With Nike recently pulling out, some brands are asking themselves (again) whether Amazon is the right place for them. Despite the e-commerce giant's prowess, the reality is that it's not always easy to deliver the desired experience, and Amazon themselves tend to compete directly with the very brands they want to attract. So, friend or foe?

A lot of advertisers are being celebrated for their unorthodox stunts, whether Burger King going after McDonald's, or very recently Aviation Gin laughing in Peloton's face. Is this something we should celebrate, or are we just judging within our own ad bubble?

Some planners like to trust their instinct and look for validations, others tend to trust the data first and then look for strategies to build on it. And since it's not really a dichotomy, many do a bit of both depending on the situation. This week, we explore the value in each approach and whether there might be different leanings towards validation or inspiration depending on different types of planners.

t's notorious there aren't a lot of people over the age of 45 in advertising agencies outside of management. Why is this the case? Is it really an inevitable ageist truth? Aren't we missing out as an industry? Rachel and Shann discuss their experience and point of view, well aware that their own clock might be ticking.

This week we're discussing a listener question, and explore what's next in your career as a strategist if your goal isn't necessarily to become head of department, and what other professional lives there could be for you out there.

This week Rachel and Shann discuss one of the most heated (but also hated) topics in marketing circles: the need (or lack thereof) for a brand to serve a higher purpose. And while the answer might not be as black and white as some would hope, this episode explores the potential, but also the limits, of what many marketers have taken for a new paradigm.

This week we discuss what it takes to grow into your career as a strategist, a question asked by one of our listeners, Meghan Sheperd. We cover the different stages of your career, the importance of thinking horizontally, and share some of our experiences growing up as strategists ourselves.

Rachel and Shann discuss the preparedness (or lack thereof) of the advertising industry to deal with mental health issues at work. And since this is close to their hearts, they share a little bit about their personal journey, both as sufferers and team leaders.

In this episode, Shann and Rachel explore the question: does great planning need a consumer insight? The nuance, of course, is specifically when and were "insight" is applied.

In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss the personal challenges and ethical decisions they and others have confronted when working in advertising.