Breaking Through The Mayhem

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Adam Katz sits down with Brian Albert, Managing Director at Google, to unpack his 15-year journey leading transformative initiatives at YouTube. From the platform’s early days as a desktop video site to becoming the largest CTV platform in the U.S., Brian shares how passion, team culture, and bold innovation have fueled his career.

Brian dives into YouTube’s role at the epicenter of culture, from NFL Sunday Ticket and the groundbreaking Brazil game stream to creator partnerships that elevate brands in new ways. He explains how marketers can harness creator strategies—ads, integrations, branded shorts—and pair them with YouTube’s high-impact formats for maximum impact.

The conversation also explores:

Leadership playbook: Four principles—focus, execution, humility, and team—that guide Brian’s approach to building new capabilities and empowering the next generation.

Humility in business: Why win-win partnerships matter more than zero-sum competition.

Learning & growth: Why making time for deep thinking and iteration is key to sustainable innovation.

AI as a tool: How Gemini helps him process feedback and boost efficiency—while keeping human empathy at the center.

Brian also reflects on sports and leadership, from lessons learned through Tom Brady’s team-first mentality to a personal Michael Jordan story that underscores the power of showing up at 100% every day.

This episode blends practical frameworks, cultural insights, and human lessons on what it takes to lead at scale in today’s ever-evolving media landscape.

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Ben Lambert sits down with Michael Dobson, Global Chief Digital Officer at AMS, to explore his career path from retail management to leading digital strategy and innovation across ten countries and three business lines.

Michael reflects on the lessons learned from both client- and agency-side roles, his embrace of independent agencies, and the pivotal mindset shift of asking “what if?” to spark innovation. He highlights how openness to opportunities and mentorship guided his career and how thinking differently has been key to driving growth.

The conversation dives deep into:

Michael also shares personal reflections on his favorite travels - Spain’s unique work culture, Greece’s food and history, and his dream of experiencing an African safari - while celebrating AMS being named a Great Place to Work.

This episode is a thoughtful exploration of leadership, culture, and innovation, with lessons on how to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Ben Lambert sits down with Steve Wolf, Head of Integrated Media at Scale Marketing, to trace his two-decade journey across the media industry—from his first break at MediaVest to leading integrated planning at an independent agency.

Steve shares how pivotal career moments shaped him: from cutting his teeth on Continental Airlines and Capital One, to learning hard lessons under tough mentors at GroupM, to managing Super Bowl negotiations for AB InBev, and later embracing entrepreneurial risk at Canvas and Horizon. Throughout, he reflects on how failure, risk-taking, and mentorship played defining roles in building his leadership style.

The conversation dives deep into:

Steve also shares personal reflections on his move from St. Louis to New York to Chicago, his love for sports and how it shapes his perspective on leadership and teamwork, and even his passion for Indiana Hoosiers football.

This episode is a masterclass in blending career grit, evolving with the industry, and leading with both strategy and humanity.

What if the real power of data wasn’t in dashboards, but in shaping how brands grow and connect across the world?

On this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Ben Lambert sits down with Zach Lain, Director of Global Data Partnerships at PepsiCo, to unpack how he’s helping one of the world’s biggest CPGs balance global consistency with local relevance. From rethinking CTV measurement to scaling data systems across 200+ markets, Zach shares lessons on leadership, culture, and why small wins drive lasting impact.

They cover:

A candid look at how one of the world’s biggest brands is rewriting the playbook for data partnerships and measurement.

What if building a media company was really about building a movement?

On this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Alena DeSalvo sits down with Jason Schulweis, Chief Commercial Officer at The Female Quotient, to talk about scaling a mission-driven brand without losing its soul.From running HBO digital campaigns at 22, to helping Morning Brew grow revenue 20x, to leading FQ’s evolution from the Girls’ Lounge to a global media and events powerhouse, Jason shares how purpose, content, and community can fuel real impact.

They cover:

Plus, Jason gets personal on fatherhood, preparing the world for his daughter, and why Cannes and SXSW top his list of FQ memories.

Whether you’re a media leader, brand marketer, or just curious how mission-driven companies scale, this episode will leave you inspired.

The key to unlocking leadership? It might just be seeing your own potential differently.

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Adam Katz sits down with media leader Maureen Bosetti, Chief Investment Officer at IPG Mediabrands, for a candid conversation about resilience, reinvention, and riding the relentless waves of change in media.

From her early days at GM Mediaworks to steering massive brand strategies at Publicis and now IPG, Maureen reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership—and the personal evolution required to get there. She shares what it means to lead with transparency, coach with empathy, and the often-overlooked power of leaning into your strengths.

They cover:

This episode is full of practical wisdom for anyone navigating a fast-moving industry, leading teams, or evolving their own voice in the chaos.

What if the biggest media trend is just a new label on the same old strategy?

On this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Ben Lambert is joined by Liane Nadeau, Chief Investment Officer at Digitas North America, for a grounded and refreshingly honest look at how real innovation happens in media today.

From local TV buys to leading investment across North America, Liane has seen every evolution and built a few herself. She shares how Digitas is bridging creative, strategy, and media to design brand experiences that actually connect, and why the real differentiator isn’t tools — it’s context, creativity, and the courage to try something new.

They cover:

Plus, Liane gets real on mom life, golf swings, and her dream gelato tour through Portugal.

Whether you’re a media exec, creative lead, or just curious where AI meets ad strategy, this episode is for you.

The future of media leadership starts with a culture first playbook.

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Ben Lambert reconnects with his first ever boss, Michael Law, now CEO of Carat North America, for a full circle conversation on leadership, legacy, and the evolution of modern media. With candor, warmth, and a healthy dose of Boston sports analogies, Mike shares lessons from 25 years at Carat, where culture, curiosity, and coaching sit at the core of the agency’s DNA.

They dive into:

Mike’s bow tie theory — that culture sits at the center of brand and business impact — echoes Sightly’s belief that showing up in culture drives better performance across the board. And his take on missed Wimbledon brand moments? A powerful reminder that speed, authenticity, and relevance matter more than ever.

In a time of fragmentation, platform chaos, and pressure to prove ROI, this episode is a timely reminder: great media starts with people, purpose, and a plan built for what’s next.

From global measurement frameworks to the perfect pizza slice, Vlad Novikov brings a benchmarker’s mindset to everything he does.

In this episode, he joins Sightly SVP of Sales Ben Lambert to talk shop on measurement benchmarks, brand safety in the influencer era, and the line between work and passion projects (spoiler: it’s thin).

Vlad also shares what it’s like spearheading global standards at Publicis Media—from attention metrics and privacy shifts to building playbooks that keep up with tech—and drops some serious recs on travel, pizza, and road-trip planning.

In this episode:

🍕 NY slice supremacy & why toppings deserve benchmarks

📏 The value of “12-to-12” days and global alignment in digital standards

🔍 Brand suitability beyond surface categories in the influencer space

🧳 Travel hacks, underrated destinations, and building the perfect Google Maps pin map

📊 How agency vs. vendor life shaped both Vlad’s and Ben’s POVs

Listen to learn how a global leader in digital standards blends precision, passion, and pizza without missing a beat.