Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship was still only a fresh rumor in 2023, when State Farm brought together Travis’ mother, Donna Kelce, and Jake from State Farm at an NFL game. On a new episode of The Big Impression, State Farm’s Patty Morris dives into how the company quickly capitalized on the opportunity despite being risk-averse. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler...
Aug 13, 2025•24 min•Season 12Ep. 122
In this episode of The Big Impression, Kelly breaks down how Diageo is turning tequila into a global cultural force. One standout example: a six-city collaboration with DJ and fashion icon Peggy Gou that combined out-of-home, merch drops, pop-up events and hyperlocal storytelling. From a Hong Kong hot pot party to a Milan piazza activation, every detail was designed to blur the line between brand and experience. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies co...
Aug 06, 2025•14 min•Season 12Ep. 121
In this episode of The Big Impression, we’re joined by James Rothwell, managing director of brand marketing at Kinective Media. Rothwell walks us through what’s changed since launch — from major brand partnerships and custom content integrations to a headline-making alliance with JetBlue. With over 110 million traveler profiles and 63 million MileagePlus members, Kinective is fast becoming one of the most compelling new players in commerce media. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript m...
Jul 30, 2025•22 min•Season 12Ep. 120
This week, we’re talking to Ryu Yokoi, chief media and marketing capabilities officer for North America at Unilever, about Dove’s “Hot Seats” campaign — a bold, culture-hacking activation that shows up where the sweat is real and the stakes are surprisingly high. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler, and welcome to this edition of The Big Impression. Today we are talking about h...
Jul 23, 2025•15 min•Season 12Ep. 119
B2B marketing has long been stuck with a somewhat boring reputation: rational, buttoned-up and forgettable. Tim Hoppin is on a mission to change that. As chief brand and creative officer at SAP, he’s helping one of the world’s largest software companies embrace big creative swings — and prove that business buyers are humans too. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse Liffre...
Jul 16, 2025•17 min•Season 12Ep. 118
With websites covering topics like entertainment (ScreenRant), gaming (Polygon) and automotive (CarBuzz), Valnet caters to users across a wide array of interests. But according to Ji Heon Kim, Valnet’s head of monetization, Valnet realized it could create more value for its users by encouraging them to subscribe or authenticate themselves. Maybe a “mass scale” of users wouldn’t sign up for their websites, but perhaps 10% would. And, as Kim puts it, that “10% would still be valuable, and we can d...
Jun 19, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 117
In this episode of The Current Podcast, hosts Damian Fowler and Ilyse Liffreing sit down with Amy Lund, VP of integrated marketing and corporate communications at E. & J. Gallo Winery, to talk about Barefoot’s bold move to become the official wine sponsor of the NFL.
Jun 11, 2025•31 min•Season 11Ep. 116
In this episode of The Current Podcast, we’re joined by Rob Bradley, SVP of digital revenue, strategy and operations at CNN International Commercial. He shares how CNN has evolved far beyond its broadcast roots — and how it’s now helping brands tell more impactful stories across everything from connected TV (CTV) and free ad-supported television (FAST) channels to TikTok and LinkedIn. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio....
Jun 04, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 115
Chuck E. Cheese's Melissa McLeanas joins hosts Damian Fowler and Ilyse Liffreing on The Current Podcast to discuss how Chuck E. Cheese is leveraging its iconic IP for the streaming era, what advertisers are excited about and more. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler Ilyse Liffreing ( 00:01 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing, Damian Fowler ( 00:02 ): And welcome to this edition of The C...
May 21, 2025•29 min•Season 11Ep. 114
Jenna Griffith, VP of global ad operations at PayPal, shares how the fintech giant is using shopper insights to power a new kind of media network.
May 14, 2025•22 min•Season 11Ep. 113
One year into her role as global CMO at Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW), Sarah Crockett is reimagining how the legacy retailer shows up for today’s consumer — across 500 stores, an upgraded e-commerce experience and a newly expanded digital media mix.
May 07, 2025•28 min•Season 11Ep. 112
Milk is back in the cultural conversation. Miranda Abney, MilkPEP’s VP of marketing joined The Current Podcast to explain how a marathon for women helped boost milk’s messaging.
Apr 30, 2025•32 min•Season 11Ep. 111
Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s CMO says connected TV has made it easier to reach its sports-loving customers. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian ( 00:01 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse ( 00:02 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing. Damian ( 00:03 ): This week we're really excited to talk with Dustin Hinz, the Chief marketing officer of Firestone Walker Brewing the craft brewery based in California. Ilyse ( 00:12 ): Dustin ...
Apr 23, 2025•21 min•Season 11Ep. 110
Dow Jones CMO Sherry Weiss reveals the marketing strategy behind growing subscription businesses for publications like The Wall Street Journal. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse Liffreing ( 00:01 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing Damian Fowler ( 00:02 ): And welcome to this edition of The Current Podcast. Ilyse Liffreing ( 00:09 ): This week we're delighted to talk with Sherr...
Apr 16, 2025•26 min•Season 11Ep. 109
Stellantis’ CMO Raj Register talks about building consistent storytelling across channels, what she’s learning from AI and why she’s obsessed with connecting marketing action to tangible business outcomes. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse Liffreing ( 00:01 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing. Damian Fowler ( 00:02 ): And welcome to this edition of The Current Podcast. Ilyse Li...
Apr 09, 2025•28 min•Season 11Ep. 108
At SXSW, The Current Podcast partnered with The Female Quotient to spotlight trailblazing women in media and marketing to mark International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. In this episode, we sit down with Andrea Gilman, chief marketing officer at Early Warning, owner of digital payments services Paze and Zelle, to discuss how she’s driving innovation in digital payments.
Mar 31, 2025•25 min•Season 11Ep. 107
At SXSW, The Current Podcast partnered with The Female Quotient to spotlight trailblazing women in media and marketing to mark International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Giordano, chief client officer at CMI Media Group, to discuss how AI, data, and personalized messaging are reshaping healthcare marketing.
Mar 27, 2025•17 min•Season 11Ep. 106
Rebecca Dye Yonushonis, CMO of New Belgium Brewing, discusses the brand’s bold strategy to connect with Gen Z consumers through its new launch, Lightstrike.
Mar 25, 2025•28 min•Season 11Ep. 105
Genentech VP, CMO Erica Taylor joins The Current Podcast to share her unique journey from immunology to biotech marketing, and the evolving role of biotech brands in mainstream media. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Kat Vesce ( 00:00 ): I'm Kat Vesce. And I'm Ilyse Liffreing and welcome to this edition of The Current Podcast. In honor of International Women's Day and Women's Month, we're spotlighting trailblazing wo...
Mar 20, 2025•28 min•Season 11Ep. 104
PNC Bank Chief Marketing Officer Jenn Garbach joins The Current Podcast at SXSW as part of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Garbach shares insights on the success of the bank’s Brilliantly Boring campaign and reflects on her journey in marketing, tackling imposter syndrome, and balancing career growth with family life. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Kat Vesce ( 00:00 ): I'm Kat Vesce. Ilyse Liff...
Mar 18, 2025•21 min•Season 11Ep. 103
Beyond Yoga Chief Marketing Officer Katie Babineau joins The Current Podcast on the ground at SXSW in honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Ilyse Liffreing ( 00:00 ): I'm Kat Vesce. And I'm Ilyse Liffreing and welcome to this edition of The Current Podcast. In honor of International Women's Day and Women's Month, we're highlighting exceptional women of advertis...
Mar 13, 2025•23 min•Season 11Ep. 102
JPMorgan Chase's David Pinto-Carpenter shares how the banking giant is adapting to changing consumer expectations for financial services, what he thinks is holding back more investment in CTV and why he’s comfortable not being a first mover. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse ( 00:02 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing. Damian ( 00:03 ): And welcome to this edition of The Current Podca...
Mar 05, 2025•23 min•Season 11Ep. 101
Family-owned grocery chain Meijer is using its Midwest roots to stand out in the retail media crowd, according to Derek Steele, the company’s VP for marketing. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian ( 00:00 ): I'm Damian Fowler. Ilyse ( 00:02 ): And I'm Ilyse Liffreing, Damian ( 00:03 ): And welcome to this edition of the current podcast. Ilyse ( 00:10 ): This week we're delighted to talk with Derek Steele, group VP...
Feb 26, 2025•19 min•Season 11Ep. 100
The food-delivery company’s VP of brand discusses the business’ 20-year history and how it stays front of mind for consumers. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian: I'm Damian Fowler Ilyse: And I'm Ilyse Liffreing. Damian: And welcome to this edition of The Current Podcast. Ilyse: This week, we're delighted to talk with Marnie Kain, the VP of Brand and Creative at Grubhub. Damian: Grubhub recently celebrated its 20...
Feb 19, 2025•19 min•Season 11Ep. 99
Amex’s Jessica Ling sits down with The Current Podcast to discuss the biggest differences between marketing to business and to consumers, and how the brand considers the effectiveness and efficiency of marketing investments. She also touches on how Amex is reaching Gen Z by tapping into their passions and fandoms, such as a partnership with Olivia Rodrigo. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. [00:00:00] Damian: I'm Damia...
Feb 12, 2025•21 min•Season 11Ep. 98
Goalhanger's Tony Pastor explores building the U.K.’s leading independent podcast production company which includes shows like The Rest is History, The Rest is Politics and The Rest is Football. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian: I'm Damian Fowler and welcome to this edition of The Current Podcast. This week we sit down with Tony Pastor, the co-founder of Goalhanger, the UK's leading independent podcast product...
Feb 05, 2025•23 min•Season 11Ep. 97
The U.S. CMO of the luxury car company discusses how integrating Jaguar Land Rover’s brand alongside popular shows like Succession and The Gentlemen has helped deliver its message of quiet luxury. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Ilyse: [00:00:00] I'm Ilyse Liffreing Damian: And I'm Damian Fowler and welcome to this edition of the Current Podcast. Damian: This week, we're delighted to talk with Charlotte Blank, U.S. ...
Jan 29, 2025•21 min•Season 11Ep. 96
Gopuff’s Daniel Folkman joins The Current Podcast to explore the company's philosophy, what differentiates Gopuff’s retail media network and how the platform’s unique proposition could help it capture incremental retail media dollars.
Jan 22, 2025•21 min•Season 11Ep. 95
The beverage brand’s former CMO, which holds drinks like Aperol, breaks down why events like Coachella, the US Open and Cannes Film Festival are so important to its marketing strategy. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. [00:00:00] Damian: I'm Damian Fowler [00:00:01] Ilyse: And I'm Ilyse Liffreing [00:00:02] Damian: And welcome to this edition of The Current Podcast. [00:00:05] Ilyse: This week, we're delighted to talk...
Jan 15, 2025•19 min•Season 11Ep. 94
Samsung’s Olga Suvorova sat down with The Current Podcast to discuss engaging with Gen Z audiences, balancing omnichannel strategies and tapping into cultural trends. Episode Transcript Please note, this transcript may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. [00:00:12] Damian: This week we're delighted to talk with Olga Suvarova, the VP of Mobile Experience Marketing at Samsung. [00:00:18] Olga has recently overseen the launch of new Galaxy foldable phones and family of new ...
Jan 08, 2025•18 min•Season 11Ep. 93
