The Message

The Campaign team of David Brown, Chris Powell, and Lauren Johnson recount their (mostly) relaxing holiday break, before diving into the big industry news stories that caught their attention during the first week back. The holding companies went to CES to show off their new AI products—a likely signal about where agencies will be focused in the year ahead. In terms of brand plays closer to home, Rogers is encouraging young Canadians to put down their phones; Tim Hortons just signed its first Olympic Team Canada sponsorship; and WealthSimple maintains its reputation for unique and engaging advertising that is atypical for financial services. Finally, the team shares one of their own big plans for 2026: expanded social marketing and creator economy coverage.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sara Koonar launched Platform Media to bring fairness, transparency, and storytelling to the creator economy when it was still an emerging industry. In this episode, she talks about what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in creator-brand partnerships, and the tools and systems she’s built to challenge the status quo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As senior reporter Emma Johnston-Wheeler wraps up her time at Campaign Canada, she reflects with David Brown and Chris Powell–her marketing jedis–about everything she's learned in her two years in the advertising industry.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Johnston-Wheeler chats with Noah Faigal, account supervisor at Lifelong Crush about how account management is sometimes under-appreciated in the industry and why It shouldn’t be, as well as why creativity is at the core of his agency’s wellness approach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Brown, Chris Powell, and Emma Johnston-Wheeler review stand out news headlines including the closure of Toronto’s Miami Ad school, and reflect on interesting Canadian creative like Rethink’s steamy plays for Doritos and Dame. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Brown, Chris Powell, and Emma Johnston-Wheeler reflect on new creative from Tinder and Sleep Country, share observations from this year’s Cannes festival, and consider the implications of recent leadership changes at Snap Canada, X, and WPP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Campaign’s editors from around the world come together after the Lions festival for the final episode of the Campaign Cannes global podcast in partnership with Ocean Outdoor.We review the festival and talk about the work that won, the big trends that emerged, the first year of Campaign House and the best parties.Gideon Spanier (far left), the UK editor-in-chief of Campaign, hosts the podcast and is joined by Maisie McCabe, editor of Campaign UK, David Brown, co-editor of Campaign Canada, and Luz Corona, editor of Campaign US.Further reading about the work and stories on this podcast:WPP, DDB and Publicis Conseil win creative company, network and agency of year at Cannes Lions 2025Channel 4 and L’Oréal Paris scoop Film Lions Grands PrixPublicis Conseil lands Titanium Grand Prix for Axa campaign helping women escape abuseGreat work should swim against the current, creative chiefs say Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Campaign’s editors from around the world come together ahead of the Lions festival for the first episode of the Campaign Cannes global podcast in partnership with Ocean Outdoor.We preview the festival and talk about the work we want to win, the mood in the ad industry and Campaign House – our exciting new venue at Cannes. Gideon Spanier (centre in picture), the UK editor-in-chief of Campaign, hosts the podcast and is joined by Maisie McCabe, editor of Campaign UK, Nikita Mishra, editor of Campaign Asia, David Brown, co-editor of Campaign Canada, and Luz Corona, editor of Campaign US.We also discuss why Arthur Sadoun, the chief executive of Publicis Groupe and a speaker at Campaign House on day one of the festival, has called for the industry to take a “different” approach at Cannes this year and the introduction of new “safe zones” at the festival.Further reading about the work and stories on this podcastKFC “Believe in Chicken” by Mother LondonChannel 4 “Considering What?” by 4CreativeApple TV+ “Severance in Grand Central” by Kamp GrizzlyKFC “Uncle KFC’s Rice Bowl” by Wolf BKKIKEA “U Up?” by RethinkMaple Leaf “Look for the Leaf” by NFA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Johnston-Wheeler chats with American Marketing Association Toronto mentor and mentee pair, Furlani Foods VP marketing Ashley Bast, and Nestle assistant marketing manager Lindsay Tohana, about their experience in the career accelerator program.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Johnston-Wheeler chats with marketing advisor, brand strategist, and founder of The Good Growth Company Daniel Francavilla, about teaching advertising courses, building a personal brand, and leveraging AI for thought leadership.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Métis entrepreneur Keenan Beavis reflects on his career after receiving the 2025 Young Indigenous Entrepreneur Award from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Johnston-Wheeler chats with Norissa Samuels, the first creator partnerships lead for Snapchat in Canada, about finding success in a role that didn’t exist when she began her career, and how creators can best use the Snap platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Brown, Chris Powell and Emma Johnston-Wheeler review some noteworthy creative, discuss a significant change in senior leadership, and take a look at more ‘Canada’ themed content amidst ongoing border tensions with the US. They also share their favourite picks in the first round of the Campaign Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.