The Ad Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Cannes 2026: Scale Sports Marketing Partnerships into Long-Term Brand Value | Alex Charkham, Ignite, Lead Strategist Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Many corporate marketing groups experience declining conversion rates because they view sports sponsorships as generic logo placements that audiences easily ignore.

Alex Charkham, lead strategist at Ignite, breaking down how to transform multi-year sports agreements into adaptive, integrated assets that drive core business growth.

He shares his operational playbook for analyzing Formula 1’s massive shift to digital-first demographics, managing intellectual property protections against competitor ambush ads, and leveraging first-mover advantages across cross-border franchise expansions.

Key tactical themes covered:

Restructuring passive sponsorship contracts into multi-channel narrative partnerships.

Enforcing strict legal guidelines to isolate competing brand lines during peak global events.

Leveraging integrated assets—including content, player talent, and first-party data—to optimize marketing plans.

Navigating demographic modernizations inside historic sports properties to capture younger audiences.

Managing early-stage brand risk across newly launched international franchises.

Guest Profile: Alex Charkham is the lead strategist at Ignite, directing integrated sports, entertainment, and media allocations for global enterprise brands within the Omnicom Group.

Connect & Scale Your Performance Capital:

Follow Alex Charkham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-charkham-511a5110/

Explore Ignite: https://www.ignite-sports.co.uk/

Optimize Media Allocations with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Cannes 2026: Re-Engineering Sourcing Lines: Quality Over Portion Abundance | Ali Cox, Noble West, CEO Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Many agribusiness operators and food manufacturing networks face compressed profit margins because they treat premium ingredients as generic wholesale commodities.

Ali Cox, founder and CEO of Noble West, breaks down how to build high-performance value-add brands by combining detailed supply chain tracking with targeted client positioning.

She shares her strategic framework for analyzing cross-border food systems, maximizing consumer attention by leveraging underutilized physical product surfaces, and leveraging corporate social responsibility records to build deep customer loyalty.

Key discussion topics include:

Moving past commodity price drops by designing premium value-added brands.

Positioning specialized agencies to dominate niche vertical marketing sectors.

Sourcing corporate partners through shared operational challenges and transparency.

Evaluating international food trends to align campaign copy with taste quality over volume size.

Utilizing physical product surfaces for high-reach event marketing placements.

Ali Cox is the founder and CEO of Noble West, leading vertical marketing initiatives and value-add brand positioning for the food and agricultural sectors.

Connect with our guests or host:

Follow Ali Cox on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicox/

Explore Noble West Agency: https://wearenoblewest.com/

Automate Multi-Channel Media Budgets with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Cannes 2026: How to Target Digital Natives Using Interactive Out-of-Home Marketing | Rogier Vijverberg, SuperHeroes , Chief Creative Hero and Founder Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Many corporate marketing groups struggle with low campaign relevance because they rely on generic ad layouts that fail to interest digital native buyers.

Rogier Vijverberg, Chief Creative Officer and founder of SuperHeroes, details how to build agile content pipelines by structuring parallel creative collectives.

He shares his operational playbook for choosing between automated generative AI art and camera-shot human documentaries, maximizing consumer attention in crowded public spaces, and linking physical retail spaces with dynamic out-of-home display networks.

Key discussion topics include:

Restructuring traditional agency models into specialized multi-tier creator networks.

Managing brand safety risks by deciding when to deploy automated graphics vs. real-world film.

Scaling physical visibility using interactive digital out-of-home (DOOH) canvas networks.

Navigating creative shifts as big tech systems arrive at global corporate ad festivals.

Transforming brick-and-mortar storefronts into interactive showrooms that guide buyers to digital channels.

Guest Profile: Rogier Vijverberg is the Chief Creative Officer and founder of SuperHeroes, leading multi-hub agency teams and parallel creative networks across Europe and the United States.

Connect & Scale Your Creative Pipelines:

Follow Rogier Vijverberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogiervijverberg/

Explore SuperHeroes agency: https://hellosuperheroes.com/

Optimize Cross-Channel Performance ROI with Strike Social automation: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Cannes 2026: The Strategy Behind Next-Gen Conversational Canvas Platforms | Govind Balakrishnan, Adobe, VP Express Product Group Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Many corporate marketing teams see poor campaign performance because their digital content gets lost in an online landscape filled with repetitive automated templates.

Govind Balakrishnan, Senior Vice President of the Express Product Group at Adobe, breaks down how to build high-performance creative pipelines by balancing automated layout tools with distinct human voice.

He shares his framework for navigating modern consumer attention trends, utilizing fast generative prototyping systems to build clear video proof-of-concepts, and deploying natural language design interfaces to streamline multi-market asset production.

Key discussion topics include:

Using advanced design platforms to free up creative strategy time for human teams.

Weaving unique perspectives and brand identities into automated content production chains.

Running fast prototyping video generation tests to de-risk marketing spend.

Managing content quality goals as digital media distribution channels grow more crowded.

Modifying creative design fields using direct two-way conversational text commands.

Govind Balakrishnan is the Senior Vice President of the Express Product Group & Digital Media Services at Adobe, leading engineering and cloud ecosystem consolidation.

Connect & Optimize Your Creative Workflows:

Follow Govind Balakrishnan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindbalakrishnan/

Explore Adobe Express Features: https://www.adobe.com/express/

Automate Performance Marketing Channels with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Cannes 2026: How to Track Consumer Choices, Travel Marketing Framework | Michon Martin, R&R partners, CEO Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Many corporate marketing teams struggle to hit growth milestones because they rely on generic target metrics that fail to anticipate shifting customer motivations.

Michon Martin, CEO of R&R partners, details how to build advanced tracking systems using deep consumer segmentation and custom predictive tools. She shares her framework for optimizing large-scale media campaigns, including long-term work for Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, and Brand USA, by adapting results-oriented campaign models to capture modern consumer demand in the transformation economy.

Key discussion topics include:

Using data science to maintain multi-decade brand accounts.

Structuring deep consumer profiles so audiences see their lifestyles in a product.

Developing proprietary analytics platforms to forecast customer choices before launch.

Applying results-driven political campaign styles to minimize corporate budget waste.

Adjusting experience campaign assets to connect with the consumer need for renewal.

Michon Martin is the Chief Executive Officer of R&R partners, leading data-driven destination marketing and customer choice tracking systems for global brands.

Connect:

Follow Michon Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michonmartin/

Explore R&R partners: https://rrpartners.com/

Scale Performance ROI with Strike Social automation: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

⁠Remco Westermann⁠ - Founder and CEO - ⁠Verve⁠ Group SE Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Remco Westermann is a Dutch media, gaming, and adtech entrepreneur who serves as the Founder and CEO of Verve Group SE (formerly known as Media and Games Invest (MGI). With over three decades of professional experience, he has spent more than 20 years building, acquiring, and scaling digital mobile media and online entertainment platforms across Europe and North America.
Career Highlights & Leadership
Verve Group SE: Westermann established the foundation of the company by acquiring 100% of the distressed German games company gamigo group AG from Axel Springer. Through a highly active M&A strategy—executing over 35 acquisitions across the gaming and digital advertising sectors (including companies like Captify®)—he transformed the business from a gaming publisher into a massive, publicly traded adtech software platform that matches global advertiser demand with publisher ad supply.

Cannes 2026: How to Measure Experiential Marketing ROI and Long-Term Customer Value | Neda Whitney, MATTE Projects, President Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Many corporate marketing teams struggle to build real audience connection because they depend too heavily on basic digital channels that are increasingly cluttered with automated noise and spam.

Neda Whitney, President of MATTE Projects, breaks down how to design immersive, multi-sensory physical environments that drive deep customer retention and brand equity.

She shares her tactical blueprint for managing high-value consumer journeys, from launching custom luxury yachts to leveraging '90s nostalgia to connect legacy intellectual property with younger audiences.

Key discussion topics include:

Moving past short-term digital ads to invest in immersive physical spaces.

Justifying experiential event budgets to corporate finance officers without relying on short-sighted click metrics.

Structuring custom, end-to-end travel environments for ultra-high-net-worth consumers.

Deploying targeted launch spaces to drive inescapable media visibility for streaming properties.

Reviving classic entertainment properties through creator-led lifestyle events.

Neda Whitney is the President of MATTE Projects, directing high-end experience design pipelines across New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico City.

Follow Neda Whitney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedanamiranian/

Explore MATTE Projects: https://matteprojects.com/

Maximize Omnichannel Performance ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Cannes 2026: How to Integrate Cross-Cultural Demographics into Core Brand Strategy | Jorge Plasencia, Republica Havas/Global Chief Client Officer, Havas Creative Network, Chairman, Co-Founder & CEO Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Many enterprise marketing teams struggle with low campaign engagement because they treat cross-cultural outreach as a secondary budget extension rather than a foundational strategy.

Jorge Plasencia, CEO of Republica Havas and Global Chief Client Officer of Havas, breaks down how to build comprehensive cross-cultural campaigns that align directly with high-growth consumer demographics.

He shares his approach to navigating the shift toward automated "agentic" shopping networks, using large-scale simulated data frameworks to maintain visibility in automated retail loops.

Key discussion topics include:

Bypassing late-stage campaign additions to integrate cross-cultural insights directly into core strategy.

Optimizing brand positioning to remain competitive when autonomous AI assistants handle routine consumer shopping.

Deploying automated research systems to track consumer choices across diverse demographic segments.

Retraining operational staff from basic administrative tracking into creative and strategic service positions.

Positioning regional market hubs as entry points for international business expansion.

Guest Profile: Jorge Plasencia is the CEO of Republica Havas and Global Chief Client Officer of the Havas network, managing client alignment across 700 partner agencies in 100 countries.

Connect & Scale Your Operations:

Follow Jorge Plasencia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgeplasencia/

Explore Republica Havas: https://republicahavas.com/

Optimize Omnichannel Performance Capital with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Cannes 2026: The Human Element in Accelerated AI Market Intelligence Engines | Sascha Eder, NewtonX, CEO & Co-Founder Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Many corporate marketing teams struggle with long pipeline delays because they target narrow executive profiles while overlooking key buying committee members.

In this episode, Sascha Eder, founder and CEO of NewtonX, explores how to run comprehensive account-based research using open knowledge graphs to find verified, niche business buyers.

He outlines his strategy for combining primary human validation with predictive synthetic data models to build highly accurate, continuous testing systems across a product's lifecycle.

Key discussion topics include:

Deconstructing targeting errors to accurately map complex corporate buying groups.

Crafting tailored multi-channel messaging pathways to align secondary stakeholders like procurement and tech deployment.

Building custom-recruited expert networks to eliminate data fraud issues common in traditional panels.

Deploying verified synthetic persona architectures for continuous, fast concept testing.

Managing research budget priorities to focus resources on core data verification as AI shortens timelines.

Guest Profile: Sascha Eder is the founder and CEO of NewtonX, leading advanced B2B market intelligence initiatives for over 600 dominant global enterprises.

Connect & Drive Your Growth Engine:

Follow Sascha Eder on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/saschajeder/?skipRedirect=true

Explore NewtonX Solutions: https://tinyurl.com/NewtonXAtTheAdPodcast

Maximize Omnichannel Performance ROI with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

Cannes 2026: Moving Closed Algorithms to Direct Creator Sovereignty | Tyler Denk, Beehiiv, Chief Executive Officer Jul 04, 2026

Show notes

Many media companies run into serious scaling issues because their digital content tools are spread across separate, clunky platforms.

Tyler Denk, CEO at beehiiv, breaks down how to bundle newsletters, premium subscriptions, and podcast networks into one clean delivery system. He shares his blueprint for bypassing social media algorithm changes by focusing on direct email distribution channels to build predictable, long-term brand equity.

Key discussion areas include:

Using first-party pixel data to scale cross-newsletter ad placements programmatically.

Streamlining tech stacks by replacing fragmented blogging, mailing, and billing tools.

Bundling premium content subscriptions across text and audio with Spotify Open Access.

Protecting audience distribution loops from variable social media algorithms.

Managing high delivery metrics (99.8%) while scaling automated advertising systems.

Guest Profile: Tyler Denk is the CEO at beehiiv, directing advanced content delivery infrastructure that handles over 4 billion monthly email impressions.

Connect & Scale Your Business:

Follow Tyler Denk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-denk/

Explore beehiiv Platform: https://www.beehiiv.com/

Optimize Your Paid Media Strategies with Strike Social: https://strikesocial.com/guaranteed-paid-social-media-ads-outcomes/

Connect with Host Dylan Conroy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylanconroy/

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