Ep. 104 Leading with People and Purpose: Dani Mariano on AI, Culture, and the Future of Razorfish

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Oct 28, 2025

Dani Mariano, CEO of Razorfish with over 11 years at the company, dives into her journey and the evolving marketing landscape. She emphasizes the human element in an AI-driven world and the need for personalized strategies that resonate, especially with younger generations. Dani highlights the differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, stressing how brands risk missing the latter. The conversation also explores authenticity amidst technological change and the importance of mentorship in career growth. Expect insights on balancing innovation with genuine consumer engagement.

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ANECDOTE

Rapid Rise Through Opportunity

Dani describes her 11-year rise at Razorfish as a "rocket ship ride" with rapid role changes every two years.
She credits mentors and advocates for enabling career leaps and landing a role she never envisioned.

ADVICE

Start With A Listening Tour

Dani ran a listening tour focused on mid-level and early-career employees to map culture and ensure right people occupy right roles.
Do prioritize organization-wide listening when stepping into leadership to surface everyday challenges and talent needs.

INSIGHT

AI Adoption Is Now A Competitive Imperative

Many clients are anxious to adopt AI because competitors are already exploring it and advantages can be gained quickly.
AI adoption is nascent but skipping early work now risks falling irreversibly behind.

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In this episode of The AdTechGod pod, host AdTechGod sits down with Dani Mariano, CEO of Razorfish, to discuss leadership, company culture, and the evolution of marketing in the age of AI. Dani shares her career journey from joining Razorfish 11 years ago to now leading the agency, and reflects on how people, mentorship, and learning have shaped her leadership style. The conversation explores the impact of AI on consumers and brands, generational differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and how agencies can maintain authenticity in an increasingly automated world.

Takeaways

The focus is on engaging Gen Z effectively.
Generative AI is revolutionizing personalization in marketing.
Clients are increasingly demanding personalized communication.
There is a need to explore the limits of personalization.
Email marketing is a key area for personalized strategies.
Understanding client needs is crucial for effective marketing.
The conversation highlights the role of technology in marketing.
Personalization can lead to better engagement with audiences.
Marketers must balance personalization with practicality.
The future of marketing lies in adapting to generational shifts.

Chapters

00:08 Introduction to Dani Mariano and Razorfish

01:15 Career Growth and Journey at Razorfish

02:41 Building Relationships and Finding Mentorship

03:30 First 100 Days as CEO and the Importance of Listening

05:25 The Human Element in an AI Driven World

06:07 How Clients Are Adopting AI and Facing New Challenges

07:11 Consumer Behavior and the Rise of AI Tools

08:20 Generational Adoption and the Role of Gen Z and Gen Alpha

10:08 Gen Alpha as Third Generation Digital Natives

12:09 Influencers, DIY Culture, and Blending Digital with Physical

15:44 Maintaining Authenticity and Transparency in the AI Era

18:55 Future Outlook and Innovation at Razorfish

21:52 Women in Leadership and Career Advice

24:34 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

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