
Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast
Connecting the Advertising and Marketing World, One Heist at a Time
We bridge gaps across the industry—connecting agencies with brands, production houses with agencies, and aspiring talent with recruiters. Whether you're a marketing executive seeking the perfect agency partner or someone aiming to break into the field, this podcast helps you pull off your ultimate heist.
With over 150,000 listeners, we explore the people, culture, and insights shaping advertising and marketing. Tune in to conversations that break down barriers and open doors.
Latest episodes

Mar 26, 2024 • 49min
#208: Aaron Starkman, Global CCO & Partner of Rethink
Aaron Starkman, Global Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Rethink, shares his inspiring journey through the advertising landscape. He discusses overcoming early career setbacks, including being fired, and how those challenges fueled his creative drive. Starkman highlights a transformative campaign that solidified his reputation and delves into the importance of nurturing team creativity. He also reflects on his unconventional switch from law to advertising, emphasizing the role of mentorship and resilience in achieving success in the industry.

Mar 25, 2024 • 41min
Breaking with Brian Bonilla: Episode 4 - Navigating the Landscape of Creative Agencies and Marketing Trends
In Episode 4 of Breaking with Brian Bonilla, hosts Brian Bonilla (Senior Reporter at Ad Age) and Geno Schellenberger (Comms Lead at Havas Chicago) dive into a range of topics, including the success of Havas Chicago's Wayfair campaign, the dynamics of the advertising industry, and recent trends in hiring creators within agencies.
They discuss the significant impact of executive moves in advertising and the rise of AI interns in agencies. The episode also covers the effects of mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships on mid-sized agencies, highlighting the changing nature of agency sizes and client project approaches.

Mar 19, 2024 • 35min
Brand-Side: Tripp Wheat, Director of Sales for Professional Bull Riders, LLC
NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB. You know these, but do you know PBR?
It's time to learn about professional bull riding with our guest, Tripp Wheat, Director of Sales at Professional Bull Riders, LLC (PBR), on Breaking and Entering Brand-side.
Tripp is revolutionizing PBR by drawing in diverse partners and widening the sport's appeal far beyond its traditional audience.
Hear how strategic partnerships propel PBR into new markets and catch Tripp's expert advice for marketers aiming to leave their mark.
Listen for an episode packed with insights and strategies that are shaping the future of sports marketing.

Mar 13, 2024 • 49min
Ad Age's 2024 A-LIST | Special Episode (Breaking with Brian Bonilla)
Breaking Down Ad Age's A-List 2024
This episode features a discussion between Brian Bonilla (Senior Agency Reporter at Ad Age) and Geno Schellenberger (Comms lead at Havas Chicago), breaking down Ad Age's prestigious A-list of top advertising agencies for 2023. They provide insights into the selection process, emphasizing the list's significance in the industry, including categories like the top 10 agencies, standouts, and the best in specific areas such as agency culture.
They highlight notable agencies such as Mischief and Highdive and discuss the impact of receiving this accolade. They dive into the implications for aspiring advertisers, suggesting leveraging this list to learn about and enter the industry.
00:00 Special Episode Alert: The A-List Reveal
02:10 Unveiling the A-List: The Top Agencies of the Year
08:07 Deep Dive into the Top 10 Agencies of 2023
19:13 Exploring the Top 5 Agencies and Their Impact
24:22 Exploring the Success of Goodby and Mischief25:15 The Rise of Mischief: A Deep Dive
26:16 The Story of Greg Han and the Impact of NFA
28:47 Unveiling the Strategy Behind Mischief's Success
32:39 Spotlight on Independent Agency of the Year
36:11 Exploring In-House Agency Excellence with Yeti
43:18 Agency Executive of the Year: A Story of Resilience
48:23 Wrapping Up: The Power of Brand and Agency Recognition

Mar 12, 2024 • 37min
Brand-Side: Kim Chitra, Director, Global Brand Marketing at LinkedIn
We have one of my favorite brands in the world, LinkedIn.
Kim Biason Chitra is Director, Global Brand Marketing at LinkedIn.
From breaking into the agency side to attending Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business to earn her MBA, I asked her why she jumped from the agency to the brand side. I asked her about her MBA experience.
We learn about life on the other side and how she and her team at LinkedIn are bridging the gap between marketing and advertising.

Mar 11, 2024 • 41min
Breaking with Brian Bonilla: Episode 3 - BarkleyOKRP, Supporting Neurodiverse Employees, and Navigating the Job Market
In this episode of 'Breaking with Brian Bonilla,' Geno Schellenberger and Brian Bonilla discuss advertising stuff, including the recent merger between Barkley and OKRP to form BarkleyOKRP and the implications for the advertising industry. They discuss the importance of supporting neurodiverse employees in the workplace and share strategies agencies implement to create more inclusive environments. Additionally, the episode explores the challenges faced by students and recent graduates in finding jobs within the advertising industry, offering insights and advice on navigating these difficult times. A special guest joined the conversation, shedding light on her reporting on these critical industry issues.00:00 Introduction and Catching Up02:28 Agency Headline of the Week10:36 Rapid Fire Headlines22:33 Special Guest Introduction22:52 Conversation with Special Guest23:33 Discussing Neurodiversity in Agencies24:17 Challenges Faced by New Graduates in Advertising33:08 Advice for Breaking into the Industry39:48 Closing

Mar 8, 2024 • 46min
Pressing: Kyle O'Brien, Agencies Reporter and AgencySpy Editor at Adweek
Nerding up and knowing the industry is one of the best ways to break into advertising. And, of course, to thrive in it.
This week, we learn from Kyle O'brien. Kyle is an Agencies Reporter and AgencySpy Editor at Adweek.
He emphasizes the benefits of starting in an agency, where one can learn important aspects of the advertising process in a supportive environment. His discussion about the evolving landscape of advertising, including the role of AI, offers a realistic yet optimistic view of the industry's future.

Mar 5, 2024 • 1h 5min
Blueprint: Breaking into Agency Comms w/Ty Gates
Blueprint by Breaking and Entering is a deep dive into various topics within marketing communications. Episodes range from 5 minutes to 5 hours.
Today, we feature Ty Gates from Mother USA. Ty is the Communications Director at Mother. Geno Schellenberger leads Comms at Havas Chicago. They discuss breaking into agency comms, new biz, PR and more.
If an episode doesn't suit you, share it with someone who might find it useful.
DM us with content ideas or your burning questions needing a blueprint.

Feb 27, 2024 • 34min
Pressing: Brian Steinberg, Senior TV Editor at Variety
Breaking and Entering Presents PRESSING with Brian Steinberg.
In this podcast episode, Brian Steinberg, a seasoned journalist in the media, advertising, and entertainment industry, shares his perspective on the current advertising landscape. He touches on topics such as the growing role of health experience in senior-level ads, AI influence in the creative process, and new trends such as sports migrating from TV to streaming. Brian also provides insights into his coverage selection process and tips for advertisers to catch his attention with their creative work.
00:00 Introduction and Importance of Specialized Journalism
00:55 Brian Steinberg's Career Journey and Expertise
01:30 The Evolution of Media and Advertising
02:31 The Intricacies of Media, Entertainment, and Advertising
03:50 Standout Stories and the Power of Connections
08:02 The Role of Variety in the Media Landscape
12:28 Trends and Predictions in Advertising and Marketing
15:18 The Impact of AI and Health in Advertising
22:40 How to Stand Out in the Creative Industry
30:08 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Advertisers

Feb 26, 2024 • 51min
Breaking with Brian Bonilla: Episode Two - Valentine's Day, Super Bowl, Smash or Pass Rapid Fire and More
Brian Bonilla is a Senior Reporter at Ad Age - covering advertising agency news. Geno Schellenberger is an agency professional at Havas Chicago and is an ad nerd.
In this episode of Breaking with Brian Bonilla, hosts Brian Bonilla and Geno Schellenberger discuss recent happenings in the marketing and advertising sphere. They touch upon Valentine's Day and Super Bowl marketing efforts, with a notable mention of Dunkin's celebrity-studded campaign. They also mention a new creative consultancy launched by former executives at Mojo Supermarket. Further, they discuss the decline in WPP's U.S. revenue and its focus on AI for future growth. Haleon's new three-year deal with influencer marketing agency 'Collectively,' and McDonald's venture into the anime world for their marketing campaigns. Towards the end, there is a surprise phone-in from a special guest.
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
01:20 Breaking Down the Show's Segments
01:49 Valentine's Day Campaigns Discussion
09:51 Post-Super Bowl Ad Reactions
18:26 Agency Headline of the Week
26:20 Introducing the Rapid Fire Segment
27:59 Deep Dive into WPP's U.S. Revenue Decline
32:30 Continuing the Rapid Fire Segment
32:48 Discussing McDonald's Anime Campaign
38:44 Exploring Haleon's Influencer Marketing Strategy
43:50 Surprise Guest
50:35 Closing Remarks