Podcast
SheSpeaks: Women of Influence
Hosted by SheSpeaks, Inc. · EN
Welcome to the Women of Influence podcast, hosted by Aliza Freud and presented by SheSpeaks. Each episode features candid conversations with creators, CMOs, and media leaders shaping today’s marketing landscape, exploring how storytelling, trust, and paid media work together to move consumers from discovery to purchase. Built for marketers, brands, and creators, the show delivers practical insight into the strategies shaping the next era of advertising.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
M&A Moves in Ad Tech with Mary Matyas
1w ago00:34:35Tap to summarizeMary Matyas has spent twenty-five years moving across every layer of the digital media ecosystem — from operating leadership at Criteo, The Trade Desk, and MediaMath, to the deal table as COO and Managing Partner at Ironbound Group, a boutique M&A advisory firm specializing in FinTech, AdTech, and MarTech. What sets her apart from most advisors: she's been the operator on the other side of the table.In this episode, Mary unpacks what the Publicis acquisition of LiveRamp could mean for identity, RampID, and the future of "neutral" data infrastructure. She breaks down how platforms like Meta are pushing advertisers toward open targeting and message-first strategies, why better creative works with modern algorithmic delivery rather than against it, and what acquirers actually look for when evaluating ad tech and martech businesses. Plus: a firsthand look at the Criteo/Hook Logic integration, the retail media consolidation coming, the creator economy's missing infrastructure, and where AI is actually moving the needle.Episode HighlightsWhat the Publicis/LiveRamp deal really signals — what a $2B acquisition tells us about the future of identity, RampID, and whether "neutral" data infrastructure can survive inside a holding company.Open targeting and the creative imperative — how Meta and other platforms are nudging advertisers away from tight audience controls, and why message-first creative is the new competitive advantage.The M&A playbook from both sides of the table — what strategic buyers and private equity look for differently when evaluating ad tech, martech, and agency businesses, including the role of leadership and culture.Why earnouts don't have to be a trap — the structural conditions that make earnouts a feature rather than a fight waiting to happen.Criteo and Hook Logic as a retail media origin story — a firsthand account of integration friction that ultimately helped define an entire category.The creator economy's unfinished business — why measurement, contracts, and brand safety remain the missing infrastructure holding the space back.Where AI is actually delivering — why the real impact is showing up in data quality, fraud detection, and supply path optimization rather than in replacing authentic creative voice.Links and ResourcesConnect with Mary Matyas on LinkedInConnect with Ironbound Group on LinkedInLearn more about Ironbound GroupWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →From Shopper to Screen: Inside the Evolution of Retail Media
May 1300:36:37Tap to summarizeAmy Vollet has spent her career at the intersection of media, commerce, and retail — watching the entire landscape transform around her. Now leading the digital commerce practice at Saatchi X, part of Publicis Commerce, she brings together media planning and buying, data and analytics, and e-commerce into one end-to-end approach that reflects how consumers actually shop today.In this episode, Amy shares her perspective on how retail media has evolved from shopper marketing, why the brand-retailer relationship is more complicated than ever, and what it takes to stay competitive when private label is growing and AI is rewriting the rules of media buying. She also gets candid about leadership, the lost art of humanity in business, and what the next generation is teaching us about intentional personal branding.Episode HighlightsHow the retail media conversation has expanded to include the retailer as a full partner — and why that changes everythingWhy social media has collapsed the traditional purchase funnel, turning a single piece of content into an end-to-end brand experienceThe "four shelves" framework: digital, physical, social, and agentic — and what it means for content strategyWhy brand-building remains the most powerful answer to private label competitionHow AI agents are already changing media planning — and why the human 20% is what separates good from greatHer "no dead ends" philosophy and what it really means to be omni-channelWhy she defines influence as advocacy — and how that shapes the way she leadsLinks and ResourcesConnect with Amy Vollet on LinkedInLearn more about Saatchi X and Publicis CommerceWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →Think It, Become It: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Outcomes
Apr 800:37:55Tap to summarizeWhen Sarah Centrella hit a breaking point in her life, she was left with uncertainty, pressure, and no clear path forward. In that moment, a simple shift in thinking opened the door to something new: the idea that her future could be shaped by what she chose to believe.As an author, speaker, and coach, and the author of multiple books including her newest release Think It, Sarah has spent over a decade helping individuals and executives reprogram their mindset, aligning their thoughts with the outcomes they want to create. In this episode, she breaks down how internal dialogue shapes reality, why many people unknowingly reinforce the same patterns, and how small, intentional shifts in thinking can unlock entirely new possibilities. Episode HighlightsThe moment that sparked her mindset shift and changed the trajectory of her lifeHow thoughts influence outcomes and why repetition plays a key role in rewiring the brainWhat mental fitness looks like in practice and how to apply it dailyWhy negative self-talk is often the biggest barrier to growthSimple tools, including the Power of Pause, to interrupt unhelpful thinkingHow visualization and future planning can create clarity and momentumSarah offers a practical and grounded perspective on influence, showing that real change starts internally. By becoming more intentional with our thoughts, we can begin to shape better outcomes in both our personal and professional lives.Links and ResourcesConnect with Sarah Centrella on LinkedInLearn more about Sarah’s Mindset & Vision SettingPurchase Sarah’s BooksWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →Changing the Game: The Power of Investing in Women
Oct 900:30:51Tap to summarizeWhen Thayer Lavielle joined Wasserman, she recognized an opportunity to drive change from within one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment agencies. What began as a conversation about how to better support women across industries became The Collective—a global initiative dedicated to advancing the power of women through data, strategy, and storytelling.As Managing Director, Thayer has helped transform how brands and organizations view women’s impact as consumers, fans, and leaders. In this episode, she discusses the evolution of women’s sports, the cultural moments fueling its momentum, and why authentic influence starts with service and purpose.Episode HighlightsThe inspiration behind The Collective and how it’s elevating women across sports, music, and entertainmentResearch-driven insights revealing the true scale of women’s fandom and purchasing powerKey cultural milestones that have shifted public perception of women’s sportsThe challenges and rewards of building a new brand within a global agencyLessons from Thayer’s early career in journalism and beauty that shaped her leadership approachWhat influence really means and how it’s best expressed through service and authenticityThayer’s perspective offers a thoughtful look at how advocacy, business, and storytelling can come together to create lasting impact for women everywhere.Links and ResourcesConnect with Thayer Lavielle on LinkedInConnect with Wasserman on LinkedInLearn more about The CollectiveWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →Turning Grief Into Grit: Breaking Barriers in Fertility
Sep 1800:32:16Tap to summarizeWhen Diana Thomas became one of the first women in the United States to give birth through donor egg IVF in 1996, there were no guidelines, agencies, or contracts. It was determination and uncharted territory. Today, as Founder and CEO of The World Egg and Sperm Bank, she is on a mission to bring transparency, ethics, and rigorous standards to a rapidly growing and often misunderstood industry.Episode HighlightsDiana’s groundbreaking 15-year journey through infertility and how it shaped her mission to protect and empower future familiesEye-opening truths about the global egg donation landscape, including trafficking, exploitation, and overlooked legislative gapsWhy transparency and rigorous screening are critical—and the essential questions every hopeful parent should ask their clinicPractical advice for women navigating fertility challenges, including how to advocate for themselves in an emotional and complex processWhether you are navigating fertility yourself or want to understand an industry that touches millions, Diana’s insights are both eye opening and inspiring.Links and ResourcesConnect with Diana Thomas on LinkedInConnect with the The World Egg and Sperm Bank on LinkedInLearn more about The World Egg and Sperm BankWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →Proof of Value: Measuring What Matters Most
Sep 1000:15:21Tap to summarizeRikki Marler, Vice President of Client Development at Pēq, joins Women of Influence to share how she helps brands move beyond surface-level metrics to understand the true incremental impact of their campaigns. With a background in shopper marketing and lessons learned from early mentors, Rikki talks about why today’s marketers need real-time insights, how transparency has guided her career, and the importance of staying curious when navigating change.Episode Highlights:The shift from proof of performance to proof of value in marketing.Why in-flight optimization is essential as budgets tighten.Lessons in transparency from early career mentorship under Walmart’s first COO.Staying curious and using an “advisory board” to navigate career twists.Influence as making people feel seen, heard, and empowered.Links and ResourcesConnect with Rikki Marler on LinkedInConnect with Pēq on LinkedInLearn more about PēqWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →Unlocking Trust: Data, Privacy & Leadership
Aug 2500:17:06Tap to summarizeAd fraud and data privacy are changing the way advertisers and consumers interact. In this episode of Women of Influence, Nina Talcott, Director of Research Communications and Media Engagement at Pixalate, explains how fraud drains billions from the industry, what new privacy laws mean for consumers, and why transparency is critical. She also shares her perspective on influence, the value of mentorship, and the advice she would give her younger self.Episode Highlights:How Pixalate combats ad fraud and protects consumer data.Billions lost to bots, spoofing, and fake apps on connected TV.Why consumer privacy and new data laws matter.Influence built through one-on-one connections.Advice to her younger self: be authentic and embrace individuality.Links and ResourcesConnect with Nina Talcott on LinkedInConnect with Pixalate on LinkedInLearn More about PixalateWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →Inside the Shopper’s Mind: What Every Brand Needs to Know
Aug 700:21:06Tap to summarizeRetail media is rewriting the rules of marketing, and Cyndi Loza is here to break it all down.As Senior Editor at Path to Purchase Institute, she shares what brands need to know about AI, shopper behavior, and why in-store still matters more than you think. Cyndi also reflects on her journalism roots, defining influence, and navigating work-life balance as a parent and professional.Episode HighlightsHow retail media is reshaping the marketing funnelWhat shoppers really want in-storeThe role of AI in measurement and optimizationWhy social content is showing up in TV adsAdvice on career growth, failure, and finding your voiceConnect with Cyndi Loza on LinkedInConnect with Path to Purchase Institute on LinkedInLearn more about Path to Purchase InstituteWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →The Coldplay Cam Effect: Reputation, Reaction & the New Rules of PR
Jul 2400:31:29Tap to summarizeDiane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications, breaks down one of the year’s most viral PR moments—the Coldplay concert “Crisis Cam”—and shares what brands should do when leadership missteps play out in public.She also reflects on becoming Ragan’s first female CEO, why internal communications is more important than ever, and how leaders can build trust, influence, and confidence at every level. From the value of in-person connection to what today’s employees want most, this episode delivers practical insights for communicators navigating a changing workplace.Episode HighlightsHow Diane would’ve handled the “Crisis Cam” fallout.The enduring value of in-person community.Why flexibility, recognition, and transparency matter most to employees.Advice for speaking up, building influence, and bouncing back from failure.What leadership really looks like behind the scenes.Links and Resources Connect with Diane Schwartz on LinkedInConnect with Ragan Communications on LinkedInLearn more about Ragan CommunicationsWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
Transcribe →Behind the Gummies: Strategy, Loyalty & Leadership at OLLY
Jul 1700:26:03Tap to summarizeOLLY's presence in-store is powerful. It's digital strategy? Even more so—and Jennifer Peters is making it all click. As Director of DTC, Martech, + Digital Compliance at OLLY, Jennifer Peters is helping one of the most recognizable wellness brands deepen its relationship with consumers—both online and off. In this episode, she shares how OLLY is bridging the gap between shelf and screen, redefining loyalty in a retail-first world, and keeping customer empathy at the center of it all.Jennifer also reflects on her 13 years at Barnes & Noble, how tech is transforming customer feedback into action, and the advice she gives every rising professional looking to build a meaningful, long-term career.Episode HighlightsWhy DTC is especially challenging for retail-first CPG brands—and how OLLY is making it work.What receipt scanning reveals about today’s hybrid shopper.Why loyalty means more than points—and who it’s really for.What “being where your customer shops” really means in 2025.Her advice for building influence and nurturing the next generation of talent.This episode is packed with practical advice, big-brand insights, and career lessons you’ll actually use.Links and Resources Connect with Jennifer Peters on LinkedInConnect with OLLY on LinkedinLearn more about OLLYWant more from SheSpeaks?* Sign up for our podcast newsletter HERE! *Connect with us on Instagram, FB & Twitter @shespeaksupContact us at podcast@shespeaks.comWATCH our podcast on YouTube @SheSpeaksTV
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