The Ad Podcast

John Carstens is the Chief Creative Officer at Team DDB (Omnicom), leading creative efforts for the US Army account—a massive, multidisciplinary consortium of 11+ agencies. A seasoned writer, strategist, and creative leader, he specializes in building and managing large teams to deliver innovative storytelling across brand categories. His career includes roles at SapientNitro (where he led digital creative departments), Apple, DDB, and others, with a focus on creative diversification, research-driven ideas, diverse perspectives, and evolving industry trends like AI in advertising. He's appeared on podcasts such as "How I F*cked Up" (discussing leading the Army account and lessons from setbacks) and others on unlocking ideas through perspective and storytelling.

Allison Arling-Giorgi is the Head of Brand at Method1, a Chicago-based advertising and strategy agency focused on behavioral science-driven marketing. She's a seasoned brand strategist and behavioral-science expert with deep experience in consumer insights, particularly for Millennials and Gen Z. She harnesses human behavior research to build memorable brands, craft high-impact campaigns, and drive business results—often in CPG, spirits, and cultural trends. Her work emphasizes mental availability, habit formation, memorability over precision, and empathetic, human-centered approaches amid information overload.

Nick Miaritis is a prominent advertising and marketing executive, serving as Global Chief Client Officer at VaynerMedia (a leading creative and media agency under VaynerX), based in New York. He joined in 2018 and leads brand partnerships, accelerates client growth, builds new agency capabilities, and oversees high-profile campaigns (e.g., Super Bowl work for clients like WK Kellogg Co).Prior to VaynerMedia, he spent 12 years at Saatchi & Saatchi, where he worked globally, led teams on iconic campaigns—including the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Grand Prix-winning “It’s a Tide Ad” Super Bowl spot and Miller High Life’s “One Second Ad”—and honed expertise in integrated creative, strategy, and brand storytelling.

Jake Kitchiner is a UK-based entrepreneur and Co-Founder of ChannelCrawler (channelcrawler.com), a powerful YouTube influencer discovery and database tool. Launched after he identified a gap in existing solutions while working on prior ventures, the platform allows users to search and filter YouTube channels using 40+ criteria—including category, subscriber size, location, engagement metrics, and more—to facilitate targeted influencer partnerships, sponsorships, and marketing campaigns.

Steve Katelman is a veteran advertising and digital media executive with nearly three decades of experience in strategic partnerships, media innovation, and growth for major agencies and tech platforms.He currently serves as Chief Partnership Officer at Fyllo (a compliance-first SaaS platform for regulated industries like cannabis, sports betting, and alcohol), where he oversees partnerships across all business lines since joining in 2022 after briefly retiring. Previously, he spent nearly 30 years at Omnicom Media Group (including 14–15 years as Executive Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships), pioneering digital vision, client success strategies, and forward-thinking leadership in media and advertising.Recognized as an industry visionary, he's served on advisory boards (e.g., Affinity Answers) and is praised for his uncanny ability to drive client outcomes through innovation and transparency. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with a strong LinkedIn presence (7K+ followers) sharing insights on digital trends, events like CES 2026, and personal adventures (e.g., philanthropy with Team Dayā in Senegal, building schools).He's active on social media (@katelman on Instagram) and known for his engaging, human-centered approach in a fast-evolving industry.

Brian Gross is the President of Bach to Rock (often called "America's Music School"), a leading national franchise of contemporary music schools offering private and group lessons in guitar, piano, drums, voice, bass, and more for students of all ages and skill levels. He has held this role since 2011, after serving as Vice President of Marketing and Operations starting in 2008.Bach to Rock emphasizes a unique, band-based learning approach where students play the music they love together, rather than traditional classical methods—focusing on modern genres to make lessons engaging and fun.Gross brings a strong business background to the role, with prior experience in brand management at major companies including Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl), Bank of America, and Sylvan Learning Centers. He also served as president of Rileyroos (children's footwear) and general manager of Barton-Cotton Inc. (direct marketing/print production). He holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Delaware and an MBA from UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School.A lifelong music enthusiast (classic rock and country fan—favorite band Guns N' Roses, first concert AC/DC), he's a beginner guitar player and "wanna-be drummer." He's based in the Bethesda, Maryland area, active on LinkedIn (@briancgross), and frequently discusses franchising, music education innovation, and second-career entrepreneurship in interviews and industry features.

Bill Lea is the Vice President of Media at rEvolution (often stylized as Revolution), a global integrated sports marketing agency headquartered in Chicago.With over 18 years in media planning and buying, he's a strategic, analytics-driven leader specializing in digital, sponsorship, and performance media for sports and entertainment brands. He's led media strategies for clients like Betfred Sportsbook (where rEvolution was named Media AOR in 2022), handled major campaigns including the College Basketball Crown, and progressed through roles at the agency from Group Director/Director of Media Services to VP. He's based in the Palos Hills, IL area, graduated from Carthage College, and is praised for deep expertise in digital media markets and solving complex challenges.

Isha Patel is the co-founder and CEO of Kale (kalecard.com), a New York-based startup platform that lets everyday social media users (superfans, not just big influencers) earn cash rewards for sharing authentic content about brands they love—like Rare Beauty, Glossier, Inc., sweetgreen, and Chili's.She previously worked at LinkedIn (where she met co-founder Luis Molina), graduated from University of California, Berkeley, and has been recognized on Inc. Magazine's 2025 Female Founders 500 list for scaling the company and tripling revenue. Kale focuses on turning genuine advocacy into scalable marketing for brands.

Lindsey Carnett is an accomplished entrepreneur, marketing executive, and public relations expert. She is the Founder, CEO, and President of Marketing Maven, an integrated marketing and PR agency she established in 2009, specializing in helping businesses grow through strategic communications, digital marketing, and reputation management. A graduate of California Lutheran University with a B.A. in Spanish and Communications (emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising), she was an NCAA collegiate women's soccer captain and an officer in the American Marketing Association during her college years. With over two decades of experience, Carnett is also a Forbes contributor, keynote speaker, bestselling author (notably of The Marketing Maven Method), fractional CMO, and board director.

Dustin Black is the Executive Creative Director at Preston Spire, where he leads the agency’s award-winning creative team with curiosity and bold thinking. With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry, he’s worked at top agencies including BBDO Worldwide, Colle McVoy, MONO, and Carmichael Lynch, crafting standout work for brands like Perdue Farms, Frank’s RedHot, Craftsman, Subaru of America, and MSNBC. Dustin’s creative leadership has earned recognition from Clio, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, The One Show, D&AD, Effie Worldwide, and other major industry awards. Beyond advertising, he’s the author of The Book of SPAM, an entrepreneur, and an advocate for blending strategy, art direction, and human insight in creative work.

Robb Hittner is a Co-Founder of Hackett Brooks, a creative agency built around using comedy and humor as a strategic driver in advertising and workplace culture. Steve Mallory is a Co-Founder of Hackett Brooks, where he brings creative and storytelling expertise to the agency’s mission of making advertising fun and culturally relevant. Alongside Robb Hittner and others, he helps lead creative strategy that blends humor, narrative, and brand communication to build deeper audience engagement.Jordan Atlas is a Partner at Hackett Brooks, the creative company built on the belief that humor is a strategic advantage. With a background spanning creative leadership, strategy, and modern brand building, Jordan helps brands and teams unlock more human, culturally resonant work. He brings a sharp point of view on creativity, culture, and collaboration, shaped by years of experience building award-winning ideas and leading creative teams.

Michael Ellery is the Chief Creative Officer at Sparks, a creative agency known for experiential design and large-scale event marketing. With more than two decades of experience in creative strategy and execution, Michael leads creative direction and innovation, helping brands deliver immersive, memorable experiences across events, environments, and integrated campaigns. His background includes senior creative roles and a foundation in design, blending strategic thinking with hands-on creative leadership to elevate brand engagement.

Cliff Kim is a senior leader at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, currently serving as Vice President of Growth Strategy, Digital Products and President of Fender Play, the company’s digital learning platform. At Fender, he leads efforts to grow both physical and digital business through data-driven insights, conversion optimization, and consumer research, helping evolve how players discover and engage with Fender’s products and services. During his tenure he played a key role in initiatives like PlayThrough, which significantly expanded Fender Play’s user base, and contributed insights that shaped resources like the Beginners Hub for new musicians. Before Fender, Kim held analytics and strategy roles at major brands including Live Nation Entertainment, ESPN, and Yahoo!, blending analytics with storytelling to drive growth and strategic decision-making. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside and is based in Los Angeles.

Roy Sexton is the Chief Marketing Officer at Vedder, where he leads the firm’s overall marketing strategy, brand positioning, and business development initiatives across the legal sector. With more than 25 years of experience in marketing and strategic communications—including nearly 15 years focused in legal marketing—Roy has shaped campaigns, digital outreach, and organizational storytelling that support growth and differentiation for global professional services. He has also served in leadership roles within the Legal Marketing Association (LMA), including as International President, and is recognized for his contributions to marketing leadership and inclusive leadership in the industry.

Gigi Harville is an entrepreneur, talent manager, and CEO of The Paul Harville Group, a Los Angeles–based management and consulting company focused on music artists and social media creators. With over 25 years in the music and creator space, she helps talent develop their brands, build careers, and navigate digital strategy. Harville’s work has earned media recognition and industry nominations — including at the Black Girl Digital Awards — and she has partnered with major brands and platforms to elevate underrepresented voices in entertainment and digital media. She’s also a songwriter, vocal producer, and mentor committed to helping emerging talent find long-term success.

Marcus Chan is the founder and CEO of Venli Consulting Group and the creator of Real B2B Sales Training, where he helps B2B sales teams drive predictable revenue through modern, buyer-centric selling. A former enterprise sales leader, Marcus is known for his practical, no-fluff approach to sales execution, coaching teams on pipeline strategy, deal acceleration, and closing complex enterprise accounts. He’s a frequent speaker and advisor to fast-growing B2B organizations looking to level up sales performance.

Joy Farber Kolo is the Global Chief Brand Officer at Weber Shandwick, a leading global communications and integrated marketing firm. With more than 28 years at the agency, she has held senior leadership roles—guiding strategy, client relationships, and award-winning work that spans earned media, brand building, and integrated communications. Joy’s career reflects deep expertise in developing insights-driven campaigns and nurturing creative talent across global teams.

Dan Gilbert is the co-founder and CEO of Brainlabs, a global performance marketing agency known for its data-driven approach and rapid growth. Since founding Brainlabs in the UK, Dan has helped scale the company into an international organization by blending rigorous experimentation, technology, and a strong people-first culture. He’s widely recognized for pushing transparency, testing, and measurable impact in modern marketing.

Celia Jones, JD is a seasoned marketing and brand strategist currently serving as Global Chief Marketing Officer at FINN Partners, a leading integrated public relations and communications agency. With more than 20 years of experience, she has shaped the marketing and brand narratives of disruptive agencies and challenger brands, blending brand strategy, integrated communications, cultural storytelling, and thought leadership. Before FINN, Celia was CEO of The Escape Pod, where she led the agency to multiple Ad Age Small Agency of the Year honors, and she has held senior marketing roles at Havas and Critical Mass. She holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a BA in English from the University of Notre Dame.

Matt Johnson is a creative leader at Haymaker, where he works on building bold, insight-driven campaigns that help brands stand out in culture. With experience across strategy and creative development, Matt is known for turning sharp ideas into effective, modern marketing that connects with real audiences and drives business impact.