
Hosted by Host, Mike Berberich and Producer, Ryan Dinger · EN

With more than 20 years of experience working as an executive at NBC, MTV Networks, and major advertising agencies with accounts such as Miller Lite, Uncle Ben’s, and Dole Foods, Dr. Mara Einstein knows a thing or two about media and marketing. Now working as a self-proclaimed marketing critic, Dr. Einstein, who authored the book, HOODWINKED: How Marketers Use The Same Tactics As Cults, believes marketers have become way too focused on the digitally driven attention economy, often to the detriment of their own brands.On this episode of On Scope, Dr. Einstein joins host Mike Berberich to outline exactly why it is that she thinks attention at all costs is a net negative for the marketing practice. She covers why thinking about digital as a strategy instead of a tactic is misguided, how marketers might convince executives that harder-to-measure analog channels viewed more favorably by consumers might be worth a larger investment, and shares the fascinating story of a cosmetic brand that moved off social media entirely and saw a huge surge in business as a result.On “News You Might Have Missed,” Mike and show producer Ryan Dinger discuss a new GetResponse survey of more than 2,400 consumers indicating that they think new customers get all the love from brands, despite most brands reporting a 50/50 split on spending on new customers versus retaining existing ones. The pair hypothesize about what brands are doing to enhance existing relationships with consumers and express skepticism that the tactics are truly about building the relationship rather than just trying to upsell. They also note a huge disconnect in the number of consumers who are interested in high-end luxury programs and the number of brands that offer them.Dr. Mara Einstein feels strongly that digital fixation is pulling brands off course. If you agree with that assessment, it’s time to rethink your team’s approach. The ANA Talent and Marketing Operations Practice helps you develop sharper skills, build stronger teams, and identify smarter ways of working, while still delivering stellar business results. Explore the resources and start getting smarter by visiting www.ana.net/talent. The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea, you can email them at onscope@ana.net.

Arun Kumar is an accomplished global data and marketing leader with a proven track record of setting strategies and developing products that stimulate business growth while reducing costs. He’s an accomplished public speaker, an advisory board member, and the author of The Data Deluge: Making Marketing Work Better for Brands and People.On this episode of On Scope, the Global Head of Data and AI at Accenture Song joins the show to discuss how marketers can reclaim their data and digital destiny and take back marketing. Along with host Mike Berberich, the conversation begins by an examining an emerging marketing conundrum: Why the industry has ceded virtually all control of its channels to tech giants. From there, the duo discusses how the industry found itself in this unfortunate position and how it might work its way out, why an ongoing lack of coordination between customer service and marketing departments leaves consumers with less-than-ideal brand experiences, and why marketers need to rethink their approach to leveraging data and aim to find a happy medium between broadcast messaging and hyper personalization efforts that often leave consumers feeling — well — a bit creeped out.On “News You Might Have Missed,” Mike and show producer Ryan Dinger discuss an article from Fast Company on the “zombie internet” and a new social media platform developed exclusively for agentic AI bots. They explain why they’re incredulous at the idea that a social media platform built exclusively for chatbots would have any long-term appeal for humans and speculate about the consequences such a thing would have on the advertising ecosystem.Speaking of the zombie internet, it sure is a confusing time for marketers trying to wrap their head around emerging technology, especially when evaluating what is worth their time and what isn’t. You can cut through the noise and better understand where your time and money is best spent with tools from the ANA’s Technology Practice. Check out the practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and peer guidance available to help you make smarter tech choices by visiting www.ana.net/technology. The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea, you can email them at onscope@ana.net.

Every year at the conclusion of the Super Bowl, Zappi conducts a real-time analysis of the ads, generating a robust report on which commercials performed well, which missed the mark, and the lessons marketers can learn from both.Zappi CMO Nataly Kelly joined the On Scope team in ANA Studios to breakdown this year’s analysis, covering all the key takeaways from Super Bowl LX’s slate of ads. Along with host Mike Berberich, Nataly covers which commercials were the best performing across key categories, what this year’s batch of winning ads all have in common, and what brand marketers can learn from another, lesser known tentpole marketing moment that is historically much more effective at connecting with consumers.On “This Week in ANA Magazine,” Mike and ANA Magazine editor Matthew Schwartz discuss a new article on emerging trends within brand-celebrity partnerships. The duo outlines how the traditional model of celebrity endorsements has been completely upended, what the new model looks like, and how brand marketers of all kinds can apply these lessons to their own efforts.We all love a great Super Bowl spot. But on Monday morning, the question is simple: How does this build the brand? The ANA Brand Practice helps you turn creative moments into measurable brand growth, with practical tools, research, and brand leaders who’ve been there. Explore all the resources available to you by visiting www.ana.net/brand. The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea, you can email them at onscope@ana.net.

This Sunday, marketing’s biggest event returns. No, we’re not referring to that event. We’re talking about the Puppy Bowl, obviously. Ahead of this momentous occasion, Twyla Huang-DiSimone, an award-winning partnership marketing executive with more than 20 years of multiplatform media experience, joins the show to discuss why the Puppy Bowl is now a more intriguing advertising opportunity than the Super Bowl.As SVP of revenue marketing at Warner Bros. Discovery, Twyla oversees go-to-market, cross-portfolio positioning for the most exciting and adorable event of the year. She joins On Scope host Mike Berberich for a deep dive into the contextual marketing gold mine that is the Puppy Bowl. Together, the duo covers the history of the Puppy Bowl, how Twyla approaches brand partnerships to ensure all creative is consistent with the tone of the event, how she manages to keep things fresh with brand partners returning year after year, and her advice for any marketer looking to bring the power of contextual advertising to their own brand. On “News You Might Have Missed,” Mike and show producer Ryan Dinger discuss a Marketing Week survey that shows an alarming number of marketing professionals feel overwhelmed, undervalued, exhausted, and unfulfilled. Mike and Ryan ponder whether the marketing industry itself is at least partly to blame for the conditions that are causing people to feel this way.If this conversation about the Puppy Bowl has you feeling inspired to enhance your own media efforts, then you’ll want to attend the 2026 ANA Media Conference, being held from March 25 to 27 in Nashville, Tenn. While there, you’ll hear from experts at Wyndham, Walmart, LEGO, and Keurig Dr Pepper about how they’ve developed media strategies that drive real business results, with insights on how you can do the same. Check out the full agenda and register to attend by visiting www.ana.net/2026media. The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea, you can email them at onscope@ana.net.

Faith Popcorn is a futurist to the Fortune 500, best-selling author, and renowned global speaker. The New York Times once dubbed her “the trend oracle” and Fortune has hailed her as the “Nostradamus of marketing.” On this episode of On Scope, she joins the show to give an exclusive look at what she believes the future of marketing will look like.Along with host Mike Berberich, Faith discusses what brands commonly get wrong when thinking about the future, her views on the idea of an “AI apocalypse,” and her shocking prediction for what marketing will look like in ten years. On “Research Roundup,” Mike sits down with Bill Zengel, SVP of business marketing at the ANA, to review “The Confident B2B Marketer,” a new research report that highlights the qualities that encompass a confident marketer, including the ability to accurately measure the financial performance of marketing efforts. Unfortunately, only 39 percent of marketers currently meet the standards of the confident marketer. Mike and Bill outline the ways in which the other 61 percent of individuals in our industry can join them.Faith Popcorn is a marketing icon, but she’s not the only one. Brand Masters | ICONS brings together CMOs and brand leaders from Applebee’s, McDonald’s, Canva, YETI, Rocket Companies, and more to share how these enduring brands capture imagination and loyalty for long-term growth. Taking place May 18 to 20 in Los Angeles, Calif., this conference will provide the pathway to turning your own brand into an icon. Check out the full agenda and register by visiting www.ana.net/brandmasters. The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea, you can email them at onscope@ana.net.

On the season two premier of On Scope, ANA CEO Bob Liodice returns to discuss the skills and traits that marketers will need in 2026 and beyond. Along with host Mike Berberich, Bob covers the reasons why he is optimistic about the future of marketing, despite growing concerns related to AI and the economy; why he believes brand building is the premier pathway to shareholder growth and how marketers can sell executives on the need for brand investment; the biggest challenge facing each aspect of the marketing industry in 2026; and one thing every marketer has to do in 2026. On “Marketing News You Might Have Missed,” Mike and show producer Ryan Dinger discuss an op-ed by Mark Ritson on a phenomenon he dubbed “maximiniflation,” or the process in which brands maximize the price of their product while minimizing the size. The practice has growing consequences for brands, as consumers grow angrier and begin to hold businesses accountable with their wallets. Mike and Ryan discuss some alternative pricing strategies brands might consider instead of leaning into this unpopular trend.If your business wants real connection, then it’s time to partner with the ANA. Become an official ANA sponsor and you will connect with the brands shaping the future of our industry, from Google and Amazon to Meta and TikTok. You can learn more about the fantastic opportunities available to you by visiting www.ana.net/sponsorship.The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea, you can email them at onscope@ana.net.

In the season one finale of On Scope, host Mike Berberich and show producer Ryan Dinger reflect on some of the most valuable marketing lessons guests shared in 2025. From balancing short-term tactics with long-term brand building to navigating AI adoption and responsible marketing, you’ll hear valuable insights from former Mastercard CMO Raja Rajamannar, Deloitte Digital’s Maggie Gross, eos’s Soyoung Kang, and more.If your business wants real connection, then it’s time to partner with the ANA. Become an official ANA sponsor and you will connect with the brands shaping the future of our industry, from Google and Amazon to Meta and TikTok. You can learn more about the fantastic opportunities available to you by visiting www.ana.net/sponsorship.The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea, you can email them at onscope@ana.net.

Anne Bahr Thompson is an accomplished author and a brand purpose pioneer. In her book, Do Good: Embracing Brand Citizenship to Fuel Both Purpose and Profit, she deftly laid out the case for purpose and provided valuable insights for how brands can better execute on it. She joined host Mike Berberich in the ANA Studio to discuss how brands are currently failing to meet the moment on the purpose front. The pair discussed how brands are coming up short, practical advice for marketers to navigate the current social climate, and a few brands Anne believes are excelling with purpose right now. On “Marketing News You Might Have Missed,” Mike and show producer Ryan Dinger discussed research that shows most consumers will abandon a brand after just two negative experiences. If you're an ANA Member, you can learn about the cornucopia of "MemBens" (Member Benefits for the uninitiated) at www.ana.net/mem-webinar The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea for the show, you can email us at onscope@ana.net.

Rich Antoniello has been making waves in the music industry for the last 20 years. But his latest venture with UPROXX Studios might just upend the way marketers think about branded content and music entirely. He joined host Mike Berberich to discuss all things marketing and music, including why many brands seem to get it wrong when it comes to working with musicians, how unexpected partnerships might be a powerful way forward, and what the future of IP looks like in branded content. The pair also looked at an activation UPROXX did with Qualcomm and popular electronic music duo ODESZA, which left attendees literally crying tears of joy. On “This Week in ANA Magazine,” editor Matthew Schwartz joined the show to discuss a new story on what might be a disturbing new trend: fractional CMOs. Find out what they are and what their rapid adoption might mean for the industry going forward. To learn more about the 2025 ANA Digital and Social Media Conference, explore the agenda, and register, visit www.ana.net/2025digital. The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea for the show, you can email us at onscope@ana.net.

As the founder of MLA Consulting, Maarten Albarda is a bit like a doctor for brands. He’s looking beyond the surface-level symptoms that slow down the marketing practice and aiming to get to the root cause of disorganization and inefficiency. He joined host Mike Berberich to discuss his approach for “diagnosing” the issues hampering his clients and dove into the steps he then takes to make their marketing organization run more smoothly. The pair also discussed the most common barriers to efficiency among marketing teams and their partners and approaches for measuring the “how” of marketing. On Scope producer Ryan Dinger also joined the show to share an exciting update and to discuss a new “rule” for listeners. To check out the full agenda and register for the 2025 ANA In-House Agency Conference, presented by Monday.com, visit www.ana.net/2025in-house. The On Scope team would love to hear from you! If you have a topic or guest idea for the show, you can email us at onscope@ana.net.