Staying ahead of the curve as a major company has never been easy. But for those who manage to do so, we're honoring them with the Adweek 50 list. Topping the list is Bruno Cardinali, the Popeyes marketing chief who launched the chicken sandwich that started a cheeky social media war. We caught up with the Adweek 50 honoree about goals and lessons we learned from the chicken sandwich. Meet the other stellar media, marketing and tech execs on the Adweek 50 who helped make 2019 a standout year for their brands.

Read more: How Adweek 50 honoree Bruno Cardinali is leading the fried chicken charge.

What are your favorite direct-to-consumer brands? If your list of favorites is growing, you're not alone. According to research, the number of Americans buying direct-to-consumer will grow nearly 20% in the next 5 years. But as more brands enter the DTC space, the lines are starting to blur between what differentiates a DTC brand.

By the numbers: 22% of Americans will be heavy buyers of DTC brands

What the dickens? Holiday treats transcending time and space? That's exactly what's happening in Tesco holiday's ad as the U.K.-based supermarket chain celebrates its 100th anniversary. The 90-second spot follows a delivery truck driver who finds himself hurtling through various decades of British history via a series of time warps, placating the shocked inhabitants of each era with holiday sweets along the way.

Watch it: A Tesco driver careens through history delivering groceries in holiday ad.

Energy BBDO’s new CEO is a familiar face at the agency as Jeff Adkins is succeeding Tonise Paul as CEO. As Adkins takes on the role, Paul will be moving into a chairwoman role. While plans for this transition have been in the works for around a year, according to Paul, Adkins was long intended to be her successor. Adkins has spent over six years as managing director of Energy BBDO.

Read more: Energy BBDO veterans discuss the transition and how they've built a strong agency.

Best of the Rest: Today’s Top News and Insights

• WeWork Names Former Publicis CEO Maurice Lévy as Interim CMO
• Meet the Stellar Media, Marketing and Tech Execs on the Adweek 50 List
• For 10th Small Business Saturday, American Express Opens AR Experience in Retail Tech
• Lufthansa’s Alexander Schlaubitz Named CEO of DDB’s Lemon Group

In a charming new spot for Gillette, Proximity Spain takes on what is arguably the most awkward and confusing time of life: puberty.

Join over 400 brand executives to gain insights from the world’s most disruptive and legendary brands at Adweek's Challenger Brands Summit on Mar. 4-5 in NYC. Two days, twelve tracks curated to address top-of-mind topics, endless insights. Don't miss out - get your tickets before prices increase tomorrow.

Ryan Ku, head of strategy and brand innovation, Eleven

As we close out this decade, I’m thankful that this industry that was formerly known as advertising still remains a place where brilliantly talented and amazingly misconfigured-for-polite-society human beings can still find a place to do great work and achieve great things.

The people. The crazy, talented, frustrating, intransigent, visionary, irrational, daring people that seem to find themselves inexplicably attracted to this business. And for all of you, I am thankful.

Rebecca Lynch, director of communications, EP+Co

A company that truly practices what they preach when it comes to a work/life blend. Juggling kids and a life in advertising is not easy - more often than not the industry gets a bad rap for endless hours and limited personal time. I'm incredibly thankful that I work for a company that doesn't force me to make either my professional or personal more important than the other. Flexibility, trust and compassion allow me to have a career and a professional life that I love and am proud of, but not at the expense of my personal life and family.

Alisa Maloney, senior strategist, The Media Kitchen

I'm thankful for my smart, creative, and motivating co-workers! I'm surrounded by incredibly talented people who push me to challenge myself professionally, but also support me in being a better wife, mother, and friend at home. 

In June 2018, Musa was on a mission to find his personal North Star, leaving Ford as the youngest chief brand officer ever. At that moment, we talked about his search process and what he was looking for in his next role. Six months after leaving Ford, he announced his new role as head of marketing, Airbnb Experiences—and he was home.

Bonin Bough and Trina Chan discuss the value of experiences.

The iconic tune is featured in a new TV spot.

These Cannes winners fall into one of the buckets.

An enhanced album is available exclusive via the streaming service.