Adpodcast

Ricky Abbott is President, Americas at Transmission, where he leads the agency's growth and client partnerships across the region. With more than 20 years of experience in B2B marketing, he has helped global brands align brand, demand, and ABM strategies to drive measurable business impact.

CARA is an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. After the tragic loss of hermother and brother, music became her way to reclaim her story and process grief. Herupcoming autobiographical album, THE KRONICLES, set to release in 2026 which she writesand executive produces herself, blends multiple genres and highlights her longtime passion forflute, which she's played since age 12.The album's first single, “BLVD” released in fall 2024, celebrates unapologetic self-expression and features a flute solo CARA incorporates into her live shows. CARAreached #2 on the Top 40 Radio Independent Artist Chart and TEARS reached #41 onthe Pop Top 40 Mediabase. The follow-up single, “TEARS” released in summer 2025, isa raw reflection on grief and loss, reaching #6 and #47 at its peak on those charts,respectively.THE KRONICLES is dedicated to CARA's brothers including her late brother Alex,mother Mary, and dear friend and mentor Gangsta Boo. CARA hopes that through hermusic, listeners can feel solidarity with their own life chapters and lost loved ones tocreate a community of people who feel less alone in their journey of processing grief.

Brian is the founder of Expert DOJO , one of the most active institutional investors in the world. With over 300 startup investments he is uniquely positioned to speak to how startups grow from that initial innovation to a world dominating brand. His expertise is in the area of emotional resonance and how relationships can be built and sustained between those startups and their customers. All his experience in Expert DOJO opened the door to both invest in and to become co-founder of Matchbook AI. Matchbook is an innovative SaaS solution that solves data quality problems by streamlining the process of matching and enriching data. Matchbook gives their clients the tools to unlock the value of their business with comprehensive data stewardship functionality and the world's premier source of commercial intelligence from Dun & Bradstreet and other data providers.

Janavi Dhawan is the Co-Founder and CMO of Golden Tiger, taking on the executive marketing role in January 2025 after advising the company since late 2020. With nearly ten years' experience in digital and influencer marketing across consumer brands including Etsy, Ruggable, MeUndies, and Daniel Wellington, she brings strategic insight and creative leadership to the team. She holds a BBA from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

Helen Miall - Chief Marketing Officer, VIOOH As CMO at VIOOH, the leading premium digital out of home (DOOH) supply side platform, Helen is responsible for global marketing strategy, thought leadership and supporting the expansion and adoption of programmatic DOOH worldwide. She is committed to helping the OOH industry transition to audience-led and programmatic trading, maximising the opportunities for OOH with the wider digital media landscape. Helen has previously held senior marketing roles at Parkopedia, O2 (Telefónica UK), Turn, and Microsoft Advertising. Whilst at adtech company Turn, Helen set up and ran marketing across the EMEA region, helping grow programmatic display from c10% to a majority share of market spend. Helen spent the first 9 years of her career in various marketing roles at United Airlines and Air France.

Dimi Albers is the Global CEO of DEPT®, a global digital agency he transformed from its Amsterdam roots into a powerhouse of over 4,000 specialists worldwide. A longtime insider since the TamTam days, his leadership has steered the company through aggressive expansion—32 acquisitions, private equity backing, and major industry recognition—while staying true to a culture of creativity, agility, and client connection. His dynamic leadership approach is underscored by a commitment to innovation, people, and staying perpetually engaged with the client experience.

Gina is responsible for leading growth strategy and implementation for three amazing agencies: Colle McVoy, 10 Thousand Design, and Exponent PR. As a member of the agency's senior leadership team, she has played a significant role the agency reinvention, transformation, and record-setting new business streak. She's had an eclectic career in agency management, strategic partnerships, and buying/selling creative and media services. Prior to joining Colle McVoy, she spent 7 years at Target, managing many of its agency relationships and working with some of the brightest minds in the business. Before Target, she held leadership positions at publishing and advertising firms in Minneapolis. About her: Known for optimism and empathy. Her Motto: Work hard and be nice to people.

Kacy Cole, Chief Marketing Officer at Holland America Line. She's known for her strategic marketing leadership across hospitality and digital platforms, with previous roles at LTK, T-Mobile, and Tommy Bahama. She holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BA from the The American University of Paris. She's also an outdoor enthusiast and fly fisherman.

Victoria Lozano is Chief Marketing Officer at Crayola LLC where she oversees all aspects of marketing and consumer engagement for one of the world's most iconic and cherished brands. For over 120 years, Crayola has been synonymous with nurturing children's creativity. Today, it is recognized as one of the most culturally resonant, authentic, and trusted brands globally. In her role, Victoria leads Crayola's consumer communications, partnership marketing, digital/omni-channel marketing, interactive app portfolio, and education marketing. Victoria also oversees Location Based Entertainment, which includes a portfolio of branded attraction and retail concepts that bring the Crayola brand to life in experiential ways. The flagship concept, Crayola Experience, has 4 locations across the US with several more announced both in the US and internationally. Prior to joining Crayola, Victoria was Vice President of Marketing at Cadbury North America where she led the $1.2B Gum and Mints Portfolio across the United States and Canada, including brands such as Trident, Dentyne, Stride, Bubblicious and Certs. Prior to Cadbury, Victoria held various marketing positions with Fortune 500 companies such as the Miller Brewing Company, Warner-Lambert Company and Pfizer, Inc. Victoria's academic background includes a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University with a specialization in Marketing and Finance, and a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University with focus in Marketing and Classical Studies (summa cum laude).Victoria currently serves on the board of The Children's Home of Easton located in Easton, Pennsylvania where Victoria resides with her husband and three children.

Morgan runs a public relations and marketing agency called Firebrand. They raise awareness of technology brands to build awareness, create demand, drive lead generation and close sales. Prior to Firebrand, he was the founder in the US of LEWIS , a global communications firm, which we grew to $35m in revenues and 250+ staff in the US, and $75m with 600 staff globally. He has over 30 years' tech experience, both consumer and B2B. He has advised a range of companies including start-ups such as Amount, Prophecy and Weaviate; non-profits, such as AARP, Mozilla and VSP Vision Care; and public companies, such as BT Group, Equinix, MuleSoft, Splunk and Sky. At LEWIS, he lead the acquisition of three companies - Page One Power which they integrated and rebranded as LEWIS Pulse; the Davies Murphy Group, a 65-person PR and marketing consultancy; and Piston, a 50-person full-service digital advertising agency.

Ryan Hartman is Co‑founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Chaiz, North America's first fully digital marketplace for vehicle service contracts. With over two decades of marketing leadership, he has strategically crafted Chaiz's go‑to‑market approach—focusing on transparency, consumer empowerment, and digital efficiency, which helps customers save on extended car coverage Before launching Chaiz, Ryan led paid media and performance marketing at The Zebra, managing a $90 million media budget, and held senior marketing roles at Custom Ink, Esurance, and GEICO—where he began his career His entry into this space followed a personal experience: after a major engine failure on his post‑warranty BMW Group, he recognized the need for a transparent, user‑friendly way to compare and purchase car protection online

Dylan Huey is a Gen Z entrepreneur, influencer, and musician who has been active online since age 16. He's the CEO of REACH, a national college influencer organization that connects students with the creator economy. He's also the co-founder of Daisy, a tech platform for creators. Huey has a music and social media alias, Rodin' Flash, and has released multiple EPs.

Barry Frey - CEO - DPAA With over 10 years of experience as the President and CEO of DPAA, the global trade and marketing association for the digital out of home (OOH) industry, Barry leads the organization's mission to drive awareness, value, and revenue for their members and partners. He oversees all aspects of the association's operations, strategy, and growth, reporting to a board of directors comprised of network owners and ad-tech companies.

Ben Larson is the CEO of Vertosa, the multi-state infusion technology company specializing in beverages and other fast-acting form factors. Prior to Vertosa, Mr. Larson co-founded Gateway Incubator, California's first business accelerator and co-working space dedicated to the emerging cannabis industry. He's a Director and Mentor at Founder Institute where he formerly managed global operations and helped expand the program into over 100 cities around the world. Mr. Larson is a host of the Marijuana Today podcast; a founding board member of the Cannabis Beverage Association and founding member of ATACH's Cannabis Beverage Council; and he was recently appointed to the Board for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Mr. Larson was a recipient of the San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40 and was recognized by Forbes in 2022 as one of the 42 pioneers to watch in the green rush.

Pierre DeBois is the founder and CEO of Zimana, an analytics services firm that helps organizations achieve improvements in marketing, website development, and business operations. Zimana has provided analysis services using Google Analytics, R Programming, Python, JavaScript Developer and other technologies where data and metrics abide. Pierre has also provided digital marketing and analytic workshops. His first major workshop was for the City of Chicago Treasurer's Office as part of the 2014 Small Business Expo (SBE). Since then, he has led workshops and presentations at major expos across the United States, including INBOUND, CodeMash Conference, Juneteenth Conference, Content Marketing World, DXSummit, and Connect . The presentations have covered the gamut of business trends, data science and digital marketing topics.

Jonathan Kander is the Chief Marketing Officer at VALR ENERGY, a nitrogen‑infused energy drink brand rooted in sports, fitness, and functional beverages. In his role, Kander leads VALR's brand marketing and strategic partnerships, positioning the company in high‑impact arenas including Major League Baseball and mixed martial arts. Under his leadership, VALR became the official energy drink of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in the U.S., highlighted by branded VIP experiences and athlete-focused storytelling, and later secured a multi‑year partnership with the Pittsburgh Pirates—complete with in‑stadium activations, a custom “Jolly Roger Edition” flavor, and full integration into PNC Park's fan experiences.

Ly Tran is the Founder of stiletto collective, established in 2021. stiletto is a minority, woman-owned business & creative~media cooperative. Her mission, along with her collective's, is to help brands of all sizes elevate who they are through creativity in media + data and authenticity in voice + content. Before creating stiletto, she was an essential part of building Proof Advertising. Under her tenure at Proof, the agency was selected as Ad Age's Small Agency of The Year, not once, but five times. For her ingenuity, innovation and individual contributions, she was also honored as one of Ad Age's Women to Watch and recognized by Campaign US's Digital 40 over 40. She has spoken at countless conferences: 4As's, Ad Age, ANA, AWAW (Ad Women for All Women), BOLO, CES, Digiday, DAA (Digital Advertising Alliance), MediaPost, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), SXSW, US Travel's ESTO, and more.

Tyler Sits at the crossroads of innovation and leadership, he has founded and scaled multiple seven-figure ventures, consistently driving industry transformation. Over the past decade, he has started and expanded both service and product-based companies, notably Turnserv—a platform of self-started brands revolutionizing the housing sector by streamlining turnover processes. With operations extending to new locations every few weeks, Turnserv addresses critical operational challenges for property managers with unparalleled reliability and efficiency.

Calvin Innes is a creative strategist who brings over two decades of expertise in concept design, creative direction, and brand storytelling. As a seasoned Consultant Creative Director, and in his role as GM & Executive Creative Director of JvM NERD London, Calvin is known for crafting innovative campaigns that blend artistry with strategic vision. At JvM NERD London, our team specialises in the dynamic intersection of brands with the new pop culture wave. Calvin's leadership as GM and ECD is rooted in creative direction and marketing communications, focusing on gaming, esports, fantasy, and pop culture. NERD has propelled campaigns for iconic brands like Mercedes-Benz AG, MINI and Riot Games, creating touchpoints in the metaverse and web3 spaces.

Louise Cantrill is a Senior Partner at Lippincott, based in London, where she blends human insight with strategic branding and design. Known for her ability to straddle the boundary between creative design and data-driven strategy, she plays a pivotal role in shaping "go-to" brands that resonate deeply with customers.In a recent interview, Louise described Lippincott's approach as one guided by a defined brand strategy and clear mission—not simply design for design's sake—which ensures brand relevance and purpose in today's competitive landscape .Her work spans a diverse range of sectors, partnering with clients to build purpose-led brand identities, customer experiences, and value propositions that stand out in both their markets and cultures.

Topher Burns is the Co‑Founder and Partner in Brand Strategy at territorial, an indie creative agency based in New York. Known for his behavior‑led branding approach, Topher has helped shape the identities of prominent clients including HBO, Twitch, Unilever, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Coinbase. He also co-hosts Strange Coordinates, a podcast from territorial exploring the unexpected stories behind major brands, with recent episodes diving into brands like Olay. Before founding territorial, Topher led strategy at design firm COLLINS and digital agency Deep Focus. Outside the agency world, he's active in Portland, Oregon, as a climate community organizer, trail runner, gardener, and occasional comedian

Michael is a multi-disciplinary creative director, focusing on experience design, interiors and production design for film and content. Originally trained as an architect, Michael spent the beginning of his career working on international cultural projects including the masterplan to rebuild New York's Ground Zero site and the SF Jewish Museum.  With more than 20 years working with artists and brands to help translate narratives into emotive experiences, he's collaborated with Google, Nike, Amazon, Ferrari and Red Bull directing large creative teams while keeping focus on the smallest details.

Over 15-years of experience working with start-ups, ad agencies and world class brands in North America, Europe and China. For the past decade she has been a part of the Cheil Network holding client service and growth roles at the regional and global level for IRIS and at the group level as Global CMO for Cheil Connec+. Cheil Connec+ brings specialists together from 6 creative companies (Barbarian, McKinney, IRIS, BMB, CYLNDR, & of course, Cheil) in 53 offices and with over 6500 experts worldwide. Currently, she is CEO of the Americas for IRIS. Working with talent and clients across our offices in Atlanta, Boston, New York, San Francisco, São Paulo and Toronto.

Sean is CEO of the new Destination Media and GSTV. He was recruited to lead the next generation of growth following a joint venture announcement that combined the assets and operations of Verifone's media division with the former Gas Station TV, owned by Detroit-based Rockbridge Growth Equity and Falcon Investment Advisors.  The combined business now operates under the GSTV brand and deliver 3.3 billion brand safe 1-to-1 annual impressions from over 29,000+ locations in all 50 states.Sean previously served as EVP – Strategy & Partnerships at Clear Channel Outdoor, Americas. While at CCO he led all strategic revenue activity with leading agency and brand partners and pioneered new product and partnership approaches to OOH, DOOH and integrated media campaigns. He's been continually focused on driving business results by understanding the evolution of media, the consumer journey and behavioral insights by using data, technology and the power of content to drive brand and consumer engagement. While at Clear Channel he also led industry sales and marketing initiatives across verticals, integrated sales partnerships, industry events such as Cannes Lions, CES, ANA events and so on and he has been a featured speaker and writer. He also led global client outreach & strategy which created first-to-market global client and agency partnerships across technology, fashion, beverages and more as well leading global agency holding companies.Prior to his last role, Sean held a variety of executive sales and marketing positions across North American regions. He began his career at a private-equity backed media company which ultimately grew to a 9-figure IPO and subsequent acquisition and consolidation of an industry sector. Working for both small and large organizations and public and private ownership, he has a broad point-of-view of managing organizational change, integration, business growth strategy, team strategy development and collaborative leadership and vision.

Nadja Bellan‑White is a powerhouse leader in global marketing and communications, currently serving as Group CEO, North America at M&C Saatchi Group and CEO of SS+K. With over three decades of experience across markets including the U.S., EMEA, LatAm, and APAC, she has a proven track record leading transformation and brand growth .Her career highlights include:Global Chief Marketing Officer at Vice Media Group (2020–2023): Guided enterprise-wide brand strategy during a pivotal era in youth media.Executive Partner & WPP Team Leader at Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide: Led major brand transformations for Dove (Unilever), and spearheaded initiatives for American Express, Coca-Cola, IKEA North America, Siemens, LG, and more .CEO of Ogilvy Africa (2014–2017): Directed the largest agency network on the continent, managing diverse client portfolios across Africa.Nadja is celebrated for her bold, inclusive leadership style and her unwavering advocacy for diversity. She co-founded Ogilvy/WPP Roots, champions cultural representation, and actively shapes industry standards. Her achievements have been recognized through awards such as AdColor's Legend Award and inclusion in Savoy Magazine's Top 100 Women in Corporate America.She holds a BA in Foreign Affairs and Spanish from the University of Virginia and an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business.

Ali Cornford – Managing Director, 72andSunny New YorkAli relocated from Toronto to New York and brings over 15 years of leadership in advertising and agency management . In March 2024, she was named Managing Director of 72NY, joining the executive leadership alongside Juliana Cobb and Geoff McHenry. Previously, she led Convicts as MD (2021–2024) and held account and business roles at BBH, Droga5, Anomaly, BBDO, and Grey Canada. In her current role, Ali oversees agency operations and client partnerships, with clients including Paramount+, Sleep Number, E*Trade, 1800 Tequila, Autotrader, and Comcast Adweek. Known for her “gritty hunger, curiosity, and leadership,” she's focused on driving business growth, award-winning campaigns (including E*Trade Super Bowl work), and an invigorated agency culture Adweek.Geoff McHenry – Head of Strategy (formerly Executive Strategy Director), 72andSunny New YorkGeoff is a strategist, thought leader, DJ, and public speaker who joined 72NY in October 2023 as Executive Strategy Director, setting vision for the strategy department and leading its growth. He came from Translation, where he led strategy on high-profile work like WhatsApp's “Naija Odyssey” documentary about Giannis Antetokounmpo. Before that, he was at Wieden+Kennedy NY managing strategy for vitaminwater, Jordan Brand, and Sprite. A Morehouse College graduate, Geoff is passionate about building culturally relevant brands, mentoring diverse talent, and driving industry change through roles like ADCOLOR advisory co-lead. His work emphasizes strategic clarity, collaboration with creatives, and balancing cultural insight with marketing effectiveness

CEO, Rhonda Hiatt has been at Clear for over seven years, where she has focused on growing the retail and shopper offer and delivering retail and shopper strategy for clients including Reckitt Benckiser, Philips, Nautica, and Abbott.Prior to joining Clear, Rhonda was Head of Brand Strategy, Analytics, and Shopper Sciences for Interbrand Design Forum, where she focused specifically on retail and CPG clients.Rhonda previously taught Consumer Behavior in the MBA program as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Dayton. She has been recognized in Design Retail's 40 Under 40 for her contributions to the retail industry and has most recently been honored as one of Consulting Magazine's Top Consultants for Excellence in Client Services. She is also a member of Chief, a private network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders.Rhonda likes to spend her free time “experiencing retail” (aka shopping!), drinking wine, and taking vacations with her daughter and husband.

Robin Clarke is the Global CEO of Passions & PR at M C Saatchi Group, where he leads the Sport & Entertainment and Talk PR divisions across North America, EMEA, and beyond. He was appointed to this role in July 2024 and sits on the agency's Executive Leadership Team under Global CEO Zaid Al‑Qassab.Bringing nearly 25 years of experience in sports and entertainment marketing, Robin began his career in sports hospitality sales before moving into advertising and agency leadership. His previous roles include Senior Business Manager at M&C Saatchi (2002–2003), Head of Fuse Sport & Entertainment at Manning Gottlieb OMD (2004–2010), and leadership positions at Starcom EMA and Publicis Media Sport & Entertainment (2010–2018).From 2018 to 2024, Robin was a key leader at 160over90 (part of Endeavor), serving first as SVP International and later as Global EVP. There, he managed major global client relationships—including DP World, Visa, AB InBev, and Marriott—and built a strong industry network.At M C Saatchi, Robin spearheads the “Cultural Power” strategy within Passions & PR, integrating sport, entertainment, and PR capabilities to deliver global campaigns and fan-focused narratives. Under his leadership, the agency has expanded client offerings across lifestyle, music, film, and large-scale sporting events, including preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

Stevie Archer is the Regional Chief Creative Officer, North America at M&C Saatchi (SS+K), based in the New York City metro area. Named after Stevie Nicks, she grew up in Winston‑Salem, North Carolina, and earned a degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill .Stevie began her career as a copywriter, building experience at agencies including McKinney, Mullen, and Big Spaceship—where she led Starbucks accounts—before joining SS+K in 2019 as Executive Creative Director. She rose to Chief Creative Officer in late 2023 and was recently promoted to Regional CCO, N. America in early 2025 .Her award-winning work includes the “Looks Like You Need Iceland” campaign, creative strategy for Mount Sinai Health System, JPMorgan Chase's Detroit revival, LeBron James's More Than a Vote voter initiative, and rebranding projects for clients like Smartsheet . Known for blending political‑style strategic thinking with bold creative ideas, Stevie thrives on tackling complex challenges—from helping reshape tourism to influencing social change

Cherie R. Cohen is a seasoned media and sports executive currently serving as Global Chief Revenue Officer at X Games. She joined the organization in 2025 as it embarks on evolving into a year‑round international action‑sports league. Prior to X Games, Cherie spent five years as CRO at the World Surf League, where she significantly diversified sponsorships—bringing in brands like Red Bull, Lexus, Neutrogena, Chase, Samsung Electronics, Corona, Apple—and forged partnerships with tourism agencies to grow new revenue streams Earlier in her career, she held key sales and revenue roles at ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Paramount Pictures, managing major events such as Monday Night Football, Super Bowl, the International Olympic Committee – IOC, National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals, and X‑Games .

As CEO of Razorfish, Dani Mariano leads teams who are focused on delivering performance outcomes rooted in brand purpose. Innovation is in Razorfish's DNA, and Dani is leading the agency's day-to-day operations at a time when exponential growth in emerging spaces such as AI and Web3 has never been more attainable. She is committed to discovering how Razorfish can help brands build relationships in this new digital age through valuable consumer touch points, and how to keep companies at the forefront of the latest technology advancements to future-proof them for what's to come. Most importantly, she empowers the agency's team members to seek opportunities for growth that will prepare them to be the next generation of agency leadership.During her time at Razorfish and its parent company, Publicis Groupe, Dani has led an award-winning global digital marketing transformation for Samsung spanning the Web3 launch of 837X and Discord channel, DTC commerce experiences, social commerce innovations, global website UI-redesign, and advanced analytics & measurement – all underpinned by a relentless focus on consumer behavior fueled by data insights.  Dani's blend of deep expertise in marketing, pioneering approach to new technologies, and digital-first innovation has translated into a track record of industry recognitions, such as Hermes Creative Award 2022, Data Breakthrough Award 2022, Effie 2022, Adweek Media Plan of the Year 2021, and multiple Webby Awards.Prior to joining Razorfish and Publicis, Dani spent over 20 years in marketing leadership roles working with brands such as Nestle, Avery Denison, DIRECTV, Honda, Alterna Hair Care, and Public Storage.When Dani is not following her relentless curiosity around emerging technology and the implications for consumer experiences, she can be found around Los Angeles or relaxing at the beach with her family.

Shannon Pruitt serves as Global Chief Marketing Officer for Stagwell's Brand Performance Network (BxP), where she leads global business development, marketing, and communications efforts. Promoted in February 2024, she previously held the role of Global Chief Content & Partnership Innovation Officer, joining Stagwell in 2020.With over two decades of agency- and brand-side experience, Shannon previously served as Chief Marketing Officer at The Honest Company and co-founded Dentsu's The Story Lab, guiding campaigns for Fortune 100 brands like P&G, Microsoft, Mondelez, and MasterCard. She has also spearheaded content and business teams at Warner Bros., Fremantle, Octagon, and 19 Entertainment, and led integrated sponsorship strategies for the FIFA World Cup, MLB, and NFL .An MBA graduate from the University of Oregon, Shannon is a proud advocate for DEI and ESG, having launched Stagwell's “Partners for Progress” diversity initiative and overseen global ESG consolidation efforts stagwellglobal.com.Based in Los Angeles, she blends strategic storytelling, data-informed marketing, and partnership innovation to drive unified brand and performance outcomes across Stagwell's network.

Edgar Hernández is the Chief Strategy Officer at My Code, where he leads the company's strategic vision, overseeing editorial direction, media strategy, and sales growth across its owned platforms. He joined the agency full-time in December 2023 after consulting over six months, bringing more than 20 years of experience in multicultural media and advertising Prior to My Code, Edgar spent 13 years at Complex Networks, launching landmark initiatives like ComplexCon, ComplexLand, and popular content franchises such as Hot Ones and Sneaker Shopping. He continued driving revenue as Chief Revenue Officer at BuzzFeed, especially during the integration of Complex Based in New York, he holds a B.A. in Journalism from UMass Amherst and is a vocal advocate for culturally informed, growth-oriented marketing. Edgar's leadership centers on authentic representation—arguing that “marketing to diverse audiences isn't about politics. It's about growth.”

Claude Zdanow is a visionary leader in the business and marketing industry, boasting nearly two decades of unparalleled experience in scaling and directing multiple marketing and advertising enterprises. His strategic acumen has transformed startups into global brands valued at tens of millions of dollars. Zdanow's impressive client portfolio includes industry giants such as 7-Eleven, Brown Forman, Disney's FX Networks, The Recording Academy, Peter Thomas Roth, Pernod Ricard, Rolls Royce, Steven Soderbergh's Singani 63, and Microsoft's Xbox. Throughout his career, he has successfully executed transactions exceeding $100 million in cash value, encompassing acquisitions, capital raises, asset sales, financings, restructurings, and other corporate financial activities.Before venturing into marketing and advertising, Zdanow built a formidable reputation in the music industry, initially as a musician and later as an entrepreneur. He founded and grew companies that collaborated with top-tier artists like Avicii, The Chainsmokers, Chris Brown, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Eminem, Drake, and Yo-Yo Ma. His businesses were involved in 22 Grammy Award-winning projects and received 30 Grammy nominations, reflecting his significant impact on the music scene.As a dynamic and insightful speaker, Claude engages global audiences on topics including business, marketing, M&A, and music. His thought leadership has been featured in prestigious media outlets such as Bloomberg, Rolling Stone, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, MarketWatch, and The Village Voice. He has also served as an industry expert for renowned organizations and events like The Recording Academy, The Organization of American States, Grammy Camp, Pro Audio Summit, Rotterdam Beats, SAE University, Columbia Business School, Winter Music Conference, and Amsterdam Dance Event.Currently, Zdanow is the CEO of ONAR (OTCQB:RELT), a publicly traded marketing agency network that acquires and develops marketing agencies specializing in driving growth for clients across various sectors, including consumer products, entertainment, spirits, and healthcare. Beyond his corporate achievements, Zdanow is a mentor, advisor, and board member to startups and businesses, including Endexx Corporation & Chemtech. His passion for nurturing entrepreneurial talent and business leadership is matched by his love for wine and hospitality. He is the founder of Sona Hills, a boutique vineyard resort in Paso Robles, CA, and Claude Philippe Wines, where he combines his business acumen with his personal interests.

Mattia is a legal and technology expert turned entrepreneur. He is a co-founder and CEO at Anonymised, a tech company that is enhancing privacy and ad effectiveness through ID-less advertising.Excessive reliance on the collection and sharing of consumer data undermines digital advertising because:

Laura Hoffman is a Partner and Head of Brand Management at HAYMAKER, an independent, minority‑owned creative agency based in Los Angeles. She joined the agency as Group Brand Director in late 2021 and quickly rose to Partner status in 2022, where she now leads brand strategy, client relationships, and organic growth initiatives—including the launch of the agency's in‑house production arm, THROWDOWN .Before HAYMAKER, Laura held senior brand roles at top-tier agencies like 72andSunny, The Many, BBH, Deutsch, and DDB, managing major consumer brands and bringing a wealth of creative strategy and account leadership to her work. She holds a B.S. from Villanova University in Business, Management, and Marketing theorg.com.Dynamic, curious, and client-focused, Laura is known for structuring agile teams and driving innovative brand initiatives that resonate in today's evolving media landscape.

Kristi O'Brien leads LTK's Brand Platform team – developing and driving creator commerce strategies for its brand partners. She also oversees the product and technology teams as they develop advertiser focused tools, including its recent launch of LTK Connect, a self-service advertiser product focused on connecting LTKs creators with brands of all sizes. She started at LTK in 2018 as the VP of Strategy and Corporate Development managing organizational initiatives and strategic relationships.O'Brien came to rewardStyle from Allen & Company, an elite New York based investment bank focused on the technology and media industries. During her tenure, she advised on over $150 billion in transactions including Time Warner's sale to AT&T, Scripps' sale to Discovery, Time Warner Cable's sale to Charter, and multiple financings for companies in the media and technology space.

With over two decades of experience in the skincare and beauty industry, Tara specializes in building brands that move culture. Her work lives at the intersection of science, storytelling, and soul, and it is always anchored in results.She specializes in grit. Her dad is a third-generation pistachio grower in California, and that blend of artful curiosity, beauty, and serious hard work runs deep in her DNA. Today, as the Global President of Dermatological Skincare at Galderma (Cetaphil, Differin, Alastin, Benzac), she brings that same grounded tenacity to leading a portfolio of globally loved brands. She focuses on driving impact through innovation, advocacy, and breakthrough marketing.A California native now living in Switzerland, after a few unforgettable years in Paris, she brings a global perspective to brand-building. Her approach blends sharp market insight with emotional nuance and deep respect for local culture.She works closely with healthcare professionals to deliver superior outcomes that build trust, create value, and honor the deeply personal nature of skincare. Before joining Galderma, she led transformative work at iconic companies including Kendo Brands (LVMH), Too Faced, and Pierre Fabre, launching breakthrough campaigns and fueling growth across global markets.At her core, she is a builder. She thrives on mentoring future change makers, fostering collaboration, and creating bold, lasting brand value through curiosity, clarity, and purpose.She is also a frequent speaker and podcast guest, passionate about sharing insights on beauty, leadership, and brand-building at the intersection of science and soul.Val Vacante is an award-winning, creative catalyst and global innovator. As the SVP of Solutions Innovation at Dentsu, she uncovers cultural trends, commerce dynamics, and emerging technologies to shape next-generation product innovations, and solutions impacting the way people connect in the physical and digital world.Val is the product lead and innovator behind the Meta Global Messaging Alliance and Intelligent Messaging, Dentsu's first-of-its-kind full suite of end-to-end messaging innovations designed to accelerate 1:1 conversational messaging, AI-amplified assistance, and human connection – showcased at CES, SXSW, Cosmoprofs and featured in Digiday, MediaPost, Retail Brew and more.She is the co-creator behind Dentsu NXT Space, a co-space for rapidly realizing the future of AI, 3D spatial environments, and everyday technology in collaboration with Microsoft, LinkedIn and HeadOffice.space featured in PSFK's, “Best of CES,” Forbes, Fast Company, Digiday, Coindesk and more.Val is also the co-creator of ShopNXT™ — Dentsu's retail innovations focused on helping brands create more personalized shopping experiences increasing loyalty, sales, and customer joy. The ShopNXT suite of products has been named top product picks at CES by PCR Magazine featured in CNET, The Drum, PSFK, eMarketer, MediaPost, PCR among others.Additionally, Val architected and launched NXT Intelligence™ an innovation platform featuring 12 technology, innovation, and brand solutions designed to rapidly explore, evaluate and evolve business growth opportunities. Her latest work focuses on connected experiences, emerging technologies, gaming, retail and play.She is also the Founder of the strategy and innovation firm Collabsco; where she pioneered award-winning digital products and connected experiences across IoT, AR, VR, voice, robotics, and the first  connected play landscape featured in VentureBeat, The Drum, VRScout, and more.Her portfolio includes over 50+ brands including Microsoft, Hasbro, Mattel, Disney, Bandai Namco Entertainment, PepsiCo, P&G, Nestlé, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Galderma, AT&T, Vodafone, Honeywell, Sleep Number, Dell, MERGE, WowWee and Virsix Games, among others.Val has been named one of the Top 25 Women in Tech by PCR magazine and Women in Tech Global Product Management Leader of the Year.

Ian Orekondy is the Director of Media, Analytics & Innovation at Method1, where he applies data-driven strategies and behavioral science to optimize media planning and brand impact for clients like PepsiCo, Gap, and Merck . Joining Method1 in early 2024, Ian has nearly two decades of experience across media, analytics, product, and ad-tech leadership roles Before Method1, Ian founded PranifyRx, an AI-powered ad data platform focused on pharmaceutical marketing, and held senior product and leadership positions at AdComplyRx, Good Apple, United Business Media, and Rosetta . He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo and earned an altMBA certificate from Seth Godin signalhire.com.Ian's cross-functional expertise in connecting technology, analytics, and creative strategy makes him a key driver of innovative, measurable campaigns in a privacy-first world.

James Townsend is currently CEO of Stagwell EMEA and Global CEO of Stagwell's Brand Performance Network (BXP). He assumed the EMEA role on January 1, 2024, after serving as Global CEO of Assembly and Brand Performance Network, and leads the company's expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa en.wikipedia.org+10stagwellglobal.com+10odwyerpr.com+10.With more than 15 years in agency leadership, James previously drove digital growth as European CEO at 360i (under Dentsu Aegis) and spent five years as Managing Director at Fallon, working on global brands including Cadbury, Nokia, and Škoda people.equilar.com+1theorg.com+1.At Stagwell, he's spearheaded the integration of ForwardPMX into Assembly, scaled the Brand Performance Network, and opened a major London hub in late 2023 to support over 750 employees across 16 agency brands in the region odwyerpr.com+4stagwellglobal.com+4people.equilar.com+4.Known for uniting best-in-class creative, media, analytics, and commerce capabilities, James continues to shape Stagwell's challenger‑holding model—helping brands thrive in a complex global marketplace.

As Global CCO, Matt pushes the creative limits of 72andSunny by helping lead its commitment to experimentation with art, technology, and entertainment. He's a born tinkerer, and is always looking for new ways to create opportunities with all of our brand partners.Matt's passion for partnership has produced unlikely collaborations, including rallying millions of girls to code holiday trees on the White House's lawn, galvanizing everyone at United Airlines to become more than just employees, but rather, a collective force for good, and turning the Tinder App into an interactive adventure called Swipe Night that led to matches IRL.   

Vida Delrahim is a WeNatal Co-Founder with 20+ years of leadership in Brand Marketing. Building campaigns from the ground up as the Senior Marketing Director at Nike, she's responsible for executing numerous high-profile endeavors including the Nike Women's Marathon, World Cup, and Nike Women Los Angeles. Vida's experience with bringing stories of strength & empowerment to light shifted to the fertility space when her own personal journey with loss led her to redefine how parents-to-be navigate the world of reproductive health. As she transforms the fertility narrative from me to we with premium prenatal company WeNatal, she also cherishes family time off the grid - staying active with her husband and two daughters.

With over 20 years of global experience in production and creative leadership, Don Strom's journey began in technical theatre and live performance, igniting his passion for entertainment. He launched his career in TV and live broadcast with major networks like ABC, FOX, and NBC before transitioning to executive producing large-scale events for Fortune 500 companies, including Google, Netflix, Nike, and Apple. After serving as VP of Production and Operations for a global non-profit (2009-2017), leading 500+ events across 17 countries, Don co-founded Salt and Pinch. His leadership blends agency, theatre, broadcast, and non-profit expertise, driving both agencies to deliver award-winning work. By balancing creative and production disciplines and fostering "healthy tension," Don creates environments that inspire teams, enhance quality, and ensure brand satisfaction. Today, he continues to travel the world producing high profile events, overseeing production teams and continue to work towards establishing stronger connections within the experiential marketing, live event and television production community. He considers himself an inspiring leader who focuses on producing quality events by creating a safe and fun workplace for both the production team and client. He believes, having an environment that promotes creative thinking, and encourages personalized growth is key to a successful event and developing long lasting relationships.

Greg Williams graduated from Susquehanna University in 1992 with a degree in accounting, but quickly pivoted toward the outdoors, co-founding the Philadelphia Rock Gyms (PRG) Gym in 1993 and helping build one of the region's first indoor climbing communities. He later moved to Colorado to work in advertising at Climbing Magazine Inc, combining his professional skillset with his passion for the outdoors. Greg joined Backbone in 1997 as a PR Account Manager and went on to launch the agency's Paid Media and Social Media services—becoming VP of Media and helping shape Backbone's integrated approach. In 2022, he became President and now oversees all 11 service areas across paid and earned media. He serves on the boards of Mountain Projects, Inc, RootsRated Media, and 5Point Film Festival. Outside the office, he's a 10-year youth basketball coach and enjoys climbing, biking, and rucking.

Gabby Ludzker is CEO of Rapp UK, joining the agency in 2020. She spent 11 years at Proximity: 3 years running the International business in the Paris office and 8 years in Proximity London as MD and then CEO.Coming from a Digital background at the start of it all, Gabby is passionate about the constant evolution of Marketing, finding new and better ways to solve meaty client problems, make consumers happy and deliver outstanding creative work! She is also obsessed with harnessing the collective genius of the Agency to make magic.

Agencies are a trip.She should know. After spending 20 years at some of the largest and most influential agencies, she's come to appreciate the unique power of independent and inclusive teams. Now, as the COO of Xpedition, she is part of a team committed to revolutionizing agency and entertainment work and delivering world-changing results in partnership with clients like Google, YouTube, Amazon and more.Her mission is to build systems that drive industry-leading creative and elevate underrepresented voices that reflect the diversity of the world we live in. She believes that true innovation and the future of marketing are built by embracing a multitude of perspectives.In partnership with her colleagues, Xpedition is setting new standards for creative excellence and collaboration. Thier focus on inclusive processes and groundbreaking strategies is paving the way for a more dynamic and representative industry. Looking ahead, she is excited to continue driving change and setting new benchmarks for creativity and belonging.She is always eager to connect with like-minded professionals who share a passion for innovation. Let's explore how you can collaborate to create meaningful and impactful work together.

Tamara Francious is CEO and co‑founder of The XP Agency, an award‑winning experiential and multicultural marketing firm based in New York. Since launching the company in 2016, she has led the agency's growth, championing immersive, culturally resonant activations for clients like Netflix, Coca‑Cola, Procter & Gamble, Ghirardelli, and Aflac Under her leadership, The XP Agency earned a spot on Inc.'s 2023 Northeast Regionals list (#79) for its innovative brand experiences inc.com.Tamara draws on over 20 years of experience in entertainment and marketing to bridge real-world events with virtual and digital storytelling, crafting campaigns that deeply engage multicultural audiences blackenterprise.com. A respected voice in the industry, she's been recognized among BizBash's 2025 “Industry Innovators” alongside co-founder Adolfo Vasquez

Tom is an accomplished senior agency leader and executive advisor with proven expertise in accelerating revenue growth in both large corporate and independent entrepreneurial environments. Significant experience creating sales and marketing strategies that have generated revenues for ad agencies, publishers and ad tech startups. Highly adaptive with versatile sales skills and reputation as innovative, marketing-driven revenue builder. Collaborative leader and mentor. Experienced at attracting, training, and scaling teams. Exceptional and vast industry relationships across marketing clients, creative agencies, and senior level executives at media companies.

Adam has 30 years of global experience across a number of areas in marketing and the live event industry, leading diverse projects such as fashion shows, live broadcast events for TV, theatre, music, ceremonies for international sporting events, complex consumer marketing campaigns, and corporate brand experiences. Over the years, he developed a reputation as a world-class event and experience producer.In 2003, he was appointed by Jack Morton Worldwide as the Producer of the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. From 2007 to 2018, he was based in China, one of the biggest and most dynamic markets in the world, before relocating to Dallas, Texas, in August 2018 to join Freeman's corporate headquarters and lead its agency business globally.In 2023, Freeman acquired Sparks, and he proudly became the Chief Growth Officer at Sparks. Sparks is a global brand experience agency specializing in creating meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through innovative event marketing, experiential design, trade shows, and more. Sparks partners with some of the world's most renowned brands to deliver unforgettable experiences that inspire and drive action. He prides myself on establishing and maintaining long-serving relationships with clients, staff, and partners. He is passionate about building creative, supportive, and collaborative environments that empower employees to constantly challenge themselves to do what they do better.He believes that the positive culture of a company is the key to its success. It creates value for the company's stakeholders, both in the short and long term.He builds creative, supportive and collaborative environments that empower employees to constantly challenge themselves to do what they do better.He believes that the positive culture of a company is the key to its success. This is what creates value to the company's stakeholders both in the short and long term.

Steve Erich is the Co-Founder and President of Erich & Kallman, which has been named AdAge 2024 North American Agency of the Year, honored as an ADWEEK Fastest Growing Agency, named on the AdAge A-List and has three times been awarded Small Agency of the Year - West by AdAge. Erich & Kallman has produced award winning work for Hershey, Disney+, General Mills, Great Wolf Lodge, iRobot, Take 5, Kelly Services, Chick-fil-A, Fisher Investments and Zero Cancer. Prior to starting Erich & Kallman, Steve was President of Crispin Porter Bogusky with responsibility over seven global offices. He oversaw CPB's expansion into Europe in 2006 with the management of its London, Madrid and Munich offices, and Asia in 2014 with the launch of its office in Hong Kong. Prior to CPB, Steve worked at TBWA Chiat/Day, Vitro and The Martin Agency. He has overseen work which has been awarded two Grand Effies and over 300 other strategic and creative awards, been a guest lecturer at both the University of Missouri and University of Colorado Schools of Journalism, and a featured speaker for the 4A's MPF Program, Minneapolis Ad Club, the AdAge Small Agency Conference in Los Angeles, the Mirren CEO Summit in Chicago, the Word of Mouth Conference in Hamburg, and Marketing 2.0 in Paris. He currently sits on the BBB's National Advertising Review Board and AAAA'sWestern Leadership Committee, is the Jury Chair for the Jay Chiat Awards for B2B Strategy and has judged the Effies and the Association of National Advertisers B2B awards multiple times.

Aaron C. Lang is the President of MSQ, a global marketing group known for its collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to building modern brands. With a career spanning leadership roles across agencies and client-side organizations, Aaron brings a deep understanding of integrated marketing, digital transformation, and growth strategy. At MSQ, he champions innovation and creative excellence, driving cross-agency collaboration to deliver impactful results for some of the world's most ambitious brands.