The Last Advertising Podcast

This quarter’s Blue Crowbar episode brings together future creatives and one of the most respected leaders in advertising.

Fallon CEO, Nikki Baker joins the show to judge the winning campaign from Marisa Brown and Megan Sharpe, two juniors at Marist University who took home Best in Show for their holiday brief for Dollar Tree.

The conversation breaks down their insight-driven campaign built around surviving chaotic family holidays, from out-of-home and social to a fully gamified digital experience and a modern twist on the holiday catalog. Nikki shares what made the work stand out, how she would push it further in a real agency setting, and what young creatives should focus on as they prepare to break into the industry.

It is a masterclass in turning human truths into a fully realized campaign, plus an inside look at how real creative leaders evaluate student work at the highest level.

More from Breaking and Entering Media:

💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/

⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠

💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠

✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠

📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠

🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠

🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

This episode was produced in partnership with GSD&M

More from Breaking and Entering Media:💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Today, Breaking and Entering heads to CALLEN to explore how one of Austin’s fastest growing agencies is redefining what modern brand building looks like. The team breaks down why clarity beats clutter, how CALLEN blends data with instinct, and what it takes to build work that actually drives growth. From challenger brands to category leaders, this episode is a look at an agency focused on results, not noise.

This episode was produced in partnership with CALLEN.

More from Breaking and Entering Media:💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

This week, Breaking and Entering steps inside Preacher’s Austin headquarters to explore an agency built on belief, hospitality, and a deep connection to its creative community. Co founders Krystle Loyland and Rob Baird unpack how Austin’s generosity, maker culture, and collaborative spirit shaped the way Preacher works, hires, and builds brands. From in house galleries to intentional client experiences, this episode is a look at what happens when an agency decides it is cool to care

This episode was produced in partnership with Preacher.

More from Breaking and Entering Media:💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Today, Breaking and Entering heads to McGarrah Jessee in Austin to unpack why the city has become one of advertising’s most creatively alive markets. Strategy lead Jen Hruska and CEO Britton Upham dig into how Austin’s laid back culture fuels better work, why individuality matters more than trying too hard, and what it really means to build brands with integrity.

From "advertising athletes" to "in demand and choosy" partnerships, this episode is a look inside an agency that believes good can still be good business.

This episode was produced in partnership with McGarrah Jessee

More from Breaking and Entering Media:💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

This week, Breaking and Entering breaks into Bakery’s Austin HQ where the lobby is a bar, the agency has a spirit animal, and the work is built by people who are hungry to make things that actually matter. Founders and creative leaders unpack why Austin has become one of advertising’s most magnetic cities, how indie agencies are reshaping the culture, and what it really takes to build work without layers, gimmicks, or bureaucracy. From custom Nike sneakers to 3D-printed prototypes, this episode is a look inside an agency that does not just launch brands but helps invent them.This episode was produced in partnership with Bakery.More from Breaking and Entering Media:💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Breaking And Entering's 2025 Ad Agency Of The Year.

03:10 - Recap of the year in advertising

06:10 - Breakout agency of the year

17:00 - Agency of the year

46:00 - Campaign of the year

01:09:30 - Looking ahead to 2026

More from Breaking and Entering Media:💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Breaking into advertising has changed.

In this solo episode, host Geno Schellenberger shares an updated framework for breaking into the industry in 2026 as entry-level roles shrink and expectations shift.

He walks through Nerd Up, Work Up, and Cool Up, then introduces a new fourth pillar that now matters more than ever.

If you are a student, recent grad, or early-career professional trying to break into advertising, this episode is for you.

Follow B&E on IG for fast and fun advertising content that will help you break in or thrive in the industry: https://www.instagram.com/breakingandenteringmedia/

Jeff Goodby joins Breaking and Entering to unpack how a career built on curiosity, risk, and a little vandalism reshaped modern advertising. From breaking into the industry with a homemade portfolio to co-founding Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Jeff shares hard-earned lessons on ideas, leadership, and why the best work should feel a little dangerous. He dives into the thinking behind iconic campaigns, the power of noticing what others overlook, and what the next generation needs to survive and stand out. A masterclass, if you will, in doing the work your mom definitely wouldn’t think of.

More from Breaking and Entering Media:💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Disclosure: Travel and accommodations for this visit were provided by the agency.

Breaking and Entering breaks into Tombras, setting up inside the agency’s real-time social and data bunker in Knoxville. Geno and Jack sit down with Tombras CCO Paul Caiozzo and ECD Nathan Frank to unpack how data, AI, and cultural listening actually fuel breakthrough creative work. They get into fast-turn social moments, unapologetically being an ad agency, and why building world-class work far from New York might be the advantage. A behind-the-scenes look at what happens when creativity, analytics, and independence collide.

More from Breaking and Entering Media:💼 Follow on LinkedIn⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/⁠📖 Read our Publications⁠ https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog⁠💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe⁠ https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei⁠✉️ Subscribe to The Vault⁠ https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/⁠📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos⁠ https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/⁠🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising⁠ https://www.crowbarawards.com/⁠🤝 Work With Us - Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠