Leader Generation

• EP121: Say ‘Hello’ To Brand Agent: AI That Speaks Your Brand’s Language

  In this episode of Leader Generation, host Tessa Burg speaks with Aaron Grando, VP of Creative Innovation at Mod Op, about how the agency is using AI to enhance creative work and improve client experiences.  Aaron shares the story behind Brand Agent, Mod Op’s AI-powered assistant designed to align capabilities similar to ChatGPT with each client’s unique voice, values and goals. Aaron and Tessa discuss how Brand Agent not only enhances internal efficiencies—such as content writing, data summarization and brainstorming ideas—but also transforms how brands connect with their audiences. From personalized emails to AI-enhanced search and content recommendations, Aaron shows how AI goes beyond just being a productivity tool; it becomes a creative partner.  Whether you're leading marketing for a brand or working at an agency, this episode showcases the potential when innovation and brand integrity come together. Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op.  About Aaron Grando: Aaron Grando, VP, Creative Innovation on Mod Op's Innovation team, is a seasoned technologist with over 15 years of experience at creative agencies. With a background in strategy, design, engineering, and marketing, Aaron has worked extensively in industries like media, entertainment, gaming, food & beverage, fashion, and technology. At Mod Op, Aaron leads efforts to integrate AI into creative processes, creating tools that connect creatives and clients with insights, spark ideas, and enable new brand experiences. Projects include collaborations with companies like NBCUniversal, Bethesda Softworks, Under Armour, Planet Fitness, Dietz & Watson, and more, focusing on infusing creative strategies with innovative technology to create cutting-edge brand experiences.    About Tessa Burg: Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

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• EP120: Women In Tech - Elli Dimitroulakos On Leading Innovation

  To celebrate Women in Tech Day, Tessa Burg is joined by Elli Dimitroulakos, Head of Ad Product and Innovation at Media.net. As a trailblazer in the ad tech industry, Elli shares her journey through transformative roles in media, TV, DSPs, broadcasting, publishing and podcasting.  She discusses how embracing change and fostering cultures of innovation have fueled her success, even when faced with resistance. Elli’s insights into balancing human-driven innovation with data-backed decisions offer practical strategies for leaders navigating today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. Listen in as Elli explains how Media.net is revolutionizing ad tech by bridging the gap between publishers and advertisers, using search intent data to deliver more efficient and personalized targeting.  From overcoming resistance to change to fostering diverse thinking and leveraging AI for better collaboration, this episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to lead through innovation.  Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op.  About Elli Dimitroulakos: Elli is an award winning, visionary and Global Ads Monetization and emerging technologies expert having held senior leadership positions in Podcasting, TV, Publishing and Ad Tech. She has a proven track record of driving multi-year product strategies that accelerate rapid revenue growth strategies and shape business direction. Elli has Extensive experience in Product Innovation, Media monetization, programmatic and data GTM strategies & Business Development. Passionate about mentoring and guiding individuals and helping underrepresented content creators maximize advertising opportunities and an advocate for human rights, equality and fair and equitable business practices. Throughout her career, Elli has received a number of awards for her contributions to ad tech and is a frequent speaker and contributor on Forbes, Adexchanger, Cannes, SXSW and more. Elli is also a member of Chief, supporting female executive leaders and a member of the Hellenic Initiative, a non profit dedicated to the entrepreneurial development of Greece. Elli has lived in two countries and three different cities and has a thirst for adventure and immersing herself into various cultures. She has atv’ed in a Mexican jungle, zip lined through trees, rafted in a Class 3, free falled into a waterfall and bungee jumped into a pool. Skydiving is next on her bucket list. Elli lives between the East Coast and Greece where her family resides. An avid reader, music fanatic and podcast addict, she’s often listening to Ad Week’s Great minds, NY Mag’s Pivot, Brene Brown’s Dare to lead, On Purpose by Jay Shetty, or attending live music events. About Tessa Burg: Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].  

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• EP119: Leading Change - Transforming Companies With Alan Wizemann

  Change is hard—especially in big organizations with deeply ingrained processes. But what if you could lead transformation in a way that not only gets buy-in but also generates real business growth?  In this episode of Leader Generation, Alan Wizemann, Chief Digital Officer at Southern Glazer’s, shares how he has built a career helping companies like Target, Lululemon and Dollar Shave Club evolve in the face of digital disruption. Alan walks us through the challenges of leading change, the importance of transparency and why fostering innovation from within can lead to breakthrough success. He also discusses how AI is reshaping sales and marketing—and why it’s not about replacing people, but empowering them.  Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op.  About Alan Wizemann: Alan Wizemann is Chief Digital Officer for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s), the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned Company. Wizemann leads the Company’s Digital Acceleration group, overseeing Southern Glazer’s digital transformation, and is responsible for enterprise-wide digital initiatives—including the industry-leading B2B eCommerce Proof® platform. With decades of experience in digital product development, omni-channel experiences, technology, and entrepreneurship, Wizemann has been instrumental in shaping and transforming the digital landscape for some of the world's most well-known consumer companies. At Target Corporation, he launched and led key digital initiatives across Target.com, Target Mobile, and Cartwheel, which became an industry-leading mobile platform. Wizemann also held digital leadership roles driving transformation at Lululemon Athletica Inc., Goop, WebMD, Dollar Shave Club, quip, and most recently, Munchkin Inc. His visionary approach to product strategy, user-centric design and building agile teams at scale has consistently delivered results.  Wizemann is an engineer at heart who has delivered effective solutions in complex environments, and he is a proven entrepreneur who has built and scaled digital capabilities and fostered a culture of innovation. About Tessa Burg: Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].  

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• EP118: AI Playground - Descript

  Curious about AI-powered video and audio editing but don’t know where to start?  In this episode of Leader Generation, Cheryl Boehm and Patty Parobek share their experiences with Descript, an AI-driven tool that simplifies the editing process—even if you have zero experience. They share real-world insights from their hands-on testing, covering both the advantages and limitations of the platform. Whether you're a marketer, content creator, or someone looking to streamline video production, this episode provides valuable takeaways on how Descript can help you save time, automate tedious editing tasks and improve your workflow. Leader Generation brought to you by Mod Op.    Contributors: Patty Parobek, VP of AI Transformation at Mod Op Cheryl Boehm, Director of Copywriting at Mod Op   Guest Host, Cheryl Boehm: Cheryl Boehm is a digital content writer with 25+ years of marketing experience, primarily in B2B. She strives to deliver the best online experiences to customers and prospects that, ultimately, lead to company growth for clients. She stubbornly insists there’s no single messaging approach that’s right for everyone. Period. So, in her role as Director of Copywriting at Mod Op, Cheryl pushes to personalize content strategy with an individual “cheat code” that empowers each client to reach their end game fastest.   

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• EP117: Experiential Marketing Boom - Make Your Events More Impactful

  Experiential events are booming, and Liz Holden joins Tessa Burg to explain why.  In this episode, Liz shares how AI and emerging technologies are revolutionizing how brands engage with audiences in physical spaces. From personalized event experiences to interactive tech like AR, VR and voice-enabled AI, the future of events is more dynamic than ever. You’ll also hear about the lasting impact of the pandemic on events, the rising demand for in-person connection and the evolving role of data in measuring success.  Don’t miss this conversation about marketing, events and where the industry is headed. Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op.    About Liz Holden: Liz Holden is the EVP of Mod Op’s Experiential and Events business unit, leading the development and production of the agency’s experiential services. She collaborates with leaders and cross-functional teams to create innovative, integrated marketing solutions that drive client success. As a Mod Op leader, Liz contributes to the agency’s continued growth as one of the fastest-growing independent marketing agencies in the U.S., harnessing technology, innovation and human creativity to fuel growth.   About Tessa Burg: Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].  

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