ADLANDIA

Josh Sternberg, AdWeek’s tech editor, joins ADLANDIA for a spring break special (where Alexa searches for a signal while calling in from the desert of Arizona) to talk about the changing relationship between trade media & the ad industry's practitioners. Josh hits on why and how marketers should ditch the standard PR pitch to create a more meaningful relationship with trade desks to advance the industry forward. He shares his thoughts on why ideas have can become mediocre by necessity and the dangers of short-termism, while the group jams on how marketers have the opportunity to go beyond messaging to create product with impact and meaning for consumers. Don't miss an all new #KillBuyDIY.

Howdy y'all! HBO's Westworld raised the bar on experiential marketing at SXSW 2018. Laura and Alexa sat down with the creators behind the project from HBO (Steven Cardwell, Director of Program Marketing) and Giant Spoon (Trevor Guthrie, Co-founder) to learn about the inspiration, strategy, collaboration, and details to bring this fantasy world IRL. We explore adult theme parks, why consumers crave the physical in a digital obsessed world and what talent looks like to achieve something of epic proportions. Don’t miss the BTS gems - bride buyouts, WW coins on eBay and those cowboy hats!!! Plus an all new #KillBuyDIY. 

We're joined by our first creative this week, Otto Bell, Chief Creative Officer of Turner's Courageous Studio. It seems like every publisher has a "content studio" these days - what gives? We go there with Otto to learn what differentiates this commoditized offering, what marketers should be wary of and why he believes they're poised to become a creative agency of record. We learn why journalists are the secret weapon, and brainstorm what future formats and ad models look like for content creation and IP. Hear this creative's journey from agency to publisher and why the lines will only continue to blur. Don't miss an all new #KillBuyDIY. 

Alexa and Laura find out that there’s a whole lot more in the business of love that we can all learn from, when they sit down with OkCupid CMO, Melissa Hobley. Hobley and her team have struck a match, balancing marketing with data insights to make true human connections based on spotting signals in behavior. Come to find out if dating apps are killing romance, stay for the mind boggling stats in modern relationships. 

Alexa and Laura talk to media & marketing executive turned entrepreneur Ross Martin, Founder & CEO of Blackbird, on building business based on leadership, the relationship between a company’s operating and belief system, and his "free agency" version of betting on leaders now to shape the future. Hear Ross’ view on how leaders of the future will be identified by the portfolio of work they lead vs. job titles and predetermined roles they’ve filled (think: we need to build for the Championship vs. the MVP). Plus advice that framed his success (Thanks, Mom & Dad) and his #KillBuyDIY that has a restaurant recommendation included.  Come for the laughs, leave with a master class in modern leadership.

Sara Fischer, AXIOS media reporter, calls in from DC to share her experience in translating prior ad sales skills into creating the hottest media trends eNL in the industry. Sara talks about how to cut through the noise by focusing on 5 key things, talking to everyone and just going with your gut. Plus she goes there on Facebook's changes being a positive for quality content, the need to focus on owning IP and changing metrics for success (buh bye reach!) and why VCs don't typically invest in media companies.  Plus #KillBuyDIY spoiler: she hopes the industry dynamic between marketers/reporters will change - stop pitching, start partnering. Subscribe to her Tuesday eNL and drop thoughts to sara@axios.com. 

Welcome to 2018, ADLANDIA! Alexa and Laura kick off the new year with a conversation about unlikely partnerships and collaboration vs competition. This week's guest is Andrew Steinthal, Co-Founder of food discovery site, The Infatuation, who dishes building a brand and community from the ground up, their approach to partnerships and why trust is their most coveted asset. Plus, his very telling answers for the future of the food industry on #KillBuyDIY. Grab your favorite snack and enjoy the first episode of 2018. #EEEEEATS

ADLANDIA is closing out 2017 with a person who’s had a distinguished impact on the world of business and marketing (and Laura + Alexa), GE Vice Chairwoman Beth Comstock, as she gets ready to embark on her next chapter (her book "Imagine It Forward" drops Fall 2018). Beth talks about the common denominator of great leaders, how to quiet the inner voice of fear, asking for and knowing what you want, and how growing up in Smalltown VA taught her to value the power of a network. She shares advice on sticking to it, not asking for permission, looking for patterns and taking on the job that maybe no one else wants. Listen for the pivotal "rise from the ashes" moment of her career and stay for the #KillBuyDIY. Here's to more ideas in 2018!! 

Piers Fawkes, Founder of PSFK stops by Adlandia to chat about how he got started as a trend spotter, where PSFK has evolved to and how today’s measurement doesn’t account for the work the industry is doing and where we’re headed. Plus, Laura and Alexa give an extra long rant on what’s inspiring them today and how they apply it to their everyday.  Let’s get at this one ADLANDIA!

Linda Yaccarino, Chair(wo)man of Ad Sales and Client Partnerships at NBCUniversal comes by ADLANDIA to give listeners an exclusive on the eve of the highly anticipated "State of the Industry Forum" closed event on Nov. 28 with industry leaders.  Hear why she decided the time is now to act on the "lighting in the a bottle" moment to initiate change and why growing pains can't be the answer anymore. She talks bucking legacy, why the future of the upfront is always on, and leveling the playing field for measurement new and seasoned players. Linda also talks about who's vulnerable to these changes, how she's approaching culture and talent, and lessons in leadership. We're keeping up with Linda's shoe game and plus one'ing her advice to young female hustlers. Plus, don't miss the Yacc's take on #KillBuyDIY! 

Alexa and Laura are joined by another #girlboss who is changing the face of retail and eCommerce, Rachel Tipograph, Founder & CEO of MikMak. Rachel downloads on why she is betting her career on commerce through social video, why click attribution makes no sense, what CMOs should give a f$@! about right now (and fire their creative agencies) and how content should connect to the bottom line.  Hear why she's focused on the “other side”, predictions for the 2017 holiday season (d2c brands, bundle up) and her special #KillBuyDIY.

Adlandia goes bi-coastal talking to Amanda Latifi, CEO & Co-founder of start-up biz Hafta Have, a responsive sms technology that connects the in-store buying experience to the shopper.  The ladies talk all things retail, the relationship between transaction and experience and how now is the time for brick and mortars to put the power of buying back into shopper’s hands.  Don’t miss Amanda’s #killbuydiy

This week ADLANDIA hangs with audio veteran + Panoply's Chief Content Officer (aka our version of the #podfather), Andy Bowers. He chatted with Laura + Alexa about the rise of podcasting, experimenting with subscription models (insert kid's pod network: Pinna) and his thoughts on how tech unlocks the key to audio scale (but didn't think it would take this long!). He also divulges why he wishes the word podcast could be killed and shares a delightful version of his kid-friendly podcast character, Sugar Monster, in this week's #KillBuyDIY. Plus Laura and Alexa jam about the difference between branded content and content (what's the big friggen difference?!) along with heightened accountability around investing in a brand's promise.ADLANDIA Ask of the Episode: Tweet us about your first podcast experience including the show to @adlandiapodcast + tag a friend you introduced to podcasting! Also, don't forget to leave us a review of your thoughts on the show on your pod app of choice (this one that you're listening in right now!). Thanks #ADLANDIA! - L+ A

This week we kick it with VICE's SVP of Sales, Ben Dietz, to talk how VICE owns their authenticity three decades later, their unabashed approach to do content differently, and the effects of creative-led leadership. We dig into why their team's rhetoric stands out in a sea of industry jargon sameness - yes, we believe the hype! Plus, don't miss our thoughts on "sponsorships", a self-serving ad idea via voicemails and Dietz plays #KillBuyDIY.Also! Don't forget to fill out the Panoply survey at survey.panoply.fm

Andrew Essex, CEO of TriBeCa Enterprises, author of The End of Advertising, and recovering ad man drops by ADLANDIA to talk missed opportunities for brands, building cult fandom and his advice for people early in their ad hustle. Plus Alexa and Laura talk IAB podcast upfronts and the future of audio subscriptions.