Kirk McDonald, CEO of Sundial Media Group, shares his expert insights on the shifting landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in media. He discusses the pushback against DEI initiatives and its effects on multicultural brands like Essence and Refinery29. McDonald highlights the complexities of managing DEI budgets amidst societal debates and the impact on ad effectiveness. He also reflects on the rise of YouTube on TVs and the critical need for companies to maintain genuine connections with diverse audiences. A thought-provoking dive into a crucial industry topic!

Rankin Carroll, Global Chief Brand Officer at Mars Snacking, dives into the future of marketing in a cookie-less world. He discusses innovative strategies to leverage first-party data for brands like M&Ms and Snickers. Carroll also highlights the importance of partnerships and the role of AI in enhancing audience engagement. Additionally, he reflects on Mars' eye-catching Super Bowl marketing campaign, emphasizing how adaptability and creativity are crucial in the evolving digital landscape.

Amy Astley, Global Editorial Director at Architectural Digest, discusses the magazine's bold shift in e-commerce strategy. They moved from embedding affiliate links on YouTube to directing viewers to their own site, enhancing the shopping experience. This change led to a remarkable four-times revenue increase from the 'Open Door' series. Astley also teases an upcoming relaunch of AD Shopping, which will showcase curated selections and products, further boosting their commerce revenue.

Anthony Katsur, CEO of IAB Tech Lab, dives into the evolution of digital advertising in the face of the post-cookie era. He discusses the uncertainty surrounding third-party cookies as Google delays their removal. Katsur argues for the continued use of alternative identifiers like IP addresses while emphasizing the importance of privacy-friendly solutions. The conversation highlights a shift toward identity-less solutions and the complex landscape of consumer consent and privacy laws that will shape the future of digital marketing for years to come.

Over the last year, marketers have been shelling out dollars to show up in sports, the supposed last bastion of monocultural moments and opportunity to get ads in front of a massive audience. There's been an uptick of interest in unconventional sports like pickleball, and women’s sports. Streaming platforms like Netflix bet big on live sports in hopes to bring in more money from advertisers. Finally, since the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) approved its name, image and likeness (NIL) policy back in 2021, the lines between influencers and athletes is becoming more blurred.That said, it’s getting more difficult for brands to stand out from one another as more advertisers flock to the space. That’s true even for a brand as big as Verizon, according to Nick Kelly, Verizon’s vp of partnerships. “We have to find something that we can own,” Kelly told Digiday.In this episode of the podcast, Kelly sits down with co-host Kimeko McCoy, senior marketing reporter at Digiday, to talk about its revamped sports marketing strategy, venturing into NIL deals and this year’s Super Bowl plans.Interview begins at 19:16.

Jonathan Nelson, CEO of Omnicom Digital, shares his expertise on the transformative impact of AI on advertising. He discusses the agentic era of AI, where tools streamline multi-step tasks for agencies, reshaping compensation models from time-based to outcome-driven payments. Nelson highlights the significance of Omnicom’s merger with IPG, allowing access to a vast dataset and the integration of Omni AI across all employees. This shift emphasizes the growing importance of data and strategic AI engagement in marketing.

Kate Trumbull, EVP and CMO of Domino's Pizza, dives into the fast-food brand's evolving marketing strategies amid inflation and changing consumer habits. She shares insights on innovative campaigns like 'Emergency Pizza' and the 'Hungry for More' initiative aimed at enhancing food quality and customer value. Trumbull discusses the importance of adapting to cultural trends and the brand's historical efforts to regain customer trust, while exploring the balance between engaging franchisees and responding effectively to market pressures.

Seb Joseph, Executive Editor of News at Digiday, shares his insights on the chaotic landscape expected in 2025. The discussion features topics like the impact of cookie deprecation and AI on advertising, as well as significant mergers, including Omnicom's potential acquisition of IPG. The looming TikTok ban and evolving market dynamics raise questions about transparency and accountability in marketing. Marketers are urged to adapt strategies for a future shaped by these turbulent trends and shifts in consumer expectations.

2024 was a whirlwind for marketers, marked by an ad price correction benefiting buyers and a surge in streaming ads. The generative AI boom raised eyebrows, prompting discussions on its real impact. Meanwhile, Google's uncertain relationship with third-party cookies kept everyone guessing. The 2024 presidential election created ripples in media spending, while concerns about TikTok’s future loomed large. Brands experimented with 'unhinged content,' embracing boldness while navigating cultural sensitivities. All this and more shaped a transformative year.

Over the last few years, marketers have been trying to flip their position in the cultural zeitgeist – making moments themselves as opposed to retroactively marketing around them. That's why e.l.f. Beauty has built out its own entertainment arm, e.l.f. made, tasked with creating of the moment content around music, movies, gaming and sports.Thanks to the short-form content boom, advertisers like e.I.f Beauty have been working to move at the so-called speed of culture. While key agency partnerships remain intact for brand activation, an in-house entertainment arm allows the beauty brand to produce branded content fast enough to keep up with trends.In this episode of the Digiday Podcast, Patrick O'Keefe, e.l.f. Beauty's chief integrated marketing officer talks about building out e.l.f. made, branded entertainment and how success will be measured with the new entertainment arm.