The Ad Podcast

Rishad Tobaccowala is a globally renowned author, speaker, advisor, and marketing innovator with over four decades of experience helping organizations and leaders reinvent themselves in times of transformation. He most recently served as Global Chief Strategist and Chief Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe, one of the world’s largest communications and marketing firms, and remains a Senior Advisor t...

Siddharth Bajaj is a seasoned marketing executive and Chief Marketing Officer at Dr Batra's Positive Clinics, where he leads brand communications and growth strategies. With around 20 years of experience across B2C and B2B sectors—including BFSI, supply chain, AgriTech, FMCG, and healthcare—he’s known for driving impactful campaigns, strategic planning, and customer engagement initiatives glob...

Jeff Gray is the founder of AgeTech Connect , a community and platform focused on advancing innovation for aging and longevity. He works at the intersection of startups, healthcare, technology, and investment, connecting founders, operators, and industry leaders who are building solutions to improve the lives of older adults. Through AgeTech Connect, Jeff helps surface emerging trends, foster coll...

Hala Madanat, PhD, MS is a distinguished public health leader serving as Vice President for Research and Innovation and Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Public Health at San Diego State University (SDSU). She oversees SDSU’s research enterprise, supports research advancement and innovation, and helps drive programs like the Mission Valley Innovation District and university startup incu...

Josh Metz is the Chief Marketing Officer at Sesh Products, a fast-growing nicotine pouch brand focused on modern, smoke-free alternatives. With extensive experience leading marketing strategies for innovative consumer brands—spanning CMO roles at Sesh, Slushy, and ZitSticka™—Josh blends creative thinking with strategic growth to elevate brand presence and engagement in competitive markets. At Sesh...

Ben Kaplan is the Chief Marketing Officer at Nexxen International , where he leads global marketing and communications to elevate the company’s brand and narrative across the advertising ecosystem. He joined Nexxen in 2023, bringing over 14 years of experience across the digital advertising supply chain. Prior to Nexxen, Kaplan held senior marketing and product roles at PubMatic , X (formerly Twit...

Paul Woolmington is a veteran media, advertising, and communications leader and the CEO and Founding Partner of Canvas Worldwide, a creatively driven global media and communications agency known for its innovation and multicultural focus. With more than 25 years in the industry, he previously co-founded Naked Communications Americas and founded The Media Kitchen, building a reputation for redefini...

Bill Burton is the Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Bryson Gillette , a minority-owned strategic communications and public affairs firm he launched in 2020. He is an experienced political and communications strategist who previously served as Deputy White House Press Secretary and senior adviser during the Obama administration and as National Press Secretary for then-Senator Barack...

Vikrant Mathur is a Silicon Valley media and technology executive with over 15 years of experience in building and scaling digital video and connected TV products. He is Co-Founder of Future Today Inc. , a company that operates hundreds of OTT (over-the-top) streaming channels across verticals like travel, food, kids, health, and entertainment on web, mobile, and connected TV platforms. At Future...

April Guidone is the Chief Operating Officer of SMAC Entertainment , a talent management, brand incubator, licensing, and content company co-founded by Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz - Morini . She oversees the company’s overall business strategy, including revenue growth, brand development, talent management, and content production. Jose Diaz is the Executive Vice President of Strategic P...

Erica Fieldman is a co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Unplugged Collective , a community and experiential networking organization focused on creating meaningful, face-to-face professional connections through curated events and experiences. She leads the company’s marketing strategy to foster authentic networking communities beyond traditional digital interactions. Mike Richter is the Co-Fo...

Chad Waetzig is a seasoned marketing executive best known for his role as Chief Marketing Officer at Crunch Fitness, where he leads global marketing and brand strategy. He has more than two decades of experience in strategic marketing and brand leadership across industries including fitness, hospitality, consumer products, and entertainment. Before joining Crunch, Waetzig held senior marketing rol...

Chad Maxwell is an advertising and media executive with deep experience in growth, partnerships, and revenue strategy, shaped in part by his time at KSM, where he worked closely with brands and agencies to drive performance across digital media channels. Known for his ability to align strategy, execution, and relationships, Chad brings a pragmatic, results-focused approach to scaling media program...

Erica (Wolf) Parker is a research and insights leader at The Harris Poll, where she works with brands to translate consumer attitudes, cultural trends, and data-driven insights into clear, actionable strategy. Her work helps organizations better understand audiences and make smarter decisions rooted in public opinion. Gary Topiol An established leader in market research technology space with a str...

Michael Stich is a creative leader at Court Avenue , where he helps brands grow through culturally relevant, insight-driven advertising and integrated brand experiences. With a background spanning strategy, creative, and innovation, he’s known for building work that connects business objectives with meaningful storytelling across channels. At Court Avenue, Michael partners closely with clients to...

Greg March is the Partner & CEO of Noble People , an independent media agency with offices in New York. He leads media planning, buying, and strategic communications for brands like BJ's Wholesale Clubs, Stripe, Mike's Hot Honey, and Atlassian. Prior to Noble People, he spent seven years at Wieden+Kennedy New York , where he helped build the agency’s digital media practice and served a...

Steve Cundari is an advertising and media executive and the Founder & CEO of Summit House , a growth-focused media company that partners with brands and agencies to drive performance across digital channels. With a background spanning media strategy, partnerships, and revenue growth, Steve has built Summit House into a trusted partner known for combining data, relationships, and execution to d...

Charles Ifegwu is a seasoned marketing, creative, and brand strategy leader with nearly two decades of experience driving growth at the intersection of creator, culture, and commercial marketing . Most recently, he served as Managing Director of the U.S. operations for THE FIFTH , an award-winning social creator and creative agency based at FOX Studios in Los Angeles, where he led strategy, campai...

Scott Allison is the co-founder and Global Chairman (formerly CEO) of Allison Worldwide, a major global integrated communications and marketing firm he helped launch in 2001 with a vision for a people-centric, entrepreneurial agency that could compete on the world stage. In addition to his communications career, Scott also co-founded SLAM Films, a U.S.-based production company, and helped establis...

Alexandre Kazuo Kubo & Lucas Ribeiro, authors of Principle: 128 Kazuo Kubo and Lucas Ribeiro are Brazilian advertising creatives with over 20 years of experience at top global agencies, including McCANN New York , CP+B, BETC, Hill Holliday, and Africa. They’ve contributed to campaigns for brands like The Coca-Cola Company, BMW Group, Gatorade, PUMA Group, Smirnoff, and ESPN, earning recognitio...

Stephen Larkin is the Managing Director of Growth and Development at GALE, where he leads initiatives to expand the agency’s reach and accelerate new business opportunities. With three decades of experience in growth strategy, corporate development, and marketing, Stephen has worked across top agencies—including Erich & Kallman and R/GA helping brands and organizations build stronger market pr...

Barbara Emener Karasek is the CEO and Co-Owner of Paradise Advertising & Marketing , Inc., an award-winning full-service agency specializing in tourism, hospitality, and lifestyle brands. With a global marketing career spanning leadership roles at organizations such as SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. & Entertainment, PGA TOUR , NASCAR , and the United States Olympic & Paralymp...

Chris Perkins is the founder and CEO of Model B, a creative agency focused on building modern brands through strategy, design, and storytelling. With a background spanning brand development, creative leadership, and entrepreneurship, Chris is known for helping companies clarify who they are, what they stand for, and how they show up in culture. Under his leadership, Model B has partnered with bran...

Dana Light is a seasoned marketing executive and current Chief Marketing Officer at RIZZ, where she leads the company’s strategic marketing, research, and brand initiatives to grow visibility and customer engagement. She brings deep experience in data-driven marketing, research, and brand development from previous roles including Director of Marketing and Research at WAY Capital, Inc. and VP of Ma...

Menaka Gopinath is the Chief Marketing Officer at the Project Management Institute (PMI), where she leads global brand, communications, and marketing strategy with a focus on customer-centric growth and storytelling. She has built a distinguished career guiding Fortune 100 brands including The Coca-Cola Company , Apple , Nike , Uber , Procter & Gamble , and Meta , leveraging advanced analytics...