The Ad Podcast

Joy Farber Kolo is the Global Chief Brand Officer at Weber Shandwick , a leading global communications and integrated marketing firm. With more than 28 years at the agency, she has held senior leadership roles—guiding strategy, client relationships, and award-winning work that spans earned media, brand building, and integrated communications. Joy’s career reflects deep expertise in developing insi...

Dan Gilbert is the co-founder and CEO of Brainlabs, a global performance marketing agency known for its data-driven approach and rapid growth. Since founding Brainlabs in the UK, Dan has helped scale the company into an international organization by blending rigorous experimentation, technology, and a strong people-first culture. He’s widely recognized for pushing transparency, testing, and measur...

Celia Jones, JD is a seasoned marketing and brand strategist currently serving as Global Chief Marketing Officer at FINN Partners, a leading integrated public relations and communications agency. With more than 20 years of experience, she has shaped the marketing and brand narratives of disruptive agencies and challenger brands, blending brand strategy, integrated communications, cultural storytel...

Matt Johnson is a creative leader at Haymaker, where he works on building bold, insight-driven campaigns that help brands stand out in culture. With experience across strategy and creative development, Matt is known for turning sharp ideas into effective, modern marketing that connects with real audiences and drives business impact.

Silvia Cavalcanti is a seasoned brand strategist and marketing leader known for her blend of creative problem-solving and business strategy across culture, technology, and experience design. She currently leads brand, marketing, communications, and PR for Endeavor globally, where she shapes the organization’s narrative, thought leadership, and engagement across 45+ countries. Prior to this role, s...

Avery Akkineni is a marketing and innovation executive currently serving as Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerX , where she leads brand strategy, content, events, and communications across the global network of modern communication companies. In her seven years at VaynerX, she has driven international growth — including building VaynerMedia APAC to over 150 employees and opening key offices in Sing...

Linda Bethea is a seasoned consumer marketing leader and Chief Marketing Officer of Danone, where she oversees best-in-class strategy and brand growth for Danone’s portfolio of beloved food and beverage brands including Silk, Activia, Oikos, International Delights, LLC, evian, and Happy Family Brands (Nurture Inc). She brings more than two decades of experience leading iconic CPG brands and drivin...

Aja Bradley Kemp is a seasoned marketer, experiential event designer, and founder of Conversate Collective, a brand experience agency that helps lifestyle, tech, and consumer brands build meaningful relationships through shared experiences. With over 20 years of experience growing brands like Expedia Group, MAC Cosmetics, Sunglass Hut, and Reebok, she’s known for creating campaigns and events that...

Filip Keuppens is a seasoned sales and marketing executive serving as Chief Executive Officer of The Pickle Juice Company, the functional beverage brand known for its purpose-built drinks that help stop muscle cramps and support hydration. He has led the company’s strategic growth and global expansion after joining the leadership team in 2015—shaping distribution, branding, and international marke...

Rishad Tobaccowala is a globally renowned author, speaker, advisor, and marketing innovator with over four decades of experience helping organizations and leaders reinvent themselves in times of transformation. He most recently served as Global Chief Strategist and Chief Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe, one of the world’s largest communications and marketing firms, and remains a Senior Advisor t...

Siddharth Bajaj is a seasoned marketing executive and Chief Marketing Officer at Dr Batra's Positive Clinics, where he leads brand communications and growth strategies. With around 20 years of experience across B2C and B2B sectors—including BFSI, supply chain, AgriTech, FMCG, and healthcare—he’s known for driving impactful campaigns, strategic planning, and customer engagement initiatives glob...

Jeff Gray is the founder of AgeTech Connect , a community and platform focused on advancing innovation for aging and longevity. He works at the intersection of startups, healthcare, technology, and investment, connecting founders, operators, and industry leaders who are building solutions to improve the lives of older adults. Through AgeTech Connect, Jeff helps surface emerging trends, foster coll...

Hala Madanat, PhD, MS is a distinguished public health leader serving as Vice President for Research and Innovation and Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Public Health at San Diego State University (SDSU). She oversees SDSU’s research enterprise, supports research advancement and innovation, and helps drive programs like the Mission Valley Innovation District and university startup incu...

Josh Metz is the Chief Marketing Officer at Sesh Products, a fast-growing nicotine pouch brand focused on modern, smoke-free alternatives. With extensive experience leading marketing strategies for innovative consumer brands—spanning CMO roles at Sesh, Slushy, and ZitSticka™—Josh blends creative thinking with strategic growth to elevate brand presence and engagement in competitive markets. At Sesh...

Ben Kaplan is the Chief Marketing Officer at Nexxen International , where he leads global marketing and communications to elevate the company’s brand and narrative across the advertising ecosystem. He joined Nexxen in 2023, bringing over 14 years of experience across the digital advertising supply chain. Prior to Nexxen, Kaplan held senior marketing and product roles at PubMatic , X (formerly Twit...

Paul Woolmington is a veteran media, advertising, and communications leader and the CEO and Founding Partner of Canvas Worldwide, a creatively driven global media and communications agency known for its innovation and multicultural focus. With more than 25 years in the industry, he previously co-founded Naked Communications Americas and founded The Media Kitchen, building a reputation for redefini...

Bill Burton is the Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Bryson Gillette , a minority-owned strategic communications and public affairs firm he launched in 2020. He is an experienced political and communications strategist who previously served as Deputy White House Press Secretary and senior adviser during the Obama administration and as National Press Secretary for then-Senator Barack...

Vikrant Mathur is a Silicon Valley media and technology executive with over 15 years of experience in building and scaling digital video and connected TV products. He is Co-Founder of Future Today Inc. , a company that operates hundreds of OTT (over-the-top) streaming channels across verticals like travel, food, kids, health, and entertainment on web, mobile, and connected TV platforms. At Future...

April Guidone is the Chief Operating Officer of SMAC Entertainment , a talent management, brand incubator, licensing, and content company co-founded by Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz - Morini . She oversees the company’s overall business strategy, including revenue growth, brand development, talent management, and content production. Jose Diaz is the Executive Vice President of Strategic P...

Erica Fieldman is a co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Unplugged Collective , a community and experiential networking organization focused on creating meaningful, face-to-face professional connections through curated events and experiences. She leads the company’s marketing strategy to foster authentic networking communities beyond traditional digital interactions. Mike Richter is the Co-Fo...

Chad Waetzig is a seasoned marketing executive best known for his role as Chief Marketing Officer at Crunch Fitness, where he leads global marketing and brand strategy. He has more than two decades of experience in strategic marketing and brand leadership across industries including fitness, hospitality, consumer products, and entertainment. Before joining Crunch, Waetzig held senior marketing rol...

Chad Maxwell is an advertising and media executive with deep experience in growth, partnerships, and revenue strategy, shaped in part by his time at KSM, where he worked closely with brands and agencies to drive performance across digital media channels. Known for his ability to align strategy, execution, and relationships, Chad brings a pragmatic, results-focused approach to scaling media program...

Erica (Wolf) Parker is a research and insights leader at The Harris Poll, where she works with brands to translate consumer attitudes, cultural trends, and data-driven insights into clear, actionable strategy. Her work helps organizations better understand audiences and make smarter decisions rooted in public opinion. Gary Topiol An established leader in market research technology space with a str...

Michael Stich is a creative leader at Court Avenue , where he helps brands grow through culturally relevant, insight-driven advertising and integrated brand experiences. With a background spanning strategy, creative, and innovation, he’s known for building work that connects business objectives with meaningful storytelling across channels. At Court Avenue, Michael partners closely with clients to...

Greg March is the Partner & CEO of Noble People , an independent media agency with offices in New York. He leads media planning, buying, and strategic communications for brands like BJ's Wholesale Clubs, Stripe, Mike's Hot Honey, and Atlassian. Prior to Noble People, he spent seven years at Wieden+Kennedy New York , where he helped build the agency’s digital media practice and served a...