Breaking Through The Mayhem

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Danielle Calciano, Senior Director of Sales at Sightly, sits down with Barbara Riley, President & CEO (and fractional CMO) of The AD Club of New England, to trace her path from Boston radio and early agency roles to leading a regional marketing community and advising brands.
Barb shares how detours shaped her career—trading broadcast dreams for media and marketing, building client- and agency-side experience (Arnold Worldwide; CMO stints including Kaplan University and PopCorners), and why “showing up” changed her leadership style, from weekly New York runs to an 18-month Fort Lauderdale assignment.
The conversation dives deep into:
Community as advantage: Why Boston’s unique mix of youth, heritage, and cross-industry depth powers creativity—and why in-person energy matters again.
Mentorship redefined: Barb’s “Fusion Hour” and “Walkie Talkie” formats that replace top-down mentoring with cross-learning (junior↔senior, peer, cross-functional) and intentional, small-group connections.
Authenticity vs. automation: A practical AI stance—use tech for speed and scale, preserve human empathy and trust at key moments across service, sales, and marketing funnels.
Brand values & consumers: How two-way dialogue and value alignment (employees and audiences) make brands better—and how partners help audit options and move faster.
Culture by design: Create spaces people want to return to; avoid punitive “must return” narratives; build respect and flexibility for real lives.
Barb closes with a call to action: help The AD Club be a “master connector and fueler” for marketers in New England—share what’s missing so the organization delivers real, measurable value.

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Ben Lambert sits down with Michael Dobson, Global Chief Digital Officer at AMS, to explore his career path from retail management to leading digital strategy and innovation across ten countries and three business lines.
Michael reflects on the lessons learned from both client- and agency-side roles, his embrace of independent agencies, and the pivotal mindset shift of asking “what if?” to spark innovation. He highlights how openness to opportunities and mentorship guided his career and how thinking differently has been key to driving growth.
The conversation dives deep into:
Culture redefined: Why true culture is built by people, not perks, and how AMS scaled employee resource groups globally to create belonging.
Empowering voices: Why encouraging everyone - from new grads to senior leaders - to challenge processes and bring fresh ideas fuels innovation.
Clients and outcomes: How AMS balances performance marketing with brand building, digs deeper into client briefs, and connects KPIs to long-term business outcomes.
Navigating hype: Why staying proactive with insights and POVs helps clients cut through overhyped industry trends and make confident decisions.
AI in practice: How new tools, including AI, are embraced when they solve real pain points and improve efficiency.
Michael also shares personal reflections on his favorite travels - Spain’s unique work culture, Greece’s food and history, and his dream of experiencing an African safari - while celebrating AMS being named a Great Place to Work.
This episode is a thoughtful exploration of leadership, culture, and innovation, with lessons on how to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Ben Lambert sits down with Steve Wolf, Head of Integrated Media at Scale Marketing, to trace his two-decade journey across the media industry—from his first break at MediaVest to leading integrated planning at an independent agency.
Steve shares how pivotal career moments shaped him: from cutting his teeth on Continental Airlines and Capital One, to learning hard lessons under tough mentors at GroupM, to managing Super Bowl negotiations for AB InBev, and later embracing entrepreneurial risk at Canvas and Horizon. Throughout, he reflects on how failure, risk-taking, and mentorship played defining roles in building his leadership style.
The conversation dives deep into:
Failure as fuel: Why the hardest lessons and biggest setbacks often teach more than success.
Breaking down silos: How he bridges traditional and digital media thinking to reflect how consumers actually experience content.
CTV’s rise: Why connected TV offers the best of both linear reach and digital targeting, and how brands can use it effectively.
AI in media planning: Why AI is powerful for speed and efficiency, but real differentiation comes from human “taste” and perspective.
Team and culture: Why collaboration, soft skills, and curiosity often matter more than being the “smartest person in the room.”
Steve also shares personal reflections on his move from St. Louis to New York to Chicago, his love for sports and how it shapes his perspective on leadership and teamwork, and even his passion for Indiana Hoosiers football.
This episode is a masterclass in blending career grit, evolving with the industry, and leading with both strategy and humanity.

What if the real power of data wasn’t in dashboards, but in shaping how brands grow and connect across the world?
On this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Ben Lambert sits down with Zach Lain, Director of Global Data Partnerships at PepsiCo, to unpack how he’s helping one of the world’s biggest CPGs balance global consistency with local relevance. From rethinking CTV measurement to scaling data systems across 200+ markets, Zach shares lessons on leadership, culture, and why small wins drive lasting impact.
They cover:
The shift from click-throughs to outcome-based measurement
How PepsiCo navigates brand priorities across markets
Why speaking up with informed opinions matters
The habits and mindset that fuel resilience, from swimming to solo travel
A candid look at how one of the world’s biggest brands is rewriting the playbook for data partnerships and measurement.

What if building a media company was really about building a movement?
On this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Alena DeSalvo sits down with Jason Schulweis, Chief Commercial Officer at The Female Quotient, to talk about scaling a mission-driven brand without losing its soul.From running HBO digital campaigns at 22, to helping Morning Brew grow revenue 20x, to leading FQ’s evolution from the Girls’ Lounge to a global media and events powerhouse, Jason shares how purpose, content, and community can fuel real impact.
They cover:
The evolution of FQ and its global growth
Why organic social growth still works
The role of men and allies in gender equality
How brands can bridge B2B and B2C through shared values
Lessons from partnerships with Ferragamo, Invisalign, and more
Plus, Jason gets personal on fatherhood, preparing the world for his daughter, and why Cannes and SXSW top his list of FQ memories.
Whether you’re a media leader, brand marketer, or just curious how mission-driven companies scale, this episode will leave you inspired.

The key to unlocking leadership? It might just be seeing your own potential differently.
In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Adam Katz sits down with media leader Maureen Bosetti, Chief Investment Officer at IPG Mediabrands, for a candid conversation about resilience, reinvention, and riding the relentless waves of change in media.
From her early days at GM Mediaworks to steering massive brand strategies at Publicis and now IPG, Maureen reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership—and the personal evolution required to get there. She shares what it means to lead with transparency, coach with empathy, and the often-overlooked power of leaning into your strengths.
They cover:
Maureen’s career-defining moments and setbacks
Shifting perception to unlock leadership opportunities
Her views on AI’s impact on agency operations and client strategy
The art of diagnosing client challenges in a complex, tech-fueled era
Building a culture of confidence, honesty, and continuous learning
And yes… her love of tennis (Go Djokovic!) and dream dinner with Oprah
This episode is full of practical wisdom for anyone navigating a fast-moving industry, leading teams, or evolving their own voice in the chaos.

What if the biggest media trend is just a new label on the same old strategy?
On this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, host Ben Lambert is joined by Liane Nadeau, Chief Investment Officer at Digitas North America, for a grounded and refreshingly honest look at how real innovation happens in media today.
From local TV buys to leading investment across North America, Liane has seen every evolution and built a few herself. She shares how Digitas is bridging creative, strategy, and media to design brand experiences that actually connect, and why the real differentiator isn’t tools — it’s context, creativity, and the courage to try something new.
They cover:
Why curation isn’t a trend — it’s table stakes
Digitas’ hybrid approach to AI 
How AI is changing both media workflows and weeknight dinner
What most brands still get wrong about contextual creative
The underrated power of slowing down to think strategically
Plus, Liane gets real on mom life, golf swings, and her dream gelato tour through Portugal.
Whether you’re a media exec, creative lead, or just curious where AI meets ad strategy, this episode is for you.

The future of media leadership starts with a culture first playbook.
In this episode of Breaking Through the Mayhem, Ben Lambert reconnects with his first ever boss, Michael Law, now CEO of Carat North America, for a full circle conversation on leadership, legacy, and the evolution of modern media. With candor, warmth, and a healthy dose of Boston sports analogies, Mike shares lessons from 25 years at Carat, where culture, curiosity, and coaching sit at the core of the agency’s DNA.
They dive into:
Why today’s media leaders need to think like comms planners and coaches
How Carat’s culture first mindset drives innovation, growth, and retention
What real leadership looks like in a time of industry volatility
How to build consistent cultural impact—not just flash-in-the-pan moments
Mike’s bow tie theory — that culture sits at the center of brand and business impact — echoes Sightly’s belief that showing up in culture drives better performance across the board. And his take on missed Wimbledon brand moments? A powerful reminder that speed, authenticity, and relevance matter more than ever.
In a time of fragmentation, platform chaos, and pressure to prove ROI, this episode is a timely reminder: great media starts with people, purpose, and a plan built for what’s next.

What does it mean to build a creative career by being unapologetically you, while making space for others to do the same? Bernice Chao, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of Asians in Advertising, joins Michele Ching for a conversation about authenticity, representation, and the power of culturally grounded storytelling.
 
From leading campaigns for brands like Google, Amazon, and Netflix to mentoring the next generation at LMU, Bernice shares how personal identity and professional excellence don’t just coexist—they fuel each other. She opens up about the moments that shaped her, the impact of her nonprofit work, and the creative frameworks that help brands connect more meaningfully.
 
Inside:
The mission behind Asians in Advertising—and how it’s reshaping the industry
How Bernice turned authenticity into her creative superpower
Why culturally specific details matter for marketers trying to build real connection
A strategic approach that starts with “why” and ends in emotional resonance
What visibility really means—and why brands can’t afford to stay surface-level
 
If you care about purpose-driven work, inclusive creativity, and brand storytelling that actually resonates, this one’s for you.

What does it take to spend 27 years at one agency and still feel like you're just getting started?
David Campanelli, President of Global Investment at Horizon Media, joins Adam Katz to unpack how the media world has evolved and how he’s stayed ahead of it every step of the way.
They cover everything from his early days at Horizon to leading global investment strategy, and what he’s learned about staying grounded while thinking big.
Here’s what’s inside:
How David worked his way up and what’s changed (and what hasn’t) over nearly three decades
Why consistency and connection matter more than ever in today’s hybrid world
The value of learning through the “mundane” in the age of AI
How Horizon is shaking things up with blu, their connected marketing platform
This one’s about playing the long game, building real culture, and keeping your edge through it all.
👉 Hit play and find out why business still comes down to people, even in the age of algorithms.