Stephen Lepitak

Hamilton

Editorial Director at Creative Salon

Advertising and marketing journalist. Fan boy for all things silly. A believer that pop culture is a unifier and that Scrappy Doo deserves salvation.

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Articles

'Sprite Is Summer': Inside Coca-Cola’s Coolest Brand Play Yet

5 days ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

After 12 years at Coca-Cola, global VP Oana Vlad is leading Sprite’s most dynamic chapter yet—with a tech-powered, culture-first campaign to own the summer Sprite is most certainly a summer brand, and its latest campaign is embracing that to the hilt. The Coca-Cola-owned lemon and lime drink is the third largest beverage brand globally (and also made third place in terms of sales in the US this year), having built itself to become an icon within counter culture.
'Sprite Is Summer': Inside Coca-Cola’s Coolest Brand Play Yet

5 days ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

Global VP Oana Vlad, who's been at Coca-Cola for 12 years, is leading Sprite’s most dynamic chapter yet—with a tech-powered, culture-first campaign to own the summer Sprite is most certainly a summer brand, and its latest campaign is embracing that to the hilt. The Coca-Cola-owned lemon and lime drink is the third largest beverage brand globally (and also made third place in terms of sales in the US this year), having built itself to become an icon within counter culture.
The Enduring Allure of Brand Experiences

1 week ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

Why brands are focusing more on engaging in personThere’s nothing to beat catching up face to face with like-minded people, be that to share the enjoyment of a music act, a common interest, or the opportunity to engage with a brand. As the advertising struggles to reach audiences as effectively it once did not even a decade ago, marketers have increasingly been looking to produce events where they can physically engage with their desired consumers.
Mars Pet Nutrition' Marketing Chief on Creativity, Cats (and dogs) and Cannes

1 week ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

Natalia Ball, global chief growth officer at Mars Pet Nutrition, shares why she’s backing big ideas, creator culture, and the power of pet parent passion — all with an eye on Cannes Lions 2026Mars is on a mission. While Apple takes home this year’s Cannes Lions Creative Marketer of the Year title, the marketing team behind Mars’s confectionery, pet care and food brands have their sights firmly set on claiming the honour in 2026.
'Upskilling is the priority to harnessing AI' - Omnicom CEO John Wren

1 week ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

As he prepares to close the merger with Interpublic Group in a deal that will create the world's largest network holding company, the Omnicom CEO discusses his other priority - AIIt's an incredibly important moment for John Wren as he finalises the deal that will see Omnicom Group tie up with American rival IPG. This Cannes Lions Festival will allow him to further pave the way for that to happen before the end of this summer.
Arthur Sadoun: 'We have to put AI to work on real solutions to increase clients' market share'

2 weeks ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

In the latest installment of the interview series featuring advertising's network business leaders discussing the impact of AI, Publicis Groupe's chief executive, Arthur Sadoun, outlines why the company's $10bn investment has helped it to lead the pack. He also reveals what he is hearing from clients around their ambitions to integrate AI within their organisations and what it means to his employees in their roles. Creative Salon: How has AI already accelerated impact in your business?
'In A World of AI, People Still Buy People' - Dentsu's Hiroshi Igarashi

2 weeks ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

While AI is proving to be the next era for advertising, Dentsu's global chief executive, Hiroshi Igarashi, is keeping his feet on the ground about the technology, seeing it as just the latest adjustment to be made within the business's long history. Here Igarashi talks about some of the initiatives, partnerships, and innovations that have been formed of late to meet client expectations How has AI already accelerated impact in your business? Any standout examples?
'AI is transforming into a strategic partner' - Havas' Yannick Bolloré

2 weeks ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

Heading into the summer frenzy that is the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, the leaders of the world's largest advertising agency networks take on Creative Salon's questions around the biggest industry trend of the moment, the impact of AI. The next in the series hears from Havas chairman and CEO, Yannick Bolloré. Creative Salon: How has AI already accelerated impact in your business? Any standout examples? Where are you seeing the biggest gains - speed, scale or quality?
'Even With AI, You Still Need Traditional Storytelling Skills' - WPP's Mark Read

2 weeks ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

Prior to announcing his resignation as CEO of WPP after seven years, Mark Read discussed the role artificial intelligence was playing across the business as part of a series of interviews with agency network leaders. Remaining in role until the end of 2025 while the search for his successor takes place, Read will continue to steer the business he has led since 2018. Before that, he was the CEO of Wunderman, and has built his credentials as an expert in digital marketing.
From Culture to Cart - Esi Eggleston Bracey

2 weeks ago | creative.salon | Stephen Lepitak

Nearly two years into the role, Unilever’s top marketer is leading a radical shift in how the FMCG giant shows up in culture—putting creators, communities, and relevance at the heart of brand-buildingNearly two years have passed since Esi Eggleston Bracey took on one of the biggest jobs in global marketing, leading brand and communications at Unilever. Now, the company is in the throes of a dramatic transformation.