In a wide-ranging Trendsetters conversation, Bob Liodice, President & CEO of ANA (Association of National Advertisers), explains why the organization chose Agentic AI and Authenticity as its Words of the Year—and why they are inseparable.

This conversation offers signals for every kind of marketer—brand builders, performance leaders, CMOs, talent developers, and agency partners alike. And it raises a central question for the year ahead: as technology becomes more autonomous, can marketing stay authentically human?

Today's edition of Trendsetters explores one of the most complex—and consequential—areas of modern marketing: how nonprofit organizations build brands, inspire belief, and raise critical funds in a world where every dollar must work harder than ever.

My guest is Jon Lee, Principal and Head of Brand Leadership at Lerma, one of the most forward-thinking multicultural agencies in the U.S. Jon has led award-winning work for organizations including He Gets Us, The Salvation Army, Compassion International, OneHope, YoungLife, and many others.

His team’s approach is built on Cultural Fluency—an understanding that audiences today respond not only to messages, but to identity, values, and the deeper meaning of affiliation.

Despite soft consumer confidence and uneven economic signals, ad spending continues to grow faster than consumer spending—breaking a historical relationship marketers have relied on for decades.

So what’s driving the disconnect?

Luke Stillman, Managing Director at Madison & Wall, unpacks what he calls the hidden engines of ad growth—five forces quietly pushing more money into the advertising system, even when underlying demand hasn’t kept pace.

In a world obsessed with disruption, Deloitte Principals Geoff Tuff and Steven Goldbach argue that the real danger facing organizations today isn’t moving too slowly—it’s drift. In their new book, HONE: How Purposeful Leaders Defy Drift, they make the case for a different kind of leadership: one rooted in steady, intentional refinement rather than constant transformation.

Their work represents a new leadership lens for marketers navigating purpose, performance, and perpetual change.

If you’ve ever had a Big Idea that deserved to move faster — this episode is for you.

I’m speaking with Susan Schramm, author of Fast Track Your Big Idea!, about why so many marketing strategies stall, and what leaders can do to turn vision into velocity. Susan reveals why the biggest threat to your idea isn’t the budget or the timeline — it’s the people side of risk. And she shares a practical framework that helps marketers build alignment, accelerate momentum, and avoid losing their way mid-launch.

If you’re steering transformation, launching a brand platform, or trying to get teams energized about what’s next — don’t miss this conversation.
 

In today’s episode, we’re stepping into the kitchen with Jen Harrington, CEO and founder of HATCH, the independent, women-owned agency that’s redefining what it means to build creative partnerships.

Jen recently launched Eat In or Dine Out, a sharp new YouTube series for CMOs that uses food as a metaphor for one of marketing’s most pressing questions: Should you “eat in” with in-house talent, or “dine out” with external partners?

Join us as Jen shares her recipe for modern marketing — one that blends agility, empathy, and flavor in every campaign.

When an ad agency launches an AI division with a campaign that begins by declaring how bad AI can be, you know it’s not business as usual.

Michael Moszynski, Chairman and Co-Founder of London AI, isn’t interested in selling artificial intelligence as the next miracle cure for marketing. Instead, he’s redefining what AI should mean for agencies, clients, and creativity itself.

Today we’re joined by Dr. Jan Flemming, one of The Internationalists of the Year and a true innovator in European retail marketing. As CMO at PENNY and Media Director of REWE Group, he has redefined how top German grocery retailers connect with millions of customers. His story is an inspiration to marketers everywhere who want to push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and turn industry problems into lasting progress.

What happens when media no longer just delivers messages—but reflects what we already believe?

Former Omnicom Vice Chairman Tim Love and former Speaker of the House Richard Gephardt tackle that question in The Medium is the Mirror, exploring how algorithms, advertising, and politics collide to shape truth itself. From children’s online safety to national security, both leaders call for greater accountability—from platforms, policymakers, and each of us.

Bridget Sponsky, Executive Director of Brand Marketing at Ally Financial has become one of today’s most innovative marketers by blending bold actions with measurable results.

When speaking with Bridget, you immediately sense why Ally feels different from most financial institutions. Its purpose is simple yet powerful: put people first. Whether that means designing fairer financial products or championing equity in sports, Ally keeps its focus on customers—their goals, their realities, and their right to a brand that truly acts like an ally.