Evidence-based marketing—why reach matters more than loyalty, with Byron Sharp (00:21:37)
Byron Sharp, author of "How Brands Grow," and director of the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute of Marketing Science, espouses an approach that flies in the face of much modern marketing wisdom about the importance of media targeting, personalization and incentivizing customer loyalty. He explains his views, including why he thinks brands with the most "physical availability" (i.e. broadest retail distribution) and "mental availability" (top-of-mind awareness) will win.
Former Mediahub CEO John Moore and former BMW CMO Trudy Hardy on how clients and agencies can work better together, including why CMOs should take some control back from their procurement departments. Hardy and Moore, now both with marketing and agency consultancy Harmonium also weigh in on the Omnicom-IPG merger and share their perspective on what agencies can deliver to clients when it comes to AI.
From insight to impact: How Octagon helps brands win in the sports and entertainment economy (00:20:50)
In today's fragmented sports and entertainment economy, brands face unprecedented competition for cultural relevance and authentic fan connection. In this episode, Lou Kovacs, President of Marketing, North America at Octagon, shares how the agency's insight-powered creative approach helps brands break through, shape culture, and unlock new markets around the world. Lou dives into Octagon's evolution as a creative powerhouse, spotlighting how the agency's integrated Creative, Digital, and Branded Content teams work together to deliver ideas rooted in fan behavior. He also highlights Octagon's industry-leading momentum, including recent recognition from Cannes Lions, Sports Business Journal and The Clios, showcasing how creativity has become a core driver of value in sponsorship and brand storytelling. The Custom Marketer's Brief episode features a look at Nutrafol's first-ever sports partnership, a category-first campaign with MLB, and a breakthrough example of how Octagon blends creative concepting with high-stakes strategic negotiation. We also explore the agency's influential role in the rise of women's sports.from creative programs like Delta's "Power Forward" docu-series in partnership with the WNBA, to major sponsorships for brands including NYX and Mastercard, as well as the agency's representation of iconic athletes and personalities such as Simone Biles, Trinity Rodman, Aly Raisman, Hannah Storm, among many others. For marketers seeking to stay ahead of culture, fandom, and global market opportunity as we prepare for 2026, tune into this episode for a fresh, creative point of view that is redefining what brand impact looks like today.
How to do travel marketing that stands out with Tourism Australia CMO (00:25:08)
Susan Coghill, who has been overseeing Australia's tourism marketing since 2019, on how the Come and Say G'day campaign localizes is marketing for the U.S., U.K., China and other countries, including by using local talent. She also updates us on broader tourism trends and how her organization views more people using AI to make travel plans. Plus, how Australia is leveraging wildlife conservationist and "Dancing with the Stars" star Robert Irwin.
CMOs, social media and why AI isn't everything with VaynerX's Avery Akkineni (00:20:41)
Avery Akkineni, VaynerX's chief marketing officer, has tips for CMOs riding the social media lightning, and she tells us why VaynerMedia has not followed the whole industry into an AI rebranding.
How LocalX is advancing the local ad-buying ecosystem with its unified data platform (00:11:48)
Local advertising is one of the most effective methods for brands of all sizes to reach the audiences that matter most, and platforms like Locality's LocalX are becoming industry leaders by enabling advertisers to plan, buy and measure local broadcast and streaming in one intelligent workflow. LocalX was purpose-built for local advertising, and by using real-time insights and unified data, the platform empowers agencies and partners to maximize impact with confidence." At the end of the day, the reason we're targeting local is to drive a better outcome for our brand in a local community or local space," said Zach Mullins, chief strategy officer at Locality, on a special edition of Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast. "By creating unification at scale, we can do that much more effectively in local markets." Tune in to hear more about how LocalX works to combat the increasing complexity and fragmentation within local markets, advance the local ad-buying ecosystem, and the future the company sees for the local media market.
Bridging the AI-human gap with Stitch Fix CMO (00:20:55)
Debbie Woloshin talks about the brand's generative AI-powered styling tool
Tips on building a beauty brand with former Walgreens CMO (00:24:24)
Linh Peters, now CMO at science-backed hair care brand Seen, talks about marketing as a growth engine
Sam's Club new CMO on holidays, Chris Pratt and arriving right after an agency review (00:22:46)
Chris Curtin arrived as chief marketing officer of Sam's Club in May just after the retailer, little sibling of Walmart, finished an agency review. But the veteran of Bank of America was familiar with his new agency, Publicis Groupe, from his old job. And he hit the ground running by overseeing a new holiday campaign starring Chris Pratt. Here, Curtin talks about what it's like coming in right after an agency review and just before Sam's Club's biggest season in retail, as well as how he's bringing finance and fintech experience to retail.
Horror marketing 101 with Blumhouse CMO Karen Barragan (00:26:00)
Blumhouse CMO Karen Barragan gives tips and tricks for Halloween marketing as well as the value of seasonal fans for expanding Blumhouses reach. She discusses the increasing mainstream attention on horror, beginning with Warner Bros. 2017 "It" campaign, and how brands can lean in. Plus, behind the scenes of the creation of the "Black Phone 2" and "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" marketing campaigns, and lessons from "Megan 2.0's" box office flop.
How brands can become emotionally resonant while adapting to new Gen Z behaviors, with Early Warning Services CMO Andrea Gilman (00:20:59)
Zelle has tweaked its marketing strategy as it has looked to embrace being an emotionally resonant brand. Last month, it worked with its creative and strategic agency of record Pereira O'Dell to launch "When It Counts," a new brand platform that positions everyday payments as acts of care. It also marks a new level of maturity for the brand, which in 2014 saw Americans send more than $1 trillion across 3.6 billion transactions. Andrea Gilman, chief marketing officer at Zelle and Paze network operator Early Warning Services, discusses this change, Gen Z behavioral changes she's observed this year and Early Warning's AI approach, including how it used the tech in Zelle's latest campaign.
iRobot CMO on turnaround, 'Shark Tank' secrets, AI and that old Will Smith movie (00:24:22)
Athena Kasvikis is managing iRobot amid a turnaround more than 18 months after regulators nixed its acquisition by Amazon. But she's also been an entrepreneur who led Behave Bras to success on "Shark Tank." She brings classical Procter & Gamble marketer training to bear on Roomba, arguably the most iconic brand in robots, as interest in robotics and AI soars, in part thanks to Elon Musk. Here she talks on those things plus her outlook on CTV, data-based targeting, agency relations and how that "I, Robot" movie wasn't named after the company, or vice versa.
Digital advertising best practices with Meta CMO Alex Schultz (00:24:26)
Meta's top marketer discusses the latest strategies digital advertisers need to know from search engines to social media. And he weighs in on agencies, automation and AI, in an industry worried about its future.
How Spectrum Reach is redefining CTV advertising through show-level transparency (00:10:10)
Spectrum Reach shows how having the right data can drive performance, brand safety and advertiser confidence.
How to balance consistency and agility, with Heaven Hill CMO Matt Blevins (00:22:39)
How the owner of Lunazul tequila, Deep Eddy vodka and a high-end bourbon and whiskey portfolio is tapping into fast moving social media and food trends without losing sight of its roots. Blevins also discusses new agency relationships with Mono and Assembly.
Why brands should partner with unexpected creators and vocal critics, with Blizzard Entertainment CMO Monica Austin (00:23:54)
Creator marketing is a huge part of Blizzard Entertainment's strategy. As the developer of properties with global appeal, such as World of Warcraft, Overwatch and Diablo, it has no trouble finding fans in all corners of the world, including basketball player Luka Dončić, who plays at one of the highest possible ranks in Overwatch. CMO Monica Austin discusses a recent partnership with Dončić, plus why Blizzard sees value in partnering with creators who are vocal critics of its work. She also discusses balancing Blizzard's global marketing strategy with region-specific campaigns.
AI search ads 101—everything marketers need to know, with Asa Hiken (00:25:17)
Ad Age technology reporter Asa Hiken breaks down the state of AI search advertising, what ads on ChatGPT may look like, how much they'll cost and the different approaches companies including OpenAI, Google, Meta and Perplexity are taking. Plus, how marketers can strategize for consumers' changing AI habits. YouTube announced new ad tools that will give creators more power to curate sponsorships across their content libraries. Read how YouTubers are becoming more like traditional media networks. And a tax change set for 2026 threatens the future of free agency food. Get the info on how lunches might become the next differentiator for recruiting talent. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Everything to know about AI search ads ~Inside Perplexity's ad test ~Answer engine optimization tips ~Listen to Grillo's CMO on the importance of experiential activations
The power of experiential marketing - Grillo's CMO Mark Luker on the brand's month-long store pop-up (00:25:12)
On this episode, Luker also talks about what Grillo's looks for in partnerships.
Inside agency hold co power dynamics, with Ewan Larkin (00:22:16)
Ad Age agency reporter Ewan Larkin demystifies the changing power dynamics at agency holding companies such as WPP, Publicis and Omnicom. Global account leads are becoming more important to agency growth, changing the position of regional and agency brand CEOs. Plus, Netflix announced it would make ad inventory available through Amazon's DSP. The partnership is a milestone in both companies' ad journeys—read more on the implications. And Goodby Silverstein & Partners named Sarah Thompson as its first-ever CEO. Go inside the reasons why. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~The meaning of agency holding companies' changing power dynamics ~Dentsu's strategy to stand out amid industry M&A ~Behind the scenes of the updated "How Many Licks" campaign ~Listen to Little Caesar's CMO talk sports marketing strategy
Advice on being an NFL sponsor, with the CMO of Little Caesars (00:27:24)
Greg Hamilton joins the Marketer's Brief Podcasts to talk about the chain's four years as an NFL sponsor.
Firing your ad agency? Try marriage counseling first, with Lindsay Rittenhouse (00:21:23)
Ad Age senior agency reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse goes inside the growing trend of brand-agency marriage counseling. Rather than jumping straight into a costly and time-intensive agency review, consultancies are increasingly suggesting services that evaluate the existing relationship, and potentially improve both the agency and brand's practices. Plus, Group Black is changing its name to Portrait Media Group. In an exclusive interview with Ad Age, co-founder Bonin Bough explained the reason as well as the company's future path. And one change for future CMOs is the rise of test-running roles before committing full-time. Read more on how to get noticed for interim marketing positions. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Inside brand-agency marriage counselling ~The stats on client-agency tenure ~Google won't be forced to sell Chrome ~What Kraft Heinz's reorganization means for its future ~Keep up with the latest account reviews ~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference ~Listen to Manscaped's CMO talk unconventional media strategies
Using unconventional media strategies and learning from virality, with Manscaped CMO Marcelo Kertesz (00:22:57)
Kertesz reflects on three years in the CMO role, including how media placements have become a form of creative messaging and how the DTC-born brand is embracing multichannel marketing. Plus, how the brand's "Send Face Pics Instead" went viral.
Cracker Barrel, American Eagle and surviving social uproar, with Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett (00:26:55)
Ad Age reporters Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett break down the brand lessons from the recent Cracker Barrel and American Eagle dramas: How can marketers better prepare for social pushback, what to know about official brand responses and how the brand-consumer relationship is changing on social media. Plus, AI ad networks are beginning to emerge, which place paid content in chatbots such as ChatGPT. Dig into the debate between maintaining chat quality and monetizing the technology. And Svedka has resurrected its Fembot character in a plea for people to put down their phones and go out with friends. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~The latest on the Cracker Barrel rebrand saga ~Refresh yourself on American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney campaign backlash ~Inside E.l.f. Cosmetics' Matt Rife social campaign ~Keep up with the latest account reviews ~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference ~Listen to Hinge's CMO talk connecting with Gen Z
How to create loyal Gen Z connections, with Hinge CMO (00:25:17)
Jackie Jantos, Hinge's president and CMO, shares tips for winning with Gen Z and how Hinge has been able to see growth when other dating apps are seeing declines
How to create loyal Gen Z connections, with Hinge CMO (00:25:17)
Jackie Jantos, Hinge's president and CMO, shares tips for winning with Gen Z and how Hinge has been able to see growth when other dating apps are seeing declines
