Adspeak

In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, recorded live at Brandweek, Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with Brianna Burtman to explore how trusted communication becomes a competitive advantage. Gupta reflects on 25 years at CNN, sharing how to translate complex medical information into accessible, actionable knowledge. The conversation examines authentic storytelling, combating misinformation without amplifying it, and using multi-platform formats intentionally to deepen audience trust and create lasting cultural impact in a fragmented media landscape.

What You'll Learn:
How to distill complex medical information into actionable insights
Why isolation is your audience's biggest health threat, and how to make it relatable
The difference between information and knowledge in health storytelling
How to maintain trust when audiences already know the story before you report it
The strategic approach to combating misinformation without playing whack-a-mole
Why multi-platform storytelling requires intentional format selection

About the Guests:
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is Chief Medical Correspondent at CNN and a practicing neurosurgeon, bringing 25 years of experience translating complex health and medical stories for public audiences. With a unique background spanning both clinical medicine and broadcast journalism, Dr. Gupta has covered major global health crises, conflicts, and natural disasters while simultaneously practicing medicine in crisis zones, including Haiti, Iraq, and beyond.
Brianna Burtman is currently the VP of CNN Digital Strategy and Network Partnerships at CNN, where she has worked since August 2008. Brianna holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Policy Studies, Economics, and Women's Studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Baruch College.

Guest Resources:
Dr. Sanjay Gupta at CNN
Brianna Burtman on LinkedIn
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This week on Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Rebecca Stewart speaks with Netflix CMO Marian Lee about building culture-first marketing that fuels fandom and organic conversation. From flexible campaign planning to live events and immersive brand experiences, Lee shares how Netflix balances authentic partnerships, IP protection, and ad-supported growth, positioning the brand as a cultural force, not just a streaming platform.

What You'll Learn:
How to build a marketing strategy around culture, not campaigns
The "Flexibility-First" marketing framework
Why authentic brand partnerships require custodianship of storytelling
How to translate digital fandom into measurable real-world experiences
The dual-role advantage: buying media as a marketer teaches you how to sell it
How to develop appointment viewing behavior for streaming platforms

About the Guest:
Marian Lee is Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix, appointed in 2022 after serving as VP of UCAN Marketing. She leads a global team driving culture-shaping campaigns that connect audiences worldwide. Previously, she was VP & Co-Head of Music at Spotify, spearheading artist marketing and partnerships. Her career spans Condé Nast, J.Crew and PwC. She holds a BA from Barnard College.

Guest Resources:
Marian Lee on LinkedIn
Netflix Website

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In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Will Lee sits down with Tony Ressler, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Ares Management Corporation, and Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, a Grammy-Winning Artist, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist, for a fast-moving conversation on culture, community, and the business mechanics behind Atlanta’s rise.

What You'll Learn:
How to identify and leverage your city's unique creative assets
Why diversification across entertainment, tech, and philanthropy protects long-term brand value
How to transform real estate into a brand catalyst
The strategic importance of non-core revenue streams in sports venues
Why community investment and brand building are inseparable business strategies

About the Guests:
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges is a Grammy-winning artist, entrepreneur, and cultural innovator with over 25 years of industry experience spanning music, film, and technology. Known for defining Atlanta's cultural landscape through his influence on hip-hop, film production, and emerging trends, Ludacris has successfully diversified his portfolio into philanthropy, brand partnerships, and tech startups focused on the next generation.
Tony Ressler is the Principal Owner of the Atlanta Hawks, a prominent sports executive and real estate developer driving transformative urban development across the Southeast. With expertise in sports franchise management, community investment, and large-scale real estate projects, Ressler has spearheaded initiatives including the revitalization of downtown Atlanta and the expansion of youth education and opportunity programs throughout the region.

Guest Resources:
Tony Ressler’s Profile
The Ludacris Foundation Website
Ares Management Corporation Website
Atlanta Hawks Website
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In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Will Lee speaks with Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, about engineering one of retail’s most unlikely turnarounds. Recorded live at BrandWeek, the conversation explores how Build-A-Bear reinvented its business model, leveraged nostalgia and emotional connection, and reshaped investor storytelling to fuel a 2000% stock surge. Sharon shares lessons on distinguishing brand problems from business problems, balancing data with creativity, and expanding into multi-generational audiences while opening new stores as competitors retrenched. A must-listen for marketers navigating reinvention, resilience, and profitable growth.

What You'll Learn:
How to distinguish between a brand problem and a business problem
The "Stretchable Brand" framework
Why 40% of Build-A-Bear's revenue now comes from teens and adults
The art of strategic storytelling for different audiences
How to manufacture tradition in retail
Why financial literacy is non-negotiable for modern CMOs and creative leaders
How to renegotiate your way out of a structural crisis
The operational flywheel in action

About the Guest:
Sharon Price John is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop, where she has led the company for nearly 13 years through a remarkable turnaround that saw stock prices increase 2,000% over five years, outpacing NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Oracle. With a background spanning global advertising agencies, brand leadership at Mattel and Disney, and executive roles at Hasbro and Stride Rite Children's Group, Sharon brings deep expertise in brand strategy, vertical retail operations, and consumer-centric marketing.

Guest Resources:
Sharon Price John on LinkedIn
Build-A-Bear Workshop Website

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In this episode of Adspeak by ADWEEK, host Jenny Rooney speaks with Pratik Thakar, Global VP and Head of Generative AI at The Coca-Cola Company, about the brand’s bold, AI-generated holiday campaign unveiled at Brand Week. Thakar explains why Coca-Cola prioritised creative ambition and speed over cost-cutting, and how a human-first approach to AI is reshaping modern marketing. The conversation explores legal and ethical considerations, new agency collaboration models, and how to embed AI expertise across organisations without silos. It’s a clear-eyed look at why AI marks an inflection point CMOs can’t afford to ignore.

What You'll Learn:
How to position AI as a creative superpower, not a replacement tool
The "Human First, AI-Amplified" production framework
Why you cannot treat your biggest business opportunity as a cost-cutting experiment
How to create organizational velocity through distributed AI adoption
The legal and IP infrastructure required to scale AI responsibly
Why iteration speed and re-rendering flexibility are competitive advantages

About the Guest:
Pratik Thakar is Global Vice President and Head of Generative AI at The Coca-Cola Company, where he leads the development of scalable AI platforms that enhance consumer and brand experiences across Coca-Cola’s global portfolio. With more than 25 years of experience in creative marketing, design, media, and communications, he has delivered award-winning work for some of the world’s most iconic brands. A passionate advocate for human-first AI, Pratik is also an industry leader, educator, and advisor focused on sustainability, equality, and responsible technology.

Guest Resources:
Pratik Thakar on LinkedIn
Coca-Cola Website
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