The Chicago ad community came together for this fun Holiday Ads Special. A sold out crowd watched Christmas ads, laughed, cried and applauded. We guessed how they rated with consumers and then heard the reality. Oops! Thanks to our panelists Joe Nio, CSO at HighDive, Samantha Cescau, Head of Strategy at Leo Burnett, Chad Broude, CCO of Highdive and Andrew Tindall, SVP Partnerships at System1. Thanks also to our live tour sponsors, WARC, Tracksuit and The Effies. And to Highdive for hosting. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to everyone.

After years inside agencies, James Hurman of Previously Unavailable, Adrian Ho of Zeus Jones, and Brent Vartan of Bullish share why they left, what they were chasing and how they got there.  The first in a series of episodes on how planners are applying their skills outside of the agency environment. Thanks to Tracksuit and the Master of Advertising Effectiveness (MAE) program for supporting this series.

We talk live with Zoe Fairbourn, Head of Branded Entertainment at Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, Marc Gilbar, President of Brands & IP at Imagine Entertainment, Jack Verschleiser, Director of Business Strategy at Superconnector Studios, Aisea Laungaue, Global Partner, Executive Strategy Director at Anomaly, and Jen Costello, Global CSO at TBWA\Chiat\Day. Thank you to Tracksuit, The Effies and WARC for sponsoring our live tour series and TBWA\Chiat\Day for hosting us in Los Angeles.

In 2014, oven chip brand McCain was struggling. Cash-strapped shoppers were switching to cheaper brands and own label. Promotions were delivering short-term volume, but depressed revenue and margins. To reduce price elasticity, McCain committed to a sustained investment in brand advertising. But success took time and patience. Winner of the prestigious 2024 IPA Effectiveness Award Grand Prix for long-term growth, the nine year journey reduced price elasticity by 47%, raised base sales by 44% and delivered £26 million of net profit. We talk with Mark Hodge of McCain Foods and Roisin Mulroney of adam&eveDDB. Thanks to Tracksuit and the Master of Advertising Effectiveness Program (MAE) for sponsoring this effectiveness episode.

Join creative minds Marques Gartrell, co-CCO of Wieden+Kennedy, Jonny Bauer, CEO of Fundamentalco, Chris Beresford-Hill, CCO of BBDO, and Laura Rowan, chief strategy officer at W+K, as they dive into the future of ideas in advertising. They explore the evolution of storytelling, the impact of emotional narratives, and the role of strategic collaboration in creativity. The discussion highlights the balance between originality and simplicity, the transformative power of innovation, and the importance of connecting authentically with audiences.

Cheetos had marketed to families for decades. But growth and household penetration declined over time. Their shift from “Families & Fun” to "Rejuveniles" allowed the brand to turn what was perceived by parents as a product negative (messy Cheetos-covered fingertips on kids) into a product feature embraced by teens and young adults. For this 2024 Effie-winning campaign, we're joined by Flavia Simoes of Cheetos and Jacob Sperla of Goodby Silverstein & Partners.  Thanks to Effie Worldwide and the Master of Advertising Effectiveness (MAE) program for their commitment to effective work and to our show.

While using the term Rockstar to describe someone in the office isn't new, exploring how true rockstars feel about it is. A B2B Effie award-winner, hear why the client's goal was to do award-winning work. Thanks to the Effies for supporting our show. See the creative work on our website and connect with our guests.

Built on the observation that after child birth most moms are starving and many crave Burger King, BK launched Bundles of Joy. Controversial to some, liberating to others, the idea caught fire in the media. We talk with Burger King's UK CMO, Katie Evans and BBH London's Head of Strategy, Saskia Jones. Thanks to Jira and Tracksuit for supporting our show.

In this lively discussion, Martin Weigel, Chief Strategy Officer at AMV BBDO, Lucy Jameson, Founder at Uncommon, and Martin Beverley, Chief Strategy Officer at Adam & Eve DDB, delve into the evolution of advertising planning in London. They explore how planners shaped the industry and the overlooked opportunities in brand strategy. The trio emphasizes the value of real-world research, creativity, and mentorship, sharing insights on crafting impactful brand experiences and the future of strategic thinking in a rapidly changing landscape.

A masterclass in demonstrating the creative effectiveness of a medium or message. A Titanium Winner at Cannes and sure to be multiple Effie winner this year. We're joined by Ricardo Perez of JCDecaux and Daniela Bombonato of David, Madrid. Thanks to both Jira and Tracksuit for sponsoring this episode.