The Ad Podcast

Dylan Conroy

a podcast where host Dylan Conroy interviews the c suite of media companies, agencies, brands and thought leaders on his quest to build the worlds greatest sales culture

  1. Colin Jeavons - Founder & CEO - Nomix Group

    3D AGO

    Colin Jeavons - Founder & CEO - Nomix Group

    Colin Jeavons is a seasoned British entrepreneur and digital media pioneer with over 30 years of experience in publishing, search technology, and e-commerce innovation. He is currently the Founder and CEO of Nomix Group, a venture studio that operates at the intersection of AI, performance media, and retail. A self-described "product-first" leader, Jeavons began his career in the UK publishing industry at age 18. By 20, he was leading the Yellow Pages division at Guardian Communications. His career is marked by an early understanding of how search serves as a primary signal of consumer intent. Nomix Group: Jeavons leads this holding company, which oversees subsidiaries like Shopnomix and Appnomix. The group focuses on creating "seamless digital commerce" by integrating AI-driven search into unconventional environments like apps and creator content. NTENT (formerly Seekr): As Founder and CEO, he played a pivotal role in advancing semantic search technologies and machine learning long before they became mainstream buzzwords. Vertical Search Works: He served as CEO and President, leading a reverse merger with Convera Corporation to scale vertical-specific search ad models that rivaled early versions of Google AdWords. Parliamentary Communications: Earlier in his career, he was the CEO of Europe’s largest political communications group, where he launched ePolitix.com and transformed the organization into a digital powerhouse before its eventual sale.

    18 min
  2. Robert Davidman - World Series of Golf - CEO

    3D AGO

    Robert Davidman - World Series of Golf - CEO

    Robert Davidman is a prominent media executive and entrepreneur based in New York City, best known as a co-founder and partner at Fearless Agency. He is frequently recognized for his early career success working alongside Mark Cuban at Broadcast.com, where he helped develop the internet broadcast business model before it was sold to Yahoo for nearly $6 billion in 1999. Here is a breakdown of his career and current roles as of 2026: Fearless Agency (Partner/Co-Founder): At this NoMad-based advertising and communications firm, he leads media strategy and digital business transformation. The agency is known for a "fearless" approach to marketing, working with clients like Hard Rock Café and various entertainment brands. World Series of Golf (CEO): Beyond traditional advertising, Davidman serves as the CEO of this sports entertainment property. fear-LS (Head of Operations & Business Development): He is a key leader in this joint venture between Fearless and LS Digital, which focuses on digital business transformation for global brands. Entertainment & Media: He currently runs an entertainment company that develops movies and TV shows, serving as its COO. The "Cuban" Connection: Davidman was the Director of International Broadcast Services for Yahoo! and a Senior Director at Broadcast.com. His work during the late 90s dot-com boom established him as an expert in transitioning traditional media to digital platforms. Strategic Partnerships: He has a long history of bridging the gap between music, sports betting, and digital advertising. He was a key figure in creating Concrete.Fearless.Agency, a partnership specifically designed to handle media buying and planning for the music and movie industries. Advocacy & Personal Journey: Davidman is open about his personal journey, often sharing his story of 20+ years of sobriety as a "Sober Founder." He often highlights how recovery has influenced his leadership style and resilience in the fast-paced NYC agency world. He is often called upon as a speaker or panelist regarding sports betting marketing, digital media strategy, and brand bartering. He is known for the philosophy that agencies should be revenue-generating partners for their clients rather than just a line-item expense.

    13 min
  3. Ameetess Dira - Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) - Petzey

    3D AGO

    Ameetess Dira - Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) - Petzey

    Ameetess Dira is a strategic marketing leader and the current Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Petzey, a digital health platform disrupting the veterinary space with on-demand pet telehealth. Known for her "purpose-driven" approach to brand building, Ameetess has become a prominent voice in the 2024–2026 marketing landscape, particularly within the pet-tech and health-tech sectors. CMO at Petzey: At Petzey, she has spearheaded the brand’s mission to provide affordable, 24/7 access to veterinary professionals. Her strategy focuses on replacing "Dr. Google" with expert-led triage, positioning the company as a low-cost entry point ($20 consultations) for pet wellness. Industry Thought Leader: She is a frequent guest on high-level industry programs, including The Ad Podcast with Dylan Conroy and the YouShouldTalkTo podcast. Her insights often center on how startups can build trust through authenticity and how to leverage agency partnerships to scale effectively. Marketing Philosophy: Ameetess is a proponent of "value-first" marketing. She advocates for brands to solve real-world consumer anxieties—in her case, pet health scares—rather than simply selling a product. She has been vocal about the responsibility brands have to operate with a clear sense of purpose and ethical integrity. Agency & Partnership Strategy: She is recognized for her sophisticated approach to the client-agency relationship, emphasizing deep collaboration and transparency as the primary drivers of marketing ROI.

    12 min
  4. David Berkowitz - Founder, Serial Marketer & AI Marketers Guild

    3D AGO

    David Berkowitz - Founder, Serial Marketer & AI Marketers Guild

    David Berkowitz is a world-renowned marketing strategist, community builder, and author who has spent over 20 years at the intersection of technology and brand communication. He is currently the Principal of Serial Marketer, a consultancy where he generates demand for growth-mode technology firms and agencies. Community Architect: David founded Serial Marketers, a thriving community of over 3,500 marketing professionals, and the AI Marketers Guild (AIMG), which focuses on the practical application of artificial intelligence in marketing. In 2025, he notably sold both communities to Marketecture Media. Agency Veteran: Before launching his own consultancy, he held top-tier leadership roles including Chief Marketing Officer at MRY (Publicis Groupe) and SVP of Emerging Media at 360i (Dentsu), where he helped build the social media practices for brands like Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, and Mondelez. AI Thought Leadership: He is the author of The Non-Obvious Guide to Using AI for Marketing (2025), a foundational text for professionals looking to navigate the AI revolution without the hype. Prolific Content Creator: David has penned more than 600 columns for outlets like Ad Age, MediaPost, and VentureBeat, and has been an active blogger via MarketersStudio.com since 2005. The "Serial" Approach: His philosophy centers on constant experimentation and "serial" learning. He is known for being "unapologetically real" on stage and in his consulting, often sharing both his successes and his failures to help others grow. Speaker: A global fixture on the marketing circuit, he has spoken at over 400 events worldwide, including SXSW, CES, and Advertising Week. Key Expertise & Career HighlightsPersonal InsightsBackground: A lifelong New Yorker, he holds a B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University. He is also a professional voiceover enthusiast and a Lego builder in his spare time.

    49 min
  5. Les Kollegian - Founder & CEO - Jacob Tyler

    3D AGO

    Les Kollegian - Founder & CEO - Jacob Tyler

    Les Kollegian is an award-winning creative director and brand strategist with over 25 years of experience in the advertising and design industry. As the founder of Jacob Tyler, a global creative agency headquartered in San Diego, he has built a reputation for blending high-level brand storytelling with data-driven marketing results. Agency Leadership: Under his guidance, Jacob Tyler has evolved from a small design boutique into a full-service global agency that has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies multiple times. Brand Architect: Les has led successful branding and marketing initiatives for a diverse array of clients, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 giants, including Sony, TEDx, Hilton Hotels, and the San Diego Chargers. Integrated Strategy: His expertise lies in "Human-Centric Branding"—ensuring that every digital touchpoint, from web design to social media, resonates emotionally with the target audience while meeting business KPIs. Creative Recognition: His work has earned over 500 industry awards, including numerous ADDYs and Tellys, and he is a frequent keynote speaker on the topics of brand authenticity and the future of creative technology. The "Brand Soul": Les is a firm believer that a brand is not a logo, but a "gut feeling" a customer has about a product or service. He focuses on uncovering the "soul" of a company to create lasting market differentiation. Industry Contributor: He is deeply involved in the creative community, often serving as a mentor to emerging designers and a consultant for business incubators. Career Highlights & ExpertisePhilosophy & CommunityBackground: Prior to founding Jacob Tyler in 2000, Les honed his craft at several top-tier West Coast agencies, giving him a balanced perspective on both the creative and operational sides of the business.

    43 min
  6. David Zucker - Chief Marketing Officer - King Ranch

    3D AGO

    David Zucker - Chief Marketing Officer - King Ranch

    David Zucker is a senior marketing executive and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at King Ranch, a historic U.S. agribusiness known for ranching, farming, and retail operations. He is an analytically driven, “AI-forward” marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in digital strategy, brand development, and customer acquisition. Before joining King Ranch, Zucker held leadership roles across retail and e-commerce companies, including serving as CMO at Vitacost and working with brands like Dell and Home Shopping Network, where he focused on growth, performance marketing, and omnichannel strategy. He is known for combining data-driven decision-making with creative brand strategy to drive business growth and modernize marketing operations.

    18 min
  7. Timothy Peterson - President & CEO -Rob Roy

    APR 25

    Timothy Peterson - President & CEO -Rob Roy

    Timothy Peterson is a forward-thinking executive and strategist serving as the President and CEO of Rob Roy. He is recognized for his expertise at the intersection of retail innovation, artificial intelligence, and evolving consumer demographics—specifically Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Under Peterson’s leadership, Rob Roy has focused on navigating the shift from "AI hype" to "AI utility." He is a vocal proponent of Agentic Commerce, the idea that AI agents will soon handle the heavy lifting of product discovery and purchasing for consumers. His work at Rob Roy often centers on: Gender-Fluid Fashion: Peterson has championed the "gender-free" movement in retail, viewing it not just as a cultural shift but as a manufacturing efficiency play. Operational Excellence: He advocates for "boring" AI applications—those that solve specific business problems like supply chain logistics and sizing accuracy (such as the "1/8th inch" manufacturing secret) rather than just chasing "shiny object" trends. Community-Driven Branding: He emphasizes building niche, high-trust communities as the primary defense against the commoditization of retail. Peterson is a frequent speaker and guest on high-level industry platforms (including The Ad Podcast with Dylan Conroy), where he discusses the future of the 2026 hype cycle and how brands can survive the transition to automated commerce. He is known for a "problem-first" approach to technology, advising executives to identify a business pain point before selecting a technical tool.

    12 min
  8. Grace Teng - Partner & Chief Media Officer - Zambezi

    APR 23

    Grace Teng - Partner & Chief Media Officer - Zambezi

    Grace Teng is a highly seasoned advertising executive with over 20 years of experience spanning politics, advertising, and media strategy. At Zambezi, one of the largest female-owned independent agencies in the U.S., she serves as Partner and Chief Media Officer. She also leads Scale by Zambezi, the agency’s dedicated media arm which she helped grow into a division managing over $50 million in billings. Key Expertise & Career Highlights Multidisciplinary Background: Her career includes leadership roles at major agencies such as Mindshare, Deutsch LA, BBDO Worldwide, and Team One (Saatchi & Saatchi). Brand Experience: She has developed integrated communication strategies for global "blue-chip" brands, including Lexus, Google, The Walt Disney Company, Starbucks, Goldman Sachs, and Health-Ade Kombucha.

    1h 2m
See All (346)

About

a podcast where host Dylan Conroy interviews the c suite of media companies, agencies, brands and thought leaders on his quest to build the worlds greatest sales culture

Information

  • Creator
    Dylan Conroy
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    346
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dylan Conroy
  • Show Website
    The Ad Podcast

You Might Also Like