Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast

In this episode, pro skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and strategic force Adam Wilson, Co-Founders of D/Cal dive into how their agency is redefining advertising by putting subculture at its core . From skate parks to Scotts Lawn Care, they explore why understanding passions matters more than demographics , and how creators - not just agencies - are shaping culture. You'll hear about D/Cal’s “sub met...

In this episode, we sit down with Kurt Ravenwood, Co-Founder and Head of Strategy at Milwaukee-based creative shop SRH . From his roots in Wisconsin to co-founding a 25-person agency that’s helped brands like Diamond Kote Siding and Integrative Therapeutics grow, Kurt shares how strategy, creativity, and a love for media fuel SRH’s unique approach. Kurt unpacks his strategic framework - including...

David Littlejohn - magician, stand-up comic, and the Founder & CCO of independent creative agency Humanaut Creative - joins us to talk about his journey through advertising, curiosity, and creativity. David shares how Humanaut Creative focuses on working for better for you brands such as Liquid Death, Hero, and Secret. His work focuses on helping purpose driven companies stand out, creating hi...

In this Brand Side episode, we sit down with Julio D'Alfonso , Co-Head of Creative at DoorDash , to unpack how bold ideas and business impact can go hand in hand. Julio breaks down how DoorDash’s in-house studio, Superette , partners with top agencies like Gut and Wieden+Kennedy - not as vendors, but as true creative collaborators. He shares how his team is built around delivering utility, not jus...

Joslyn Summerset , Group Account Director at DCX Growth Accelerator, joins us to unpack the power of cultural strategy and why understanding what truly makes consumers tick goes far beyond basic demographics. She shares her journey from digital to creative , working with mission-driven brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Newman’s Own, and what drew her to DCX’s unique, strategy-first model . Joslyn...

In this episode, Jaime Robinson - Co-Founder and CCO of JOAN Creative - talks about what it takes to crush it creatively at every level, from starting at a junior level to becoming a visionary creative director. With clients like Luna Daily, eBay, S&P Global, and Virgin Hotels , JOAN Creative is known for blending big brand thinking with modern media in fearless, culture-shifting ways . Jaime...

Nikki Baker, CEO of Fallon, joins us to share her incredible journey from bartending near the agency’s Minneapolis office to becoming an art director and now leading it as a creative powerhouse. In this episode, Nikki takes us behind the scenes with work for clients such as Walmart, Arbys, and Mattress Firm’s “How Do You Sleep at Night?” campaign. Nikki also shares Fallon's "outsmart, not outspend...

In this episode, we sit down with Sinan Dagli, Executive Creative Director and Partner at Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners (BSSP) . Sinan takes us through his 16-year journey at BSSP, from his start as a Junior Designer to leading creative teams. He shares the behind-the-scenes stories of impactful campaigns like ESPN’s "Bracket Brain" and Noosa Yogurt’s "Flavor from Down Under," stressing the...

In this episode, Mike Nolan, the Global CEO of Product of the Year, shares his journey, from overcoming setbacks and being told "no" to leading one of the most prestigious consumer product awards in the world. He discusses how persistence, going beyond expectations, and knowing the company inside and out are crucial for standing out in a competitive industry. Mike offers unique insights into the p...

Hal Curtis , Creative Director at Bespoke Brand Communications and longtime creative force behind iconic campaigns at Wieden+Kennedy , reveals what it takes to create advertising that truly moves people. With an award-winning portfolio that includes work for Nike, ESPN, Coca-Cola, and more, Hal shares how to craft emotionally resonant stories that stand the test of time. He breaks down his philoso...

Jo Hayes, Executive Director of Strategy at Barbarian , never set out to be a strategist - but her unconventional path prepared her for it in ways she never expected. In this episode, Jo shares how running a dance studio in Hoboken taught her the fundamentals of business, data analysis, and client management. She discusses how every job she landed in advertising came through networking, emphasizin...

Welcome to March Adness , our first-ever Agency Tagline Tournament. Inspired by the madness of March and the creativity of our industry. Joined by Ad Age’s Brian Bonilla, we put 32 real agency taglines head-to-head to see which ones stand out, resonate, and stick. From indie upstarts to iconic global shops, nothing is off limits as we break down what makes a great agency Tagline. Brackets were bui...

The Crowbar Awards celebrate the brightest young minds in advertising, and this quarter’s winners - Alex Ward, Joe Wint, and Joy Zhou - are shaking up the industry. Their innovative campaign for AMC Theaters redefines audience engagement with interactive billboards and a fan-driven concessions model. In this episode, guest judge Nils Leonard, founder of Uncommon Creative Studio London , unpacks wh...

Dustin Tomes, CCO at TBWA\Chiat\Day New York , takes us through his journey from Crispin Porter + Boguski to leading a top creative agency. He shares lessons from working alongside industry leaders like Alex Boguski and David Droga, the role of resilience in career growth, and why creativity should be at the core of every discipline . Dustin discusses his leadership philosophy - being “hard on wor...

In this episode, Tori Nygren , Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director of Hogwash Studios , shares her journey from starting as an assistant at Droga5 - without attending portfolio school - to leading a hybrid creative agency and production company . She discusses how her time at Uber shaped her entrepreneurial mindset and how Hogwash blends creative strategy with hands-on production for client...

In this episode, we sit down with Marla Kaplowitz , CEO of the 4A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies). Marla shares invaluable advice for aspiring and mid-level advertising professionals - from finding mentors and sponsors to embracing risks that accelerate career growth. We also dive into how the 4A’s supports agencies and individuals through resources, training, and industry insight...

In this episode, we sit down with Fabio Ruffet , Vice President of Creative Brand and Content at Mars Wrigley . Fabio reveals how he transitioned from brand marketing at Bristol Myers Squibb to leading groundbreaking campaigns like Dove’s “Real Beauty” at Ogilvy, before returning to the brand side with Bacardi and now Mars Wrigley. He breaks down how his team balances long-term brand planning with...

In this episode, Peter Bray , founder and ECD of Bray & Co , discusses how his agency prioritizes inspiration to fuel creativity . He explains the shift from traditional "magic box" solutions to collaborative, ongoing partnerships with clients, where the goal is to inspire and challenge brands to think differently and create lasting impact. Peter explains the agency's philosophy...

In this episode, Marcelo Kertesz , CMO of Manscaped , shares his journey from product design school to leading one of the most disruptive brands in men's grooming. He reveals how, during COVID, he took the initiative to propose a complete rebrand for Manscaped, which ultimately helped reshape the brand’s identity. Marcelo delves into the balance between creativity and strategy , the importance of...

In this powerful episode, we go  Behind the Work  of  The Missing Issue , a groundbreaking collaboration between  Havas New York ,  Us Weekly , and  The Harris Project . Executive Producer Josh Kornrich and Harris Project Founder Stephanie Marquesano join us to share how this campaign reframes the way media reports on celebrity overdoses by spotlighting co-occurring disorders and the intersection...

In this episode, we talk with Graham North , Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at nice&frank , an independent agency built on radical honesty and transparency . Graham shares his journey from journalism and startups to advertising, detailing how his Brand Camp initiative at Goodby Silverstein & Partners laid the foundation for his agency’s bold, no-BS approach.  In this conversation, w...

In this episode, Pedro Lerma , CEO and Founder of LERMA , shares his path into advertising - from creating a bold Ad Age mock-up to landing a role at The Richards Group and eventually launching his own independent agency . With clients like Avocados from Mexico, The Home Depot, and Salvation Army, Lerma has built a purpose-driven agency that blends creativity with impact . Whether you're break...

Nadja Bellan-White, Group CEO of M+C Saatchi North America , shares why bravery is the biggest trait separating great CMOs from the rest. From transforming global brands like Unilever and Coca-Cola to restructuring an entire country’s reputation , Nadja reveals how companies can reclaim cultural power and adapt to today’s business challenges. She also breaks down what makes M+C Saatchi the agency...

Stevie Archer, Chief Creative Officer of M+C Saatchi North America , dives into the secret to creating work that gets people talking . She shares how to turn brands into cultural powerhouses , her strategy for breakthrough creative, and why Nike, Iceland, and other top brands dominate culture . Plus, her one question that unlocks creative blockages instantly. Reach out to isabella.pierangelo@mcsaa...

Alexandra Osorio, Regional MD of Influencer Engagement and Culture at M+C Saatchi Group , breaks down how brands can harness culture and influencer marketing to build deep consumer connections. She shares insights on authenticity vs. trends , what brands keep getting wrong , and how influencer strategy is evolving in 2025 . If you want to stay ahead in culture , this episode is a must-listen. Reac...