Unlocked with Austin and Elizabeth

Building Community and Commerce: The Ascendant Network Journey with Susan MacDermid How do you build a community that transforms careers while shaping an entire industry? Susan MacDermid , founder of Ascendant Network , reveals the strategic decisions behind creating the retail media industry's most influential professional community and shares hard-won lessons from her journey through digita...

How AI Pioneer Sarah Hofstetter is Unlocking the Future of Marketing Operations Sarah Hofstetter , co-founder of 37Arc , host of Brave Commerce , & Board Member of both the Campbell Soup Company & Kenvue reveals how she spotted the e-commerce revolution before COVID hit and why she believes AI will transform work more dramatically than search, social, or even e-commerce ever did. From pred...

In this episode of Unlocked, we dive into one of the hottest questions of 2026: Why has in-store retail media growth stalled despite representing where 85% of purchases actually happen? Paul Brenner , SVP, Global Retail Media and Partnerships at In-Store Marketplace , reveals how organizational silos and inconsistent metrics are holding back the channel that should be driving the most impact for r...

In this episode, Claire shares her journey through retail media, insights on industry growth, and her efforts to build community and standards in the space. Discover her perspectives on AI, career advice, and the future of retail media.

In this episode of Unlocked, Kiri Masters, a leading voice in retail media, shares her journey from banking to founding an Amazon marketing agency. She discusses the evolution of retail media, the impact of AI on content creation, and the changing landscape of consumer behavior. Kiri emphasizes the importance of storytelling in marketing and the need for collaboration in the retail media space. Th...

Join Austin, Elizabeth & Drew Cashmore as they unpack the evolution of retail media, from the rise of Walmart Connect to the forces redefining modern advertising. This episode explores how digital innovation, brand strategy, and growing standardization are shaping the future of commerce. A must-listen for marketers, brands, and anyone navigating the next wave of retail media.

In this episode of Unlocked, hosts Austin Leonard and Elizabeth Donovan engage with Amie Owen, a veteran in the retail media industry. They explore the evolution of retail media, the importance of consumer behavior, and the role of data in shaping marketing strategies. Amie shares her insights on innovation, experimentation, and the need for brands to adapt to changing consumer habits. The convers...

In this episode of Unlocked, Austin and Elizabeth sit down with Cara Pratt, the new president of global retail and media at Circana. They discuss the evolution of retail media, the importance of data analytics, and the future of AI in the industry. Cara shares her insights on leadership, the necessity of personalization in marketing, and the long-term vision required for success in retail media. T...

In this episode of Unlocked, Austin and Elizabeth engage in a deep conversation with Parbinder Dhariwal (Parbs), a pioneer in the retail media space. They explore the evolution of retail media, the importance of community and collaboration, and the role of events in networking. Parbs shares insights from his personal journey, emphasizing the significance of understanding consumer behavior and the...

In this special episode of Unlocked , hosts Austin and Elizabeth revisit the place where it all started: the Ascendant Network. Featuring a candid conversation with Mark Donohue, they reflect on the first spark that led to launching the podcast and dive into the behind-the-scenes of building community in retail media. From navigating an ever-evolving landscape to the role of operational efficiency...

In this episode of Unlocked, we sit down with Lauren Griewski , head of sales and partnerships at Chase Media Solutions. We discuss Lauren's impressive career journey, the evolving landscape of commerce media, and the pivotal role financial institutions like Chase play in this ecosystem. This conversation delves into the importance of trust, personalization, and first-party data in enhancing...

In this episode of Unlocked with Austin & Elizabeth , we sit down with Mark Donohue —strategic leader and former GM at The Gap and Western Union—to explore what it takes to successfully lead a retail media commerce network. From navigating organizational complexity to scaling growth and innovation, Mark shares leadership insights, strategic frameworks, and lessons from the field. Austin and El...

In the debut episode of Unlocked with Austin & Elizabeth , we sit down with Andrew Lipsman to explore the rapid rise of retail media networks. From digital advertising’s early days to today’s booming retail and commerce media landscape, we break down key trends, challenges, and what’s next for brands, agencies, and advertisers. Tune in for expert insights and a fresh take on the future of reta...