The Big Impression

As sports rights grow more fragmented and expensive, E.W. Scripps is making a different bet: free access, broader reach and a bigger role for ad-supported television. As Seth Walters, head of CTV sales at E.W. Scripps, says, “Our superpower is distribution.” Walters joins The Big Impression podcast to explain why Scripps is leaning into free over-the-air and streaming sports at a moment when so mu...

Best Buy has long been synonymous with consumer electronics, but today it’s making an equally aggressive play to become a major force in media and marketing. In this episode of The Big Impression, Best Buy Ads President Lisa Valentino joins hosts Damian Fowler and Ilyse Liffreing to discuss how the retailer is turning stores, media and data into one connected commerce platform. Hosted by Simplecas...

Oura may be best known for its sleek smart ring, but its bigger ambition is changing how people think about health. In this episode of The Big Impression, CMO Doug Sweeny joins hosts Damian Fowler and Ilyse Liffreing to unpack how a wearable brand is translating complex data into something people actually use and act on. The timing is global. As the official wearable of the Winter Olympics, Oura s...

Land O’Lakes may be best known for dairy, but its latest effort has little to do with selling butter. In this episode of The Big Impression, CMO Heather Malenshek joins hosts Damian Fowler and Ilyse Liffreing to talk about a campaign that’s aiming for something bigger: changing how rural America shows up in culture. Called the Modern Rural Collective, the initiative skips traditional ads entirely...

Stanley Steemer is one of those brands people recognize instantly — if not by name, then by that jingle. But recognition isn’t the same as relevance. In a world of robot vacuums, DIY hacks and endless shortcuts, the question is: Do people still think they need a brand like this? In this episode of The Big Impression, hosts Damian Fowler and Ilyse Liffreing talk with CMO Andrew Schneider about how...

Editors and co-hosts Damian Fowler and Ilyse Liffreing uncover insights and inspiration from leaders at the world's most influential brands. New episodes drop every Wednesday on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Natalia Ball, global chief growth officer at Mars Pet Nutrition joins The Big Impression podcast to talk about how Pedigree transformed a local Brazilian insight into a global business story.   She also shares why she is now focused on the next frontier of growth: Connected commerce and making sure brands show up when AI agents, not just people, are making purchasing decisions.    Episode Transcri...

Heritage sports brands may be tempted to rely on their history to appeal to a new generation that wasn’t there to see it. But in the fast-moving digital attention economy, that’s a mistake, says Antonio Gnocchini, chief marketing officer at Diadora. He joins The Big Impression podcast to explain how the iconic Italian brand is reclaiming its spot in the performance market. By leaning into a challe...

As Dish Media’s new head of programmatic partnerships, Kristinnsson is helping turn advanced TV into a single, addressable marketplace.    Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse Liffreing ( 00:01 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing. Damian Fowler ( 00:02 ): And welcome to this editio...

Editor’s note: This episode of The Big Impression was recorded prior to Jessica Bryndza’s departure from Lyft. For years, ride-hailing has been optimized for speed, price and efficiency. Jessica Bryndza believes that’s only part of the story. During her tenure as Lyft’s vice president of brand marketing, she focused on reminding people that getting from Point A to Point B can still be personal — s...

In conversation with The Big Impression, Brian Monahan, SVP of retail media at Albertsons Media Collective, explores how shopper insights, creative storytelling and omnichannel strategies intersect. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

CMO Kimberly Ito shares how Mitsubishi, a challenger brand, drives big impact through audience insight, digital precision and a redefined spirit of adventure. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Discover how Kate Wik, CMO of Las Vegas, drives bold innovation and storytelling to transform the city into a global destination brand.   Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio.   Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse Liffreing ( 00:01 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing. Damian Fowler ( 00:02 ): And welcome to this editi...

Formula 1 Chief Commercial Officer Emily Prazer joins The Big Impression to accelerate the motorsport’s hold on Americans with year-round content and venue in Las Vegas.   Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse Liffreing ( 00:01 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing Damian Fowler ( 00:...

Discover how Marriott International is transforming travel through personalization, commerce media and its new Media Network. EVP Peggy Roe shares insights on helping guests live a life well-traveled. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahad Afridi, CMO for the Americas at Pladis, owner of Godiva, shares how the legacy chocolate house’s “hundred-year reboot” is reshaping the brand for a new generation of snackers, particularly millennials and Gen Zers.   Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio.   Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse Liffreing (...

In late September, The Guardian launched its first major U.S. marketing campaign, featuring the tagline “the whole picture.” It’s a bold statement of intent from the 204-year-old news organization aimed squarely at American audiences, which highlights The Guardian’s brand of free, independent journalism. In this episode of The Big Impression, our hosts catch up with Sara Badler, chief advertising...

Mike O’Sullivan (Co-Founder of Sincera and GM of Product at The Trade Desk) sits down with Michael Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Firsthand, for a candid founder-to-founder conversation about innovation, risk, and leadership in the age of AI. From DoubleClick to AppNexus to Firsthand, Michael shares lessons from decades at the forefront of ad tech: what it means to build with purpose, how to...

On the latest episode of The Big Impression podcast, Samsung’s Allison Stransky discusses the company’s new AI-focused campaign, “Your Home Speaks You.” She explains the importance of conveying how Samsung’s AI-powered home-automation features benefit the consumer.    Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio.   Damian Fowler (...

On the latest episode of The Big Impression, Nestlé’s Antonia Farquhar talks about striking unexpected partnerships, like KitKat with Formula One, to keep the 90-year-old chocolate brand fresh. It’s part of a larger strategy to connect with new audiences through live cultural moments.    Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audi...

Connected TV is no longer just a buzzword in the ad world — it’s where the industry is being reinvented. Audiences aren’t just watching differently; they’re shopping, engaging, and co-viewing in ways that open new creative doors for brands. And sitting at the intersection of entertainment and advertising is Roku, a company that’s helping marketers meet these shifts head-on. In this episode of The...

Cookies are out, context is in. People Inc.’s Jonathan Roberts joins The Big Impression to talk about how America’s biggest publisher is using AI to reinvent contextual advertising with real-time intent. From Game of Thrones maps to the open web, Roberts believes content is king in the AI economy.   Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the...

Spotify’s Brian Berner joins The Big Impression to talk about how brands are looking for speed, flexibility and smarter ways to connect with audiences.      Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship was still only a fresh rumor in 2023, when State Farm brought together Travis’ mother, Donna Kelce, and Jake from State Farm at an NFL game. On a new episode of The Big Impression, State Farm’s Patty Morris dives into how the company quickly capitalized on the opportunity despite being risk-averse.    Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript  may...

In this episode of The Big Impression, Kelly breaks down how Diageo is turning tequila into a global cultural force. One standout example: a six-city collaboration with DJ and fashion icon Peggy Gou that combined out-of-home, merch drops, pop-up events and hyperlocal storytelling.   From a Hong Kong hot pot party to a Milan piazza activation, every detail was designed to blur the line between bran...