The WARC Podcast

Esi Eggleston Bracey, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Unilever, shares insights on the company’s marketing refresh and its innovative influencer strategies. Brand consultant Eugene Healey delves into the rise of B2B creators and the cultural role brands play. Katrina Sturton-Dodd, Editor at Contagious, discusses standout campaigns from Cannes, like the impactful initiatives by Indian Railways and AXA. Together, they explore the shift towards human-centric marketing and the importance of cultural engagement in today’s branding landscape.

Laura Jones, CMO of Instacart, shares insights into the company's remarkable growth from a startup to a major player in grocery orders. She discusses the shift from performance-driven marketing to a balanced brand-building approach, adapting to post-pandemic consumer behavior. Listeners learn about Instacart's strategic debut at the Super Bowl, integrating nostalgia with effective audience engagement. Jones emphasizes the importance of holistic marketing metrics and fostering a collaborative culture within her teams to drive continued success.

Pats McDonald, Global Chief Strategy Officer at Dentsu Creative and jury president at Cannes Lions, teams up with Yusef Chuku, Executive Strategy Director at New Gods and a jury member, to dish on winning creative strategies. They explore the significance of diverse jury perspectives and share how standout campaigns like Cheetos and Dove tap into cultural insights. Learn the importance of clarity in crafting award-winning strategies and get inspired by remarkable campaigns from AXA and Spotify's collaboration with the UN.

Tati Lindenberg, Chief Brand Officer for Dirt Is Good and marketing leader at Unilever, shares insights on global brand localization and effective partnerships. She discusses balancing creativity with measurable outcomes, highlighting campaigns like Wonder Wash. Tati also emphasizes the importance of integrating short-term gains with long-term brand strategies and details the brand's evolution over two decades. Innovative collaborations with Arsenal FC are explored, showcasing campaigns that tackle emotional connections and social issues in sports.

Andrea Diquez, Global CEO of GUT, and Martin Beverley, CSO of Ace of Hearts, share insider knowledge on winning the Creative Effectiveness Lions. They discuss the jury's decision-making process, revealing what truly impresses jurors. Humor’s impact in advertising takes center stage, with examples like Specsavers featuring Rick Astley. The duo also highlights iconic brands like Apple and Dove, showcasing their innovative strategies. Listeners get key tips for crafting compelling entries that resonate and stand out in a competitive field.

Sean Summers, Chief Marketing Officer of Mercado Libre, shares insights on the company's rapid growth and innovative strategies that led to multiple awards, including the integration of Brene Brown's ideas into marketing. Anastasia Leng, CEO of CreativeX, discusses the effectiveness of influencer marketing and the evolving creator economy. Both guests dive into the transformative power of emotional engagement in branding and the necessity for companies to embrace bravery and adaptability in their marketing approaches, all while maintaining clarity in communication.

This discussion features Felipe Thomaz, an Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Oxford, Gurdeep Puri, a Founding Partner at the Effectiveness Partnership, and Dione Song, CEO of Love Bonito. They delve into groundbreaking research revealing that not all media reach is created equal. The conversation highlights Love Bonito's expansion strategies and the importance of tailored marketing approaches. Emphasizing the need for authenticity and long-term growth, they explore how brands can balance agility with strategic development in a rapidly changing landscape.

Rob Campbell, Chief Strategy Officer at Colenso, delves into the creative mindset of artists, emphasizing the need for authenticity and resilience in the creative process. Andrew Tindall, SVP at System1, shares insights on the power of emotional connections in advertising and the importance of brand consistency for business growth. The duo explores how personal expression can reshape marketing, encouraging a cultural shift towards more meaningful creativity. They discuss the rise of creators and how they challenge traditional media norms.

JJ Healan is the VP of U.S. Marketing at McDonald's, where he focuses on consumer connections, while Rich Frankel serves as the Global Creative Director at Spotify Advertising, infusing creativity into B2B marketing. They discuss navigating the fragmented media landscape, emphasizing innovative strategies that blend physical and digital experiences. Healan shares how McDonald's engages Gen Z through gaming collaborations, while Frankel highlights the importance of personalized creative campaigns in B2B spaces, advocating for emotional connections to drive impact.

In this lively discussion, Amy Daroukakis, co-founder of Culture Connectors, and Yael Cesarkas, Executive Strategy Director at R/GA, dive into the urgent need to enhance customer experiences and revitalize brand loyalty. They tackle the alarming 'inshittification' of marketing, advocating for emotional branding to close the gap between promises and reality. The duo also highlights the financial pitfalls of dull media and urges brands to invest in engaging content, while exploring innovative trends that truly resonate with diverse audiences.