Breaking Through The Mayhem

Digitas’ Ali Amarsy Unlocks Cultural Ad Wins

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 rivalries, the magic of AI-driven creativity, and the art of earning trust within tight-knit communities. Ali explains why psychographics are the future, how Digitas leverages AI for precision and flair, and what it takes to transform a solid idea into a cultural phenomenon. He also opens up about his excitement—and nerves—as he prepares to become a #GirlDad, with plans to raise his daughter as a loyal Canadiens fan (sorry, Bruins fans!).Here’s what you’ll discover:
Why community connection outshines demographic targeting
How AI boosts strategy with accuracy, efficiency, and sparkle
The secret to seeding trends and hitting cultural sweet spots
Ali’s warm and witty take on fatherhood and hockey devotion
Jump into this dynamic episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem to learn how brands can rise above the noise by speaking their audience’s language. It’s a blend of strategy, culture, and genuine connection delivered with humor and heart.

Brewing Authenticity with Nancy Benter on Culture and Leadership at Starbucks

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 must be a business imperative, and how building trust through transparency creates real organizational impact. She also reflects on her personal journey from assimilation to empowerment and how honoring her Chinese American identity has helped her lead more authentically and inclusively at scale.
 
What you’ll hear:
 ✨ The turning point where Nancy chose authenticity—and didn’t look back
💬 The three questions she uses to check in with herself as a leader
🌱 Why diversity isn't fluff—it’s fundamental to business
☕️ How coffee tastings at Starbucks turned into moments of cultural connection
⚖️Why clarity on your core values makes leadership (and life) a lot less overwhelming
 
Nancy’s powerful reflections on human connection, integrity, and courageous leadership will challenge you to bring more of yourself to your work and help others do the same. 

Embracing Change to Crush Irrelevance

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, this conversation will jolt enterprise advertising pros into action. Tune in to Breaking Through the Mayhem with host Adam Katz and guest Rishad Tobaccowala for a no-filter take on thriving amid disruption.
To learn more about Rishad, visit rishadtobaccowala.com. You can also find Rishad's book, Rethinking Work, here on BulkBooks or on Amazon, along with his other books.

Nicole Estebanell on AI’s Role in Media and Why Leadership is a Team Sport

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 breaks down the fine line between innovation and chaos, why mentorship is an overlooked superpower, and how great teams win—not by working harder, but by working smarter together.
 
Inside: 
🏀The leadership philosophy that puts teamwork above individual stardom🤖 AI’s real role in media—beyond the hype and automation
💡The power of mentorship—and how one conversation changed her career trajectory 
🌎How working abroad (and a big leap to London) gave her an edge in global strategy 
 
Nicole’s take on leadership, culture, and innovation will challenge the way you think about building and leading great teams. Listen now!
 

Jeremy Bloom on Authenticity Reinvention and the Power of Community

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 his journey. He dives into Marketecture Live, the must-attend adtech conference built for real talk, not fluff, and why he believes mentorship is the industry’s greatest untapped advantage. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to merge media, community, and business—without losing your sanity (or your hoodie).
Inside:
The bold vision behind Marketecture Live and why it’s shaking up industry events
AI, advertising, and the future of mentorship in an industry that never stops evolving
Why Jeremy sees himself as the Phil Jackson of adtech, not the MVP
From WWF theatrics to Ultimate Warrior nostalgia—because life’s too short for boring
 
If you love media, tech, and a good underdog story, hit play.

Lisa Cialfi in Media’s Wild Ride

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 tales of mentorship that shaped her, a culture that kept her, and a no-BS take on mental health at work—plus a Super Bowl call so bold it might jinx the Bills.
Inside:
How media morphed from linear TV to algorithmic chaos.
The mentorship magic behind her VP rise.
Why mental health’s the industry’s quiet crisis—and how to fix it.
A Bills fan’s 2025 prophecy you’ll want to bet on.
This isn’t just shop talk—it’s a front-row seat to media’s madness, perfect for ad nerds, career climbers, and anyone who needs a reminder that mental health matters and taking a break is okay. Hit play.

How Joy Work Drives Brand Success

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 business success. Suzie shares how her “joy work”—mentoring, community building, and championing representation—has become central to her role at IW Group, where she leads groundbreaking multicultural campaigns that bridge brands and culture.
Key highlights:
The power of “joy work” in aligning purpose with career and driving meaningful impact.
Overcoming barriers as an Asian American woman in leadership and paving the way for others.
Using AI for good in award-winning campaigns, like McDonald’s “Sweet Treats,” which bridged generational language gaps through innovative technology while celebrating intergenerational family bonds.
Leading cultural-forward campaigns that empower underrepresented voices.
Suzie’s story is a powerful reminder that joy, authenticity, and perseverance can create lasting change for individuals and their communities.
 

PMG's Sam Bloom on Learning, Leading and Never Staying Still

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 story is one of adaptability and curiosity. He shares how early setbacks became opportunities for growth, how rolling up his sleeves and learning the ropes at Camelot prepared him for leadership, and how his passion for innovation drives PMG’s approach to technology and AI.
Key highlights:
Candid lessons from Blockbuster’s rise and fall and how they shaped his perspective.
How humility and a willingness to learn allowed him to build and lead successful teams
Balancing tradition and innovation to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.
The importance of loving the process, staying adaptable, and embracing the unfinished work.
Sam’s grounded perspective, passion for the craft, and dedication to innovation make this a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration to navigate challenges and build something extraordinary.

Balancing Data-Driven Decisions with Marketing Agility

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.
Discover how Havas is reimagining personalization at scale while respecting privacy concerns, and learn about their innovative "Three C's" framework - Connection, Content, and Context - that's reshaping how brands engage with audiences. Jamie offers a fresh perspective on the pendulum swing between audience and contextual targeting, and discusses why being "future ready" beats being "future proof" in today's dynamic media environment.
Key takeaways include:
How to thrive (not just survive) in an industry where change is the only constant
Practical approaches to balancing measurement rigor with speed-to-market opportunities
Strategic insights on global expansion and cross-market learnings from Havas's recent growth
A compelling look at how culture is reshaping media strategy and brand experiences
Whether you're managing campaigns, developing media strategies, or leading brand initiatives, this episode offers actionable insights on evolving your approach to meet tomorrow's challenges while driving results today.

Katie Comerford on Creativity, Culture, and Championing Teams

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 that leadership is a continuous journey.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why shifting your mindset toward self-reflection can transform personal and professional growth
How to find value in daily accomplishments with strategies like a “to-done” list
What it takes to create a team culture that thrives on trust and creativity
How balancing individual growth and team leadership leads to long-term success