Ask a Better Question

PODCAST · business

Ask a Better Question

Discover the inner workings of a leading Midwest advertising agency through “Ask a Better Question” from Marcus Thomas. Hosted by agency veterans Derek Oyen and Jesse DiFranco, this show looks at what makes agency life tick. In conversations with their peers, Derek and Jesse explore how campaigns take shape, accounts are won and lost, and brilliant creative ideas spring to life. Get an inside look at agency roles from strategists, designers, writers and more as they share personal stories and hard-won lessons from the front lines.

  1. 41

    Joanne Kim is LIVE

    Join us for a very special live interview with Joanne Kim, former Chief Diversity Officer, Chief Idea Officer and Marcus Thomas icon. Recorded live at the Marcus Thomas Cleveland office in front of a "studio" audience.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsVideographer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  2. 40

    David Bemer is double the fun

    We kick off Spooky Season with a conversation with David Bemer, Public Relations Account Supervisor. He talks about a few of his favorite things, including Halloween, pizza, pumpkin spice lattes, and fútbol. Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  3. 39

    Kamron Clark-Carpenter is a life saver

    Mix one part childhood acting class, two parts Psychology major, a generous dose of HR mentoring, a new puppy and what do you get? Kamron Clark Carpenter, our Senior Talent Manager and Young Professional champion.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  4. 38

    Nate Bauer is a square peg in a square hole

    What does storming a mountainside with a long sword, building a tower of over sixty tires, and starting a business with your best friend have to do with each other? Nothing, really. Unless you’re Nate Bauer, our Director of Analytics. Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  5. 37

    Claire Dietz is super excited

    The gang conducts another Cincinnati sit-down with Claire Dietz, a data analyst. Listen in as Claire talks to us about her love for dashboards, the great outdoors and her growing list of grandma hobbies.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  6. 36

    Olivia Boeh is not a liar

    Our Cincinnati tour continues with Olivia Boeh, Management Supervisor as we discuss Hogwarts houses, MT's merger with ROInsights, and where she goes to find quiet space.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  7. 35

    Aya Mason stays in tune

    We're on a road trip! We took a drive to speak with some of our friends in the Cincinnati office. We kick off the mini-series with PR Management Supervisor Aya Mason, who talks about hot air balloons, moving to America from Japan, and her dream job in PR.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  8. 34

    Brian Glazen loves to figure it out

    We break from our normal guest list today and go outside Marcus Thomas – but still inside our walls – to talk with Brian Glazen, Founder and President of Think Media Studios. Come in and meet our roommates. I promise you'll like them.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  9. 33

    Kara Gildone meets life head on

    Kara Gildone (VP, Management Supervisor) talks to us about her calling as an account manager, facing cancer head on, being a regular blood donor, and throwing Jesse into the fire (for his own good).Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  10. 32

    Nico Sibikowski will do almost anything

    Nico Sibikowski was in Cleveland, so we pulled him out of the hallway and into the studio to talk about engineering, archery, gaming and what exactly does a Business Analyst do?Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  11. 31

    Edwige Winans feels culture shock

    Edwige Winans tells us about her journey from France to the U.S. and her indirect path to leading Marcus Thomas's Research team, including a teaching gig at an Orthodox Jewish high school.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  12. 30

    John Kalucis is bilingual

    We kick of Season Two with John Kalucis in the studio to describe his brief journey from MT intern to Operations Manager, being fluent in both English and Excel, and his love for shoes and diet soda. And, yes, he is that much of a Buckeye fan.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  13. 29

    Ian Verschuren is an edge case

    We finally get CTO Ian Verschuren to sit down with us to talk about his love of pinball, his need to tinker, and his winding path to Marcus Thomas. Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  14. 28

    Brandi Papania says, "Yes. And?"

    Associate Creative Director and MT boomerang Brandi Papania tells us about her travels in between stints at Marcus Thomas, birding, scuba diving, and her experience with improv.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  15. 27

    Juan Garcia is a song to life

    Juan Garcia drops into our Cleveland studio to share stories from his twenty years with our Buenos Aires office and an epic battle with a claw machine on Osaka.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  16. 26

    Leandro Filipczyk is still adjusting

    Leandro Filipczyk puts away his keyboard to talk about werewolves, using 1980s movies to learn English, and his knack for fixing just about anything.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  17. 25

    Derek Oyen monkeys around

    The tables are turned as Jesse and guest co-host Mel Clark talk to Derek Oyen about his adventurous life both in and outside of Marcus Thomas.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Melissa Clark Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  18. 24

    King Hill sees the beauty in things

    King Hill talks about his journey from a kid in the Cleveland Public Schools to leading a digital marketing agency, highlighting the importance of family in all its forms.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  19. 23

    Nancy Hill doesn't care who gets the credit

    Nancy Hill takes time out of her very busy schedule to talk to us about her impressive career, what it was like becoming CEO during the pandemic, and what she expects for the future of our industry.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  20. 22

    Rob Novisky gives it a shot

    Although he prefers the outdoors, custodian Rob Novisky stops by the studio to talk about why he still loves coming into the office, the many lessons he’s learned from his dad, and the ways in which his role touches every discipline at MT. Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  21. 21

    Seth Klein likes to laugh one minute, cry the next

    Seth Klein takes some time away from media buying to talk to us about movies, musicals, and that one time under a bridge in Florida.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  22. 20

    Audrey Safford has a stupidly high bar

    Is your timesheet done? Senior Account Manager Audrey Safford describes her her pivot to accounting and her lifelong passion for music.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  23. 19

    Raf, Gabi and Dani celebrate Pride

    Raf Rivilla, Gabi Sergi and Dani Heacox return to the studio for this special episode. We're celebrating Pride month, and Raf, Gabi and Dani are here to share some of their experiences as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  24. 18

    Mel Clark took the leap

    Mel shares with us what it was like to start her Account Supervisor career at Marcus Thomas (on the same day as Jesse), leave to work in the entertainment industry, and boomerang back.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  25. 17

    Dani Heacox doesn’t care what the vibe is

    The always colorful Dani Heacox chats with us about cosplay, her thirst for knowledge and where babies come from.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  26. 16

    Jimmy Sollisch likes to live in the trenches

    We sit with Jimmy Sollish as he reflects on his career as an Executive Creative Director, his love/hate relationship with advertising and that one time he may have appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show. Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  27. 15

    Jose D’Windt is a little bit of an experiment

    We welcome José D’Windt to the studio, where he shares stories about playing in a Ska Punk band, transplanting his family from Venezuela to Argentina, and what it was like being Marcus Thomas’s first official employee in Buenos Aires.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  28. 14

    Hunter Carr lives for dessert

    We talk with Hunter Carr about the challenges of being Senior Art Director, writing six-second scripts, and keeping up with the cultural zeitgeist.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  29. 13

    Mark Bachmann is more Yoda and less Luke

    Former Chief Client Officer Mark Bachmann looks back on 30 years with the agency and ponders what comes next.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  30. 12

    Alison Clark wants to help write the next chapter

    Alison Clark talks to us about a close call with The Bachelor and filling some big shoes as Chief Client Officer.Full transcript available.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  31. 11

    Joy Smith is who she is

    Joy Smith talks about her rise from PR intern to Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and what it means to have been Joy Marie Smith since October of 1994.Full transcript available.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFrancoCo-Host: Derek OyenProducer: Michael NicholsTheme song: David BemerSponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  32. 10

    Gabi Sergi goes into free-fall

    Gabi Sergi chats with us about jumping out of airplanes, Thanksgiving traditions, and her love-hate relationship with math.Full transcript is available.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  33. 9

    Lori Myers is a frog again

    Lori Myers shares her infectious laugh as she flashes her Brand Police badge and chats with us about designing direct-to-video DVD covers and being a new mom in the post-Covid era.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  34. 8

    Raf Rivilla vibes off the crowd

    Raf Rivilla riffs on spinning tracks, owning a bar, and that side thing he does as Chief Media Officer.Full transcript is available.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  35. 7

    David Rubin exposes the boardroom

    We chat with David Rubin from Svoboda Capital about how not all private equity firms are evil empires.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  36. 6

    Eric Holman makes s*** up

    We take a deep dive with Eric Holman into celebrity encounters and finding creative inspiration.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC.

  37. 5

    Pato Sapir wears all the hats

    We sit down with Pato Sapir to discuss his journey from Argentina to Ohio, running a marketing automation business, and the importance of a World Cup trophy.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  38. 4

    Stephanie Burris is innately curious

    Stephanie Burris describes her journey to Executive Creative Director and explains why it’s rude to not ask questions.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsor: Marcus Thomas LLC

  39. 3

    Stephanie Recktenwald almost always figures it out

    In our conversation with Stephanie Recktenwald we discuss what it takes to be a producer and what it's like to beat your idol in your favorite sport.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsored: Marcus Thomas LLC

  40. 2

    John Booth is not an expert

    We talk with John Booth about his experience as a writer and his poor decision-making skills.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsored: Marcus Thomas LLC

  41. 1

    Pilot: Bailey Purpura dreams about dancing

    A brief conversation with Bailey Purpura about social media and influencer marketing and her one-time goal of being a Disney Cruise dancer.Episode Credits: Co-Host: Jesse DiFranco Co-Host: Derek Oyen Producer: Michael Nichols Theme song: David Bemer Sponsored: Marcus Thomas LLC

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Discover the inner workings of a leading Midwest advertising agency through “Ask a Better Question” from Marcus Thomas. Hosted by agency veterans Derek Oyen and Jesse DiFranco, this show looks at what makes agency life tick. In conversations with their peers, Derek and Jesse explore how campaigns take shape, accounts are won and lost, and brilliant creative ideas spring to life. Get an inside look at agency roles from strategists, designers, writers and more as they share personal stories and hard-won lessons from the front lines.

HOSTED BY

Marcus Thomas LLC

CATEGORIES

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