Uncommon Thinking

On this panel presented by Citi Commerce Media, Quentin George, Distinguished Partner at McKinsey & Company, joins Jeff Chwast, General Manager of Citi Commerce Media; Jack Jia, Founder and CEO of Musely; Maryam Paez, Head of Marketing & Loyalty at Paze; Jennifer Philo, Global Vice President, Digital Commerce and Partnerships at Blackhawk Network; and Joe Groter, Vice President of Commerce Partnerships at Publicis Media to discuss what financial media networks must deliver for advertisers. The conversation examines how transaction insights, relevant offers and payment capabilities can work together to serve customers. In this episode of Uncommon Thinking, live at Advertising Week New York 2026, we explore what turns a promising test into a lasting media partnership. From easy activation and incremental results to loyalty and checkout, the panel considers the evidence and customer experience brands need before committing more of their budgets.

On this panel presented by Citi Commerce Media, Quentin George, Distinguished Partner at McKinsey & Company, joins Pam Habner, Head of U.S. Consumer Cards; Jeff Chwast, General Manager of Citi Commerce Media; Elyse Lesley, Head of U.S. Consumer Cards Marketing; and Ben Mackinnon, Founder and CEO of Kard to discuss what purchasing behavior can reveal about customers. The conversation explores how Citi Commerce Media can connect audience insights with relevant advertising and offers across the purchase journey. In this episode of Uncommon Thinking, live at Advertising Week New York 2026, we examine how transaction data can help marketers assess spending after an ad, compare results with control groups and use those findings to improve campaigns. The panel also discusses the planned acquisition of Kard and the opportunity to bring more personalized rewards and measurable outcomes to customers and brands.

The entertainment landscape is changing dramatically, and so are the audiences that define it. From gaming and streaming to social media and digital communities, consumers are no longer simply watching or listening. They're participating, connecting and increasingly shaping the entertainment experiences themselves. For marketers, that evolution presents both an extraordinary opportunity and a fundamental challenge. How can brands move beyond traditional advertising to become meaningful participants in the entertainment and communities that people genuinely care about? In this special session, presented by Xbox, we explore the changing expectations of today's audiences, the growing influence of fandom and what the next generation of entertainment experiences means for brands. This is "The Entertainment Evolution: What Today's Audiences Want Next," recorded live at Advertising Week New York 2026.

On this panel presented by MarketCast, Lana Busignani, Chief Executive Officer at MarketCast, joins Jim Mollica, President, Luxury Consumer Audio & Chief Marketing Officer at Bose to discuss how the audio company is building its brand around people’s connection to music. Jim explains why emotion leads the story, how Bose chooses artists and creators, and what it takes to earn support for long-term brand investment. In this episode of Uncommon Thinking, live at Advertising Week New York 2026, we explore how those choices translate into content, customer relationships and measurement. From using AI for production variants to developing music programming through Bose’s studio, the conversation examines how a brand can demonstrate what it stands for while remaining accountable to business results.

On this fireside chat presented by Koddi, Nicholas Ward, President and Co-Founder of Koddi, joins Tori Haynie, Director of Retail Media and Digital Initiatives at Tractor Supply Company to discuss how the retailer is building its media network around the people it serves. From first-time pet owners to families caring for livestock and land, the conversation explores how understanding customers can guide advertising that helps them shop. In this episode of Uncommon Thinking, live at Advertising Week New York 2026, we examine how Tractor Supply is creating opportunities for emerging brands, simplifying campaign reporting and using AI to support a small team. Tori also shares why the network protects branded search from competing advertisers and how its plans for in-store media and connected TV will build on its customer relationships.

When a customer clicks “accept,” have you earned their trust — or just worn them down? In “The Privacy Payoff: What 11,000 Consumers Want Marketers to Know,” recorded at Advertising Week New York 2026, Usercentrics’ Maureen Prado explores what consumer research reveals about data sharing, AI personalization and meaningful consent. Listen for why privacy-conscious consumers could become a brand’s most receptive audience, and how clearer choices can help earn their yes.

On this panel presented by Amazon Ads, Chris Fuller, Director of U.S. Financial and Consumer Services Advertising Sales at Amazon Ads, joins Jodie Hayes, Vice President of Integrated Investments at Havas Media, and Lauren Anderson, Head of the U.S. Brand Innovation Lab at Amazon Ads to discuss what attention adds to streaming TV planning. Reach and frequency show how often an ad appears, but understanding the content and the audience’s engagement can help brands make more informed investments. In this episode of Uncommon Thinking, live at Advertising Week New York 2026, we explore how that thinking translates into creative partnerships and campaign decisions. From Liquid I.V.’s integration with “Off Campus” to Lexus’ musical collaboration with Laufey, the discussion examines how brands can find a natural place in entertainment, measure the response and create their own cultural moments.

On this panel presented by Spotify, Ann Piper, Head of Sales for the Americas at Spotify, joins Angela Steele, Chief Client Officer, U.S. at WPP Media; Wes Harris, Director of Marketing for YouTube TV at Google; and Juliet Litman, Director of Talent and Operations at Spotify Podcast Studios to explore how fandom continues between games and episodes. Fans turn to trusted voices to debate, discover and keep the conversation going, creating opportunities for brands to contribute. In this episode of Uncommon Thinking, live at Advertising Week New York 2026, we explore what makes those partnerships welcome. From YouTube TV’s recurring segments with Bill Simmons to Ally’s investment in women’s sports, the discussion examines how brands can support the experiences fans care about and become part of their everyday routines.

On the panel presented by Paramount Advertising, Mary Kate Callen, SVP, Global Ad Marketing & Intelligence at Paramount Advertising, sits down with Neil Greskiewicz, VP, Sales, Paramount Advertising, Dayo Harewood, SVP, Creative, Brand Studio, Paramount Media Labs, and Amanda Evans, Head of Brand, Insights & Partnerships, Wayfair, to discuss Wayfair's partnership with the NFL on CBS.

On the panel presented by InstaCart Ads, the Deputy Editor, Commerce at Ad Week, Lauren Johnson, sits down with Instacart Head of Commercial Marketing, Stephanie Paturzo Swingle, and Belgian Boys CEO, Anouck Gotlib, to discuss how retail media built its reputation on measurable, lower-funnel performance. But something bigger is happening. In this episode of Uncommon Thinking live at Advertising Week New York 2026, we sit down to unpack what's driving this shift and what it looks like to partner on creative storytelling. Commerce media has evolved from a conversion channel into a full-funnel layer — with the targeting infrastructure and creative capabilities to inform the entire media mix, from awareness all the way through to purchase.