Media People Podcast

Episode 145 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Canadian Football League AVP, Global Partnerships, Justin Vandenberg. Justin and I chat: 🎯 Emailing TSN’s James Duthie 30 times in 30 days 🎯 Why storytelling is the best form of selling 🎯 Grabertising 🎯 Life at TheScore and Twitter 🎯 Leading global partnerships for the Canadian Football League 🎯 Being born in a car **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 144 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Samsung Electronics Canada Senior Legal Counsel, Sahil Razdan. Sahil and I chat: 🎯 Growing up in Markham, Canada 🎯 Why her pursued law over investment banking 🎯 Learning that a past employer was going under on his first day of work 🎯 Attending law school in the US 🎯 The professional challenges foreign trained lawyers face 🎯 Why he doesn’t have an Instagram account Hit the subscribe button for channel updates. The audio edition is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 143 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Avvivi Managing Director, Wade Kuiken-Rogers. Wade and I chat: 🎯 Calling in sick for a job interview 🎯 Why sport is an important part of life 🎯 Finding his way into adtech while looking for a finance job 🎯 How Avvivi is disrupting the digital video landscape 🎯 Growing up in Rockwood, Ontario 🎯 His connection to Ryan Gosling and Jim Carrey Hit the subscribe button for channel updates. The audio edition is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 142 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Boris Cho, author of I am Here to Fulfill My Destiny. Boris and I chat: 🎯 His memoir, I am Here to Fulfill My Destiny 🎯 Why kids are the most important direct reports 🎯 The four values guiding his book 🎯 The message for his daughter 🎯 Journaling as therapy 🎯 Would President Cho declassify secret UFO documents? Hit the subscribe button for channel updates. The audio edition is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal. Get your copy of I am Here to Fulfill My Destiny→ Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/52nrn7t8 Indigo: https://tinyurl.com/8denvr8z

Nancy D’Onofrio is Randstad's VP of Strategic Accounts & Social Selling. She stops by Media People Podcast to chat: 🎯 Moving from fashion to sales 🎯 How personal branding puts you ahead for a promotion 🎯 Why working at smaller companies can sharpen your skills 🎯 Monday Girl mentorship 🎯 Fashion Television & Electric Circus Hit the subscribe button for channel updates. The audio edition is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

One year into shaking up the US media agency world, Obsessed Media Co-Founder Danny Weisman returns for episode 140 of the Media People Podcast. We chat: 🎯 Obsessed Media: One year later 🎯 What Netflix got right 🎯 Growth through entrepreneurship 🎯 2026: Another year of Hollywood reboots and remakes? 🎯 Rethinking the NFL’s Pro Bowl Hit the subscribe button for channel updates. The audio edition is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 139 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Girl Gone Wild Author, Courtney Kocak. We chat: 🎯 Her memoir, Girl Gone Wild 🎯 Why writing is therapy 🎯 Why she makes her own art 🎯 Growing up in rural Minnesota 🎯 Her podcast, Private Parts Unknown Hit the subscribe button for channel updates. The audio edition is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal. Girl Gone Wild is available April 1st, 2026. Pre-order your copy here→ Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tCl9m6 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/85623/9781949487541

Episode 138 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with The Local Collective Founder & President, Kaitlin Doherty. We chat: 🎯 Why Cossette was her ‘big break’ 🎯 Founding The Local Collective 🎯 What goes into developing a Super Bowl commercial 🎯 Growing up in Saint John, New Brunswick 🎯 How entrepreneurship runs in the family **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 137 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with MotoVitesse Racing, Inc., Founder, Jim Bowie. We chat: 🎯 Motorsports marketing 🎯 Winning the 1997 Indy 500 with Arie Luyendyk 🎯 Life lessons from working on a farm 🎯 Why customization is the future of sports media 🎯 What Jim’s cooking with MotoVitesse and Brandrenaline **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Building a multicultural podcast network? Life lessons learned working at McDonald’s? Episode 136 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Pod Digital Media Founder, Gary Coichy. We chat: 🎯 Emigrating from Haiti to New York City 🎯 How working at McDonald’s shaped both his English and EQ 🎯 Why Eddie Murphy’s ‘Marcus Graham’ is an influence 🎯 Why he founded Pod Digital Media 🎯 Why tennis might be an entrepreneur’s sport **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Matt LeBlanc and Steven Spielberg? Episode 135 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with MOCEAN Chief Creative Officer, Greg Harrison. We chat: 🎯 Growing up in suburban Detroit 🎯 Editing for Steven Spielberg 🎯 Cutting Matt LeBlanc’s demo reel for his Friends audition 🎯 The intense work and secrecy behind movie trailer production 🎯 Why everyone should consider “AI Exposure Therapy” **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 134 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Other.™ Founding Partner, Matt Jenkins. We chat: 🎯 Growing up in Mount Albert, Ontario 🎯 The impact hockey had on his youth and career 🎯 How a reluctant first job led to a new passion 🎯 The principles Other.™ was founded on 🎯 Two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycle engines **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 133 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Creativ Company Founder & CEO, Wes Morton. We chat: 🎯 Growing up in Brenham, Texas 🎯 Taking a sabbatical from Columbia University after freshman year 🎯 Joining an archeological dig in Kenya 🎯 How restaurant work builds resilience 🎯 Why he spent the pandemic in the Dominican Republic 🎯 How Creativ Company is shaking up the agency model **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Special GuestX & 1stAveMachine Creative Conductor, Sam Penfield, is this episode's guest. We chat: 🎯 Growing up in Bowman, North Dakota 🎯 Producing for Michael Bay 🎯 Being the youngest registered female auctioneer 🎯 How AI is changing creative media 🎯 How SpecialGuestX & 1stAve Machine are at the forefront of this change **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 131 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with T1 President & CSO, Nithya Ramachandran. We chat: 🎯 Growing up in Toronto, India, and Edmonton 🎯 The blueprint to getting a promotion 🎯 Consulting during the Alberta energy boom 🎯 Pivoting from consulting to marketing 🎯 Why you might be someone’s ayahuasca **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 130 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Jomboy Media CEO, Courtney Hirsch. We chat: 🎯 How Jomboy Media grew out of a Twitter account 🎯 Why breaking into sales was always the career goal 🎯 Why Courtney identifies as a Mom and CEO 🎯 MLB’s investment in Jomboy Media – and what it means for creator content 🎯 How east & west coast corporate cultures differ **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 129 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with CEO | President, Brad Furtney. We chat: 🎯 Growing up in London 🎯 His time at Labatt 🎯 Building decks in cottage country 🎯 The differences between winning & having fun 🎯 Leading sales at Sympatico, CBC, and Twitter 🎯 The importance of mentorship **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 128 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Team Friday Founder & CEO, Michelle O’Grady. We chat: 🎯 Growing up in Los Angeles 🎯 Founding Team Friday with $15K and no clients 🎯 Her first part time job as a grocery bagger at Ralph’s 🎯 Working in experiential and trade show marketing 🎯 The differences between working in LA and NYC 🎯 The importance of community **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 127 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Serial Entrepreneur, David U.K.™. We chat: 🎯 His media sales career 🎯 A reference letter from Clint Eastwood 🎯 Why he trademarked his last name 🎯 Why you should arrive at work before your boss 🎯 His entrepreneurial ventures 🎯 Launching Digital Day Camp 🎯 His preseason Super Bowl pick **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 126 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Up Level Coaching & Consulting Founder & CEO, Amy Kiernan. We chat: 🎯 Working at Twitter’s first Canadian office 🎯 Working at Twitter as it became ‘X’ 🎯 Applying for a marketing role, but landing a sales job 🎯 Mentoring the leaders of today and tomorrow 🎯 Launching Up Level Coaching & Consulting 🎯 Amy’s passion for gaming 🎯 Growing up in Dublin & Limerick, Ireland **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Let’s get ready to Rumble! Episode 125 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Epitaph Group Inc. Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Mike Rumble. We chat: 🎯 Founding a media agency on the back of cannabis legalization 🎯 Growing the Epitaph Group into one of Canada’s premier independent agencies 🎯 Leading teams at Cossette and Media Experts 🎯 Bridging the divide between media & creative 🎯 Mike’s passion for theatre 🎯 Growing up in Vancouver **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 124 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with ESHAP Owner + Cartographer, Evan Shapīro. We chat: 🎯 Solving restructuring problems for top-heavy companies 🎯 Dropping out of the University of Massachusetts 🎯 Executive producing shows like Portlandia 🎯 Growing up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey 🎯 The irony that comes with being a disruptor 🎯 Evan’s passion for theatre Watch the full episode on YouTube and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel. The audio edition of today’s episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 123 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Clarity Global US Managing Partner, Kristen Ingraham. We chat: 🎯 Legacy-creating moments 🎯 Turning a cold email into a job offer 🎯 The truth about working with celebrities 🎯 Studying magazine journalism at Boston University 🎯 Growing up in Greene, New York 🎯 Leading Clarity Global’s US office **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

☕Coffee is for closers!🤝 Episode 122 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with veteran media sales executive and NABS Director of Media Sales, Jennifer Hawtin. We chat: 🎯 Vulnerability as a strength 🎯 The importance of selling YOU for that first sales role 🎯 Defining ‘protein spill’ 🎯 The differences between selling local & national radio 🎯 Why ‘cold’ is Ottawa’s reputation 🎯 NABS’ positive impact on the advertising industry **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 121 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with ThinkStart.ca Award-Winning Speaker and Consultant, Mohit Rajhans. We chat: 🎯 The new Minister of AI portfolio 🎯 Future-proofing your skills 🎯 Mohit’s go-to resources for learning a new platform 🎯 How ThinkStart.ca has evolved since our last episode 🎯 Why it’s wrong to think AI is a young person’s game **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 120 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Don’t Be A Little Pitch Founder/CEO & Pitch Pro, Bryce North. We chat: 🎯 Receiving a ‘bait & switch’ offer on Dragons' Den 🎯 How Don’t Be A Little Pitch is disrupting the PR landscape 🎯 Why Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight is an inspiration 🎯 Growing up in Winnipeg 🎯 The glory (and accountability) that comes with being a hockey goalie 🎯 How location impacts a founder’s ability to raise capital 🎯 Bryce’s numerous entrepreneurial ventures **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Episode 119 of the Media People Podcast is LIVE with Reboot Consulting Group Managing Partner & Founder, Kerry Harris. We chat: 🎯 Why dissolving a business partnership is akin to a divorce 🎯 Why Kerry passed on an NCAA track scholarship 🎯 Why Canadian citizens make the best US travel show producers 🎯 Leading Weber Shandwick Canada 🎯 What’s next with ReBoot Consulting Group **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

From sports media to crisis management, TIEJA INC. Founder and Communications Strategist, Tieja MacLaughlin joins Episode 118 of the Media People Podcast. We chat… 🎯 Running a communications firm focused on crisis management 🎯 Delivering a career-changing elevator pitch…in an elevator 🎯 Why extra curricular activities are the most important part of university 🎯 Interning with the Ottawa Senators 🎯 Competitive dancing **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

🎙️From competitive 🎹 piano playing to media agency leadership, M&K Media President, Jill McDonald joins Episode 117 of the Media People Podcast. We chat… 🎯 Running M&K Media’s day-to-day business 🎯 How an injury sidelined her music performance career 🎯 Studying Media, Information, and Technoculture in university 🎯 Teaching the next generation of media managers 🎯 How working at Pizza Hut builds resilience & skills for a career in media **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

The birth of a media agency? Obsessed Media is fresh to market! Co-Founder Danny Weisman stops by Episode 116 to chat all about it and more. We cover… - Obsessed Media’s origin story - Advising clients on buying expensive Super Bowl spots - What exactly is “The Most Index”? - Saving the NBA All-Star Weekend - How different media brands are leaning into different genres **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Table 9 Productions Founder & Creative Director, Matt Manuge is my guest. We chat… - Starting Table 9 Productions - How networking & reputation directly impacts freelance work - Living off credit card debt between freelance gigs - His tenure at Blue Ant Media - Why professional wrestling is a lifelong passion **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast Views expressed by participants are personal.

Kabil Rahaman is the Head of Commercial Data at The Globe & Mail—leading the company’s charge in the application of data monetization. Born in Zambia to Guyanese parents, Kabil and his family moved to Canada when he was three—settling in Brampton, Ontario. He studied anthropology at the University of Waterloo, dabbled in sales after graduation, before making the jump into ad operations with Suite 66. He moved agency side, holding senior roles at Accuen and Omnicom Media Group. Kabil Rahaman stops by to chat about growing up in Brampton, why his influences range from George Orwell to Ken Griffey Jr, his career in advertising, and leading data monetization at The Globe & Mail. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Isaac Adejuwon is the CEO and Founder of Metricsflow—a cutting-edge, privacy-friendly data attribution solution for marketers. A native of Nigeria, Isaac’s early life had its challenges. Electricity and running water were inconsistent, while there was no infrastructure for home internet. Much of his time was spent farming and playing soccer, but it was the introduction to a physics textbook that would spark a lifelong passion for science. That passion carried him to the University of Lagos where he majored in physics. He continued his studies at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering. Isaac Adejuwon stops by to talk about growing up in Nigeria, his passion for science, why he chose to relocate to Canada, his experiences as a Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur, and where the idea for Metricsflow came from. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Chris Quinn is the co-founder of ProOps Consulting, a consultancy dedicated to accelerating operational efficiency and proficiency within the digital media ecosystem. Chris was born in Sudbury, Ontario, raised in Cambridge, and spent his teenaged years living in Brazil and Italy. He studied business and marketing in university & college, and took up an internship with a TV branding agency. Chris quickly learned that creative advertising wasn’t for him, and jumped at the chance to move into a role focused on operations with Rydium. Operations is where Chris found his groove, and his career grew to include senior level roles at Suite 66, Olive Media, Kijiji Advertising, and Loblaw Media before founding ProOps. Chris Quinn and I chat living and learning on three different continents, being a Bob Dylan fan, returning to Canada for university, passing on a career in creative advertising, spending a decade at Kijiji, and why he decided to start ProOps Consulting. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@MediaPeoplePodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Shelley West is the Chief Revenue Officer at Elite High Performance—an organization specializing in human-centric mindset coaching and high-performance leadership training for teams and individuals. Born in Manchester, England, and raised in Toronto, Shelley’s early years were defined by her passion for dance. She studied different types, taught, and graduated from the prestigious Randolph College for the Performing Arts. Changes to the professional dancing landscape forced Shelley to rethink her pro career. She pivoted into media with Brunico, before assuming sales leadership roles with Rogers, Cimoroni & Company, and MiQ. Shelley West joins me to chat about her dancing career, why she retired from dance at 23, her move into media sales & adtech, and how Elite High Performance is redefining leadership development. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

What do Paris, New York City, Boston, London, Toronto, Montreal, and Fernie, British Columbia have in common? They are all places that make up the (somewhat) nomadic life and career of today’s guest, Will Rizzuto. Each location plays an integral part in Will’s story. He’s American, but spent his infant and pre-school years in Paris. The majority of Will’s youth was spent in New York City, but he attended university in Boston, returned to New York City to start his career in adtech before moving to London where he met his future Canadian wife, whom he relocated to Canada with. And in-between he found time to indulge his passion for skiing on a fulltime basis. Will Rizzuto, Sr. Manager, Advertising Sales & Partnerships at TELUS stop by to chat about his early life in Paris and New York City, studying business at Northeastern University, finding his way into adtech, the fast-paced story behind his relocation to London, his road-trip sabbatical from media, and helping to lead TELUS’ foray into media and data sales. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Rob Meyers is the Managing Director and Partner at VERSUS—a studio crafting highly creative, one-of-a-kind work for brands and agencies. A New Jersey native, pop culture played a big role in Rob’s early life. He refers to himself as an avid reader—everything from books to comics and was heavily invested in both TV and movies. Studying Television, Radio, and Film Screenwriting at Syracuse University provided the education Rob needed to pursue his interests professionally. He’s held a number of creative roles and has written and produced for the likes of BET, ESPN, NFL, Nickelodeon, CNN, and USA Networks—to name a few. Rob Meyers stops by to chat about growing up in New Jersey, the life of a freelance writer and producer, why he started working for a homeless charity after 9/11, and how VERSUS is shaking up creative advertising. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

What does a strategy director do at a creative agency? According to VML’s Rory Petty—you figure things out. This includes everything from writing the creative brief to consulting with the client marketing team—with any number of things in-between. Creative is actually a recent move for Rory. His advertising career started in broadcast media at Carat’s London office. He took a role as a Planning Account Manager at Mediavest, before relocating to Toronto to continue his career. Rory Petty stops by to chat about growing up in a village outside of London, how studying the human side of geography prepared him for a career in advertising, how the advertising industry in London differs from Toronto, and his move from media to creative. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

The word “coach” is closely aligned with sport, but it’s becoming ever more synonymous with the corporate world. More people are employing experienced professionals to provide career coaching. Sometimes that coach is a colleague and sometimes it’s an outsider bringing fresh advice & insights. And that’s exactly what today’s guest, Theresa Smith, does for her clients. Theresa is the founder of The LeaderSmith—a company providing executive coaching and leadership development coaching, for all levels. This includes emerging leaders right up to the c-suite. And Theresa has a tremendous amount of wisdom to impart. Her media career started in print sales with the Financial Post, before pivoting into digital with CANOE and MSN Canada. Most people familiar with Theresa’s story will recognize her from Olive Media, where she served as VP of Product, General Manager & VP, and President. Theresa Smith stops by to chat about growing up in Strathroy, competitive figure skating, why she studied history in university, the culture shock that came with teaching English in Japan, her media sales career, both leading & sunsetting Olive Media, and how The LeaderSmith is shaping a new generation of leaders. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Heads+Tales Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Amanda Shuchat, is part of a team that’s flipping the agency model on its head. Heads+Tales offers best-in-class integrated marketing services while focusing on high-performance coaching to foster greatness. And Amanda is ideally placed to disrupt the agency model. Her career begins as a PR Intern with Strategic Objectives, and continues into senior roles at Hill+Knowlton, Citizen Relations International, and Middle Child. The roster of clients Amanda has worked with is equally as impressive, and include Kraft, Pfizer, HP, Motorola, Canada Goose, and Endy—to name a few. Amanda Shuchat stops by to chat about her early life in Toronto, completing high school in Israel, negotiating and reselling Yogen Fruz local elementary schools, why she studied journalism, her career in PR, and taking the entrepreneurial leap with Heads+Tales. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Media and commerce are closer than ever before. Retail Media is the term used to reference this convergence. And it’s where today’s guest, Victoria Cromie, is leaving her mark. Victoria is the Managing Director, Canada for Mars United Commerce—a global commerce company, dedicated to driving growth for brands and retailers. Before helping retailers get more hustle out of their media dollars, Victoria was applying similar principles to her babysitting business. While most teenagers were sitting around waiting for referrals from friends & family, Victoria was putting up flyers around the neighbourhood and generating her own leads. She honed her marketing skills at York University and Sheridan College before jumping into agency life with Carat. Victoria Cromie stops by to chat about growing up in Toronto, her affinity for do-it-yourself projects, working on the Hyundai and Ford media accounts, selling Olympic-calibre balance beams on Amazon, and her move into retail media. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

When CHUM Radio wanted to monetize its online audience for the first time, they called Debbie Benadiba. When Rogers Media launched its first online, on-demand streaming video app, they called Debbie Benadiba to lead ad sales. Debbie has a knack for launching new advertising products to market. There are other examples I can touch on—they include both mobile and OOH advertising, but you’ll have to listen to this episode to hear those stories. Debbie Benadiba, CEO of Talon OOH Canada, stops by to chat about growing up in Toronto, her love of dance, how her original life plan was to become an orthodontist, why she left agency life early in her career for media sales, and what lured her back into the agency world. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Brigitte Sachse is the founder of Bee Video Production—a digital video producer specialising in branded content. But securing content production budgets from clients such as the Toronto Star, Accenture, and the Royal Bank of Canada is a bit of a 180 from her early work. Before founding Bee Video Production, Brigitte’s career focused on providing public and private financing for documentaries, TV shows, and feature-length films. This included reviewing grant applications for the Canadian Media Fund & the National Film Board of Canada, and advising private media lenders on which TV shows and movies to invest in. Brigitte Sachse stops by to chat about her nomadic childhood, cleaning kennels, why she studied business and french literature in university, a career in public and private media financing, and the founding of Bee Video Production. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Pary Bell’s CV is stacked with leadership roles at some of Canada’s biggest media companies including, but not limited to, the CBC, Rogers Media, and TorStar. He’s made a career of leading organizations through digital transformation, but his original plan didn’t involve building teams, managing people, and navigating internal politics—Pary’s first love was drawing. Pary studied General Arts at Queen’s University, but departed after two years to pursue a Fine Arts Degree at Emily Carr University of Art & Design. It was difficult making it as an artist, and Pary made the choice to enroll in the Communications & Multimedia program at Centennial College. He aggressively chased an internship opportunity with the CBC, and his digital media career took off. His current role? Leading The Podcast Exchange. Pary Bell, CEO of The Podcast Exchange stops be to chat about growing up on a farm outside of North Bay Ontario, the impact sport has had on his life & career, his passion for drawing, and leading teams and departments at some of Canada’s most prolific media companies. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

Sue Haas is the President and COO of NLogic—Canada's leading provider of audience analysis technology and data. But Sue’s career didn’t start in data and analytics. Her first job in media was an internship on eTalk Daily, researching and writing interview questions for celebrities like Phil Collins, John Mayer, and Nelly. This was a complete shift from her childhood in the rural town Melbourne, Ontario. How rural? No cable TV, dial-up internet was the norm, she had to travel one town over just to go to school, and there weren’t many opportunities for part time work. Sue Haas stops by to chat about her growing up on a hobby farm, studying English and Journalism in university, a career that includes everything from digital product development to getting John Mayer coffee, and what NLogic has in store for the future. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/ https://www.tiktok.com/@media.people.podcast

It’s episode 100 and we welcome back our episode nine guest, Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada President, Sonia Carreno. Sonia was only a handful of months into her presidency when we first chatted back in 2015. Nine years later, Sonia returns to talk about how the IAB Canada has evolved under her leadership, while providing insight into how the organization tackles issues and shapes policy impacting the digital media industry. A big thank you to all of our loyal listeners and past guests. We couldn’t have hit the 100-episode milestone without your support. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/

Kevin Bartus is a terrible employee—those are his words, not mine. But that’s OK because he’s a very successful entrepreneur. Kevin is the President and CEO of Ideon Media—Canada’s largest digital rep firm, responsible for monetizing Canadian ad traffic for brands such as VICE Media and IGN, to name a few. Ideon also owns and operates several sites including SavvyMom, 29Secrets, and AmongMen. A Chicago native, Kevin was quite the academic in his youth. He found subjects like math easy, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he graduated from both MIT and Harvard. He moved into consulting after university and then founded Blue Spark—a company building websites for TorStar and Rogers. Despite an exit and the chance to lead Rogers Media’s foray into digital advertising, Kevin had the itch get back out on his own. He saw the success Olive Media enjoyed in the rep space, and decided to emulate their business model with Ideon Media. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/

Cracking the media industry can be tough for an employee, but for an entrepreneur? Building something from scratch can be a tall order. But it was a challenge that Sotero Bernardo was up for. Sotero is the Co-Founder, Head of Business Development at Coastal Digital Group—an experience agency combining creativity with technology. The original goal was to make it in media sales. But sales opportunities are scarce when you’re fresh out of school, so Sotero took a job as a jr. media planner at Cossette Media—working on both the Nike and Sony PlayStation media accounts. He moved into venue advertising before networking his way to a sales role with Ideon Media. His success led to a promotion along with expanded responsibilities that included managing people and acquiring new publisher representation deals. But Sotero saw an opportunity within the creative space. He had a plan to capitalize on it, and co-founded Coastal Digital Group with his business partner. Sotero Bernardo stop by to chat about growing up in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood, attending high school in suburbia, working at McDonald’s, monetizing charisma lessons, his media sales career, and entrepreneurship in the ultra-competitive media space. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/

Sales is a performative art, and presentations are like a play. Notes serve as the script, while the PowerPoint deck acts as the set. The boardroom the stage, and clients the audience. At the heart of the production—the sales rep. When comparing the two professions, you can see why today’s guest, Kristie Painting, has enjoyed a successful sales career. Kristie is Pinterest’s Country Manager for Canada, and while many people in her position have a marketing or business degree, Kristie majored in drama. Her first job out of university was handling pharmaceutical orders. Kristie wasn’t enthused by the work, and quickly moved into media sales with NOW Magazine. She progressed into roles with Yahoo! and DoubleClick, and ascended into leadership positions at Olive Media and Bell Media, to name a few. Kristie Painting stops by to chat about growing up in suburban Toronto, her passion for the dramatic arts, her media sales career, why she took an agency job, and leading Pinterest’s Canadian office. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/

When Valerie Tyson interviewed for a marketing role with the Charlotte Hornets, it was team owner and NBA legend, Michael Jordan, who handled her final interview. And this is only one of the many stories comprising Valerie’s sports marketing career. Valerie is the Co-Founder, Head of Strategy + Sports at Unrivaled Group—a female led, sports driven tech consultancy. Valerie’s career didn’t start in sports, but local radio—running promotions for stations in Arizona and San Diego. She moved KLSX in Los Angeles, where it provided her first taste in sports marketing. It included LA Kings radio broadcasts along with west coast events for the Howard Stern Show. She jumped at the chance to lead marketing for the LA Avengers inaugural season in the Arena Football League, and it was from here her sports marketing career took off. Valerie Tyson stops by to chat about growing up in Chicago, why she studied journalism in university, creative ways to launch an arena football team, relaunching Charlotte’s NBA team after the original Hornets moved to New Orleans, and what she’s out to accomplish with Unrivaled Group. **Subscribe to the Media People Newsletter** mediapeople.beehiiv.com/subscribe **Listen & Subscribe** www.mediapeople.ca www.youtube.com/@mediapeoplepodcast www.instagram.com/vicgenova/