In his 2005 Stanford commencement address, Steve Jobs famously said: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” It’s true – and I believed it long before I ever heard that quote. My own nonlinear career path has unfolded more like a series of unexpected links than a straight…
Even the most thoughtfully constructed RFP will generate questions. That’s not because you left something out; it’s because your bidders bring a different perspective. What seems obvious inside your organization may feel ambiguous, incomplete, or open to interpretation to someone on the outside. That’s not a flaw in the process, It’s an opportunity. Smart Agencies…
Whether you manage RFPs regularly or only occasionally, this series is designed to help you approach the RFP optimization process with more clarity and more confidence. The Silence Is Familiar You issued an RFP and eagerly awaited the responses. But when they arrived, something felt off. Maybe the submissions were vague. Or misaligned. Or too…
Stepping Into a New Role After more than a decade at Allied Global Marketing, including the past three years as EVP of Strategy & Innovation, I’ve stepped away from full-time agency life to begin a high-impact new chapter through SW14 Group. My time at AGM was nothing short of extraordinary. I’m proud of the work…
By Arlene Wszalek and Tom Wszalek The Big Picture Recent creator economy trends across media, tech, and entertainment point to a single, powerful theme: Control is the new currency. From interface updates to monetization shifts to alternative ownership models, platforms and creators alike are renegotiating who controls visibility, tone, and value. At the same time,…
(Originally published on Allied Global Marketing’s Knowledge page.) From AI-powered personalization to AR-enhanced environments, guest expectations are rapidly evolving. In this post, I explore key takeaways from CES 2025 and how forward-thinking entertainment and hospitality brands can embrace emerging tech to create smarter, more seamless guest journeys. Read the full article on the AGM website
(Originally published on Allied Global Marketing’s Knowledge page.) We’re heading into a year that promises big shifts in audience behavior, platform innovation, and how brands define success. I shared my perspective on what’s ahead with Allied Global Marketing—highlighting the seven trends that I believe will shape 2025. From AI-powered personalization to the growing fusion of…
(Originally published on Allied Global Marketing’s Knowledge page.) When it comes to major events packed with brands, booths, and activations, it’s easy to get swept up in the noise. But does showing up always equal standing out? In this article for Allied Global Marketing, I unpack the pros and cons of participating in high-clutter events…
(Originally published on Allied Global Marketing’s Knowledge page.) A modern marketing strategy is only as strong as the data behind it—but not all data is created equal. In this post for Allied Global Marketing, I explore how brands can shift their focus from passive metrics to intelligent insights that drive real impact. From aligning data…
(This post was originally published on The Drum.) This article explores how automation and generative AI are reshaping the modern marketing agency—from media buying and reporting to creative development and strategy. It highlights not only the tools transforming the industry but also the shifting expectations of clients and talent. While the tech is evolving fast,…
(Originally published on the Allied Global Marketing Knowledge page.) Your brand is never “finished”—it’s a living system that needs regular check-ins to stay aligned with your audience, your goals, and the cultural moment. In this article for Allied Global Marketing, I dive into how and why to conduct strategic brand audits. From evaluating brand equity…
The Insight There’s a significant gulf between consumers aware of a given product or service (those who have heard of it), and those familiar with it (meaning they could explain the product or service, and what it offers, to someone else). Awareness by itself is insufficient to differentiate your product from competitors, or to enable…
I was asked to create a “Strip” companion piece to my “favorite Off-Strip” wining and dining places. Here are my current favorites: Wining I’m not one for boisterous bars, so my favorite places to imbibe (with one exception) are the lounge areas of restaurants. If you’re looking to dance or hook up, this isn’t the…
It’s always a crazy time when a big show or event is in town. Getting restaurant reservations – or being able to walk in, for that matter – can be impossible. So for those who have asked, here (in alphabetical order) are our favorite places to eat and drink away from the Strip, and why…
An upper floor window at Palazzo affords a glimpse of what few get to see otherwise: the luxury villas at the front of Wynn Las Vegas. Three of them sit above the casino floor; three face toward the pool complex (click on the photo to enlarge it for a better view). They each have private…
I’ve long had a fascination with light fixtures, and Las Vegas – my newly adopted hometown – offers an exciting array of them. From functionally utilitarian to over-the-top, from vintage finds to multi-story custom-designed installations, I find them irresistible. I’m documenting my discoveries on a Pinterest board: Follow Arlene Wszalek’s board Las Vegas Lighting on Pinterest….
The High Roller, which opened on March 26, is an engineering marvel. At 550 feet, it’s the tallest observation wheel in the world – even taller than the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer. It’s already an indelible part of the Las Vegas skyline and well worth a visit. Here are 10 things to know…
There’s more – much more – to Las Vegas than The Strip. Inventive cuisine, art, recreation, and nature abound. As the crow flies we’re eight miles from Bellagio, and this is our view. Don’t get me wrong – we love The Strip for all its amazing food and wine, architecture, theater, music, recreation, and of…
One of the many grace notes of Tony Hsieh’s ambitious Downtown Project is the integration of visual art into the Las Vegas community. Last year, the Project struck a first-of-its-kind deal with Burning Man to display art from the Burning Man festival once it concludes. Separately, Hsieh bought sculptor Kirk Jellum’s 40×30 foot, fire-spewing “The…
Such a beautiful room. FIX is open to the casino floor, yet it beckons patrons inside. Designed by Graft of Berlin, it features an undulating ceiling made of Costa Rican Padouk wood. FIX is a Light Group restaurant. It’s on the North Valet side of the floor, near the shopping arcade.
Yesterday I was approached via email by a fellow Smith College alumna who found me through our alumnae directory. She’s a career consultant and asked me to spend a brief amount of time on the phone advising a client of hers. Edited to add: the client is not a Smith alum. I’m grateful for the…
When signing onto the in-room wifi at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, as we did when we stayed there in June, we were automatically redirected to the hotel’s website. We found that quite fortuitous, as one of the website’s promotions was for the Happy Hour at Aureole Wine Lounge. We had dinner reservations elsewhere in the…
Sign by the cash register at The Juice Fountain in Hollywood.