Marketing Vanguard

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

What if you could transform your marketing leadership journey through purpose and passion? In this special Cannes edition of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Dara Treseder, CMO of Autodesk, to explore the intersection of purpose-driven marketing and technological innovation. Discover how to build a meaningful career in marketing leadership, navigate the evolving B2B and B2C landscape, and harness AI's potential in creative industries. Whether you're a seasoned CMO or an aspiring marketing leader, this conversation offers invaluable insights on authentic brand building, the importance of believing in your product, and why leading with purpose is crucial for success.What You'll Learn:How to break down B2B vs B2C silos through emotional connectionThe Three P's Framework for making career decisions with purposeWhy AI skills requirements have exploded 640% since 2022 in marketingHow to transform from a house of brands to a branded house strategyThe power of technology to improve human existence globallyWhy "main intern energy" keeps you curious and growingUnlocking 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!

Creative leadership and strategic risk-taking are essential ingredients for building transformative brands in today's marketing landscape.In this episode of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with Paulie Dery, CMO of AG1 (formerly Athletic Greens), for a masterclass in brand building and creative leadership. Drawing from his impressive journey through R/GA, Uber, and YETI, Paulie shares invaluable insights on why running toward challenges breeds creativity, how to maintain brand authenticity in a rapidly evolving market, and why great products paired with strong storytelling create a lasting impact. Whether you're navigating industry disruption or building community-driven brands, this conversation offers a candid look at how creativity remains the driving force behind successful marketing in today's landscape.What You'll Learn:How to identify brands with great products but underutilized storytelling Why community-first marketing beats performance marketing every time The secret to maintaining creative magic in an AI-driven world How AG1 plans to become one of America's next great brandsThe critical role of CEOs and leadership in enabling creative brand buildingUnlocking 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!

The Evolution of Brand Leadership in Professional Services: From Creative Agency to Global ConsultancyIn this episode of Marketing Vanguard, host Jenny Rooney sits down with John Rudaizky, Global CMO of EY, to explore the evolving landscape of marketing in professional services. From pioneering brand transformation in consultancy to navigating the intersection of AI and creativity, discover how EY is reshaping client experiences through their new Studio Plus initiative. Whether you're a CMO looking to drive organizational change or a marketing leader interested in the future of brand building, this conversation offers valuable insights on leading through disruption and maintaining human connection in an increasingly tech-driven world.What You'll Learn:Why brand success starts from within—by inspiring employees firstHow EY’s “Better Questions” campaign reshaped its brand identityThe strategy behind EY’s transformation and “Shape the Future with Confidence”How Studio Plus blends creative and consulting for better customer experiencesWhy social media, PR, and marketing must now work as oneHow to keep human connection at the heart of brand building—even in an AI worldThe growing role of creativity in professional servicesUnlocking 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!