Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast

Welcome to VML on Creativity , a special series from Breaking and Entering Advertising. Each episode pulls back the curtain on VML and explores how creativity takes shape across categories and global offices. From health to commerce to entertainment, this is how creativity pushes brands forward today. In this episode, we sit down with Manuel Bordé, Global Chief Creative Officer of Commerce at VML...

Peter Lund, Global Chief Creative Officer at AKQA , shares his rise from junior art director to leading the agency’s global creative vision. Known for opening AKQA’s Paris office early in his career, Peter now guides brand transformations for iconic clients like Nike, Volvo, and Chanel - crafting everything from digital products to service design and storytelling. He discusses how deep curiosity a...

The Crowbar Awards are back—and this time, Rafa Rizuto , Global Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy North America , is our guest judge. In this episode, Rafa shares what he’s looking for in winning work, how he evaluates ideas, and why creative craft still matters. We’re also joined by Charlie Goldman , the strategist behind this round’s brief for Babbel , a language-learning platform looking to conn...

Advertisin In this special episode, Brian Bonilla, Senior Agency Reporter at Ad Age , goes head-to-head with Breaking and Entering founder Geno Schellenberger in a fast-paced advertising trivia game. From agency history to iconic campaigns, it’s a true test of industry knowledge. And it comes down to the final question. Tune in to see who takes the win. Follow Breaking and Entering Media on Linked...

On this BrandSide episode, Sofia Colucci, CMO of North America at Molson Coors and one of Forbes’ Top 50 Most Influential CMOs , dives deep into what it takes to lead one of the industry’s boldest and most diverse brand portfolios. From launching beer-flavored Pringles and dad-shoe koozies with New Balance to building award-winning Super Bowl campaigns, Sofia shares how Molson Coors measures creat...

Doug Sweeny, Chief Marketing Officer at ŌURA, joins us to unpack the brand’s bold new global campaign, “Give Us the Finger.” In partnership with creative agency Nice&Frank, ŌURA shifts from product-focused messaging to a powerful cultural statement about health span, aging, and intentional living. The campaign challenges perfectionism and youth obsession, instead celebrating energy, presence,...

Welcome to VML on Creativity, a special series from Breaking and Entering Advertising where we go inside the global creative powerhouse VML. In each episode, we talk to top leaders across offices, disciplines, and categories to understand how they are pushing creativity in new and unexpected ways. From health to commerce to branded entertainment and more. In this episode, we sit down with Mel Rout...

In this episode, Karla Vitrone, Co-Founder and Partner at Tangerine + Revelry , shares how she built a career at the intersection of talent, culture, and creativity. From leading big pitches like Southern Comfort to helping agencies rebuild from the inside out, Karla offers a behind-the-scenes look at how great talent transforms businesses. She unpacks what makes someone stand out in today’s hirin...

In this BrandSide episode, Maria Bartolome Winans, Chief Marketing Officer at Kyndryl, takes us inside the bold journey of launching a brand and global marketing organization from scratch for the multi-billion-dollar IT infrastructure services company. From the meaning behind the name "Kyndryl" to how customer feedback shaped the company’s brand identity, Maria shares how she helped huma...

Welcome to VML on Creativity , a special series from Breaking and Entering. Each episode pulls back the curtain on VML and explores how creativity takes shape across categories globally. From health to commerce to entertainment, this is how creativity pushes brands forward today. In this episode, we sit down with Tom Murphy, Co-Chief Creative Officer of VML US, to dive into the power of long-term...

In this episode, Dean Hub Brown of the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications shares insights into the college’s innovative blend of academic rigor and hands-on experience. From a student-run ad agency to a cutting-edge social media analytics lab, Brown highlights how the college prepares students for real-world success. He reflects on his path from broadcast journali...

On the latest episode, Brian Bonilla (Ad Age) and Geno Schellenberger draft their dream creative agencies. CCOs, founding clients, agency locations, office snacks, and one wildcard pick each. 🎧 Tune in + follow Breaking & Entering .

​​In this episode, we sit down with Angela Vargo, VP of Marketing and Communications at Breeze Airways, to hear how she went from radio DJ to brand leader at one of the fastest-growing airlines in the U.S. Angela shares how Breeze launched in 16 cities in just six weeks and expanded to 70 cities in four years, all while building a brand around the simple, powerful promise of being "Seriously Nice....

Jacques Spitzer, CEO and CCO of Raindrop Agency, joins us to share how he built one of today’s most effective creative shops from the ground up - without ever working at a traditional agency. Known for viral hits like Dr. Squatch, Native, and Manscaped, Jacques reveals how Raindrop’s unique “brand performance” model blends storytelling with measurable results. He breaks down how the team produces...

When PBS funding came under threat, Mary Adam and George Apfelbach created a cultural moment, through the voice of Elmo. Elmo took to LinkedIn to apply for jobs, cheer people on, and protest the defunding of public television. The post exploded: 3 billion impressions, 5,000+ likes, and coverage from The Today Show, E! News, Variety, Rolling Stone, USA Today, and more...before LinkedIn took it down...

Joe Conrad, founder and CEO of Denver-based agency Cactus, joins us to talk about building one of the first purpose-driven advertising agencies in the country. He shares how moral conflict early in his career led him to start Cactus in 1990, and how the agency became a national leader in mental and behavioral health campaigns. Joe also dives into why Denver’s ad scene rivals coastal cities, how Ca...

What does it take to refresh a global brand without losing its fan following? JP Bittencourt, SVP of Marketing for Sparkling Brands at PepsiCo Beverages U.S., joins BrandSide to break down Mountain Dew’s bold new visual identity, their viral Super Bowl campaign featuring SEAL (yes, the real SEAL), and how the brand is leaning into legacy, community, and sunshine-soaked vibes for a new generation o...

In this BrandSide episode, we sit down with Trisha Goyal, Founder and CEO of Break Sports - the company behind Break the Love and Break the Birdie. Trisha shares how she built a fast-growing sports tech brand that helps Gen Z and millennials connect offline through tennis, golf, and pickleball . We dive into her journey from ESPN and GIPHY to entrepreneurship, and explore how authentic partnership...

In this episode, we sit down with Dooley Tombras, President of Tombras - the independent, family-owned agency that’s gone from regional player to being named #1 on Ad Age’s A List . He shares how he transformed a third-generation family business into a cutting-edge, digital-first powerhouse. From growing up in an ad-centric household to making pivotal hires at Tombras, Dooley walks us through the...

In this episode, Mo Said - Founder and CEO of Mojo Supermarket - recounts his bold journey from faking a high school transcript to building a cutting-edge advertising agency. He shares stories from his upbringing in Pakistan, his unexpected entry into advertising, and his time at Michigan State. Mo dives into the power of creativity, the role of AI in the industry, and why strong ideas and refined...

Ben Whitla, Head of Brand and Marketing at Slate Auto, joins to share how they’re launching a new kind of EV. From ditching traditional car marketing to creating a modular, customizable vehicle, we cover the thinking behind the brand and campaign. Plus, how their taxidermy ad and internet puzzle got people talking. Follow B&E on LinkedIn for daily ad news you need to know! https://www.linkedin...

In this episode, we sit down with J. Patrick McElroy, Co-Founder and Partner of Champion, a talent management company representing top-tier production companies and directors. J. Patrick pulls back the curtain on how the production side of advertising works - from landing high-profile commercial shoots to the pitch process between agencies and directors. Whether you're curious about production...

Mother’s Day just got a bold new twist. On this episode, we go behind the scenes with Marianne Stefanowicz  of Mother to break down The Titty Bar — a cheeky, heartfelt activation serving mocktails to new moms while raising awareness for maternal health. Learn how a small team brought the idea to life fast, why internal initiatives can be career-makers for creatives, and how brands can stay sharp w...

In this episode, we sit down with Noel Cottrell, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Murder Hornet, a creatively led agency that swarms around big ideas with a flexible, collective model. Noel takes us through his journey of breaking into advertising - again and again - from working at Saatchi & Saatchi London to launching agencies in South Africa and the U.S. Today, his agency partners with...

It started with a political gaffe. It ended with A1 Steak Sauce dominating Instagram, John Oliver, and the late-night circuit. Jess Vultaggio (Kraft Heinz) and Kevin Mulroy (Mischief) reveal how a late-night text chain and a bold creative gut-check turned a tiny moment into a marketing masterclass. Follow Breaking and Entering on LinkedIn for more advertising news: https://www.linkedin.com/company...