78: Using game theory to make better decisions with strategy & risk expert, Andrey Ivanov
We’ve commandeered a (now) irate New Zealander’s fishing trawler to poach the strategy and risk expert Andrey Ivanov for a right royal chit chat this week. A podcast host in his own right, Andrey fronts the popular and educational Business Games podcast, where he applies game theory to help leaders overcome uncertainty. Go press play and unleash a huge catch of informative piranhas, including...
1hr 13m Jan 28, 2022
1hr 13m
77: Why everyone is BOTH right AND wrong about loyalty with John Lyons
This week, all it took was a blue tick and the gall of a Gary Vee groupie to lure our latest guest from the shadows. It’s a man with a brilliant marketing brain and alarmingly dirty mind, John Lyons.    John has shed loads of experience in marketing strategy, campaigns and promotions for agencies, start-ups, and huge brands. And he’s currently living the miniature brick-building dream as Seni...
1hr 3m Jan 14, 2022
1hr 3m
76: Behind the strategy for some of Haribo's most talked about ads with Rania & Trevor Robinson, Quiet Storm
We’ve sent out our largest trawler into the (Quiet) Storm and landed ourselves a bumper super catch this week as we snare ad land power couple Rania and Trevor Robinson OBE. Rania and Trevor are the CEO and ECD respectively of Quiet Storm; a creative marriage of ad agency and production company. Rania has worked magic on accounts and strategy for some of the world’s biggest brands, including H...
50m Nov 26, 2021
50m
75: Should your business have a 25 year plan? Consultant & mentor Jess Gregson weighs in
We’ve lurked in the long grass by the canal and nabbed consultant, mentor, and music-geek Jess Gregson for a chinwag as she visits her houseboat this week. An optimistic, pragmatic, and friendly soul from Sheffield, Jess is the founder of Extra Brain, where she uses her experience to help business leaders come unstuck. She is also the founder of Open to everyone. Closed to racism, an initiativ...
55m Nov 12, 2021
55m
74: The man behind some of Britain’s most famous ads & author of Anatomy of Humbug, Paul Feldwick
This week, baited by a Bedouin birthing blanket, we caught big thinker and bestselling author, Paul Feldwick. The man behind one of our favourite all time ad campaigns, Paul worked at the legendary agency BMP on some of Britain’s most famous brands for over 30 years. His latest book ‘Why Does the Pedlar Sing?’ explores why selling and entertainment go hand in hand and was described by Rory Sut...
55m Oct 29, 2021
55m
73: Why creatives don't do well in captivity with copywriter Andrew Boulton
All it took was a curly-wurly and a whiff of Hooblahoo to snare bumbling, bestselling author, Andrew Boulton, this week.    A senior lecturer on copywriting and creative advertising at the University of Lincoln, Andrew has over a decade’s scribbling experience writing for big brands, tiny brands, and even a man who carved dolphins out of cheese.   Andrew talks to us on tonnes of topics, inc...
58m Oct 15, 2021
58m
72: The art and science of data driven marketing with Molly Baker, Ex-Ben & Jerry's & Founder of Indie Consulting
This week we’ve laced up our hiking boots and traversed the trails of North Carolina to track down Founder and CEO of Indie Consulting, Molly Baker, for a chinwag.    Molly is a digital marketing pro both client-side and agency-side chops, including a tasty stint at Ben & Jerry’s. Over the past 3 years she’s built a fully remote team of boffins around the world who agree that nothing is more ...
52m Oct 01, 2021
52m
71: Meet Thomas Kolster the brand purpose expert who thinks Patagonia is full of sh*t
This week we’ve got our longship out of dry dock and nipped North to Nyhavn to snare Danish marketing activist and author, Thomas Kolster.    Hell-bent on making businesses put people and the planet first, Thomas is a branding and sustainability professional, the founder of the global Goodvertising movement, and the author of two books, Goodvertising and The Hero Trap.   He talks to us abou...
59m Sep 17, 2021
59m
70: Living under a false name & skirting death (more than once) with one of the all time copywriting greats, Drayton Bird.
Summer is over, so we’re migrating south (well, to Bristol) to catch a Bird not afraid to ruffle some feathers: one of the all-time greats in the world of copywriting, Drayton Bird.    A man who could fill The British Library twice-over with his stories of mayhem and misadventure, Drayton was dubbed the man who “knows more about direct marketing than anyone in the world” by David Ogilvy and, ...
1hr 4m Sep 03, 2021
1hr 4m
69: ADHD as a creative advantage with designer Victoria Rosselli
This week we’ve ditched the Dolmio and danced across the pond to sniff out Brooklyn’s master meatball maker and talented designer, Victoria Rosselli.    Victoria is a freelance Art Director and Designer based in New York. She’s also a Pitch 100 Superwoman and co-founder of Our Silent Partner, a collection of crowdsourced work designed to give voice to the silent mental health struggles of cre...
44m Aug 20, 2021
44m
68: "What's the noose around too many marketer's necks?" with ...Gasp! founder Giles Edwards & JP Castlin
There’s a Freaky Friday/Trading Places film vibe to this episode, as JP Castlin puts the boot very much on the other foot to volley a tonne of tough posers to the outspoken founder and Creative Director of Gasp, and this show’s usual host, Giles Edwards.    A “wonderful overachiever”, he’s also the creator of ISOLATED Talks and has collaborated on two #1 best-selling books. He believes in “pr...
1hr 9m Aug 06, 2021
1hr 9m
67: Industry legend Steve Harrison on writing “the most provocative advertising book in years”
We flogged an old, precious ad book on Amazon for three grand and just about covered a one-way ticket t’Blackpool (cheers privatisation) to nab one of the most outspoken voices in ad land: copywriter, Creative Director and author, Steve Harrison.    He’s bagged more Cannes Lions in his discipline than any other Creative Director in the world, and his book “How to do better creative work” beca...
1hr 10m Jul 23, 2021
1hr 10m
66: How to win your first client with Freelancer Magazine Editor Sophie Cross
We’ve set tripwires to snare the Jimmy Choo’s of the freelance community’s very own Anna Wintour, the editor of Freelancer Magazine, Sophie Cross.     An OG freelancer with over 15 years’ marketing experience, Sophie launched her very own 100-pages of glossy printed freelance goodness earlier this year.    She talks to us her first cheese-related jobs, thinking she wasn’t creative enough fo...
47m Jul 09, 2021
47m
65: A masterclass on how to do better virtual keynotes with Marcus John Henry Brown
This week we’ve laid bait of crisp apple strudels and schnitzel with noodles to snare Munich-based performance artist, Marcus John Henry Brown, to talk on a few of his favourite things.    Hisüber-talented creative chops have conjured up “performance hacks”, a keynote format that disrupts conference proceedings, delighting and shocking audiences across the world.    Marcus gives us the lowd...
1hr 3m Jun 25, 2021
1hr 3m
64: Why a good craftsperson isn't always a good manager with designer turned strategist Izzi Hays
We’ve masqueraded as a bellboy and snuck into the G-Suite to catch freak in the (Google) Sheets and designer turned creative strategist, Izzi Hays, this week.  An awfully loud introvert, Izzi Rascal is bonkers for a tricky problem and is currently breaking industry moulds and bolstering their strategy chops at MultiAdaptor. They chinwag to us on their accidental shift from design to strategy,...
47m Jun 11, 2021
47m
63: Why everyone hates marketers according to one of the most maverick marketers on the planet, Louis Grenier
This week we’re leading the frontline charge against marketing B.S. by catching and conscribing the fiery Frenchman and frère from another mère, Louis Grenier.    Quite simply one of the most maverick marketers on the planet, Louis’ mega-successful marketing podcast, Everyone Hates Marketers, has over 1 million downloads and interviews industry giants like Seth Godin and Mark Ritson.    Len...
58m May 28, 2021
58m
62: How to write a creative brief you love with Richard Huntington, CSO at Saatchi & Saatchi
This week we’ve cast a spell to catch one of the most talented strategists in Middle-earth the UK, ad land’s answer to Gandalf, Richard Huntington.    A high-octane brand strategist, Richard has been leading his merry band of creatives and hobbits to the edge of The Shire for nearly 30 years. Richard is currently Chairman, Chief Strategy Officer, and part of the furniture at Saatchi & Saatchi...
57m May 14, 2021
57m
61: Getting creatives to talk about mental health with Laurel Stark Akman, Creative Director at The Sims
We snuck aboard a streetcar and cruised down Castro Street to catch the Bay Area’s finest Creative Director and Pitch 100 Superwoman, Laurel Stark Akman, this week. Laurel leads creative marketing efforts for The Sims at EA and is the mind (and heart) behind “world changing” and “industry bettering” work, including mental health initiative, Our Silent Partner, and diversity boosting portfolio ...
59m Apr 30, 2021
59m
60: The story behind the Mouldy Whopper with Fernando Machado, ex-Burger King CMO
We’ve posed as a jester in the throne room of the Burger Kingdom to nab the recently abdicated and most influential CMO and brand genius in the industry; the mind behind the Mouldy Whopper, Fernando Machado.   A global marketer with enough Lions to rival Joe Exotic, Fernando has recently tucked into a new role as CMO at Activision Blizzard. At the time of recording, Fer was CMO at Restaurant ...
40m Apr 16, 2021
40m
59: Red Bull alumni & Formula 1 social media pioneer David Granger on his days in the Paddock
It’s lights out and we’re off with Red Bull Racing alumni, David Granger, in the driver’s seat, this week.    David got his wings managing the international digital and social strategy for Red Bull, its Formula One teams and for companies in aviation, fashion and music including the Wu-Tang Clan.    So protect ya neck as David brings da ruckus on reading ‘F1 for Dummies’ (twice) before join...
53m Apr 02, 2021
53m
58: "Research is creative as much as it is scientific" with Planning Director Sarah Benson
We’ve taken cover in the jungle and laid bait of some intriguing research in the wild to snare planner, pattern spotter and people watcher, Sarah Benson, this week.     Currently a Senior Planner at adam&eveDDB, Sarah is an exceptionally talented strategic mind with 12 years’ experience making telly ads, creating brands and finding out what people really think.    She chats to us on being f...
53m Mar 19, 2021
53m
57: "Is advertising in danger of becoming a hobby for rich people's children?" with strategist Will Humphrey
This week we’ve laid bait of a pint and picture round to snare sharp thinker, pub quizzer and Strategy Director at Wunderman Thompson, Will Humphrey. A lifelong problem solver with experience across Advertising, PR, CRM and Digital, he’s devised award-winning strategies for the likes of O2, Budweiser, NatWest and Land Rover and is a huge advocate for mentoring junior folk in the industry. He ...
1hr 1m Mar 05, 2021
1hr 1m
56: Why ROI is rubbish with top data dog Andrew Willshire
We lurked in the waters of Loch Lomond to catch Strathclyde’s top dog in data for a natter; independent analytics consultant, Andrew Willshire.    Andrew is the Founder of Diametrical, a Strategic Analytics Consultancy. He has over a decade of experience in media analytics and his expertise includes marketing mix modelling, media optimisation, segmentation and market analysis.    This pod i...
1hr 2m Feb 19, 2021
1hr 2m
55: Learning how to fail with Harriet Minter, founder of The Guardian's Women in Leadership section
We’ve gone all in with a pair of Jacks to bluff and catch journalist and broadcaster Harriet Minter this week.   Harriet is an expert in female leadership, working from home and accidental autoerotic asphyxiation. After a hugely successful stint at The Guardian, founding a first-of-its-kind Women in Leadership editorial section, Harriet’s latest foray into writing, Working from Home: How to B...
1hr 3m Feb 05, 2021
1hr 3m
54: An exclusive look at the controversial Castlin Manifesto with JP Castlin
This week we’ve laid bait of fried chicken and Guinness to snare the recently rebranded Stockholm strategist who now has a new name and manifesto, JP Castlin.     JP is an independent strategy and complexity management consultant who shares his views on strategy in Marketing Week, The Drum, the IPA’s EffWorks, his own no-nonsense talks across the globe, and his hugely popular annual manifesto...
1hr 13m Jan 22, 2021
1hr 13m
53: How to design for accessibility with Tommy Mason
This week, by order of the Peaky Blinders, we’ve slipped into Small Heath and taken up a table at The Garrison to catch the best Brummie Tommy since Tommy Shelby, Tommy Mason.    An exceptionally talented designer, Tommy is Founder and Lead Designer of Studio Mason, a digital and branding studio based in Birmingham. An experienced creative specialising in UX, UI and branding, he was nominated...
39m Jan 08, 2021
39m
52: How Gillian Rightford is ridding the world of bad advertising
We’ve laid the Table (Mountain) with a bountiful Binet and Field feast to snare Cape Town’s creativity champion and industry agony aunt, Gillian Rightford, this week.  Gillian is Founder of Adtherapy, a management, skills development and communication consultancy ridding the world of bad ads using her simple equation; Better skills = better relationships = better results. Previously, Gillian h...
51m Dec 11, 2020
51m
51: The story behind the world’s most boring advert for a sex toy client with Halo co-founder Nick Ellis
This week, armed with the promise of sex and drugs and How Brands Grow, we’ve waded our way through gaggles of groupies to catch ex-rock star, pitch addict and award winning creative, Nick Ellis.    A respected strategic thinker and pre-watershed sex toy advert pioneer, Nick is Creative Partner & Co-Founder of Halo, a Design Week UK Top 100 independent brand agency based in Bristol. He has ov...
1hr 16m Nov 27, 2020
1hr 16m
50: Stories from 19 years at JWT with Shekhar Deshpande, Head of Strategy at Meta
This week, marking our Half Century 50th episode (not out), we’ve caught and bowled Facebook’s Head of Strategy, and cricketer, Shekhar Deshpande.   One of the world’s great strategists, Shekhar spent nearly two decades at the creative agency J Walter Thompson, across Bangalore and London, prior to joining Facebook. He’s had work awarded at Cannes, performed judging duties for the Effies, and...
58m Nov 13, 2020
58m
49: Why the smartest people ask stupid questions with strategist Zoe Scaman
Wielding a witch’s wand, we hot-footed aboard the Hogwarts Express for a magical chat with Founder of Bodacious and strategy’s own Severus Snape, Zoe Scaman, this week.   Zoe’s love for sci-fi and strategy has sent her searching around the world for the next shiny thing, working for the likes of Droga5, Ridley Scott Creative Group, and Adidas. She’s developed a TV series for a huge fashion lab...
1hr 1m Oct 30, 2020
1hr 1m
48: "Should ads be more expensive?" with Andrew Spurrier-Dawes
This week, we fired up the big screen and laid bait of a reminiscing watch of Wales’ glorious 3 – 1 Euro 2016 victory over Belgium to catch the best thing since sliced Bara-Brith; MediaCom’s Global Digital Director, Andrew Spurrier-Dawes.   Arguably Wales’ finest export since Huw Edwards, ASD has worked with stellar brands like Mars, Sky, Tesco and eBay. Described by Rory Sutherland as ‘MediaC...
53m Oct 16, 2020
53m
47: How to write a good headline with one of the most highly awarded copywriters on the planet George Tannenbaum [Part 2 of 2]
They say you should leave an audience wanting more, but sod that, as this week we are giving you a huge double helping of more, as it is part 2 of our chat with George Tannenbaum.    One of the most highly awarded, revered and talented copywriters and creative directors on the planet, George is a freelancer who was previously Executive Creative Director and Copy Chief at Ogilvy for over 10 ye...
44m Oct 02, 2020
44m
46: One of advertising's biggest fish, George Tannenbaum, vents eloquent fire on the state of the industry [Part 1 of 2]
We’ve pulled a network agency worm out of the Big Apple and used it as topic-bait to catch one of advertising’s biggest fish this week; the one and only George Tannenbaum. One of the most highly awarded, revered and talented copywriters and creative directors on the planet, George is a freelancer who was previously Executive Creative Director and Copy Chief at Ogilvy for over 10 years.   Geor...
40m Sep 18, 2020
40m
45: Nailing your diversity strategy with ad land's most disruptive Diversity Officer, Doug Melville
This week we’ve trawled and traversed all 50 US states in a 27-foot-long hot dog to catch former male cheerleader, Assistant Tour Manager to Britney Spears, mentee of Magic Johnson & ad land’s most diverse and disruptive Diversity Officer; Doug Melville.    Another chapter of his remarkable CV tells us that as the first-ever Chief Diversity Officer of TBWA\North America, Doug has driven TBWA’...
59m Sep 04, 2020
59m
44: Brush up on your Survival Skills for Freelancers with copywriter Sarah Townsend
This week, armed with a first-aid kit and copy of Bushcraft 101 we head through the hinterlands of Gloucestershire to catch Sarah Townsend for a chinwag.    As a freelance copywriter, Sarah has over 20 years’ experience traversing the tumultuous territory of self-employment and now she’s written the book on it. Boasting over 100 5-star Amazon reviews, Survival Skills for Freelancers provides ...
52m Aug 21, 2020
52m
43: One half of the Wellness & Leadership power couple Alex Jamieson and Bob Gower has been Oscar-nominated. Find out who.
This episode is a Call to Action first as we’ve landed a supersized bumper catch; the power couple Alex Jamieson & Bob Gower. Alex was one of the co-creators and co-stars of the Oscar-nominated documentary Super Size Me, and is also the best-selling author of 5 books, a highly-sought-after wellness expert and success mentor, and has also been interviewed by Oprah.   Bob is the amazing author...
59m Aug 07, 2020
59m
42: Find out why the Queen of GIFs & talented writer, Gem Higgins, is the marketing industry's cheerleader.
We’ve lurked stage left disguised as a Victorian wench to nab musical theatre fan and exceptionally talented writer gem Higgins this week.  A creative problem solver and a strong mental health advocate, gem rules ‘The Twitters’ with her unrivaled gift of creating the perfect GIF for any moment. She can also read an entire book in one bath soak (one can only imagine how wrinkly she would get if...
52m Jul 24, 2020
52m
41: What the business leader learnt from the stripper with entrepreneur and former burlesque dancer Paulina Tenner
We’ve lurked in the wings of the Café De Paris, Piccadilly to catch the hugely successful entrepreneur and former burlesque dancer Paulina Tenner this week.    Paulina is the founder of Grant Tree, an open culture company that pioneered an open salary scheme to help tech start-ups navigate the complex world of government funding.   She talks to us on her ‘vomit edit’ writing process for her...
45m Jul 10, 2020
45m
40: How businesses can measure and monitor happiness with Friday Pulse founder Nic Marks
We’ve laid down lures of cool Friday drinks to catch the ‘Pharrell Williams’ of statistics; happiness expert Nic Marks. Nic is the CEO and Founder of Friday Pulse, helping organisations understand employee wellbeing, as well as being a leading statistician and TED speaker, and is arguably best known for his work in creating The Happy Planet Index; the first global measure of sustainable well-b...
53m Jun 26, 2020
53m
39: A masterclass in measuring and managing distinctive brand assets with Jenni Romaniuk, Associate Director at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute
We’ve cast a net off the coast of Adelaide this week to catch one of the globe’s greatest researchers and Sci-Fi fans, Jenni Romaniuk. Jenni is Research Professor and Associate Director (International) at that conveyor belt of marketing stars, the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, where she has advised many of the world’s biggest brands.   She is the author of two must-read books; Building Distinctiv...
1hr 2m Jun 12, 2020
1hr 2m
38: What the world of medicine can teach marketing with Delusions of Brandeur author Ryan Wallman
An internationally acclaimed copywriter and author who is partial to some wolf nipple chips (who isn’t?), Ryan Wallman is Creative Director and Head of Copy for Wellmark, a Melbourne-based creative agency specialising in healthcare.   He has written for numerous industry publications, including Marketing Week, and is a co-author of the bestselling marketing book Eat Your Greens. More recently, ...
40m May 29, 2020
40m
37: Listen to Richard Chataway reveal a great Behavioural Science idea from Norwich City F.C.
We’ve laid an intricate trap of clever beer and wine based nudges this week to catch Richard Chataway, Vice President of the BVA Nudge Unit UK, founder of the Communication Science Group (CSG) and quite simply one of the most talented behavioural science practitioners in the world.    He chats away (sorry) on a load of topics, including an early temping job at the Royal College of Obstetricians...
1hr 7m May 15, 2020
1hr 7m
36: Ten principles of customer experience to follow with Matt Watkinson
We’ve masqueraded as a waiter with dreams of Hollywood this week to catch LA’s finest CX designer Matt Watkinson. Matt is co-founder and CEO of Methodical and an internationally renowned author, speaker, and consultant on customer experience and business strategy, speaking at events for the likes of Microsoft, Salesforce, American Express, and the FBI. His first book, The Ten Principles Behind ...
1hr 11m May 01, 2020
1hr 11m
35: Thinking of making a move from figure skating to strategic consultancy? Then you need to listen to Liana Dinghile
We’ve cut a cheeky round hole in the ice to catch former figure skater and strategic consultant and business leader Liana Dinghile, this week. A proud Londoner with a mix of Sicilian and Scottish heritage, Liana works with Tonic Creative Business Partners, having previously been at Siegel + Gale and Dragon Rouge. She has helped guide some of the world’s most successful organisations, working wi...
56m Apr 17, 2020
56m
34: Former Viz Cartoonist Nick Parker on helping brands like PwC & Spotify define their Tone of Voice.
This week we’ve laid bait of tempting language to snare the exceptionally talented writer and founder of the language strategy agency That Explains Things, Nick Parker.   A one-time creative director, magazine editor, keynote speaker, children’s book author, Viz cartoonist and crystallised-piss-on-door-hinges remover, Nick now helps fellow copywriters, agencies and brands like BT, PWC, Tesco an...
1hr 2m Apr 03, 2020
1hr 2m
33: From selling blouses on Petticoat Lane to consulting brands like British Airways & Ford, Nicole Yershon is someone to listen to.
This week we’ve landed in the docklands of London to catch the baby-faced assassin and CEO of NY Collective, Nicole Yershon, who ignites fires of change consulting huge brands like Ford, British Airways and Pizza Hut.   Heralded by The Drum as one of the 25 most influential women in the British digital industry over the last 25 years, she talks to us about her early career and how she went from...
59m Mar 20, 2020
59m
32: Decoded author Phil Barden with some unmissable insight for brand managers
This week we’ve muscled past the marketing mafia to shakedown the Don of decision science; Phil Barden. His client-side chops cover working for T-Mobile, Unilever and Diageo, until a run-in with two Germans and a flash mob flung him headfirst into the world of neuroscience and understanding human behaviour. As MD at decision science consultancy DECODE Marketing, he’s written 'Decoded: The Scien...
1hr 7m Mar 06, 2020
1hr 7m
31: What makes a good comedy actor with West End and Broadway star of The Play That Goes Wrong, Charlie Russell
We’ve lurked by the theatre stage door this week to catch Charlie Russell; the West End and Broadway star of the smash hit show, The Play That Goes Wrong. Together with her long-standing friends in the Mischief Theatre company, she has appeared in a hit parade of great shows, including The Comedy About A Bank Robbery and Groan Ups, while Mischief Comedy have recently aired their first TV show o...
1hr 13m Feb 21, 2020
1hr 13m
30: Big agencies vs small agencies with Kerry O'Connor
This week we’ve rowed up the Thames with a wine-laced bait to catch Kerry O’Connor, Co-Founder at Tonic Creative Business Partners. Kerry has many specialities, including marketing strategy, PR, and belting out power ballads to huge crowds for charitable causes. She’s mostly worked agency-side for the likes of Ogilvy, Publicis, Imagination and Dragon Rouge, yet also has client-side chops from a...
57m Feb 07, 2020
57m
29: Vice President of Islamic Marketing at Ogilvy, Shelina Janmohamed, has a theory on the social healing power of chips
This week we’ve snuck up the Thames to Ogilvy’s offices to catch Shelina Janmohamed; the bestselling author of Love in a Headscarf (a memoir about growing up as a British Muslim woman), and the Vice President of Islamic Marketing at Ogilvy- The world's first bespoke consultancy for building brands with Muslim audiences.She also, somehow, still finds time to write for the Daily Telegraph, The Gu...
44m Jan 24, 2020
44m