Marketing Happy Hour

REWIND EPISODE: In this solo episode, I dive into the three critical skills every marketer needs to develop continuously: Copywriting, Relationship-Building, and Adaptability. Inspired by a listener's question, we explore how these skills not only form the foundation for successful marketing careers but also remain vital throughout a marketer's journey. Whether you're just starting or...

In this episode of Marketing Happy Hour, Cassie and Ally sit down with Lisa Bubbers — Chief Brand Officer at Orchestra and Co-Founder of Studs — for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how the world’s most culturally relevant brands are built. Lisa breaks down the real story behind Studs’ breakout success, the early risks that paid off, and how she now leads strategy for a portfolio of ambitious bra...

In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth Thompson , Senior Manager of Social Media at National Geographic , who leads strategy for one of the largest social ecosystems in the world—over 400 million followers across platforms. Elizabeth shares the career journey that took her from freelancer to running social for one of the most iconic storytelling brands, including how she grew Nat Geo’s Instag...

What does it take to build a brand that doesn’t just cover culture—but defines it? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Tresvant, EVP of Brand Partnerships at Complex, to unpack how the iconic media brand continues to thrive in a shifting digital landscape. From ComplexCon’s 300+ brand activations to the company’s resurgence post-acquisition, Mike shares how a challenger mindset, authentic story...

In this episode, Cassie and Ally sit down to unpack what it really takes to stand out in today’s competitive job market. After being laid off in early 2025, Ally found herself navigating interviews from a new perspective—and along the way, she discovered a framework that reshaped the way she communicates her strengths and value: The Three Cs—Clarity, Conviction, and Concise. Together, they break d...

In a digital world where 85% of young adults get their news from social media but only 5% trust it, brands face an unprecedented challenge: building credibility in an algorithm-driven landscape. In this episode, we’re joined by Casey Madsen of Vayner, who breaks down insights from their latest research on the state of PR, content, and consumer trust. We discuss how “earned media” and influencer st...

In this episode, Cassie reflects on six years of consulting, the evolution of marketing careers, and what it really takes to grow (without burning out) in 2026 and beyond. From the rise of AI to the importance of human connection, we’re talking about how to stay adaptable, keep learning, and find new inspiration in your work. Cassie shares her own career pivots, lessons from the Digital Summit in...

What happens when one of the most iconic nonprofits in the world reimagines its brand for a new generation? In this episode, we sit down with Joanna Sabato, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Ronald McDonald House, to explore the strategy and storytelling behind the organization’s bold new “Family Stays” campaign. From evolving a legacy brand and reaching Gen Z and Millennial audiences,...

Ally takes the host seat to debrief with Cassie on her recent trip to Digital Summit in Philadelphia. Digital Summit is where digital marketing leaders connect, learn and obtain resources to inspire and enable a growth mindset. We discuss Cassie’s learnings from various sessions and workshops across AI, innovation, digital marketing and culture.  Key Takeaways: // Create for discovery. Not your fo...

Taylor Swift isn’t just breaking records—she’s redefining what it means to market in the digital age. In this episode, Cassie and Ally unpack the marketing brilliance behind Taylor’s Eras Tour and beyond, exploring how she uses storytelling, connection, and innovation to keep her audience engaged. From live Easter eggs to building anticipation through mystery and intrigue, we break down the strate...

What does it take to thrive in today’s creator economy? Kahlea Wade, CEO and Founder of Alora Society, an award-winning influencer talent agency, joins me to break down what’s working (and not working) in influencer marketing in 2025. With experience leading campaigns for brands like Meta, Nike, Amazon Prime, and Skims, Kahlea shares how brands can write better briefs, why LinkedIn is becoming a p...

In this episode of Marketing Happy Hour, we’re joined by Bette Ann Fialkov, Fractional Head of Influencer Marketing and Professor at Parsons , who has led influencer and celebrity partnership strategies for powerhouse brands including Google, Lyft, and Hims & Hers. With nearly 15 years of experience, Bette Ann shares the playbook for building and scaling influencer programs, the lessons she’s...

This week on Marketing Happy Hour, we’re joined by Jessy Grossman, Founder of Women in Influencer Marketing (WIIM). From building one of the fastest-growing influencer talent agencies in under two years to creating a global community that empowers women in the influencer marketing space, Jessy has been at the forefront of industry innovation. In this conversation, she shares her career journey, th...

In this final episode of our POSSIBLE series, we sit down with David Pangilinan, Senior Manager of Audience Impact and Intelligence at Paramount Advertising, to explore how brands can win big by leveraging tentpole moments. From live events and major film releases to cultural shifts that dominate the headlines, Paramount has perfected the art of turning high-profile moments into powerful opportuni...

Ally and I sit down with Ilana Gelfand, Senior Manager, Global Social Strategy at Disney Consumer Products. With 12+ years of experience in marketing and social media, Ilana has led creative content and brand strategy for some of the world’s most popular brands, including Disney and Loungefly. We discuss Ilana’s illustrious career in selling a lifestyle over a product and how the organic positioni...

Part 2 - This week’s episode is inspired by an incredible guest essay from Jonathan Hurwitz, Emmy-nominated writer and creative consultant, originally featured in Rachel Karten’s Substack , Link in Bio . Jonathan spent a decade writing at Disney, and in that time, he picked up storytelling lessons that translate seamlessly into social media marketing. These tips—distilled from a presentation he ga...

Ally and I debrief a recent guest essay from Jonathan Hurwitz, Emmy-nominated writer and creative consultant from Rachel Karten’s Substack, Link in Bio. Jonathan spent 10 years writing at Disney - and through this essay, shares how to apply his learnings from Disney to social media marketing. In part 1 of this 2-part episode, we discuss the first 5 storytelling tips from the essay and break down r...

Kamara Turner, Brand Communications Manager at Walgreens, joins me for a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of retail PR and brand storytelling. With a track record spanning iconic campaigns—from launching OTC NARCAN to the buzzworthy Nice! Mango Gummies—Kamara shares the behind-the-scenes insights on how she builds integrated strategies that generate results. We discuss the power of niche cre...

In this episode, I sit down with Megan Duong, the CEO and co-founder of Plot, an AI-powered social video listening tool backed by Alexis Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six. With a background in brand marketing at Apple and years leading her own agency, Megan brings a rare mix of creative intuition and data fluency to the table. We dive into how short-form video is changing the way we understand consumer be...

Lauren joins Ally and I for the latest episode of our POSSIBLE event series. Lauren dives into her extensive career in sales, technology and media across some of the world’s leading platforms - and what ultimately brought her to Chase Media Solutions. We discuss the importance of hyper-personalization and what marketers should be leveraging in their strategies to stand out in a crowded retail medi...

Ally and I dive into a never-before-discussed topic for Marketing Happy Hour - Partner Marketing. Ally discusses how her career led her to lead the first Partner Marketing function at TIDAL and how industries are recognizing Partner Marketing as a vital piece of the marketing ecosystem. We discuss the nuances between Partner Marketing and Brand Partnerships, how Partner Marketing can serve as an i...

Ally and I continue our POSSIBLE 2025 conference series by sitting down with Jessica Serrano, Chief Marketing Officer of Dig Inn. Jessica shares the unique challenges that come with localized marketing, strategies for building a strong loyalty program and tips for aspiring CMOs. Dig Inn is a fast casual, scratch food restaurant concept with locations from New York, NY to Washington D.C.  Key Takea...

The POSSIBLE 2025 conference series continues with Stephanie Lawrence-Shartrand from Nextdoor. With over 20 years of experience in digital media, strategy, and customer success, Stephanie is a passionate leader and advocate for the power of online communities and social networks. Stephanie joins Ally and I to share her strategies for building strong, lasting professional relationships, including h...

I sat down with co-host Ally Golden and Michael Vito Valentino, Editor in Chief at NowThis for Episode 2 of the POSSIBLE 2025 conference series. Gen Z is redefining what “entertainment” means in the 21st century. We discuss the serialized content approach Michael and his team are taking at NowThis and how it’s paving the way for brand loyalty with Gen-Z females. Additionally, we explore the evolvi...

I’m joined by my friend and fellow marketer Ally Golden for Episode 1 of our POSSIBLE 2025 conference series. The POSSIBLE conference brings together key decision-makers and rising marketers through 3 days of learning and networking. Ally and I were lucky to attend several interactive sessions and masterclass conversations that fostered meaningful connections among industry leaders and innovators....