Join Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy and behavioral science expert, as he brings his unique wit and unconventional ideas to the discussion. He argues that marketing holds the key to economic growth, likening it to a casino rather than a science. Rory shares insights on leveraging competitors' weaknesses, reflects on his TikTok fame, and discusses the psychological intricacies of consumer behavior. Expect a mix of humor and thought-provoking anecdotes that reveal how effective marketing can drive innovation and change.
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insights INSIGHT
Marketing's Role in Growth
Economic growth may be fueled by marketing and salesmanship, not just invention.
Inventors like Edison and Jobs were great marketers, persuading people to embrace new things.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Hidden Housing Supply
Many homeowners would sell if presented with an attractive offer but hesitate to list.
Rory Sutherland suggests a system where all homes are technically on the market.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Value of Slow Marketing
Slow down AI adoption in marketing; the process of creating ads is valuable.
Rushing to quick, cheap results can undermine strategic thinking.
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The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
Will Guidara
In 'Unreasonable Hospitality,' Will Guidara shares his experiences as the General Manager of Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad, highlighting the importance of hospitality in any business. The book emphasizes that simply offering a great product is not enough; organizations must also focus on creating authentic connections and memorable experiences for both customers and employees. Guidara provides practical advice on setting expectations, managing teams, and adapting to unexpected situations, all while maintaining a commitment to hospitality that goes beyond mere service. His approach is applicable across various industries, not just limited to restaurants and luxury businesses.
Alchemy
The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business and Life
Rory Sutherland
In this book, Rory Sutherland explores the art and science of creating magic in brands, business, and life. He combines scientific research with entertaining stories and case studies from his career, including campaigns for AmEx and Microsoft. Sutherland emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior, highlighting how decisions are often influenced by subtle external signals rather than objective qualities. The book challenges traditional marketing strategies by advocating for a more holistic and creative approach, using techniques such as storytelling, social proof, and framing to influence consumer decisions. It also explores how these principles can be applied to various social aims beyond just selling products.
Fluke
Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters
Brian Klaas
The design of business
The design of business
Roger Martin
The Unaccountability Machine
Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions - and How The World Lost its Mind
Dan Davies
In 'The Unaccountability Machine', Dan Davies explores why large systems, including markets, institutions, and governments, often produce outcomes that no one intends. He draws on the work of Stafford Beer, a pioneer in management cybernetics, to explain how organizations can be seen as artificial intelligences making decisions independent of their members' intentions. Davies critiques the current state of management and economic systems, highlighting the concept of 'accountability sinks' where negative feedback is ignored, and discusses the consequences of these systemic failures, including the 2008 financial crisis. The book is a blend of part-biography and part-political thriller, offering a compelling narrative on the need for better accountability and decision-making processes.
Fooled by randomness
the hidden role of chance in life and in the markets
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
In 'Fooled by Randomness', Nassim Nicholas Taleb discusses the pervasive influence of chance and randomness in our lives and financial markets. The book argues that humans tend to underestimate the role of luck and overestimate the role of skill, leading to biases such as hindsight bias, survivorship bias, and the narrative fallacy. Taleb emphasizes the importance of recognizing and coping with uncertainty, and he critiques the tendency to seek deterministic explanations for random events. The book is part of Taleb's Incerto series, which also includes 'The Black Swan', 'The Bed of Procrustes', 'Antifragile', and 'Skin in the Game'.
Rory Sutherland returns to the Uncensored CMO podcast, tackling the economic crisis with his signature wit and wisdom. As ever, he offers a refreshingly unconventional perspective on the world’s biggest problems — and marketing’s role in solving them.
In this episode, Rory explores why marketing is more like a casino than a science, how to capitalise on your competitors’ blind spots, and what his unexpected TikTok fame has taught him. Expect laughs, left-field insights, and the kind of brilliantly bizarre anecdotes only Rory can deliver.
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Are we looking in the wrong place for growth? 05:33 - Should we slow down our adoption of AI? 09:08 - What marketers and the police have in common 14:40 - Marketing is a casino 17:42 - The most transformative behavioural science insights 19:47 - Take what your competition are doing badly and double down on it 26:20 - Fame is a luck multiplier 32:43 - Why AO add bears to every order 37:19 - How Rory would boost growth in the economy? 47:13 - What has Rory been profoundly wrong about and why
Uncensored CMO 
