The Last Advertising Podcast

The goal of this podcast is to help you break in and thrive in advertising. And Marketing. And heck, maybe to help you become a CEO. 

Welcome back to breaking and Entering brand-side. We interview the best folks who work in creative communications directly for businesses. Not agencies. Although we love agency folks too. 

Today, we learn from Gertrude Allen, CEO of Lola Dating, a new dating app that addresses the common issues found in existing dating platforms, such as swiping fatigue and ineffective communication.

Gertrude discusses Lola's unique features, such as a calendar system for scheduling dates and a feedback mechanism to improve matches over time.

Listen if you're looking for love. Or if you're looking to break in and or thrive in advertising. 

Breaking with Brian: Episode 6 - "Agency" Rebrand

Brian Bonilla, Senior Agency Reporter at Ad Age and Geno Schellenberger, Associate Director of Growth and Comms at Havas Chicago, discuss the developing stories of the advertising world, focusing on the significant shift from traditional agencies to a variety of new models, including consultancies and creative transformation companies. They explore the real-world implications of this change for talent acquisition, client relationships, and overall strategy. 

They touch upon recent industry events like the Kendrick-Drake beef, their preferences in music and the creative world, and the recognition of excellence in the industry through awards like the Ad Age gala. They also reflect on the confusion these industry shifts cause among professionals and students alike, suggesting a focus on skill and passion over titles and terminologies. 

Additionally, they humorously propose setting up their own agency, emphasizing creativity and quick, impactful solutions. The episode rounds off with more personal anecdotes and light-hearted banter about preferences in music, food, and hypothetical scenarios, ensuring an entertaining dialogue on the future of advertising.

00:00 Welcome to Episode Six: A Casual Sunday Chat

00:37 Kendrick vs. Drake

01:52 Ad Age Gala Highlights and Industry Awards

07:40 Exploring the Ad Industry's Latest Buzzword: 'Agency'

16:02 The New Agency Model: Consulting Meets Creativity

20:15 Revamping Agencies for the Modern Era

20:53 The Birth of a New Agency Model

21:53 The Shift in Client Expectations

22:26 The Identity Crisis Among Agencies

23:18 Brainstorming a Unique Agency Concept

25:53 The Future of Creative Careers

28:31 Creating Our Own Agency: A Hypothetical Exercise

29:14 Reflecting on Industry Changes and Personal Preferences

31:56 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Celebrating all the side projects created by folks in advertising. 

From Vomit Comics, an advertising video game, to even this podcast, Josh Weiss and Sunita Deshpande have been celebrating the extremely creative and meaningful side projects from the minds of those who create ads for a living. 

It's essential to study ads and what's being covered in the ad trades, but it's also important to stay in tune with culture and to flex your creativity, and side projects are a great way to do that. 

Josh Weiss and Sunita Deshpande join this episode to talk about The Side Show and how students can get inspired by the site's gallery of projects. 

Brian Bonilla, a senior agency reporter at Ad Age, returns to discuss recent happenings and insights within the advertising industry alongside Geno Schellenberger.
They dive into the current trend of rapidly emerging ad agencies and explore the factors contributing to this phenomenon, including the strategy of niching down to cater to specific market segments like Gen Z and local businesses. The conversation also touches on significant developments, such as a notable lawsuit involving the closure of the Butcher Shop agency.
The discussion spans various informative segments, including 'Agency Headline of the Week,' 'Gas or Pass,' and special topics on the role of AI in creative processes and insights into how advertising reviews work. This episode offers students and aspiring advertisers valuable advice on navigating and thriving in the advertising industry by staying informed and seizing opportunities.

Dr. Karen Freberg on Bridging the Gap between Academia and Industry.

In this episode, Dr. Karen Freberg shares her experiences as a professor in strategic communications at the University of Louisville. She highlights her approach to teaching and her role in managing a student-run strategic communications agency. She discusses how she focuses on bridging the gap between academia and the industry and why she champions her students to take ownership of their learning. Additionally, Dr. Freberg shares examples of how her students have benefited from personal branding and real-world experience, including opportunities to work with esteemed companies and on high-profile events.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:50 Getting to Know Dr. Karen Freberg

01:28 Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry

02:18 The Journey of a Student Athlete

03:27 Discovering Public Relations

05:19 The Importance of Personal Branding

08:16 Success Stories: From Students to Professionals

12:46 The Power of Passion and Initiative

19:40 The Struggles and Joys of Advertising

20:09 The Importance of Creativity in Strategic Communication

21:25 The Journey of Building a Student Agency

21:55 The Challenges and Triumphs of Launching a Student Agency

22:17 The Role of Students in Shaping the Agency

24:40 The Growth and Success of the Student Agency

25:32 The Impact of the Student Agency on the Community

32:07 The Future of the Student Agency

33:48 The Role of Podcasts in Student Learning

36:48 The Impact of Teaching on Students

37:37 Connecting with Karen Freberg

This week, we interviewed Eric Segal and Brett Banker, founders of X&O, a unique company that defies the traditional advertising agency framework.

Operating from New Jersey, Segal and Banker discuss their long-term partnership, the genesis of X&O, and how their model differentiates from typical agencies by focusing on employing a network of experts and officers for specific client challenges. They dive into the principles of agility, expertise, and speed in delivering strategic and creative roadmaps for clients, emphasizing their no-hierarchy, project-based approach.

X&O collaborates with clients and other agencies, often working anonymously to solve complex problems quickly and efficiently. The discussion also covers how X&O’s model could impact aspiring advertisers and the evolving landscape of the advertising industry.

00:00 Welcome to the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast

00:23 Introducing X&O: A New Breed of Agency

02:52 The Unique Model of X&O Explained

04:14 The Expertise and Structure of X&O

07:22 Collaboration and Project Dynamics at X&O

09:59 The Anonymity Principle and Creative Process

13:17 Client Projects and Showcasing Work

16:16 Reflecting on Creative Control and Validation

18:54 Unlocking the Talent Pool: The Shift in Advertising Talent Dynamics

20:04 The Pandemic's Impact on Work-Life Balance and Talent Mobility

21:00 Breaking and Entering: A New Era for Aspiring Advertisers

24:16 From Traditional Paths to New Opportunities: Personal Career Journeys

27:50 The Power of Asking and the Importance of Instinct in Advertising

31:30 Exploring New Business Models and the Future of Agency Pitches

34:06 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Lauren King, Director of Brand Marketing at Wolverine Boots & Apparel, conducts a hall of fame episode this week on Breaking and Entering Brand-Side.

She takes us through her inspiring journey from internships at the Detroit Zoo and WNBA, navigating through a PR agency, to her pivotal role in transforming a startup into a national phenomenon.

You will hear how facing the 2008 Recession, a chance Craigslist find, and a strategic move to Wolverine Worldwide shaped her career.

Lauren’s story is a masterclass in seizing opportunities, the power of perseverance, and the continuous pursuit of growth.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenshieldking/

This episode of the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast features a deep dive into the advertising world with Tim Roan, Chief Creative Officer at McGarrah Jessee, an independent agency based in Austin, Texas. Roan shares his journey from agency side to client side at Lyft and back into the agency world with Magera Jesse. He discusses the evolution of advertising in the context of remote work, the importance of nurturing early talent, and offers advice for those looking to break into the industry. The conversation covers McGarrah Jessee's unique approach to creativity and client relationships, highlighting successful partnerships with brands like Yeti, Deep Eddie Vodka, and more. Roan emphasizes the significance of creating a fun working environment and fostering a culture that prioritizes creativity and human connections over business constraints.

In this episode of the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast, host Geno Schellenberger talks with Olivia Morley, a senior advertising reporter at Adweek, about the challenges and solutions for students and aspiring advertisers looking to enter the industry. The main point of discussion is the Rising Marketer's Guide, which she reports on consistently.
She shares her initiative to compile and disseminate valuable resources for newcomers, such as internship and fellowship programs that need broad exposure. She emphasizes the significance of these opportunities for career development, especially for underrepresented groups, and discusses her series on the Adweek blog, Agency Spy, which profiles various advertising programs. Special attention is given to the diversity of these programs and how they cater to different levels of commitment and learning needs. Morley's goal with this series is to demystify the path into advertising, increase successful application rates, and ensure the right fit between candidates and programs.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast & Honeymoon Excitement
00:30 The Journey of a Belated Honeymoon
01:21 Unplugging for a Beach Getaway
02:10 Revisiting Olivia's First Podcast Appearance
02:22 Olivia's Role at Adweek & The Power of Networking
04:12 Introducing a New Segment: Break-In Tools
05:03 The Genesis of a Resourceful Series for Aspiring Advertisers
08:30 Diving Deep into Agency Fellowship Programs
11:20 The Vision Behind the Series & Its Impact
16:07 How to Access the Rising Marketers Guide & Closing Thoughts

Back to Brand-Side.

This episode dives deep into Shure Incorporated, a brand our team at Breaking and Entering is incredibly passionate about, with insights from Garrison Krotz.

Garrison is an Associate Manager of Global Media Relations at Shure Incorporated.

Garrison talks about his journey from PR Agency Ketchum to Shure, blending professional growth with personal passions.

We discuss the importance of networking and connecting with industry professionals to navigate career transitions!