Ep 49: Midseason Midsummer Check-In with Val and Matt

In Episode 49 of the Snarketing Podcast, Matt Wurst and Valerie Vespa stop at the midway of Season 3, go guestless and gloves off, and reflect on the chaotic first half of 2025 and what’s ahead for the back half.We’re talking:👉 AI acceleration (and existential dread)👉 Marketing to bots (because… that’s happening now)👉 Social media's grip on teen brains👉 Why “authentic” isn't good enough anymore👉 The death of SEO (RIP)It’s snarky. It’s sharp. It’s… unsettling?

Two podcasts. Four marketers. One big reckoning.In our Snarketing x Unlocked crossover, AI declared our episode "a moment of truth" for marketing’s future.It's a deep-dive into retail and commerce media, and we leaned in: With co-hosts Valerie Vespa, Elizabeth Donovan & Austin Leonard unpacking what all this (with and without AI) means for the industry and the people building it.Come for the crossover chaos, stay for the existential questions.

Live from the sweltering sands of Stagwell’s Sport Beach at Cannes Lions 2025, Matt Wurst sits down with Jody Hallman, the VP of Integrated Marketing at Perdue Farms — and yes, the woman behind your favorite dino nuggets.(While Valerie Vespa works the Croisette for future guests.)In this cluck-worthy conversation, Jody shares how Perdue is evolving its iconic brand legacy — from Frank Perdue’s trust-me-I’m-on-TV era to today’s demand for transparency, traceability, and TikTok-ready storytelling. We cover:Why audio marketing and sonic branding are now essentialWhat Perdue’s farmers really think of social media (spoiler: ChikTok is coming)How to win loyalty in a commodity categoryAnd yes… the definitive answer to the chicken vs. egg debateThis episode slaps harder than a crispy tender.#SnarketingPodcast #PerdueFarms #CannesLions2025 #JodyHallman #MattWurst #ValerieVespa #FoodMarketing #BrandStorytelling #SonicBranding #ChickenOrEgg

Ready to find out why your podcast strategy is probably wrong, and how to fix it? In this full episode of the Snarketing Podcast, co-hosts Matt Wurst and Valerie Vespa sit down with Jordan Fox, CEO of Ad Results Media (ARM), to talk about the fast-evolving world of audio, the YouTube-ification of podcasts, and what it really takes to build brand relevance in a content-obsessed world.Jordan pulls back the curtain on the business of podcasting—from host-read ad secrets to why radio isn’t dead (it’s just quietly outperforming your CTV). He dishes on AI’s place in creative production (spoiler: your favorite host may have cloned their voice), and explains why ARM’s specialization gives them a serious edge over big, bloated media AORs.Oh, and there’s also a spontaneous bromance, a story about cold-calling MGM as a teenager, and some seriously hot takes on Cannes networking and agency acquisition trends. It’s smart, snarky, and just the right amount of self-aware.Topics covered: The rise of audio-first creators and cross-platform podcast strategy; Host-read ads vs. AI-generated content; Why YouTube is eating podcasting; Radio’s surprising ROI (yes, really); Building brand deals at scale; Agency specialization vs. Holdco homogenization; Cannes serendipity, bromantic energy, and more

What do Bragg vinegar, brandformance backlash, AI limericks, and startup survival in a pandemic have in common? Jessica Blumberg, co-founder of indie media agency hunterblu, unpacks it all on this week’s Snarketing Podcast with hosts Matt Wurst and Valerie Vespa.From redefining media planning with genuine enthusiasm to calling out holding company nonsense, Jessica shares what it really takes to grow a people-first agency that wins business (and awards) without selling its soul. We talk client fit, culture wins, AI that does the dirty work, and why happy employees equal loyal clients.If you're a marketer, founder, strategist—or someone who’s just tired of the industry’s buzzword buffet—this one’s for you.

What do you get when a data-driven futurist, a frustrated former pre-med student, and a zero-BS strategist walk into a podcast? You get George Musi, Chief Business Officer at Night Market—and one of the sharpest minds in media, marketing, and advanced analytics.In this episode, George joins co-hosts Matt Wurst and Valerie Vespa for a fast-paced, no-fluff conversation that hits everything from the fallacy of ROAS to the rise of independent agencies, the myth of attention, and why the so-called “consumer journey” is now a VR-powered fever dream. Oh, and he has thoughts on holding companies. Spoiler: they’re not moving fast enough.Topics include:Why media creativity is about context, culture & commerce—not just clicksThe rise of the “pervasive store” and what it means for marketersThe strategic trifecta: Partner. Buy. Build.Why ROAS is killing your brand (and George has receipts)The truth about incrementality, influenceability, and those mythical “aperture moments”Why independent agencies are thriving while legacy giants get stuck in complexityIf you're a brand marketer, strategist, media lead, or just someone who still thinks funnels are a thing—this episode is your wake-up call.

What do Taylor Swift, bad briefs, 85 agencies, and a beach in Cannes have in common? Robyn Freye.In this snarky, smart, and wildly entertaining episode, Robyn Freye, Chief Growth Officer at Stagwell, joins Matt Wurst and Valerie Vespa for a no-holds-barred chat on the future of the modern agency, innovation that actually changes behavior, and why she owns a hat that says “I ❤️ Procurement.” (Yes, really.)From rethinking the pitch process to explaining agency life using Selena Gomez analogies, Robyn breaks down how Stagwell is scaling at warp speed, what Sport Beach is really about (spoiler: it's not the cocktails), and how AI is rewriting the rules faster than most brands can keep up.Plus:- Why the term "holding company" needs to die- How to turn chaos into magic across 85 agencies- The one thing every brand should do before launching anything- And yes, a lightning round featuring karaoke, Cannes, and a Stagwell-themed reality showIf you’re in marketing, in love with marketing, or barely surviving in marketing—this one’s a must-listen. Robyn’s insights are as sharp as her wit, and by the end, you’ll wish she were running your next pitch

What do rugby, branding, and corporate gifting have in common? A lot more than you'd think... On the latest Snarketing Podcast, Francis Pierrel, CEO of LR Paris, dropped gems on:🔄 Why great leadership is like rugby—pass backward to move forward🎁 The real strategy behind corporate gifting (stop handing out useless swag!)🌍 How brands need to adapt across cultures (because one-size-fits-all never fits)💡 The secret to standing out? Do the exact opposite of everyone elseA masterclass in leadership, branding, and not wasting marketing dollars.

Brand vs. Performance. Innovation. Chocolate. This episode has it all: A snark-filled, insight-packed conversation, co-hosts Matt Wurst & Valerie Vespa sit down with Vinny Rinaldi, VP of Media & Marketing at Hershey’s, to break down some of the biggest challenges in marketing today—and have some fun along the way.What It Has:🍫 Buzzword Bingo – Every time Vinny drops a cliché, Matt eats a Hershey’s Kiss (bad idea).🎯 Brand vs. Performance – Why all media should drive results.📈 Quality Over Quantity – How effective reach beats mass exposure.🚀 Innovation & Testing – Hershey’s approach to taking smart marketing risks.🎭 Media + Creative – Why they must work hand in hand.💡 The Legacy of Milton Hershey – A purpose-driven brand beyond just chocolate.It’s fun. It’s insightful. It’s full of chocolate-fueled marketing snark.

Gayle Troberman on Audio, AI & Rethinking Consumer Connection. Episode 40.Marketers love data—but are we actually using it correctly?In this episode of The Snarketing Podcast, Gayle Troberman, CMO of iHeartMedia, breaks down the disconnect between marketers and real consumers—and how we can fix it.🔹 Half of Americans have never heard of an Aperol Spritz (yes, really)🔹 Marketers earn 2x more than the average consumer—and it skews our perspective🔹 AI & audio are changing content discovery—are you keeping up?🔹 It’s time to blow up outdated media plans and rethink audience engagementGayle also provides incredible advice on how to market THIS podcast, in addition to nearly an hour of brilliance and wisdom.Listen now to break out of the bubble and connect with real people. 🎧👇#Marketing #Advertising #ConsumerInsights #SnarketingPodcast