Adspeak

Adweek
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

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. 9h ago

    Building Cultural Moments That Outlive the Product with Jermaine Dupri

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Jesse Kirshbaum, Chief Executive Officer of Nue Agency, sits down with Jermaine Dupri, Songwriter Hall of Famer, Grammy Award-winning producer, and founder of the So So Def recording label, to explore the intersection of culture, creativity, and marketing. Jermaine shares how he has built iconic cultural moments by creating immersive worlds around artists, brands, and ideas, from the Kriss Kross phenomenon to innovative partnerships. He explains why authentic connections to culture and audience proximity are essential for effective marketing, and how identifying unmet needs can uncover powerful business opportunities.  The conversation also examines the role of trusted mentors and gatekeepers in an AI-driven era, emphasizing that technology should support, not replace, intentional, heartfelt creativity. Jermaine argues that unconventional thinking remains the ultimate competitive advantage.  What You'll Learn: How to Build a "Vibe" Around Every ProductThe Source-First Strategy for Brand PartnershipsWhy "Doing Something New" Requires Hiring DifferentlyHow to Identify White Space in Culture and MarketsThe Peacock Effect in MarketingWhy Gatekeeping and Trusted Expertise Are Making a ComebackAI as a Tool, Not a Replacement for Heart About the Guest and Host: Jermaine Dupri is a Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, rapper, entrepreneur, and founder of So So Def Recordings. A pioneering force in Atlanta's rise as a music powerhouse, he first gained national attention after discovering and producing Kriss Kross's chart-topping hit “Jump.” Over a career spanning four decades, Dupri has helped shape the sound of hip-hop and R&B through collaborations with artists including Mariah Carey, Usher, Janet Jackson, Bow Wow, Da Brat, and Jagged Edge. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018, he is widely recognized for blending creative vision, artist development, and cultural influence to build enduring brands and iconic musical moments. Jesse Kirshbaum is the Founder and CEO of Nue Agency, operating at the intersection of music, entertainment, and brand strategy. With more than 20 years of experience, he has built a reputation as a trusted dealmaker, connecting artists, brands, and platforms to create culturally relevant partnerships and experiences. Jesse specializes in helping organizations navigate an evolving cultural landscape, translating emerging trends into meaningful business opportunities. As both a strategist and operator, he brings ideas to life through activations, events, and partnerships that drive immediate results, foster lasting audience connections, and create long-term value. Guest Resources: Jermaine Dupri on InstagramSo So Def Website Jesse Kirshbaum on LinkedInNUE Agency Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min

  2. 2d ago

    The Experience Economy of Sports Marketing with Steve Koonin

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Rich Battista, Executive Chairman at ADWEEK,  sits down with Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, to explore how marketing can transform a sports franchise into a cultural institution. Steve shares how the Hawks built one of the NBA’s most engaged fan bases by focusing on experience, community, and audience relevance rather than relying solely on wins and losses.  He explains why adding “game experience” as a third business pillar creates loyalty that survives performance fluctuations, how a single piece of content can be repurposed into hundreds of platform-native assets, and why empowering creative teams leads to breakthrough campaigns. The conversation also highlights the power of focus, community investment, and place-based marketing in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.  What You'll Learn: How to position game experience as an advantage when on-court performance lagsWhy audience denial is a business killerThe three-pillar blueprint for sports marketingHow to activate younger audiences through platform-native creativityWhy focus is the marketer's most feared wordHow to build long-term brand equity through controlled risk-takingThe underrated opportunity in place-based marketingHow to leverage community impact as a brand platform About the Guest and Host: Steve Koonin is the CEO of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, where he oversees the organization's business, financial, and strategic operations. A lifelong Atlantan and accomplished marketing executive, he previously held leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company and Turner Broadcasting. Since joining the Hawks in 2014, Koonin has transformed the franchise into a leader in fan experience, community impact, and innovation. He is a recipient of the Atlanta Sports Council Lifetime Achievement Award and SportsBusiness Journal's Sports Executive of the Year.  Rich Battista is a veteran media, entertainment, and sports executive with a distinguished track record as a CEO, board chairman, and business builder. Over his career, he successfully transformed and led multi-billion-dollar public companies including Time Inc. and Gemstar-TV Guide. During an 18-year tenure at Fox, he helped create and grow several highly valuable cable network businesses across entertainment and sports. Today, Rich serves as a board member, advisor, investor, and consultant while also producing film and television projects.  Guest Resources: Steve Koonin on NBA Atlanta Hawks Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min

  3. Jun 4

    The Strategy Behind USA Today Co.'s Big Identity Shift with Kristin Roberts and Lark-Marie Anton

    In this episode of Adspeak, host Mark Stenberg is joined by Lark-Marie Anton, Chief Communications and Brand Officer, and Kristin Roberts, President of Media at USA Today Co., to unpack the company's landmark transition from Gannett to USA Today Co. and what it signals for the future of publishing in the AI era. The conversation explores how unifying more than 200 local media brands under a single trusted identity strengthens audience recognition, advertiser value, and AI attribution.  Lark-Marie and Kristin discuss the research behind the rebrand, the company's unique local-to-national reach, and how proprietary tools like Deeper Dive help keep audiences engaged within trusted publisher ecosystems. They also examine AI partnerships, evolving search behavior, and why a strong, recognizable brand may be a publisher's most valuable asset in an increasingly AI-driven media landscape.  What You'll Learn: How to leverage brand consolidation as a defensive strategy against AI answer engines Why data-driven brand decisions outweigh aesthetic rebrandsThe "Local-to-National Platform" positioning  for capturing advertiser attention How to embed proprietary AI tools (like Deeper Dive) as brand moats The negotiating leverage principle for AI partnershipsWhy internal narrative alignment matters as much as external branding About the Guests: Lark-Marie Anton is Chief Communications and Brand Officer at USA TODAY Co., where she leads communications and brand strategy in support of the company’s mission to strengthen local communities. With more than two decades of experience in strategic communications and integrated marketing, she has held senior leadership roles at Hertz, Verizon, Loews Hotels, and Aura, and previously served in New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration. A recognized communications leader, she serves on multiple nonprofit and educational boards and was named one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications.  Kristin Roberts is President of USA TODAY Media, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience across journalism, media, and business transformation. Before joining USA TODAY, she served as Chief Content Officer at McClatchy, where she led 30 newsrooms and helped develop a new business model for local media. She previously held leadership roles at POLITICO and Reuters, overseeing major political, business, and international coverage. Roberts holds degrees from Georgetown, Columbia, and George Washington University and is actively involved in community leadership in Miami.  Guest Resources: Kirsten Roberts on LinkedInLark-Marie Anton on LinkedInUSA Today Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min

  4. Jun 2

    AI and Advertising: Protecting Creativity in an Automated World with Jim Cowsert and Kim Einan

    On this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Kim Einan sits down with Jim Cowsert to unpack how AI is transforming advertising without sacrificing creativity, trust, or brand identity. Jim explains how brands can use AI to strengthen insights, improve consistency, and personalize campaigns at scale while still preserving the emotional nuance that only humans can provide. Together, they explore the dangers of “apathy in using AI,” why generic AI-driven work weakens differentiation, and how brands can build stronger creative briefs by feeding proprietary brand DNA into AI systems. The conversation also covers bias mitigation, human review loops, audience testing, and why skeptical, curious talent will define the future of AI-powered marketing.  What You'll Learn: How to position AI as a creative amplifier, not a replacementWhy "apathy in using AI" is the real enemyThe pattern-breaking framework for differentiationHow to audit and remediate AI bias proactivelyWhy brand-specific guardrails are non-negotiableThe three-to-five-year vision: balancing technology with human touch About the Guests: Kim Einan is a proven leader with 25 years of agency experience, known as a brave change agent who pursues opportunities with energy and rigor, and as a supportive coach who creates a safe and inclusive space for her team to grow. As Chief Strategy Officer at OMD, she is passionately dedicated to ensuring alignment between brand and media strategies across the entire marketing ecosystem and inspiring others to re-imagine what’s possible in order to unlock new sources of growth for clients. Jim Cowsert is the VP of Enterprise Brand, Advertising, and Media at Voya Financial, bringing extensive expertise in creative strategy, AI integration, and brand differentiation within the highly regulated financial services sector. With a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance creativity while maintaining brand authenticity, Jim has pioneered approaches to AI-enabled production, brand-voice consistency, and risk mitigation within marketing workflows. Guest Resources: Jim Cowsert on LinkedInVoya Financial WebsiteKim Einan on LinkedInOMD Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min

  5. May 28

    Wyclef Jean on Owning the Future of the Creator Economy

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Madeline Nelson sits down with Wyclef Jean and Jaeson Ma for a live conversation from BrandWeek about the future of the creator economy. The discussion explores how OpenWav is helping artists break free from streaming algorithms and traditional gatekeepers by enabling direct ownership of fan relationships, data, and revenue.  Wyclef and Jaeson explain why smaller, highly engaged communities are becoming more valuable than mass audiences, and how independent creators can build sustainable businesses through exclusive content, merchandise, and direct-to-fan experiences. The episode also examines what this shift means for brands seeking more authentic partnerships with creators and niche communities in 2026.  What You'll Learn: How the "1,000 True Fans" model generates more revenue than streaming platforms Why direct-to-fan commerce is the antidote to platform dependency The framework for building authentic engagement beyond clicksHow on-demand manufacturing and supply chain technology eliminate inventory barriers for independent creatorsWhy bigger isn't better in 2026, smaller, intentional communities drive higher monetizationHow brands can partner with OpenWav for competitions, exclusive drops, and co-branded initiatives About the Guests: Wyclef Jean is a legendary music artist and engineer with decades of experience navigating the music industry from independent artist to Grammy-winning performer. Known for co-founding The Fugees and pioneering independent production methods, Wyclef brings an invaluable perspective on artist empowerment and creative ownership. Jaeson Ma is the CEO at OpenWav and a tech investor and entrepreneur who founded ADA Rising, one of the fastest-growing independent digital music labels, and serves as a key architect behind OpenWav, a platform designed to empower artists through direct fan engagement and commerce. With expertise bridging technology, supply chain innovation, and creator economies, Jason has invested in transformative platforms, including early-stage investments in Musical.ly (which became TikTok). Madeline Nelson is a music industry executive, entrepreneur, and advocate for independent artists with more than two decades of experience. She is the founder and CEO of Purple Cow Innovation, a women-led agency and consultancy focused on music, entertainment, and brand strategy. Previously, she served as U.S. Head of Independent Label Relations at Amazon Music, overseeing partnerships with hundreds of independent labels and distributors. Guest Resources: Wyclef Jean on InstagramWyclef Jean on LinkedInJaeson Ma on LinkedInMadeline Nelson on LinkedInOpenWav Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min

  6. May 26

    From Passion Project to Pantry Staple: Brooklyn Peltz Beckham

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Zoe Ruderman, Chief Content Officer at ADWEEK, sits down with Brooklyn Peltz Beckham to unpack the unconventional strategy behind building Cloud 23 into a credible, long-term consumer brand. Rather than relying on celebrity hype, Brooklyn spent four years obsessing over product design, packaging, and quality to create a condiment brand built on authenticity and repeat purchase behavior.  He explains why organic growth matters more than launch spikes, how selective partnerships with brands like Airbnb and Whole Foods strengthened credibility, and why saying no to misaligned opportunities protected long-term brand equity. The conversation also explores founder-led storytelling, experiential marketing, and the importance of designing brands with generational legacy and multi-category expansion in mind from day one.  What You'll Learn: How to resist the vanity project trap by designing every detail yourselfWhy controlled growth beats explosive launchesThe partnership vetting framework that protects brand equityHow to leverage founder credibility strategically through experiential partnerships The repurchase metric as your north star for successWhy multi-category expansion with intentional rollout builds dynasty-worthy brands About the Guest: Brooklyn Peltz Beckham is the founder and creative director of Cloud 23, a premium condiment brand launched after four years of meticulous product development. With a background in photography and design, Brooklyn brings a distinctly creative approach to brand building, overseeing every detail from bottle design to ingredient sourcing.  Guest Resources: Brooklyn Peltz Beckham on InstagramCloud 23 Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min

  7. May 21

    Beyond the Meat Stick: How Chomps Built a Brand with Emotional Bite

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Ryan Joe sits down with Stacey Hartnett, SVP of Brand and Marketing at Chomps, for a conversation recorded live at Brandweek. They explore the strategic journey of how a "scrappy startup" moved from a purely direct-to-consumer performance marketing play into a powerhouse brand that competes with industry giants. Stacey details how Chomps successfully shifted the perception of meat sticks from "mystery meat" to a high-quality protein staple by obsessing over their community and finding an unexpected primary audience: Zillennial moms. The discussion dives deep into the mechanics of scaling, including the evolution from functional messaging to emotional storytelling, the role of retail media networks like Amazon, and the brand's bold testing of high-impact cultural moments like Thursday Night Football. Packed with practical insights on research-led pivots and maintaining "social currency," this episode provides a blueprint for any brand looking to expand its reach without losing its core identity. What You'll Learn: How to transition from ROI-focused performance media to long-term branding.The strategy behind identifying and leaning into a surprising 70% female audience.How to evolve messaging from functional product attributes to emotional connection.The role of "experiential" marketing in taking tasks off your consumer’s to-do list.Testing high-impact media like the NFL and Dancing with the Stars.How to build brand loyalty that withstands the threat of private label competitors.About the Guests: Stacey Hartnett is the SVP of Brand and Marketing at Chomps, where she has spent over six years helping scale the brand from a niche D2C player to a major retail presence. With a background starting on the media side, she has been instrumental in navigating Chomps' disciplined growth, overseeing its transition into emotional storytelling and high-impact brand awareness campaigns. Under her leadership, Chomps has cultivated a dedicated community known as the "Champions". Ryan Joe is the Editor in Chief at ADWEEK and the host of the Adspeak podcast. In his role, he leads the editorial direction of the publication and facilitates high-level conversations focused on the mechanics of power and influence within the advertising and marketing industries. As a seasoned reporter and host, he specializes in reporter-led storytelling, providing listeners with practical "masterclasses" through interviews with the industry's most influential leaders. Guest Resources: Stacey Hartnett LinkedInChomps Official WebsiteRyan Joe LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min

  8. May 19

    The $15 Trillion Audience Marketers Still Treat Like An Afterthought

    In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, Jennifer Meehan joins 55+ creators Stewart Reynolds (Brittlestar) and Granny Guns for a sharp conversation on one of marketing’s biggest blind spots: older audiences. Despite controlling nearly half of global spending power, the 55+ demographic receives only a fraction of advertising investment. The discussion explores why older creators consistently outperform younger influencers in authenticity, trust, and cross-generational appeal.  Stewart and Granny Guns explain how genuine creator-brand alignment drives stronger engagement and purchase intent, while Jennifer highlights the industry’s outdated assumptions around aging consumers. The episode also examines how poor representation of older adults in advertising erodes trust and limits brand relevance. From redefining “aging” as “longevity” to embracing intergenerational influence, the conversation offers marketers a practical roadmap for connecting with audiences that brands have underestimated for far too long.  What You'll Learn: Why 55+ audiences control nearly 50% of global spending power but receive only 5-10% of marketing budget allocationHow to leverage older creators for intergenerational influenceThe trust multiplier effectHow to identify brand-creator alignment as the foundation of influencer marketing Why representation in advertising directly impacts brand trust erosionThe strategic repositioning framework About the Guests: Jennifer Meehan is an EVP of Brand Marketing at Edelman, specializing in demographic trends, consumer behavior, and inclusive marketing practices. With expertise in trust research and generational marketing, she has identified critical blind spots in how brands approach older audiences.  Granny Guns is a fitness influencer and sponsored athlete, recognized as the most followed older female athlete in fitness and the oldest sponsored female athlete globally. With 4.5 million followers across platforms, she transformed her fitness journey, starting at age 58 into a powerful multi-generational movement that resonates with audiences from teens to retirees.  Stewart Reynolds (Brittlestar) is a content creator and digital entertainer who has built a multi-generational audience of millions through humor, family-centric storytelling, and universal entertainment across platforms like Vine, TikTok, and Instagram. Launching his career at age 43, he pioneered the "pub joke" approach to content, humor accessible to grandparents, kids, and everyone in between, proving that age is no barrier to viral influence and cross-demographic reach. Guest Resources:  Granny Guns on InstagramStewart Reynolds on LinkedInJennifer Meehan on LinkedInEdelman Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Adweek
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Adweek
  • Show Website
    Adspeak