Loud And Clear

Hosted by Lerma Agency

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Loud and Clear is a marketing and advertising podcast from LERMA/, a cross-cultural agency based in Dallas, TX. Each episode features candid conversations with industry leaders, creatives, strategists, and media professionals about the future of advertising, brand storytelling, digital trends, and multicultural marketing. If you're in advertising—or just obsessed with it—tune in and listen Loud and Clear.

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March 20, 2026Episode 456 min

Meet Sharon Toerek: Legal Paths to AI Compliance Profit

In this episode of the LERMA/ podcast Loud and Clear (Season 8), host Francisco Cardenas speaks with Sharon Toerek, a legal expert in advertising, marketing, and technology, about how AI is reshaping the creative supply chain faster than policy and contracts can keep up. They discuss how generative AI changes agency risk—especially around intellectual property ownership, disclosure, liability for inadvertent infringement, and evolving NIL (name, image, likeness) concerns highlighted by recent talent union negotiations and emerging regulations in New York and California. Toerek explains why agencies must lead client education, align with brand risk profiles, and update MSAs and internal/external AI policies, noting that purely AI-generated deliverables can’t be copyrighted. They also explore AI’s potential to level the playing field for independent agencies, the pressure to move away from hourly billing toward outcome- and usage-based models, and the growing complexity of business affairs negotiations around AI manipulation rights.Relevant links: https://legalandcreative.com/email: sharon@legalandcreative.comGuests:Sharon Toerek, Owner and Founder -Legal+Creative | Toerek LawProducers:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Victor Cornejo Tell Me More Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pranav Kumar at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Executive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Francisco Cardenas, Executive Director, Brand Integration at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠

March 19, 2026Episode 31 hr 23 min

Super Bowl LX. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in Advertising

This episode of LERMA/’s Loud and Clear podcast, hosted by Francisco Cardenas, is a live video event with an audience at LERMA/ headquarters titled “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” where MC and moderator Bill Cochran leads a discussion of the latest Super Bowl ads in collaboration with Circulo Creativo. Cardenas introduces the panel—SMU professor Andrew Elliot, Republic Editorial senior editor Shaddai Berron, and Conill creative director Mauricio Macías—and thanks sponsors Deaf Mule Music House and Republic Editorial. The group shares Super Bowl ad facts (66 national ads, about $8M per :30, 59% featuring celebrities, 18 debut brands, and 15 ads involving AI) and debates spots including Dunkin’, Levi’s, Bosch with Guy Fieri, e.l.f.’s telenovela-inspired Spanish-learning tie-in, Salesforce/Slack with MrBeast, Instacart’s banana feature, Uber Eats’ NFL platform, Jurassic Park-style WiFi, Kellogg’s fiber humor, a prostate cancer PSA blood-test message, Pepsi’s rivalry approach, and the “He Gets Us” campaign.Guests:Andrew Elliott, MBA, Executive in Residence at Temerlin Advertising Institute, SMUMauricio Macías, Creative Director at Conill Advertising. (Saatchi & Saatchi / Publicis Groupe)Shaddai Berron, Editor at Republic EditorialBill Cochran, Executive Creative Director, LERMA/ Producers:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Victor Cornejo Tell Me More Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pranav Kumar at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Executive Producer:Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/Hosts: ⁠Bill Cochran, Executive Creative Director, LERMA/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Francisco Cardenas, Executive Director, Brand Integration at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠

March 4, 2026Episode 254 min

FemTech Revolution: Lindsay Davis on Asia's Untapped Market.

In this episode of LERMA/’s Loud and Clear podcast, host Francisco “Pancho” Cardenas speaks with Lindsay Davis, founder and CEO of One Bee Consulting and founder and CEO of FemTech Association Asia. Lindsay shares her path from multicultural advertising in Dallas to luxury and international leadership in London, then relocating to Singapore in early 2020, where she discovered FemTech while moderating panels and reading Invisible Women. She describes FemTech as “female technology”—apps, SaaS, medical devices, wearables, and services spanning women’s health across life stages, and emphasizes Asia as a large but still untapped market.The conversation outlines major barriers holding women’s health back: it has been under-researched, underserved, and underfunded; stigma remains high (including a cited figure that 52% of women in Southeast Asia are uncomfortable discussing health needs openly due to fear of judgment or shame); awareness is low (42% don’t use FemTech due to lack of awareness and understanding); and funding gaps persist (2.3% of total VC funding goes to women-founded companies, and only about 24% of VC decision makers in Southeast Asia are women). Lindsay also raises systemic content censorship, where women’s health content is treated as risky or sexual—leading to downranking, shadowbans, and rejected ads—sharing examples like a breastfeeding support app removed for “nudity” and restrictions on terms such as “vaginal cancer,” with 95% of founders reporting content suppression.A central theme is how marketing and advertising can play a stronger role in education and normalization. Lindsay urges agencies and brands to start in-house by improving benefits, ERGs, and workplace support (including maternity return), and by offering inclusive health education programs. She argues advertising shapes culture and can drive health literacy through advocacy, PR, and more inclusive briefs that reduce gender bias. She suggests large agencies press major healthcare and pharma clients on their women’s health strategies, while smaller agencies can support FemTech startups through affordable, fractional or retained marketing models aligned to early-stage budgets. Lindsay notes that in Asia many startups scale via corporate partnerships, and her association has grown into a cross-country network spanning 10 Asian markets, funded through corporate engagements and programming aimed at building awareness, trust, and access in women’s health.Useful Links:Linkedin. Instagram.Web FemTech Linkedin Femtech Instagram Femtech UN report. Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lindsay Davis, Award-Winning Founder-FemTech Association Asia I Strategic Partnerships I Community Building I Customer Experience I Milken Institute I UN ESCAP I UNFPA I Tatler Front & Female Award I Board Advisor I Moderator/SpeakerProducers:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Victor Cornejo Tell Me More Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pranav Kumar at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Executive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Francisco Cardenas, Executive Director, Brand Integration at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠

February 16, 2026Episode 154 min

Omar Quiñones Joins LERMA: A Strategic Mind Shaped by Insight and Experience

In this episode of 'Loud and Clear,' Francisco Cardenas welcomes Omar Quiñones, the new Chief Strategy Officer at Lerma. Omar's extensive background spans from the field of psychology to the marketing realm, having held significant roles at major agencies like the Vidal Partnership, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, and Anomaly. He discusses the importance of empathy and curiosity in strategy, the necessity of honest and relatable brand communications, and the challenges of integrating data and AI in decision-making. In order for brands to build genuine relationships with their audiences, Omar advocates for aligning on cultural values and community needs. Hear how Omar's personal journey and diverse experiences shape his strategic approach to driving Lerma's future with a proactive, culturally attuned, and innovative vision.Guest: ⁠Omar Quiñones, Chief Strategy Officer, LERMA/Producers:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Victor Cornejo Tell Me More Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pranav Kumar at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠Executive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Francisco Cardenas, Executive Director, Brand Integration at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠

December 24, 2025Episode 1158 min

Navigating Advertising Hurdles: Faith Vernick's Integration Approach

The podcast 'Loud and Clear' hosted by Francisco Cardenas features Faith Vernick, Executive Vice President and Head of Media Partnerships at Burson. Faith discusses her illustrious career in advertising, highlighting her work on iconic campaigns for brands like Oreo and Nissan. She elaborates on the challenges and strategies behind global marketing, emphasizing the importance of cultural nuances and storytelling. Faith also explores the evolving landscape of advertising, the integration of AI, and the future of media and agency structures. Her insights offer a comprehensive look at blending content creation, media buying, and technology to create impactful campaigns.Guest: Faith Vernick, Executive Vice President and Head of Media Partnerships at BursonProducers:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Victor Cornejo Tell Me More Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠Pranav Kumar at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠Executive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Francisco Cardenas, Principal of Digital Strategy & Integration at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠

December 15, 2025Episode 1043 min

Unskippable Part I: Partnerships talks with Hailey and Erica and the power of Sports for Brands

The podcast episode features a discussion with LERMA/'s Partnerships Director, Hailey Barns, and Partnerships Supervisor, Erica Hutchinson, on the intricacies of activating brands within the sports industry. The conversation covers the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of sports marketing, emphasizing the difference between sponsorships and true partnerships. Erica and Hailey share their personal journeys into the sports industry, their approach to ensuring mutually beneficial collaborations, and the importance of staying attuned to cultural shifts. They discuss specific strategies, stories of successful partnerships such as flying a Purdue fan to a Super Bowl game, and the various challenges and adjustments that come with live events. The episode also hints at future discussions on topics like NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) agreements and the role of brands in entertainment beyond sports, including music festivals and museums.Resident Guests: ⁠Erica R. Hutchinson, MBA. Partnerships Supervisor at LERMA/ Hailey (Becker) Barns, Director of Partnerships at LERMA/Producer:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Victor Cornejo Tell Me More Studios⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Pranav Kumar at LERMA/⁠⁠Executive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠Francisco Cardenas, Principal of Digital Strategy & Integration at LERMA/⁠⁠⁠

November 26, 2025Episode 841 min

From Hate to Love, Brendan Norman's Transformation in Advertising

In this episode of the Loud and Clear podcast, Francisco Cardenas welcomes Brendan Norman, co-founder of Classify, to discuss the fragmentation and inefficiencies in the programmatic advertising ecosystem. Brendan shares his background working with Facebook Audience Network and Unity's IPO, emphasizing the divide between effective and disruptive ads. He introduces Classify's mission to improve ad relevance through advanced contextual targeting and machine learning. The conversation delves into the challenges of the open web, the potential of the advertising context protocol, and the new technologies aiming to create more efficient, privacy-compliant ad experiences. Brendan also touches on the future of ad targeting within generative AI and LLMs, stressing the importance of collaboration between tech developers and agencies to build valuable and user-friendly ad solutions.Guest: Brendan Norman Co-Founder and CEO of Classify Producer:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Victor Cornejo Tell Me More Studios⁠⁠ & ⁠Pranav Kumar at LERMA/⁠Executive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Host: ⁠⁠Francisco Cardenas Principal of Digital Strategy & Integration at LERMA/⁠⁠

November 13, 2025Episode 746 min

Paco Conde Joins LERMA/: A New Era of Creative Excellence Begins

The LERMA/ podcast, Loud and Clear, hosted by Francisco Cardenas, features an insightful discussion with Paco Conde, the new Chief Creative Officer at LERMA/. He discusses his global experience, from his beginnings in Madrid to his tenure in London, Brazil, and Los Angeles, and the unique cultural insights he has gained along the way. Paco emphasizes the importance of truth in ideas and the universal connection that creates meaningful work. Paco's creative philosophy centers on combining human ingenuity with technological advancements, notably AI, to expand creative capabilities while maintaining authenticity and emotional resonance. He stresses the need for brands to build strong platforms and maintain consistency across various channels, using creativity not just to solve business problems but to enhance people's lives and create positive societal impact. Paco is enthusiastic about harnessing Lerma's independent spirit to push boundaries and elevate both the agency and Dallas as a creative hub.Book reference: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick RubinPaco's Work.Cadbury's Gorilla 🦍 AdGuest: Paco Conde, Chief Creative Officer at LERMA/ ⁠Producer:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Victor Cornejo Tell Me More Studios⁠ & Pranav Kumar at LERMA/Executive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Host: ⁠Francisco Cardenas Principal of Digital Strategy & Integration at LERMA/⁠

October 6, 2025Episode 650 min

The Price of Precision: Programmatic Trade-Offs with Victoria Garcia Galarza

In this episode of 'Loud and Clear,' host Francisco Cardenas discusses the complexities of programmatic marketing with Victoria Garcia Galarza, better known as VGG, from Causal. Together, they explore the importance of authentic brand voices, the perceptive capabilities of consumers, and the challenges of measuring business outcomes over media metrics. Victoria shares insights from her diverse cultural background and her journey in programmatic, from its early days to the current AI-driven landscape. They also discuss the role of AI in creative testing, the significance of transparency and trust with clients, and the evolving impact of retail media networks. The episode emphasizes continuous learning, adaptability, and prioritizing the consumer in digital marketing strategies.Guest: Victoria Garcia Galarza [VGG] Sales Director at CausalProducer:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Victor Cornejo Tell Me More StudiosExecutive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Host: Francisco Cardenas Principal of Digital Strategy & Integration at LERMA/Music: Rolf Ruiz

August 15, 2025Episode 431 min

The Truth About Selling Out, from an Advertising CEO

In this episode of the 7th season of Loud and Clear, host Francisco Cardenas speaks with LERMA/ founder and CEO Pedro Lerma, about his recent experience at the Cannes Lions Advertising Festival and his intriguing panel on 'How Selling Out Can Make for a Meaningful World.' The discussion delves into the polarities in society, highlighting unexpected collaborations like those of Charles Koch and George Soros, and how taboo trade-offs are navigated in an increasingly divided world. Pedro also shares insights into LERMA/'s work on the He Gets Us campaign and its focus on ideological flexibility and inclusiveness. The conversation also addresses industry trends, the importance of humor in advertising, and the emerging challenges and opportunities presented by AI.Guest: Pedro Lerma, Founder of LERMA/ AGENCY⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Producer:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tell Me More Studios in collaboration with Alyssa Udovitsch & Katy MendezExecutive Producer:⁠Barbara Dauajare, Agency Growth Manager, LERMA/⁠Host:⁠⁠⁠⁠Francisco Cardenas⁠⁠⁠⁠, Principal of Digital Strategy & Integration at ⁠⁠⁠⁠LERMA/⁠⁠⁠⁠Music: Rolf Ruiz