Episodes

  • Retail at a Crossroads: Mariano on Redefining IT Value and Industry Collaboration (Mariano Gomide de Faria, Founder and co-CEO of Vtex)
    May 15 2025

    The MACH approach was originally seen as a breakthrough for digital commerce, but VTEX has voiced concerns about how it's evolved. In your view, where did the industry start to veer off course?"

    You’ve emphasized the importance of simplicity, native connectivity, and minimal middleware. How does VTEX’s philosophy differ from the traditional MACH interpretation, and what benefits does that bring to retailers and brands?"

    MACH principles like API-first and headless are now widely adopted. What do you think commerce leaders should focus on next to create real business value, beyond the buzzwords?"

    For companies that embraced composable architectures and are now facing complexity or cost challenges, what advice would you offer as they rethink their approach?

    You’ve mentioned VTEX would be open to rejoining the MACH Alliance if certain values are embraced. What would a more balanced, business-first version of MACH look like to you?

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    29 mins
  • Playing for the W: Leadership, Learning, and the Power of Team (Nikki Stone, Chief Commerce Officer at GroupM)
    May 12 2025

    GroupM’s mission is to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. What strategies do you employ to ensure that bold innovation consistently translates into measurable ROI for your clients?

    As someone recognized as a top marketer to watch in 2024, what emerging trends or technologies in retail media do you believe will shape the industry over the next few years?

    As a seasoned media executive and bold innovator, what are you most excited about for the future of retail media, both in terms of technological and data advancements, and their potential to impact people’s lives?

    Your leadership philosophy emphasizes fostering a supportive environment where team members can thrive. How do you ensure team well-being remains a priority while navigating the pressures of driving exponential revenue growth and delivering breakthrough client solutions?

    What does it take to lead successfully in a high-stakes industry where innovation, goal-setting, and maintaining a competitive edge must coexist with building an inclusive and supportive work environment

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    28 mins
  • Connected, Not Complicated: A New Vision for Digital Retail (Frank Mulcahy, Head of Sales at Chewy Advertising)
    May 8 2025

    Chewy has built an incredibly loyal customer base. How do you ensure that advertising remains a helpful and additive part of the shopping experience?

    Chewy recently launched a newly optimized version of its retail media network, Chewy Ads. What drove the refresh, and what key features or enhancements does it introduce?

    With new formats like video ads, offsite placements, and deeper performance insights, how are these updates helping brand partners drive discoverability, conversions, and long-term growth?

    Many CPG brands are expanding into pet care. What advice would you offer to brands looking to break into this highly loyal category—and how can retail media accelerate their success?

    Chewy’s success is rooted in trust and strong customer relationships. How do you balance the need to grow ad revenue while preserving the authenticity and credibility that pet parents have come to expect?

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    23 mins
  • Must Be Present to Win: Rethinking Leadership in the Age of AI (Art Hopkins, Global Head of Technology Officers Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates)
    Apr 24 2025

    As the Global Head of Technology Officers Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates, you’ve guided companies through significant leadership transitions. What are the most notable shifts you’ve seen in the role of top tech executives over the past decade, and how are organizations adapting to these changes?

    You’ve led searches for pivotal roles, such as CIOs and chief inclusion officers, across diverse industries. What key qualities or traits do you prioritize when identifying candidates for these high-stakes positions?

    Your involvement in initiatives like the Information Technology Senior Management Forum and education-focused boards highlights your commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges in building a robust pipeline of tech executives?

    Based in Atlanta, a city experiencing tremendous growth in tech and business, how do you see the region shaping the future of technology leadership and innovation? What role do you think Atlanta plays in the broader tech ecosystem?

    With your extensive experience and insights into leadership, technology, and community development, what are you most excited about for the future—whether in tech, leadership, or beyond?

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    25 mins
  • Uncorking Retail Media: Blending Compliance, Creativity & Commerce (Jenna Steele, Vice President, eCommerce and Digital at Riboli Family Wines)
    Apr 17 2025

    Can you share your journey into the CPG world? What sparked your interest in this field, and how have your experiences shaped your approach to building brands and driving growth within the industry?

    With nearly two decades of experience working with global brands like Jack Daniel's and Stella Rosa, how do you think the beverage alcohol industry has evolved in terms of eCommerce?

    You've been crafting omnichannel programs to build strategic partnerships. How does the integration of online and offline sales channels change the way beverage alcohol brands approach their customers?

    With your experience across different tiers of the industry, how do you see technology, consumer behavior, and regulatory environments shaping the future of eCommerce in the beverage alcohol sector? What role will data and digital transformation play in this evolution?

    How are you leveraging data and personalization to create more tailored experiences for customers and improve online sales performance?

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    20 mins
  • Disrupting the Shelf: How Predictive Tech Is Changing Retail Forever (Jeremy Brockbank, Chairman & CEO at Volcanic Retail)
    Apr 10 2025

    Can you share the inspiration behind founding Volcanic Retail and some of the key factors that drove its rapid growth, leading it to be one of the fastest-growing retail brands?

    With your experience scaling over 500+ brands worldwide, what common challenges do you see brands facing in today’s retail landscape, and how do you help them overcome these?

    You’ve held roles from consultant to CEO, even teaching business—how have these diverse experiences shaped your approach to leadership and innovation in retail?

    Having collaborated with high-profile names like Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, what have been some of your biggest takeaways from working with industry icons?

    With your deep involvement in the retail ecosystem, especially through initiatives like Retail War Games and Retail Collective, how do you envision the future of retail, and what strategies should brands focus on to stay competitive?

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    25 mins
  • The Future of Brand Experience: Retail Media, DTC, and Creative Strategy with Michael Lovegrove (Chief Experience Officer at Omnicom Commerce)
    Mar 27 2025

    As the Chief Experience Officer overseeing a wide range of teams—Creative, Strategy, CX, Retail Media, and DTC—how do you ensure alignment across these diverse functions to deliver a seamless customer experience?


    Creative and customer experience are often seen as separate disciplines, but you manage both. How do you balance creativity with customer insights to craft experiences that are both engaging and effective for clients?

    Retail media and direct-to-consumer channels are evolving rapidly. What trends are you seeing in these areas, and how is OCG adapting its strategy to help clients stay ahead in an increasingly competitive marketplace?

    With customer experience being more crucial than ever, what innovative approaches or technologies are you implementing to enhance the customer journey? Can you share any recent successes where these innovations made a significant impact?

    Looking to the future, what excites you the most about the evolving landscape of retail media, DTC, and customer experience? Are there any emerging trends or technologies that you believe will have a lasting impact on how brands connect with their audiences?

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    21 mins
  • Elevating eCommerce with Content : The Kraft Heinz Company's Approach to Digital Shelf Mastery (Christina Tziallas, Director, Global Growth Transformation and Operations)
    Mar 20 2025

    Can you tell us more about the specific challenges that Kraft Heinz faced when it comes to reaching consumers through the digital shelf?

    What was the process like of selecting your tech partner to help address those challenges?

    How did your team work to create content that would effectively maximize the algorithm across retailers?

    Looking ahead, what are some of the trends or innovations in the digital marketing and content space that you and your team are keeping an eye on?

    With the increased demand for quality content from consumers, what are some of the strategies and tactics that you and your team have implemented to ensure that Kraft Heinz is meeting those expectations?

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    23 mins