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. Brad Hoos - CEO - The Outloud Group

    1D AGO

    Brad Hoos - CEO - The Outloud Group

    Brad Hoos is the CEO of The Outloud Group, a fast-growing influencer marketing agency specializing in creator partnerships and digital campaigns for major consumer brands. He is known for helping brands leverage influencer marketing to drive measurable business results across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Under his leadership, The Outloud Group has worked with companies including Grubhub, SimpliSafe, Athletic Greens, and KiwiCo. Hoos has also been featured in Forbes and on Cheddar discussing trends in the creator economy and digital marketing innovation.

    14 min
  2. Brian Watson - Chief Creative Officer - Cactus

    2D AGO

    Brian Watson - Chief Creative Officer - Cactus

    Brian Watson: The "Cactus" Legend Brian is essentially the embodiment of the agency's history. He is often cited as the "ultimate homegrown talent," having spent his entire 24-year career at Cactus. Career Arc: He started at the agency as a junior copywriter in the early 2000s and worked his way up to Executive Creative Director before being named Chief Creative Officer in June 2025. The "Man Therapy" Fame: Brian was a key leader behind one of the most famous and effective mental health campaigns in advertising history: "Man Therapy." This campaign used a fictional character (Dr. Rich Mahogany) and dark humor to reach working-age men about suicide prevention—a demographic traditionally hard to engage. Clients & Impact: His portfolio includes massive regional and national brands like the Colorado Lottery, Fjällräven, and the University of Miami.

    49 min
  3. Tara DeVeaux - CEO - Burrell Communications Group

    3D AGO

    Tara DeVeaux - CEO - Burrell Communications Group

    Tara DeVeaux is an award-winning marketing executive and brand strategist known for her leadership across advertising, entertainment, and media. She currently serves as CEO of Burrell Communications Group, where she leads the agency’s next phase of growth and cultural impact. Prior to Burrell, she was Chief Marketing Officer at Wild Card Creative Group and BBDO New York, helping drive major campaigns for brands including HBO, PepsiCo, adidas, Netflix, and Hulu. DeVeaux is recognized for blending data-driven marketing with culturally resonant storytelling and has earned industry recognition for her work in creative innovation and brand transformation.

    19 min
  4. Julie Levin - SVP, Strategic Growth for Marketing Services - Stagwell

    5D AGO

    Julie Levin - SVP, Strategic Growth for Marketing Services - Stagwell

    As of May 2026, Julie Levin has just stepped into a major leadership role at Stagwell (the global "challenger" network known for its focus on AI and digital transformation). In late April 2026, Stagwell revamped its growth strategy, and Julie was named SVP, Strategic Growth for Marketing Services. Julie is described as a "dual-perspective" leader who understands both the agency hustle and the client’s internal pressures. The "Both Sides of the Table" Expert: Her bio highlights a rare career mix. She has led agency growth at heavyweights like Publicis NA, The Martin Agency, and Horizon Media, but she also spent significant time on the brand side at Verizon. Sector Specialty: In her new role at Stagwell, she is the lead for five key industries: Financial Services Automotive Telecom (drawing on her Verizon roots) Entertainment Sports Growth Philosophy: She is known for moving away from the "traditional agency structure" and instead building solutions based on how modern clients actually buy and operate. At Stagwell, her mission is to connect their "culture-moving creativity" with their high-end technology (like the Stagwell Marketing Cloud).

    18 min
  5. Verena Gründel - Director of Brand & Communications - DMEXCO

    6D AGO

    Verena Gründel - Director of Brand & Communications - DMEXCO

    Verena Gründel is a leading figure in the European digital marketing and media landscape. As of 2026, she serves as the Director of Brand & Communications for DMEXCO (Digital Marketing & Exposition), one of the world's largest digital industry events held annually in Cologne. The Voice of DMEXCO: Beyond her leadership role on the management board, she is the official host and face of the brand. She hosts the DMEXCO Podcast, where she interviews global C-level executives, CMOs, and tech disruptors on topics like agentic AI, retail media, and sustainable digital growth. Editorial Background: Before joining DMEXCO in late 2023, she was the Editor-in-Chief of W&V (Werben & Verkaufen), Germany's most influential trade publication for marketing, media, and tech. Her tenure there established her as a top authority on brand transformation and digital trends. Journalistic Roots: A trained journalist with a background in biology, she spent over 15 years reporting on the digital industry. She is known for her ability to "decode" complex tech buzzwords into actionable business strategies. Moderation & Speaking: She is a frequent moderator for high-level industry events and panels (such as the Horizont Snowmasters), focusing on female leadership, personal branding, and the future of work. Digital Transformation: Her current work focuses heavily on how companies can use data, creativity, and technology (specifically AI) to drive real business impact rather than just chasing hype. Industry Advocacy: She is a member of the MMA (Marketing & Media Alliance) and is deeply involved in shaping the strategic positioning of the digital economy in Europe. In her recent podcast episodes and speaking engagements, Verena has been particularly vocal about: Agentic AI: The shift from "chatbots" to autonomous AI agents that can handle full customer journeys. Retail Everywhere: How commerce is moving away from traditional websites and into AI conversations and social surfaces. Female Leadership: Mentoring the next generation of women in the tech and agency worlds.

    13 min

  6. MAY 8

    Colleen Meenan EVP at Publicis Media & Brad Feinberg VP of Media at Molson Coors

    Colleen Meenan is an Executive Vice President at Publicis Media, where she focuses on leading media strategy, client partnerships, and integrated marketing solutions for major brands. She is recognized for her leadership in modern, data-driven media planning and helping clients navigate the evolving digital and advertising landscape. Brad Feinberg is Vice President of Media & Marketing Operations at Molson Coors Beverage Company. He oversees media strategy, digital marketing, eCommerce, analytics, and consumer engagement across the company’s portfolio of brands. Feinberg is known for leading innovative campaigns, expanding first-party data capabilities, and helping modernize Molson Coors’ media and marketing operations.

    21 min
  7. Robyn Freye - President & Chief Growth Officer - CourtAvenue

    MAY 7

    Robyn Freye - President & Chief Growth Officer - CourtAvenue

    Robyn Freye is a powerhouse in the advertising and marketing world, currently serving as the President and Chief Growth Officer of CourtAvenue. Appointed in early 2026, she is the first person to hold this dual leadership title for the agency, where she leads global growth strategy, M&A initiatives (with a focus on AI and data platforms), and unified client leadership. Career Highlights & Expertise Stagwell Leadership: Before joining CourtAvenue, Robyn spent several years as the SVP and Chief Growth Officer (North America) at Stagwell. She was a key architect in Stagwell’s rapid scale, notably helping launch "Sport Beach" at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—a groundbreaking platform connecting athletes, marketers, and brands. Agency Veteran: Her 20+ year career includes senior roles at top-tier agencies such as R/GA, Pereira O'Dell, Digitaria Co., Ltd., and Deutsch.

    58 min
  8. Joel Halpern - Chief Marketing Officer, Morningside Brands, Inc.

    MAY 6

    Joel Halpern - Chief Marketing Officer, Morningside Brands, Inc.

    Joel Halpern is a seasoned brand strategist, creative director, and marketing executive with over 20 years of experience building multimillion-dollar businesses from the ground up. As the CMO of Morningside Brands, he leads the global marketing and brand positioning for a high-end portfolio of international spirits, including Alma Del Jaguar Tequila. Career Highlights & Expertise The "Zero-to-One" Specialist: Joel is known for his ability to scale startups rapidly. In a recent tenure as CMO for the CTV ad platform Vibe.co, he helped grow the business from $0 to over $1M in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR). Agency Founder: In 2012, he co-founded Loaded For Bear, an award-winning brand development firm. He led strategy and business development for over 100 global clients across diverse sectors before moving into specialized consultancy.

    48 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

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
    357
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dylan Conroy
  • Show Website
    The Ad Podcast