<![CDATA[The Overthinkers]]>From big strategy questions to everyday marketing life realities, The Overthinkers is a weekly conversation between two strategists: Lynette Wong (Brand consultant and ex-Head of Strategy at Ogilvy NY) and Shann Biglione (co-founder and product lead + ex CSO at Publicis).

It is for those who like to (over)think about business, marketing and strategic planning, with delightful guests occasionally joining.

PS: you might have followed us of heard of us when the podcast was co-hosted by Rachel Mercer! She will keep joining us occasionally, as we continue overthinking with Lynette and Shann.

Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]>https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-overthinkers/id1479249332Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:33:18 GMTFri, 13 Mar 2026 18:54:58 GMT60Lynette Wong & Shann Biglione<p>From big strategy questions to everyday marketing life realities, The Overthinkers is a weekly conversation between two strategists: Lynette Wong (Brand consultant and ex-Head of Strategy at Ogilvy NY) and Shann Biglione (co-founder and product lead + ex CSO at Publicis).</p><p>It is for those who like to (over)think about business, marketing and strategic planning, with delightful guests occasionally joining.</p><p>PS: you might have followed us of heard of us when the podcast was co-hosted by Rachel Mercer! She will keep joining us occasionally, as we continue overthinking with Lynette and Shann.</p><p>Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.</p>episodicLynette Wong & Shann Biglioneshann.biglione@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Do Tentpole Media Events Still Matter For Brands?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/do-tentpole-media-events-still-matter-for-brandstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/976495771Mon, 01 Feb 2021 06:00:37 GMTWith Superbowl about to capture advertisers' attention (and purses), we discussed the current state - and worth of tentpole events for brands. Admittedly, this year is particularly special as the world still struggles with the pandemic, but is it even worth brands' attention to sponsor and participate in those tentpole media moments, or does it distract them from finding more ownable moments?no00:20:24Do Tentpole Media Events Still Matter For Brands?full<![CDATA[Will Twitter Attract Advertisers With Elon At The Helm?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/will-twitter-attract-advertisers-with-elon-at-the-helmtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1372510486Mon, 31 Oct 2022 05:01:07 GMTFree speech or advertising, Elon's gonna have to choose. Considering he first started with an open letter to advertisers, he seems to care, but is he the right person to fix it?no00:21:40Will Twitter Attract Advertisers With Elon At The Helm?full<![CDATA[Do Strategists Really Want To Be The Creative?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/do-strategists-really-want-to-be-the-creativetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1302923005Mon, 11 Jul 2022 05:00:38 GMTIt's an oft-repeated trope: deep down the strategist is a frustrated creative wanabee. But is that really so common? Or could it be an expression of the tighter relationship between strategy and creative?no00:22:13Do Strategists Really Want To Be The Creative?full<![CDATA[What Makes Strategy Communities Awesome? With Kim Mackenzie (LWS)]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-makes-strategy-communities-awesome-with-kim-mckenzie-lwstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1227596512Mon, 07 Mar 2022 06:00:30 GMTThis week we're joined by the lovely Kim Mackenzie, founder of Ladies Who Strategize, a marketing strategist community specifically for women and non-binaries. In the episode, she tells us why she created it after years spent in New-Zealand, the spirit behind her community, what makes is so great and what she wants to see in the future.no00:32:14What Makes Strategy Communities Awesome? With Kim Mackenzie (LWS)full<![CDATA[Is It Ethical To Use Fear To Market Products?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-it-ethical-to-use-fear-to-market-productstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1193255092Mon, 10 Jan 2022 06:00:22 GMTIt's pretty common for brands to use fear in their marketing to motivate purchase. Recently for example, we've seen Apple selling their watch on the premise it can save your life, when in fact 99.999% of use cases are not related to those events. Is there a fine line, or even a line at all that marketers can cross?no00:21:55Is It Ethical To Use Fear To Market Products?full<![CDATA[Are NFTs Making It To The Mainstream?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-nfts-making-it-to-the-mainstreamtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1180867603Mon, 20 Dec 2021 06:00:26 GMTNFTs have been making the corporate headlines lately, with the likes of Nike and Adidas taking big swings. Is this the beginning of the grand "mainstreamization", or just peak bubble?no00:20:57Are NFTs Making It To The Mainstream?full<![CDATA[Can Meta Save Facebook's Brand?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-meta-save-facebooks-brandtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1151627533Mon, 01 Nov 2021 05:00:44 GMTFacebook's recent announcement they would now be known as Meta has certainly raised a few eyebrows. Is that a strategy to get past Facebook's flailing brand, and if so, can it succeed?no00:28:02Can Meta Save Facebook's Brand?full<![CDATA[100th episode! Who Do We Find Inspiring In The Marketing Industry?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/100th-episode-who-do-we-find-inspiring-in-the-marketing-industrytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1127631961Mon, 20 Sep 2021 05:00:26 GMTBig day for The Overthinkers! This is our 100th episode, can you believe it?! To celebrate, we take a stroll through some of the people that have (and still) inspire us in the marketing industry. People that are worth following, or at least paying attention to.no00:26:53100th episode! Who Do We Find Inspiring In The Marketing Industry?full<![CDATA[Wouldn't It Be Great To Just Drop It All And Quit?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/wouldnt-it-be-great-to-just-drop-it-all-and-quittag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1106544997Mon, 16 Aug 2021 05:00:26 GMTSometimes things like they're too much (or too little) and the dream of just dropping everything is a temptation many people in corporations go through. Can this be overcome, and could it even be used to your advantage?no00:24:04Wouldn't It Be Great To Just Drop It All And Quit?full<![CDATA[How Does It Feel To Found A Business After Years In Strategy?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-does-it-feel-to-found-a-business-after-years-in-strategytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1089760285Mon, 19 Jul 2021 05:00:20 GMTFounding a business is equally scary and hypnotic. In this episode, Rachel and Shann share their impressions after starting new companies, and what it's been like pivoting from head of strategy type positions.no00:26:30How Does It Feel To Found A Business After Years In Strategy?full<![CDATA[Is There Such A Thing As An Opinion-free, Objectively Formed Strategy?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-88-is-there-such-a-thing-as-an-opinion-free-objectively-formed-strategytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1076974285Mon, 28 Jun 2021 05:00:29 GMTClearly having a purely objective strategy is an impossible task, but it does beg the question - what role can objectivity play in strategic planning, and what benefits are there from its subjective counterpoint?no00:22:54Is There Such A Thing As An Opinion-free, Objectively Formed Strategy?full<![CDATA[How Do You Find Happiness When Work Feels Like A Failure?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-find-happiness-when-work-feels-like-a-failuretag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1058620666Sun, 30 May 2021 18:17:48 GMTLet's be honest, the daily grind doesn't often feel like a massive win. Dealing with failure is something most of us have to learn to do at some point in our careers, and it can easily bleed into our overall happiness. So what can we do to better deal with those feelings, and how can we stay upbeat when all goes to shit?no00:20:51How Do You Find Happiness When Work Feels Like A Failure?full<![CDATA[Are Ad Agencies Losing The Talent War?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-ad-agencies-losing-the-talent-wartag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/881442919Mon, 14 Sep 2020 05:00:03 GMTAgencies like to remind the world they're a talent business. But as competition for talents gets fierce, are they really set up to win the best? Rachel and Shann share their unfiltered views on what's happening to our business, and whether agencies can still retain, or even attract, talents.no00:26:12Are Ad Agencies Losing The Talent War?full<![CDATA[Will The Industry Really Miss Cannes This Year?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/will-the-industry-really-miss-cannes-this-yeartag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/796980223Mon, 13 Apr 2020 06:00:23 GMTThere's hardly anything more satisfying than bitching about awards - and Cannes in particular. But as Cannes is being cancelled and the industry is now being given what so many wished for, are there reasons to lament the absence of our top award show for the year?no00:20:55Will The Industry Really Miss Cannes This Year?full<![CDATA[How Are The Next 6 Months Going To Change For Ad People? With Rosie Yakob]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-24-how-are-the-next-6-months-going-to-change-for-ad-people-with-rosie-yakobtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/786303322Mon, 30 Mar 2020 06:00:22 GMTThis week we are joined by special guest Rosie Yakob, co-founder of Genius Steals, to talk about the likely impact of the COVID crisis on our industry and our jobs. A chance to think of the coming months and beyond, from new ways of working to the stressful reckoning of a slowdown, and even some hopes for a bright future.no00:28:55How Are The Next 6 Months Going To Change For Ad People? With Rosie Yakobfull<![CDATA[Should Advertising Be Personalised?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-advertising-be-personalisedtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/761618827Mon, 17 Feb 2020 07:00:10 GMTPersonalisation has become the name of the game in most marketing boardrooms, often discussed as the inevitable future paradigm of our industry. But as with every shiny new toys, it's never a bad idea to ask ourselves how far can we go, but also how far should we go?no00:23:48Should Advertising Be Personalised?full<![CDATA[Can We Stop The Industry From Advertising Fossil Fuel Companies? With Joe Cole]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-we-stop-the-industry-from-advertising-fossil-fuel-companies-with-joe-coletag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1596691179Tue, 29 Aug 2023 05:00:00 GMTAs global consciousness of the world's climate challenges rises, the role of advertising is being increasingly scrutinized. With large fossil fuel companies still using our services to project a greener image, the reality is that decades of deception have made them questionable clients to support. In an effort to stop the support provided by advertising to the industry, Clean Creatives has been ramping up efforts to pledge our industry to move away from those contracts. Joe Cole tells answers our tough questions and shares how the initiatives has succeeded from idea to a massive movement that is now permeating the industry.no00:43:38Can We Stop The Industry From Advertising Fossil Fuel Companies? With Joe Colefull<![CDATA[Has Community Marketing Lived Up To Its Hype? With Christina Garnett]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/has-community-marketing-lived-up-to-its-hype-with-christina-garnetttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1006860196Mon, 15 Mar 2021 05:00:48 GMTCommunity Marketing has long been pegged to represent the future of how marketing would operate, promising brands the ability to get their fans and followers do the bidding. But in the past decade, we've seen both an evolution and a recognition of what community marketing can (or cannot) deliver for brands. To discuss its future, we're joined by Christina Garnett, one of the more insightful voices of the social media industry.no00:47:19Has Community Marketing Lived Up To Its Hype? With Christina Garnettfull<![CDATA[Is The Ad Industry Dangerously Reliant On Pitches?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-81-is-the-ad-industry-dangerously-reliant-on-pitchestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1045851406Mon, 10 May 2021 05:00:30 GMTPitches are the daily life of agencies. While the world of media tends to see longer term contracts, many creative and activation pitches are on a project by project basis. Is that a healthy practice for the advertising industry? Does anyone profit from it more? Or does everybody lose in the long term?no00:24:47Is The Ad Industry Dangerously Reliant On Pitches?full<![CDATA[What Should Ad Folks Anticipate From A Recession?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-should-ad-folks-anticipate-from-a-recessiontag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1306923421Mon, 18 Jul 2022 05:00:22 GMTBrace yourselves! Recessions are rarely good news for marketers. So what to expect as an industry and personally? And should it really be that way, or are there means to "make the most" of a recession?no00:23:51What Should Ad Folks Anticipate From A Recession?full<![CDATA[How Does Strategy Inform Customer Experience Design]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-does-strategy-inform-customer-experience-designtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1036455982Mon, 26 Apr 2021 05:00:31 GMTCX planning has become very fancy in advertising circles, but is often badly used or even misunderstood. This week, Rachel tells us more about how she sees the role of strategy to deliver better customer experiences.no00:25:22How Does Strategy Inform Customer Experience Designfull<![CDATA[How Do We Stop Marketers From Equating Marketing With Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-we-stop-marketers-from-equating-marketing-with-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1329671971Tue, 23 Aug 2022 12:01:33 GMTWe've all heard the statement: "we launched without spending on marketing!". And yet you have plenty of marketing activities - just no paid advertising. Marketers equating marketing with advertising media spend is unnerving. But where does it come from, and how can we put an end to this?no00:19:23How Do We Stop Marketers From Equating Marketing With Advertising?full<![CDATA[Have Agencies Become Too Subservient To Their Clients?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/have-agencies-become-too-subservient-to-their-clientstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1314375802Mon, 01 Aug 2022 05:00:22 GMTAccess to employee salaries, review of profits, constant pitching, threats to lose an account, looking down on agency staff... There is a long list of realities that seem to have placed agencies at the bottom of the marketing food chain. And in the process, have we lost what made our voices heard?no00:24:19Have Agencies Become Too Subservient To Their Clients?full<![CDATA[Should A Client Pitch When It Has A Successful Agency Relationship?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-a-client-pitch-when-it-has-a-successful-agency-relationshiptag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1457147935Tue, 07 Mar 2023 06:00:08 GMTEvery now and then, we see agencies having years of success with a client. And yet, inevitably, one day the client calls a competitive pitch. Is that a fair practice? And even if it is, is it a situation where the client has more to lose than to gain?no00:20:29Should A Client Pitch When It Has A Successful Agency Relationship?full<![CDATA[What Is The Role Of Strategy In Pitches?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-is-the-role-of-strategy-in-pitchestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1106543551Mon, 30 Aug 2021 05:00:05 GMTStrategy can be a central part of the pitch process, but what are the best contributions? And how rewarding (or unrewarding) can they be?no00:25:44What Is The Role Of Strategy In Pitches?full<![CDATA[Can You Deliver Great Work Without A Solid Process?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-you-deliver-great-work-without-a-solid-processtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1049963542Mon, 17 May 2021 05:00:36 GMTStrategists tend to love their processes. Some even use them (wrongly) to define their work in the guise of "frameworks". Meanwhile, others tend to avoid them like the pest, preferring more chaotic and unstructured approaches. Of course the answer often lies in the middle, but how do we define this middle, and what should strategists keep in mind to make the most of them, without becoming slave to them?no00:24:17Can You Deliver Great Work Without A Solid Process?full<![CDATA[What Makes A CMO A Great CMO?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-makes-a-cmo-a-great-cmotag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1027338592Mon, 19 Apr 2021 05:00:09 GMTOften debated, decried or revered, but rarely tenured. That's the reality of CMO, a job many of us aspire to as the ultimate goal, but one that is often hard to navigate. In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss the traits they think define the best CMOs, as well as some of the realities they have to contend with.no00:25:54What Makes A CMO A Great CMO?full<![CDATA[How Can Clients Get The Most Out Of Their Agencies?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-clients-get-the-most-out-of-their-agenciestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1119452026Mon, 06 Sep 2021 05:00:26 GMTThe client agency relationship is often a love-hate relationship. In this episode, Rachel and Shann explore how clients can set that relationship up for success and extract as much value as possible from their agency partners.no00:25:32How Can Clients Get The Most Out Of Their Agencies?full<![CDATA[Is Moving At The Speed Of Culture Sustainable For Marketers?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-moving-at-the-speed-of-culture-sustainable-for-marketerstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1189164946Mon, 03 Jan 2022 06:00:22 GMTOff-the-cuff reactions happening within hours (sometimes minute) of pop culture unfolding are often celebrated in marketing circles. But are those "sparks of genius" really sustainable, or even meaningful to brands'?no00:19:48Is Moving At The Speed Of Culture Sustainable For Marketers?full<![CDATA[Is Contrarianism Good For The Industry?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-contrarianism-good-for-the-industrytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1206597910Mon, 31 Jan 2022 06:00:25 GMTOver the last 5 years we've seen a growing trend celebrating "contrarianism". In this episode, we discuss whether this has a positive impact on the industry, whether it's reserved to a certain group of people, and the overall role of critique in moving us forward.no00:23:43Is Contrarianism Good For The Industry?full<![CDATA[How Is Generative AI Impacting Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-177-how-is-generative-ai-impacting-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1509692743Tue, 09 May 2023 05:00:20 GMTGenerative AI is this year's buzzword. But unlike those who preceded it, the applications are wide and many, capturing a lot of people's imagination. This week, we discuss how the technology might change the way we work and do business in the world of advertising.no00:24:46How Is Generative AI Impacting Advertising?full<![CDATA[What Does Unilever’s Decision To Reset Mean For Purpose Marketing?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-does-unilevers-decision-to-reset-mean-for-purpose-marketingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1396996705Tue, 06 Dec 2022 06:00:34 GMTWhile still limited to its ice cream division, the decision to take a breather from purpose in favor of product superiority signals that cracks are showing in the purpose marketing chapel. Does it mean the edifice is coming down? Or simply that Unilever and co went a little too far?no00:22:35What Does Unilever’s Decision To Reset Mean For Purpose Marketing?full<![CDATA[Are Marketers More Prone To Grifters?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-marketers-more-prone-to-grifterstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1494935644Tue, 18 Apr 2023 05:00:16 GMTSnake oil salesmen, grifters, poseurs... There doesn't seem to be a shortage of people abusing our aspiration for what's shiny and new and our disdain for what's established ("everything has changed! Listen to my miracle solution!"). Is that really an issue in marketing, and are we, as a profession, more prone to it?no00:24:11Are Marketers More Prone To Grifters?full<![CDATA[Is What’s Bad For The Tech Industry Good For The Advertising Industry?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-whats-bad-for-the-tech-industry-good-for-the-advertising-industrytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1401779206Tue, 20 Dec 2022 06:00:07 GMTThe tech industry, which has come to dominate most of ad spends, has been facing some headwinds lately. Does that mean the tech Goliaths' struggle is good news for all the advertising Davids? Or could they take them in their swirl?no00:21:35Is What’s Bad For The Tech Industry Good For The Advertising Industry?full<![CDATA[Can Performance Marketing Build Brands?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-performance-marketing-build-brandstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/908861386Mon, 12 Oct 2020 05:00:35 GMTThere has been a lot of discussion about long term brand build and short term activation in the last few years. We've engineered our thinking around this opposition where one does a specific job the other doesn't deliver, or at least not as well. This week, we explore if performance marketing (search, e-commerce, programmatic etc.) can be a good vehicle to build a brand, and if yes how?no00:19:04Can Performance Marketing Build Brands?full<![CDATA[Is The Playbook Of "Rapid Brand Building" Sustainable? With Ana Andjelic]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-the-playbook-of-rapid-brand-building-sustainable-with-ana-andjelictag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/904171150Mon, 05 Oct 2020 05:00:27 GMTWe're seeing a lot of products popping up with pretty polished brand identities and that try to fast track the value of their branding. This week, we are joined by Ana Andjelic, strategy executive and author of “The Business of Aspiration”, to discuss (and sometimes even debate a little!) what makes a brand a strong asset to a business.no00:44:08Is The Playbook Of "Rapid Brand Building" Sustainable? With Ana Andjelicfull<![CDATA[Are Brands A Dying Breed?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-brands-a-dying-breedtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/900659353Mon, 28 Sep 2020 05:00:44 GMTMany big names in our industry are professing the death of brands. Their value is, in their opinion, waning with the crash of mass broadcast, hurt by the easy access to reviews, and a general direction towards the product more than the brand. This week, Rachel and Shann discuss why brands are more likely here to stay.no00:24:20Are Brands A Dying Breed?full<![CDATA[How Do You Switch From Student To Junior Strategist?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-switch-from-student-to-junior-strategisttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/881421640Mon, 31 Aug 2020 05:00:07 GMTThis has been a difficult year for junior recruitment in agencies, and we know some will struggle to get their foot through the door. Regardless, if strategic planning is something you'd like to start your career with, there are many questions worth asking yourself, from whether it's right to start there to whether you're working in the right environment for you to enjoy it. In this episode, Rachel and Shann share their personal journeys, which neither actually started in strategy!no00:23:45How Do You Switch From Student To Junior Strategist?full<![CDATA[Does Creative Testing Get In The Way Of Great Ideas?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/does-creative-testing-get-in-the-way-of-great-ideastag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/876765613Mon, 17 Aug 2020 05:00:25 GMTCreative testing has long been a thing a lot of ad folks love to hate. The practice has certainly made massive contributions to the industry, but as always, when a method becomes a dogma, it's bound to become a problem. This week, Rachel and Shann discuss not if but how creative testing get in the way of great ideas, all the while being a valuable and important part of our process?no00:22:01Does Creative Testing Get In The Way Of Great Ideas?full<![CDATA[How Can Brands Be More Sustainable In Their Media Choices? With Bennett D. Bennett]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-brands-be-more-sustainable-in-their-media-choicestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/880860730Mon, 24 Aug 2020 05:00:36 GMTToday we are joined with the phenomenal Bennett D. Bennett, writer/strategist/principal at Aerialist and co-igniter of 600 And Rising. In this episode, we discuss the importance of having a sustainable media diet for brands, one that rewards those who bring depth and not just click hacks, a particularly important discussion at a time where context makes a big comeback on the media scene.no00:36:54How Can Brands Be More Sustainable In Their Media Choices? With Bennett D. Bennettfull<![CDATA[What Soft Skills Should We Be Better Prepared For In Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-soft-skills-should-we-be-better-prepared-for-in-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/776763127Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:00:25 GMTMost of us walk into advertising careers with very little training in soft skills. Considering how important these can be in corporate environment, what should we be taught early on, but aren't?no00:21:18What Soft Skills Should We Be Better Prepared For In Advertising?full<![CDATA[Should Strategists Come Up With Creative Ideas? With Mark Pollard]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-strategists-come-up-with-creative-ideastag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/757881628Mon, 10 Feb 2020 07:00:20 GMTToday we're joined by the awesome Mark Pollard, guru of Sweathead and inspiration to many strategists in our industry, to discuss the age old question whether strategists should come up with creative ideas themselves. In it, we explore what is an idea, why strategy is inherently creative, but also the boundaries we should keep in mind when engaging with creatives and their responsibility to carry the project through the finish line.no00:28:52Should Strategists Come Up With Creative Ideas? With Mark Pollardfull<![CDATA[Should You Fight For Your Beliefs From Inside Or Outside Of Your Organization?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-you-fight-for-your-beliefs-from-inside-or-outside-of-your-organizationtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/963221791Mon, 11 Jan 2021 06:00:30 GMTWe have all some lines we wouldn't want our employer to cross. Sometimes, those lines are very public. If you want to change it, should you join the company that crosses them, or "fight" it from the outside?no00:21:53Should You Fight For Your Beliefs From Inside Or Outside Of Your Organization?full<![CDATA[Is Working In Advertising Still Worth It?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-working-in-advertising-still-worth-ittag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/688942489Mon, 30 Sep 2019 14:32:18 GMTRachel and Shann discuss why they wanted to get into advertising, whether it's still an interesting career path, and debating the value of agencies for career growth.no00:19:16Is Working In Advertising Still Worth It?full<![CDATA[Is It More Important To Be Right Or To Be Interesting?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-it-more-important-to-be-right-or-to-be-interestingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/917538886Mon, 26 Oct 2020 05:00:36 GMTWhile this topic exudes scents of false dichotomy, it is also the opportunity to reflect on the balance between ambitions that might sometimes be in conflicts. Ultimately, marketers are both in the business of delivering the right message and delivering the right now. So sure, a combination of the two is best, but if you were to choose, which would you pick?no00:25:24Is It More Important To Be Right Or To Be Interesting?full<![CDATA[Does Advertising Even Work At All?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/does-advertising-even-work-at-alltag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1550759764Tue, 27 Jun 2023 05:30:01 GMTA couple of years ago, Freakonomics discussed research that show zero to negative correlation between advertising and market effects. Apparently, marketers have been wasting all this money for nothing. During this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss the merits of the findings, and whether it approached the question in a way that does (or does not) capture the value of advertising for brands.no00:19:56Does Advertising Even Work At All?full<![CDATA[How Can Young Marketers Find Their Voice Alongside Veterans? With John Lyons]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-young-marketers-find-their-voice-alongside-veterans-with-john-lyonstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1545447223Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:38:46 GMTBetween the loud voices of our industry and the stress of being judged for what you say, finding your voice on public forums can be intimidating for younger marketers. We're joined by John Lyons, Business Director at Gasp! to discuss how new voices can emerge, whether it be on their own or the support of more seasoned marketers.no00:39:02How Can Young Marketers Find Their Voice Alongside Veterans? With John Lyonsfull<![CDATA[Is It Still Possible To Be A Generalist In Marketing?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-it-still-possible-to-be-a-generalist-in-marketingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1093976449Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:00:31 GMTIn the last two decades we've seen a huge acceleration of the number of specialists in marketing, to the point where being a generalist is often described as a "master of none". This has been a problem because we often end up with siloed views and practitioners that fail to understand how their field inserts itself in the grand scheme of things. The question is whether being a generalist is still possible, or even valued?no00:25:20Is It Still Possible To Be A Generalist In Marketing?full<![CDATA[How Do You Identify And Attract Good Talent?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-identify-and-attract-good-talenttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/765338854Mon, 24 Feb 2020 08:00:10 GMTThis week we discussed what in our eyes defines good talents, often looking for traits that make them interesting both as a strategist but also as a person. But the onus is also on us to not only find them, but more importantly attract them. With the explosion of professional social networks it's become increasingly easy to spot some of the more visible ones, but what can we do ourselves to burst our bubble and go find the amazing talents that might not always the most visible to us?no00:22:38How Do You Identify And Attract Good Talent?full<![CDATA[Is Barbie Revolutionizing Movie Marketing? With Moshe Isaacian]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-barbie-revolutionizing-movie-marketing-with-moshe-isaaciantag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1555407436Tue, 04 Jul 2023 05:00:31 GMTBarbie has been taking the film industry by storm - and the marketing community has noticed! This week we're joined by Moshe Isaacian, Brand Strategist, to talk about what's great about this campaign, and how it may rekindle a flame that has been somewhat lost in entertainment marketing.no00:41:54Is Barbie Revolutionizing Movie Marketing? With Moshe Isaacianfull<![CDATA[Have The Rules Of Loyalty Changed?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/have-the-rules-of-loyalty-changedtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1526484694Wed, 31 May 2023 03:13:30 GMTThe debate over acquisition vs loyalty has rocked the marketing industry over the past 10 years. While loyalty is everywhere, how it is managed has raised a lot of question. But as we see the rise of digital ecosystems, are the rules changing?no00:22:11Have The Rules Of Loyalty Changed?full<![CDATA[Threads Is Out... So What? With Grace Freeman]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/threads-is-out-so-what-with-grace-freemantag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1561367956Tue, 11 Jul 2023 05:00:25 GMTThreads has taken the world of social media by storm last week, growing in ways we'd never seen before. To discuss the platform's launch, its impact on marketers (and on Meta's product teams!), we're joined by Grace Freeman, Strategy Director and social media expert at Barbarian. The chance to share our hopes and fears for a platform that is breaking all sorts of records.no00:41:12Threads Is Out... So What? With Grace Freemanfull<![CDATA[Can You Switch To Strategic Planning Later In Your Career?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-you-switch-to-strategic-planning-later-in-your-careertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/769078444Mon, 09 Mar 2020 06:00:00 GMTThis week we take a listener question from Ashwin, who as a creative asked us if it was possible to switch careers to strategy. In this episode we discuss our own journeys (Rachel coming from creative, Shann from account), the requirements to make the switch, but also the limits one has to consider. And if you are able to combine skills, it may be a good idea to make that your superpower?no00:20:29Can You Switch To Strategic Planning Later In Your Career?full<![CDATA[Is Rebranding Ever A Good Idea? With Jessica Lehmann Ash]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-rebranding-ever-a-good-idea-with-jessica-lehmann-ashtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1579439106Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:00:36 GMTOn the heels of Twitter's catastrophic rebranding, we are joined by Co:Collective's Snr Strategy Director, Jessica Lehmann Ash, to discuss not only what went wrong there, but how and when to potentially get it right. Rebranding (or even renaming) should never be taken lightly, often costing valuable equity to companies, but as you'll hear on this episode, it doesn't mean there aren't valuable moments to go through the exercise.no00:43:23Is Rebranding Ever A Good Idea? With Jessica Lehmann Ashfull<![CDATA[Can 1st Party Data Save Digital Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-1st-party-data-save-digital-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1620381693Wed, 20 Sep 2023 06:00:13 GMTWith the demise of the cookie monster and the supreme reign of a few internet giants, a lot of brands placed their bets on building first party data. Is that really the way of the future, and can brands sustainably grow without a strong 1st party data strategy anymore?no00:24:34Can 1st Party Data Save Digital Advertising?full<![CDATA[How Would You Launch A New Agency Today?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-would-you-launch-a-new-agency-todaytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1586403831Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:00:26 GMTIf you had to launch an agency from scratch today, how would you do it? What strategy or approach would you use? How would you stand out from competitors? Would you try to stay small and niche, or try to create the next WPP? This week's question is courtesy of listener Ian Barnard.no00:25:15How Would You Launch A New Agency Today?full<![CDATA[Are CMOs A Dying Breed?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-cmos-a-dying-breedtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1614010131Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:00:18 GMT“You’re Dead In 18 Months Or Less” - Scott Galloway's ominous predictions for CMOs last week brought about a slight disturbance in the force. In this episode, we discuss the argument made against CMOs as we know them, as well as arguments for their possible redemption.no00:22:02Are CMOs A Dying Breed?full<![CDATA[Who put client services in charge?! With Marina Biglione]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/who-put-client-services-in-charge-with-marina-biglionetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1538187925Tue, 13 Jun 2023 05:00:19 GMTWe often talk about strategy and creative, yet client services are often the ones running the show and taking the top leadership position. To discuss what it takes to be an account leader, and whether it's right for them to take those business leadership roles, we are joined by Marina Biglione, Managing Director at Ogilvy NY.no00:40:46Who put client services in charge?! With Marina Biglionefull<![CDATA[Where Does The Job Of Strategy End?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/where-does-the-job-of-strategy-endtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/958628704Mon, 04 Jan 2021 06:00:34 GMTTo start off the new year, new you, we took a listener question from John Burke, asking ourselves when a strategist can feel their job is done. As we discuss in this episode, we believe there is a lot more to it than just the brief!no00:21:40Where Does The Job Of Strategy End?full<![CDATA[Is Global Brand Planning Still Possible?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-global-brand-planning-still-possibletag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/692301685Mon, 07 Oct 2019 16:31:29 GMTWhat happens when the world of a brand gets fragmented into multiple massive markets? Local planning takes the front seat! In this episode Rachel and Shann tell you why they think local is where the magic is increasingly happening, and how the role of global and regional brand planners is shifting.no00:21:21Is Global Brand Planning Still Possible?full<![CDATA[How To Unshackle Strategic Planning From Powerpoint?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-to-unshackle-strategic-planning-from-powerpointtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1176573904Mon, 13 Dec 2021 06:00:20 GMTEvery strategist is familiar with the importance of "the deck". Often, the expectation is that the strategy is basically only expressed in slideware. Is that a good or a bad thing for strategic planning, and are there ways for us to make the most of those softwares without being enslaved to them?no00:21:46How To Unshackle Strategic Planning From Powerpoint?full<![CDATA[Why Are Marketers So Mean To Each Other?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-are-marketers-so-mean-to-each-othertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1420244770Tue, 10 Jan 2023 06:00:21 GMTOf all practices in the boardroom, marketing tends to be one of the most opinionated about other people's work. With constant commentary on what is or isn't good marketing, it's not uncommon for passionate opinions to turn into aggressive (sometimes even abusive) takes. Is that specific to marketing? And what's driving it? People being assholes or natural dynamic of a very public output? This week, as Rachel takes on her new mommy duties, we're delighted to welcome Vanessa Toro as co-host of the podcast!no00:30:20Why Are Marketers So Mean To Each Other?full<![CDATA[Why Are We Still Debating The Difference Between Planning And Strategy?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-are-we-still-debating-the-difference-between-planning-and-strategytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1022121415Mon, 05 Apr 2021 05:00:30 GMTIt's part of the recurring questions our community loves to ask. Sat between "what is an insight?" and "what is strategy?", we've recently had a resurgence of debates surrounding the difference between planning and strategy. In this episode, we explore why it is we are so enamoured with it, and explore potential implications, whether you're a junior or senior strategist - and even as a client!no00:21:44Why Are We Still Debating The Difference Between Planning And Strategy?full<![CDATA[Are Frameworks Essential To Strategy?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-frameworks-essential-to-strategytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/848724394Mon, 29 Jun 2020 05:00:42 GMTOh boy, do strategists love their frameworks. We love using them, writing them, sharing them and even evangelising them. But do we really need them to write good strategy? What value do they bring to a team, and to an organisation? What makes a framework a good framework? And what happens when we don't use them?no00:22:19Are Frameworks Essential To Strategy?full<![CDATA[Is The Future Of Business Subscription Based?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-the-future-of-business-subscription-basedtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1235524945Mon, 21 Mar 2022 05:00:23 GMTSubscription revenues is the new black in the world of business. Investors love them and tend to highly reward companies that can demonstrate not just revenues, but recurring revenues. Subscription markets even follow different loyalty patterns than repertoire markets. But is that really the future of business, and aren't there inherent limits to the model?no00:21:38Is The Future Of Business Subscription Based?full<![CDATA[Is Strategy A Creative Or Rational Process?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-strategy-a-creative-or-rational-processtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1593302499Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:00:36 GMTStrategic planning inevitably requires the ability to rationalize information, but does great strategy require the ability to think creatively about it?no00:21:55Is Strategy A Creative Or Rational Process?full<![CDATA[How Do You Grow A Purpose - Driven Company? With Nicki Sprinz, Ustwo]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-grow-a-purpose-driven-company-with-nicki-sprinz-ustwotag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/967601803Mon, 18 Jan 2021 06:00:29 GMTWe're delighted to Welcome Nicki Sprinz, MD of Ustwo in London, a design studio famous for also producing mobile best-selling game Monument Valley and led with a very strong sense of purpose and values. Now, we're not talking of brand purpose here, but about what genuinely happens on the inside, and how it shows on the outside! The chance to hear about ways to build teams and cultures, but also to reflect on Ustwo's unique path to success around the world. Note: apologies for the poor sound quality, we encountered some issues when recording Nicki's track. We tried to fix it but were not able to resolve it during the interview.no00:29:55How Do You Grow A Purpose - Driven Company? With Nicki Sprinz, Ustwofull<![CDATA[What Is The Next Big Tech In Experience Design?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-is-the-next-big-tech-in-experience-designtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1082100109Tue, 06 Jul 2021 01:45:21 GMTSince the mobile phone, we haven't had much in the way of hardware tech that has transformed the way we interact with the world. As a matter of fact, it's kinda hard to imagine we're going to see something as disruptive anytime soon. In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss what technologies they see potentially impacting experience design, and what excites them about these. Tune in for an unusual episode of The Overthinkers, taking a little bit of a science-fiction tangent.no00:23:25What Is The Next Big Tech In Experience Design?full<![CDATA[How To Negotiate A Raise Or Promotion?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-to-negotiate-a-raise-or-promotiontag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1324848205Tue, 16 Aug 2022 01:28:17 GMTWe're getting close to raise cycles, so this week we're discussing our recommendations to better get the promotion you think you deserve!no00:29:15How To Negotiate A Raise Or Promotion?full<![CDATA[Do Independent Agencies Still Stand A Chance In The Current Climate?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/do-independent-agencies-still-stand-a-chance-in-the-current-climatetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/971863597Mon, 25 Jan 2021 06:00:29 GMTOver the last 30 years the agency business has seen some intense consolidation with holding company models. As our industry is coping with a second crisis a mere decade after the last one, do independent shops stand a chance or are they facing increasingly difficult odds to survive? Both Rachel and Shann started in independent agencies, and Rachel is even now launching her own, so clearly they both have hopes the independent spirit will prevail. But is it still the opportunity it once represented?no00:18:09Do Independent Agencies Still Stand A Chance In The Current Climate?full<![CDATA[How Can Creative And Media Work Better Together? With Murray Calder]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-creative-and-media-work-better-together-with-murray-caldertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/990198883Mon, 22 Feb 2021 06:00:35 GMTWe're beyond delighted to welcome Murray Calder this week, ex strategist from Edinburgh with experiences both client and agency side. As an integrator by heart, Murray joined us to discuss the ways in which media and creative (two worlds often pitted against one another) can work better together.no00:45:12How Can Creative And Media Work Better Together? With Murray Calderfull<![CDATA[Will Brands Survive The Decline Of Linear TV?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/will-brands-survive-the-decline-of-linear-tvtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1067641276Mon, 14 Jun 2021 05:00:23 GMTAs we see the accelerated decline of linear TV leadership, leading voices of our industry are quick to equate that with the decline of brands, unable to access the means through which they were built. Is that really happening? And isn't there a case for that reality to actually reinforce the brands able to stand out?no00:21:45Will Brands Survive The Decline Of Linear TV?full<![CDATA[Has The Quality Of Advertising Gone Down In The Last 20 Years? With Derek Walker]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/has-the-quality-of-advertising-gone-down-in-the-last-20-years-with-derek-walkertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/995155942Mon, 01 Mar 2021 06:00:42 GMTThis week we're joined by one of the industry's best straight shooters, Derek Walker, to discuss his perspective on whether the quality of our industry's work has gone done or up (hint: Derek is not mincing words). A great opportunity to hear from a veteran who has seen it all, and to discuss pretty openly the dynamics at play, from client agency relationships to the growth of specialist shops, of holding companies and the focus on profit making.no00:50:10Has The Quality Of Advertising Gone Down In The Last 20 Years? With Derek Walkerfull<![CDATA[Do Marketers Overuse Celebrities In Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-118-do-marketers-overuse-celebrities-in-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1215298258Mon, 14 Feb 2022 06:00:47 GMTCelebrities and advertising have been a love story for as long as most of us can remember. And as Superbowl kicked off, it is clear the trend is not reducing. But do celebrities really make brands stronger? Or is their use just a creative cop-out for when a brand doesn't really have an idea?no00:22:13Do Marketers Overuse Celebrities In Advertising?full<![CDATA[Why Do Emotions Matter So Much In Advertising? With Claire Strickett]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-do-emotions-matter-so-much-in-advertising-with-claire-strickettag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/981050761Mon, 08 Feb 2021 06:00:48 GMTEmotions have been at the heart of successful marketing for decades, and a strategy greatly popularized in the last decade by the work of Binet &amp; Field. This week, we're joined by the brilliant Claire Strickett from adam&amp;eveDDB to bring a grounded view on the importance of emotions. A chance to better define what we mean by emotions, and put to rest some of the many misconceptions peddled in our industry.no00:43:43Why Do Emotions Matter So Much In Advertising? With Claire Strickettfull<![CDATA[How To Partner With Other Teams In Your Agency?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-to-partner-with-other-teams-in-your-agencytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/791534836Mon, 06 Apr 2020 06:00:23 GMTThis week we step a little bit outside of the COVID19 grind, with Rachel and Shann discussing how a strategy team can improve its relationship with other specialists, from account to creative. They talk about the importance of empathy to understand others' perspective, the fine line between providing direction and directing others, and some advice on how to handle issues when things get personal.no00:24:03How To Partner With Other Teams In Your Agency?full<![CDATA[What Makes "Comms Planning" So Valuable? With Tattiana Bamba]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-makes-comms-planning-so-valuable-with-tatiana-bambatag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1211126830Mon, 07 Feb 2022 06:00:35 GMTToday we're joined by Tattiana Bamba, Comms Strategy Director at Droga5, to talk about comms / connections planning. A chance to discuss what it does and what it doesn't do, as well as what it takes to be a comms planner and what it takes to be good at it. Whether you're eyeing a shit into comms planning or a veteran, we promise you won't miss the chance to hear what Tattiana has to say about it!no00:32:14What Makes "Comms Planning" So Valuable? With Tattiana Bambafull<![CDATA[How Can CMOs (Re)claim A Seat At The Board Table? With Seth Matlins, Forbes]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-cmos-reclaim-a-seat-at-the-board-table-with-seth-matlins-forbestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1311338959Mon, 25 Jul 2022 10:40:57 GMTCMOs are supposed to be at the top of our industry... but are they always? This week we're joined by Seth Matlins, Managing Director at Forbes CMO Network, to discuss whether CMOs have been pushed out of the top leadership of companies - and if they have, how can they reclaim a seat at the big decision making table? Seth's unique perspective as an ex-marketer himself and now interacting daily with CMOs as part of Forbes' CMO Network gave us a lot to think about and provides inspiration for marketers of all levels.no00:41:47How Can CMOs (Re)claim A Seat At The Board Table? With Seth Matlins, Forbesfull<![CDATA[Can Marketers Serve A Purpose Beyond Profits?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-marketers-serve-a-purpose-beyond-profitstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1143480166Mon, 18 Oct 2021 05:00:30 GMTPurpose made the headlines (again) this week, with new research supporting the effectiveness of some purpose driven advertising. But even if sometimes purpose can work, can marketers generally serve a purpose beyond driving sales or profits?no00:22:13Can Marketers Serve A Purpose Beyond Profits?full<![CDATA[Is Being Head Of Strategy The End Goal For A Strategist?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-being-head-of-strategy-the-end-goal-for-a-strategisttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/714633127Mon, 18 Nov 2019 11:48:27 GMTThis week we're discussing a listener question, and explore what's next in your career as a strategist if your goal isn't necessarily to become head of department, and what other professional lives there could be for you out there.no00:21:12Is Being Head Of Strategy The End Goal For A Strategist?full<![CDATA[Are We Witnessing The Downfall Of Social Media?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-we-witnessing-the-downfall-of-social-mediatag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1383440308Tue, 15 Nov 2022 09:00:38 GMTTwitter and Facebook experiencing headwinds, calls to rein in their effect on mental health, declines in ad spend... It's a rough patch for social media platforms. But does that mean we're witnessing its downfall, as someone have claimed? Or is it more of a correction?no00:24:43Are We Witnessing The Downfall Of Social Media?full<![CDATA[How Does Company Culture Influence Its Marketing? With Minjae Ormes]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-does-company-culture-influence-its-marketing-with-minjae-ormestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1041324289Mon, 03 May 2021 05:00:32 GMTThis week we're joined by the awesome Minjae Ormes, CMO at Visible (part of Verizon) and one of the hottest telco brands in the US, to discuss the way a company's culture can influence its marketing department. A chance to discuss the ways in which the culture of the business can make or break its marketing output, some of the models we look up to, and what Minjae has brought to influence one of the largest companies in the world!no00:41:11How Does Company Culture Influence Its Marketing? With Minjae Ormesfull<![CDATA[Panel: How Do You Inspire A Whole Organisation To Drive Innovation?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/panel-how-do-you-inspire-a-whole-organisaation-to-drive-innovationtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1243745827Mon, 04 Apr 2022 05:00:23 GMTInnovation is on most corporations' agenda, but not on many's list of achievements. This week, we're joined by three exceptional innovation leaders to discuss how companies can better foster a culture of innovation: - Lan Guo, User Research Manager, Business Messaging @ Meta - Mary Catherine Plunkett, Sr Director Customer Success Design @ Autodesk - Leslie Llado Social Enterprise Lead @ Splash International, an NGO designing child-focused water, sanitation, hygiene, &amp; menstrual health solutions in Asia &amp; Africa.no00:35:34Panel: How Do You Inspire A Whole Organisation To Drive Innovation?full<![CDATA[Do Brands Need A Purpose?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/do-brands-need-a-purposetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/711174256Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:16:56 GMTThis week Rachel and Shann discuss one of the most heated (but also hated) topics in marketing circles: the need (or lack thereof) for a brand to serve a higher purpose. And while the answer might not be as black and white as some would hope, this episode explores the potential, but also the limits, of what many marketers have taken for a new paradigm.no00:22:39Do Brands Need A Purpose?full<![CDATA[Is Advertising A Dying Profession?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-advertising-a-dying-professiontag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1135770739Mon, 04 Oct 2021 10:56:09 GMTAccording to a few, the years of advertising as we know it are counted. But even if the most likely outcome is that such predictions are wrong, it doesn't mean that working in advertising is as safe a career path as it might have once been.no00:22:33Is Advertising A Dying Profession?full<![CDATA[Does The World Need More Brands, And More Growth? With Katie Dreke]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/does-the-world-need-more-brands-and-more-growth-with-katie-dreketag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1172472502Mon, 06 Dec 2021 06:00:22 GMTMarketers have a core task of growing a company's market. Our mindset is always one about getting more value. But is that an aspiration the world needs? This week we're joined by Katie Dreke, ex-Nike / Droga5 / W+K, and independent consultant helping brands figure out how to survive longer term challenges.no00:49:39Does The World Need More Brands, And More Growth? With Katie Drekefull<![CDATA[Why Should You Record Another Marketing Podcast?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-should-you-record-another-marketing-podcasttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/817793299Mon, 11 May 2020 05:00:34 GMTA lot of people have a bit more free time, or at least the chance to think about other things to do on the side. This week, we discuss why we think the fact the internet is already filled with opinions doesn't mean you shouldn't be more vocal about yours - especially if you're a strategist! And we take this as a chance to share a little bit more about our story and how we decided to record this podcast in the first place.no00:20:45Why Should You Record Another Marketing Podcast?full<![CDATA[How Do You Overcome Workoholism?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-overcome-workoholismtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/844363636Mon, 22 Jun 2020 05:00:22 GMTWorkoholism is often seen as something worth celebrating. "She worked the three weekends in a row on this, it shows her commitment!" It is particularly true in the United States, where the idea of "hustling" is often associated with merit. In this episode, Rachel and Shann share their own journeys, how they have identified it in their careers, and some suggestions for talent, leaders and clients to make sure they inspire a culture of effectiveness that doesn't come at the price of people's balance.no00:24:13How Do You Overcome Workoholism?full<![CDATA[Should You Move To New York To Work In Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-you-move-to-new-york-to-work-in-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/741537535Mon, 13 Jan 2020 10:00:16 GMTAs the new year begins, many of you will be thinking about life changes, so we're starting with a light topic for those of you that are thinking of moving to (or away from!) New York. Armed with experiences spanning across multiple countries and states, Rachel and Shann give you their honest opinion on whether the city that never sleeps is a good place to be as a marketing strategist. It's also a good opportunity to discuss the differences in strategic practice across different countries. Happy New Year!no00:23:15Should You Move To New York To Work In Advertising?full<![CDATA[Can You Work In Agencies Over The Age Of 45?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-you-work-in-agencies-over-the-age-of-45tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/718159255Mon, 25 Nov 2019 11:56:53 GMTt's notorious there aren't a lot of people over the age of 45 in advertising agencies outside of management. Why is this the case? Is it really an inevitable ageist truth? Aren't we missing out as an industry? Rachel and Shann discuss their experience and point of view, well aware that their own clock might be ticking.no00:21:28Can You Work In Agencies Over The Age Of 45?full<![CDATA[What To Do When You've Peaked In Your Career? With Mark Pollard and Tom Goodwin]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-to-do-when-youve-peaked-in-your-career-with-mark-pollard-and-tom-goodwintag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/856879159Mon, 13 Jul 2020 05:00:44 GMTBonus episode this week, recorded a few months ago when Tom and Mark joined us around our little microphone. The occasion to talk about what happens when you feel like you're reached your peak in ad land, something many of us have to think about. For many, peaking is impossible, while for others it can be a blessing allowing them to pivot to other things.no00:29:07What To Do When You've Peaked In Your Career? With Mark Pollard and Tom Goodwinfull<![CDATA[Is Parenting Compatible With A Career In Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-parenting-compatible-with-a-career-in-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1504090291Tue, 02 May 2023 05:00:27 GMTAdvertising is increasingly a young person's game. Are the hardships of parenting one of the reasons why? And could advertising agencies approach this differently? Rachel and Shann share their thoughts as two new parents facing the reality of mother and fatherhood.no00:24:50Is Parenting Compatible With A Career In Advertising?full<![CDATA[Should Agencies Have A Differentiated Approach To Strategy?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-agencies-have-a-differentiated-approach-to-strategytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1365112336Tue, 18 Oct 2022 05:00:36 GMTIt's very fanciful for agencies to introduce themselves to the world with a flashy "planning framework" of their own concoction. But as we basically keep relabelling the same principles over and over, is there really much worth in trying to create their own?no00:21:12Should Agencies Have A Differentiated Approach To Strategy?full<![CDATA[Can Marketing Succeed Without Embracing Culture?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-marketing-succeed-without-embracing-culturetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1351272328Tue, 27 Sep 2022 05:00:12 GMTUnderstanding culture - whether to fit in or to define it - is a fairly common exercise in strategic planning. What does that cover? What are the pitfalls? And is it really an obligation to succeed?no00:21:06Can Marketing Succeed Without Embracing Culture?full<![CDATA[Is The Advertising Industry Compatible With Mental Health Issues?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-the-advertising-industry-compatible-with-mental-health-issuestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/702807592Mon, 28 Oct 2019 10:11:04 GMTRachel and Shann discuss the preparedness (or lack thereof) of the advertising industry to deal with mental health issues at work. And since this is close to their hearts, they share a little bit about their personal journey, both as sufferers and team leaders.no00:25:20Is The Advertising Industry Compatible With Mental Health Issues?full<![CDATA[Can You Swtich Roles From Digital Strategist To "planner"?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-you-swtich-roles-from-digital-strategist-to-plannertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/873128011Mon, 10 Aug 2020 05:00:52 GMTSomehow, strategy has become a very fragmented practice, with digital strategists, brand planners, comms planners, social strategists etc. This week, we take a question we've seen on Fishbowl (yes...), and discussed whether it was a possible (maybe even natural) fit for a digital strategist to become a "strat planner".no00:20:35Can You Swtich Roles From Digital Strategist To "planner"?full<![CDATA[How Do You Grow As A Strategist?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-grow-as-a-strategisttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/707674240Mon, 04 Nov 2019 12:24:45 GMTThis week we discuss what it takes to grow into your career as a strategist, a question asked by one of our listeners, Meghan Sheperd. We cover the different stages of your career, the importance of thinking horizontally, and share some of our experiences growing up as strategists ourselves.no00:22:08How Do You Grow As A Strategist?full<![CDATA[What Is Wrong With Strategy? With JP Castlin]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-is-wrong-with-strategy-with-jp-castlintag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1085835625Mon, 12 Jul 2021 05:00:32 GMTVery special guest this week with JP Castlin, self-proclaimed strategy nerd and one of the most interesting voices in our community. The question that got us started led us to discuss many big tickets, from the definition of strategy to the ways complexity limits the potential of strategic planning, and even talking about the similarities with evolutionary theory.no00:40:23What Is Wrong With Strategy? With JP Castlinfull<![CDATA[Have Agencies Become Too Vanilla In Their Opinions?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/have-agencies-become-too-vanilla-in-their-opinionstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/754303036Mon, 03 Feb 2020 12:00:16 GMTAgencies are often said to have lost some of their edge, stuck between forever pitches and increasingly powerful media partners. In their effort to avoid hurting anybody, it can sometimes be difficult for them to express sharp opinions publicly, and by extension difficult for their employees - especially the contrarian ones. Is it possible for them to retain that edge and can we, as employees, play a role in retaining it?no00:20:20Have Agencies Become Too Vanilla In Their Opinions?full<![CDATA[Can Ad Agencies Still Build Differentiated Cultures?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-ad-agencies-still-build-differentiated-culturestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1531876468Tue, 06 Jun 2023 05:00:24 GMTAs talent ebbs and flows in incestuous fashion between agencies that are increasingly large in size and geographic footprint, establishing an agency culture seems like a rare oddity. How are agency cultures established, and how can they be built in this day and age?no00:23:17Can Ad Agencies Still Build Differentiated Cultures?full<![CDATA[How Do You Reconcile Your Ethics With The Clients You Work For?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-reconcile-your-ethics-with-the-clients-you-work-fortag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/852776680Mon, 06 Jul 2020 05:00:31 GMTWorking in the service industry means you don't always get to choose who you work for - or at least who your business works for. Equally, we may feel unable to express things publicly in fear of response, or simple respect for the colleagues we work with. Sometimes, it can be a dilemma, one that has no doubt been felt even more strongly in the last few weeks for some. Are there ways to navigate this better? Does your outlook change with experience? And when it really is difficult, is it better to keep fighting another day or to move on with thunderous statements?no00:25:05How Do You Reconcile Your Ethics With The Clients You Work For?full<![CDATA[Do You Need To Bullshit Your Way To Grow In A Career In Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/do-you-need-to-bullshit-your-way-to-grow-in-a-career-in-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/896499127Mon, 21 Sep 2020 05:00:48 GMTThe recruitment and promotion process in advertising tends to reward outlandish claims. Sometimes, fitting in the narrative of the moment can help fast forward one's ambitions. But is that really a requirement? Is there a role for honesty and provocations that go against the accepted norms?no00:24:34Do You Need To Bullshit Your Way To Grow In A Career In Advertising?full<![CDATA[How Can You Handle Difficult conversations With Your Teams And Clients? Alex Jamieson & Bob Gower]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-you-handle-difficult-conversations-with-your-teams-and-clients-alex-jamieson-bob-gowertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/864518707Mon, 27 Jul 2020 05:00:19 GMTWe're delighted to welcome Alexandra Jamieson and Bob Gower to discuss a massive challenge most of us have to deal with on a daily basis. Alex and Bob bring their years of expertise in organizational design and executive coaching to explain some of the discoveries they've made to get the most out of organization. In this episode, we talk a lot about creating safe spaces, taking the time to understand each other's personal context and aspirations, and some of the toxic behaviors we have ourselves been guilty of in our careers. To know more about their approach, you can pre-order their book "Radical Alignment: How to Have Game-Changing Conversations That Will Transform Your Business and Your Life" coming August 11 on https://radicalalignmentbook.com.no00:44:23How Can You Handle Difficult conversations With Your Teams And Clients? Alex Jamieson & Bob Gowerfull<![CDATA[Should Client Side Talents Be Paid More Than Their Agency Counterparts?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-client-side-jobs-be-paid-more-than-their-agency-counterpartstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1264546366Mon, 09 May 2022 05:00:13 GMTUnusual question? Well, apparently it's not an unusual assumption. Sometimes it's even a lamentation from clients: "how come do the people who work for me agency side are paid more than I am?" In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss whether this thinking has merit, what may be driving it, and also where it may be taking the service industry.no00:19:22Should Client Side Talents Be Paid More Than Their Agency Counterparts?full<![CDATA[Should Creative And Media Merge Back Together?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-creative-and-media-merge-back-togethertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/869506726Mon, 03 Aug 2020 17:46:20 GMTAlthough we take it for granted, the separation of media and creativity is actually still a somewhat recent structure in the history of advertising. As we see the lines between the two getting very blurry again, is there value in reuniting the two? And should strategy in particular be more integrated?no00:23:49Should Creative And Media Merge Back Together?full<![CDATA[Are Ad Agency Creatives Second Class Creatives?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-ad-agency-creatives-second-class-creativestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/925719079Mon, 09 Nov 2020 06:00:39 GMTIt's a recurring theme that if we were really good at what we do, we probably wouldn't be working in advertising - let alone in an ad agency. And so it's not unusual to hear the refrain that the best creatives tend to pursue a career in the arts, whereas less talented ones would go into advertising. So what two strategists have to say about it? Is it fair to the talent of ad creatives? Or is it just another example of our industry's inferiority complex?no00:23:03Are Ad Agency Creatives Second Class Creatives?full<![CDATA[Why Is "Marketing" Such A Dirty Word For Consumers?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-is-marketing-such-a-dirty-word-for-consumerstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1131806725Mon, 27 Sep 2021 11:28:30 GMT"It's marketing." Three words that are usually used to describe something that is not worthy of anyone's time, misleading, if not even manipulating. What went wrong?no00:24:23Why Is "Marketing" Such A Dirty Word For Consumers?full<![CDATA[Should You Have A College Degree To Work In Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-you-have-a-college-degree-to-work-in-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/750092359Mon, 27 Jan 2020 07:00:20 GMTPlenty of successful advertising professionals do not have academic marketing training. But while studying it is clearly not compulsory in order do well, are there good reasons to get a college degree for it? Rachel and Shann discuss their own experience and whether it's right to consider academic studies as dispensable.no00:19:02Should You Have A College Degree To Work In Advertising?full<![CDATA[What To Do When You're Feeling Burnt Out?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-to-do-when-youre-feeling-burnt-outtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/942592336Mon, 07 Dec 2020 06:00:45 GMTThis year certainly has taken its toll on many of us, often taking some to the point of exhaustion. In this episode, Rachel and Shann share their own experience, sometimes dealing with debilitating burnouts, what has helped them and what to do when the signs are showing.no00:22:13What To Do When You're Feeling Burnt Out?full<![CDATA[How Do You Switch From CSO To CEO? With Thas Naseemuddeen]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-switch-from-cso-to-ceo-with-thas-naseemuddeentag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/840102157Mon, 15 Jun 2020 05:01:20 GMTWe welcome the awesome Thas Naseemuddeen, CEO at Omelet in Los Angeles, to discuss her progression from Chief Strategist to Chief Executive. What is it like to switch responsibilities? Is it more stressful, and why? What does she love about it? How does she leave space for the strategy leads to define the strategic vision? Tune it to listen to one of the most inspiring strategists in the ad industry! Disclaimer: this episode was recorded prior to recent events and while it doesn't address some of themes that have grabbed recent headlines, Thas is a perfect reminder that we are a more vibrant and exciting industry when we embrace and promote the diversity of our talents.no00:32:17How Do You Switch From CSO To CEO? With Thas Naseemuddeenfull<![CDATA[What Would Happen If Regulators Blocked Ad Tracking Entirely?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-would-happen-if-regulators-blocked-ad-tracking-entirelytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1260655015Mon, 02 May 2022 05:00:23 GMTAd tracking has become one of the most common tools of "modern advertising". But as regulators start legislating more and more against it (and some big tech companies taking stances "protecting" us from it), one has to wonder, what will happen to the advertising industry? Do we go back to the bright ages of creativity? Do small businesses lose a key competitive advantage? Is it all a storm in a teacup anyway and we end up simply using contextual targeting?no00:23:08What Would Happen If Regulators Blocked Ad Tracking Entirely?full<![CDATA[Is Data Better To Validate Or To Inspire The Planning Process?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-data-better-to-validate-or-to-inspire-the-planning-processtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/721420750Mon, 02 Dec 2019 02:54:18 GMTSome planners like to trust their instinct and look for validations, others tend to trust the data first and then look for strategies to build on it. And since it's not really a dichotomy, many do a bit of both depending on the situation. This week, we explore the value in each approach and whether there might be different leanings towards validation or inspiration depending on different types of planners.no00:21:10Is Data Better To Validate Or To Inspire The Planning Process?full<![CDATA[Should The Business Model Of Agencies Radically Change?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-the-business-model-of-agencies-radically-changetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1269040321Mon, 16 May 2022 05:00:23 GMTAgencies' business model has often been debated, but rarely agreed upon. Is it even possible "radically" change it when virtually everything has been tested yet? This week, Rachel and Shann share their thoughts as agency co-founder and ex-agency people.no00:25:36Should The Business Model Of Agencies Radically Change?full<![CDATA[Can Advertising Survive The Possible Demise Of TV?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-127-can-advertising-survive-the-possible-demise-of-tvtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1256084329Mon, 25 Apr 2022 05:00:21 GMTWhile TV isn't dead (at least not yet), there has been a clear trend towards a diminishing inventory and massive changes in watching behaviors. With advertising being so heavily reliant (at least historically) on TV advertising, could that industry survive it, or are we headed towards mostly performance based advertising?no00:26:48Can Advertising Survive The Possible Demise Of TV?full<![CDATA[Is The Budget The Most Important Part Of The Brief?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-the-budget-the-most-important-part-of-the-brieftag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1291212124Tue, 21 Jun 2022 00:22:48 GMTSometimes, getting a budget out of a client is like pulling teeth. "Tell us a great idea, and we'll find the budget", we're often told. But in reality, budgets are rarely coming out of thin air, and play an important role in framing what's really possible. Does that mean they're an essential - if not the most important part of the brief?no00:21:31Is The Budget The Most Important Part Of The Brief?full<![CDATA[Does Web 3 Matter For Brands And Marketers? With Nilesh Ashra]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-114-does-web-3-matter-for-brands-and-marketers-with-nilesh-ashratag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1197705571Mon, 17 Jan 2022 06:00:28 GMTWeb 3 has been a buzzword of 2021, and as trends read are being rolled out, will no doubt be a feature of many outlooks. But is too early for brands to look at it, and will it really matter to marketers in the long term? To discuss this topic, we're joined by "technology meets brands" expert Nilesh Ashra, founder at Pragmatic Futurism and ex Director of Creative Technology at W+K.no00:39:18Does Web 3 Matter For Brands And Marketers? With Nilesh Ashrafull<![CDATA[Is AI Coming For Marketing Jobs?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-ai-coming-for-marketing-jobstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1450619500Tue, 21 Feb 2023 06:00:17 GMTIf ChatGPT can write better than a copywriter, are people going to lose their jobs? Or is AI going to be the new standard for mediocrity, bringing a golden age where we strive for more? This week we wonder how much AI will impact our jobs, in the short and long term.no00:23:09Is AI Coming For Marketing Jobs?full<![CDATA[150th Episode With Mark Pollard: What's Life Like After Leaving Ad Agencies?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/150th-episode-with-mark-pollard-whats-life-like-after-leaving-ad-agenciestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1356465076Tue, 04 Oct 2022 12:29:47 GMTBig milestones today: The Overthinkers turns 3 with this 150th episode, and marks its 200,000 listens to date. To celebrate, we bring the man that we pretty much owe this podcast to, Mark Pollard. Not only did he introduce us, he also inspired us to make our own thing. And this will be the topic this week - at some point all of us ask ourselves what life is like beyond the work we do in ad agencies. During this hour, we went pretty deep and personal about our fears, our joys, our stresses, and our achievements as the three of us took forks in our careers. This obviously comes from three strategists, but probably reflects a wider sentiment across other specialties. Thanks again for listening for all those years, and if you're new, welcome!no00:59:48150th Episode With Mark Pollard: What's Life Like After Leaving Ad Agencies?full<![CDATA[Every Plan Needs A Strategy, But Does Every Plan Need A Strategist?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/every-plan-needs-a-strategy-but-does-every-plan-need-a-strategisttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1251926095Mon, 18 Apr 2022 05:00:24 GMTStrategy might be too important to be left to the strategist. Does a "strategist" need them to champion - or even to formulate - it? Or is that more of a shared responsibility anyway? And if not, what would that say about the future of strategy as a profession?no00:21:44Every Plan Needs A Strategy, But Does Every Plan Need A Strategist?full<![CDATA[Has The Job Of Marketing Gotten Harder?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/has-the-job-of-marketing-gotten-hardertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1164344488Mon, 22 Nov 2021 06:00:39 GMTExplosion of the number of channels, huge diversification of skillsets, slow death of effectiveness measures... A lot has been said about marketing being harder than ever, but is that true? Are we not simply "tactifying" our profession while forgetting the enduring fundamentals?no00:23:14Has The Job Of Marketing Gotten Harder?full<![CDATA[How Do You Mentor A Strategist?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-mentor-a-strategisttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1160086876Mon, 15 Nov 2021 06:00:31 GMTAt some point in one's career, you'll be lucky enough to help mentor someone else. In this episode, Rachel and Shann share their experience and approach to mentoring others as they try to navigate the next phases of their career.no00:24:47How Do You Mentor A Strategist?full<![CDATA[Is Thought Leadership Part Of The Job For Strategists?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-thought-leadership-part-of-the-job-for-strategiststag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1338070489Tue, 06 Sep 2022 05:00:19 GMTWords and opinion play an important part in strategy, and it's not uncommon to see strategists writing, recording or presenting their thinking. Many famed strategists are regular contributors, and would qualify as thought leaders. But does that mean thought leadership is part of the job description?no00:22:08Is Thought Leadership Part Of The Job For Strategists?full<![CDATA[Can You Be Good At Things You Don't Personally Enjoy?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-you-be-good-at-things-you-dont-personally-enjoytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1457130493Tue, 28 Feb 2023 06:00:20 GMTWhether it's working on a category you don't consume nor like, or doing tasks that aren't your cup of tea, is it still possible to be good at what you do? And is it even advisable?no00:19:50Can You Be Good At Things You Don't Personally Enjoy?full<![CDATA[Demographics Are Dead, Long Live The Demographics? With Farrah Bostic And Adam Pierno]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/demographics-are-dead-long-live-the-demographics-with-farrah-bostic-and-adam-piernotag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1402194565Tue, 03 Jan 2023 06:00:07 GMTJoined by Farrah Bostic and Adam Pierno, co-hosts of In The Demo, a podcast that looks at how cohorts of people are best researched, understood and addressed, we discussed the failures of the demographic segmentation and how to build marketing plans for more meaningful audience groups.no00:45:24Demographics Are Dead, Long Live The Demographics? With Farrah Bostic And Adam Piernofull<![CDATA[Why Are Most "Target Audiences" Wrongly Defined?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-are-most-target-audiences-wrongly-definedtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1295471164Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:53:11 GMTAudience definition is a core part of marketing. Unfortunately, in too many cases marketers end up with a poorly or outright wrong definition of their "target". A chance to address the problems with personas, over targeting, and the general lack of actionability behind most targeting exercises.no00:22:41Why Are Most "Target Audiences" Wrongly Defined?full<![CDATA[Is It Still Possible To Leave A Dan Wieden Level Legacy In Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-it-still-possible-to-leave-a-dan-wieden-level-legacy-in-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1360560034Tue, 11 Oct 2022 05:00:28 GMTWith the recent passing of legendary ad-man and founder Dan Wieden, Rachel and Shann ask themselves what it would take for a contemporary ad-person to leave a mark as big as the likes of Widen and Kennedy did - and whether there even is someone with that profile right now. A chance to discuss how those kinds of legacies are created, and if they're even that necessary in the first place.no00:22:04Is It Still Possible To Leave A Dan Wieden Level Legacy In Advertising?full<![CDATA[Is Marketing Propaganda?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-marketing-propagandatag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1436188930Tue, 31 Jan 2023 06:00:28 GMTWe like to think our work is pretty harmless, but what if marketing was only a form of propaganda, not the other way around? Does that make us more likely to do bad things? Is it harder to do right? Classic overthinking episode this week!no00:24:38Is Marketing Propaganda?full<![CDATA[Is Strategic Planning Really Compatible With Remote Working?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-strategic-planning-really-compatible-with-remote-workingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1426159600Tue, 17 Jan 2023 13:01:34 GMTAlmost 3 years into the pandemic, we've had plenty of opportunity to shift our work to a remote approach. Clearly strategic planning has not ended, but does remote work make it harder, or less effective? Does it reduce the role of the planner in the process, or does it reinforce it?no00:25:51Is Strategic Planning Really Compatible With Remote Working?full<![CDATA[Should Companies Share Official Marketing Beliefs?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-companies-share-official-marketing-beliefstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1401776506Tue, 13 Dec 2022 12:21:20 GMTSome organisations have clear marketing guidelines and principles, others just go with the flow. Which ones are more likely to have an edge?no00:22:57Should Companies Share Official Marketing Beliefs?full<![CDATA[Can A Strategy Ever Be Really Unique Or Original?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-a-strategy-ever-be-really-unique-or-originaltag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1391592238Tue, 29 Nov 2022 06:30:03 GMTAre all strategy just replicas of existing ones? Is it even a necessary objective of strategy to be original in and of itself? And if not, does that mean the job of strategy could be easily automated?no00:22:27Can A Strategy Ever Be Really Unique Or Original?full<![CDATA[Is There An Ethical Dilemma Working In Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-4-is-there-an-ethical-dilemma-working-in-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/695674696Mon, 14 Oct 2019 20:18:09 GMTIn this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss the personal challenges and ethical decisions they and others have confronted when working in advertising.no00:19:16Is There An Ethical Dilemma Working In Advertising?full<![CDATA[Can Agencies Afford The Talent They Need?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-agencies-afford-the-talent-they-needtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1054177024Mon, 24 May 2021 06:30:00 GMTGetting the right talent is critical for an agency business. But it seems incredibly harder for them to attract and retain talent. In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss whether agencies can pay and reward their talent in a way that is competitive and attractive, but also some of the ways in which they could be a more talent centric approach to the way their do their business.no00:25:04Can Agencies Afford The Talent They Need?full<![CDATA[Is In-housing A Positive Trend For The Industry?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-in-housing-a-positive-trend-for-the-industrytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1000612978Mon, 08 Mar 2021 06:00:42 GMTIn-housing is a very common strategic shift for clients nowadays, and often seen as a risk to agencies. While it does have downsides in terms of immediate ownership and revenues, it's not necessarily a negative step for the ecosystem. In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss the good, the bad and the maybe sometimes ugly aspects of in-housing marketing services.no00:23:30Is In-housing A Positive Trend For The Industry?full<![CDATA[How Can We Continue To Push Ourselves And Our Clients In Addressing Racism?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/34-how-can-we-continue-to-push-ourselves-and-our-clients-in-addressing-racismtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/836008477Mon, 08 Jun 2020 05:00:38 GMTToday we take a bit more time than usual to reflect on some of the things we have seen, heard and sometimes learned over the last 2 weeks.no00:34:24How Can We Continue To Push Ourselves And Our Clients In Addressing Racism?full<![CDATA[How Can You Better Stand Out In Meetings?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-you-better-stand-out-in-meetingstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1430960803Tue, 24 Jan 2023 06:00:28 GMTStrategists are often introverts, and meetings can be harder to navigate - especially those large sessions with countless stakeholders. Are there ways to better stand out and say the right thing, at the right time?no00:23:11How Can You Better Stand Out In Meetings?full<![CDATA[What Fuck Ups Have You Learned From?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-fuck-ups-have-you-learned-fromtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1018129381Mon, 29 Mar 2021 05:00:29 GMTA slightly more personal than usual episode this week, where Rachel and Shann share some of the things they've fucked in their careers and what they've learned from it. As the self-aware, introspective superstar Rachel is, she did the the honours, while Shann was playing catch up trying to dig out all the wrongs he'd done.no00:26:37What Fuck Ups Have You Learned From?full<![CDATA[How Can Innovation Hurt Your Business?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-innovation-hurt-your-businesstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1102411729Mon, 09 Aug 2021 05:00:24 GMTInnovation is generally a good thing to stay ahead of the game, but in many instances it can have perverse effects on a business. This week, Rachel and Shann explore some of the things they have seen hurting businesses, from using the wrong KPIs to generate draining clutter for both your teams and your customers.no00:23:43How Can Innovation Hurt Your Business?full<![CDATA[Why Is The Advertising Industry Still So Dominated By Men?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-99-why-is-the-advertising-industry-still-so-dominated-by-mentag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1123621516Mon, 13 Sep 2021 05:00:37 GMTWell well well... This topic has been on the back of our minds for a little while. Our industry seems to be making progress, but for many it still rings hollow, and the mountain to climb still discouraging.no00:27:43Why Is The Advertising Industry Still So Dominated By Men?full<![CDATA[Should Brands Publicly Respond To Cultural Crises?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-brands-publicly-respond-to-cultural-crisestag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/921718768Mon, 02 Nov 2020 06:00:34 GMTAdvocates of brand purpose often treat as a given that brands should take a stance on cultural crises and the debates that stem from them. Sometimes brands are even blamed for not taking a more active voice. But is it really their place, and will brands really make that much of a difference? This week, Rachel and Shann discuss why it's important for marketers to keep track of what's happening in society, but might always be obligatory to be "part of the conversation".no00:27:31Should Brands Publicly Respond To Cultural Crises?full<![CDATA[Are Ad Agencies Equipped To Drive Digital Transformation? With Ana Milicevic]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-ad-agencies-equipped-to-drive-digital-transformation-with-ana-milicevictag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/812763565Mon, 04 May 2020 05:00:48 GMTThis week we bring special guest and digital transformation expert Ana Milicevic to discuss whether ad agencies may or may not be the place to look for digital transformation services. During this extended episode, we also touched on what kind of businesses were harder to transform, if we could see some big differences in capabilities across regions, and even whether it was still right to talk about digital transformation in a business world where everything already has a digital flavour?no00:37:52Are Ad Agencies Equipped To Drive Digital Transformation? With Ana Milicevicfull<![CDATA[Coping With COVID]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/coping-with-covidtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/782572159Tue, 24 Mar 2020 22:04:10 GMTA week into confinement in New York, Rachel and Shann discuss how their job as advertising strategists has been impacted so far, between client questions, big brand problems to answer and personal realities of working from home. This was also the first recording from a distance, so please excuse us for some of the sound mishaps, and the slight delay in getting this episode live. Take care and stay safe!no00:26:47Coping With COVIDfull<![CDATA[What Does Great Leadership Look Like?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-does-great-leadership-look-liketag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/938453584Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:00:52 GMTThis week, Rachel and Shann reflect on what has defined the better leaders in their careers, as well as the good, the bad and the not so pretty of their own trajectories as team leaders.no00:22:50What Does Great Leadership Look Like?full<![CDATA[Does Great Planning Always Need A Consumer Insight?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/does-great-planning-always-need-a-consumer-insighttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/700312294Tue, 22 Oct 2019 23:40:50 GMTIn this episode, Shann and Rachel explore the question: does great planning need a consumer insight? The nuance, of course, is specifically when and were "insight" is applied.no00:23:00Does Great Planning Always Need A Consumer Insight?full<![CDATA[How Do You Best Research The Questions That Matter? With the NonFiction team]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-best-research-the-questions-that-matter-with-the-nonfiction-teamtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1202683432Mon, 24 Jan 2022 14:15:38 GMTHint: it's not behind a computer screen. This week, we're delighted to bring you 3 brilliant people from Nonfiction, Lindsey Wehking, Gunny Scarfo and Ben Zeidler. They tell us about their unique approach(es) to getting to more insightful truths, from spending time actually meeting people to making them comfortable to answer unexpected questions. First and foremost, theirs is a call to get out of the cage we're all putting ourselves into so that we can get to the questions that really matter.no00:43:29How Do You Best Research The Questions That Matter? With the NonFiction teamfull<![CDATA[Can Ad Agencies Ever Be 9 To 5 Jobs?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-ad-agencies-ever-be-9-to-5-jobstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1369382986Tue, 25 Oct 2022 05:00:27 GMTLong working hours are often the norm in ad agencies - not that they're unique in that regard, but one thing people often describe after leaving them is a greater ease to balance things out. Can agencies get better at this - and should they?no00:22:17Can Ad Agencies Ever Be 9 To 5 Jobs?full<![CDATA[Can Brands Really Be Authentic?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-brands-really-be-authentictag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1441328206Tue, 07 Feb 2023 06:00:20 GMTAuthenticity seems to be on every CMO's lips. Apparently the new kids on the consumer block are obsessed with it. But is it really possible for a brand to be authentic? And is it even part of the contemporary brand's must haves? Let us overthink this!no00:20:00Can Brands Really Be Authentic?full<![CDATA[Will Calls To Boycott Hurt Bud Light?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/will-calls-to-boycott-hurt-bud-lighttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1498657651Tue, 25 Apr 2023 22:14:59 GMTBud Light experienced pretty severe backlash after putting the face of influencer Dylan Mulvaney on its cans (and on TikTok). As the brand tried to explore its new identity away from what it called "fratty humor", did they make a strategic mistake or were they just not prepared enough for what happened afterwards?no00:25:54Will Calls To Boycott Hurt Bud Light?full<![CDATA[How Do You Let Go And Let Others Progress Their Own Way?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-let-go-and-let-others-progress-their-own-waytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/881442034Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:00:00 GMTBeing able to provide direction is an essential skill for strategists. But it's at least as important to know when and how to let go - whether it's for other functions to take over, or while supervising someone else's work. In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss how they develop a more hands off approach to their work sometimes, even when it feels hard to let go.no00:27:23How Do You Let Go And Let Others Progress Their Own Way?full<![CDATA[Are Media Agencies Eating Creative Agencies' Lunch?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-media-agencies-eating-creative-agencies-lunchtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/913001488Mon, 19 Oct 2020 05:00:44 GMTThere is no denying the essential role of creativity in marketing. But there has been a lot of talk about the struggling health of creative shops over the last decade. Industry veterans like Martin Sorrell seem pretty convinced the future doesn't even require much of what used to define them in the past. Meanwhile, media agencies have been playing a bigger role in driving communications plans, often at a good intersection of data, media partnerships and production. But is there really a dynamic benefiting media over creative? And would that even be beneficial to our industry?no00:30:11Are Media Agencies Eating Creative Agencies' Lunch?full<![CDATA[Is The Trade Press A Source Of Truth, Or Hype? With Lara O'Reilley]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-the-trade-press-a-source-of-truth-or-hype-with-lara-oreilleytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/933134560Mon, 23 Nov 2020 06:00:23 GMTThis week we are joined by the awesome Lara O'Reilley, Media and Advertising Editor at Business Insider, and started the discussion with a very loaded question: considering how much the trade press is a representation of our industry, is it acting more as a source of truth that calls out the bullshit, or a source of hype that perpetuates it? A chance to also discuss how to get yourself spotted by editors, and whether there is a space for more opinionated coverage of our industry!no00:42:50Is The Trade Press A Source Of Truth, Or Hype? With Lara O'Reilleyfull<![CDATA[What To Do When You Don't Feel Fulfilled In Your Job?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-to-do-when-you-dont-feel-fulfilled-in-your-jobtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/746151076Mon, 20 Jan 2020 07:00:30 GMTThe lack of fulfilment at work is one of the most common complaints we hear from strategists. Reflecting on our own experience as well as many of the stories (and recommendations) we have heard over the years, we ask ourselves what steps one can take when fulfilment becomes a source of intense dissatisfaction. And yes, whether it can really be achieved...no00:19:54What To Do When You Don't Feel Fulfilled In Your Job?full<![CDATA[Can Marketers Be Good At All Forms Of Advertising?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-marketers-be-good-at-all-forms-of-advertisingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1567635046Tue, 18 Jul 2023 05:00:20 GMTBrand, performance, social, programmatic, CRM, influencer, sponsoring, media, creative... There is a myriad of specialties in the world of advertising, and marketers are increasingly expected to be able to navigate any of them. Is it possible for them to be good at both the long and the short of it?no00:21:00Can Marketers Be Good At All Forms Of Advertising?full<![CDATA[Is The Client Always Right?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-the-client-always-righttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/671445584Mon, 26 Aug 2019 22:54:49 GMTIn this first episode, Rachel and Shann discuss the client relationship, whether the client is always right, and how to handle it when they're not.no00:18:11Is The Client Always Right?full<![CDATA[How Do You Collaborate As An Introvert? With Tom Goodwin And Mark Pollard]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-collaborate-as-an-introvert-with-tom-goodwin-and-mark-pollardtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/769028467Mon, 02 Mar 2020 07:00:20 GMTThis week we have a special (and longer) episode with two of our favorite people, Mark Pollard and Tom Goodwin, discussing our respective experiences as introverts in an industry where collaboration is essential.no00:37:47How Do You Collaborate As An Introvert? With Tom Goodwin And Mark Pollardfull<![CDATA[How Do You Delegate Strategic Thinking?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-delegate-strategic-thinkingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/942591100Tue, 15 Dec 2020 06:00:10 GMTIt's often hard for strategist to let others run their course. Put two strategists on a project, and you're likely to see two diverging views of how to get there. So how do you find ways to not only delegate, but also inspire others' thinking? And how to handle it when what you get is not what you think is right? This will be our last episode for the year, as we take a break. Wishing you all happy holidays and see you in the new year!no00:22:11How Do You Delegate Strategic Thinking?full<![CDATA[Ad-Supported Or Subscription Model, Which Will Win?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/ad-supported-or-subscription-model-which-will-wintag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1520100553Tue, 23 May 2023 05:00:28 GMTFor a while, subscription models were all the rage. Now, ad-supported is making a comeback. Is one better than the other, and what considerations should businesses take before going for one or the other (or, both)?no00:18:33Ad-Supported Or Subscription Model, Which Will Win?full<![CDATA[Can Social Media Platforms Outlive The Generation That Defined Them?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-social-media-platforms-outlive-the-generation-that-defined-themtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1593303321Tue, 22 Aug 2023 04:59:59 GMTSocial Media platforms are often put on the map by (young) generations, but ageing with them seems to prove a difficult exercise. Does that generational gap make it harder, and what might allow them more trans-generational success?no00:22:48Can Social Media Platforms Outlive The Generation That Defined Them?full<![CDATA[How To Deal With Your Own Sense Of Mediocrity?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-to-deal-with-your-own-sense-of-mediocritytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/929967910Mon, 16 Nov 2020 06:00:41 GMTFacing the reality of one's own mediocrity can sometimes be daunting, if not crippling. But caught between honesty and imposter syndrome, dealing with it head on can be a useful way to mature in your career. Sometimes it can mean working it out and getting ready to learn again, others it may simply mean realising imperfection is not a fatal flaw - just a normal one.no00:19:38How To Deal With Your Own Sense Of Mediocrity?full<![CDATA[What Makes A Good Brief?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-makes-a-good-brieftag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1143479524Mon, 25 Oct 2021 05:00:02 GMTGetting the right client brief can be really hard. A recent study showed that 90% of agencies were not being briefed properly. So outside of a better template (where most companies seem to start), what do we think makes a brief good?no00:22:44What Makes A Good Brief?full<![CDATA[How To Build The Confidence To Shape A Strategic POV?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-build-the-confidence-to-shape-a-strategic-povtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1027331812Mon, 12 Apr 2021 05:00:31 GMTComing at a problem with a sharp point of view can be daunting. Between the egos of the people you work for and your own insecurities, overcoming that can require leaps of faith and efforts that are hard or discouraging. Likewise, we have to establish the role of leaders to set a culture that welcomes points of view, and what it means to delegate.no00:24:38How To Build The Confidence To Shape A Strategic POV?full<![CDATA[Is Data Driven Marketing The Future Or The Hill Our Industry Will Die On?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-data-driven-marketing-the-future-or-the-hill-our-industry-will-die-ontag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1093977394Mon, 02 Aug 2021 05:00:04 GMTMost modern marketing is obsessed with data, and "data-driven" marketing has often been pegged as the future of our industry (and generally, still is). But there have been many voices clashing with this certainty that being data-driven was the only way forward for our practice. As a matter of fact, could this be the hill on which marketing loses one of its superpowers?no00:28:11Is Data Driven Marketing The Future Or The Hill Our Industry Will Die On?full<![CDATA[Are Industry Accolades Worth Anything Anymore?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-industry-accolades-worth-anything-anymoretag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/985617082Mon, 15 Feb 2021 06:00:42 GMTLet's be honest, we all love to be rewarded. But between the number of disciplines in major awards and the proliferation of xx over/under xx, the sheer volume over awards is skyrocketing. Is there still any value in them? Or are we all a bit too cynical for our own good?no00:20:37Are Industry Accolades Worth Anything Anymore?full<![CDATA[Are Brands Fucking Up Their Response To COVID19?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-brands-fucking-up-their-response-to-covid19tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/802609309Mon, 20 Apr 2020 06:00:43 GMTA few weeks into the crisis, brands have started responding en force. While marketers are all walking a fine line, are they going too far, or landing on the so obvious they become trite and undifferentiated? And are they cutting budgets with a machete when they should be cutting with a scalpel?no00:24:16Are Brands Fucking Up Their Response To COVID19?full<![CDATA[Is A Strong Leader Story Essential To Build Powerful New Brands?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-a-strong-leader-story-essential-to-build-powerful-new-brandstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1231565494Mon, 14 Mar 2022 05:00:27 GMTStrong leaders/founders can often shape the future of brands - Steve Jobs and Apple, Elon Musk and Tesla etc. In recent years, we've also seen the explosion of major content creators and influencers able to give brands some wings. Is this becoming the new playbook? And with a media world fragmenting and revolving more and more around people, should we expect it to be essential for brands building?no00:23:51Is A Strong Leader Story Essential To Build Powerful New Brands?full<![CDATA[How Can We Do Better To Support Black Communities In The Ad Industry? With Cole Habersham]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-can-we-do-better-to-support-black-communities-in-the-ad-industry-with-cole-habershamtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/831877939Mon, 01 Jun 2020 05:00:47 GMTWe are joined by Cole Habersham, account manager at Droga 5 and contributing writer for ADCOLOR, to discuss the tragic events and escalation of the last few days in America. As we all face the reality that the message Black Lives Matter is as important as ever, we explain what's happening, how it may impact some of our friends and colleagues, but also the reality that we all have a role to play to make things better - as friends, colleagues, corporations and brands.no00:39:27How Can We Do Better To Support Black Communities In The Ad Industry? With Cole Habershamfull<![CDATA[Is Purchase Based Behavior The Future Of Consumer Segmentation? With Anil Malhotra]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-purchase-based-behavior-the-future-of-consumer-segmentation-with-anil-malhotratag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1072542496Mon, 21 Jun 2021 05:00:39 GMTConsumer segmentation can be a dangerous exercise - get it wrong and your strategy could completely fall apart, going after the wrong kinds of consumers or simply impractical. Coupled with digital means of targeting, and it can also lead businesses to buying against the wrong people in media. This week, we're joined by Anil Malhotra from ad-tech company Bango, exploring the virtues (and limits) of purchase based segmentations.no00:37:44Is Purchase Based Behavior The Future Of Consumer Segmentation? With Anil Malhotrafull<![CDATA[What Is It Like To Do Strategic Planning For An Entertainment Company? With Zoe Scaman]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-is-it-like-to-do-strategic-planning-for-an-entertainment-company-with-zoe-scamantag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/826682245Mon, 25 May 2020 05:00:23 GMTThis week we are joined by special guest Zoe Scaman, a brilliant London based strategist trained in ad agencies and who is now working for Oscar winning filmmaker Ridley Scott's Creative Group. The occasion to find out more about what it's like working in the star studded entertainment industry, what skills she was able to transfer there, but also what she thinks the ad industry could learn from the entertainment world - among many other questions!no00:40:09What Is It Like To Do Strategic Planning For An Entertainment Company? With Zoe Scamanfull<![CDATA[How Do You Stop Yourself From Overthinking Things?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/overthinkers-85-how-do-you-stop-yourself-from-overthinking-thingstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1063292515Mon, 07 Jun 2021 05:00:31 GMTSomewhat ironic question for a podcast called The Overthinkers... But often a real issue for strategists, who can easily get trapped in always wanting to add nuance to their thinking - sometimes at the cost of action. In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss how they try to stay in control of it, and how they try to manage it with others.no00:21:47How Do You Stop Yourself From Overthinking Things?full<![CDATA[Why Is It Hard For Ad Agencies To Get Credit For Their Work?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-is-it-hard-for-ad-agencies-to-get-credit-for-their-worktag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1223081440Sun, 27 Feb 2022 06:00:17 GMTOn the heels of the Coinbase turmoil that made some waves this week, we ask ourselves what has led us to this position where agencies struggle to get credit for their work - and often struggle to even be seen as a valuable actor in the advertising industry?no00:23:28Why Is It Hard For Ad Agencies To Get Credit For Their Work?full<![CDATA[Culture Vs Behavior, What Is More Important For Strategy?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/culture-vs-behavior-what-is-more-important-for-strategytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/808137181Mon, 27 Apr 2020 11:57:10 GMTRob Campbell recently made the provocation that he "would rather understand the culture of a category than know the behaviours of the category". This week, Rachel and Shann discussed how much they agreed (or disagreed) with that statement. Is there really such a hierarchy in the kind of insight we use? Are creative and media planners impacted the same? And is the role of planning meant to be so centred on culture?no00:21:04Culture Vs Behavior, What Is More Important For Strategy?full<![CDATA[How Do You Deal With Underperformers In Your Team?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-do-you-deal-with-underperformers-in-your-teamtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1106544193Mon, 23 Aug 2021 05:00:15 GMTHaving to deal with underperformers is a reality for all leaders at some point in their career. What approaches work best, and how can the event be used as a constructive step for the talent in question?no00:22:53How Do You Deal With Underperformers In Your Team?full<![CDATA[Do Strategists Work In An Ivory Tower?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/do-strategists-work-in-an-ivory-towertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/822564961Mon, 18 May 2020 05:00:43 GMTBecause strategist don't really produce anything that is tangibly seen by the consumers, it is sometimes heard that there is a tendency for strategists do work in their own bubble. This can of course be a problem both in terms of collaboration with other teams, but also because strategists are tasked with helping understand the reality of consumers and the world they live in. Is the issue really that common, are there sometimes good reasons behind it, and how can strategists get down from their ivory tower if they ever get stuck up there?no00:21:00Do Strategists Work In An Ivory Tower?full<![CDATA[Is There Such A Thing As A Perfect Strategy?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-perfect-strategytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/861045523Mon, 20 Jul 2020 05:00:30 GMTFaris Yakob likes to remind us that the pursuit of strategy is to turn uncertainty into risk. In our efforts to manage risks, we can oftentimes get caught up in an endeavour to find the optimal solution and direction, as if there was one right way competing with a lot of sub-optimal - or even wrong - directions. The question often isn't wether it's achievable but whether this ambition can have perverse side effects.no00:22:02Is There Such A Thing As A Perfect Strategy?full<![CDATA[Why Are So Many Celebrated Campaigns One Trick Poneys]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-are-so-many-celebrated-campaigns-one-trick-poneystag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1155658447Mon, 08 Nov 2021 06:00:34 GMTAward season is very fond of breakthrough campaigns. But somehow, those are very rarely followed by similarly inspiring ideas. They come and go, and what was the talk of town ends up catching dust on shelves. Why is that? Are marketers lying about their effectiveness? Incapable of striking gold twice? Or endlessly chasing the new?no00:21:42Why Are So Many Celebrated Campaigns One Trick Poneysfull<![CDATA[Is The Ad Agency Structure Holding Back Creative Work?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-the-ad-agency-structure-holding-back-creative-worktag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1281645571Mon, 06 Jun 2022 05:00:24 GMTToday, listener Matt Jukes asks us whether the legacy agency structures (suits&amp;creatives, art directors &amp; copywriters etc) was holding back creative work. As ever it likely depends, but coming on the heels of a very inspiring episode with the folks at Maximum Effort, we definitely think it's a question worth discussing.no00:23:19Is The Ad Agency Structure Holding Back Creative Work?full<![CDATA[Is Moving At The Speed Of Culture Worth It? With Maximum Effort]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-moving-at-the-speed-of-culture-worth-it-with-maximum-efforttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1278471007Tue, 31 May 2022 11:31:58 GMTWhen Ryan Reynolds got into the world of advertising with Maximum Effort, a whirlwind of exciting campaigns started to pop - starting with his own Aviation and Mint Mobile ventures, or working with client brands like Peloton (recently reacting to the death of Big in record time). We're joined by two brilliant strategists at the heart of the company, James Toney and John Deschner who tell us more about what it's like to work on big ideas that can be executed in 48 hours, how it pays off, and what it takes to deliver them - with or without Ryan Reynolds in the mix.no00:42:40Is Moving At The Speed Of Culture Worth It? With Maximum Effortfull<![CDATA[Can The Metaverse And Web3 Hype Survive A Recession? With Zoe Scaman]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-the-metaverse-and-web3-hype-survive-a-recession-with-zoe-scamantag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1286260594Mon, 13 Jun 2022 05:00:37 GMTRecessions have a tendency to burst bubbles. And while the jury's still out, there sure has been a lot of hype around the future of the metaverse or Web3. This week, Rachel and Shann are joined by Zoe Scaman, founder of Bodacious and co-founder of Marc Cuban Experiments (MCX), to discuss whether there is more to the hype, and how companies might separate the wheat from the chaff.no00:45:25Can The Metaverse And Web3 Hype Survive A Recession? With Zoe Scamanfull<![CDATA[Why Is Mediocrity So Common In Marketing?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/why-is-mediocrity-so-common-in-marketingtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1273326880Mon, 23 May 2022 05:00:39 GMTLet's face it, most of marketing is pretty mediocre. There's a reason people decide it is worth blocking altogether when they have the chance or technical resources. But why is that? Is it a lack of ambition? Guts? Or maybe a remnant of something that might have worked in the past?no00:22:07Why Is Mediocrity So Common In Marketing?full<![CDATA[Are Porfolio Schools Still Worth It To Pivot Your Career?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/are-porfolio-schools-still-worth-it-to-pivot-your-careertag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1247752024Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:00:28 GMTPortfolio schools have proven effective at giving many people the chance to learn practical (and sellable) skills that made them ready to join advertising teams. But in light of the news that Creative Circus will be closing at the end of the year, we asked ourselves whether those curriculums were still relevant, or whether this may be the first domino to fall?no00:21:21Are Porfolio Schools Still Worth It To Pivot Your Career?full<![CDATA[Is Attention Necessary For Marketing To Work? With Pranav Yadav]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/is-attention-necessary-for-marketing-to-work-with-pranav-yadavtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1446329674Tue, 14 Feb 2023 06:00:45 GMTAttention has (finally?) become a key topic in advertising over the last few years, inserting itself in the media debates around viewability. But before we start trading it, what exactly is attention, and is it really necessary for advertising to work? We're joined by Pranav Yadav, CEO of Neuro-Insights, who shares his perspective from the vantage point of neuro science and what happens in the brain.no00:44:55Is Attention Necessary For Marketing To Work? With Pranav Yadavfull<![CDATA[Should Marketers Have A Good Understanding Of Economics?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-marketers-have-a-good-understanding-of-economicstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1320001717Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:45:23 GMTEconomics are rarely part of the marketing curriculum. And yet economics inevitably play a role in how the markets we operate in behave. Does that mean marketers should be well tuned to economics (macro or micro)? And if yes, what kind of sources can they tap into to familiarise themselves with economic dynamics?no00:17:50Should Marketers Have A Good Understanding Of Economics?full<![CDATA[What Do The Layoffs In Tech Signal To The Marketing Industry?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-do-the-layoffs-in-tech-signal-to-the-marketing-industrytag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1387585837Tue, 22 Nov 2022 06:00:19 GMTWith layoffs sending shockwaves in the tech sector, what does that signal for the marketing industry? Are we likely to see problems, or could this be a welcome reprieve after years of those companies draining the talent pool?no00:24:22What Do The Layoffs In Tech Signal To The Marketing Industry?full<![CDATA[If Change Is A Constant, Why Do Most Transformations Fail?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/if-change-is-a-constant-why-do-most-transformations-failtag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1474133701Tue, 21 Mar 2023 15:02:28 GMTWe know how important business transformation is in consulting circles - it's on everyone's lips and every 10K filling. Considering how much change happens around us, it seems it would be a natural state of being, and yet, most times it's just a failure. Why is it so hard to transform when change is the norm? Note: apologies for Shann's audio track, it seems something went a little wrong during the recording!no00:19:51If Change Is A Constant, Why Do Most Transformations Fail?full<![CDATA[How To Turn Complexity Into A Strategic Advantage? Steve McCrone]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/how-to-turn-complexity-into-a-strategic-advantage-steve-mccronetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1345383826Tue, 20 Sep 2022 05:00:14 GMTBusiness leaders often struggle to embrace complexity, and certainly have a fear of uncertainty. In this episode, Steve McCrone tells us more about how embracing those could be turned into strategic advantage.no00:41:11How To Turn Complexity Into A Strategic Advantage? Steve McCronefull<![CDATA[Should Clients Be Accountable For Agency Talent Retention?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/should-clients-be-accountable-for-agency-talent-retentiontag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1329673618Tue, 30 Aug 2022 05:00:08 GMTSome accounts are infamous for making it hard to attract or retain talent. In many instances, broken relationships between those and their agencies can lead to job dissatisfaction, burn out etc. Does this mean clients have a responsibility to play in talent retention - and thus should they be held accountable for it?no00:20:21Should Clients Be Accountable For Agency Talent Retention?full<![CDATA[Does Pre-Testing Kill Good Ideas?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/does-pre-testing-kill-good-ideastag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1298133394Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:00:27 GMTWe take a question from listener Lexie Perez this week. Creative testing has been the bane of many creatives' existence. Too soon, too biased, too incomplete, too limiting, too vanilla... At the same time, for many companies millions of dollars are at stake, and few would want to take stabs in the dark. So is creative testing (and pre-testing in particular) harmful for great creativity?no00:21:03Does Pre-Testing Kill Good Ideas?full<![CDATA[What Are The Differences Between Client And Agency Side?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-are-the-differences-between-client-and-agency-sidetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1376419210Tue, 08 Nov 2022 06:00:05 GMTA lot of people make the switch from one side to the other. In this episode, Rachel and Shann share their experience working across both sides of the pond - and touch on the blending of in-house agencies.no00:24:49What Are The Differences Between Client And Agency Side?full<![CDATA[Amazon, Friend Or Foe For Brands?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/amazon-friend-or-foe-for-brandstag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/724216198Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:00:03 GMTWith Nike recently pulling out, some brands are asking themselves (again) whether Amazon is the right place for them. Despite the e-commerce giant's prowess, the reality is that it's not always easy to deliver the desired experience, and Amazon themselves tend to compete directly with the very brands they want to attract. So, friend or foe?no00:21:28Amazon, Friend Or Foe For Brands?full<![CDATA[Aviation Gin, Burger King... Marketing Genius Or Failure?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/aviation-gin-burger-king-marketing-genius-or-failuretag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/724214908Mon, 09 Dec 2019 06:00:23 GMTA lot of advertisers are being celebrated for their unorthodox stunts, whether Burger King going after McDonald's, or very recently Aviation Gin laughing in Peloton's face. Is this something we should celebrate, or are we just judging within our own ad bubble?no00:21:52Aviation Gin, Burger King... Marketing Genius Or Failure?full<![CDATA[What Went Wrong With Twitter Blue?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/what-went-wrong-with-twitter-bluetag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1489504543Tue, 11 Apr 2023 05:00:36 GMTTwitter Blue has not been the success Elon Musk needed to defend the value of the social media giant - at least not yet. What has been plaguing it, and does it have a path forward?no00:21:16What Went Wrong With Twitter Blue?full<![CDATA[Do Brands With Purpose Really Manage To Shift Perception?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/do-brands-with-purpose-really-manage-to-shift-perceptiontag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1239987940Mon, 28 Mar 2022 06:00:24 GMTPurpose (the "making society better" kind) has been hailed as a great booster for business. While the practice is likely valuable, do we really see difference between brands that have a strong purpose and those that do not? In this episode, we talk about the way purpose influences reputation, perception, and maybe business results.no00:20:48Do Brands With Purpose Really Manage To Shift Perception?full<![CDATA[Can A Good Brand Save A Bad Product?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-a-good-brand-save-a-bad-producttag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1012558054Mon, 22 Mar 2021 05:00:29 GMTBrands are often accused of putting glitter on a shit product. But is it really that simple? Are brands able to excuse poor quality? And vice versa, could a bad brand sink a good product?no00:23:18Can A Good Brand Save A Bad Product?full<![CDATA[Can A Brand Grow Without Paid Media?]]>https://soundcloud.com/user-736920763-557615485/can-a-brand-grow-without-paid-mediatag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/1342795477Tue, 13 Sep 2022 05:00:20 GMTIs paid advertising the mark of unremarkable brands? Or is it an essential step to grow into a big brand?no00:21:10Can A Brand Grow Without Paid Media?full