TAG TALKS: Happy Hour with Ajit Kara

Brett Russo Tiede, print company CEO, author, and wife-mom extraordinaire, is wise beyond her years. She attributes her success to her dad's expert guidance. Her best advice?  Be real with people, always! HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Malavika Rajagopal, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas RECORDED: September 28, 2022

JT Pierce, brand expert and problem solver, loves finding marketing solutions for clients' ‘gnarly things.' Influenced by Rap Music early in life, he could never rap freestyle, until one Halloween night…Since then, his life is full of creativity and storytelling.   HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Esakiyarajan Shanmugam, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariyappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas RECORDED: August 31, 2022

Scott Harding, procurement expert and extreme tailgating fan, reminisces on his childhood RV trips around the US with his grandparents, and his Detroit Bad Boys days. A career in golf and basketball may have eluded this 6'6” guy, but his hugs are unforgettable.   HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Sushma Sridharan, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas RECORDED: July 20, 2022

Lucie Kim, Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager at Tag, lived in Taiwan and France before moving to the US in her teens. She quickly fit in with other American girls, who also dreamed of being the next Mrs. McIntire to a 90s boyband heart throb.   HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Malavika Rajagopal, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas RECORDED: September 28, 2022

Andrea Flanders, General Manager for Tag Canada, loves running and had a personal best in the New York City Half Marathon. She strives to give her personal best professionally, with her can-do attitude helping her make great strides along the way.      HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Esakiyarajan Shanmugam, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas RECORDED: October 4, 2022

Audree Rueger, Account Director at Tag, believes her foreign exchange student experience in France helped prepare her for real life. She loves to paint portraits, and admits they're less ‘real' and more like modern art. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Miti Shah, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas RECORDED: September 21, 2022

Nicole Malino, Senior Account Director, Creative Services at Tag Americas, believes in angels, but not the Los Angeles kind. A New Jersey girl at heart, it's New York Mets or Brooklyn—and pizza all the way! HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Esakiyarajan Shanmugam, Tag India  AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariyappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas RECORDED: September 1, 2022

Megan Jackman, Solutions Director, Creative Operations at Tag, has a jolly attitude about life, loves adventures, April Fools, and applause—especially after a terrifying bungie jump over a cliff in New Zealand!    HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Esakiyarajan Shanmugam, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariyappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas RECORDED: September 7, 2022

Duanduan Chen, Account Director at Tag, once dreamed of being a Chinese Opera diva, but conquered the ocean instead, becoming a certified open water 60 ft. scuba diver. Originally from China, she continues to love Mandarin cuisine, including… stinky tofu? Yes, stinky tofu. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER / EDITOR: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Esakiyarajan Shanmugam, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariyappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Jaime Aguilo, Senior Creative Director at Tag, is a huge soccer fan, and even played on an indoor Spanish league. He successfully started his own advertising business at age 23 during the Great Recession, but has since moved to New York where he's happier to be in ‘a league of his own,' putting his talents to work. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Esakiyarajan Shanmugam, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariyappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Abigail Glenn, Talent Acquisition Manager at Tag, loves to learn and tackle new things, and even joined two basketball leagues having never played before. Raised in Botswana, she's traveled the world and lived on five continents, which might explain her bravery…for eating Chongololo.  HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Sushma Sridharan, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Devin Nutter, Strategic Sourcing Director at Tag, could easily geek out on Star Wars, pantones, printing and paradiddles. These days, his passion is photographing headshots and helping others see themselves in the best possible light.

Samadnya Kulkarni, Creative Services Project Manager at Tag, loves creative concepting, Bollywood films, and even worked alongside several Mumbai stars. Though Canada is now home, her mom's Indian cooking is still close to her heart. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Sushma Sridharan, Tag India  AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India   COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

For Cynthia Ward, Strategic Programs Director at Tag, volunteerism and hard work have always been part of her family's DNA, made apparent by her 91-year-old father who's still working. Her love of travel led her to swimming with sharks in Bora Bora, walking ancient paths in Israel, and clocking over 250,000 miles on her classic SUV.

For Katrina Shih, Project Manager of Creatives Services at Tag, the excitement of seeing her favorites win on the soccer field and F-1 race track is incomparable. Except for maybe her love of photography and a cherished Czech Republic national treasure. 

Cristal Velazquez, Account Director at Tag, loved her Icelandic honeymoon adventure, but nothing compares to the journey of motherhood. Cristal believes being your authentic self is important, and would give up everything for music or food, unless it's fermented shark. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Esakiyarajan Shanmugam, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India   COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Jacques Tégé, Head of Pipeline at Taylor James, a Tag company, saw his Ray Harryhausen dreams become a reality with the magic of VFX and inspiration from Cecil B. DeMille and Fangoria magazine. Originally a Brooklyn Native, Jacques now finds peace watching “The Mandalorian” and practicing Tai Chi. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas POST PRODUCER: Shwetha N, Tag India AUDIO ENGINEER: Balamurugan Mariappan, Tag India  COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Lynnie Palancar, Global Business Director at Tag Americas, loves being knee-deep in home reno and also enjoys sailing in the deep. Learning piano, Spanish, and Mandarin at a young age are great feats, but nothing compares to being a mom to young Henry. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Nena Rosic has seen it all, from the Serbian front lines to the world's most expensive dog house in New Jersey. HR Director for Tag Americas, Nena shares why Nikola Tesla is her home renovation inspiration, what most excites her, and how raising her son across two cultures is her greatest joy. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Dan Kanacki, Director, Sourcing Operations at Tag Americas, had aspirations that took him to single A-league baseball. Now, married with two children, his Serbia memories of chickens and a brush with Jay-Z reminds him that life (and cake) is good. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Olivia McCormack, Vice-President of Business Development at Tag, hasn't yet mastered water skiing, but she has mastered the art of speed typing. From Romania to Toronto, Olivia shares her joys of life – especially Dougie-isms and her favorite Velcro dog.    HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Olga Kravchenko, Sr. Commercial Manager at Tag, spoke little English and had no idea that a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich would determine her career when she immigrated to the US. But, honestly, her love of dizzying heights will never compare to her love of pastries and, of course, tying the knot with the love of her life. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Juliana d'Alambert, Managing Director for Tag LATAM, is a foodie traveler who still thinks the world of Pelé and homeland, Brazil. No bark about it; she loves that Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza are regulars in her household and adores her real-life Mad Men inspiration.   HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Andrew Hall, VP of Business Development with Taylor James, a Tag Company, still pines for a good ol' sausage roll as he warms up to LA living. So how did selling stock images lead to an invitation to meet Elton John? Mix yourself a gin and tonic and listen up. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Liz Loewenstein, Tag Sr. Project Manager, Language Services, eloped in Nashville, Tennessee where the music scene is just as hot as their fried chicken. But that's not the most unusual experience in her repertoire. Radio DJ, language lover, barista… can we get a Brava for the opera diva? HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Kyle Falbee, Tag Sr. Director of Creative Operations, knows a thing or two about WWII history and life in the military. But even he was surprised when he unearthed his most prized possession on a former WWI battlefield during an unrelated business trip. On a much lighter note: pickleball. HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Sarah Telgarsky, Tag's Senior Account Director, spills the tea on why she moved to San Diego, California to set up a casino and live a life without clocks. Northern Italy gets a worthy mention, as does Ajit's curious belt buckle, but you'll mostly remember this conversation for the dolphin.  HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas    

It's rare to find Mark Knowles, Tag's General Manager of Creative Operations, at a loss for words. But there are two times he was left absolutely speechless. These two British blokes wax philosophical about English food they miss, why table tennis (ping pong) is a great sport, and what Ajit would die for. It's fun, we promise.   HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Jenn Dee, VP, Studio Lead at Taylor James, shares her remarkable work promoting mental health and suicide prevention. Wine, cooking and life as a restaurant manager feature too in her story about how a chance encounter launched her ad agency career. Oh, and Ajit divulges his middle name.    HOST: Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas PRODUCER: Kaylie Stansfield, Head of Marketing, Tag Americas AUDIO ENGINEER: Daniel Ferguson, Tag Americas COVER ART: Sharon Pollack, Tag Americas

Ajit's podcast producer, Kaylie Stansfield, puts on her best Aussie accent to tell how a career in marketing and music led her to New York City. We also learn why Ajit wears a red string around his wrist, and how he met his wife of 30 years.

Ajit Kara, CEO, Tag Americas, shares what you can expect to hear in this series as he interviews employees to learn more about the people behind the job titles at Tag.