Breaking Through The Mayhem

The future of media leadership starts with a culture first playbook. In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Ben Lambert reconnects with his first ever boss, Michael Law, now CEO of Carat North America, for a full circle conversation on leadership, legacy, and the evolution of modern media. With candor, warmth, and a healthy dose of Boston sports analogies, Mike shares lessons from 25 year...

What does it mean to build a creative career by being unapologetically you, while making space for others to do the same? Bernice Chao, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of Asians in Advertising, joins Michele Ching for a conversation about authenticity, representation, and the power of culturally grounded storytelling.   From leading campaigns for brands like Google, Amazon, and Netflix to me...

What does it take to spend 27 years at one agency and still feel like you're just getting started? David Campanelli, President of Global Investment at Horizon Media, joins Adam Katz to unpack how the media world has evolved and how he’s stayed ahead of it every step of the way. They cover everything from his early days at Horizon to leading global investment strategy, and what he’s learned about s...

What if performance marketing could do more than drive growth—what if it could drive equity? In this episode, Michele Ching sits down with Laura Lee, former performance lead at HBO Max and founder of LL Consulting, to talk about using advanced strategy and AI to open doors, not close them. From helping B2C and DTC startups grow with fractional leadership to championing inclusive representation, La...

What do cowboy ethics, climate-conscious media, and the perfect chocolate chip cookie have in common? For John Osborn, it all comes back to purpose. In this episode, Sightly CEO Adam Katz sits down with John—Director at Ad Net Zero and longtime industry force—for a no-BS conversation about sustainability, values-driven leadership, and why the future of advertising depends on doing the right thing...

From airline data to agency boardrooms and long swims to leadership wins, Amy Lanzi’s story proves that the best career journeys don’t follow a straight line. Sightly CEO Adam Katz sits down with Amy Lanzi, CEO of Digitas North America. Amy shares her unique path from yield management analyst at American Airlines to the top of the agency world, revealing how a foundation in data, customer experien...

What happens when media, mentorship, and mission collide? Cara Lewis isn’t just one of the most powerful voices in media investment. She’s a survivor, a culture-builder, and a mentor redefining what it means to lead with heart. In this episode, she joins Adam Katz for a deeply human and refreshingly real conversation about navigating change, scaling impact, and finding purpose inside the mayhem. C...

What links the fervor of Montreal Canadiens fans, AI-charged brand strategies, and 40-year-old teen moms? It’s community over stats, says Digitas CSO and Ad Age 40 Under 40 luminary Ali Amarsy. In a vibrant, in-person chat with Sightly’s Ben Lambert, Ali shares his journey from Montreal to Dubai, revealing how his global roots shape his visionary approach to brand building. This conversation blend...

What happens when you stop trying to fit in and start leading from who you truly are?   In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Nancy Benter, Enablement & Strategy Partner at Starbucks, shares what it really means to lead with authenticity in today’s workplace.   With over 14 years of experience driving innovation across tech and retail, Nancy unpacks how staying true to her values has...

Wake up, media buyers—irrelevance is stalking you! In this episode, dive into the mind of a Hall of Fame strategist who’s mastered staying ahead in a chaotic industry. Discover why change sucks but irrelevance kills, how to evolve without losing your roots, the power of curiosity in an AI-driven world, and what it takes to stay indispensable in your career. Packed with insights from a 37-year vete...

The best leaders don’t just set strategy, they build cultures that can execute it. Nicole Estebanell, US CEO of Mediahub, joins Adam Katz to talk about balancing speed with strategy, the real impact of AI on creativity, and why leadership is more about influence than authority.  From navigating global markets to shaping high-performing teams, Nicole shares what it takes to stay ahead in an industr...

What happens when you go from leading hundreds to launching from scratch—and decide to do it all in public? Jeremy Bloom, founder of OhHello and Co-Founder of Marketecture Media, joins Adam Katz for a no-holds-barred conversation on reinvention, resilience, and the future of adtech. From viral dance intros to bootstrapping an AI-driven mentorship platform, Bloom shares how authenticity, grit, and...

What does it take to survive a decade in the media game when the rules keep rewriting themselves? Lisa Cialfi, Horizon Media’s Digital VP, sits down with Ben Lambert to unpack her journey—from slinging digital buys in 2015 to steering teams through the streaming explosion and AI’s takeover of ad metrics. She’s seen viewability obsessions give way to attention wars, and she’s got the scars to prove...

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Michele Ching talks with Suzie Bao, a transformative marketing leader and diversity advocate, about her journey navigating cultural barriers as an Asian American woman and building a legacy of authenticity and impact. With over 20 years of experience leading strategic marketing campaigns for top brands, Suzie has built a career at the intersecti...

In this episode, Adam Katz sits down with Sam Bloom, Head of Partnerships at PMG, to explore his career journey built on resilience, humility, and reinvention. From navigating the rise and fall of Blockbuster during its battle with Netflix to building Camelot's digital capabilities from the ground up and guiding it through a successful acquisition by PMG, Sam reflects on the lessons learned throug...

Join Marissa Price as she sits down with Jamie Seltzer, Global EVP of CSA & MX Analytics at Havas Media Network, for a candid conversation about navigating the ever-evolving digital advertising landscape. In this enlightening discussion, Jamie shares invaluable insights on balancing data-driven decision making with the need for agility in today's fast-paced market. Discover how Havas is reimag...

Listen to Sightly CEO Adam Katz and Horizon Next EVP, Chief of Strategy & Operations Katie Comerford discuss navigating leadership, authenticity, and personal growth in the fast-paced marketing world.   Katie shares how celebrating wins, embracing discomfort, and focusing on self-reflection have reshaped her approach to work and life. She also highlights the power of psychological safety in fo...

In episode 21 of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Adam Katz, CEO of Sightly, chats with Rachel Tipograph, Founder and CEO of MikMak, about the company’s 10-year journey, growth, and future plans. Tipograph shares how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping the consumer landscape, why brands like ELF Cosmetics and PacSun are thriving by embracing cultural relevance, and how marketing strategies can driv...

Join host Annalise Curvelo as she talks with Dr. Tamara Zubatiy, Co-founder and CEO of Barometer, about her transition from cognitive science to leading a pioneering company in podcast advertising. Dr. Zubatiy explains how Barometer’s tools carefully analyze podcast content to help brands make thoughtful advertising choices that align with their values and avoid problematic content. Explore the ch...

In Episode 19 of "Breaking Through the Mayhem," host Alena Pilichowski engages with marketing expert Mark Schaefer, exploring his impressive journey from working at a Fortune 100 company to founding a successful digital marketing business. Mark discusses the critical concepts of community and belonging featured in his books, "Marketing Rebellion" and "Belonging to the Brand," emphasizing the shift...

Join us for episode 18 of Breaking Through the Mayhem as Morgan Kelly chats with Nicholas Love, CEO of Kulur Group. Nicholas delves into the essence of what makes a challenger brand successful, emphasizing the importance of bold strategies and the courage to disrupt the market. Central to his philosophy is the commitment to brand authenticity, ensuring genuine connections with consumers that trans...

Join Alex Babatunde, VP of Product at Sightly, and Jacob Miesner, SVP of Technology at Sightly, as they explore AI bias and the importance of diverse data sources and human oversight. Discover AI's transformative potential in reshaping the workforce, streamlining tasks, and empowering humans. Transitioning to marketing and how Sightly utilized AI within Brand Mentality® technology, uncover steps f...

Dive into an extraordinary episode designed for the forward-thinking AdTech professionals and media strategists, featuring Adam Katz, CEO of Sightly, and Angelina Eng, VP of Measurement, Addressability & Data Center at IAB. Uncover deep, nuanced insights into navigating the post-cookie era, combating bias in AI, and revolutionizing your media buying strategies. This isn’t your standard industr...

In this compelling episode, Bonnie Wan invites listeners into the world of "The Life Brief," a transformative tool that distills brand strategy into a powerful guide for transforming attention into action. With a focus on the urgency of the moment fused with timeless truths, Bonnie delves into the significance of self-awareness, the power of partnership, and the impact of practicing over seeking p...

In Episode 14 of Breaking Through the Mayhem, presented by Sightly, Eric Shih, COO of Cedara, shares his career journey from the music industry to TV and ad tech, culminating in his arrival at Cedara driven by a personal passion for a sustainable future. Explore Cedara's mission to map carbon emissions in marketing and advertising, shedding light on the industry's crucial need for a sustainable su...