Adspeak

Adweek Podcast Network
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Love it or hate it, the advertising and marketing industry is the ultimate broker of power and influence in the world today. Adspeak, hosted by ADWEEK editor in chief Ryan Joe, brings to life stories from our top reporters, delving into the people, brands, ad agencies, and adtech giants that shape how we view the world, the products we buy, and the entertainment we enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 5 HR AGO

    Focus on Partnerships, Not Paychecks: Why Agencies Must Reinvent Themselves

    In this week's episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Alison Weissbrot, Executive Editor at ADWEEK, leads a BrandWeek panel featuring Nadja Bellan-White, Group CEO at M&C Saatchi,  Coltrane Curtis, Founder and Managing Partner at Team Epiphany, and Kern Schireson, Chairman and CEO at Known. Together they discuss the need to redefine agency-client partnerships.  As budgets tighten and AI reshapes workflows, they explain why legacy and fee-based models are no longer viable. Instead, success hinges on empathy, trust, and aligned incentives tied to outcomes. The panel shares practical strategies, from embedding test-and-learn budgets to understanding board-level pressures and deploying agile “tiger teams.” They emphasize deeper specialization, real human connection, and shared accountability as the foundation for resilient, high-performing partnerships in a rapidly evolving marketing landscape. What You'll Learn: How to shift from legacy fee-based models to incentive-aligned partnerships Why understanding your client's board-level KPIs is non-negotiable The "Three Ideas Framework" for managing risk and building trust How to build genuine relationships through human connection and empathy Why agency expertise depth matters more than breadth How to balance internal restructuring and team protection with client excellence About the Guests: Nadja Bellan-White is the Group CEO at M&C Saatchi, and a “human-first” marketing leader known as a go-to fixer for complex brand transformations. With 25+ years in integrated marketing, she blends data, creativity, technology, and media to drive meaningful customer connections. She has led transformations for global brands including American Express, IKEA, and Coca-Cola, and partnered with African governments to spur growth. An AdColor Legend Award recipient, she brings a sharp focus on context, culture, and creativity to every engagement. Coltrane Curtis is the Founder and Managing Partner of Team Epiphany, a New York-based influencer marketing and PR agency he launched in 2004. What began as a one-man shop has grown into a 70+ person, multidisciplinary agency with offices in New York and Portland. With roots at MTV and deep experience across brands like Nike, HBO, and Coca-Cola, Curtis blends cultural fluency with sharp strategic execution. Known for building powerful brand and celebrity partnerships, he has been recognized by Inc., Forbes, Adweek, and AdColor, and serves on the American Black Film Festival board. Kern Schireson is the CEO of Known, a next-generation agency built on data-driven strategy and systemic innovation. With deep expertise in incentive alignment and AI-powered optimization, he is helping redefine the modern agency model. Kern champions using technology as a force multiplier for enhancing, not replacing, human creativity, while embedding rigorous test-and-learn frameworks into client partnerships. His approach focuses on aligning incentives and enabling continuous iteration, driving measurable, breakthrough results for brands navigating an increasingly complex marketing landscape. Guest Resources:  Nadja Bellan-White on LinkedInM&C Saatchi Group WebsiteColtrane Curtis on LinkedInTeam Epiphany WebsiteKern Schireson on LinkedInKnown Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min

  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Reviving “Obey Your Thirst” Without Losing the Plot or the Culture

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Brittaney Kiefer speaks with Omid Farhang, Founder of Majority and A.P. Chaney, Senior Director of Creative at the Coca-Cola company,  about reviving Sprite’s iconic “Obey Your Thirst” for a new generation. The conversation explores how legacy brands can stay culturally relevant without losing their core identity, and why restraint, and not reinvention, can be the boldest strategy. They unpack the role of authentic partnerships with emerging artists and athletes, aligning brand and agency vision, and turning organic consumer behavior into innovation. By grounding the campaign in real cultural signals and a clear creative ethos, Sprite reconnected with Gen Z and climbed to become the #3 soft drink in America. What You'll Learn: How to resurrect iconic brand platforms without letting ego undermine strategyWhy "disobey to obey" reframes a problematic command into a countercultural cryThe partnership authenticity framework for selecting talent and creatorsHow to transform consumer behavior on social media into product innovation The importance of alignment between brand leadership and agency ambitions How to balance cultural specificity with broad appeal  About the Guests: Omid Farhang is the founder of Majority, a creative agency built on the belief that diversity drives culture-shaping ideas, in partnership with Shaquille O'Neal. His work has been featured in leading publications and even parodied on Saturday Night Live. A former Creative Director at Crispin Porter+Bogusky, he also held leadership roles at Creative Artists Agency and Momentum. Omid hosts the podcast Talking to Ourselves and was named to Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 in 2016. A.P. Chaney is the Senior Director of Creative at the Coca-Cola Company, and a strategic and creative marketing leader known for developing audience-first brand work rooted in cultural insight. Blending big-picture thinking with sharp execution, she crafts campaigns that feel both relevant and authentic. Her passion for pop culture, sports, and copywriting informs deeper creative strategies that resonate with modern consumers. A.P.’s approach centers on turning insight into impact, ensuring brands connect meaningfully while delivering experiences that are both engaging and true to their voice. Guest Resources:  A.P. Chaney on LinkedInThe Coca-Cola Company WebsiteOmid Farhang on LinkedInMajority Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min

  3. 9 APR

    AI Governance Isn’t a Barrier: It’s Marketing’s Growth Engine

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Rebecca Stewart, Brand Editor at ADWEEK, sits down with Thomas Ranese, CMO at Intuit, and Michael Schanker, CMO at OneTrust, to explore how AI is reshaping modern marketing. They unpack why governance and consent are not barriers but enablers of innovation, and how clean, permissioned data is foundational to scaling personalization. The conversation highlights the shift toward AI-powered agents, faster campaign execution, and evolving brand architectures. Crucially, they emphasize balancing automation with human creativity, adopting high-impact use cases first, and building responsible frameworks to protect trust while unlocking AI-driven growth. What You'll Learn: How to move from AI experimentation to scaled deploymentWhy "AI-ready governance" unlocks innovation rather than slowing it downThe critical gap marketers must close: AI-ready dataHow to build AI agents that maintain brand trustThe human-AI balance that drives creativity, not replacementHow to prioritize AI use cases for maximum ROI About the Guests: Thomas Ranese is Chief Marketing Officer at Intuit, where he leads the transformation of the company from a house of brands to a unified branded house powered by AI. With a decade at Google and recent leadership roles at Uber, Thomas brings deep expertise in scaling emerging technologies, from mobile and social to artificial intelligence, across consumer and enterprise audiences.  Michael Schanker is Chief Marketing Officer at OneTrust, bringing nearly a decade of technology industry experience to the forefront of data privacy and AI governance. Known for his expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and emerging technologies, Michael has positioned OneTrust as a leader in helping enterprises manage consumer consent and data responsibility at scale, processing 400 million consumer consent transactions daily.  Guest Resources:  Thomas Ranese on LinkedInIntuit WebsiteMichael Schanker on LinkedInOneTrust Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min

  4. 7 APR

    How Experiential Retail Drives Loyalty at a Heritage Brand with David Lafitte

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Mark Stenberg speaks with David Lafitte, President and CEO at Tecovas, about scaling a heritage brand without losing authenticity. David explains how the brand expands into new markets while staying rooted in Western storytelling, invests in experiential retail to build loyalty, and balances performance marketing with long-term brand building. He highlights the importance of using cultural trends as tailwinds, not as a core strategy, while maintaining craft quality as a core differentiator. The conversation also explores AI’s role in operations, not creativity, and how an omnichannel approach, including digital, retail, and wholesale, drives sustainable growth for modern DTC brands. What You'll Learn: How to thread the authenticity needle when expanding into non-traditional marketsWhy full-funnel marketing outperforms lower-funnel strategies for premium products The radical hospitality framework for creating defensible retail experiencesHow to leverage cultural momentum without chasing trendsWhy AI should enhance operations, not replace authentic creative contentThe omnichannel growth playbook for DTC brands About the Guest: David Lafitte is the President and CEO of Tecovas, a leading and heritage western wear retailer. David is recognised for his expertise in scaling authentic heritage brands while maintaining cultural integrity in competitive markets. With a background in brand strategy and retail expansion, he has successfully transformed Tecovas from a digitally native direct-to-consumer company into an omnichannel powerhouse with 56 locations across 24 states, wholesale partnerships, and a distinctive retail experience centered on "radical hospitality." Guest Resources:  David Lafitte on LinkedInTecovas Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min

  5. 31 MAR

    How CorePower Yoga Turned Fitness Into a Movement with Sarah Choi

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Alison Weisbrott, Executive Editor at ADWEEK, speaks with Sarah Choi, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at CorePower Yoga. Sarah shares how CorePower Yoga is redefining modern wellness, and how the brand reframes yoga as a physically intensive, results-driven workout grounded in mindfulness, while scaling community through 5,000+ teacher ambassadors. The conversation explores blending digital tools with in-studio experiences, using science-backed mental health research to strengthen brand credibility, and building loyalty through inclusive, Gen Z-focused strategies. It’s a practical look at turning a fitness brand into a community-led movement that extends far beyond the mat. What You'll Learn: How to drive conversion through free trial funnelingWhy teacher spotlighting outperforms traditional influencer partnershipsThe dual-role technology strategy that strengthens the in-studio communityHow to ground wellness claims in Harvard-backed research for competitive positioningThe Gen Z wellness opportunity beyond the fitness categoryHow to balance product expansion while maintaining brand clarity About the Guest: Sarah Choi is Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at CorePower Yoga, where she leads the brand's strategic initiatives in wellness marketing and consumer engagement. With expertise in omnichannel marketing, brand accessibility, and community-driven loyalty programs, Choi has pioneered CorePower's evolution from traditional yoga positioning to an intensively physical, science-backed wellness experience. Guest Resources:  Sarah Choi on LinkedInCorePower Yoga Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    19 min

  6. 24 MAR

    The Authenticity Playbook in Personal Branding: Featuring Mina Park & Alyson Stoner

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, Mina Park, CEO and co-founder of Crispy Chicken Social Media Agency, and Alyson Stoner, Founder and CEO at Movement Genius, explore how celebrities can balance authenticity with strategy on social media. They discuss calculated transparency, using trends without losing originality, and building values-driven narratives that outlast algorithms. The conversation also highlights team-based content creation, thoughtful brand partnerships, and structuring content to deepen audience connection. Together, they reveal how intentional storytelling, not constant virality, is key to creating sustainable, meaningful personal brands in today's fast-moving digital landscape and culture shifts. What You'll Learn: How to reframe "authenticity" as calculated transparencyThe anti-marketing marketing approach.How to inject originality into viral trends without sacrificing reachThe grid management strategy for audience developmentWhy celebrity social media requires a team-based infrastructure, not solo management The vetting framework for brand partnershipsAbout the Guests: Mina Park is the CEO of Crispy Chicken Social Media Agency, a social-first agency specializing in organic content creation for brands, entertainment studios, and talent accounts. With over five years of experience managing high-profile celebrity social media presence, including clients like Chelsea Handler and Awkwafina, Mina brings strategic expertise in building authentic digital narratives. Alyson Stoner is a certified mental health practitioner and author who brings 25 years of entertainment industry experience to her work at the intersection of child safety, mental health, and media. As a New York Times bestselling author and long-term collaborator with Crispy Chicken, Alyson provides insights into navigating brand collaborations with integrity while maintaining an authentic public presence. Guest Resources:  Mina Park on LinkedInCrispy Chicken Social Media Agency WebsiteAlyson Stoner on LinkedInMovement Genius Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  7. 17 MAR

    Reinventing a 77-Year-Old Brand: NASCAR’s Modern Playbook with Tim Clark and Jimmie Johnson

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Alison Weissbrot speaks with Tim Clark, EVP and Chief Brand Officer at NASCAR, and Jimmie Johnson, seven-time champion, about how NASCAR is reinventing itself for a fragmented media landscape. They explore staging races in unconventional venues, expanding through gaming and digital platforms, and turning motorsport into a broader lifestyle brand. The conversation highlights how legacy organizations can evolve culturally, reshape audience perception, and stay authentic while engaging new generations of fans. What You'll Learn: How to overcome the "barrier to entry" problem in motorsports The critical difference between brand awareness and brand perceptionWhy authentic brand integration generates 10x more loyalty than logo placementHow to use gaming and simulation as legitimate talent pipelines The Formula 1 brand playbook lesson for legacy sports How to build athlete-driven brands that transcend competition About the GuestsTim Clark is the Chief Brand Officer at NASCAR, leading the organization's strategic positioning and modernization efforts. With expertise in brand perception management and legacy brand transformation, Clark oversees NASCAR's expansion into new markets, digital platforms, and lifestyle categories. Jimmie Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR champion and owner of Legacy Motor Club, bringing both competitive racing expertise and entrepreneurial business acumen to the motorsports industry. With a career spanning two decades as a professional driver and recent expansion into team ownership and brand building, Johnson represents the modern athlete-entrepreneur model. Guest Resources: Tim Clark on LinkedInJimmie Johnson on LinkedInNASCAR Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min

  8. 10 MAR

    Jeff Greenspoon of Kantar on Brand Power

    This week on Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Will Lee speaks with Jeff Greenspoon, CEO of The Americas at Kantar, on the sidelines of BrandWeek, about why brand tension fuels growth. From meaningfulness versus differentiation to short-term performance versus long-term investment, Jeff shares Kantar’s framework for predicting brand success. With examples like Nespresso and Barbie, he explains how CMOs protect their North Star while experimenting boldly, and why sustained brand investment drives stronger ROI, resilience, and lasting enterprise value. What You'll Learn: The "Meaningful and Different" FrameworkHow to Protect Your Brand's North Star While ExperimentingWhy Cutting Brand Spend During Budget Constraints Sacrifices 3-5 Years of GrowthThe Four-to-One ROI Ratio of Brand SalienceNespresso and Barbie as Case Studies in Navigating Competing Tensions)How to Translate Brand Metrics into CFO Language in B2B Organizations About the Guest and Host: Jeff Greenspoon is CEO of The Americas at Kantar, a global leader in brand measurement and marketing effectiveness backed by 50 years of proprietary research. Previously with Dentsu, he brings deep expertise in brand strategy and marketing transformation. Jeff partners with organisations to navigate the tensions between consistency and innovation, and short-term performance and long-term growth, helping brands unlock sustainable, measurable impact. Will Lee is CEO of ADWEEK, the leading media platform serving the marketing and advertising industry. Previously, he was Chief Operating Officer of NPR, where he oversaw strategy, transformation, and growth across its national network of member stations. He has also led digital businesses for PEOPLE, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, and The Hollywood Reporter. With two decades in content, audience growth, and brand development, Will is based in New York City with his family. Guest Resources:  Jeff Greenspoon on LinkedInKantar Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
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Love it or hate it, the advertising and marketing industry is the ultimate broker of power and influence in the world today. Adspeak, hosted by ADWEEK editor in chief Ryan Joe, brings to life stories from our top reporters, delving into the people, brands, ad agencies, and adtech giants that shape how we view the world, the products we buy, and the entertainment we enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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