Ad Age Marketer's Brief

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A weekly look at the stories making waves across the marketing industry featuring discussions with newsmakers and Ad Age reporters.

E.J. Schultz


    • Oct 1, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 348 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ad Age Marketer's Brief

    How to balance consistency and agility, with Heaven Hill CMO Matt Blevins

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 22:39


    How the owner of Lunazul tequila, Deep Eddy vodka and a high-end bourbon and whiskey portfolio is tapping into fast moving social media and food trends without losing sight of its roots. Blevins also discusses new agency relationships with Mono and Assembly.

    Why brands should partner with unexpected creators and vocal critics, with Blizzard Entertainment CMO Monica Austin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 23:54


    Creator marketing is a huge part of Blizzard Entertainment's strategy. As the developer of properties with global appeal, such as World of Warcraft, Overwatch and Diablo, it has no trouble finding fans in all corners of the world, including basketball player Luka Dončić, who plays at one of the highest possible ranks in Overwatch. CMO Monica Austin discusses a recent partnership with Dončić, plus why Blizzard sees value in partnering with creators who are vocal critics of its work. She also discusses balancing Blizzard's global marketing strategy with region-specific campaigns.

    AI search ads 101—everything marketers need to know, with Asa Hiken

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 25:17


    Ad Age technology reporter Asa Hiken breaks down the state of AI search advertising, what ads on ChatGPT may look like, how much they'll cost and the different approaches companies including OpenAI, Google, Meta and Perplexity are taking. Plus, how marketers can strategize for consumers' changing AI habits. YouTube announced new ad tools that will give creators more power to curate sponsorships across their content libraries. Read how YouTubers are becoming more like traditional media networks. And a tax change set for 2026 threatens the future of free agency food. Get the info on how lunches might become the next differentiator for recruiting talent. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Everything to know about AI search ads ~Inside Perplexity's ad test ~Answer engine optimization tips ~Listen to Grillo's CMO on the importance of experiential activations

    The power of experiential marketing - Grillo's CMO Mark Luker on the brand's month-long store pop-up

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 25:12


    Inside agency hold co power dynamics, with Ewan Larkin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 22:16


    Ad Age agency reporter Ewan Larkin demystifies the changing power dynamics at agency holding companies such as WPP, Publicis and Omnicom. Global account leads are becoming more important to agency growth, changing the position of regional and agency brand CEOs. Plus, Netflix announced it would make ad inventory available through Amazon's DSP. The partnership is a milestone in both companies' ad journeys—read more on the implications. And Goodby Silverstein & Partners named Sarah Thompson as its first-ever CEO. Go inside the reasons why. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~The meaning of agency holding companies' changing power dynamics ~Dentsu's strategy to stand out amid industry M&A ~Behind the scenes of the updated “How Many Licks” campaign ~Listen to Little Caesar's CMO talk sports marketing strategy

    Advice on being an NFL sponsor, with the CMO of Little Caesars

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 27:24


    Firing your ad agency? Try marriage counseling first, with Lindsay Rittenhouse

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 21:23


    Ad Age senior agency reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse goes inside the growing trend of brand-agency marriage counseling. Rather than jumping straight into a costly and time-intensive agency review, consultancies are increasingly suggesting services that evaluate the existing relationship, and potentially improve both the agency and brand's practices. Plus, Group Black is changing its name to Portrait Media Group. In an exclusive interview with Ad Age, co-founder Bonin Bough explained the reason as well as the company's future path. And one change for future CMOs is the rise of test-running roles before committing full-time. Read more on how to get noticed for interim marketing positions. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Inside brand-agency marriage counselling ~The stats on client-agency tenure ~Google won't be forced to sell Chrome ~What Kraft Heinz's reorganization means for its future ~Keep up with the latest account reviews ~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference ~Listen to Manscaped's CMO talk unconventional media strategies

    Using unconventional media strategies and learning from virality, with Manscaped CMO Marcelo Kertesz

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 22:57


    Kertesz reflects on three years in the CMO role, including how media placements have become a form of creative messaging and how the DTC-born brand is embracing multichannel marketing. Plus, how the brand's “Send Face Pics Instead” went viral.

    Cracker Barrel, American Eagle and surviving social uproar, with Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 26:55


    Ad Age reporters Erika Wheless and Gillian Follett break down the brand lessons from the recent Cracker Barrel and American Eagle dramas: How can marketers better prepare for social pushback, what to know about official brand responses and how the brand-consumer relationship is changing on social media. Plus, AI ad networks are beginning to emerge, which place paid content in chatbots such as ChatGPT. Dig into the debate between maintaining chat quality and monetizing the technology. And Svedka has resurrected its Fembot character in a plea for people to put down their phones and go out with friends. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~The latest on the Cracker Barrel rebrand saga ~Refresh yourself on American Eagle's Sydney Sweeney campaign backlash ~Inside E.l.f. Cosmetics' Matt Rife social campaign ~Keep up with the latest account reviews ~Buy tickets to Ad Age's Business of Brands conference ~Listen to Hinge's CMO talk connecting with Gen Z

    How to create loyal Gen Z connections, with Hinge CMO

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 25:17


    Jackie Jantos, Hinge's president and CMO, shares tips for winning with Gen Z and how Hinge has been able to see growth when other dating apps are seeing declines

    How CVS Media Exchange connects health-focused shoppers with the right brands

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 14:32


    In Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast, CMX's Parbinder Dhariwal shares how CVS connects brands with health-focused shoppers to drive growth.

    2025 marketing trends: AI, experiential and Walton Goggins, with Tim Nudd

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 25:15


    Ad Age Creativity Editor Tim Nudd reveals the creativity trends of 2025 so far, including the impact of AI on brand marketing, the resurgence of experiential activations and the secret to an effective modern Super Bowl campaign. Plus, data reveals the impact of AI search on brand's website visits—some categories are seeing a lift while others are staying flat. Dig deeper into the differentiators. And E.l.f. Cosmetics finds itself the latest subject of consumer scrutiny after partnering with controversial comedian Matt Rife. Find out where experts are saying the brand went wrong. Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode: ~Tim's list of the top ads of 2025 so far ~Coca-Cola's AI-generated holiday campaign ~Google's not-so-good Olympics AI ad ~Walton Goggins' Doritos porn spoof ~Apply to join Ad Age's Small Agency Network ~Keep track of agency account reviews here

    LA28 playbook—Olympics marketing strategy, AI and Dungeons & Dragons, with Honda's Ed Beadle

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 22:02


    Ed Beadle, Honda VP of digital services and marketing, reveals how the automaker is getting more efficient with its marketing and how his background as a media strategist and Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master shapes his approach and leadership style.

    Avocados from Mexico CEO on the history of the brand jingle and focusing on football

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2025 25:57


    How Cash App finds the right talent for its short films—including a Timothée Chalamet campaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 20:33


    Behind the playful branding and charitable spirit of Montucky Cold Snacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 19:20


    How drug safety brand Overdrive Defense is marketing itself

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 22:04


    Why Savage X Fenty is focused on ‘bold inclusivity' when others are pulling back

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 18:07


    Mars Global CMO on global flavors and faster meals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 25:57


    Why the transaction moment is the new frontline for performance marketing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 14:59


    Rokt's Sophie Donoghue shares how AI and real-time targeting at the transaction moment help brands drive growth and performance in 2025

    Nissan's marketing challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025 21:23


    Nissan's U.S. CMO Allyson Witherspoon on the brand's comeback attempt and how she deals with burnout.

    Why Instacart's new 90s nostalgia campaign is resonating and what's ahead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 22:19


    Snap's new CMO on building a better ad platform

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 20:43


    Marketing job market trends

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 21:58


    We take the temperature on the marketing job market with Michael Wright, founder of executive search firm Taligence. What industries are hiring? What is the future of the CMO role? Why are companies not hiring agency execs as CMOs? We cover that and more.

    How Surfside is riding the vodka tea wave

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 22:51


    How phone company Nothing relies on viral moments and earned media to build its brand

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 24:39


    Nothing's Hollie Bishop joins the Marketer's Brief podcast to discuss the importance of earned media when marketing its new phones.

    How Xochitl tortilla chips plan to grow brand awareness

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 24:24


    Roblox's CMO on how the platform targets gamers, creators, developers and brands—all at once

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 22:56


    Jerret West talks targeting, how the platform decides when to leverage cultural moments and the likelihood it will pursue a movie a la Minecraft.

    How Roundel is leading retail media 3.0 with data, scale and shopper trust

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 17:20


    From Method to Dropps, Dorward looks to repeat success

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 23:11


    CEO of Dropps was also CEO of Method during its early rise and looks to repeat success in green household products as the brand moves into retail stores.

    How Rowan grew from piercing ears at Target to operating its own shops

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 22:02


    How Nordstrom's retail media network has evolved and what's next

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 20:46


    How footwear brand HeyDude is using parent Crocs marketing playbook

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 21:37


    Volkswagen and Saturday Night Live

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 22:17


    Rachael Zaluzec, VW of America's senior vice president of customer experience and brand marketing, discusses VW's SNL partnership, integration marketing and customer service and how the brand is approaching EV marketing.

    How Samsung is using creators to develop AI smartphone features

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 24:53


    Inside the marketing playbook of Major League Soccer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 25:11


    Behind the rise of 7 Brew coffee chain

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 27:22


    CMO Nick Chavez joins the Marketer's Brief podcast to discuss the chain's customizable drinks and local media strategy

    How the Anaheim Ducks' rebrand is winning on the ice

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 21:01


    How Verizon approaches Super Bowl marketing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 21:31


    How Eli Lilly is approaching GLP-1 marketing and what's next

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 19:17


    Chief Corporate Brand Officer Lina Polimeni talks about how the brand differentiates itself in the crowded pharma market

    Kimberly-Clark's John Starkey on Kleenex's 100th anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 19:58


    President of North America family care on refreshing the logo of a 100-year-old brand, the value of a brand where emotion comes naturally, and why he really isn't rooting for a bad cold and flu season.

    How DTC brand Rothy's uses its community as a focus group

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 21:26


    How Mint Mobile is trying to maintain challenger appeal after T-Mobile acquisition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 25:10


    How marketers responded to 2024's biggest social trends

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 26:55


    Casey Lewis, author of youth trends newsletter After School, looks back on the most viral social media trends of 2024 and how they shaped brand marketing

    What marketers need to know about branding AI tools effectively

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 22:28


    Branding expert David Placek came on the Marketer's Brief podcast to discuss the dos and don'ts of naming AI products and services

    How the NAACP is renewing support for racial justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 17:58


    Aba Blankson, chief marketing and communications officer of the NAACP, discusses the organization's largest advertising effort to date

    Poshmark's CMO on recent seller backlash and live shopping

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 23:37


    How Alloy Women's Health is removing stigmas around menopause

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 21:24


    Four-year-old brand strives to bridge the communication gap around female-focused health care

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