The CMO Podcast: Jenny Nelson (Audacy) | Audio’s Power to Move, Connect, and Grow Brands

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Jim Stengel
Guest: Jenny Nelson, CMO of Audacy
Recorded live at the ANA Masters of Marketing in Orlando

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the enduring power of audio to create connections and build brands. Jim Stengel sits down with Jenny Nelson, CMO of Audacy, to explore the evolution of audio, the role of authentic storytelling, and the challenges and opportunities of leading marketing transformation at a legacy audio brand. The conversation is rich with insights for marketers, balancing high-level strategy with practical, creative advice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolving Definition of Brand Voice: B2B vs. B2C (06:06–07:31, 22:15–22:56)

• Jenny emphasizes how brands must break down traditional silos between B2B and B2C, advocating for an authentic, unified brand voice.
  • “It’s not just B2B or B2C anymore. It’s about how do you connect them so that your brand is really talking to everybody in the same authentic way.” — Jenny Nelson (06:06)
• Building a bridge between consumer-facing efforts and business partner communications is key for modern marketers.

2. The Magic and Impact of Audio Storytelling (07:45–09:21, 12:14–12:28)

• Audio’s unique intimacy and power to build trust are at the heart of Jenny’s philosophy.
  • “The best content out there right now is all about authentic storytelling… we’re captivated by storytelling and really feeling like you want that authentic human connection.” — Jenny Nelson (07:45)
• Jenny’s own favorite shows, like The Moth, exemplify audio’s ability to evoke emotion and drive engagement.

3. The Shifting Audio Landscape (11:01–12:28)

• Jenny reflects on the rapid evolution of how people engage with audio and podcasts, especially among Gen Z listeners.
  • “He was playing a video game, he had his homework in front of him and...I said, what are you doing? And he said, I’m listening to a podcast. He didn’t say I’m watching a podcast...” — Jenny Nelson, on her 17-year-old son (11:01)
• The future? Audio everywhere, consumed in the most convenient way for each person, with multi-platform presence as the norm.

4. What Makes Audio Powerful for Brands? (12:31–13:27, 14:16–16:00)

• Jenny unpacks her famous quote: “Audio is one of the most powerful tools in a marketer’s toolbox. It reaches locally, builds trust, and drives performance.”
• She shares nostalgic examples (Coca-Cola’s can opening sound) and modern strategies, highlighting the emotional triggers sound can provide.
  • “Using sound to create imagery is really, really valuable.” — Jenny Nelson (14:16)

5. The Creator Economy & Authentic Partnerships (16:00–18:51)

• The importance of empowering creators—from radio hosts to podcasters—by providing direction but not scripting away authenticity.
  • “Don’t give me a script, give me bullet points so that I can tell the story in my way, because it’s going to connect more than anything else.” — Jenny Nelson (16:00)
• Inviting creators into the process, making them partners, and recognizing them as “trusted friends” drives better brand outcomes.

6. The Power of Internal Culture & Team Alignment (26:13–33:08)

• Jenny describes her journey from agency side to CMO, and how her longevity at Audacy helps her bridge new leadership with established culture.
  • “I try and collaborate really closely with the local markets, with the people on the brand side, with the revenue team...it gives me an interesting perspective to be able to bring that all together with a lot of voices being heard.” — Jenny Nelson (26:13)
• The company is moving towards full integration: “One Odyssey” is the rallying cry, blending radio and digital, national and local.

7. Building & Measuring Brand Growth (32:04–33:43)

• Jenny’s focus as CMO is on articulating what makes Audacy “unapologetically Audacy” and putting local and creator-driven brands out front.
• Measurement is centered on growth—audience, revenue, downloads: “If we can say that 18 months from now, we’ve grown all those metrics, then...we’re doing pretty good.” — Jenny Nelson (33:16)

8. Personal Career Reflections & Inspirations (35:03–36:19, 44:21–46:18)

• Jenny shares her early influences: learning from agency life, embracing change in moving to media, and the childhood lesson of Thomas’s English Muffins (“the nooks and crannies”).
• On mentors: “Without a doubt, my mom...There isn’t a moment like tonight when I get on stage...I’m going to think about my mom and the confidence that she instilled in me my whole life.” — Jenny Nelson (45:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On audio’s special role:
  “People see and feel the connections that they have with their podcast host or their radio talent deeply...that trust permeates to brands.” — Jenny Nelson (12:31)
• On creator partnerships:
  “Let us do our thing, let us tell the story. Don’t give me a script, give me bullet points...” — Jenny Nelson (16:00)
• On evolving a heritage brand:
  “...slowly evolve it in a way that we’re showcasing and really amplifying these iconic brands that we have in our local markets and with podcasts, and at the same time, elevate the audience.” — Jenny Nelson (26:13)
• On moving from agency to audio:
  “I love learning and trying new things and I hope I’m not afraid of change. I like change. And so when I—it was probably at the time really scary but the best move I made...” — Jenny Nelson (35:56)
• On risk-taking and creativity:
  “We need to be fearless and unapologetically Odyssey...Let’s go test things and break things and be creative, because that’s what works...It’s not staying in the lane. It’s being unafraid to try something new, be creative, be bold.” — Jenny Nelson (46:38)

Important Timestamps

• [06:06] Jenny on the B2B/B2C brand connection
• [07:45] What makes content break through: authentic storytelling
• [11:01] Where is audio headed? Multiplatform, everywhere, multi-tasking generation
• [12:31] The power of audio for marketers: building trust & local reach
• [14:16] Example of sound-driven brand recall: Coca-Cola radio ad
• [16:00] What creators want: brief, then creative freedom
• [26:13] Jenny’s journey and bringing “One Odyssey” to life
• [32:04] Articulating Audacy’s unique value and measuring growth
• [35:03] Career pivots from agency to media
• [44:21] The first brand impact: Thomas’s English Muffins
• [45:19] Inspirational person: Jenny’s mother
• [46:38] Being fearless and creative as a leader

Tone and Energy

The exchange is lively, thoughtful, and practical—Jenny is candid about the challenges of modernization, deeply passionate about the power of audio, and consistently emphasizes authenticity, connection, and creative risk-taking.

Closing Takeaways

• Break down silos: One brand, one voice, across B2B and B2C.
• Champion authenticity: In both show and ad creation, the unscripted human story is most powerful.
• Unite your team: Operate with agility and courage, test, and take bold risks.
  • “We need to be fearless and unapologetically Odyssey...It’s being unafraid to try something new, be creative, be bold.” — Jenny Nelson (46:38)

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the fusion of tradition and innovation in audio, building meaningful brands, and leading marketing transformation in a rapidly changing industry.