The Ad Podcast

Remco Westermann is a Dutch media, gaming, and adtech entrepreneur who serves as the Founder and CEO of Verve Group SE (formerly known as Media and Games Invest (MGI). With over three decades of professional experience, he has spent more than 20 years building, acquiring, and scaling digital mobile media and online entertainment platforms across Europe and North America.Career Highlights & LeadershipVerve Group SE: Westermann established the foundation of the company by acquiring 100% of the distressed German games company gamigo group AG from Axel Springer. Through a highly active M&A strategy—executing over 35 acquisitions across the gaming and digital advertising sectors (including companies like Captify®)—he transformed the business from a gaming publisher into a massive, publicly traded adtech software platform that matches global advertiser demand with publisher ad supply.

Many corporate marketing teams struggle to build real audience connection because they depend too heavily on basic digital channels that are increasingly cluttered with automated noise and spam.Neda Whitney, President of MATTE Projects, breaks down how to design immersive, multi-sensory physical environments that drive deep customer retention and brand equity.She shares her tactical blueprint for managing high-value consumer journeys, from launching custom luxury yachts to leveraging '90s nostalgia to connect legacy intellectual property with younger audiences.Key discussion topics include:Moving past short-term digital ads to invest in immersive physical spaces.Justifying experiential event budgets to corporate finance officers without relying on short-sighted click metrics.Structuring custom, end-to-end travel environments for ultra-high-net-worth consumers.Deploying targeted launch spaces to drive inescapable media visibility for streaming properties.Reviving classic entertainment properties through creator-led lifestyle events.Neda Whitney is the President of MATTE Projects, directing high-end experience design pipelines across New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico City.Follow Neda Whitney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedanamiranian/Explore MATTE Projects: https://matteprojects.com/Maximize Omnichannel Performance ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Many enterprise marketing teams struggle with low campaign engagement because they treat cross-cultural outreach as a secondary budget extension rather than a foundational strategy. Jorge Plasencia, CEO of Republica Havas and Global Chief Client Officer of Havas, breaks down how to build comprehensive cross-cultural campaigns that align directly with high-growth consumer demographics.He shares his approach to navigating the shift toward automated "agentic" shopping networks, using large-scale simulated data frameworks to maintain visibility in automated retail loops.Key discussion topics include:Bypassing late-stage campaign additions to integrate cross-cultural insights directly into core strategy.Optimizing brand positioning to remain competitive when autonomous AI assistants handle routine consumer shopping.Deploying automated research systems to track consumer choices across diverse demographic segments.Retraining operational staff from basic administrative tracking into creative and strategic service positions.Positioning regional market hubs as entry points for international business expansion.Guest Profile: Jorge Plasencia is the CEO of Republica Havas and Global Chief Client Officer of the Havas network, managing client alignment across 700 partner agencies in 100 countries.Connect & Scale Your Operations:Follow Jorge Plasencia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-a-plasencia/Explore Republica Havas: https://republicahavas.com/Optimize Omnichannel Performance Capital with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Many corporate marketing teams struggle with long pipeline delays because they target narrow executive profiles while overlooking key buying committee members.In this episode, Sascha Eder, founder and CEO of NewtonX, explores how to run comprehensive account-based research using open knowledge graphs to find verified, niche business buyers.He outlines his strategy for combining primary human validation with predictive synthetic data models to build highly accurate, continuous testing systems across a product's lifecycle.Key discussion topics include:Deconstructing targeting errors to accurately map complex corporate buying groups.Crafting tailored multi-channel messaging pathways to align secondary stakeholders like procurement and tech deployment.Building custom-recruited expert networks to eliminate data fraud issues common in traditional panels.Deploying verified synthetic persona architectures for continuous, fast concept testing.Managing research budget priorities to focus resources on core data verification as AI shortens timelines.Guest Profile: Sascha Eder is the founder and CEO of NewtonX, leading advanced B2B market intelligence initiatives for over 600 dominant global enterprises.Connect & Drive Your Growth Engine:Follow Sascha Eder on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sascha-tyler-eder-79287b4/ Explore NewtonX Solutions: https://www.newtonx.com/Maximize Omnichannel Performance ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Many media companies run into serious scaling issues because their digital content tools are spread across separate, clunky platforms. Tyler Denk, CEO at beehiiv, breaks down how to bundle newsletters, premium subscriptions, and podcast networks into one clean delivery system. He shares his blueprint for bypassing social media algorithm changes by focusing on direct email distribution channels to build predictable, long-term brand equity.Key discussion areas include:Using first-party pixel data to scale cross-newsletter ad placements programmatically.Streamlining tech stacks by replacing fragmented blogging, mailing, and billing tools.Bundling premium content subscriptions across text and audio with Spotify Open Access.Protecting audience distribution loops from variable social media algorithms.Managing high delivery metrics (99.8%) while scaling automated advertising systems.Guest Profile: Tyler Denk is the CEO at beehiiv, directing advanced content delivery infrastructure that handles over 4 billion monthly email impressions.Connect & Scale Your Business:Follow Tyler Denk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-denk/Explore beehiiv Platform: https://www.beehiiv.com/Optimize Your Paid Media Strategies with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Many corporate marketing teams rely too heavily on digital channels, leaving their campaigns vulnerable to high ad fatigue and rising acquisition costs.In this episode, Stacy Minero, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at OUTFRONT Media, details the strategic evolution of out-of-home advertising into interactive "IRL Media."She explains how modern brands use physical assets as core campaign drivers rather than late-stage additions, creating a reliable foundation for digital and social media engagement.Strategic areas analyzed include:Transitioning legacy outdoor placements into programmatic digital transit networks.Deploying the "Stadium Surround" framework to capture high-value consumer attention during event travel.Combining physical assets with mobile tech through AR integrations and QR code handoffs.Using Destination Media methods to turn physical installations into viral social media content.Building effective industry partnerships via collaborative marketing hackathons.Stacy Minero is the Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at OUTFRONT Media, managing large-scale brand strategy and digital media integration across premier metropolitan transit networks.Connect & Scale Your Business:Follow Stacy Minero on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-minero-79287b4/Explore OUTFRONT Media: https://www.outfront.com/Optimize Your Paid Media Strategies with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

As digital advertising confronts high media fragmentation and falling conversion returns from classic tracking, e-commerce brands face the core challenge of securing measurable campaign value.At the same time, top-tier creator talent is shifting focus away from sponsored ads to demand direct brand ownership. Dylan Conroy sits down with Todd Ulise, Chief Revenue Officer at Nomix Group, to explore how "commerce everywhere" platforms link social content channels directly with performance economics.Key Themes Covered:Overhauling brand campaigns from loose vanity metrics toward trackable outcomes systems.Scaling transaction infrastructure models to process billions in gross merchandise volume.Redefining affiliate tracking methodologies to prioritize viewer dwell time over basic clicks.Structuring joint equity partnerships that give digital talent deep skin in the game.Transitioning Western retail distribution toward integrated live streaming social commerce channels.Todd Ulise is the Chief Revenue Officer at Nomix Group, where he directs global monetization strategy and infrastructure distribution layers for high-growth commerce spaces.Connect with Todd Ulise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddulise1/Explore Nomix Group Platforms: https://www.nomixgroup.com/ Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

As online ad formats face high saturation and falling conversion response rates, brand leaders face the challenge of finding clean, reliable consumer connection spaces.At the same time, traditional agency models are shifting toward decentralized specialist networks built for speed. Dylan Conroy sits down with Michael Fullman and Paul Elsberg from ACRONYM to break down how to transition physical events into data-backed conversion platforms using advanced spatial tech layers.Key Themes Covered:Carrying core enterprise positioning smoothly across down-funnel consumer properties.Countering direct-response ad noise by building custom, physical brand environments.Implementing an tracking framework via RFID and geofencing to measure Return on Experience.Presenting product innovations to retail executives to capture premium shelf space.Operating within independent agency cooperatives like the Residence network to scale creative output.Michael Fullman is the Chief Creative Officer and Paul Elsberg is the Group Business Director of ACRONYM, where they engineer advanced spatial media strategies and large-scale event architectures for premier corporate portfolios.Connect with the ACRONYM Team on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-elsberg-23306584/Explore ACRONYM's Creative Systems: https://acronym.la/ Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Relying entirely on the insular viewpoints of dense urban ad hubs can expose enterprise brand campaigns to immediate audience alienation and irreversible reputation damage.Dylan Conroy sits down with Matt Mazzone, Chief Creative Officer at LSKR, to map out the corporate framework used to ground creative assets in nationwide consumer data and business fundamentals.Restructuring Insights: How to gather balanced market facts that capture Middle America demographics to de-risk multi-market funnels.The AEO Optimization Playbook: The technical strategy needed to secure authoritative brand citations inside Large Language Model layouts.Risk and Reputation Defense: Utilizing academic data filters to screen creative concepts and avoid catastrophic campaign blunders.Protecting Shareholder Value: Why C-suite marketing directors must prioritize bottom-line financial health over insular design trends.Matt Mazzone is a prominent public relations executive and the Chief Creative Officer at LSKR, where he directs international brand development, crisis management strategy, and platform-agnostic media deployment.Connect with Matt Mazzone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-j-mazzone/Explore the LSKR Corporate Strategy Catalog: https://wearelskr.com/Scale your multi-channel automated performance media investments with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

As programmatic marketing teams encounter diminishing returns from short-term attribution tracks, brands face the critical challenge of keeping their customer pipelines healthy. At the same time, agency leaders must design sustainable business transitions that protect core team dynamics from holding company pressures. Dylan Conroy sits down with Stephen Brown, CEO and Founder at FUSE Create, to map out how independent agencies use agile brand health tracking to sustain long-term conversion campaigns.Key Themes Covered:Overhauling boutique agencies from traditional tactical execution into creative integrated models.Balancing backend AI tool deployment with the value of human strategic passion.Reviewing qualitative data from the "Confessions of a CMO" leadership study.Deploying modern brand tracking frameworks to prevent performance campaign plateaus.Executing internal management buyouts to maintain creative alignment and client continuity.Stephen Brown is the CEO and Founder at FUSE Create, an integrated creative agency that directs international cross-screen strategy for premier consumer brands.Connect with Stephen Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbrownfuse/Explore FUSE Create’s Creative Frameworks: https://fusecreate.com/Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

As programmatic advertising moves past traditional cookie tracking, media networks face the challenge of linking early ad exposure with verified digital purchases. At the same time, brands must adapt to new automated workflows changing how consumers assess product value. Dylan Conroy sits down with Matt Sanchez, Chief Operating Officer at Yahoo, to explore how connecting essential communication utilities with massive content properties can optimize open-web attribution pipelines.Key Themes Covered:Aligning a massive digital portfolio to function as a trusted guide across a fragmented web.Testing lab-grade agentic AI features to improve inbox user productivity.Exporting rich behavioral insights out of internal platforms into an open DSP layer.Organizing strategic event timelines to start discussions and close corporate alliances.Integrating independent creator networks alongside traditional syndicated media formats.Matt Sanchez is the Chief Operating Officer at Yahoo, where he directs product execution and global distribution systems across their full-funnel media engine.Connect with Matt Sanchez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanchezmatt/Explore Yahoo's Programmatic Solutions: https://www.yahoo.com/Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

As browser cookies fade, marketing teams face the challenge of finding reliable data alternatives that accurately reflect real-world consumer needs. At the same time, traditional out-of-home media is moving toward automated, programmatic delivery networks. Dylan Conroy sits down with Matt Longley, CEO at Mobsta Ltd, to discuss how geobehavioral data platforms link physical movement history with retail purchase layers to optimize multi-screen campaigns.Key Themes Covered:Overhauling event marketing from short-term transaction tracking to long-term brand positioning.Using physical context data rather than online browser history to identify buyer intent.Combining vehicle renewals, real estate listings, and consumer purchase registries.Scheduling time-specific ad variations across mobile screens and digital out-of-home panels.Checking programmatic AI systems against clear compliance and data governance ground rules.Matt Longley is the CEO at Mobsta Ltd, an independent geobehavioral technology platform that builds efficient localized ad campaigns for global brands.Connect with Matt Longley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-longley-71921841/Explore Mobsta’s Platform: https://www.mobsta.com/Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

As traditional advertising formats face lower engagement, brand teams face the challenge of reaching audiences who actively tune out classic commercial interruptions. Dylan Conroy sits down with James Rowe, President of OBB Bolded, to explore how their award-winning production framework builds deep audience loyalty through authentic, long-form branded entertainment.Key Themes Covered:Designing celebrity partnerships around existing online conversations and public memes.Balancing data-gathering software tools with human-centered creative insights.Activating passionate fan subcultures to strengthen community connection.Partnering directly with top-tier creators to utilize their pre-built distribution networks.Structuring video formats on organic channels before moving them to subscription platforms.James Rowe is the President of OBB Bolded, where he leads the development of pop-culture-driven campaigns and media strategies for global consumer brands.Connect with James Rowe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rowe-97499916/Explore OBB Media: https://obbmedia.com/Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

As classic sports sponsorships deliver lower digital engagement, brand teams face the challenge of connecting authentically with modern fan communities. At the same time, many automated online sales channels are seeing lower returns due to widespread inbox spam. Dylan Conroy sits down with Jack Adler, Founder & CEO at Out2Win, to discuss how their venture-backed platform helps brands launch successful media campaigns at the intersection of sports and culture.Key Themes Covered:Broadening media reach from early NIL campaigns to the wider sports creator landscape.Running real-time social campaigns with professional athletes during major sports events.Transitioning a business model from basic managed execution to data-enabled agency services.Using internal AI analytical systems to back up creative talent decisions.Prioritizing face-to-face networking to bypass automated digital outreach clutter.Jack Adler is the Founder & CEO at Out2Win, where he leads the development of automated creator matching tools and digital media strategies for top brands.Connect with Jack Adler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-adler/Explore Out2Win’s Platform: https://www.outtowin.io/Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

As generative AI changes traditional digital media, technology executives face the challenge of moving quick prototypes into reliable, secure software systems. At the same time, online publishers must adapt to changes in search traffic and the risks of unauthorized data scraping.Dylan Conroy sits down with Stephanie Layser, Global Subcategory Leader for Publishers and Advertising at AWS, to explore how cloud infrastructure supports modern media operations.Key Themes Covered:Operating neutral cloud infrastructure to support global programmatic ad networks.Automating manual ad operations and planning using enterprise AI applications.Moving software projects from quick prototypes to secure production environments.Optimizing corporate website layouts for automated search tools and engines.Setting up edge firewalls to turn automated web scraping into structured revenue streams.Stephanie Layser is the Global Subcategory Leader for Publishers and Advertising within the Media, Entertainment, Games, Advertising, and Sports division at AWS, where she creates infrastructure strategies for major programmatic platforms.Connect with Stephanie Layser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slayser8/ ExploreAWS Advertising and Marketing Tech: https://aws.amazon.com/media/Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Relying entirely on static slide portfolios can expose emerging creative agencies to declining client conversion rates and high procurement resistance.Dylan Conroy sits down with Damaune Journey, Global Chief Growth Officer at 72andSunny, to outline the structural framework used to transition legacy account acquisition models into unfragmented experiential marketing networks.Experiential New Business Engines: How deploying original live real estate across global forums acts as a walking case study to close enterprise accounts.Direct Talent Architectures: Why bypassing legacy representation networks to build text-chain relationships with athletes uncovers authentic brand storytelling lines.High-Performance Workforce Design: Tactical lessons from Doc Rivers and Candace Parker on applying sports team metrics to manage corporate groups.The Collective Scale Playbook: How 72andSunny restructured its international presence across six global offices to support global brand allocations.Damaune Journey is an experienced global client strategist and the Global Chief Growth Officer at 72andSunny, commanding multi-continental agency footprints, high-prestige brand operations, and omni-channel conversion loops.Connect with Damaune Journey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damaunejourney/Explore the 72andSunny Global Collective Framework: https://www.72andsunny.com/Optimize your automated performance media channel returns with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

As consumer attention jumps fluidly across diverse digital interfaces, enterprise brand leaders struggle with software overhead from fragmented programmatic point-solutions. Meanwhile, open-web digital publishers face serious revenue drops caused by a massive shift toward zero-click interactions and AI scrapers training models on original journalism.Dylan Conroy sits down with Dani Cushion, Chief Marketing Officer of Teads, to map out the technical architectures solving these cross-screen distribution issues.Key Themes Covered:Consolidating web, mobile, and Connected TV spend into unified ad managers.Developing OEM home screen units like "CTV Ensemble" to target premium inventory amid peak FAST saturation.Deploying publisher tech architectures like "Engage OS" to stabilize programmatic auction yields.Tracking enterprise event investments down to second-half and multi-year pipeline development.Mitigating the risks of closed streaming data environments to protect open programmatic ecosystems.Dani Cushion is the global Chief Marketing Officer at Teads, where she leads international B2B marketing systems and brand strategy across more than 30 countries. She brings deep expertise from a long career in adtech, managing full-funnel media platform growth.Connect with Dani Cushion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danicushion/Explore Teads Ad Management Platform: https://www.teads.com/Optimize your enterprise marketing ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Relying on traditional demographic categories and static company profiles can expose enterprise brands to high campaign fragmentation and falling consumer resonance.Dylan Conroy sits down with Chaucer Barnes, Chief Marketing Officer at Translation and UnitedMasters, to analyze the framework for converting standard ethnic marketing models into unfragmented identity tracking networks.Shifting to Identity Networks: Why targeting active psychographic subcultures (sports, music, entertainment) outperforms old demographic data blocks.The Product-as-Canvas Model: Strategic guidelines from Vans and Converse on turning consumer goods into creative self-expression platforms.Real-World Visibility Engineering: Bypassing laptop presentation decks to maintain consistent real-world hubs that secure B2B connections.Intersecting Peak Ambition: The business development strategy used to lock down long-term contracts during key industry planning cycles.Chaucer Barnes is a prominent brand strategist and the Chief Marketing Officer at Translation and UnitedMasters, where he commands international client growth, context planning, and direct artist monetization networks.Connect with Chaucer Barnes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaucer-barnes-98a8545/Explore the Translation Agency Optimization Portfolio: https://translationllc.com/Optimize your automated performance media returns with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Relying entirely on point-of-sale merchant channels can leave fintech platforms exposed to low consumer visibility and channel dependencies.Dylan Conroy sits down with Shachar Scott, Chief Marketing Officer at Sunbit, to map out the operational framework used to transition legacy merchant infrastructure into an unfragmented consumer brand footprint.Moving Past Transaction Layers: How to structure a direct consumer brand that transcends merchant checkout counters to capture top-of-wallet placement.Accelerated Corporate Modernization: The behind-the-scenes mechanics of executing an enterprise rebrand within an intense 60-day operational window.Predictive Risk Engineering: Why deploying machine-learning loops to analyze full financial histories delivers personalized options within 0.00003 seconds.Radical Timelines Flattening: Leveraging automated orchestration platforms to condense campaign delivery loops from weeks to hours.Shachar Scott is a veteran technology marketing strategist and the Chief Marketing Officer at Sunbit, directing global brand narrative, machine-learning data integrations, and omni-channel client scale for an enterprise holding over 5.5 million consumers.Connect with Shachar Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shacharscott/Explore the Sunbit Personal Finance Roadmap: https://sunbit.com/Optimize your automated performance media channels with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Relying entirely on old web index approaches can leave enterprise brands facing severe visibility loss as generative search systems change consumer behavior.Dylan Conroy sits down with Dean Broadhead, Founder and CEO of Broadhead, to analyze the framework for converting corporate public relations into unfragmented Answer Engine Optimization networks.The AEO Playbook: How structuring digital assets for LLM indexing protects market placement as traditional web traffic falls.Surviving Zero-Click Search: The technical strategy required to secure direct machine citations inside automated layouts.The Emotional Procurement Stake: Re-engineering B2B creative assets to handle individual job security risks among buyers.Corporate Visibility Mandates: Why developing visible personal branding channels for executives drives modern customer pipelines.Dean Broadhead is an experienced brand strategist and the Founder and CEO of broadhead, commanding a 150-person independent full-service agency network that directs performance media integrations across major B2B and B2C channels.Connect with Dean Broadhead on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/broadheadco/Explore the Broadhead Agency Optimization Catalog: https://broadheadco.com/Optimize your automated performance media channels with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Operating entirely inside highly commoditized price competition can expose legacy industrial businesses to falling profit margins and extreme market indifference.Dylan Conroy sits down with Scott Gardner, CEO and Co-Founder of Liquid Agency, to detail the operational framework used to transition traditional manufacturing networks into experience-led design entities.The Decommoditization Playbook: How adapting rapid Silicon Valley design thinking loops can lift product value inside traditional 80-year-old giants.Fractional CMO Leadership Models: The strategic business framework of placing external board advisors to direct corporate modernization.Human-in-the-Loop Automation: Why elite creative networks restrict generative tools to processing tasks to defend against brand style replication.The Low-Fi Performance Shift: Analyzing why raw, unpolished social videos systematically out-engage high-budget assets for workplace recruitment.Scott Gardner is a veteran brand strategy architect and the CEO of Liquid Agency, commanding global category co-creation and cross-cycle technology implementation for tech and lifestyle giants including Google, Intel, and Nike.Connect with Scott Gardner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthgardner/Explore the Liquid Agency Strategic Design Framework: https://www.liquidagency.com/Optimize your automated performance media channel returns with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Relying entirely on dry corporate updates can leave B2B marketing teams with falling click-through rates and high target audience indifference. Dylan Conroy sits down with Heather Freeland, Chief Brand Officer at LinkedIn, to unpack the operational blueprint for converting cold company pages into unfragmented human storytelling networks.The Verified Identity Blueprint: How building an identity layer using third-party validation tools removes anonymous online noise to protect brand safety.The Creator Marketplace Engine: Navigating the platform's custom portal to connect enterprise brands with authoritative, professional voices.The 10x Engagement Lift: Deconstructing the data metrics behind Thought Leader Ads and sponsored employee accounts.Defeating Content Dilution: Why human personal narrative serves as the ultimate creative defense against automated AI-generated noise.Heather Hopkins Freeland is a prominent brand executive and the Chief Brand Officer at LinkedIn, commanding international consumer marketing, creator product implementation, and cross-channel community strategy.Connect with Heather Freeland on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hhfreeland/Explore the LinkedIn Creator Marketplace: https://www.linkedin.com/Optimize your automated performance media channels with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Relying purely on disruptive digital banner ads can expose consumer brands to high audience fatigue and lower conversion performance.Dylan Conroy sits down with Melissa Hobley, Global CMO of Tinder, to analyze the framework for converting core product insights into unfragmented vertical entertainment networks.The Branded Entertainment Pivot: Why integrating product breakthroughs into original show IP beats traditional commercial models.Native Vertical Mobile Design: The production requirements of filming natively in a 9:16 aspect ratio to maximize mobile video views.Storytelling Beyond Algorithms: Evolving digital application frameworks to address social isolation and encourage real-world interaction.Social Network Co-Creation: The business strategy for building distribution deals with networks like TikTok and ITV.Melissa Hobley is an experienced consumer lifestyle executive and the Global CMO of Tinder, where she commands international brand architecture, co-created media licensing, and cross-platform mobile marketing campaigns.Connect with Melissa Hobley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissahobley/Explore the Tinder Product Feature Roadmap: https://tinder.com/Optimize your cross-channel automated media performance with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Relying entirely on isolated creative concepts during agency reviews can leave enterprise brands without clear blueprints for real-world execution. Dylan Conroy sits down with Laura McAllister Davis, Chief Client Officer of Publicis Production U.S., to examine the framework for positioning scalable production assets at the core of multi-channel brand distribution networks.The Production Pitch Imperative: Why connecting execution capabilities with live cultural trends serves as a decisive differentiator in major agency reviews.Unified Creator Ecosystems: The strategic business reason for combining broad influencer networks with internal tabletop studios to optimize content velocity.Navigating Compressed Cycles: How to manage tight, six-hour production windows to capitalize on social trends without losing message quality.Practical Workspace Automation: Shifting routine administration like call sheets and pre-production packaging to digital tools to free up senior creative leadership.Laura McAllister Davis is an experienced brand and agency executive, serving as the Chief Client Officer at Publicis Production U.S., where she commands global client strategy, scalable production pipelines, and unfragmented creative operations.Connect with Laura McAllister Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mcallister-davis-3b03657/Explore Publicis Production Capabilities: https://www.publicisgroupe.com/Optimize your multi-channel digital performance with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/Know more about Cannes Lions: https://www.canneslions.com/

Relying purely on programmatic platform distribution can expose heritage brands to message fragmentation and diminish overall user trust. Dylan Conroy sits down with Elizabeth Herbst-Brady, Chief Revenue Officer at Condé Nast, to map out the playbook for transitioning legacy publishing systems into unfragmented multimedia networks.Strategic Brand Modernization: How Condé Nast restructures traditional print portfolios to command billions of cross-channel video views.Purposeful Large Language Model Licensing: The commercial strategy behind partnering with frontier AI labs to establish clear content protection guardrails.Experiential Revenue Optimization: Deconstructing the business design behind a 40% year-over-year jump across high-end real-world media properties.Neurological Pattern Interruption: Reviewing Harvard and NIH data patterns to explain the transactional value of face-to-face dealmaking forums.Elizabeth Herbst-Brady is a prominent advertising executive and the Chief Revenue Officer at Condé Nast, directing international ad monetization, strategic platform alignment, and e-commerce growth networks for premium properties including Vogue, Wired, and The New Yorker.Connect with Elizabeth Herbst-Brady on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethherbstbrady/Explore the Condé Nast Multimedia Portfolio: https://www.condenast.com/Optimize your automated performance media ad channels with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/Know more about Cannes Lions: https://www.canneslions.com/

Relying entirely on traditional retail pathways can expose emerging food brands to high slotting fee barriers and logistical disruptions.In this episode, Dylan Conroy interviews Starr Edwards, Founder and CEO of Bitchin' Sauce, to examine the operational framework for scaling a bootstrapped community recipe into 7,000 grocery store locations worldwide.The Farmers Market Engine: How tracking early velocity data gives founders the proof of concept needed to attract top big-box retail buyers.The Mechanics of Cold Pressure: Adopting High-Pressure Processing (HPP) to address high-altitude shipping limitations without adding artificial chemical preservatives.Proactive Human Resources Design: An inside look at the "Bitchin' Kids" program, showing how company-supported childcare options help manage workforce turnover.Multi-Category Brand Extensions: The business strategy for moving into complementary product lines to capture valuable grocery real estate.Starr Edwards is an experienced consumer-products creator and the Founder and CEO of Bitchin' Sauce, where she directs international grocery expansion, ingredient compliance, and community-positioning assets.Connect with Starr Edwards on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/starr-edwards/Explore the Bitchin' Sauce Clean-Label Framework: https://bitchinsauce.com/Optimize your multi-channel digital media performance with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Relying on traditional commercial templates often leads to forgettable ad campaigns that fail to hold consumer interest in an over-saturated digital marketplace.In this episode, Dylan Conroy interviews Andrew Panay, Founder and CEO of Panay Films, to unpack the operational blueprint for applying a cinematic storytelling lens to global brand distribution.The Filmmaker-Talent Alignment: Why shifting from work-for-hire contracts to co-creative artist partnerships unlocks authentic, high-impact celebrity campaigns.The Tactile Hook Blueprint: How Panay Films condensed complex Microsoft hardware engineering down to a single sensory logline that drove immediate conversions.Packaging Corporate Origins: Applying the classic cinematic hero's journey framework to turn corporate historical struggles into engaging branded content.Setting Generative Guardrails: Why elite creative leaders restrict automated software systems to post-production workflows to defend against content copying.Andrew Panay is a prominent film producer and the Founder and CEO of Panay Films, directing high-tier branded content execution and artist-led commercial pipelines for market giants like Microsoft and T-Mobile.Connect with Andrew Panay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewpanay/Explore the Panay Films Production Catalog: https://panayfilms.com/Scale your cross-channel performance media spend with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-performance-marketing/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Operating a primary economic vertical under standard public-sector constraints introduces significant market timing friction and structural risk for developing regions.In this episode, Dylan Conroy sits down with Sanju Luidens, Chief Marketing Officer of the Aruba Tourism Authority, to break down the institutional framework for privatizing national marketing systems and implementing high-value destination management.The Privatization Playbook: The core mechanics behind the 2010 decoupling of the ATA from government funding pipelines to establish complete fiscal speed.Shifting from DMO to DMMO: Why sustainable long-term economic growth requires moving past broad product promotion into comprehensive infrastructure management.High-Intent Aviation Engineering: The exact mix of hotel room metrics, passenger histories, and flight yields required to secure major airline routes.Strategic Audience Filtering: How embedding behavioral expectations directly into top-of-funnel marketing assets drives a 50% five-year customer retention loop.Sanju Luidens is an international brand strategist and the Chief Marketing Officer at the Aruba Tourism Authority. She directs the sovereign brand execution, public advocacy, and environmental carrying capacity strategies that safeguard Aruba's primary GDP vertical.Connect with Sanju Luidens on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjuluidens/Explore the Aruba Tourism Authority Framework: https://www.aruba.com/Automate your performance media channels with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

The structural gap within massive agency holding companies frequently leaves mid-market enterprise brands suffering from diluted attention and inefficient media allocation.In this episode, Dylan Conroy sits down with Swapnil Patel, Co-President of Attention Arc, at their Manhattan office to map out the blueprint for unfragmented media execution and modern attribution networks.The Agency Holding Company Trap: Discover how mid-market enterprise brands lose critical senior attention inside massive corporate agency rosters.The Architecture of Deterministic Attribution: Learn how paid smart TV ACR data converts traditional probabilistic TV media tracking models into clear 1:1 conversion matches.Operational UX Engineering: Re-evaluating the historical growth strategy behind the Domino’s Pizza Tracker to reveal how frontline product immersion unlocks customer retention.Managing Agentic AI Workflows: Moving past artificial marketing hype to deploy agile data coagulation systems balanced by human strategic synthesis.Swapnil Patel is an elite media executive and the Co-President of Attention Arc within the global Cheil Network. Leveraging deep operational experience across legacy agency networks like CPB and McKinney, Patel masterminds complex multi-layered media frameworks for Fortune 500 accounts.Connect with Swapnil Patel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swappatel/Learn more about Attention Arc: https://attentionarc.com/Optimize your performance media budgets with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Standard media execution models face steep performance drops due to fragmented campaign tool dashboards and manual button-clicking busywork.In this episode, Dylan Conroy sits down with Dane Kunkel, SVP of Performance & Transformation at Horizon Media, to map out the workflow automation and data security frameworks needed to scale modern agency performance.Strategic themes analyzed include:Transitioning media buying teams from manual entry tasks into strategic Strategy Optimization roles.Establishing strict data governance frameworks to safely onboard external AI tools.Bypassing platform black boxes with specialized multi-channel enterprise strategies.Using low-code natural language interfaces to build personalized dashboard trackers.Lowering overall customer acquisition costs through organic content testing loops.Dane Kunkel is the SVP of Performance & Transformation at Horizon Media, building enterprise controlled AI workflows and cross-platform verification networks to support leading brands.Connect with the Guest & Partners:Connect with Dane Kunkel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunkeldane/Explore Horizon Media’s Performance Frameworks: https://www.horizonmedia.com/Optimize Automated Paid Media Scale with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow Host Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/How can marketing operations leads ensure consistency of output when teams use low-code AI tools to build custom dashboards?Ensuring consistency requires setting up clear enterprise controls and validation guidelines to verify custom analytics code before deployment. While natural language interfaces let operators build custom tracking views quickly, unmanaged tool creation can introduce data compliance errors. Operations leads should track platform usage metrics and pull successful prototypes back into a centralized database environment, giving teams local operational flexibility while preserving overall brand safety and uniform client reporting.Why does data governance act as the primary rate-limiter for enterprise AI tool onboarding?Data governance limits onboarding speed because connecting multi-channel data systems with external AI models introduces data leaks and compliance risks for proprietary brand metrics.Enterprise organizations process massive amounts of first-party consumer files that cannot be uploaded to public models without violating privacy rules. Overcoming this roadblock requires tech directors to construct isolated database connections and clear governance guardrails, ensuring that internal automation speeds do not compromise data privacy.

Nisha Morris is a highly accomplished executive in the fields of healthcare, public service, and global technology. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States.Professional CareerCity of Hope (2018–Present): Since joining the organization, she has held multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Marketing and Communications for City of Hope Orange County and Senior Vice President of Communications. She recently expanded her role to oversee national and regional brand strategy across five metropolitan markets.

Patrick Dillon is a prominent serial entrepreneur, growth consultant, and the Founder and CEO of WISE Digital Partners, a full-service digital marketing agency that has twice been named to the prestigious Inc. Magazine 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. Over a highly successful twenty-year career, Patrick has founded more than ten companies across marketing, SaaS, and the service industries, directly consulting with more than 5,000 business owners on their growth strategies. His ventures have included Deal Current Network (a private-label Groupon alternative acquired by Lee Enterprises) and Lightpost Digital. A member of the Forbes Agency Council, Patrick is highly regarded for his disruptive stance on business scaling and is the author of the upcoming book, Referrals Are Not the Answer—where he challenges the traditional reliance on word-of-mouth marketing in favor of predictable, data-driven customer acquisition systems.

Nerissa Sardi is a prominent marketing executive, advisor, and community builder specializing in B2B marketing leadership, community growth, and organizational design. Here is a short overview of her background and key roles:Club CMO: She serves as the Executive Director of Club CMO (formerly The CMO Club), a major global member organization that connects chief marketing officers and senior brand executives for peer-to-peer networking, knowledge sharing, and professional development in a non-sales environment. In this role, she works closely with marketing leaders across top-tier global brands to foster community and address the modern challenges of marketing transformation. Sardi Consulting: She is the Principal and Founder of Sardi Consulting, where she acts as a strategic advisor and fractional/interim marketing leader for select mid- to large-sized enterprise CEOs and CMOs. Her consultancy focuses on strategic planning, marketing team development, AI adoption, and organizational design. Prior Marketing Leadership: Throughout her career, Sardi has held various high-level marketing roles across industries, including tech, healthcare, and education. Her previous roles include serving as Head of Marketing at Medici, Vice President of Marketing at MedSpring Urgent Care, and VP of Marketing for Galileo Learning.

How do global digital commerce leaders ditch standard multi-month planning cycles to scale brand communication and supply chains alongside real-time culture?This episode features Lisa Zlotnick, Head of Brand PR at SHEIN, detailing the operational frameworks that power real-time retail execution.Discover how to replace slow predictive planning horizons with data-backed micro-batch testing loops, move from transactional influencer marketing to collaborative product co-creation, and manage large-scale corporate narratives under constant market pressure.Strategic concepts broken down in this episode:The structural math behind micro-batch product testing frameworks (100–200 SKUs) to remove overproduction liabilities.Scaling first-party database feedback channels to capture over 20,000 responses within a single weekend flight.The design of decentralized collegiate affiliate structures, featuring a deep look at a $26 million community network.De-siloing performance marketing funnels and brand messaging pipelines to build sustainable corporate growth.Leveraging real-time live commerce solutions to establish regular interactive connections with Gen Z consumer bases.Guest Profile: Lisa Zlotnick is the Head of Brand PR at SHEIN, possessing nearly a decade of foundational communications experience leading media relations for iconic brands like Nintendo of America.Connect with the Strategy Engine:Lisa Zlotnick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazlotnick/SHEIN Platform: https://www.shein.comHost Dylan Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/Drive Measurable Marketing Automation ROI via Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

The modern performance marketing framework is broken, driven down by rising customer acquisition costs and the steady decay of organic reach on traditional networks.In this episode, Nicole Collins, co-founder of 213Deli and former founding team member at Ipsy, outlines the structural adjustments brands must make to thrive within algorithmic social media marketplaces.Deconstructing early-stage subscription e-commerce architectures and evaluating their viability in today's fragmented digital ecosystems.Analyzing operational frameworks from mature Chinese live commerce networks and their domestic application gaps.Mitigating systemic startup risk through rigorous, transparent audits of co-founder operational alignment.Scaling enterprise distribution pathways in a post-follower economy dominated by algorithmic platform rules.Nicole Collins is an enterprise retail tech executive with over twenty years of experience designing high-intent discovery platforms and cross-border commercial channels.Connect with Nicole Collins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collinsinla/Explore 213Deli’s Infrastructure: https://www.213deli.com/Optimize your enterprise paid media deployment via Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/Follow Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Troy Snyder & Randy LevineCo-Founders & Driving Forces behind Wonderful Foundations and Wonderful FieldTripsTroy Snyder and Randy Levine are the collaborative engines reshaping the intersection of infrastructure, technology, and experiential education. Troy is a foundational digital media pioneer who built the "plumbing" of the early streaming internet as the co-founder of Nine Systems (streamOS) and former VP/Executive Producer at Akamai Technologies, where he delivered massive global broadcasts like the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. Randy is a veteran strategist in charter school innovation, community revitalization, and structural philanthropy with a track record of transforming how social impact organizations scale.Together, they helm Wonderful Foundations, a unique public charity that fundamentally disrupts traditional education funding by purchasing, upgrading, and securing permanent facilities for charter schools—effectively erasing predatory commercial rent models. Beyond the physical buildings, they launched Wonderful FieldTrips, a cutting-edge experiential learning program designed to spark creative confidence in students through hands-on, "no-worksheets-allowed" modules focused on design thinking, digital fabrication, and real-world personal branding. Together, they are bridging corporate scaling principles with grassroots social impact to build an authentic blueprint for the next generation of creators.

Zach Knight and Emmie Nostitz are the Co-Founders of Tivity, a hyper-growth marketplace and digital platform that represents the largest network of top-tier private chefs in the United States. The company’s origin story reads like modern startup lore: in early 2021, while riding a ski gondola between runs in Aspen, Zach (a 12-year hospitality and fine dining veteran based in Austin, Texas) took a call from a client looking to source a high-end private chef. Seeing an immediate, unaddressed gap in the market, he teamed up with his longtime friend Emmie—an award-winning heavy hitter in the advertising world.Emmie brought a flawless creative pedigree to the partnership, having won the first-ever Mobile Grand Prix at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for Google’s Project Re:Brief and spent years building iconic campaigns at elite agencies like Droga5 and Johannes Leonardo for brands like The New York Times and Chase.

Kamran AsgharKamran began his advertising career in 1997 at Ogilvy & Mather during an era when creative directors and media planners still worked side-by-side. It was here that he helped pioneer integrated communications planning, a holistic approach that defined his breakthrough launch of American Express Blue—the most successful card debut in that company's history. When the advertising industry went through the "unbundling era"—where holding companies began aggressively tearing media buying and creative strategy into entirely separate, siloed businesses—Kamran openly rebelled against the trend. Viewing the forced separation of creative and media as the "original sin of advertising," he co-founded Crossmedia in October 2000 to keep the disciplines unified, accountable, and entirely neutral. Under his vision, Crossmedia has rejected the non-transparent, kickback-laden media practices common among legacy holding companies. Instead, he structured the agency as a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise built on three core, transparent pillars: Trust, Reason, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Over the last decade, Kamran has more than tripled Crossmedia's footprint. The agency consistently achieves double-digit growth and has been recognized as a multi-time Ad Age Best Place to Work and Small Agency of the Year winner. To meet the demands of an AI-driven marketing landscape, he officially unified the company’s worldwide operations under a single brand standard. A graduate of the College of William & Mary and a diehard Washington Commanders fan, Kamran was named an Adweek Media All-Star in 2014 and Adweek’s Media Executive of the Year in 2022.

Taylor Guglielmo is an award-winning advertising executive, culture builder, and growth strategist who currently serves as the President of Chemistry, an independent, full-service creative advertising and technology agency. Leadership at Chemistry: Guglielmo was promoted to President of Chemistry in late 2025. Prior to taking the helm, she served as the agency's Chief Growth Officer, where she led seven consecutive years of growth and helped more than double the firm's size. The "Agility Premium": She champions an integrated, modern agency model rooted in continuous creative experimentation. Guglielmo heavily advocates for real-time data tracking, combining brand health metrics with performance marketing, and eliminating traditional process friction or handoffs within account teams. Pre-Chemistry Experience: Her extensive tenure in the advertising industry includes foundational roles at major agencies such as Grey Worldwide, McCann Erickson, Fallon NY, and TGM. Early in her career path, she also completed an internship at the Pentagon. Guglielmo is widely recognized as a trailblazer in the marketing and media landscape: Named one of Campaign US' Inspiring Women in 2026. Honored as an Advertising Week Future Is Female recipient. Serves on the Executive Leadership Board of the Ad Council. Driven by personal experiences, Guglielmo is a dedicated social advocate. She expands the agency’s pro-bono commitments and helped co-found Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to advancing gun safety legislation and bipartisan reform. She holds a bachelor's degree in advertising from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Lindsey McFadden is a premier franchise marketing executive and the Chief Marketing Officer of Stretch Zone, the world's leading franchise network specializing in practitioner-assisted stretching. Transitioning from a successful career as an independent corporate marketing consultant, Lindsey stepped into corporate leadership to help guide Stretch Zone’s monumental scale. Under her strategic marketing direction, the brand experienced incredible hyper-growth, opening over 250 units in a brief three-year window while maintaining a perfect record of zero studio closures.An advocate for unit-level economics, Lindsey treats marketing not as a simple corporate cost center, but as a driving force directly tied to local operator profitability. She is a leading voice on balancing localized customization with global brand consistency and has positioned Stretch Zone at the absolute forefront of the modern wellness boom.

Tatiana Chamorro is an award-winning brand architect, entrepreneur, and the Chief Marketing Officer of Shaken Beverage Co., the innovative parent company behind Toucan Cocktails. Originally from Nicaragua, Tatiana has built a stellar reputation for translating complex business visions into highly impactful, market-dominating visual identities. Prior to breaking into the beverage space, she co-founded and successfully scaled a premier digital and creative marketing agency. Her profound impact on the Texas business landscape earned her a spot on D Magazine’s prestigious Dallas 500 list, honoring her as one of the region's most influential business leaders.

Jared Harman is an entrepreneur, digital strategist, and the CEO and Co-Founder of The One Group Agency, an elite full-suite creative collective and digital marketing firm based in the Fraser Valley. Under his leadership, The One Group Agency has positioned itself as a "social-first by design" powerhouse, building custom brand identities, high-converting digital funnels, and scroll-stopping visual content across social media, Connected TV, and e-commerce platforms. Jared recently made major waves in the regional marketing landscape by orchestrating the successful acquisition of Bowerhouse, a highly respected boutique marketing firm. The merger significantly expanded his agency's footprint, scaling the collective's capabilities and talent pool. Deeply committed to an ethos where "strategy equals execution," Jared treats his agency not as an outside vendor, but as a seamless, high-touch extension of a brand’s internal team.

Kerry Tucker is a highly accomplished C-suite media executive, corporate strategist, and board director with over 25 years of experience scaling operations at the intersection of entertainment, high-growth startups, and Fortune 500 retail. Widely recognized for her ability to build global franchises from early-stage concepts, Kerry is the Co-President of VIRTUE Worldwide, the globally celebrated, full-service creative agency of VICE Media. Prior to joining VIRTUE, she served as one of VICE Media's Strategic Advisors guiding the corporate strategy and market positioning of their branded entertainment divisions.Before navigating the complex media landscape at Vice, Kerry carved out a legendary track record in the creator economy and entertainment sectors. She was the inaugural CEO of Hello Sunshine, Reese Witherspoon's media and production company, where she built the foundational business model and infrastructure that directly led to its eventual $900 million sale. She then spent five years as the Chief Marketing and Franchise Officer at pocket.watch, transforming massive YouTube creator talent (like Ryan’s World) into multi-million dollar, global consumer product franchises across brick-and-mortar retail. Prior to her startup runs, Kerry managed a $600 million budget as the EVP and CMO of Victoria’s Secret, and served as the SVP of Media and Merchandising at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She has been named to the Forbes CMO Next list and Variety's Entertainment Impact Report.

Shannon Gabor is the Founder, CEO, and driving entrepreneurial force behind Clever Creative, a premier, woman-owned and operated brand strategy and creative agency based in Los Angeles. Cut from the cloth of a fine artist but wired with a sharp business mind, Shannon graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Fine Arts and a minor in Communications. She built her early career working in fast-paced entertainment promotions for giants like Burger King and 7-Eleven, before spending five years at Mattel, Inc. leading global packaging design and worldwide licensing for major franchise properties, including the Barbie product line.

David Meltzer - Co-Founder - Sports 1 Marketing Executive Profile: David MeltzerCurrent Roles: Co-Founder of Sports 1 Marketing | Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute (Corporate Division) | Host of The Playbook PodcastKey Achievements: Former CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment Holdings, LP (the inspiration for Jerry Maguire), Variety’s Sports Humanitarian of the Year, 3x International Best-Selling Author.BiographyDavid Meltzer is a globally recognized entrepreneur, top business coach, and technology pioneer who has spent over three decades operating at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and digital media. Early in his career, Meltzer proved himself a visionary in tech, serving as an executive for Westlaw and later as the CEO of Samsung Electronics’s first smartphone division, orchestrating the global release of the PC-E Phone.

Sherí Barros, a seasoned marketing and brand executive who currently serves as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at ZERO Prostate Cancer.She joined the executive team in October 2024, bringing an extensive background in "purpose-driven" marketing and sports brand partnerships.Professional BackgroundSherí has over 20 years of experience across the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, with a particular specialty in engaging male audiences through high-visibility sports and community brands.ZERO Prostate Cancer (2024–Present): As CMCO, she leads the organization’s national marketing, communications, and brand-amplification strategies. Her focus is on the "mission-first" strategy to reduce late-stage diagnoses and address health disparities in the prostate cancer community.American Cancer Society: Before joining ZERO, she was the VP of Sports Brand Partnerships.

Melissa Levy (Advertising & Experiential Marketing Executive)Current Role: President of Sparks (a leading global brand experience and live events agency) Former Role: President and Chief Client Officer at Digitas North America Bio: Melissa Levy is a powerhouse executive in the advertising, digital, and experiential marketing industries. She began her career in finance and transitioned into e-commerce marketing during the dot-com era before finding her true calling in the agency world. Levy spent 15 years at the Publicis-owned digital agency Digitas, rising through the ranks to become the President and Chief Client Officer. During her tenure, she oversaw a team of hundreds across multiple U.S. offices, managing high-stakes accounts for Fortune 10 giants and major consumer brands like Microsoft, HP, and PayPal. In early 2026, she made a high-profile move to become the President of Sparks (a subsidiary of Freeman), where she now steers the agency's creative, strategy, and live-event production operations. A fierce advocate for diversity and leadership development, Levy is a founding member of the Boston chapter of Chief (a network for executive women) and serves on the board of directors for the AdClub. Her work has earned top industry accolades, including Cannes Lions, Effies, and the Ad Club's Women We Admire award.

Executive Profile: Sam LewisCurrent Role: Senior Vice President (SVP), Creative & Media (Americas) at DEPT® Industry Focus: Brand Strategy, Integrated Marketing, AI & Digital Transformation Sam Lewis is a seasoned marketing transformation specialist and executive with over 20 years of experience building integrated agency models that merge creative storytelling, media, and technology. The son of an entrepreneur, Lewis inherited a restless curiosity for business, which eventually led him into the fast-paced world of global advertising. Before joining DEPT®, Lewis spent nearly two decades navigating major industry shifts. He famously served as Partner and US CEO of T&Pm (formerly CHI&Partners / The&Partnership, a prominent WPP-backed network), where he helped scale the independent creative shop into a global network spanning more than 30 offices worldwide. Throughout his career, he has driven nearly $1 billion in net new revenue, spearheading massive, headline-making pitch wins for global juggernauts like Toyota (including the London 2012 Olympics campaign) and The Coca-Cola Company. Lewis joined DEPT®'s Americas leadership team, stepping into his role as SVP of Creative & Media. At DEPT®, he oversees a massive portfolio that accounts for roughly half of the agency’s regional revenue. Known for his "newsroom mentality"—moving brands away from static campaigns and toward always-on, social-first cultural platforms—Lewis has guided major brands like Google, Snap, eBay, Coach, Mazda, SiriusXM, and The Washington Post through complex digital evolutions. He is a major proponent of fusing human creativity with AI, frequently speaking at industry events (like CES) on how modern, future-fit agencies must leverage technology to scale growth without losing their creative edge.

Michael "Mike" Pratt is an entrepreneur, technology executive, and the Founder, President, and Host of Digital Fight Club (DFC). Digital Fight Club: Founded by Pratt in 2015, Digital Fight Club is a highly popular, fast-paced live event series designed to replace boring, dry corporate panels. It pits top technology gurus, CEOs, and cybersecurity experts against each other in a metaphorical "ring" to debate contentious, cutting-edge tech topics in front of a live audience and a panel of expert referees. What started as a local event in Dallas, Texas, has expanded to other major tech hubs like Houston, Atlanta, and Boston, and is currently being developed for a broader television audience format. Digital Dallas: Before DFC took off, Pratt founded Digital Dallas, an organization aimed at fostering, showcasing, and connecting the entrepreneurial and digital technology community in North Texas. Panamplify: In addition to his event ventures, Pratt serves as the CEO of Panamplify, a technology company that uses automation and artificial intelligence to streamline data collection and report generation for marketing agencies and brands. Pratt is widely recognized in the southern tech ecosystem for his high-energy hosting style and his knack for turning dense industry topics into entertaining, digestible spectacles.

Stevan Popovich is a prominent retail and corporate leader in the powersports industry. He serves as the President and Chief Retail Officer of Cycle Gear, America's largest retailer of motorcycle aftermarket parts, apparel, and accessories, operating nearly 180 stores across the United States.Career Trajectory: With over 20 years of experience in brand growth and product development, he spent years scaling major e-commerce platforms. He previously served as the Vice President of Merchandising and VP of Business Development for @RevZilla.com and Comoto Family of Brands, where he drove massive digital acquisition and national brick-and-mortar retail footprint expansion.