Breaking Through The Mayhem

Breaking Through The Mayhem

Marketing in a time of constantly shifting risk and opportunity. Industry leaders from brands, agencies, publishers and partners discuss the challenges and possibilities emerging from the ever-shifting media landscape, with regard to brand safety and purpose, real-time marketing, influencers, cancel culture, data privacy, technology and more.

Episodes

May 2, 2025 21 mins

What happens when media, mentorship, and mission collide? Cara Lewis isn’t just one of the most powerful voices in media investment. She’s a survivor, a culture-builder, and a mentor redefining what it means to lead with heart. In this episode, she joins Adam Katz for a deeply human and refreshingly real conversation about navigating change, scaling impact, and finding purpose inside the mayhem.

Cara shares her 15-year rise at dent...

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What links the fervor of Montreal Canadiens fans, AI-charged brand strategies, and 40-year-old teen moms? It’s community over stats, says Digitas CSO and Ad Age 40 Under 40 luminary Ali Amarsy. In a vibrant, in-person chat with Sightly’s Ben Lambert, Ali shares his journey from Montreal to Dubai, revealing how his global roots shape his visionary approach to brand building. This conversation blends the intensity of hockey rivalrie...
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    What happens when you stop trying to fit in and start leading from who you truly are?

     

    In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Nancy Benter, Enablement & Strategy Partner at Starbucks, shares what it really means to lead with authenticity in today’s workplace.

     

    With over 14 years of experience driving innovation across tech and retail, Nancy unpacks how staying true to her values has shaped her career, why diversity m...

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    March 20, 2025 39 mins

    Wake up, media buyers—irrelevance is stalking you! In this episode, dive into the mind of a Hall of Fame strategist who’s mastered staying ahead in a chaotic industry. Discover why change sucks but irrelevance kills, how to evolve without losing your roots, the power of curiosity in an AI-driven world, and what it takes to stay indispensable in your career. Packed with insights from a 37-year veteran turned self-employed visionary,...

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    The best leaders don’t just set strategy, they build cultures that can execute it. Nicole Estebanell, US CEO of Mediahub, joins Adam Katz to talk about balancing speed with strategy, the real impact of AI on creativity, and why leadership is more about influence than authority. 

    From navigating global markets to shaping high-performing teams, Nicole shares what it takes to stay ahead in an industry that moves faster than ever. She ...

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    What happens when you go from leading hundreds to launching from scratch—and decide to do it all in public? Jeremy Bloom, founder of OhHello and Co-Founder of Marketecture Media, joins Adam Katz for a no-holds-barred conversation on reinvention, resilience, and the future of adtech.

    From viral dance intros to bootstrapping an AI-driven mentorship platform, Bloom shares how authenticity, grit, and a little bit of chaos have shaped h...

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    February 28, 2025 41 mins

    What does it take to survive a decade in the media game when the rules keep rewriting themselves? Lisa Cialfi, Horizon Media’s Digital VP, sits down with Ben Lambert to unpack her journey—from slinging digital buys in 2015 to steering teams through the streaming explosion and AI’s takeover of ad metrics. She’s seen viewability obsessions give way to attention wars, and she’s got the scars to prove it. Expect...

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    January 29, 2025 45 mins

    In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Michele Ching talks with Suzie Bao, a transformative marketing leader and diversity advocate, about her journey navigating cultural barriers as an Asian American woman and building a legacy of authenticity and impact.

    With over 20 years of experience leading strategic marketing campaigns for top brands, Suzie has built a career at the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and bu...

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    In this episode, Adam Katz sits down with Sam Bloom, Head of Partnerships at PMG, to explore his career journey built on resilience, humility, and reinvention. From navigating the rise and fall of Blockbuster during its battle with Netflix to building Camelot's digital capabilities from the ground up and guiding it through a successful acquisition by PMG, Sam reflects on the lessons learned through challenges and reinvention.

    Sam's...

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    Join Marissa Price as she sits down with Jamie Seltzer, Global EVP of CSA & MX Analytics at Havas Media Network, for a candid conversation about navigating the ever-evolving digital advertising landscape. In this enlightening discussion, Jamie shares invaluable insights on balancing data-driven decision making with the need for agility in today's fast-paced market.

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    Listen to Sightly CEO Adam Katz and Horizon Next EVP, Chief of Strategy & Operations Katie Comerford discuss navigating leadership, authenticity, and personal growth in the fast-paced marketing world.

     

    Katie shares how celebrating wins, embracing discomfort, and focusing on self-reflection have reshaped her approach to work and life. She also highlights the power of psychological safety in fostering creativity and her belief t...

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    In episode 21 of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Adam Katz, CEO of Sightly, chats with Rachel Tipograph, Founder and CEO of MikMak, about the company’s 10-year journey, growth, and future plans. Tipograph shares how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping the consumer landscape, why brands like ELF Cosmetics and PacSun are thriving by embracing cultural relevance, and how marketing strategies can drive sales across the entire funnel. S...

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    Join host Annalise Curvelo as she talks with Dr. Tamara Zubatiy, Co-founder and CEO of Barometer, about her transition from cognitive science to leading a pioneering company in podcast advertising. Dr. Zubatiy explains how Barometer’s tools carefully analyze podcast content to help brands make thoughtful advertising choices that align with their values and avoid problematic content. Explore the challenges of podcast advertising, in...

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    In Episode 19 of "Breaking Through the Mayhem," host Alena Pilichowski engages with marketing expert Mark Schaefer, exploring his impressive journey from working at a Fortune 100 company to founding a successful digital marketing business. Mark discusses the critical concepts of community and belonging featured in his books, "Marketing Rebellion" and "Belonging to the Brand," emphasizing the shift away from traditional marketing me...

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    Join us for episode 18 of Breaking Through the Mayhem as Morgan Kelly chats with Nicholas Love, CEO of Kulur Group. Nicholas delves into the essence of what makes a challenger brand successful, emphasizing the importance of bold strategies and the courage to disrupt the market. Central to his philosophy is the commitment to brand authenticity, ensuring genuine connections with consumers that transcend traditional marketing.

    Nichola...

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    May 2, 2024 48 mins

    Join Alex Babatunde, VP of Product at Sightly, and Jacob Miesner, SVP of Technology at Sightly, as they explore AI bias and the importance of diverse data sources and human oversight. Discover AI's transformative potential in reshaping the workforce, streamlining tasks, and empowering humans. Transitioning to marketing and how Sightly utilized AI within Brand Mentality® technology, uncover steps for companies to become ML-empowered...

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    Dive into an extraordinary episode designed for the forward-thinking AdTech professionals and media strategists, featuring Adam Katz, CEO of Sightly, and Angelina Eng, VP of Measurement, Addressability & Data Center at IAB. Uncover deep, nuanced insights into navigating the post-cookie era, combating bias in AI, and revolutionizing your media buying strategies. This isn’t your standard industry chatter; it’s a deep dive into th...

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    In this compelling episode, Bonnie Wan invites listeners into the world of "The Life Brief," a transformative tool that distills brand strategy into a powerful guide for transforming attention into action. With a focus on the urgency of the moment fused with timeless truths, Bonnie delves into the significance of self-awareness, the power of partnership, and the impact of practicing over seeking perfection. Learn how to navigate hi...

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    In Episode 14 of Breaking Through the Mayhem, presented by Sightly, Eric Shih, COO of Cedara, shares his career journey from the music industry to TV and ad tech, culminating in his arrival at Cedara driven by a personal passion for a sustainable future. Explore Cedara's mission to map carbon emissions in marketing and advertising, shedding light on the industry's crucial need for a sustainable supply chain. Eric emphasizes the imp...

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    Welcome to Episode 13 of Breaking Through the Mayhem, where we explore the dynamic world of marketing and advertising amid constant change. Today's guest, Albert Thompson, emphasizes precision and intentionality in consumer marketing, prioritizing a meticulous approach over fleeting trends. Thompson's forward-thinking strategy involves merging historical insights with upcoming trends, enabling him to anticipate the future trajector...

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