Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast

From crafting full-funnel media strategies to cheffing up in the (Goop) Kitchen, Katharine Painter is doing it all and making it look easy. In this episode, the Apollo Partners Media Director dishes on what it takes to grow an independent media agency from three people to a real force, how Purely Elizabeth granola ended up in LA menus, and why creative and media teams should actually talk to each other. We cover her path from UT Austin to New York to Digitas to betting big on Apollo, the power of PR in an AI-powered search world, and why every slide deck you touch as a junior can impact a C-suite decision (so ask where it's going).And no, she’s not starting a recipe podcast. Yet.

Apollo Partners founder and CEO Eric Perko stops by to explain how he built a media agency that knows what it’s doing. He shares how his team helps brands like Coupa, Yahoo!, and Mars do more with less, why being small is a superpower, and what marketers should really be paying attention to. We also get into his accidental path into advertising, his early days on the Taco Bell account, and why running a media agency is a little like parenting a nine-year-old skateboarder.

We challenged Brian Bonilla to build his ultimate agency roster using only fictional characters. The brief? Assemble your dream C-suit and creative leads with zero real-world limitations and zero legal oversight. There were HR violations. There were culture wars. There were questionable hires that would make any holding company sweat. Tune in for the most unhinged strategy session you’ll hear this week and vote for the fake agency that would absolutely win a Cannes Lion and get sued by lunch.

Kirsten Atkinson didn’t just break into advertising. She reverse-engineered it, and made it culture-forward. As SVP of Brand Partnerships at Complex Networks, she turns brands into youth culture co-conspirators. She walks us through her bi-coastal career path, how she survived 18 years in agency life, and why branded content shouldn't just feel like 30-second pre-roll. If you've ever said "we're not cool enough to work with Complex," Kirsten probably already heard you and still figured out a way to make it work. This episode is a blueprint for brands trying to be relevant without trying too hard. Tap in for smart strategy, big ideas, and a custom Adidas collab she may have invented live.

Jason Apaliski has spent 17 years at the same agency, which in advertising years is practically a lifetime. In this episode, he shares how he went from aspiring art teacher to Chief Creative Officer at Pereira O’Dell, what’s kept him at the agency all this time, and how he’s helping shape the next generation of creatives. From surf shops in Virginia Beach to Super Teams at Creative Circus, Jason reflects on mentorship, ambition, and why the best ideas often come from unexpected places.

Fresh off the Croisette, Brian and Geno recap their week at Cannes. From lost luggage and late-night drone shows to AI anxiety and quiet dinners with execs, they break down the real takeaways from the biggest festival in advertising. What’s hype, what’s overhyped, and what actually matters if you’re trying to break into the industry. They cover the best activations, the shifting power of creators, and why Cannes is still worth it for early-career talent looking to get inspired, make connections, and see the bigger picture.

Anthony Sperduti is the co-founder of Mythology, the agency behind Warby Parker, Harry’s, Peloton and more. In this episode, he shares how he broke into advertising without a plan, faked his way into his first job, and ended up launching some of the most iconic DTC brands of the last two decades.He tells the story of sneaking a fashion show into the New York Public Library, what it’s like to work with brave founders, and why “just getting in the right building” can change your whole career.This one is packed with advice for aspiring creatives, agency founders, and anyone looking to break in.

In this episode, Jack shares how he went from working retail in Chicago to becoming an associate creative director at GSD&M. He talks about getting rejected, sending his resume in a literal bottle, and the early morning phone call he got from Gary Vaynerchuk after turning down a job.This is one of our favorite break-in stories. It’s scrappy, honest, and proof that there’s no one way into the industry.

Taylor Grimes, VP of Global Marketing at Goodyear, joins Breaking and Entering to talk brand reinvention at one of America’s most iconic companies. In this episode, he unpacks what it means to modernize a 125-year-old brand, lead with strategy, and create campaigns that resonate with both tire buyers and culture at large.From agency life to his role shaping Goodyear’s global narrative, Grimes shares lessons in persistence, creative leadership, and what it takes to build a brand world that actually works. Also, find out what’s really going on with the Goodyear blimps and why one of them might be named after a horror movie.

Welcome to VML on Creativity, a special series from Breaking and Entering Advertising. Each episode pulls back the curtain on VML and explores how creativity takes shape across categories and global offices. From health to commerce to entertainment, this is how creativity pushes brands forward today.In this episode, we sit down with Allison Pierce, Chief Creative Officer of VML Kansas City, to unpack creativity in branded experiences. From playful real-time activations to purpose-driven documentaries and accessible tourism innovations, Allison shares how her teams find fresh ways to engage audiences beyond traditional ads.We dive into two standout campaigns and the thinking behind them:Sound Sites: https://www.vml.com/work/sound-sitesWendy’s Frosty Fix: https://www.vml.com/work/frosty-fix Allison also shares her perspective on balancing brand experience with brand goals, pushing ideas beyond briefs, and why data is her secret weapon to selling creative work. If you want to learn how to make brand storytelling resonate in culture, this is a must-listen.Hosted by Geno Schellenberger, Founder of Breaking and Entering Media.Follow, rate, and share the show to keep learning from today’s top creative minds.