Marketing Vanguard

Llibert Argerich, Chief Marketing Officer at Thumbtack, joins this week’s episode of Marketing Vanguard to rewrite the narrative of the marketing function - from cost centre to profit driver. Tune in to explore ROI-driven strategies that marketers can and must use, why local market strategy outperforms national campaigns for fragmented industries, and how AI is transforming customer-to-pro matching at scale. Backed by rich experience, Llibert offers actionable frameworks for driving measurable growth without breaking the bank.If you’re looking to do more with less and transform your marketing team into a business enabler, this conversation is for you.  What You'll Learn:How to reframe marketing budgets as profit driversWhy it’s critical to shift from being a marketing practitioner to an enabler who removes barriersThe Local Market Strategy Framework for hyper-local industries - reducing risk while building brand equity responsiblyHow to leverage AI for product-market fit as your primary marketing engine and fuel brand awarenessThe discipline of constraint-driven innovation - protecting profitability while still investing in brand-building initiativesHow to build cross-functional credibility with CFOs and leadership, positioning marketing as a strategic partner, not a department seeking blank checks.Unlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kristen Lauria, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Wheels Up, joins this episode of Marketing Vanguard to explore the evolution of luxury travel marketing and brand transformation. From her unique journey from aerospace engineering to marketing leadership, Kristen shares insights on pivoting brands toward growth, building trust with high-net-worth clients, and creating exceptional customer experiences. As it stands, Wheels Up is revolutionizing private aviation through innovative membership models, strategic partnerships, and its marketing team has everything to do with it. This conversation serves as a critical reminder of a good marketer’s core responsibility: translating complex business ideas into powerful customer value. What You'll Learn:How to leverage technical expertise to translate complex products into compelling market offeringsThe evolution of private aviation marketing from product-focused to solutions-based approachesWhy membership models require "customer centricity on steroids" in luxury travel servicesHow to build trust-based marketing strategies for high-net-worth audiencesHow to balance B2B, B2C and B2B2C marketing approaches in luxury servicesThe strategic importance of brand partnerships in elevating customer experiencesHow to lead marketing transformation through pace-setting and coaching leadership stylesUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sumit Virmani, Global CMO of Infosys, joins this episode of Marketing Vanguard to explore the evolving landscape of B2B marketing, the transformative impact of AI, and the delicate balance between art and science in modern marketing. As an “accidental marketer”, he brings unique strategic insights on building emotional connections in B2B, responsible AI adoption, and staying ahead of technological disruption. In this conversation, he shines a light on Infosys’ journey to becoming a $19B-revenue global tech brand and what the marketing team has to do with growth.What You'll Learn:How to leverage financial acumen to build stronger relationships with the C-suite and drive marketing successWhy creating emotional connections is equally important in B2B marketingThe Navigator Framework for building long-term client relationships in tech consultingHow to balance short-term business objectives with long-term brand aspirationsWhy AI represents a disruptive rather than incremental shift in marketing capabilitiesWhy 95% repeat business proves the value of deep institutional trust in B2B relationshipsThe three-pillar approach to modern CMO leadership: building business trust, developing strong teams, and maintaining market presenceUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Ethan Braden, Chief Marketing Officer at Texas A&M University, about building one of America’s most consequential higher-education brands.Ethan shares how his journey from Eli Lilly to Purdue University to Texas A&M shaped his approach to leadership, storytelling, and reputation management in complex institutions. He discusses how to balance tradition and innovation, why universities must think like modern brands, and how collaborations, from NASCAR to Dude Perfect, can open new doors for engagement and national relevance. This conversation is a masterclass in brand building that applies far beyond academia.What You'll Learn:How to transition corporate marketing expertise into higher education.The strategic difference between driving student demand and building national reputation.How to craft a brand narrative rooted in mission, culture, and community.Why understanding your “product” and your audience defines long-term success.How collaborations and partnerships expand reach and relevance.How AI and technology are reshaping marketing team structures.The leadership mindset needed to turn institutions into admired brands.Unlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Doug Zarkin, CMO of Take 5 Oil Change and author of "Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone." In this compelling conversation, Doug shares how he's transforming a commodity category into an emotional brand experience through people-first leadership.Doug's career spans from the agency world at Saatchi & Saatchi and Grey to client-side roles at Avon Products and Victoria's Secret PINK. Most notably, he spent eleven years as CMO at Pearle Vision, an unusually long tenure, where he led a complete brand transformation that resulted in the company topping Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. Now, as the first-ever CMO for Take Five Oil Change, Doug is applying his proven "people, process, progress, profitability" framework to elevate a challenger brand in the oil change category.What You'll Learn:The secret to achieving an 11-year CMO tenure in an era of short tenuresThe "people, process, progress, profitability" framework for successThe brand value equation: Experience divided by priceChallenger brand strategy for competing from fourth placeWhy "thinking human" transforms customer relationshipsUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alon Rivel, CMO of Feast & Fettle, discusses the Northeast meal delivery company's contrarian approach to growth with Marketing Vanguard’s host Jenny Rooney. With his unconventional background spanning TV media buying, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and B2C tech startups, he brings a unique perspective to building authentic brands.The conversation explores how Feast & Fettle differentiates by focusing on time as currency rather than trendy diets or speed. Their approach combines locally-sourced ingredients with hospitality-first service and community building.What You'll Learn:How to build authentic brand positioning that goes beyond product featuresWhy intentional regional growth can be more profitable than national expansionStrategies for creating community through food and shared experiencesHow to balance profitability with purpose-driven initiativesWhy cutting a marketing team in half can improve performanceThe importance of reading the room and understanding customer psychologyHow to maintain quality and authenticity while scaling operationsAlon Rivel serves as the first CMO at Feast & Fettle, where he's spent just over a year transforming their marketing approach. Previously, he worked across TV media buying, digital marketing for B2C apps, and various tech startups. He brings experience from The New York Times, Bloomberg, and multiple venture-backed companies in the dating and on-demand service sectors.Unlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Marisa Thalberg, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Catalyst Brands, in a candid conversation about leadership, risk-taking, and brand transformation in retail marketing.Marisa discusses her career journey across diverse industries - from Estée Lauder and Taco Bell to Lowe's, SeaWorld, and now JCPenney. She opens up about learning from failures, dealing with short tenures, and why marketers must take calculated risks. The conversation explores her current role transforming JCPenney and the broader Catalyst Brands portfolio, which includes Brooks Brothers, Aeropostale, Lucky Brand, Nautica, and Eddie Bauer.What You'll Learn:How to navigate career missteps and build resilience as a marketing leaderThe dynamic nature of the CMO role necessitates a particular mindset and strategy.Strategies for transforming legacy retail brands while honoring their heritageThe importance of talking up to consumers rather than down to themHow to balance innovation with brand conventions that actually matterWhy customer-centric titles and thinking can transform marketing's roleLessons from managing a diverse portfolio of heritage retail brandsThe power of creative constraints in driving better marketing outcomesUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Alex Schultz, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Analytics at Meta, about his newly released book "Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and AdvertisingAs Jenny's repeat guest, Alex brings battle-tested insights from his 18-year tenure at Meta, where he's witnessed digital marketing's complete transformation. He reveals his motivation  for writing "Click Here" - the definitive guide to online marketing that fills a critical gap left by classic texts like Claude Hopkins' "Scientific Advertising." Alex argues that while technology evolves at breakneck speed, the core principles that drive marketing success remain surprisingly constant across decades.What You'll Learn:Alex's 18-year journey at Meta and his unique dual role in marketing and analyticsThe writing process and inspiration behind "Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and Advertising"Why incrementality measurement is the key to marketing successThe importance of North Star goals versus metricsHow AI will enhance rather than replace marketing rolesThe timeless principles that have guided successful marketing for decadesTeam structures that work across different marketing erasUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Elizabeth Teran, Chief Parent Officer at Owlet. In this compelling conversation, Elizabeth shares how she's transforming marketing at the baby tech company that revolutionized infant monitoring with medical-grade pulse oximetry technology.Elizabeth brings extensive experience from her 10-year tenure at Skullcandy in product marketing, followed by over 5 years at Owlet where she led the company through significant challenges and growth. She discusses the unique positioning of marketing medical-grade technology to parents, the company's journey from FDA warning letter to full medical clearance, and her philosophy of authentic, education-based marketing.What You'll Learn:Navigating FDA regulatory challenges while maintaining brand trustBuilding product-first marketing strategies in healthcare technologyThe power of authentic community over paid influencer partnershipsTransforming crisis into opportunity through strategic pivotsBalancing medical credibility with accessible parent communicationUsing AI as a tool to enhance rather than replace human creativityBuilding global medical clearances across multiple marketsUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Francis Perrin, Chief Brand and Sustainability Officer at Rehlko, about brand transformation and B2B marketing innovation.Francis discusses his career from P&G and L'Oréal to leading the transformation of Kohler Energy into the independent company Rehlko. He shares the strategic thinking behind the rebrand, including how they created the name Rehlko as an anagram of Kohler to maintain heritage while establishing independence. The conversation explores the opportunity in residential power generation, competing as a challenger brand against industry giants, and why Francis believes B2B marketing offers more opportunities than consumer marketing.Best Buy CMO, Jennie Weber also joins Jenny in a mid-episode sidebar discussion on the latest innovations for the Best Buy Ads retail media network and their latest campaign "We Got Next." Sponsored by Best Buy Ads.What You'll Learn:How to successfully rebrand and spin off from a heritage parent companyStrategies for competing as a challenger brand in established B2B marketsWhy embedding sustainability directly into brand leadership creates business impactThe untapped potential in residential power generation and data center marketsHow to build marketing organizations from scratch with enterprise-level thinkingWhy B2B marketing offers unique creative opportunities for CPG-trained marketersMethods for maintaining brand heritage while driving innovation and growthThe importance of focus and purpose-driven messaging in industrial marketingLearn more about miniMBA courses HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this special episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with the founding members of Marketing Vanguard membership at ADWEEK: Soyoung Kang, President of eos Products, and Vineet Mehra, CMO of Chime. They discuss their unique career journeys, the evolving CMO role, and why they joined forces to help rewrite the narrative around marketing leadership. From efficient capital allocation to building trust in the C-suite, these leaders share candid insights about what it really takes to succeed as a modern CMO.These marketing leaders delve into their distinct career paths, the evolving responsibilities of a CMO, and their collaborative effort to reshape the perception of marketing leadership. They offer frank perspectives on the true requirements for success as a contemporary CMO, covering topics from effective capital allocation to fostering C-suite trust.What you'll learn:How non-linear career paths can lead to CMO successWhy "efficient growth" should be every CMO's unifying mandateStrategies for building trust and credibility in the C-suiteHow to understand different "love languages" of PE, VC, and public companiesWhy experience trumps traditional education in marketing leadershipHow to navigate the constant platform shifts that make marketing uniquely challengingWhat makes Marketing Vanguard's approach to CMO community building differentLearn more about miniMBA courses HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Sangeeta Prasad, Chief Marketing Officer at Slalom, about her unique journey from classic consumer products marketing to B2B transformation leadership. Sangeeta shares her experiences transitioning from well-established brands like P&G, American Express, and JPMorgan Chase to becoming the first CMO at professional services firms.She explains why she calls herself a "marketing evangelist" rather than just a marketer, emphasizing her role in converting organizational skeptics into believers. The conversation explores the unique dynamics of B2B marketing versus B2C, particularly in professional services where trust, credibility, and relationships are paramount.What You'll Learn:How to transition from consumer marketing to B2B leadership rolesStrategies for overcoming marketing skepticism in sales-driven organizationsWays to position marketing as a revenue generator rather than a cost centerMethods for building emotional connections with B2B customers through "customer love" metricsHow to navigate the rapid pace of AI transformation in marketing teamsKey differences between B2B and B2C marketing approaches and when each appliesTechniques for aligning sales and marketing organizations for better resultsFuture plans for sales and marketing alignment and personalization at scaleLearn more about miniMBA courses HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast live from Cannes. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Mark Ritson, world-renowned marketing professor and founder of MiniMBA, about his controversial views on brand purpose, the importance of running great ads for years, and why American marketing has lost its edge. Discover Mark's partnership with ADWEEK, his strategy of saying "no" to America for a decade, and why he believes killing brands is more productive than creating them.What You'll Learn:Why Mark Ritson avoided the American market for 10 years and his strategic partnership with ADWEEKThe uncomfortable truth about brand purpose and why the data doesn't support the hypeWhy running great creative for 2-3 years drives better results than constant campaign changesThe "pornography of change" and why AI won't transform marketing as quickly as predictedWhy killing brands is more productive than creating them (Mark's killed 200+ in his career) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If you're constantly viewed as the ad team, the ad person, I think we lose. I think we're going to continue to struggle to dig out of the relevancy hole."Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Jason Bunge, CMO of Hasbro, in a conversation that challenges traditional notions of marketing leadership and explores the future of play in a digital world.Jason brings experience from technology companies including Skype, Microsoft, Riot Games, and EA before joining Hasbro two years ago. The conversation explores Hasbro's transformation from a traditional toy company to a diversified entertainment portfolio spanning physical toys, digital gaming, and trading cards through Wizards of the Coast. Jason discusses how the company navigates generational shifts in play patterns and how marketing must adapt to serve different audiences across multiple business lines.What You'll Learn:The evolution of marketing from tactical execution to strategic leadershipBuilding marketing credibility within organizationsHasbro's transformation across toys, gaming, and trading cardsGenerational shifts in play and consumer behaviorThe challenge of building franchises versus individual brandsPortfolio marketing strategy for diverse business linesThe future of physical versus digital play experiencesJason Bunge serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Hasbro, where he leads marketing strategy across the company's diverse portfolio of toys, games, and entertainment properties. Previously, he held senior marketing roles at EA Games, Riot Games, Microsoft, Trulia, and Skype. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and brings experience across both B2B and consumer marketing in technology and entertainment industries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could tap into 20 years of authentic consumer conversations to transform your marketing strategy?In this special Cannes edition of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Roxy Young, CMO of Reddit, to explore the power of community intelligence and why brands need to embrace authentic engagement. From Reddit's evolution as a marketing platform to their groundbreaking AI-powered insights tools, this conversation reveals how marketers can harness the power of genuine community feedback. Tune in to discover why Reddit's unique approach to brand safety, open communities, and real consumer dialogue is driving 60% year-over-year revenue growth and changing the future of marketing.What You'll Learn:How Reddit transformed from 9 people with no space to a marketing powerhouse hosting 4,000+ visitors at CannesWhy Reddit is fundamentally different from social media and what that means for your marketing strategyThe three-layer brand safety approach that protects your brand while maintaining authentic community engagementHow to turn negative brand conversations into powerful customer winsReddit's game-changing Community Intelligence platform that delivers insights in minutes instead of weeksWhy being the 6th most searched term on Google makes Reddit conversations crucial for your brandThe evolution from Don Draper-style messaging to brave community marketing that requires giving up controlStream the new episode below and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or find it on Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast live from Cannes. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Mark Kirkham, CMO of PepsiCo Beverages US, about the relentless pace of innovation in the beverage category, the art of balancing core brands with new acquisitions like Poppi, and why every challenge is an opportunity. Discover how PepsiCo continues to cultivate world-class marketing talent, the role of AI in building capabilities versus outsourcing them, and why making "simple special" is the key to successWhat You'll Learn:Why "if you're not innovating, you die" defines the beverage category and how to balance core brands with new venturesThe secret behind PepsiCo's legendary talent cultivation system that has produced CMOs across the industryHow to think about AI as a capability-building tool rather than outsourcing technologyThe "core and more" strategy for growing established brands while pursuing new opportunitiesWhy every challenge should be viewed as an opportunity and every opportunity as a challenge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could transform your organization’s approach to AI while building a global brand?In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney speaks with Emily Ketchen, CMO of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group, live from the Cannes Lions Festival. Together, they explore how to lead AI integration within marketing teams, navigate global brand building across 180 markets, and leverage purpose-driven storytelling for genuine business growth. Whether you're a CMO navigating emerging technologies or a marketing leader seeking to balance global reach with local relevance, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the future of tech-driven marketing.What You'll Learn:How to use AI as a creative catalyst and personal detective for marketersStrategies for building AI governance councils and education programsThe difference between transcreation and translation in global marketingGen Z and Gen Alpha's impact on brand purpose and authenticityThe evolution of search from SEO to AEO (AI-Optimized Search)Lenovo's "Global Might, Local Fight" strategyThe role of purpose in driving both meaning and business growthUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI and creativity are reshaping brand marketing, democratizing access to tools while challenging CMOs to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.In this special Cannes edition of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Mark Weinstein, CMO of Hilton Hotels, to explore the intersection of technology, experience, and authentic brand storytelling. From leveraging AI to democratize creativity to partnering with Paris Hilton and McLaren Racing, discover how to build meaningful experiences that resonate in an uncertain world. Whether you're navigating budget constraints, technological disruption, or cultural pitfalls, this conversation offers essential insights on staying relevant while maintaining authenticity.What You'll Learn:How AI is democratizing creativity and leveling the playing field for all brandsWhy the future involves "agentic AI talking to agentic AI" and what that means for marketersHow to create experiential activations that scale through content amplificationThe importance of maintaining share of wallet in constrained spending environmentsWhy being authentic in today's cultural landscape is more challenging than everHow strategic partnerships with celebrities and brands create mutual valueThe evolution of Cannes Lions and what CMOs should focus on at industry eventsUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Toys to Entertainment: How Mattel is Transforming Legacy Brands for Modern AudiencesIn this episode of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer at Mattel, to explore the art and science of managing over 100 active brands. From the billion-dollar success of the Barbie movie to the strategic evolution of Fisher-Price, discover how to make bold brand decisions, lead through purpose, and create positive cultural impact. Whether you're managing heritage brands or building new ones, this conversation offers invaluable insights on taking calculated risks, embracing inclusivity, and transforming your company from a house of brands to a branded house.What You'll Learn:How Mattel balances digital transformation with the enduring value of "analog play" in child developmentThe power of diverse voices and perspectives in weighing risky opportunitiesWhy leading with positivity creates lasting cultural impactHow to balance inclusivity with commercial viability across brand portfoliosThe strategic shift from toy company to IP and entertainment powerhouseWhy co-owning P&L makes marketing a profit center, not a cost centerHow to navigate difficult organizational decisions while maintaining team moraleUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Kimberly Paige, CMO of BET, to explore the intersection of content, culture, and community in modern media. From judging at Cannes Lions to celebrating BET's 45th anniversary, Paige shares how her extensive experience at P&G, Coca-Cola, and Coty shaped her approach to authentic storytelling and brand evolution. Learn how BET is pioneering change through strategic brand partnerships, streaming innovation, and a commitment to meaningful content that drives both cultural impact and commercial success. A must-listen for marketing leaders seeking to understand how heritage brands can stay relevant while maintaining their core mission.What You'll Learn:How BET transformed from being "the only place" for Black content to a platform focused on changing community outcomesWhy cultural credibility is the foundation for commercial viability in media and entertainmentThe strategy behind BET's successful entry into streaming as the first Paramount Global brandHow to modernize a legacy brand while maintaining authentic connections with core audiencesThe principles behind successful brand identity redesign that inspire internal innovationUnlocking the Creator Economy with AwinDid you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate?Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact.With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage.Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing:Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets.Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time.Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged.Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approachUnlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.