Stay ConnectedLove 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.
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In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Will Lee leads a Brandweek roundtable on how national brands win through local relevance. Featuring Kim Yates, (Chief Commercial Officer at Atlanta Journal-Constitution), Jeremy Heilpern, (Founder and CEO of Ammunition Ventures), Tom Gargiulo, (Chief Marketing Officer, BodyArmor Sports Nutrition at Coca-Cola), Matt Wikstrom, (Chief of Partnership Sales at LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games), Rebecca Hogan, (VP Communication at The Weather Company), and Jackie Choice, (Senior Manager Marketing at Cox Enterprises).
The discussion explores how brands balance national scale with hyper-local authenticity. From building distinct brand architectures to activating local athletes, partners, and community networks, the group shares practical strategies to drive emotional connection and loyalty. They also unpack the power of weather-triggered, context-aware messaging and why empowering local voices often outperforms centralized control. The takeaway: brands that listen deeply, invest in communities, and adapt messaging to regional realities are the ones that break through today’s fragmented media landscape.
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In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Rob Klara sits down with a panel of leaders redefining the modern CEO role. Featuring Bing Chen (CEO and Co-Founder, Gold House), Jessica Schinazi (CEO, Away), and Artis Stevens (President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America), the conversation explores why today’s CEOs must lead as marketers first. They unpack shifting from service to solutions, building agile organizations, decentralizing brand ownership, and using AI as an accelerator, while balancing authenticity, purpose, and leadership in an increasingly complex business landscape.
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About the Guests:
Bing Chen is a creator economy pioneer, investor, and CEO and Co-Founder of Gold House, a platform shaping culture to unlock global opportunity. He also serves as Managing Director of AU Holdings, backing multicultural creators and communities. Previously, as YouTube’s Global Head of Creator Development, he helped architect today’s influencer ecosystem. A recognized global leader and board advisor to companies like Oura and Musely, his work bridges culture, media, and innovation across industries.
Jessica Schinazi is a senior executive with deep expertise across luxury goods, beauty, and consumer electronics, leading high-growth categories with full P&L ownership. As CEO of Away, she combines digital innovation with strong brand-building strategies to drive profitable growth. Known for scaling businesses through strategic transformation and sharp commercial execution, she brings a disciplined approach to team leadership, business development, and delivering sustained, high-impact results in competitive global markets.
Artis Stevens is President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, where he has more than doubled revenue and expanded mentorship access to underserved communities nationwide. A leading voice in youth empowerment, he has positioned the organization among the most trusted nonprofits in the U.S., securing historic funding and driving large-scale impact. Recognized by TIME and ForbesBLK, Stevens is known for transforming mission-driven organizations through innovative partnerships, cultural leadership, and a bold vision for scalable social change.
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In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Alison Weissbrot moderates a panel of industry leaders redefining modern commerce. Featuring Jennifer Silverberg (CEO, SmartCommerce), Benoit Vatere (Chief Media Officer, Liquid Death), Tisha Thompson (Founder & CEO, LYS Beauty), Nicole Vinson (VP, Kellanova), Candace Payne (VP Marketing, Sephora), and Beth Tripaldi (Head of Strategy, Argonaut), the discussion explores why the traditional funnel has collapsed. The group unpacks omnichannel strategies, retail media, and data-driven creativity needed to win in a fragmented, fast-moving consumer journey.
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Tisha Thompson is the Founder and CEO of LYS Beauty, a disruptive beauty brand focused on inclusive color ranges and empowering self-expression. Her firsthand experience scaling a DTC beauty brand through viral moments and strategic retail partnerships provides a critical perspective on how modern consumers discover and commit to brands.
Benoit Vatere is the Chief Marketing Officer at Liquid Death, the functional beverage brand known for bold brand-building and unconventional marketing. His expertise spans CPG marketing, brand identity, and navigating the complex balance between upper-funnel brand awareness and lower-funnel retail conversion.
Jennifer Silverberg is the Founder of Smart Commerce, specializing in omnichannel retail strategies and creator commerce. Her deep involvement in platforms like Sephora's Creator Storefronts makes her a leading voice on how brands and retailers are redefining the shopping experience through technology and partnerships.
Nicole Vinson leads Global Marketing Excellence for Kelanova (formerly part of Kellogg Company), bringing enterprise CPG expertise to discussions about data, retail relationships, and the evolving role of marketing in driving business outcomes at scale.
Beth Tripaldi is the Head of Strategy at Argonaut, an independent creative shop. Her background in brand strategy and her focus on the intersection of creativity, data, and consumer insights make her a valuable voice on how to build long-term brand value while driving short-term sales.
Candace Payne is the Vice President of Marketing, Brand and Seasonal Campaigns at Sephora, where she oversees creative strategy and campaign execution for one of the world's leading beauty retailers. Her expertise in content production, creator partnerships, and seasonal marketing provides a retail-side perspective on brand-retailer collaboration.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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