What’s changing in marketing, and what stays the same? Rishad and Paolo discuss how their shared experience of immigrating to America shaped innovative perspectives in advertising. Rishad discusses the importance of thinking like an outsider and what leaders need in the rapidly evolving world of AI and technology. Paolo shares the significance of empathy and trust in marketing and reflects on the role of fundamentals in navigating industry changes.

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What does it take to transform iconic brands at the intersection of sports, media, and culture?

Alison Levin, President of Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal, reflects on her journey from building Roku's ad business from the ground up to breaking Olympic advertising revenue records. Tim Ellis, CMO of the NFL, shares how he revitalized a brand at a pivotal moment of uncertainty, from the "helmets off" player strategy to the audacious 100th anniversary Super Bowl spot featuring 65 players.

Together, they explore the power of tent-pole moments, building high-performing teams through radical transparency, and why the biggest cultural stages in advertising are more valuable than ever. Plus, hear Tim's unexpected path from professional stage actor and world traveler to NFL CMO, and how both credit their middle-child upbringings for giving them the grit to take risks.

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What drives true impact in advertising? Jason and Esi explore how personal experiences and values shape success. Esi shares her five principles for leadership, and launching the brand Febreze. Hear inspiring stories on authenticity, and the importance of empathy and passion in managing.

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What does it take for creativity to thrive in a fast-paced, tech-driven world? And how do values elevate brands? Abi reflects on the importance of creativity, the role of AI, and the need for a friction-filled life to nurture talent. Gordon delves into how leadership and values shape impactful advertising, urging the industry to blend art with technology and uphold moral integrity.

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How do you decide when it's the right time to make a change in your career? Charlie discusses his transition from Ogilvy to Publicis after 17 years, emphasizing the importance of growth and learning outside one's comfort zone. Susan shares her journey from focusing on great work to nurturing great people, highlighting the crucial role of creativity and partnership in the advertising industry. Plus, hear about Charlie’s experience crafting the social-first ad campaign in the run-up to Cera Ve’s Superbowl commercial starring Michael Cera, and Susan’s work rebranding the M&M’s characters.

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In this season finale of Future Legends of Advertising, host Tim Natividad is joined by Linda Kaplan Thaler, the force behind iconic campaigns like “Kodak Moment” and Aflac’s duck, and Sanja Komljenovic, founder of ONA Creative and a trailblazer in inclusive storytelling. With laughter, candid insights, and shared values around kindness, grit, and giving others a shot, this episode is a powerful reminder of how advertising can move culture—and people—forward.

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Ad Council CEO Lisa Sherman and CultureCon founder Imani Ellis join Christena to talk about building viral campaigns like Love Has No Labels, scaling CultureCon from a living room meetup to 10,000+ attendees, and navigating change—from corporate pivots to creative burnout. Packed with real talk and hard-won wisdom, this episode is a playbook for purposeful leadership.

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In an industry where authenticity is everything, Alex López Negrete and Marques E. Zak know what it takes to make an impact. From working with global brands to creating campaigns that truly resonate, they share their journeys, lessons, and predictions for the future of marketing. Hosted by Tim Natividad, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the power of culture in advertising.

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