Marketing Vanguard

Marketing Vanguard continues live from Cannes as Jenny Rooney hosts a special Adweek House conversation with Mainardo de Nardis, Global President and COO of Edelman and Rani Al Hajji, Chief Growth and Transformation Officer, Personal Care at Unilever.This conversation cuts straight into one of marketing’s biggest modern problems: everyone has infinite opportunities, infinite channels and infinite reasons to do more. But the best marketers are not winning by doing more. They are winning by making sharper bets and doing less for more. Mainardo de Nardis is Global President and Chief Operating Officer of Edelman, with deep experience across full-service marketing, PR, digital, media, startups, AdTech, MarTech and global agency leadership. His perspective centers on how brands earn relevance and trust in a world where attention cannot simply be bought.Rani Al Hajji is Chief Growth and Transformation Officer, Personal Care at Unilever. With more than 25 years in marketing and consumer goods, including roles at L’Oréal, Colgate and Unilever across Europe, the U.S. and China, Rani focuses on redefining how brands create connection moments that matter. In this conversation, he brings that lens to Unilever’s personal care portfolio, cultural relevance and the FIFA World Cup.What You'll Learn:Why visibility is not the same thing as attentionHow brands can move from attention to real engagementWhy saying no is now one of the hardest and most important marketing skillsHow clear KPIs make distractions easier to spotWhy cultural relevance starts with knowing what each brand actually stands forHow Unilever is building around FIFA without buying its way into the momentWhy paid should amplify earned relevance, not replace itThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are marketers making a fatal mistake by treating AI as just a cost-cutting tool? The Marketing Vanguard Cannes series continues as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Jonathan Adashek, SVP, Marketing and Communications at IBM, to unpack how marketers should be treating AI, today. He breaks down how at IBM, it is becoming a way to rethink processes and drive measurable growth, their “client zero” approach, $4.5 billion in savings over three years and why the company now does half the number of events it did two years ago.Jonathan Adashek is SVP, Marketing and Communications at IBM, where he leads marketing, communications, and CSR. He joined IBM in January 2020 as Chief Communications Officer and took on the marketing portfolio in January 2022. In his role, Jonathan helps shape IBM’s global narrative as the company sharpens its focus around hybrid cloud, AI and open technology. His background in communications and politics gives him a distinct view of marketing: build a clear story, bring people on the journey and connect brand work more closely to business outcomes. At IBM, he has helped drive AI adoption across processes, event strategy, customer segmentation and internal operations through the company’s “client zero” approach.What You'll Learn:Why AI should be measured by effectiveness and growth, not just cost reductionHow IBM uses AI to improve event targeting, personalization and lead generationWhy training, workflow design and tool discipline matter in AI adoptionHow to avoid runaway AI agents and fragmented tools inside a large organizationWhy unifying marketing and communications can bring brand narrative closer to revenueHow IBM balances 115 years of brand equity with sharper hybrid cloud and AI positioningWhy customer segmentation and team structure can change go-to-market effectivenessThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marketing Vanguard continues live from Cannes. Host Jenny Rooney sits down with Mark Kirkham, Chief Marketing Officer at PepsiCo Beverages US, to break down why Cannes only works when CMOs show up with clear intention. Mark explains how AI has moved from tech hype to operational reality, why disruption cycles collapsed from five years to five months, and why honest peer debate is the only way marketing leaders stay ahead.Mark Kirkham is Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo Beverages US, where he leads brand, category, and marketing programs across Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Starry, Bubly, and Mug. A 15-year PepsiCo veteran, Mark has held global and regional marketing leadership roles including Chief Marketing Officer, International Beverages, VP of Global Sports, Juice and Energy, and Head of Marketing & Innovation for Western Europe. His work has included Pepsi’s UEFA Champions League partnership, the global Pepsi Taste Challenge, expansion of Gatorade and Mountain Dew across international markets, and award-winning brand and innovation programs. Before PepsiCo, Mark held roles at P&G, Nielsen, and Forrester Research.What You'll Learn:Why AI is shifting from hype cycle to everyday marketing workHow CMOs should evaluate AI through growth, efficiency, insight, and discoverabilityWhy disruption now happens in months, not yearsHow peer learning and open debate help the entire industry move forwardWhy Cannes works best when CMOs prioritize quality over quantityHow teams can learn from challenger brands and organic social-first thinkingWhy the industry has a role to play in making Cannes more curated and creatively valuableThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Marketing Vanguard Cannes series continues as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Lara Balazs, Chief Marketing Officer and EVP of Global Marketing at Adobe. In this episode, Lara breaks down why enterprise AI adoption is shifting toward tangible workflow wins. She highlights how heavyweights like the NFL, Disney and L’Oréal deploy Adobe Firefly to automate manual asset scaling while protecting proprietary IP. Learn why human empathy, brand trust and strategic judgment remain irreplaceable in the age of generative AI.Lara Balazs is Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Global Marketing at Adobe, where she leads global marketing and communications, drives profitable growth and helps build Adobe’s brand in the AI era. Before joining Adobe in 2024, Lara was Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager, Strategic Partner Group at Intuit, where she led marketing and communications across the company’s brands and also served as general manager of Intuit’s ProTax group. She has also held marketing leadership roles at Amazon, Visa and Nike, with experience spanning B2C, B2B and B2B2C models. Lara has been recognized on Forbes’ World’s Most Influential CMOs list, Forbes’ Entrepreneurial CMO 50 and received Adweek’s CMO Vanguard Award.What You'll Learn:Why the AI conversation has moved from fear to confidenceHow AI can augment human insight, empathy and brand visibilityWhy real case studies matter more than speculationHow Firefly helps creative teams reduce repetitive production workWhy being a CMO now requires humility, curiosity and constant learningHow the multi-hyphenate marketer applies fundamentals across different business modelsWhy taste, trust and judgment still require customer empathy and human decision-makingThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marketing Vanguard continues its Cannes 2026 series as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Todd Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer of North America at Kraft Heinz. In this conversation, Todd makes a sharp case for something the industry has almost talked itself out of - marketing is supposed to be fun. He shares why the best work often comes when teams are loose, curious and plugged into culture, not buried under PowerPoints and over-serious process.Todd Kaplan is Chief Marketing Officer, North America at The Kraft Heinz Company, where he leads marketing across a $25B food and beverage portfolio spanning more than 70 brands and 50 categories. His remit includes creative, strategy, innovation, media, digital, insights, sports and entertainment partnerships, portfolio marketing and Kraft Heinz’s in-house creative content studio, The Kitchen. Before Kraft Heinz, Todd served as Chief Marketing Officer of Pepsi, where he helped bring the brand back into the cultural zeitgeist through platforms like the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show, innovations such as Nitro Pepsi and Pepsi x Peeps, and the creation of a new Pepsi logo and visual identity system. His work has earned Cannes Lions recognition, and he has been named to Forbes’ “World’s Most Influential CMOs” list, Business Insider’s “Top 25 Most Innovative CMOs in the World” and Adweek’s “Brand Genius” and “Marketing Vanguard” honors.What You'll Learn:Why marketing has become too serious and what that does to creative workHow joy, looseness and creative energy can unlock better ideasWhy cultural fluency matters more as paid media becomes easier to ignoreHow Kraft Heinz is rebuilding brand fundamentals across a complex portfolioWhy empathy matters for both consumers and teams during organizational changeHow portfolio marketing turns 70 brands into a stronger retail and consumer solutionWhat Cannes-winning work reveals about silliness, strategy and cultural attentionThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cannes 2026 series of Marketing Vanguard continues as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Uzma Rawn Dowler, CMO & SVP, Global Corporate Partnerships at Major League Baseball. In this conversation, Uzma shares why fandom is not a behavior. It is identity. And why, for MLB, that changes the entire marketing equation. She gets into how baseball’s eight-month season creates a daily storytelling engine, why partner integration needs to feel organic to the fan experience and how MLB thinks about brand building through commercialization, culture and community. Uzma Rawn Dowler is the CMO & SVP, Global Corporate Partnerships at Major League Baseball, where she leads marketing for one of the world’s most iconic sports leagues. After more than a decade working across sponsorships and partnerships at MLB, Uzma stepped into the CMO role with a rare dual perspective: how to protect and build the MLB brand while also helping partners solve real business problems through baseball. Her work sits at the intersection of fan identity, brand storytelling, cultural relevance and commercial growth. From player storytelling to brand partnerships with companies like Mastercard, Adobe and Mountain Dew, Uzma’s approach is rooted in making marketing feel native to the moments fans already care about. What You'll Learn:Why fandom should be treated as identity, not just consumer behaviorHow MLB balances brand building with revenue-driving marketingWhy top-of-funnel storytelling matters if you want bottom-of-funnel conversionHow 4,200+ games create daily moments for authentic partner integrationWhy MLB frames partnerships as solutions, not sponsorship assetsHow player storytelling helps the league understand what will resonate with fansWhy hiring smart people and relinquishing control is essential for modern CMO leadershipThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marketing Vanguard continues its Cannes 2026 series as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Doug Sweeny, CMO of ŌURA. In this conversation, Doug shares how ŌURA has evolved from a sleep-focused wearable into a broader health and readiness platform, helping people understand what is happening inside their bodies before it shows up in their day. He gets into how ŌURA’s mission-led positioning, hardware innovation, and partnership ecosystem are helping the brand define what the next phase of wearable health looks like.Doug Sweeny is the Chief Marketing Officer at ŌURA, a leading smart ring and wearable health technology company. With 15 years of agency experience and leadership roles across brands like Levi’s, Nest and One Medical, Doug has built a career around mission-driven companies that combine technology, usefulness and real-world impact. At ŌURA, Doug leads marketing for a brand that has moved beyond sleep tracking into a wider health platform spanning stress, resilience, cardiovascular health, metabolic health and women’s health. His work focuses on positioning ŌURA not just as a device, but as a way for people to better understand their bodies, build readiness and make smarter decisions about their wellbeing.What You'll Learn:How ŌURA evolved from sleep tracking into stress, resilience, and broader health insightWhy younger female consumers are the brand’s fastest-growing segmentHow women’s health features are expanding ŌURA’s relevance and category positionWhy stress and resilience are becoming core reasons people stay with ŌURAHow ŌURA Ring 5 removes friction through smaller hardware and longer battery lifeWhy mission-driven brands attract leaders who want to build products with real utilityHow “readiness” connects elite athletes, executives and everyday consumersThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you think the story behind AI is a productivity-led one, you’re wrong. Our series from Cannes 2026 continues as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Rafa Flores, Chief Product and Growth Officer at Treasure AI. In this one, Rafa cuts through the noise around AI adoption and AI-selling and gets into the real issue CMOs are facing: teams are not just unsure about AI; they are scared of what it could mean for their roles. He reveals how forcing AI adoption from the top can backfire, royally and why real AI success should be measured through revenue and conversion impact. Rafa Flores is the Chief Product and Growth Officer at Treasure AI, where he brings nearly two decades of experience across product development, engineering, growth strategy and partnerships. With an engineering background and a deeply practical view of how enterprise teams adopt technology, Rafa works at the intersection of AI, product-led growth and human-centered transformation. At Treasure AI, Rafa helps global brands rethink how AI can be adopted without creating fear, confusion or organizational resistance. His perspective is especially valuable for CMOs navigating pressure from boards, teams and vendors at the same time. What You'll Learn:Why fear of AI is real and should not be ignored by marketing leadersHow to measure AI success through revenue, conversions and churn mitigationWhy forcing AI adoption creates anxiety and resistance inside teamsHow CMOs can set guardrails that protect the business while empowering teamsWhy modern tech buyers expect to try products, not just sit through demosHow product-led growth changes the customer journey in an AI-first marketWhy creativity in the AI era means orchestrating systems, agents and human judgmentThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marketing Vanguard continues its Cannes 2026 series as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Jill Kramer, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard. In this conversation, Jill reveals the false binaries marketing keeps boxing itself into: AI vs. creativity, brand vs. performance, strategy vs. execution, “what’s in” vs. what’s "dead." Her point is clear: the strongest marketing does not live at the extremes. It lives in the gray area where accountability, emotion, creativity, and business outcomes all have to work together.Jill Kramer is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard, bringing deep experience across brand strategy, creative leadership and enterprise marketing transformation. Before joining Mastercard, she held senior leadership roles at Accenture, where she progressed from Head of Advertising, then brand, and finally, to Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Earlier, she also built her foundation on the agency side at BBDO. At Mastercard, Jill brings a perspective shaped by both sides of the table: the agency instinct for creative craft and the brand-side understanding of business complexity, accountability, and internal alignment. Her leadership is rooted in balance: brand and performance, creativity and AI, strategic vision and hands-on involvement.What You'll Learn:Why AI should sharpen creative focus, not replace the human craftHow brand and performance marketing became a false choiceWhy the best marketing happens in the “soft emotional middle”How prioritization can become a creative act for a new CMOWhy leaders now need to go high and deep at the same timeHow to shift from doing everything yourself to enabling the teamWhy the industry needs to stop arguing in extremes and talk more about the workThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The “Marketing Vanguard at Cannes” series continues as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Julia Goldin, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at LEGO. In this conversation, Julia shares how LEGO has grown from a children’s toy company into a global experience brand loved by kids, teens and adults, without losing the creative system that made it iconic in the first place. She offers insights into the discipline behind that growth: knowing what to say no to, protecting authenticity, taking calculated risks and treating mistakes as part of the work. Julia Goldin is the Chief Marketing and Product Officer at LEGO, where she has spent 11 years helping shape the brand into a multi-generational creative experience. Under her leadership, LEGO has grown across children, teens and adults, while expanding its connection with girls and women builders. From LEGO SmartPlay to high-profile partnerships with Formula 1 and World Cup campaigns, she has helped LEGO push into new spaces while staying grounded in authenticity, trust and the limitless possibilities of the LEGO system in play. Her leadership philosophy is clear: creativity grows when teams are curious, willing to make mistakes and disciplined enough to protect what the brand stands for.What You'll Learn:How LEGO expanded from a toy brand into a multi-generational creative experienceWhy saying no is one of the most important brand-building decisions a CMO can makeHow to balance innovation risk with consumer trust and brand authenticityWhy mistakes are essential to learning, unlearning and relearningHow LEGO SmartPlay uses technology to enhance physical play without adding more screensWhy human creativity is the real competitive advantage in the age of tech How partnerships like Formula 1 and World Cup campaigns become bigger than product launchesThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Marketing Vanguard comes straight from Cannes 2026 as host Jenny Rooney sits down with Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing and Brand Experiences Officer at Virgin Voyages. They discuss why the best and most real marketing happens when a customer is telling their friends the story of what they experienced, how Virgin Voyages turns crew culture into customer loyalty, and why repeat rate should sit much closer to the center of marketing strategy.Nathan Rosenberg is the Chief Marketing and Brand Experiences Officer at Virgin Voyages, where he has spent 14 years building one of the most distinctive experience-led brands in travel. With 26 years across the Virgin organization, Nathan brings a deeply human-centered approach to marketing, culture, and brand strategy. At Virgin Voyages, his work spans far beyond campaigns. He champions the full experience of the brand, from how guests feel when they step onto a ship to how crew members are supported to deliver memorable service. His philosophy is simple but demanding: if you take care of your people, they take care of your customers, and customers take care of the outcomes.What You'll Learn:Why marketing is irrelevant if the experience does not hold upHow repeat customers can lower acquisition costs and change the growth equationWhy crew experience directly shapes customer experience and brand memoryHow Virgin Voyages turned an adults-only cruise model into its clearest differentiatorWhy marketers need to stop drowning in reports they will never act onHow AI can amplify creative teams instead of replacing themWhy soft skills like empathy, vulnerability and listening are now the hardest leadership skillsThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Consumer electronics marketing has a bad habit: it talks too much about the product and not enough about the person buying it. In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, Sarah Larsen, CMO at Hisense USA, joins Jenny Rooney to unpack why she’s throwing tech-speak out the window and rebuilding marketing around sell-out, consumer behavior, and real-life relevance. As Hisense’s first overarching CMO, Sarah shares how she’s reinforcing one sharp mandate: marketing needs to move product.Sarah Larsen is the Chief Marketing Officer at Hisense USA, where she is the first leader to hold the company’s newly created overarching CMO role. With 30 years of experience across PR, earned media, social, digital, paid media, sponsorships, and consumer electronics, Sarah brings a nontraditional path to modern marketing leadership. Before joining Hisense, Sarah built deep category expertise through roles connected to brands like LG, Samsung, and Motorola. At Hisense, she now leads a broad remit spanning product marketing, product management, retail, insights, communications, and go-to-market strategy, with one clear goal: marketing that drives sellout.What You'll Learn:Why consumer electronics brands need to stop leading with tech specsHow Sarah defines marketing success through sellout, not vanity metricsWhy CMOs should act as the great unifiers across product, retail, sales and consumer insightHow to turn global sponsorships like FIFA World Cup into real consumer connectionWhy research needs to be continuous, not a one-time path-to-purchase studyHow future-proofing your brand means investing in the buyers who are not yet your core demographic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Marketing Vanguard comes straight from Cannes 2026. Join us as host Jenny Rooney catches up with Dara Treseder, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at Autodesk. Together, they explore why this AI era is also the “golden era” for creatives, why human ingenuity still runs the game while AI raises the floor and why trust is the one thing that isn’t up for debate. She raises a valid point: knowing what not to do with AI is just as important as knowing what to do with it. Dara Treseder is Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at Autodesk, renowned for her expertise in B2B brand storytelling and AI-integrated marketing strategy. With a background in transforming major enterprise organizations including GE and Carbon, she has pioneered approaches that balance human creativity with technological innovation. Her leadership in establishing Autodesk as the official design and make platform for the LA 2028 Olympics and her commitment to a $350 million initiative for AI workforce credentialing demonstrate her ability to align business growth with meaningful societal impact - a model of particular relevance for enterprise marketing leaders seeking to drive both profitability and purpose. What You'll Learn:How to balance AI integration with authentic brand storytellingThe "Facts and Feelings" framework for B2B marketing that moves beyond boring product specsWhy hands-on AI fluency as a CMO is non-negotiable for strategic vision and system designHow to operationalize workforce development as a competitive advantage by investing in AI knowledge transfer The time-optimization secret weapon: using AI-powered calendar analytics and briefing tools to reclaim hours dailyHow to execute big strategic swings like Autodesk's sports marketing partnerships with LA28 Olympics and NFL teamsThis episode is part of a special vidcast series that was recorded live during Cannes 2026 and presented in partnership with Edelman  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While everyone’s chasing data and AI-driven targeted marketing, Natasha Madan’s keeping humanity at the centre of it all. In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, the Head of Marketing at Intuit Credit Karma shares why blending art and science is essential to modern marketing. She dives into the how of building human connections that trump personalization algorithms and repositioning legacy brands for new generations while taking us behind the scenes of her groundbreaking work launching Prime Day at Amazon. Natasha Madan is Head of Marketing at Intuit Credit Karma, known for her expertise in brand strategy, customer-centric marketing and combining art with data science. With a background spanning CPG at Nestlé, where she honed customer insights across iconic candy brands, to Amazon, where she helped build Prime into a cultural phenomenon driving 30% of member growth, Natasha brings a rare blend of brand-building and performance marketing excellence. Her work bridging mission-driven fintech with sophisticated marketing strategy offers actionable frameworks for CMOs navigating the balance between personalization and human-centered brand building.What You'll Learn:How to uncover customer needs before they articulate themWhy sticking to vision while staying flexible on tactics drives long-term successThe Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) framework beats MVP in building customer loyaltyHow to reposition a transactional brand into an emotional platformThe case for full-funnel marketing over direct response in reshaping perceptionWhy AI democratizes authenticity as your competitive moat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marketing leaders are often told to be more strategic, but how does that really play out in the day-to-day? In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, Michael Lacorazza, Executive Vice President and CMO of U.S. Bank, unpacks the biggest leadership lessons behind his career across Lexus, Toyota, and Wells Fargo, to name a few. He shares why customer-centricity is still the foundation of great marketing, how CMOs can build stronger alignment with business partners, and why understanding the P&L is no longer optional for marketing leaders who want a bigger seat at the table.Michael Lacorazza is the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at U.S. Bank, one of the nation’s largest banks. With more than two decades of experience across automotive, hospitality, financial services, agency leadership and private equity-backed business transformation, Michael brings a deeply commercial view of brand, customer experience and enterprise growth. At U.S. Bank, Michael leads marketing, customer experience, and enterprise analytics, helping the organization strengthen its brand, serve a wide range of customer segments and build more integrated financial experiences.What You'll Learn:Why commercial fluency is essential for CMOs who want to influence business strategyHow to translate marketing metrics into growth, customer accounts, margin expansion, and business outcomesHow U.S. Bank is using AI across key business imperativesWhy financial app fragmentation creates an opportunity for banks to deliver more integrated customer valueHow Michael’s experience across automotive, hospitality, agency, financial services and private equity shaped his leadership styleWhy authentic cultural integration beats transactional brand sponsorships Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMOs are being dubbed the new "unicorns," but is the journey as magical as it sounds? In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Tim Rosa, CEO of Somnee, to explore the rare and valuable career trajectory from Chief Marketing Officer to Chief Executive Officer, and why brand-driven leaders are uniquely positioned to scale transformative companies in the health and wellness space. He shares valuable insights from Somnee’s journey of disrupting a $585B industry. Tim Rosa is the CEO of Somnee, a clinical-grade sleep technology and neuroscience company, bringing expertise in brand building, go-to-market strategy, and scaling consumer health companies. With a distinguished background spanning agency work, sports marketing, and seven years as CMO at Fitbit, Tim has developed a unique playbook for translating complex science into compelling consumer narratives. His work at Fitbit and now at Somnee has demonstrated that CMOs with operational acumen and cross-functional experience are uniquely positioned to lead companies at the highest level, making this conversation essential for marketing leaders aspiring to executive roles.What You'll Learn:How to leverage CMO experience to accelerate CEO successWhy clinical-grade data is non-negotiable in AI-driven health techThe challenger brand playbook for emerging health categoriesHow to build enterprise and B2B revenue streams alongside DTCThe counterintuitive marketing strategy of "zigging when others zag"Why self-awareness and surrounding yourself with complementary talent is essential for CMO-to-CEO transitions  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s no marketing tool more potent than personal experience, and this episode of Marketing Vanguard explores how that transformed Nutrafol’s brand journey. CMO Deena Bahri joins the conversation to share how she went from a customer of the brand to its CMO, how they’re redefining the hair health conversation, why scientific credibility is your most defensible competitive advantage, and how to balance startup agility with enterprise-scale growth. As she reminds us, the marketing playing field is level. The only real differentiator is your brand expression. Deena Bahri is Chief Marketing Officer at Nutrafol, bringing over 20 years of experience building disruptive consumer brands in wellness and fashion. Known for her expertise in blending science-backed positioning with emotional brand storytelling, Deena has led the transformation of hair health from a fear-based narrative to an empowerment-driven movement. Her insights offer actionable frameworks for those navigating the intersection of performance marketing and brand-building in the nutraceutical and wellness sectors.What You'll Learn:How to pivot from fear-based to empowerment-driven brand positioning in categories historically rooted in insecurity marketingWhy clinical validation and third-party accreditations are non-negotiable trust-builders in the wellness spaceThe "before and after" messaging framework that moves consumers from shame and urgency to hope and accountabilityHow to destigmatize taboo health topics through authentic brand voice The strategic shift from lower-funnel performance marketing to full-funnel brand Why startup DNA within scaled organizations drives competitive advantage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you make a brand that’s perceived as “uncool” a cultural moment? Terence Reilly, Chief Brand Officer of Crocs, reveals his playbook in this episode of Marketing Vanguard. He reveals how he transformed a meme product into a global phenomenon, why embracing risk and "failing fast" is essential to breaking culture, and the strategies behind building authentic brand narratives in an age of AI and collaboration fatigue.Terence Reilly is Chief Brand Officer at Crocs, renowned for his expertise in brand transformation, cultural relevance and innovative marketing strategy. With a background spanning financial services, retail and consumer goods (including leadership roles at Stanley, Footaction, and Famous Footwear), Terence has a proven track record of being able to elevate iconic brands through bold creative risks and collaborative partnerships. His strategic vision has contributed to making Stanley and Crocs household names globally, with his Stanley car-fire TikTok campaign generating $50 million in additional revenue and 100 million views. His unique marketing insights make him a valuable voice for any marketer (regardless of experience) who’s looking to navigate brand transformation successfully.What You'll Learn:How to flip negative brand perception into a competitive advantage by leaning into criticismWhy the "drive it like you stole it" philosophy for scaling wins fast, and the story behind the iconic Michael Jackson momentWhy collaboration fatigue is real and how to recapture your brand's own narrativeThe power of empowering frontline insights to drive viral moments and the truth about the Crocs-Post Malone moment How to create proprietary eponyms that make your brand synonymous with the categoryThe non-linear career path that builds better marketers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The power of word-of-mouth and referral-based marketing takes on a whole new meaning in this episode of Marketing Vanguard. Tune in as Amica Insurance EVP and CMO, Tory Pachis, reveals how their Rhode Island–based challenger brand competes against massive incumbents by doubling down on empathy, service, and human-led experiences while building relevance with younger consumers.Tory is Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President at Amica Insurance, the nation's oldest mutual automobile insurance company with 119 years of heritage. With 27 years of experience in the insurance industry and previous leadership roles at Travelers Insurance and Hanover Insurance, Tory brings deep expertise in brand transformation, direct-to-consumer marketing, and building customer loyalty in highly competitive categories. His work modernizing Amica's brand platform while preserving its legendary customer loyalty culture makes his perspectives essential listening for marketing leaders seeking to balance heritage with innovation. What You'll Learn:How to leverage brand heritage as a competitive moatWhy share of voice matters more than market share in commoditized categoriesThe "consumer as hero" creative frameworkHow to use AI for product discovery, not just operational efficiencyThe player-coach leadership model for scaling transformative changeWhy do direct distribution models require different marketing investments Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if AI could bring more humanity to marketing, instead of taking away from it? In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, Lauren Weinberg, CMO of Supergoop! and veteran CMO at Square, Intuit and Peloton, reveals why brand authenticity matters more than ever in an AI-driven world, how CMOs should lead their teams through rapid technological transformation and the key strategies to balance budget discipline with bold creative thinking.Lauren is an accomplished Chief Marketing Officer with extensive experience leading marketing transformations at industry-leading companies including Square, Intuit and Peloton. Currently serving as the CMO of Supergoop!, Lauren brings expertise in brand strategy, growth marketing and AI integration, offering a unique perspective that bridges creative storytelling with data-driven decision-making. Her proven track record of driving growth while maintaining P&L sensibility, combined with her advisory role at Emory University's Data Science and Decision Department, makes her a trusted voice for senior marketing leaders navigating digital transformation. What You'll Learn:How to position AI as a catalyst for brand authenticity rather than automationThe strategy-first framework for saying "no" in high-intensity environmentsWhy P&L sensibility is now non-negotiable for CMO credibilityThe three C's of hiring for an AI-driven future - conviction, courage and curiosityHow to create organizational AI literacy without overburdening teamsWhy CMOs should shift from efficiency conversations to strategic AI conversations with the C-suite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EVP, GM, or CMO - why pick one when you can be all 3? In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, Keisha Taylor Starr, EVP, CMO, and General Manager of Scripps Networks, proves that intersectionality and a diverse skill set can take your marketing game to the next level. Tune in for their discussion on how strategic repositioning can drive record-breaking audience engagement, why marketers must balance creative risk with financial rigor and the leadership moves required to shape an industry built for diverse voices. Keisha Taylor Starr is Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and General Manager of Scripps Networks at The E.W. Scripps Company, bringing expertise in media marketing, brand strategy, and P&L management. With a career spanning agency work at BBDO, leadership roles at CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as experience in collegiate sports marketing, she has consistently driven innovative transformations across news, entertainment, and sports properties. Her leadership in ION's rebrand into a general entertainment network with pioneering women's sports programming has resulted in record-breaking audience engagement and Google TV's most-watched free live channel designation in 2024, demonstrating how CMOs can balance creative vision with financial accountability.What You'll Learn:How to transition from CMO to General Manager by gaining P&L ownershipWhy sports franchises are essential programming investmentsThe strategy behind rebranding a legacy network for new audiencesHow to balance creative ambition with financial rigor as a CMOThe importance of diverse representation in leadership and decision-makingHow to expand sports definition and create inclusive programming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new age of Super Bowl marketing has dawned upon us, and it’s time to embrace it. In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, marketing leaders from Meta, Instacart, and Chime reveal how their brands are redefining Super Bowl marketing by prioritizing social-first strategies, earned media, and authentic creator partnerships over traditional metrics. Tune in to learn why the biggest marketing opportunities now live in subcultures and algorithmic feeds and how to tap into conversations happening off-screen.What You'll Learn:How to shift from awareness metrics to earned social conversation as your primary Super Bowl success measureWhy a social-first strategy is non-negotiable and why niche communities outperform monoculture campaignsHow to design ads that crack culture through hyperbole and surpriseThe strategic partnership framework beyond logo placementHow to unlock innovation by protecting brand fundamentals while experimenting relentlesslyWhy in-house creative teams, powered by AI, can deliver portfolio-defining work at a fraction of agency costsThe non-negotiable marketing-product alignment tactic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surely a legacy brand like Crayola has done all it could to grow, right? Wrong. In this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast, recorded live at Brandweek in Atlanta in November 2025, Victoria Lozano, former CMO of Crayola, proves that the growth work of even the most iconic brands can and should never stop. From how nostalgia can be leveraged to the advantage of expanding into unexpected categories, this conversation covers it all. Victoria Lozano, former Chief Marketing Officer of Crayola, is renowned for her expertise in brand strategy, category expansion and omnichannel marketing across iconic consumer brands. With a career spanning Fortune 500 CPG companies including HBC, beverages and confectionery, she has built a diverse track record in product innovation, location-based entertainment, and educational strategy. Her work at Crayola demonstrates how legacy brands can evolve, redefine brand categories, unlock new consumer segments and build enduring marketing strategies that transcend traditional product boundaries, all while maintaining emotional resonance. What You'll Learn:How to merge nostalgia with future-forward relevanceWhy a CMO's role with high-awareness brands requires category expansionThe framework for segmented messaging across stakeholder groupsHow to unlock hidden revenue streams in plain sight, like recognizing that 57% of Crayola purchases are made by adults without childrenThe power of branded sensory identity as a defensible competitive advantageWhy ecosystem thinking matters more than individual business unit performance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can you sell water in a can successfully, without making it a gimmick? In this live episode of Marketing Vanguard from Brandweek Atlanta, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Benoit Vatere, Chief Media Officer at Liquid Death, to explore how he, as a non-traditional entrepreneur with an engineering background, is scaling a cult beverage brand through unconventional media strategy, retail partnerships and aggressive upper-funnel investment while protecting the brand's core mystique.Benoit Vatere is Chief Media Officer at Liquid Death, where he drives growth strategy and media planning for one of the most distinctive brands in the beverage industry. With a background as an entrepreneur and engineer who spent 25 years building ad tech products in Los Angeles, Benoit brings unique expertise in bridging creator marketing, retail commerce and consumer conversion. His work at Liquid Death demonstrates how data-driven media strategy, disciplined creative positioning and deep retailer partnerships can scale challenger brands into category leaders while maintaining distinctive brand equityWhat You'll Learn:How to shift from DTC obsession to retail-first strategyThe frequency-over-reach principle for mental availabilityHow to build a tech stack that bridges awareness to retail conversionWhy a CEO-CMO creates organizational competitive advantageThe conquest strategy in competitive categoriesHow to maintain brand mystique while scaling Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking risks and having them pay off in an industry as regulated as fintech can seem like an impossible task. But Coinbase’s success in bold and unique marketing proves it isn’t. In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, Coinbase CMO, Catherine Ferdon, reveals why bold creativity matters when it comes to marketing intangibles, how to build financial brands that don't feel sterile and the key strategies behind Coinbase's high-profile Super Bowl and Oscars campaigns.Catherine Ferdon is the Chief Marketing Officer at Coinbase, bringing nearly fifteen years of fintech expertise to one of crypto's most established brands. With a background spanning Square, Cash App and Afterpay, she has built her career giving voice to complex financial products through bold, unconventional creativity. Her work exemplifies how CMOs can translate intangible, complex products into compelling narratives that drive mainstream adoption - a critical lesson for marketers navigating emerging technologies and regulatory constraints.What You'll Learn:Why understanding intangible products in depth is the key to marketing them successfullyThe risk-taking framework for breakthrough creativityWhy educational complexity requires participatory, not didactic marketingHow to design media moments for their environmentThe leadership principle of strong opinions, softly heldWhy AI amplifies human creativity rather than replacing it Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Atlanta, a paradise for CMOs with 70% of Fortune 500 companies, thousands of startups, and immense talent, is often underestimated. Live from Brandweek, Alex Gonzalez, Metro Atlanta Chamber's Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer, explains why Atlanta is a top marketing hub and how brand positioning can shape a city's economic future on this episode of Marketing Vanguard.Alex Gonzales is the Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, leading efforts to brand Atlanta as a premier destination for talent, business and innovation. With a background spanning finance, business development and corporate marketing at industry leaders like GE, Chubb Insurance and Equifax, Alex brings deep expertise in transforming marketing strategies for Fortune 500 organizations and emerging tech ecosystems. His work establishing the "Atlanta Where You Belong" brand and fostering the Atlanta Growth Collective has positioned the region as a model for regional marketing and innovation ecosystems. What You'll Learn:How to leverage a CMO advisory council to build authentic city branding by assembling chief marketersWhy "place branding" requires defining emotional belonging, not just economic benefitsThe talent flywheel strategy and making the most of the city’s academic ecosystemHow to position B2B companies as part of your city's DNAWhy the startup ecosystem infrastructure (Atlanta Tech Village, Russell Innovation Center, South Downtown development) should be central to city marketingThe multi-geography branding challenge and how to solve it  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Financial services marketing is one of the hardest kinds of marketing to crack. But John Brockelman and his team at State Street Investment Management have proven, campaign after campaign, that it can be done well and done right. Tune in for his playbook on how financial services marketers can drive growth, connection and culture.What You'll Learn:How to align marketing with sales and business objectivesThe importance of simplifying brand architecture for market expansionHow to build intentional talent strategies by mixing specialized and generalist expertiseWhy guerrilla marketing and experiential activations outperform traditional advertising in regulated industriesHow to use strategic partnerships to reach new audiencesHow to scale AI adoption across marketing operations without replacing human creativity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world - not just for the game and its players, but for marketers too. So, how do you make sure you win the game? In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, four industry-leading CMOs - Gabrielle Wesley (Mars Wrigley), Stephanie Rogers (San Francisco 49ers), John Gieselman (Comcast) and Stacy Andrade-Wells (Liquid I.V.), reveal their personal playbooks on making the most of the Super Bowl opportunity, cutting through the hype and executing at the highest level. What You'll Learn:How to build a solid business case for Super Bowl marketing investmentWhy you should capitalize on the intersection of creative disruption and brand strategyHow to activate beyond the 30 or 60-second spot through ecosystem thinkingWhy simplicity and cultural relevance are your competitive advantagesThe "uncomfortable gut reaction" test for evaluating creative readinessHow to measure impact across different time horizons without becoming paralyzed by metrics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wine was a gatekept category, suffering from the dreaded perception of being "boring." That is, until Archer Roose, the canned wine company, redefined the category and made it fun for Gen Z. In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, CMO of the brand, Conley Downing, unpacks how they leveraged “fun” marketing (instead of educational marketing) to make wine accessible and interesting again. What You'll Learn:How to reposition a legacy category by identifying and eliminating barriers to entryWhy product format innovation creates distribution and occasion expansion beyond traditional compete setsThe strategic value of celebrity partnerships rooted in authentic brand alignment and commercial acumenHow to build sustainable growth through data ownership and omnichannel funnel strategyWhy founder-led startups must balance rapid scaling with long-term positioning and acquisition readinessHow transparency and ingredient clarity are becoming table stakes in beverage marketing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Staying authentic and mission-driven while scaling aggressively may be the toughest problem in marketing to solve. But Sarah Leinberger, VP and Head of Marketing, Yoobi, has a pretty solid take on how to do it. In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, recorded during Brandweek in Atlanta, Sarah reveals how CMOs can build authentic brand equity through strategic collaborations, why agility trumps budget in today's market, and the key strategies to balance rapid iteration with meaningful purpose. What You'll Learn:How to leverage borrowed equity without diluting brand identityWhy speed and flexibility are competitive advantages for challenger brandsThe foundational framework for retail media successHow to build meaningful retailer partnerships that go beyond “exclusive.” The key strategies to optimize high-impact small teamsWhy authentic leadership accelerates team performance and trust Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, live from the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Nic Brandenberger, CMO of Mammut, the 164-year-old Swiss mountaineering gear company, unpacks why Davos represents a unique opportunity for C-suite marketers and how the experiences brands create matter far more than the products they sell.What You'll Learn:How to shift the definition of “brand” from product provider to experience giverWhy breaking out of the marketing silo is a critical competitive advantage The strategic advantage of being a part of DavosHow to balance wholesale and direct-to-consumer channelsHow consumer-centric foundation separates great marketing from mediocre execution Ways to identify and penetrate niche communities in fragmented markets like US mountaineering Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcasting live from the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Karin Timpone, CEO and Founder of ClearPrompt, unpacks how to implement AI with focused, phased approaches rather than sweeping transformations and staying in the center of business strategy. What You'll Learn:Why CMOs are perfectly positioned to lead AI strategy across organizationsHow to break down AI implementation into focused, phased pilots instead of betting the entire farmThe difference between technology adoption and strategic impactHow to build cross-functional alignment in the C-suite around technology and strategyPick one lane and go deep rather than trying to master all of AIWhy it’s important to lean into industry moments that connect you with peers facing similar challenges Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From $0 confidence to CEO of one of the most well-known brands in the world, Sharon Price John’s story is nothing short of inspiring and we’re unpacking it on the latest episode of Marketing Vanguard. In this conversation, straight from the Brandweek 2025 stage in Atlanta, Sharon, CEO of Build-A-Bear, reveals her unconventional career journey and how that evolution directly shaped the turnaround and reimagining of an iconic experiential brand.What You'll Learn:How to transition from functional expertise to CEO-level thinkingWhy CMOs must adopt a "business-first" mindset to advanceThe confidence gap that holds high-potential women back from applying for stretch rolesHow to unlock brand equity by understanding feeling over functionThe critical role of authentic leadership in driving organizational transformationHow to pivot a single-location retail concept into an IP-driven, multi-vertical businessIn an era where the marketing playbook is being rewritten daily, how can brands stay ahead? Joshua Spanier, Google’s VP of AI and Marketing Strategy, pulls back the curtain in “Frontier CMO,” his new podcast and weekly insights letter featuring the marketers, thought leaders, and industry pioneers who are reinventing marketing.Josh previews the tough questions and unfiltered conversations featured on Frontier CMO, including:AI as a leadership test: exploring the "human" side of the AI revolution. As technology and tools advance the challenge becomes equipping marketing teams to leverage these technologiesBrand relevance and connection: writing the next playbook for brand relevance by showing up as a main character in the places and spaces that connect with your audienceAgentic Commerce: understanding the transition from "speed vs. certainty" to a world where shopping is fast and smartThe new marketing organization: knowing where AI makes work faster and smarter and restructuring teams to keep up. Redefining agency partnerships to elevate insights and creativity in real timeEach episode of Frontier CMO features tactical, practical steps all leaders can take to navigate the future of marketing. Find it wherever you get your podcasts: YouTube | Apple | Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than ever before, CMOs belong in the C-Suite. And, Sumit Virmani, CMO of Infosys, has a strong case to back this stance up. In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, live from the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Sumit breaks down the necessary evolution of the CMO, what AI has to do with it, and the strategic imperative of aligning with C-suite priorities. What You'll Learn:Why CMOs need to operate within the full C-suite context, not just marketing bubblesHow to position yourself as a transformation partner, not a marketing operatorThe critical difference between using AI to do marketing better versus using AI to expand your business influenceWhy advocating for marketing's "seat at the strategy table" requires complementing creative genius with AI-powered analyticsHow to build an undeniable business case for attending high-level forums like Davos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMOs can drive business revenue - this is an established fact. But how can they do it better, bigger, and stronger in the age of AI? We’re unpacking this in the latest episode of Marketing Vanguard, live from the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos. Tune in as Emma Chalwin, CMO at Workday, breaks down the evolving strategic role of CMOs at major enterprises, the intersection of AI and human-centered marketing, and how chief marketing officers can become essential drivers of business growth. What You'll Learn:How to position CMOs as strategic business leaders in the age of AIThe "Art and Science" Framework for modern CMOs to thrive Why AI adoption requires a human-centered brand narrativeHow to reframe customer relationships from acquisition to retentionThe "B2B to B2H" (Business to Human) messaging approach and why it’s critical How to embed brand values as competitive differentiation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI has long been thought of as a threat to creativity. But what if they’re not at odds at all? In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, live from the World Economic Forum in Davos, CMO of Adobe Enterprise, Rachel Thornton, reveals why putting human creativity at the center of marketing strategy is more critical than ever and how CMOs should be navigating this tectonic shift. What You'll Learn:How to position AI as "augmented intelligence" rather than artificial intelligenceWhy the core creative concept must remain human-driven while AI handles scalingHow to free your marketers from tactical asset-building so they focus on what they loveThe framework for proving marketing's revenue impact to your C-suiteWhy authenticity and brand definition are now competitive imperativesHow to treat customers as co-creators of your brand experience, particularly with Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI has permeated every conversation since 2024, but CMOs have yet to use it to its full potential. In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, live from the World Economic Forum at Davos, Bonnie Pelosi, CEO EMEA at Microsoft, reveals the truth about AI in marketing - what’s going right, what’s going wrong, and everything in between. What You'll Learn:How to embed governance into AI implementation from day oneWhy CMOs must act as connectors across the entire C-suiteThe "Customer Zero" mindset and why AI use cases must be geared, first, towards customers How to lead cultural transformation, not just technology rolloutWhy curiosity and empathy are non-negotiable CMO competenciesThe distinction between tactical and strategic leadership Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s tech-driven world, tech marketers cannot afford to lose sight of client trust. And yet, they do. On this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast, President and CMO of Salesforce, Ariel Kelman, reveals why customer success storytelling matters more than ever, how to ground AI in trusted first-party data, and the key strategies for balancing AI automation with human creativity. What You'll Learn:How to ground AI agents in customer data to drive measurable outcomes Why CMO leadership must pioneer AI adoption before mandating it across teams AI’s productivity paradox - why it enables both more output AND better work-life balance How to position your brand's trust as a competitive moat in the AI eraThe framework for balancing centralized brand strategy with decentralized field execution  Why "show, don't tell" beats feature-focused marketing when launching complex products  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does one keep a 100-year-old brand relevant in today’s turbulent times of marketing and consumption? The full picture reveals itself in this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast as Laura Knebusch, SVP of CPG Marketing and CX at Georgia-Pacific, breaks down what it takes to keep a heritage brand alive and thriving. From how century-old heritage brands like Brawny, Angel Soft, and Dixie evolve without alienating loyal consumers to how a classically trained marketer navigates AI, retail transformation, and cultural moments in real time, this conversation proves that adaptability and agility aren’t just possible; it’s crucial to the success and growth of your brand. What You'll Learn:How to refresh iconic brand characters while preserving core equityWhy "living your brands" is an organizational imperative, not just a marketing functionThe measurement system that connects marketing investment to business outcomesHow to capitalize on viral moments and cultural momentum without losing authenticityWhy sustainability messaging shouldn't drive your brand positioning (even when consumers care)How to architect a modern marketing organization that balances internal capabilities with external partnerships Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creative scrappiness can take brands where no one else has ever gone before - that’s BodyArmor’s story and we’re diving deep into it on the latest episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Tune in as the brand’s CMO, Tom Gargiulo, opens up the pages of his playbook on succeeding as a challenger brand. From how to build winning athlete partnerships and leverage unconventional media channels for outsized ROI to executing a brand rebirth that resonates with both consumers and retail partners, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on punching above your weight in the CPG space and coming out on top. What You'll Learn:How to build a disruptor/ challenger brand positioning in a saturated categoryWhy athlete-first partnerships outperform big-budget league deals if you’re a resource-constrained brandsThe power of the bottling community’s alignment in driving executionHow social media ROI dramatically outperforms traditional TVThe value of transparency and space-giving in high-performing marketing teamsWhy strategic media partnerships (Barstool, Dude Perfect, Savannah Bananas) create household brand status without massive budgets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brand marketing is getting its time to shine in the latest episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast as we sit down with Caryn Wasser, Chief Brand Officer at Little Spoon. Tune in for an energizing conversation on how a brand drives growth and revenue and why its place in scaling a business should never be underestimated. Plus: exclusive insights on how she built a $150M+ brand from a windowless WeWork room to become the largest online baby and kids food company in the U.S. What You'll Learn:How to design a Chief Brand Officer role from scratch by letting business needs dictate strategy, not industry conventionsWhy "brand-led growth" requires being obsessively rooted in consumer truth over chasing marketing trendsThe operational framework for treating marketing as a full-funnel, interconnected system where every team member owns business impactHow to maintain authentic brand positioning when scaling into retail without compromising identityWhy early-stage founders should pursue board seats and executive roles at startups over staying at legacy companiesThe counterintuitive approach to celebrity and influencer partnerships Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast, we welcome Kirsten Spittel-Sloan, SVP, Marketing at iFit, for an eye-opening chat on what it takes to succeed in the fitness tech space today. Listen in for Kirsten’s playbook on how marketing leaders can navigate rapid technological change, build adaptive teams and balance analytical rigor with authentic brand narratives in an increasingly complex marketplace.What You'll Learn:How to invest across the entire marketing funnel equally during periods of rapid change, rather than concentrating resources on trending channelsThe "High Trust + Adaptability" leadership framework for building marketing teams that can flex resources without sacrificing cohesion or brand consistencyHow to balance ROAS obsession with brand-building investmentsWhy personalization powered by AI is non-negotiable for retentionThe imperative for new marketing professionals to become hybrid technical experts and artists simultaneouslyUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast, we welcome John Solomon, CMO at Therabody, for a revealing conversation on transforming a single-product company into a diversified wellness ecosystem through marketing. Listen in for John’s tried-and-tested strategic frameworks that have enabled Therabody to expand while maintaining brand integrity and consumer trust. This conversation emphasizes the importance of investing in a differentiating asset that makes your brand a stand-out in its segment. What You'll Learn:How to define and defend distinctive assets while protecting your brand's unique visual and functional propertiesWhy the four-year CMO tenure marks a critical inflection point and how to pace your 4 years in the role The "science-first differentiation" strategy for crowded categoriesHow to reframe messaging from adjectives like "speeds and feeds" to tangible consumer outcomesThe partnership-as-distribution model to reach new audiencesWhy entertainment partnerships require risk framework conversations with stakeholdersUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, we sit down with Jennie Weber, Chief Marketing Officer at Best Buy to talk about all things iconic. From the non-linear approach it takes to build a legacy brand to the critical importance of adaptability and resilience in marketing teams today, Jennie breaks down the strategies that have helped her and her team at Best Buy stay ahead of the curve (and stand the test of time). Tune in for actionable insights on weathering one of retail’s most dynamic periods. What You'll Learn:How to build a customer-first decision-making framework that becomes embedded in organizational cultureWhy adaptability and growth mindset trump traditional team expansion and contraction in volatile marketsHow learning from setbacks can become your true competitive advantageThe strategic value of retail media networks beyond adsHow to identify and activate "passion points" for authentic brand partnerships based on cultural momentumThe resurgence of physical retail as a differentiator in the AI eraWhy creator partnerships and influencer storefronts unlock authentic brand storytellingUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Llibert Argerich, Chief Marketing Officer at Thumbtack, joins this week’s episode of Marketing Vanguard to rewrite the narrative of the marketing function - from cost centre to profit driver. Tune in to explore ROI-driven strategies that marketers can and must use, why local market strategy outperforms national campaigns for fragmented industries, and how AI is transforming customer-to-pro matching at scale. Backed by rich experience, Llibert offers actionable frameworks for driving measurable growth without breaking the bank.If you’re looking to do more with less and transform your marketing team into a business enabler, this conversation is for you.  What You'll Learn:How to reframe marketing budgets as profit driversWhy it’s critical to shift from being a marketing practitioner to an enabler who removes barriersThe Local Market Strategy Framework for hyper-local industries - reducing risk while building brand equity responsiblyHow to leverage AI for product-market fit as your primary marketing engine and fuel brand awarenessThe discipline of constraint-driven innovation - protecting profitability while still investing in brand-building initiativesHow to build cross-functional credibility with CFOs and leadership, positioning marketing as a strategic partner, not a department seeking blank checks.Unlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kristen Lauria, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Wheels Up, joins this episode of Marketing Vanguard to explore the evolution of luxury travel marketing and brand transformation. From her unique journey from aerospace engineering to marketing leadership, Kristen shares insights on pivoting brands toward growth, building trust with high-net-worth clients, and creating exceptional customer experiences. As it stands, Wheels Up is revolutionizing private aviation through innovative membership models, strategic partnerships, and its marketing team has everything to do with it. This conversation serves as a critical reminder of a good marketer’s core responsibility: translating complex business ideas into powerful customer value. What You'll Learn:How to leverage technical expertise to translate complex products into compelling market offeringsThe evolution of private aviation marketing from product-focused to solutions-based approachesWhy membership models require "customer centricity on steroids" in luxury travel servicesHow to build trust-based marketing strategies for high-net-worth audiencesHow to balance B2B, B2C and B2B2C marketing approaches in luxury servicesThe strategic importance of brand partnerships in elevating customer experiencesHow to lead marketing transformation through pace-setting and coaching leadership stylesUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sumit Virmani, Global CMO of Infosys, joins this episode of Marketing Vanguard to explore the evolving landscape of B2B marketing, the transformative impact of AI, and the delicate balance between art and science in modern marketing. As an “accidental marketer”, he brings unique strategic insights on building emotional connections in B2B, responsible AI adoption, and staying ahead of technological disruption. In this conversation, he shines a light on Infosys’ journey to becoming a $19B-revenue global tech brand and what the marketing team has to do with growth.What You'll Learn:How to leverage financial acumen to build stronger relationships with the C-suite and drive marketing successWhy creating emotional connections is equally important in B2B marketingThe Navigator Framework for building long-term client relationships in tech consultingHow to balance short-term business objectives with long-term brand aspirationsWhy AI represents a disruptive rather than incremental shift in marketing capabilitiesWhy 95% repeat business proves the value of deep institutional trust in B2B relationshipsThe three-pillar approach to modern CMO leadership: building business trust, developing strong teams, and maintaining market presenceUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Ethan Braden, Chief Marketing Officer at Texas A&M University, about building one of America’s most consequential higher-education brands.Ethan shares how his journey from Eli Lilly to Purdue University to Texas A&M shaped his approach to leadership, storytelling, and reputation management in complex institutions. He discusses how to balance tradition and innovation, why universities must think like modern brands, and how collaborations, from NASCAR to Dude Perfect, can open new doors for engagement and national relevance. This conversation is a masterclass in brand building that applies far beyond academia.What You'll Learn:How to transition corporate marketing expertise into higher education.The strategic difference between driving student demand and building national reputation.How to craft a brand narrative rooted in mission, culture, and community.Why understanding your “product” and your audience defines long-term success.How collaborations and partnerships expand reach and relevance.How AI and technology are reshaping marketing team structures.The leadership mindset needed to turn institutions into admired brands.Unlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Doug Zarkin, CMO of Take 5 Oil Change and author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone." In this compelling conversation, Doug shares how he's transforming a commodity category into an emotional brand experience through people-first leadership.Doug's career spans from the agency world at Saatchi & Saatchi and Grey to client-side roles at Avon Products and Victoria's Secret PINK. Most notably, he spent eleven years as CMO at Pearle Vision, an unusually long tenure, where he led a complete brand transformation that resulted in the company topping Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. Now, as the first-ever CMO for Take Five Oil Change, Doug is applying his proven "people, process, progress, profitability" framework to elevate a challenger brand in the oil change category.What You'll Learn:The secret to achieving an 11-year CMO tenure in an era of short tenuresThe "people, process, progress, profitability" framework for successThe brand value equation: Experience divided by priceChallenger brand strategy for competing from fourth placeWhy "thinking human" transforms customer relationshipsUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alon Rivel, CMO of Feast & Fettle, discusses the Northeast meal delivery company's contrarian approach to growth with Marketing Vanguard’s host Jenny Rooney. With his unconventional background spanning TV media buying, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and B2C tech startups, he brings a unique perspective to building authentic brands.The conversation explores how Feast & Fettle differentiates by focusing on time as currency rather than trendy diets or speed. Their approach combines locally-sourced ingredients with hospitality-first service and community building.What You'll Learn:How to build authentic brand positioning that goes beyond product featuresWhy intentional regional growth can be more profitable than national expansionStrategies for creating community through food and shared experiencesHow to balance profitability with purpose-driven initiativesWhy cutting a marketing team in half can improve performanceThe importance of reading the room and understanding customer psychologyHow to maintain quality and authenticity while scaling operationsAlon Rivel serves as the first CMO at Feast & Fettle, where he's spent just over a year transforming their marketing approach. Previously, he worked across TV media buying, digital marketing for B2C apps, and various tech startups. He brings experience from The New York Times, Bloomberg, and multiple venture-backed companies in the dating and on-demand service sectors.Unlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.