Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast

Valentina is the benchmark for positive energy and how that helps you break into the career you love. Valentina leads the marketing efforts at Ampersand Studios, an innovative, creative co-working and content studio in Miami's arts and entertainment district. Ampersand caters to creative professionals, offering flexible workspaces, private offices, an in-house production studio, and various equipment for creative projects. As the first in-house marketing hire during a critical expansion phase, Valentina plays a key role in defining and communicating the Ampersand brand. Her responsibilities have been crucial as the company entered new markets, including a recent launch in Nashville. It's her job to ensure that Ampersand's legacy in Miami is preserved while adapting to the needs and cultures of new communities. Valentina's marketing strategy is creative and community-focused, with a strong passion for content marketing and community programming.

For this week's Blueprint episode, Michigan State student Sydney Stephens hops on to discuss portfolio basics. She answers some of the most common questions and concerns students have when it comes to building their own portfolio with advice that has been passed down from her professors. Questions regarding A.I., digital media, and passion projects will finally be answered; specific advice for art directors, copywriters, and non-creative students will be given as well.

In this episode of the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast, the host welcomes guest Kat Gordon, founder of the 3 Percent Movement and a seasoned creative director. They discuss the challenges and pathways for breaking into the advertising industry, focusing on nonlinear career paths and the importance of diversity in creative leadership. Kat shares her journey from starting in ad sales to becoming a change-maker addressing the gender disparity in advertising's creative director roles. She explains the inception of the 3 Percent Movement, aimed at increasing female representation in creative director positions from 3% by building a community and showcasing the business case for diversity and creativity. The conversation covers the impact of the 3 Percent Movement, including conferences and efforts to make the creative industry more inclusive. Kat also talks about transitioning to virtual events during COVID-19 and introducing a coaching coalition to support creative leaders. Advice for women aiming to enter the advertising field and the significance of company culture are also discussed. 00:00 Welcome to the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast 00:31 The Nonlinear Paths into Advertising 01:01 Introducing Kat Gordon and the 3% Movement 01:29 The Genesis and Impact of the 3% Movement 04:04 Expanding the 3% Movement: Conferences and Virtual Events 07:22 Evolving the 3% Movement: Coaching and Future Directions 10:52 Kat Gordon's Personal Journey into Advertising 17:38 Advice for Aspiring Creatives and the Importance of Company Culture 31:08 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More Information

Join us on the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast as we welcome Meg Farquhar and Kendra Schaaf from Schaaf. In this episode, they discuss their career journeys, starting and running Schaaf, and advice for aspiring advertisers. Learn about their experiences at top agencies like TBWA\Chiat\Day and Ogilvy, how they built Schaaf, and their thoughts on the evolving advertising landscape. Discover valuable insights for breaking into the industry and what it takes to succeed. 00:00 Welcome to the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast01:09 Meet Kendra Schaaf: From Career Beginnings to Founding Schaaf03:35 Meg Farquhar's Journey in Advertising05:22 Early Roles and Career Insights08:29 Building Schaaf: Vision, Mission, and Values17:28 Branding and Positioning: Lessons from the Founders23:50 Advice for Aspiring Advertisers32:12 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of 'Breaking with Brian,' hosts Brian and his guest dive into the current state of diversity in the advertising industry. They discuss the 2023 trends, the impacts of recent Supreme Court rulings, and how various companies are scaling back their DE&I efforts. Special guest Lindsay Rittenhouse, Senior Reporter at Ad Age, joins to share her insights and findings from her latest article on diversity commitments and the industry's responses. They also cover new business initiatives, Gen Z opportunities in the writing field, and more. Tune in for an in-depth conversation on crucial advertising issues today.00:00 Introduction and Lighting Troubles00:48 Small Agency Awards and Judging02:03 Work Wednesday Initiative03:36 Special Guest Announcement04:56 Gen Z Voices Series08:51 Balancing Work and Personal Life12:20 CMOs Taking Over Reviews16:55 Acknowledging Industry Changes18:32 Podcast Recommendations20:55 Introducing Lindsay Rittenhouse22:19 Diversity in Advertising: Current Challenges24:08 The Impact of DE&I Cuts36:05 Future of DE&I in the Industry37:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Oliver McAteer, a partner and the head of development at Mischief, shares his inspiring journey from a UK journalist to a top agency leader in the US. He talks about surviving a rare earthquake in New Jersey and fondly recalls his hometown's charm. The conversation dives into innovative marketing strategies, the fearlessness required in brand building, and the balance between personal and agency branding. Oliver emphasizes creativity, effective networking, and the transformative impact of parenthood on productivity, all while keeping a light-hearted tone with a dash of his TikTok flair.

Matt Rotondo holds the position of Head of Brands at Sugar23, a company that diverges from traditional advertising agencies by focusing on entertainment production and talent management. Unlike conventional ad firms, Sugar23 specializes in integrating brands into media through creative partnerships and projects that range from TV shows and movies to talent collaborations. Their innovative approach to brand integration within entertainment sets Matt Rotundo and Sugar23 apart in advertising, transcending the typical bounds of product placement. 

This episode features a comprehensive discussion of controversial ads in the advertising industry, focusing on Apple and Bumble's recent campaigns. Brian Bonilla and Geno Schellenberger explore the nuances of each controversy, the public's reaction, and the lessons to be learned for advertisers. They are joined by Tim Nudd, the Creativity Editor at Ad Age, who shares his insights on the matter. The episode delves into the specifics of Apple's controversial ad, which showcases product thinness, and Bumble's campaign, which faced backlash for handling gender politics.  00:00 Intro 00:45 Diving into The Ads with Tim Nudd 01:05 Exploring the Apple Ad Controversy 02:30 The Creative Process and Industry Insights 06:25 Tim Nudd Shares His Experience and Perspective 07:51 Analyzing the Backlash and Apple's Response 17:13 Reflections on Advertising Creativity and Strategy 18:49 Decoding the Apple Ad Controversy 19:40 The Ripple Effect: Media Coverage and Public Reaction 20:49 Exploring Cultural Forces and AI's Impact 22:51 Samsung's Creative Counterattack 30:36 The Bumble Ad Controversy 37:36 Learning from Advertising Mistakes

This podcast episode features your accomplice, Geno Schellenberger interviewing Dave Reidy, Managing Director and Chief Creative Officer at Havas Life Chicago, in person at the Havas Chicago office. Dave shares his journey into healthcare advertising, emphasizing the unique challenges, rewards, and the importance of creativity within the sector. The conversation covers topics such as maintaining passion, breaking into the industry, managing projects under regulatory constraints, and the role of creativity in healthcare advertising.  Dave also provides advice for those looking to enter the field, discusses the collaborative culture at Havas, and shares personal anecdotes about his background in creative writing and his involvement in producing a short film. The episode encourages listeners to connect with industry professionals and emphasizes the value of creativity and human purpose in advertising. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest Dave Reidy 00:43 Dave Reidy's Journey into Healthcare Advertising 01:14 The Creative and Collaborative Culture at Havas 01:42 Breaking into Healthcare Advertising: Insights and Advice 04:13 Dave Reidy's Role and the Essence of Havas Health and You 07:36 The Transition from Sports to Healthcare Advertising 10:13 The Unique Challenges and Rewards of Healthcare Advertising 14:38 Case Studies and the Impact of Advertising in Rare Diseases 25:05 Advice for Aspiring Healthcare Advertising Professionals 31:13 Dave Reidy's Personal Journey and Creative Endeavors 36:30 Conclusion and How to Connect with Dave Reidy

This podcast episode deviates from the usual guest interviews to introduce 'blueprint,' a segment that provides deep-dive advice on specific topics in the advertising industry based on listener inquiries.  The host, Geno Schellenberger, shares personal experiences and strategies on preparing for job interviews, emphasizing the importance of thorough company research and presenting oneself confidently. Insights on what employers look for during interviews, how to stand out by discussing the company's work and campaigns, and tips for each stage of the interview process are offered. The discussion highlights the pivotal role of aligning personal values with company goals to succeed in securing a job in advertising. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Blueprint Series 00:40 First Solo Episode: Navigating the Mic Alone 01:01 Mastering the Interview: Personal Success Story 03:51 Deep Dive into Interview Preparation Strategies 05:36 Elevating Your Interview Game: Advanced Tips 07:13 Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways and Support Offer