Ctrl Creative: How Smartly’s Laura Desmond is rewriting the CMO playbook with AI

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Laura Desmond, CEO of Smartly, to explore how advertising is being reshaped by AI and why the next decade won’t be about producing more ads, but creating intelligent creative that adapts in real time. From her leadership philosophy to Smartly’s industry forum “Advance,” Laura shares why leading at algorithm speed requires fearless execution, a strong mission, and the courage to get things done.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Laura Desmond on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Victoria Lozano, Chief Marketing Officer at Crayola, to unpack why creativity is a life skill that prepares people for whatever lies ahead. Victoria shares how Crayola has expanded beyond crayons into products, experiences, and content, why more than half of purchases now come from households without kids, and how the Campaign for Creativity is reframing creative expression as a cultural movement.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Victoria Lozano on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Aleco Azqueta, Global VP of Marketing at Grey Goose Vodka, to explore how a brand rooted in French luxury has built cultural currency at the US Open, created enduring consumer rituals, and reframed time itself as modern luxury. Aleco explains why brand fit matters more than fame, how experiential activations beat passive impressions, and why young marketers need to stop “chopping wood” and start “sharpening the axe.”Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Aleco Azqueta on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Andrew Robertson, Chairman at BBDO Worldwide, to unpack what makes great work, how AI is transforming creativity, and why managing risk, not chasing certainty, is key to bold brand storytelling. From emotional resonance to strategic simplicity, Andrew shares hard-won insights from his decades leading one of the world’s most decorated creative agencies.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Andrew Robertson on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton speaks with Jenna Lebel, CMO of US Retail Markets at Liberty Mutual Insurance, about AI’s role in modern marketing, connecting with Gen Z, and how jingles and data-driven creative keep Liberty top of mind.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Jenna Lebel on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Julie Haddon, former Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at the National Women’s Soccer League, to explore the league’s explosive growth. They discuss athlete-led storytelling, breakthrough brand partnerships, and how the NWSL is changing the game for women’s sports.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Julie Haddon on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] episode was recorded in May 2025, prior to Julie’s departure from the league in July 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Matt Story, VP of Global Brand Integrated Marketing at Visa, to discuss the intersection of storytelling, innovation, and inclusion. They explore Visa’s role in sports, creator partnerships, AI-powered transactions, and how the brand continues to stay human in a tech-driven world.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Matt Story on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton speaks with Dan Murphy, SVP of Marketing at Liquid Death. From viral collabs to their in-house writers’ room, Dan shares how Liquid Death turns cultural chaos into marketing gold.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Dan Murphy on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Karen Riley-Grant, CMO at Vuori, to unpack how the brand’s product-first strategy, community-building, and global expansion are redefining athleisure. Learn why Vuori’s growth isn’t about speed—it’s about staying true to the soul of the brand.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Karen Riley-Grant on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture, Matt Britton sits down with Carly Zipp, Global Director of Brand Marketing at Amazon Ads, to explore how Amazon is reshaping advertising. From full-funnel strategies and immersive live sports to creator collaborations and AI-driven personalization, Carly reveals how Amazon is transforming consumer connections across its media ecosystem.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Carly Zipp on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.