Age media reporters Jeanine Poggi and Anthony Crupi break it all down in a spirited special upfront edition of Ad Lib.

]]> 42:47 false 33 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with Ad Age media reporters Jeanine Poggi and Anthony Crupi 6608631 2018-06-01T00:01:01Z Ogilvy Worldwide CEO John Seifert Ogilvy Worldwide CEO John Seifert Thu, 17 May 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Earlier this year, John Seifert announced that Ogilvy would be undergoing a "refounding," which he dubbed the shop's "Next Chapter." A 39-year veteran of the legendary agency, Seifert joins us to talk about what that entails. "Times are tough" he says in his surprisingly candid fashion. Not just at Ogilvy, but across the board — including for the agency's clients. We discuss the encroachment of the consultancies into the advertising space. We'll hear his take on his former boss, Martin Sorrell, and what his departure from WPP means for the holding company. We also get to hear some personal stories about David Ogilvy himself and why, as a child of a single mother in 1950s, the #MeToo and Times Up/Advertising movements resonate with Seifert personally. 

]]> Earlier this year, John Seifert announced that Ogilvy would be undergoing a "refounding," which he dubbed the shop's "Next Chapter." A 39-year veteran of the legendary agency, Seifert joins us to talk about what that entails. "Times are tough" he says in his surprisingly candid fashion. Not just at Ogilvy, but across the board — including for the agency's clients. We discuss the encroachment of the consultancies into the advertising space. We'll hear his take on his former boss, Martin Sorrell, and what his departure from WPP means for the holding company. We also get to hear some personal stories about David Ogilvy himself and why, as a child of a single mother in 1950s, the #MeToo and Times Up/Advertising movements resonate with Seifert personally.

]]> 43:29 false 32 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest John Seifert 6601090 2018-06-01T00:01:01Z Tim Leake, RPA Tim Leake, RPA Thu, 10 May 2018 09:00:00 +0000 With giant clients like Honda and Farmer's insurance, independent, LA-based agency RPA punches above its weight. Tim Leake's mandate, when he joined the shop in 2014, was to nurture a culture of growth and innovation within the agency as it scaled. Having come most recently from Hyper Island, the Swedish school and consultancy, Leake brought with him a zest for business transformation that wasn't yet quite all the rage it is. Now RPA's chief marketing officer, Leake discusses the agency take on business transformation, the industry talent crunch, creativity and data, indie shops versus the holding company behemoths in a post-Martin Sorrell world and why ad agencies, despite being good at selling things, are so bad at selling themselves.

]]> With giant clients like Honda and Farmer's insurance, independent, LA-based agency RPA punches above its weight. Tim Leake's mandate, when he joined the shop in 2014, was to nurture a culture of growth and innovation within the agency as it scaled. Having come most recently from Hyper Island, the Swedish school and consultancy, Leake brought with him a zest for business transformation that wasn't yet quite all the rage it is. Now RPA's chief marketing officer, Leake discusses the agency take on business transformation, the industry talent crunch, creativity and data, indie shops versus the holding company behemoths in a post-Martin Sorrell world and why ad agencies, despite being good at selling things, are so bad at selling themselves.

]]> 38:53 false 31 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Tim Leake 6575908 2018-06-01T00:01:01Z Bonnie Kintzer, Trusted Media Brands Bonnie Kintzer, Trusted Media Brands Thu, 03 May 2018 09:00:00 +0000 When Bonnie Kintzer became president and CEO of Trusted Media Brands in 2014, it was still called the Reader's Digest Association. Job number one became bolstering the brand, reviving it financially after a series of bad investments and changing just about everything in the way it operates — starting with the name. In addition to Reader's Digest, the company also publishes Taste of Home, Family Handyman and a number of other titles. Kintzer joins the Ad Lib podcast to explain how Reader's Digest, against all odds, has not only survived. but is thriving. A third of its 12 million monthly readers are millennials she says. She shares the strategy and tactics behind bringing Trusted Media Brands back from two bankruptcies, and the company's digital play across all of its titles. 

]]> When Bonnie Kintzer became president and CEO of Trusted Media Brands in 2014, it was still called the Reader's Digest Association. Job number one became bolstering the brand, reviving it financially after a series of bad investments and changing just about everything in the way it operates — starting with the name. In addition to Reader's Digest, the company also publishes Taste of Home, Family Handyman and a number of other titles. Kintzer joins the Ad Lib podcast to explain how Reader's Digest, against all odds, has not only survived. but is thriving. A third of its 12 million monthly readers are millennials she says. She shares the strategy and tactics behind bringing Trusted Media Brands back from two bankruptcies, and the company's digital play across all of its titles.

]]> 37:38 false 30 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Bonnie Kintzer 6548347 2018-06-01T00:01:01Z Hanya Yanagihara, novelist and T Magazine editor Hanya Yanagihara, novelist and T Magazine editor Thu, 26 Apr 2018 09:00:00 +0000 For almost exactly a year now, Hanya Yanagihara has been molding T Magazine, the New York Times' lifestyle and culture magazine, in her image. A recent refresh brought in a new logo and typeface, but the full bleed art, smart cultural journalism and yes the ads — so many ads — are still going strong. Hanya is also the author of the critically acclaimed 2015 novel A Little Life. Here, she discusses her tenure as T Magazine's editor one year in, fiction writing versus non-fiction editing, where the lush magazine fits in the broader New York Times ecosystem, and why — in an era when the Times is doubling down on digital — she herself doesn't tweet and has never been on Facebook. 

]]> For almost exactly a year now, Hanya Yanagihara has been molding T Magazine, the New York Times' lifestyle and culture magazine, in her image. A recent refresh brought in a new logo and typeface, but the full bleed art, smart cultural journalism and yes the ads — so many ads — are still going strong. Hanya is also the author of the critically acclaimed 2015 novel A Little Life. Here, she discusses her tenure as T Magazine's editor one year in, fiction writing versus non-fiction editing, where the lush magazine fits in the broader New York Times ecosystem, and why — in an era when the Times is doubling down on digital — she herself doesn't tweet and has never been on Facebook.

]]> 40:44 false 29 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Hanya Yanagihara 6522042 2018-05-01T00:01:12Z Intermarkets' Erik Requidan Intermarkets' Erik Requidan Thu, 19 Apr 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Under the hood of the Drudge Report, and other conservative sites like it — including Political Insider, Smith & Wesson Forum and MRC Newscasters — is its advertising marketing firm Intermarkets. And under the hood of Intermarkets is Erik Requidan, vice president of programmatic strategy. In an era when the advertising community likes to talk about inclusivity and embracing divergent viewpoints, Requidan says he feels like the odd man out. He joins us on the Ad Lib podcast today to make the case for how Drudge and his other sites — for as video-free and Craigslist-looking as they still are — are actually innovative on the tech front. We get into ad blocking and key word filtering, how brands are often quick to blacklist certain points of view (especially in the current political climate) and how Intermarkets has dealt with its own brand safety issues. 

]]> Under the hood of the Drudge Report, and other conservative sites like it — including Political Insider, Smith & Wesson Forum and MRC Newscasters — is its advertising marketing firm Intermarkets. And under the hood of Intermarkets is Erik Requidan, vice president of programmatic strategy. In an era when the advertising community likes to talk about inclusivity and embracing divergent viewpoints, Requidan says he feels like the odd man out. He joins us on the Ad Lib podcast today to make the case for how Drudge and his other sites — for as video-free and Craigslist-looking as they still are — are actually innovative on the tech front. We get into ad blocking and key word filtering, how brands are often quick to blacklist certain points of view (especially in the current political climate) and how Intermarkets has dealt with its own brand safety issues.

]]> 38:54 false 28 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Erik Requidan 6496906 2018-05-01T00:01:12Z Intel's Alyson Griffin Intel's Alyson Griffin Fri, 13 Apr 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Last year Intel, the PC maker best known to the wider world for its "Intel Inside" tagline, decided to pivot from being a PC-centric to a data-centric company. It invested heavily in artificial intelligence, the internet of things, drones, autonomous cars and more. Those data-centric businesses made up 47 percent of revenues in fiscal 2017, underscoring the diminished importance of the PC to its business. "We need to make sure the future tech buyers of the world understand we're not just a chip in a PC," says Intel's Alyson Griffin, who is charged with telling that story. "We need to make sure we're not stuck inside a PC." 

]]> Last year Intel, the PC maker best known to the wider world for its "Intel Inside" tagline, decided to pivot from being a PC-centric to a data-centric company. It invested heavily in artificial intelligence, the internet of things, drones, autonomous cars and more. Those data-centric businesses made up 47 percent of revenues in fiscal 2017, underscoring the diminished importance of the PC to its business. "We need to make sure the future tech buyers of the world understand we're not just a chip in a PC," says Intel's Alyson Griffin, who is charged with telling that story. "We need to make sure we're not stuck inside a PC."

]]> 33:35 false 27 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Alyson Griffin 6475155 2018-05-01T00:01:12Z Patch CEO Warren St. John Patch CEO Warren St. John Thu, 05 Apr 2018 04:00:00 +0000 Hyperlocal news has had a rough, ahem, patch in recent years. Undone by Craigslist and Facebook and Google, among others, local news sites have struggled to stay afloat. The end of 2017 alone saw the shuttering of both Gothamist and DNAInfo.  Patch CEO and executive editor Warren St. John joins Ad Lib this week to tell us what's going on at Patch. Among his many accomplishments as a writer and reporter for the New York Times and others, St. John also happens to be the guy who popularized the term "metrosexual" in 2005. Today he shares what he's been up to as a CEO and how he hopes to make hyperlocal work where others have stumbled. 

]]> Hyperlocal news has had a rough, ahem, patch in recent years. Undone by Craigslist and Facebook and Google, among others, local news sites have struggled to stay afloat. The end of 2017 alone saw the shuttering of both Gothamist and DNAInfo. Patch CEO and executive editor Warren St. John joins Ad Lib this week to tell us what's going on at Patch. Among his many accomplishments as a writer and reporter for the New York Times and others, St. John also happens to be the guy who popularized the term "metrosexual" in 2005. Today he shares what he's been up to as a CEO and how he hopes to make hyperlocal work where others have stumbled.

]]> 40:04 false 26 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Warren St. John 6425509 2018-04-05T04:01:09Z Forbes' Randall Lane Forbes' Randall Lane Thu, 29 Mar 2018 04:00:00 +0000 Synonymous with powerful, rich and usually white male entrepreneurs, Forbes is, like many media companies, being forced to evolve. Randall Lane took over as editor of the 101-year-old publisher in December of 2017, after Lewis D'Vorkin went on to run the LA Times newsroom — leaving behind a large pair of wingtips. Under D'Vorkin, Forbes grew its army of contributors in a bid for scale and led the native advertising charge with its Brand Voice program. Lane joins Ad Lib today to help us get a handle on what Forbes is today — how it plans to expand its custom content offerings, dig into new "microbeats" and attract a younger set of readers.

]]> Synonymous with powerful, rich and usually white male entrepreneurs, Forbes is, like many media companies, being forced to evolve. Randall Lane took over as editor of the 101-year-old publisher in December of 2017, after Lewis D'Vorkin went on to run the LA Times newsroom — leaving behind a large pair of wingtips. Under D'Vorkin, Forbes grew its army of contributors in a bid for scale and led the native advertising charge with its Brand Voice program. Lane joins Ad Lib today to help us get a handle on what Forbes is today — how it plans to expand its custom content offerings, dig into new "microbeats" and attract a younger set of readers.

]]> 31:25 false 25 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Randall Lane 6418608 2018-04-01T00:00:52Z Bleacher Report CEO Dave Finoccio Bleacher Report CEO Dave Finoccio Thu, 22 Mar 2018 04:00:00 +0000 March Madness is well underway and if you're a sports fan of a certain age, chances are you're tracking your decimated bracket on Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report CEO Dave Finocchio joins us on this episode of Ad Lib to discuss its distributed approach to publishing, what makes Bleacher Report connect with younger audiences in an oversaturated sports market — and how it's been working with Turner Broadcasting, which acquired Bleacher Report in 2012 for a reported $175 to $200 million. 

]]> March Madness is well underway and if you're a sports fan of a certain age, chances are you're tracking your decimated bracket on Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report CEO Dave Finocchio joins us on this episode of Ad Lib to discuss its distributed approach to publishing, what makes Bleacher Report connect with younger audiences in an oversaturated sports market — and how it's been working with Turner Broadcasting, which acquired Bleacher Report in 2012 for a reported $175 to $200 million.

]]> 33:17 false 24 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Dave Finocchio 6391041 2018-04-01T00:00:52Z Hearst's Troy Young Hearst's Troy Young Thu, 15 Mar 2018 04:00:00 +0000 It's been five years since Troy Young came to Hearst to build out the magazine company's digital division. Today as the global president of digital for a media empire that includes Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Elle, Good Housekeeping, Town & Country – the list goes on – Young is redefining what it means to be in a 130-year-old publisher with its roots in print. 

]]> It's been five years since Troy Young came to Hearst to build out the magazine company's digital division. Today as the global president of digital for a media empire that includes Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Elle, Good Housekeeping, Town & Country – the list goes on – Young is redefining what it means to be in a 130-year-old publisher with its roots in print.

]]> 33:02 false 23 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Troy Young 6366545 2018-04-01T00:00:52Z 360i's Sarah Hofstetter 360i's Sarah Hofstetter Thu, 08 Mar 2018 05:00:00 +0000 In this episode of Ad Lib, Sarah Hofstetter, the global CEO of full-service digital-first agency 360i, discusses the agency's new Amazon practice, the future of voice, the best kosher restaurants in Cannes and more. (She also admits to a few regrets about a certain Oreo Super Bowl tweet.)

]]> In this episode of Ad Lib, Sarah Hofstetter, the global CEO of full-service digital-first agency 360i, discusses the agency's new Amazon practice, the future of voice, the best kosher restaurants in Cannes and more. (She also admits to a few regrets about a certain Oreo Super Bowl tweet.)

]]> 34:51 false 22 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Sarah Hofstetter 6340907 2018-04-01T00:00:52Z Po.et CEO Jarrod Dicker Po.et CEO Jarrod Dicker Thu, 01 Mar 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Last month, a subset of the media world snapped to attention when Jarrod Dicker left the Post, where he built out a lot of pioneering proprietary tech for the company, to become the CEO of something called Po.et, which bills itself as "an open, universal, and immutable ledger for managing the ownership and licensing of the world's creative works." It runs on blockchain, and today Dicker will explain what it is -- and how he hopes to upend the media business model as we know it.

]]> Last month, a subset of the media world snapped to attention when Jarrod Dicker left the Post, where he built out a lot of pioneering proprietary tech for the company, to become the CEO of something called Po.et, which bills itself as "an open, universal, and immutable ledger for managing the ownership and licensing of the world's creative works." It runs on blockchain, and today Dicker will explain what it is -- and how he hopes to upend the media business model as we know it.

]]> 41:05 false 21 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Jarrod Dicker 6311876 2018-03-01T05:02:24Z Pop-Up Magazine's Chas Edwards Pop-Up Magazine's Chas Edwards Thu, 22 Feb 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Chas Edwards is a co-founder and publisher of both Pop-Up magazine—a roving circus that brings magazine journalism to life in staged events—and the print publication it spawned, California Sunday Magazine. Taken together, the two represent a new kind of media company. Edwards breaks down of what it all is, how its evolved and how its unique business model is helping the publisher thrive.

]]> Chas Edwards is a co-founder and publisher of both Pop-Up magazine—a roving circus that brings magazine journalism to life in staged events—and the print publication it spawned, California Sunday Magazine. Taken together, the two represent a new kind of media company. Edwards breaks down of what it all is, how its evolved and how its unique business model is helping the publisher thrive.

]]> 25:06 false 20 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Chas Edwards 6268178 2018-03-01T00:00:21Z Aardman's Heather Wright Aardman's Heather Wright Wed, 14 Feb 2018 22:30:00 +0000 You may know Aardman Animation as the creative force behind Wallace and Gromit, "Shaun the Sheep" and "Chicken Run." This weekend its seventh feature film, "Early Man" comes to our shores. But the recognizably Aardman characters the studio is well known–and beloved–for, only comprise 5 percent of its branded content output. Heather Wright fills us in on the other 95 percent. An executive producer and head of partner content at the studio, Wright works with brands on storytelling in a wide array of media, not just animation – but AR and VR for clients including Google and the BBC.

]]> You may know Aardman Animation as the creative force behind Wallace and Gromit, "Shaun the Sheep" and "Chicken Run." This weekend its seventh feature film, "Early Man" comes to our shores. But the recognizably Aardman characters the studio is well known–and beloved–for, only comprise 5 percent of its branded content output. Heather Wright fills us in on the other 95 percent. An executive producer and head of partner content at the studio, Wright works with brands on storytelling in a wide array of media, not just animation – but AR and VR for clients including Google and the BBC.

]]> 30:47 false 19 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Heather Wright 6260972 2018-03-01T00:00:21Z HP's Antonio Lucio HP's Antonio Lucio Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:28:19 +0000 There's a lot of talk in the marketing and advertising industries about diversity — but not a ton of walking. Antonio Lucio is one of the walkers. Lucio talks about his diversity drive on today's podcast and also breaks down his view of the state of marketing in 2018. Along the way, he shares a little of his own personal journey, how his childhood in Spain and Puerto Rico shaped who he is today, and why a diagnosis of depression changed him.

]]> There's a lot of talk in the marketing and advertising industries about diversity — but not a ton of walking. Antonio Lucio is one of the walkers. Lucio talks about his diversity drive on today's podcast and also breaks down his view of the state of marketing in 2018. Along the way, he shares a little of his own personal journey, how his childhood in Spain and Puerto Rico shaped who he is today, and why a diagnosis of depression changed him.

]]> 40:06 false 18 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Antonio Lucio 6236568 2018-03-01T00:00:21Z Hungry Man Productions, Bryan Buckley Hungry Man Productions, Bryan Buckley Thu, 01 Feb 2018 21:17:59 +0000 Bryan Buckley has nearly 60 Super Bowl credits to his name, directing spots for a bevy of brands ranging from Monster.com and Cash4Gold to Coca-Cola and Bud Light. In this podcast, Buckley discusses what it's like working with high-profile celebrities like Alec Baldwin and Martin Scorcese, the Super Bowl ad he wishes he made and his most recent Super Bowl efforts for Febreze. 

]]> Bryan Buckley has nearly 60 Super Bowl credits to his name, directing spots for a bevy of brands ranging from Monster.com and Cash4Gold to Coca-Cola and Bud Light. In this podcast, Buckley discusses what it's like working with high-profile celebrities like Alec Baldwin and Martin Scorcese, the Super Bowl ad he wishes he made and his most recent Super Bowl efforts for Febreze.

]]> 53:27 false 17 full Ad Age's Jeanine Poggi with guest Bryan Buckley 6215245 2018-03-01T00:00:21Z Avocados From Mexico's Kevin Hamilton Avocados From Mexico's Kevin Hamilton Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Kevin Hamilton has experienced first-hand the pressure to pull off a Super Bowl ad. As the senior director of marketing at Avocados From Mexico, Hamilton is charged with promoting the produce on TV's biggest stage. In this podcast, we explore the continued importance of TV advertising, the gender gap in Super Bowl ads and how he decides what's funny. 

]]> Kevin Hamilton has experienced first-hand the pressure to pull off a Super Bowl ad. As the senior director of marketing at Avocados From Mexico, Hamilton is charged with promoting the produce on TV's biggest stage. In this podcast, we explore the continued importance of TV advertising, the gender gap in Super Bowl ads and how he decides what's funny.

]]> 37:29 false 16 full Ad Age's Jeanine Poggi with guest Kevin Hamilton 6206778 2018-02-01T00:01:12Z Capitol Music Group's Brian Nolan Capitol Music Group's Brian Nolan Fri, 26 Jan 2018 22:35:04 +0000 Brian Nolan has a music fan's dream job. As the senior vice president of Capitol Records' in-house division focused on brand partnerships and licensing, Nolan is tasked with bringing new or under-exposed music to potentially huge audiences. In this podcast we touch on his work with artists ranging from Sam Smith to Migos to Halsey. We also explore how the music industry has adjusted to and evolved with the rise of streaming—and how he decides what to surface for advertisers, movies and TV shows.

]]> Brian Nolan has a music fan's dream job. As the senior vice president of Capitol Records' in-house division focused on brand partnerships and licensing, Nolan is tasked with bringing new or under-exposed music to potentially huge audiences. In this podcast we touch on his work with artists ranging from Sam Smith to Migos to Halsey. We also explore how the music industry has adjusted to and evolved with the rise of streaming—and how he decides what to surface for advertisers, movies and TV shows.

]]> 35:31 false 15 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Brian Nolan 6193557 2018-02-01T00:01:12Z Havas' Harry Bernstein Havas' Harry Bernstein Fri, 19 Jan 2018 18:46:23 +0000 If you've spent any time in agency circles, you haven't seen a lot of people who look or talk like Harry. Tall, bearded, often tie-died and bolo tied, Bernstein, who goes by Harry Bee, is as apt to talk about clean living and guided meditation as he is trap music and Adidas collabs. In September, Havas acquired The 88, the social media and digital shop he founded in 2010, and brought him on as chief creative officer of the New York office. We talk today about his non-traditional approach to advertising.

]]> If you've spent any time in agency circles, you haven't seen a lot of people who look or talk like Harry. Tall, bearded, often tie-died and bolo tied, Bernstein, who goes by Harry Bee, is as apt to talk about clean living and guided meditation as he is trap music and Adidas collabs. In September, Havas acquired The 88, the social media and digital shop he founded in 2010, and brought him on as chief creative officer of the New York office. We talk today about his non-traditional approach to advertising.

]]> 34:20 false 14 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Harry Bernstein 6167832 2018-02-01T00:01:12Z Fresh Digital Group's Doug Robinson Fresh Digital Group's Doug Robinson Fri, 12 Jan 2018 14:19:00 +0000 Recent research has found that smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home will be in 55 percent of all U.S. households by 2022. That's a lot of skills. To help us break down what this all means — for consumers, marketers, content providers, non-profits and more — we're joined by Doug Robinson, CEO of Fresh Digital Group. Robinson's team has built some 400 skills for clients ranging from ESPN to BMW and UNICEF to Toys R Us among many others. Robinson breaks down how consumers are using these smart speakers, what's coming down the pike in terms of the tech, and what people just get wrong about voice. 

]]> Recent research has found that smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home will be in 55 percent of all U.S. households by 2022. That's a lot of skills. To help us break down what this all means — for consumers, marketers, content providers, non-profits and more — we're joined by Doug Robinson, CEO of Fresh Digital Group. Robinson's team has built some 400 skills for clients ranging from ESPN to BMW and UNICEF to Toys R Us among many others. Robinson breaks down how consumers are using these smart speakers, what's coming down the pike in terms of the tech, and what people just get wrong about voice.

]]> 35:37 false 13 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Doug Robinson 6142077 2018-02-01T00:01:12Z Quartz's Jay Lauf Jay Lauf Thu, 04 Jan 2018 20:34:07 +0000 In a note at the end of 2017, Quartz publisher Jay Lauf gave his thanks to readers and advertisers, making it a point of pride that the commercial team at Quartz had been "very deliberate" about never putting its inventory on open exchanges. Sounds a bit in-the-weeds, but in a year where brand safety was top of mind for publishers and brands alike, Quartz's five-year resistance to go the programmatic route seems downright prescient today. We discuss this perspective, as well as what it means to be "Quartzy," and how the digital media landscape is shaping up in 2018.

]]> In a note at the end of 2017, Quartz publisher Jay Lauf gave his thanks to readers and advertisers, making it a point of pride that the commercial team at Quartz had been "very deliberate" about never putting its inventory on open exchanges. Sounds a bit in-the-weeds, but in a year where brand safety was top of mind for publishers and brands alike, Quartz's five-year resistance to go the programmatic route seems downright prescient today. We discuss this perspective, as well as what it means to be "Quartzy," and how the digital media landscape is shaping up in 2018.

]]> 42:50 false 12 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Jay Lauf 6116228 2018-02-01T00:01:12Z Rafat Ali Rafat Ali Fri, 29 Dec 2017 11:00:00 +0000 The co-founder and CEO of the travel media company Skift, Ali is a digital media veteran. We talk about his childhood in India and what made him want to get into media. He takes us on a tour through internet 1.0 with stops at Inside.com and PaidContent, the first company he founded. And we arrive at the here and now, where Ali is an advocate for niche media brands and the pivot to quality.

]]> The co-founder and CEO of the travel media company Skift, Ali is a digital media veteran. We talk about his childhood in India and what made him want to get into media. He takes us on a tour through internet 1.0 with stops at Inside.com and PaidContent, the first company he founded. And we arrive at the here and now, where Ali is an advocate for niche media brands and the pivot to quality.

]]> 32:56 false 11 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Rafat Ali 6082623 2018-01-01T00:01:22Z Dave Morgan Dave Morgan Mon, 18 Dec 2017 22:06:24 +0000 The Simulmedia CEO helps us make sense of the Disney-Fox deal, breaks down the state (and future) of addressable TV, explains the agency "existential" crisis -- and more.

]]> The Simulmedia CEO helps us make sense of the Disney-Fox deal, breaks down the state (and future) of addressable TV, explains the agency "existential" crisis -- and more.

]]> 40:40 false 10 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Dave Morgan 6059015 2018-01-01T00:01:22Z Wendy Clark and Ari Weiss Wendy Clark and Ari Weiss Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:07:28 +0000 It's been just under two years since DDB brought Wendy Clark — a former top marketer at Coca Cola — on board as its North American CEO. And it's been just under one year since she brought on Ari Weiss as the Omnicom network's first chief creative officer. Together the two discuss creativity, talent and the highs and lows of 2017 for DDB specifically and the industry at large.

]]> It's been just under two years since DDB brought Wendy Clark — a former top marketer at Coca Cola — on board as its North American CEO. And it's been just under one year since she brought on Ari Weiss as the Omnicom network's first chief creative officer. Together the two discuss creativity, talent and the highs and lows of 2017 for DDB specifically and the industry at large.

]]> 55:32 false 9 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Wendy Clark and Ari Weiss 6024540 2018-01-01T00:01:22Z Adam Moss Adam Moss Sun, 03 Dec 2017 23:00:00 +0000 The New York Magazine editor is Ad Age's Editor of the Year — and the title he's edited since 2004 is the Magazine of the Year. Today he sits down with Ad Age editor Brian Braiker to discuss his time at New York, how the media landscape has changed in the past 20 years, the future of magazines in general, Harvey Weinstein, Rolling Stone and more.

]]> The New York Magazine editor is Ad Age's Editor of the Year — and the title he's edited since 2004 is the Magazine of the Year. Today he sits down with Ad Age editor Brian Braiker to discuss his time at New York, how the media landscape has changed in the past 20 years, the future of magazines in general, Harvey Weinstein, Rolling Stone and more.

]]> 41:37 false 8 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Adam Moss 6001008 2018-01-01T00:01:22Z Michael Rothman Michael Rothman Wed, 22 Nov 2017 17:57:04 +0000 The CEO and co-founder of Fatherly, a New York City-based media start-up that caters to millennial dads, is himself not a father. Rather Rothman, whose last gig was as Thrillist's first business-side hire, is a digital media vet. On this episode of Ad Lib, he discusses building a media business on the back of curated content and newsletters — and ultimately scaling up original content, going deep on Facebook and expanding into events. He also shares the details of a certain X-rated patent he attempted to file at the ripe old age of 11.

]]> The CEO and co-founder of Fatherly, a New York City-based media start-up that caters to millennial dads, is himself not a father. Rather Rothman, whose last gig was as Thrillist's first business-side hire, is a digital media vet. On this episode of Ad Lib, he discusses building a media business on the back of curated content and newsletters — and ultimately scaling up original content, going deep on Facebook and expanding into events. He also shares the details of a certain X-rated patent he attempted to file at the ripe old age of 11.

]]> 43:44 false 7 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Michael Rothman 5971962 2017-12-01T00:01:21Z Michael Kuntz Michael Kuntz Fri, 10 Nov 2017 15:35:11 +0000 The senior vice president of digital revenue at USA Today Network sits down with Ad Age editor Brian Braiker to discuss Gannett's local play, working with Facebook Instant Articles and Google AMP, USA Today's push into VR, Kuntz's time at Gawker and the general perils of print.

]]> The senior vice president of digital revenue at USA Today Network sits down with Ad Age editor Brian Braiker to discuss Gannett's local play, working with Facebook Instant Articles and Google AMP, USA Today's push into VR, Kuntz's time at Gawker and the general perils of print.

]]> 43:59 false 6 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Michael Kuntz 5932156 2017-12-01T00:01:21Z Kay Hsu Kay Hsu Fri, 27 Oct 2017 14:52:32 +0000 As the global Instagram lead at Facebook Creative Shop, Kay is tasked with getting brands to adopt the Instagram Stories format. She discusses the challenges and opportunities brands see with the proliferation of ad formats – and the rise of ephemeral formats specifically. She also talks about her own career path from a legislative assistant in Canada, through stints in fashion, Hong Kong and agency life before landing at Facebook.

]]> As the global Instagram lead at Facebook Creative Shop, Kay is tasked with getting brands to adopt the Instagram Stories format. She discusses the challenges and opportunities brands see with the proliferation of ad formats – and the rise of ephemeral formats specifically. She also talks about her own career path from a legislative assistant in Canada, through stints in fashion, Hong Kong and agency life before landing at Facebook.

]]> 38:51 false 5 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Kay Hsu 5883664 2017-11-01T00:01:01Z Neil Vogel Neil Vogel Fri, 20 Oct 2017 18:38:56 +0000 Since 2014, Neil Vogel has led the transition of About.com into Dotdash. Under his stewardship, the IAC-owned company has gone from an all-things-to-all-people approach to a publisher of discrete, focused verticals including Verywell (health), the Spruce (home), Lifewire (tech), the Balance (personal finance), Tripsavvy (travel) and Thought Co. (life hacking). We discuss the challenges and opportunities of that transformation – but first he talks about the life-changing experience, early in his career, when he hit the road for a year with the sole intent of getting bored. We also dig into his time at the Webby Awards, which he had a hand in founding and making the cultural touchstone it is today.

]]> Since 2014, Neil Vogel has led the transition of About.com into Dotdash. Under his stewardship, the IAC-owned company has gone from an all-things-to-all-people approach to a publisher of discrete, focused verticals including Verywell (health), the Spruce (home), Lifewire (tech), the Balance (personal finance), Tripsavvy (travel) and Thought Co. (life hacking). We discuss the challenges and opportunities of that transformation – but first he talks about the life-changing experience, early in his career, when he hit the road for a year with the sole intent of getting bored. We also dig into his time at the Webby Awards, which he had a hand in founding and making the cultural touchstone it is today.

]]> 34:23 false 4 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Neil Vogel 5860938 2017-11-01T00:01:01Z Jonah Disend Jonah Disend Thu, 12 Oct 2017 21:15:59 +0000 Jonah Disend is CEO and founder of Redscout, a branding a product development company with clients like Gatorade and Domino's that he founded in his New York apartment in 2000. We talk about how his love of theater informs what he does, how the advertising industry has not especially embraced the LGBT community -- and a certain bar mitzvah that he threw his company when it turned 13, four years ago.

]]> Jonah Disend is CEO and founder of Redscout, a branding a product development company with clients like Gatorade and Domino's that he founded in his New York apartment in 2000. We talk about how his love of theater informs what he does, how the advertising industry has not especially embraced the LGBT community -- and a certain bar mitzvah that he threw his company when it turned 13, four years ago.

]]> 32:16 false 3 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Jonah Disend 5835258 2017-11-01T00:01:01Z Where Creativity Meets Strategy Where Creativity Meets Strategy Fri, 06 Oct 2017 12:59:46 +0000 Alain Sylvain is the founder and CEO of Sylvain Labs, an innovation and brand design consultancy. We talk about his background and the lack of diversity in media and marketing, his failures and his side hustles, which include launching a headphone brand and producing documentaries. 

]]> Alain Sylvain is the founder and CEO of Sylvain Labs, an innovation and brand design consultancy. We talk about his background and the lack of diversity in media and marketing, his failures and his side hustles, which include launching a headphone brand and producing documentaries.

]]> 28:57 false 2 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Alain Sylvain 5814217 2017-11-01T00:01:01Z Pop Vox Pop Vox Fri, 22 Sep 2017 17:21:04 +0000 As chairman and CEO of Vox Media, Jim Bankoff oversees eight vertices including The Verge, SB Nation and Vox.com. We discuss what's next for Vox and his past life as a Web 1.0 executive at AOL before and during part of the fall. 

]]> As chairman and CEO of Vox Media, Jim Bankoff oversees eight vertices including The Verge, SB Nation and Vox.com. We discuss what's next for Vox and his past life as a Web 1.0 executive at AOL before and during part of the fall.

]]> 46:36 false 1 full Ad Age - Host Brian Braiker with guest Jim Bankoff 5766904 2017-10-01T00:00:01Z