The Ad Podcast

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Lindsey Carnett - CEO - Marketing Maven Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Lindsey Carnett is an accomplished entrepreneur, marketing executive, and public relations expert. She is the Founder, CEO, and President of Marketing Maven, an integrated marketing and PR agency she established in 2009, specializing in helping businesses grow through strategic communications, digital marketing, and reputation management. A graduate of California Lutheran University with a B.A. in Spanish and Communications (emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising), she was an NCAA collegiate women's soccer captain and an officer in the American Marketing Association during her college years. With over two decades of experience, Carnett is also a Forbes contributor, keynote speaker, bestselling author (notably of The Marketing Maven Method), fractional CMO, and board director.

Dustin Black - Executive Creative Director - Preston Spire Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Dustin Black is the Executive Creative Director at Preston Spire, where he leads the agency’s award-winning creative team with curiosity and bold thinking. With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry, he’s worked at top agencies including BBDO Worldwide, Colle McVoy, MONO, and Carmichael Lynch, crafting standout work for brands like Perdue Farms, Frank’s RedHot, Craftsman, Subaru of America, and MSNBC. Dustin’s creative leadership has earned recognition from Clio, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, The One Show, D&AD, Effie Worldwide, and other major industry awards. Beyond advertising, he’s the author of The Book of SPAM, an entrepreneur, and an advocate for blending strategy, art direction, and human insight in creative work.

⁠Robb Hittner⁠ & ⁠Steve Mallory⁠ & ⁠Jordan Atlas⁠ - founders - ⁠Hackett Brooks⁠ Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

Robb Hittner is a Co-Founder of Hackett Brooks, a creative agency built around using comedy and humor as a strategic driver in advertising and workplace culture.

Steve Mallory is a Co-Founder of Hackett Brooks, where he brings creative and storytelling expertise to the agency’s mission of making advertising fun and culturally relevant. Alongside Robb Hittner and others, he helps lead creative strategy that blends humor, narrative, and brand communication to build deeper audience engagement.

Jordan Atlas is a Partner at Hackett Brooks, the creative company built on the belief that humor is a strategic advantage. With a background spanning creative leadership, strategy, and modern brand building, Jordan helps brands and teams unlock more human, culturally resonant work. He brings a sharp point of view on creativity, culture, and collaboration, shaped by years of experience building award-winning ideas and leading creative teams.

Michael Ellery - Chief Creative Officer - Sparks Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Michael Ellery is the Chief Creative Officer at Sparks, a creative agency known for experiential design and large-scale event marketing. With more than two decades of experience in creative strategy and execution, Michael leads creative direction and innovation, helping brands deliver immersive, memorable experiences across events, environments, and integrated campaigns. His background includes senior creative roles and a foundation in design, blending strategic thinking with hands-on creative leadership to elevate brand engagement.

Cliff Kim - Fender Musical Instruments Corporation - President Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Cliff Kim is a senior leader at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, currently serving as Vice President of Growth Strategy, Digital Products and President of Fender Play, the company’s digital learning platform. At Fender, he leads efforts to grow both physical and digital business through data-driven insights, conversion optimization, and consumer research, helping evolve how players discover and engage with Fender’s products and services. During his tenure he played a key role in initiatives like PlayThrough, which significantly expanded Fender Play’s user base, and contributed insights that shaped resources like the Beginners Hub for new musicians. Before Fender, Kim held analytics and strategy roles at major brands including Live Nation Entertainment, ESPN, and Yahoo!, blending analytics with storytelling to drive growth and strategic decision-making. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside and is based in Los Angeles.

⁠Roy Sexton⁠ - Chief Marketing Officer - Vedder⁠ Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Roy Sexton is the Chief Marketing Officer at Vedder, where he leads the firm’s overall marketing strategy, brand positioning, and business development initiatives across the legal sector. With more than 25 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications—including nearly 15 years focused in legal marketing—Roy has shaped campaigns, digital outreach, and organizational storytelling that support growth and differentiation for global professional services. He has also served in leadership roles within the Legal Marketing Association (LMA), including as International President, and is recognized for his contributions to marketing leadership and inclusive leadership in the industry.

Gigi Harville - CEO - The Paul Harville Group Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Gigi Harville is an entrepreneur, talent manager, and CEO of The Paul Harville Group, a Los Angeles–based management and consulting company focused on music artists and social media creators. With over 25 years in the music and creator space, she helps talent develop their brands, build careers, and navigate digital strategy. Harville’s work has earned media recognition and industry nominations — including at the Black Girl Digital Awards — and she has partnered with major brands and platforms to elevate underrepresented voices in entertainment and digital media. She’s also a songwriter, vocal producer, and mentor committed to helping emerging talent find long-term success.

Marcus Chan - CEO - Venli Consulting Group Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Marcus Chan is the founder and CEO of Venli Consulting Group and the creator of Real B2B Sales Training, where he helps B2B sales teams drive predictable revenue through modern, buyer-centric selling. A former enterprise sales leader, Marcus is known for his practical, no-fluff approach to sales execution, coaching teams on pipeline strategy, deal acceleration, and closing complex enterprise accounts. He’s a frequent speaker and advisor to fast-growing B2B organizations looking to level up sales performance.

Joy Farber Kolo - Global Chief Brand Officer - Weber Shandwick Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Joy Farber Kolo is the Global Chief Brand Officer at Weber Shandwick, a leading global communications and integrated marketing firm. With more than 28 years at the agency, she has held senior leadership roles—guiding strategy, client relationships, and award-winning work that spans earned media, brand building, and integrated communications. Joy’s career reflects deep expertise in developing insights-driven campaigns and nurturing creative talent across global teams.

Dan Gilbert - co-founder and CEO - Brainlabs Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Dan Gilbert is the co-founder and CEO of Brainlabs, a global performance marketing agency known for its data-driven approach and rapid growth. Since founding Brainlabs in the UK, Dan has helped scale the company into an international organization by blending rigorous experimentation, technology, and a strong people-first culture. He’s widely recognized for pushing transparency, testing, and measurable impact in modern marketing.

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