How the CEO of Carat Builds Culture That Performs

The future of media leadership starts with a culture first playbook. In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Ben Lambert reconnects with his first ever boss, Michael Law, now CEO of Carat North America, for a full circle conversation on leadership, legacy, and the evolution of modern media. With candor, warmth, and a healthy dose of Boston sports analogies, Mike shares lessons from 25 years at Carat, where culture, curiosity, and coaching sit at the core of the agency’s DNA. They dive into: Why today’s media leaders need to think like comms planners and coaches How Carat’s culture first mindset drives innovation, growth, and retention What real leadership looks like in a time of industry volatility How to build consistent cultural impact—not just flash-in-the-pan moments Mike’s bow tie theory — that culture sits at the center of brand and business impact — echoes Sightly’s belief that showing up in culture drives better performance across the board. And his take on missed Wimbledon brand moments? A powerful reminder that speed, authenticity, and relevance matter more than ever. In a time of fragmentation, platform chaos, and pressure to prove ROI, this episode is a timely reminder: great media starts with people, purpose, and a plan built for what’s next.