Campaign Chemistry

Duolingo has turned guerrilla stunts and internet culture into a masterclass in earned attention — from crashing movie premieres and getting kicked out of arena concerts to faking their mascot’s death. But behind the chaotic green owl is a disciplined marketing engine built on high trust, lightning-fast execution and an obsession with taste.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Duolingo senior director of brand marketing Kat Chan pulls back the curtain on how the team moves at the speed of culture, drawing from her career across high-intensity environments at Red Bull, Tesla and Meta. She breaks down the sub-hour approval pipeline for breaking trends, how to grant creatives autonomy without corporate red tape, why "good taste" is an uncopyable moat and how to connect viral cultural relevance directly to bottom-line business growth.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The advertising industry stands at a pivotal inflection point. Media landscapes are fragmented, technology is moving faster than ever, and brand builders are forced to balance human-driven emotion with rigorous, data-led precision. Few leaders have navigated this evolving landscape with as much longevity and clarity as Marc Pritchard, chief brand officer at Procter & Gamble.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Marc joins editorial director Jameson Fleming and deputy editor Cecilia Garzella to reflect on the key principles behind P&G’s most iconic, culturally resonant campaigns and why staying relevant requires constantly unlearning old habits. He breaks down why the future of growth depends on dismantling traditional industry silos, how P&G is leveraging artificial intelligence to supercharge both creativity and productivity and what it takes to maintain a fresh leadership perspective in a rapidly shifting world.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Cole Haan CMO and head of digital Krissie Millan explores a central challenge for heritage brands: honoring decades of craftsmanship while keeping pace with changing consumer expectations.

From running a Tumblr account for Tiffany & Co. to enlisting celebrities to promote functional water, Millan traces the career journey that led her to Cole Haan and shares what it takes to steward an established brand in today’s tech landscape.

We explore the fine line between retail tech innovation and consumer fatigue as Millan reveals how Cole Haan pairs its heritage with social-first campaigns to deliver value beyond price alone.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When the Sydney Opera House turned 50, the performing arts center needed to pay tribute to the bold, uncomfortable spirit that birthed it in the first place. Enter Droga5 and their acclaimed, award-winning 'Play It Safe' campaign featuring Tim Minchin.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, host Jameson Fleming sits down with Mark Green, Global CEO of Droga5, to break down what it takes to produce creative work that breaks through the noise. Mark shares the story behind the Opera House campaign, reflecting on how creativity thrives in moments of adversity and why he believes Australian advertising punches above its weight on the global stage.

The conversation dives deep into agency leadership, exploring Mark's experience navigating Droga5’s landmark integration with Accenture while keeping the agency's distinct culture and creative identity intact. From handling pitches and taking smart risks to attracting top-tier talent and drawing inspiration from music and broader culture, Mark offers an unvarnished look at what keeps modern agencies relevant.

Plus, a special guest quest question from last weeks guest, Chaucer Barnes Chief Marketing Officer. Translation LLC. and UnitedMasters

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marketing works when brands confront real business challenges while building cultural capital. In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, host Emmy Liederman sits down with Chaucer Barnes, chief marketing officer at Translation and UnitedMasters. They break down the changing CMO role, the critical shift toward sales-driven marketing and why honesty about industry failures is essential to building trust and authority.

Barnes breaks down how agencies can build deeper compatibility with clients by focusing on dramatic turnarounds rather than routine maintenance. He shares actionable insights on the creator economy, urging brands to treat creators as potential brand founders rather than simple distribution amplifiers. Barnes reflects on the personal and professional anxieties facing today's marketers, and how uncertainty can drive bolder storytelling.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marketing has never been more measurable, yet confidence in what's driving outcomes keeps falling. Privacy regulation, platform fragmentation and closed ecosystems have left real blind spots, and the biggest one is the market a brand can't see: prospects and non-customers who never show up in first-party data. That gap is widest at local and store level, where observed data thins out and most measurement is built around national media.

Goodway Group and Arima have partnered to close it with synthetic population modeling. Paul Frampton-Calero, CEO of Goodway Group, and TS Kelly, managing director at Arima, unpack how Arima's The Synthetic Society models real-world populations without touching personally identifiable information, and how Goodway is applying it to sharpen local- and store-level investment decisions. They discuss why this follows Goodway's "Own less, orchestrate more" approach, partnering for best-in-breed data rather than building a proprietary black box, and what it means for the brands piloting it now.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The advertising industry is undergoing a massive shift—one where legacy relationships are fading and consumer expectations are changing. In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, the team dives straight into the latest industry drama surrounding PepsiCo’s sudden agency shift and what it signals for the competitive landscape against rival Coca-Cola.

Editors Emmy Liederman, Jameson Fleming and Cecilia Garzella unpack the rising tide of brand controversies, exploring why missing diverse perspectives inside creative rooms leads to costly missteps. Plus, a look into the evolving Agency of the Year awards and why CMO-led judging shifts the focus onto measurable business impact.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an industry bogged down by rigid processes, Quality Meats is ditching the traditional agency playbook and proving that directness and agility still beat bloated pitch decks.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Jonathan King, partner and head of growth at Quality Meats, pulls back the curtain on how a guerrilla mindset allows the indie shop to scale rapidly without losing its soul. King shares the mechanics of cold outreach that actually converts, why high-impact campaigns like MapQuest prove out-of-home and comedy still reign supreme, and how “pre-mortems” help catch failure before launch.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For years, digital headlines insisted the American mall was dead. But step into a physical retail space today, and you will see Gen Z congregating for spontaneous hangouts, participating in viral TikTok trends such as "mall bingo" and seeking out real-world experiences. As AI-generated content crowds online spaces, human interaction and physical discovery have become premium commodities.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Emmy Liederman sits down with Kristen Jackman, SVP at Westfield Rise. Drawing on her career journey from Twitter to reinventing modern retail spaces, Jackman breaks down how experiential marketing is redefining brand activations and driving consumer engagement. She shares insights on how platforms such as Pinterest are championing offline interactions, why physical spaces serve as critical social hubs for younger generations and how brands can build lasting emotional connections through community-driven experiences.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the travel world, getting someone to click "book" is only the start of the journey. The true test of brand loyalty — the moment where a consumer becomes a lifelong advocate — happens when they step through the front doors of their hotel. For a global leader managing 28 distinct brands, delivering a consistently exceptional experience for millions of travelers every night requires a delicate balance of deep data and authentic human emotion.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Dan Reynolds, SVP of global marketing at Hilton, reveals how the hospitality powerhouse crafts stays that resonate long after checkout. Reynolds walks through how Hilton leverages algorithmic insights to surprise and delight guests, turning routine travel into meaningful personal connections. He pulls back the curtain on their boldest cultural plays, from a two-decade-long partnership with McLaren and unique activations like the Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club to headline-grabbing campaigns with Paris Hilton and Lando Norris. Beyond virality, Reynolds addresses the hard business of marketing: bridging social media engagement with direct bookings, navigating brand consistency across human and digital touchpoints and drawing endless creative fuel from real customer stories.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it take for modern marketing organizations to turn around, speed up and shift from being seen as a cost center to a true profit center? In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Jameson Fleming welcomes United Talent Agency's Donna Sharp to explore the rapidly shifting role of the chief marketing officer.

Sharp also dives into storytelling lessons from the world of theater and argues that AI shouldn't be treated as a silver bullet for every industry challenge.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Tinder’s global CMO, Melissa Hobley, shares how she is combating dating app fatigue and pulls back the curtain on her boldest strategies — from tapping into reality TV and astrology to designing offline events that break users out of their digital burnout.

Hobley addresses how Gen Z is redefining relationship boundaries and why the app is leaning heavily into real-world connection. From debunking the persistent “hookup app” myth to exploring where AI fits in a space defined by human connection, this is an unfiltered look at leading a global brand with empathy, self-deprecating humor and cultural relevance.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Coinbase's marketing leaders break down the power of narrative economics, in-camera craft and why taking big creative swings beats playing it safe in fintech. campaignlive.com

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start
your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

In this episode of Campaign Chemistry, Emmy Liederman and Cecilia Garzella discuss recent marketing campaigns, brand controversies and industry news. They play a game centered around marketing statistics, highlight notable campaigns from brands like Gap and Reese's and analyze the impact of the World Cup on brand performance. The conversation also touches on YouTube's earnings, the trend of brands positioning themselves as entertainment companies and Campaign US’ CMO 50 selection process.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it take to build work that doesn't just ride culture, but actively shapes it? For Jonathan Johnsongriffin, VP of Google Brand Studio, the answer lies in an absolute, almost reckless obsession with the craft. Before defining how one of the world’s biggest tech giants tells its story, Johnsongriffin spent years at Nike, learning the art of consumer devotion and witnessing firsthand how cultural titans like Serena Williams and Kobe Bryant pushed creative boundaries past their absolute limits.

In this episode, Johnsongriffin sits down with us to reflect on his journey across two legendary brands. He pulls back the curtain on Google’s World Cup campaigns, explores how physical experiences build real human connections in a digital world and shares how Nike navigated the creative chaos of COVID-19. We also talk about the changing landscape of talent discovery, why awards still matter to emerging creatives and how true brand storytelling requires the courage to chase the radical.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When independent agency Joan Creative first burst onto the scene, it set out to do things differently. Armed with a spirit of "joyful rebellion," the agency has spent years proving that culture and world-class creativity go hand-in-hand.

In this episode, host Jameson Fleming sits down with Joan Creative leaders Gerry Graf and Lisa Clunie to explore the agency's ongoing evolution and its vision for the future. They dive deep into the changing landscape of humor in advertising, the vital role independent agencies play for clients seeking true originality, and why leadership is as much about learning from junior talent as it is about setting the vision. From nurturing the next generation of creatives to staying grounded in what your brand stands *for,* Lisa and Gerry share an inside look at the chemistry driving one of the industry's most dynamic shops.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does it take to make a brand truly iconic? For Sunni Hickman, vice president of brand and demand marketing at Sky Zone, the secret lies in the art of the moment.

From modernizing the legendary Harlem Globetrotters to her current mission of elevating Sky Zone into the ultimate active play social network, Hickman has spent her career connecting family entertainment and cultural relevance.

In this episode, Sunni sits down to discuss the shift toward "valuetainment"—where budget-conscious parents seek high-value, memorable experiences that get kids off their screens and into the air. We dive into her strategies for driving demand, how influencer marketing bridges the generational gap and why creating shareable moments is the ultimate marketing cheat code.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when a journalist steps into the world of influencer marketing and financial insights, only to return to the reporter’s beat? In this week's episode of Campaign Chemistry, newly minted managing editor Emmy Liederman sits down with Jameson Fleming to chart her career path and lay out her vision for the future of Campaign US.

From her early days in journalism to her time navigating the evolving influencer landscape, Liederman explains how a deep understanding of both human interest stories and hard financial data shapes modern B2B marketing. She breaks down the real-world challenges facing today's CMOs, the need for accountability in trade journalism and how Campaign aims to be an indispensable resource for an industry in constant flux. Plus, she shares her unfiltered takes on industry buzzwords in a fast-paced game of "Love, Like and Loathe."

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The industry’s brightest minds descend on Cannes every year to celebrate creativity, but what does it take for a campaign to actually cut through the festival noise and stick with audiences long after the awards are handed out?

In this special "Walk the Work" episode of Campaign Chemistry recorded live from the basement of the Cannes Lions Palais, Jameson Fleming is joined by 4A's CEO Justin Thomas Copeland. Together, they unpack the creative machinery behind three standout marketing initiatives making waves at the festival: the poignant emotional resonance of 'A Mother's Commentary' in live sports, a community-driven experiment in 'AI for a Day,' and IKEA’s genuine stride toward sustainability with its pre-owned marketplace. Tune in to find out how these top-tier campaigns are redefining social impact and what they signal for the future of creative strategy.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The glitz of Cannes Lions often shines brightest on high-tech case study videos, but the real magic is happening out in the open air. In this special episode of Campaign Chemistry recorded live at the festival, Jameson Fleming sits down with Aaron Starkman, global CCO of Rethink and this year’s Cannes Lions Outdoor Jury Chair. Starkman joined Campaign on Thursday, the day before the agency won Independent Network and Independent Agency of the Year at Cannes Lions. Starkman breaks down what makes the physical medium of outdoor so special.

Starkman pulls back the curtain on the ethical tightropes and intense debates inside the jury room, explaining why a lighter volume of entries actually raised the stakes for world-class creativity. From iconic brands like Heinz and Heineken leaning into execution that feels "inevitable," to the crucial fight to prioritize raw human connection over hyper-polished award submissions, this conversation is a masterclass in what it takes to stop a consumer in their tracks today.

https://www.campaignlive.com/

Music - Take you Out by Lucid Tides, courtesy of Triple Scoop.

What we know about advertising, you should know about advertising. Start your 1-month FREE trial to Campaign US.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.