Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast

When PBS funding came under threat, Mary Adam and George Apfelbach created a cultural moment, through the voice of Elmo.Elmo took to LinkedIn to apply for jobs, cheer people on, and protest the defunding of public television. The post exploded: 3 billion impressions, 5,000+ likes, and coverage from The Today Show, E! News, Variety, Rolling Stone, USA Today, and more...before LinkedIn took it down.In this episode, Mary takes us behind the scenes of the viral protest, the emotional messages that flooded in, and why saving PBS matters now more than ever.👉 Help Mary amplify the message and support the cause:https://venmo.com/u/elmoopentowork

Joe Conrad, founder and CEO of Denver-based agency Cactus, joins us to talk about building one of the first purpose-driven advertising agencies in the country. He shares how moral conflict early in his career led him to start Cactus in 1990, and how the agency became a national leader in mental and behavioral health campaigns. Joe also dives into why Denver’s ad scene rivals coastal cities, how Cactus balances hustle with employee happiness, and what aspiring advertisers need to do to break in and build a lasting career. Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-conrad-0476525/ Follow Breaking and Entering on LinkedIn for Daily Ad News: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/posts/?feedView=all   

What does it take to refresh a global brand without losing its fan following?JP Bittencourt, SVP of Marketing for Sparkling Brands at PepsiCo Beverages U.S., joins BrandSide to break down Mountain Dew’s bold new visual identity, their viral Super Bowl campaign featuring SEAL (yes, the real SEAL), and how the brand is leaning into legacy, community, and sunshine-soaked vibes for a new generation of fans. From Baja Blast’s retail takeover to tattoo redos and drone shows, this episode covers it all. JP also shares his best advice for aspiring marketers and how two unexpected roles shaped his entire career.Follow us on LinkedIn for all the ad news to know: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/

In this BrandSide episode, we sit down with Trisha Goyal, Founder and CEO of Break Sports - the company behind Break the Love and Break the Birdie. Trisha shares how she built a fast-growing sports tech brand that helps Gen Z and millennials connect offline through tennis, golf, and pickleball. We dive into her journey from ESPN and GIPHY to entrepreneurship, and explore how authentic partnerships with brands like AMEX and Bumble are fueling Break Sports’ success. Connect with Trisha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trisha-goyal-43b3a045/ Follow Breaking and Entering on LinkedIn for Daily Ad News: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/posts/?feedView=all

In this episode, we sit down with Dooley Tombras, President of Tombras - the independent, family-owned agency that’s gone from regional player to being named #1 on Ad Age’s A List. He shares how he transformed a third-generation family business into a cutting-edge, digital-first powerhouse. From growing up in an ad-centric household to making pivotal hires at Tombras, Dooley walks us through the agency’s evolution, its bold campaigns for brands like Steak-umm and Moon Pie, and the importance of culture, creativity, and continuous learning. He also discusses Tombras’ partnership with the University of Tennessee and offers practical advice for aspiring advertisers on building a standout portfolio, staying curious, and breaking into the industry. Connect with Dooley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dooleytombras/ Follow Breaking and Entering on LinkedIn for Daily Ad News: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/posts/?feedView=all   

In this episode, Mo Said - Founder and CEO of Mojo Supermarket - recounts his bold journey from faking a high school transcript to building a cutting-edge advertising agency. He shares stories from his upbringing in Pakistan, his unexpected entry into advertising, and his time at Michigan State. Mo dives into the power of creativity, the role of AI in the industry, and why strong ideas and refined taste matter more than ever. He also reflects on launching Mojo Supermarket, winning Adidas as a client, and leading through the pandemic. Connect with Mo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaid/ Follow Breaking and Entering on LinkedIn for Daily Ad News: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/posts/?feedView=all   

Ben Whitla, Head of Brand and Marketing at Slate Auto, joins to share how they’re launching a new kind of EV. From ditching traditional car marketing to creating a modular, customizable vehicle, we cover the thinking behind the brand and campaign. Plus, how their taxidermy ad and internet puzzle got people talking.Follow B&E on LinkedIn for daily ad news you need to know! https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/

In this episode, we sit down with J. Patrick McElroy, Co-Founder and Partner of Champion, a talent management company representing top-tier production companies and directors. J. Patrick pulls back the curtain on how the production side of advertising works - from landing high-profile commercial shoots to the pitch process between agencies and directors. Whether you're curious about production, love fast-paced environments, or want to break into a lesser-known but vital part of the ad world, this conversation offers practical insights and a crash course in how creative work actually comes to life on screen.Connect with J. Patrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-patrick-mcelroy-85b34032/ Follow Breaking and Entering on LinkedIn for Daily Ad News: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/posts/?feedView=all  

Mother’s Day just got a bold new twist.On this episode, we go behind the scenes with Marianne Stefanowicz of Mother to break down The Titty Bar — a cheeky, heartfelt activation serving mocktails to new moms while raising awareness for maternal health. Learn how a small team brought the idea to life fast, why internal initiatives can be career-makers for creatives, and how brands can stay sharp while driving real impact.Check out the site:https://www.thetittybar.co/Follow us on LinkedIn to stay in the know and grow your career:https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/

In this episode, we sit down with Noel Cottrell, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Murder Hornet, a creatively led agency that swarms around big ideas with a flexible, collective model. Noel takes us through his journey of breaking into advertising - again and again - from working at Saatchi & Saatchi London to launching agencies in South Africa and the U.S. Today, his agency partners with brands like New York Life, Lipton, Zoom, and Bumble, all while redefining what it means to brand and build an agency. If you're a copywriter, creative, or aspiring founder, Noel’s stories and advice on persistence, reinvention, and building a strong portfolio are can’t-miss.Connect with Noel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelcottrell/ Follow Breaking and Entering on LinkedIn for Daily Ad News: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-podcast/posts/?feedView=all