Adspeak

Advertise on podcast: Adspeak

Rating
4.7
from
153 reviews
This podcast has
55 episodes
Language
Publisher
Explicit
No
Date created
2016/08/26
Latest episode
2026/04/23
Average duration
28 min.
Release period
6 days

Description

Love it or hate it, the advertising and marketing industry is the ultimate broker of power and influence in the world today. Adspeak, hosted by ADWEEK editor in chief Ryan Joe, brings to life stories from our top reporters, delving into the people, brands, ad agencies, and adtech giants that shape how we view the world, the products we buy, and the entertainment we enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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How Popeyes Turns Cultural Moments Into Measurable Sales
2026/04/23
In this week's Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Brittany, Creative Editor at ADWEEK, speaks with Bart LaCount, SVP and CMO at Popeyes,  and Joe Maglio, CEO at Cheil Agency Network,  about how Popeyes became a cultural force. They explore balancing viral marketing with consistent sales, using social listening to spark unexpected collaborations, and scaling brand assets into impactful campaigns. The conversation highlights rapid experimentation, consumer co-creation, and embracing polarizing ideas to stay relevant, while also examining how partnerships, personalization, and AI are reshaping customer experiences in a competitive QSR landscape.  What You'll Learn: How to monitor social listening at scale to identify co-creation opportunitiesWhy QSR demands simultaneous execution of "brand overnight and sales overnight."The pickle takeover framework for leveraging brand equity into cultural momentsHow to operationalize a two-way cultural conversation The strategic role of partnerships in amplifying brand reach beyond additive value How generative UI and personalization will reshape QSR ordering while maintaining operational feasibility About the Guests: Bart LaCount is the SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, bringing over 20 years of strategic leadership, including 18 years at Pepsico.  He also has extensive experience across food and beverage categories, ranging from CPG to quick-service restaurants. Bart has developed deep expertise in navigating competitive, fast-paced markets where innovation cycles are shorter, and consumer engagement happens in real time. Joe Maglio is the CEO of Cheil Agency Network, a collective of leading creative, production, and media agencies including McKinney, Iris, Attention Arc, CYLNDR Studios, and Barbarian. In his role, he oversees the performance of each agency while leading a cross-functional network team spanning finance, operations, HR, and growth, ensuring both creative excellence and business performance across the organization. Guest Resources:  Bart LaCount on LinkedInPopeyes WebsiteJoe Maglio on LinkedInCheil Network Agency Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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PR Meets Influence: The New Engine of Brand Growth
2026/04/21
In this week's episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, Dana Paolucci, Head of Engagement Marketing at Unilever’s Dove, joins Raven Walker, SVP of Client Partnerships at Collectively, to unpack how heritage brands can stay culturally relevant through creator-led strategies. They explore Dove’s shift from transactional influencer campaigns to community-driven partnerships that generate authentic engagement and large-scale UGC. From the viral Dove x Crumbl collaboration to immersive brand storytelling experiments, the conversation highlights how listening to audiences, respecting creator ecosystems, and integrating PR with influencer marketing can unlock exponential awareness. The episode offers practical insight into building long-term creator relationships, measuring cultural impact, and turning brand moments into sustained movements.  What You'll Learn: How to identify cultural moments through social listeningWhy "tapping into" culture depletes communities, and how to "respond" insteaThe demotainment framework for heritage productsHow to build long-term creator loyalty through intimate community programsWhy PR and influencer marketing must operate as a single engineHow to move at speed while maintaining brand safety About the Guests: Dana Paolucci is the Head of Engagement Marketing for Dove (Unilever) North America, where she leads all influencer partnerships, external communications, and brand collaborations. With a track record of launching iconic, award-winning campaigns, including Dove's Super Bowl spots, brand collaborations like Dove x Crumbl, and long-term community initiatives, she has redefined how heritage brands engage creators and build cultural relevance.  Raven Walker is SVP of Client Partnerships at Collectively, a woman-founded influencer marketing agency specializing in creator-led social-first campaigns across beauty, CPG, and lifestyle brands. With expertise in strategic partnerships and creative innovation, she leads transformative campaigns for major brands, including Unilever North America. Guest Resources:  Dana Paolucci on LinkedInUnilever NA WebsiteRaven Walker on LinkedInCollectively Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Focus on Partnerships, Not Paychecks: Why Agencies Must Reinvent Themselves
2026/04/16
In this week's episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Alison Weissbrot, Executive Editor at ADWEEK, leads a BrandWeek panel featuring Nadja Bellan-White, Group CEO at M&C Saatchi,  Coltrane Curtis, Founder and Managing Partner at Team Epiphany, and Kern Schireson, Chairman and CEO at Known. Together they discuss the need to redefine agency-client partnerships.  As budgets tighten and AI reshapes workflows, they explain why legacy and fee-based models are no longer viable. Instead, success hinges on empathy, trust, and aligned incentives tied to outcomes. The panel shares practical strategies, from embedding test-and-learn budgets to understanding board-level pressures and deploying agile “tiger teams.” They emphasize deeper specialization, real human connection, and shared accountability as the foundation for resilient, high-performing partnerships in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape. What You'll Learn: How to shift from legacy fee-based models to incentive-aligned partnerships Why understanding your client's board-level KPIs is non-negotiable The "Three Ideas Framework" for managing risk and building trust How to build genuine relationships through human connection and empathy Why agency expertise depth matters more than breadth How to balance internal restructuring and team protection with client excellence About the Guests: Nadja Bellan-White is the Group CEO at M&C Saatchi, and a “human-first” marketing leader known as a go-to fixer for complex brand transformations. With 25+ years in integrated marketing, she blends data, creativity, technology, and media to drive meaningful customer connections. She has led transformations for global brands including American Express, IKEA, and Coca-Cola, and partnered with African governments to spur growth. An AdColor Legend Award recipient, she brings a sharp focus on context, culture, and creativity to every engagement. Coltrane Curtis is the Founder and Managing Partner of Team Epiphany, a New York-based influencer marketing and PR agency he launched in 2004. What began as a one-man shop has grown into a 70+ person, multidisciplinary agency with offices in New York and Portland. With roots at MTV and deep experience across brands like Nike, HBO, and Coca-Cola, Curtis blends cultural fluency with sharp strategic execution. Known for building powerful brand and celebrity partnerships, he has been recognized by Inc., Forbes, Adweek, and AdColor, and serves on the American Black Film Festival board. Kern Schireson is the CEO of Known, a next-generation agency built on data-driven strategy and systemic innovation. With deep expertise in incentive alignment and AI-powered optimization, he is helping redefine the modern agency model. Kern champions using technology as a force multiplier for enhancing, not replacing, human creativity, while embedding rigorous test-and-learn frameworks into client partnerships. His approach focuses on aligning incentives and enabling continuous iteration, driving measurable, breakthrough results for brands navigating an increasingly complex marketing landscape. Guest Resources:  Nadja Bellan-White on LinkedInM&C Saatchi Group WebsiteColtrane Curtis on LinkedInTeam Epiphany WebsiteKern Schireson on LinkedInKnown Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Reviving “Obey Your Thirst” Without Losing the Plot or the Culture
2026/04/14
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Brittaney Kiefer speaks with Omid Farhang, Founder of Majority and A.P. Chaney, Senior Director of Creative at the Coca-Cola company,  about reviving Sprite’s iconic “Obey Your Thirst” for a new generation. The conversation explores how legacy brands can stay culturally relevant without losing their core identity, and why restraint, and not reinvention, can be the boldest strategy. They unpack the role of authentic partnerships with emerging artists and athletes, aligning brand and agency vision, and turning organic consumer behavior into innovation. By grounding the campaign in real cultural signals and a clear creative ethos, Sprite reconnected with Gen Z and climbed to become the #3 soft drink in America. What You'll Learn: How to resurrect iconic brand platforms without letting ego undermine strategyWhy "disobey to obey" reframes a problematic command into a countercultural cryThe partnership authenticity framework for selecting talent and creatorsHow to transform consumer behavior on social media into product innovation The importance of alignment between brand leadership and agency ambitions How to balance cultural specificity with broad appeal  About the Guests: Omid Farhang is the founder of Majority, a creative agency built on the belief that diversity drives culture-shaping ideas, in partnership with Shaquille O'Neal. His work has been featured in leading publications and even parodied on Saturday Night Live. A former Creative Director at Crispin Porter+Bogusky, he also held leadership roles at Creative Artists Agency and Momentum. Omid hosts the podcast Talking to Ourselves and was named to Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 in 2016. A.P. Chaney is the Senior Director of Creative at the Coca-Cola Company, and a strategic and creative marketing leader known for developing audience-first brand work rooted in cultural insight. Blending big-picture thinking with sharp execution, she crafts campaigns that feel both relevant and authentic. Her passion for pop culture, sports, and copywriting informs deeper creative strategies that resonate with modern consumers. A.P.’s approach centers on turning insight into impact, ensuring brands connect meaningfully while delivering experiences that are both engaging and true to their voice. Guest Resources:  A.P. Chaney on LinkedInThe Coca-Cola Company WebsiteOmid Farhang on LinkedInMajority Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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AI Governance Isn’t a Barrier: It’s Marketing’s Growth Engine
2026/04/09
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Rebecca Stewart, Brand Editor at ADWEEK, sits down with Thomas Ranese, CMO at Intuit, and Michael Schanker, CMO at OneTrust, to explore how AI is reshaping modern marketing. They unpack why governance and consent are not barriers but enablers of innovation, and how clean, permissioned data is foundational to scaling personalization. The conversation highlights the shift toward AI-powered agents, faster campaign execution, and evolving brand architectures. Crucially, they emphasize balancing automation with human creativity, adopting high-impact use cases first, and building responsible frameworks to protect trust while unlocking AI-driven growth. What You'll Learn: How to move from AI experimentation to scaled deploymentWhy "AI-ready governance" unlocks innovation rather than slowing it downThe critical gap marketers must close: AI-ready dataHow to build AI agents that maintain brand trustThe human-AI balance that drives creativity, not replacementHow to prioritize AI use cases for maximum ROI About the Guests: Thomas Ranese is Chief Marketing Officer at Intuit, where he leads the transformation of the company from a house of brands to a unified branded house powered by AI. With a decade at Google and recent leadership roles at Uber, Thomas brings deep expertise in scaling emerging technologies, from mobile and social to artificial intelligence, across consumer and enterprise audiences.  Michael Schanker is Chief Marketing Officer at OneTrust, bringing nearly a decade of technology industry experience to the forefront of data privacy and AI governance. Known for his expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and emerging technologies, Michael has positioned OneTrust as a leader in helping enterprises manage consumer consent and data responsibility at scale, processing 400 million consumer consent transactions daily.  Guest Resources:  Thomas Ranese on LinkedInIntuit WebsiteMichael Schanker on LinkedInOneTrust Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How Experiential Retail Drives Loyalty at a Heritage Brand with David Lafitte
2026/04/07
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Mark Stenberg speaks with David Lafitte, President and CEO at Tecovas, about scaling a heritage brand without losing authenticity. David explains how the brand expands into new markets while staying rooted in Western storytelling, invests in experiential retail to build loyalty, and balances performance marketing with long-term brand building. He highlights the importance of using cultural trends as tailwinds, not as a core strategy, while maintaining craft quality as a core differentiator. The conversation also explores AI’s role in operations, not creativity, and how an omnichannel approach, including digital, retail, and wholesale, drives sustainable growth for modern DTC brands. What You'll Learn: How to thread the authenticity needle when expanding into non-traditional marketsWhy full-funnel marketing outperforms lower-funnel strategies for premium products The radical hospitality framework for creating defensible retail experiencesHow to leverage cultural momentum without chasing trendsWhy AI should enhance operations, not replace authentic creative contentThe omnichannel growth playbook for DTC brands About the Guest: David Lafitte is the President and CEO of Tecovas, a leading and heritage western wear retailer. David is recognised for his expertise in scaling authentic heritage brands while maintaining cultural integrity in competitive markets. With a background in brand strategy and retail expansion, he has successfully transformed Tecovas from a digitally native direct-to-consumer company into an omnichannel powerhouse with 56 locations across 24 states, wholesale partnerships, and a distinctive retail experience centered on "radical hospitality." Guest Resources:  David Lafitte on LinkedInTecovas Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How CorePower Yoga Turned Fitness Into a Movement with Sarah Choi
2026/03/31
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Alison Weisbrott, Executive Editor at ADWEEK, speaks with Sarah Choi, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at CorePower Yoga. Sarah shares how CorePower Yoga is redefining modern wellness, and how the brand reframes yoga as a physically intensive, results-driven workout grounded in mindfulness, while scaling community through 5,000+ teacher ambassadors. The conversation explores blending digital tools with in-studio experiences, using science-backed mental health research to strengthen brand credibility, and building loyalty through inclusive, Gen Z-focused strategies. It’s a practical look at turning a fitness brand into a community-led movement that extends far beyond the mat. What You'll Learn: How to drive conversion through free trial funnelingWhy teacher spotlighting outperforms traditional influencer partnershipsThe dual-role technology strategy that strengthens the in-studio communityHow to ground wellness claims in Harvard-backed research for competitive positioningThe Gen Z wellness opportunity beyond the fitness categoryHow to balance product expansion while maintaining brand clarity About the Guest: Sarah Choi is Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at CorePower Yoga, where she leads the brand's strategic initiatives in wellness marketing and consumer engagement. With expertise in omnichannel marketing, brand accessibility, and community-driven loyalty programs, Choi has pioneered CorePower's evolution from traditional yoga positioning to an intensively physical, science-backed wellness experience. Guest Resources:  Sarah Choi on LinkedInCorePower Yoga Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Authenticity Playbook in Personal Branding: Featuring Mina Park & Alyson Stoner
2026/03/24
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, Mina Park, CEO and co-founder of Crispy Chicken Social Media Agency, and Alyson Stoner, Founder and CEO at Movement Genius, explore how celebrities can balance authenticity with strategy on social media. They discuss calculated transparency, using trends without losing originality, and building values-driven narratives that outlast algorithms. The conversation also highlights team-based content creation, thoughtful brand partnerships, and structuring content to deepen audience connection. Together, they reveal how intentional storytelling, not constant virality, is key to creating sustainable, meaningful personal brands in today's fast-moving digital landscape and culture shifts. What You'll Learn: How to reframe "authenticity" as calculated transparencyThe anti-marketing marketing approach.How to inject originality into viral trends without sacrificing reachThe grid management strategy for audience developmentWhy celebrity social media requires a team-based infrastructure, not solo management The vetting framework for brand partnershipsAbout the Guests: Mina Park is the CEO of Crispy Chicken Social Media Agency, a social-first agency specializing in organic content creation for brands, entertainment studios, and talent accounts. With over five years of experience managing high-profile celebrity social media presence, including clients like Chelsea Handler and Awkwafina, Mina brings strategic expertise in building authentic digital narratives. Alyson Stoner is a certified mental health practitioner and author who brings 25 years of entertainment industry experience to her work at the intersection of child safety, mental health, and media. As a New York Times bestselling author and long-term collaborator with Crispy Chicken, Alyson provides insights into navigating brand collaborations with integrity while maintaining an authentic public presence. Guest Resources:  Mina Park on LinkedInCrispy Chicken Social Media Agency WebsiteAlyson Stoner on LinkedInMovement Genius Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Reinventing a 77-Year-Old Brand: NASCAR’s Modern Playbook with Tim Clark and Jimmie Johnson
2026/03/17
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Alison Weissbrot speaks with Tim Clark, EVP and Chief Brand Officer at NASCAR, and Jimmie Johnson, seven-time champion, about how NASCAR is reinventing itself for a fragmented media landscape. They explore staging races in unconventional venues, expanding through gaming and digital platforms, and turning motorsport into a broader lifestyle brand. The conversation highlights how legacy organizations can evolve culturally, reshape audience perception, and stay authentic while engaging new generations of fans. What You'll Learn: How to overcome the "barrier to entry" problem in motorsports The critical difference between brand awareness and brand perceptionWhy authentic brand integration generates 10x more loyalty than logo placementHow to use gaming and simulation as legitimate talent pipelines The Formula 1 brand playbook lesson for legacy sports How to build athlete-driven brands that transcend competition About the GuestsTim Clark is the Chief Brand Officer at NASCAR, leading the organization's strategic positioning and modernization efforts. With expertise in brand perception management and legacy brand transformation, Clark oversees NASCAR's expansion into new markets, digital platforms, and lifestyle categories. Jimmie Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR champion and owner of Legacy Motor Club, bringing both competitive racing expertise and entrepreneurial business acumen to the motorsports industry. With a career spanning two decades as a professional driver and recent expansion into team ownership and brand building, Johnson represents the modern athlete-entrepreneur model. Guest Resources: Tim Clark on LinkedInJimmie Johnson on LinkedInNASCAR Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jeff Greenspoon of Kantar on Brand Power
2026/03/10
This week on Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Will Lee speaks with Jeff Greenspoon, CEO of The Americas at Kantar, on the sidelines of BrandWeek, about why brand tension fuels growth. From meaningfulness versus differentiation to short-term performance versus long-term investment, Jeff shares Kantar’s framework for predicting brand success. With examples like Nespresso and Barbie, he explains how CMOs protect their North Star while experimenting boldly, and why sustained brand investment drives stronger ROI, resilience, and lasting enterprise value. What You'll Learn: The "Meaningful and Different" FrameworkHow to Protect Your Brand's North Star While ExperimentingWhy Cutting Brand Spend During Budget Constraints Sacrifices 3-5 Years of GrowthThe Four-to-One ROI Ratio of Brand SalienceNespresso and Barbie as Case Studies in Navigating Competing Tensions)How to Translate Brand Metrics into CFO Language in B2B Organizations About the Guest and Host: Jeff Greenspoon is CEO of The Americas at Kantar, a global leader in brand measurement and marketing effectiveness backed by 50 years of proprietary research. Previously with Dentsu, he brings deep expertise in brand strategy and marketing transformation. Jeff partners with organisations to navigate the tensions between consistency and innovation, and short-term performance and long-term growth, helping brands unlock sustainable, measurable impact. Will Lee is CEO of ADWEEK, the leading media platform serving the marketing and advertising industry. Previously, he was Chief Operating Officer of NPR, where he oversaw strategy, transformation, and growth across its national network of member stations. He has also led digital businesses for PEOPLE, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, and The Hollywood Reporter. With two decades in content, audience growth, and brand development, Will is based in New York City with his family. Guest Resources:  Jeff Greenspoon on LinkedInKantar Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Trust Advantage in a Misinformation Era: Dr. Sanjay Gupta
2026/03/05
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, recorded live at Brandweek, Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with Brianna Burtman to explore how trusted communication becomes a competitive advantage. Gupta reflects on 25 years at CNN, sharing how to translate complex medical information into accessible, actionable knowledge. The conversation examines authentic storytelling, combating misinformation without amplifying it, and using multi-platform formats intentionally to deepen audience trust and create lasting cultural impact in a fragmented media landscape. What You'll Learn: How to distill complex medical information into actionable insightsWhy isolation is your audience's biggest health threat, and how to make it relatableThe difference between information and knowledge in health storytellingHow to maintain trust when audiences already know the story before you report it The strategic approach to combating misinformation without playing whack-a-moleWhy multi-platform storytelling requires intentional format selection About the Guests: Dr. Sanjay Gupta is Chief Medical Correspondent at CNN and a practicing neurosurgeon, bringing 25 years of experience translating complex health and medical stories for public audiences. With a unique background spanning both clinical medicine and broadcast journalism, Dr. Gupta has covered major global health crises, conflicts, and natural disasters while simultaneously practicing medicine in crisis zones, including Haiti, Iraq, and beyond. Brianna Burtman is currently the VP of CNN Digital Strategy and Network Partnerships at CNN, where she has worked since August 2008. Brianna holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Policy Studies, Economics, and Women's Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Baruch College. Guest Resources:  Dr. Sanjay Gupta at CNN Brianna Burtman on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Fandom Over Funnels: Marian Lee of Netflix on Culture-Led Brand Growth
2026/02/24
This week on Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Rebecca Stewart speaks with Netflix CMO Marian Lee about building culture-first marketing that fuels fandom and organic conversation. From flexible campaign planning to live events and immersive brand experiences, Lee shares how Netflix balances authentic partnerships, IP protection, and ad-supported growth, positioning the brand as a cultural force, not just a streaming platform. What You'll Learn: How to build a marketing strategy around culture, not campaignsThe "Flexibility-First" marketing framework Why authentic brand partnerships require custodianship of storytellingHow to translate digital fandom into measurable real-world experiences The dual-role advantage: buying media as a marketer teaches you how to sell it How to develop appointment viewing behavior for streaming platforms About the Guest: Marian Lee is Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix, appointed in 2022 after serving as VP of UCAN Marketing. She leads a global team driving culture-shaping campaigns that connect audiences worldwide. Previously, she was VP & Co-Head of Music at Spotify, spearheading artist marketing and partnerships. Her career spans Condé Nast, J.Crew and PwC. She holds a BA from Barnard College. Guest Resources:  Marian Lee on LinkedInNetflix Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How Atlanta Became a Marketing, Music, and Sports Powerhouse
2026/02/17
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Will Lee sits down with Tony Ressler, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Ares Management Corporation, and Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, a Grammy-Winning Artist, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist, for a fast-moving conversation on culture, community, and the business mechanics behind Atlanta’s rise. What You'll Learn: How to identify and leverage your city's unique creative assetsWhy diversification across entertainment, tech, and philanthropy protects long-term brand valueHow to transform real estate into a brand catalystThe strategic importance of non-core revenue streams in sports venuesWhy community investment and brand building are inseparable business strategies About the Guests: Chris "Ludacris" Bridges is a Grammy-winning artist, entrepreneur, and cultural innovator with over 25 years of industry experience spanning music, film, and technology. Known for defining Atlanta's cultural landscape through his influence on hip-hop, film production, and emerging trends, Ludacris has successfully diversified his portfolio into philanthropy, brand partnerships, and tech startups focused on the next generation. Tony Ressler is the Principal Owner of the Atlanta Hawks, a prominent sports executive and real estate developer driving transformative urban development across the Southeast. With expertise in sports franchise management, community investment, and large-scale real estate projects, Ressler has spearheaded initiatives including the revitalization of downtown Atlanta and the expansion of youth education and opportunity programs throughout the region. Guest Resources:  Tony Ressler’s ProfileThe Ludacris Foundation WebsiteAres Management Corporation WebsiteAtlanta Hawks Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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From Retail Relic to Market Darling: Sharon Price John on Reinventing Build-A-Bear
2026/02/11
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Will Lee speaks with Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, about engineering one of retail’s most unlikely turnarounds. Recorded live at BrandWeek, the conversation explores how Build-A-Bear reinvented its business model, leveraged nostalgia and emotional connection, and reshaped investor storytelling to fuel a 2000% stock surge. Sharon shares lessons on distinguishing brand problems from business problems, balancing data with creativity, and expanding into multi-generational audiences while opening new stores as competitors retrenched. A must-listen for marketers navigating reinvention, resilience, and profitable growth. What You'll Learn: How to distinguish between a brand problem and a business problemThe "Stretchable Brand" frameworkWhy 40% of Build-A-Bear's revenue now comes from teens and adultsThe art of strategic storytelling for different audiencesHow to manufacture tradition in retailWhy financial literacy is non-negotiable for modern CMOs and creative leadersHow to renegotiate your way out of a structural crisis The operational flywheel in action About the Guest: Sharon Price John is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop, where she has led the company for nearly 13 years through a remarkable turnaround that saw stock prices increase 2,000% over five years, outpacing NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Oracle. With a background spanning global advertising agencies, brand leadership at Mattel and Disney, and executive roles at Hasbro and Stride Rite Children's Group, Sharon brings deep expertise in brand strategy, vertical retail operations, and consumer-centric marketing. Guest Resources:  Sharon Price John on LinkedInBuild-A-Bear Workshop Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Why Coca-Cola Bet Big on Generative AI, with Pratik Thakar
2026/02/03
In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Jenny Rooney speaks with Pratik Thakar, Global VP and Head of Generative AI at The Coca-Cola Company, about the brand’s bold, AI-generated holiday campaign unveiled at Brand Week. Thakar explains why Coca-Cola prioritised creative ambition and speed over cost-cutting, and how a human-first approach to AI is reshaping modern marketing. The conversation explores legal and ethical considerations, new agency collaboration models, and how to embed AI expertise across organisations without silos. It’s a clear-eyed look at why AI marks an inflection point CMOs can’t afford to ignore. What You'll Learn: How to position AI as a creative superpower, not a replacement toolThe "Human First, AI-Amplified" production frameworkWhy you cannot treat your biggest business opportunity as a cost-cutting experimentHow to create organizational velocity through distributed AI adoptionThe legal and IP infrastructure required to scale AI responsiblyWhy iteration speed and re-rendering flexibility are competitive advantages  About the Guest: Pratik Thakar is Global Vice President and Head of Generative AI at The Coca-Cola Company, where he leads the development of scalable AI platforms that enhance consumer and brand experiences across Coca-Cola’s global portfolio. With more than 25 years of experience in creative marketing, design, media, and communications, he has delivered award-winning work for some of the world’s most iconic brands. A passionate advocate for human-first AI, Pratik is also an industry leader, educator, and advisor focused on sustainability, equality, and responsible technology. Guest Resources:  Pratik Thakar on LinkedInCoca-Cola Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Podcast reviews

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4.7 out of 5
153 reviews
robsampogna 2025/04/23
ADSPEAK FTW!
If you’re into advertising & media, ADSPEAK is a fun, sharp listen. It has a smart and punchy tone with expert reporting and interesting insights abou...
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emmarswanson 2025/04/16
Ryan Joe is a great host
Excellent job holding your first guest accountable to answering the tough questions. Excited for more episodes!
mvelasco07 2023/03/02
Love this show!
Appreciate the variety of episodes, engaging conversations, and insightful content. I learn something every time I listen! Thanks so much for putting ...
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Facqt Media 2022/08/01
Relevant content!
Love this podcast! It got the latest info and strategies in advertisement and creatives, got into a few episodes, and the content and format are great...
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Himanish Goel 2022/03/15
The Best Places For New Listeners Who Are Interested In Pivoting Towards The Advertising Industry
I have been listening to this show for some time now, and it’s been a game-changer in terms of helping me learn more about what is the advertising ind...
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MsBrieW 2022/02/03
Insightful and Nice Morning Listen
This podcast is a great way to hear honest insight with commentary that provides various points of view on the advertising and marketing efforts of th...
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Shelbatron84 2022/01/12
😍😍😍
Adore this podcast! Great way to stay up to date. Hosts are friendly and compassionate. Stories rock a wide range of topics. Thank you 🙏
WritesAtTablesWaitsAtSongs 2021/11/17
Thank you for 250!
Long time listener first time reviewer. Thank you and congrats for 250 episodes Ad Week! Th 250th episode was so much fun and each episode is such a t...
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mary_buzbee 2020/04/07
Love it!
Best way to stay up-to-date on industry things, especially as a young person just starting out in the industry.
BFx827 2021/01/05
Keeping me in the Loop
not that i ever was really in the loop, but this podcast makes me feel included and involved and up to date on all the major news and issues in our in...
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