WPP’s Janet Levine on World Building and the Future of Modern Marketing

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Adam Katz sits down with Janet Levine, Head of Global Invention at Mindshare (WPP Media), to unpack her creative philosophy, career journey, and the groundbreaking concept she calls world building. Janet shares how her lifelong curiosity evolved into a leadership mindset that blends imagination with structure. Over her 16 years at WPP, she’s held roles across media planning, client leadership, and creative strategy—each one contributing to her latest innovation: world building, a strategic framework for modern brand growth. The conversation dives deep into: World building explained: Why enduring, evergreen brand ecosystems matter more than fleeting campaigns and moments. Modern growth mindset: How world building helps brands evolve beyond old-school thinking to reach new audiences and pull multiple levers of growth. Collaboration as fuel: Why innovation at WPP thrives on cross-team creativity—from data and commerce to audience and creative teams. Culture and speed: How understanding culture’s rhythm and striking with impact—not just speed—creates more meaningful brand moments. Leadership and confidence: How Janet built her voice over time, turning curiosity into influence and creating space for teams to expand her ideas. Janet also reflects on the importance of mentorship, creative bravery, and the marketers she admires—from Vaseline’s award-winning cultural work to the enduring storytelling of brands like Snickers. Off the clock, she shares her deep love for Broadway and rap music, citing Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jay-Z as creative icons who, like her, master the art of storytelling and rhythm. This episode offers a masterclass in modern brand strategy, combining curiosity, culture, and creativity to show how world building can reshape the future of marketing.