Building Bold Brands: Strategy, Creativity & The Power of Independence with Rethink’s Sean McDonald

In this episode of the AW 360 Podcast, we sit down with Sean McDonald, Partner and Global Chief Strategy Officer at Rethink, a fiercely independent creative agency making waves in the industry. Sean dives into the key pillars of brand strategy for 2025, the art of staying memorable in a cluttered marketing landscape, and why challenging category conventions leads to breakthrough creativity.

We explore the delicate balance between data and creativity, how brands can earn consumer attention in an evolving digital world, and the importance of having a clear sense of identity amid ever-changing trends. Sean also shares Rethink’s unique agency structure, culture of innovation, and commitment to remaining independent—proving that creativity thrives when purpose, passion, and strategy align.

If you’re looking to sharpen your brand’s strategy, embrace disruptive thinking, and understand what it truly takes to stand out, this episode is a must-listen!

Helen Ma, Senior Director of Product, Head of Facebook Monetization, Meta

On this episode of AW360 we speak with Helen Ma, Senior Director of Product, Head of Facebook Monetization at Meta. Helen discusses Meta’s incredible streak of innovations, the strength of Meta’s AI-powered ad tools and what they mean for marketers, and how Meta is investing in future technology innovations for advertisers.

Jennifer Jasnoch, Head of Home Entertainment Marketing, Sony Electronics

On this episode of AW360 we’re thrilled to welcome Jennifer Jasnoch, Head of Home Entertainment Marketing at Sony Electronics. Jennifer discusses the enduring magic of the Sony Electronics brand, their recent relaunch of the Bravia TV line, how they’re working with influencers in the social space, and much more.

Paul Brenner, SVP of Global Retail Media and Partnerships at Vibenomics and Dan Hight, VP of Advertising and Media Partnerships at Placer.ai

On this episode of AW360 we speak with Paul Brenner, SVP of Global Retail Media and Partnerships at Vibenomics and Dan Hight, Vice President of Advertising and Media Partnerships at Placer AI. Paul and Dan discuss the state of retail media, including the pressing need for standardization and continued concerns around combating waste, as well as providing their perspectives on in-store advertising fitting into broader omnichannel strategies for brands.

Mark Grether, SVP and General Manager of PayPal Ads

On this episode of AW360 – recorded just after Advertising Week New York 2024 – we speak with Mark Grether, Senior Vice President and General Manager of PayPal Ads. Mark discusses PayPal Ads unique place within the larger advertising ecosystem, how advertisers can leverage PayPal through the entire customer journey, as well as why the time for PayPal to enter the Ads business is now. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Toni Wallace, Partner & Head of Global Music Brand Partnerships at United Talent Agency

Recorded live at Advertising Week New York 2024, AW360 returns for its record 10th season, speaking with the best and brightest in the industry. In this episode, we speak with Toni Wallace, Partner & Head of Global Music Brand Partnerships at United Talent Agency

Live from AWNewYork: Addressing critical ad ops challenges with a Digital Advertising Operating System 

This episode is a must-listen for advertising executives and agency owners facing urgent operational challenges while growing their customer portfolio. Andy MacLeay (VP of Engagement and Channels at Fluency) and Rachel Bulla (VP of Growth at Fluency) outline how a digital advertising operating system can be an operational game-changer. Tune in to learn how automation helps you streamline workflows while reducing costs.

Fluency is the only digital advertising operating system engineered for organizations that run complex digital media portfolios. The first solution to combine purpose-built Robotic Process Automation for Advertising with integrated AI, Fluency addresses critical advertising operations challenges by streamlining resource-intensive tasks associated with digital advertising management, optimization, and content generation. The result is an easily scalable system that has helped category leading agencies and brands achieve transformational time savings, operational efficiency, and profitability. Fluency manages over $1.3b in annual ad spend and routinely ranks #1 for performance and client support on G2. For more information, please visit www.fluency.inc