Strategy Sessions

Dave Birss is an educator, a recovering creative director and man used to spelling his last name over the phone. In this episode we discuss: Why producing unique work is hard What a creative director really does How Dave became a leading voice in AI Where AI can really help companies Where AI shouldn’t be used Why Dave won’t ever be employed by the Belfast Tourist Board Recommendations Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us by Daniel Pink Dave’s LinkedIn Learning courses Dave's books Dave Birss Dave Birss has quickly established himself as the top AI instructor on LinkedIn Learning. His first AI course on the platform has attracted over 100,000 students and receives rave reviews daily. Beyond teaching, Dave advises numerous companies on practical AI implementation, including leading Fortune 500 firms. He has launched the Sensible AI Manifesto to provide organizations of all sizes with guidance on incorporating generative AI into their activities in the most effective ways. In addition to his AI expertise, Dave is an acclaimed author, speaker, and broadcaster on the topics of innovation, creativity, and ideation. He speaks professionally at events around the world, wowing audiences with his insights and humour. Dave has authored several bestselling books dissecting the creative process, including “How To Get To Great Ideas,” “A User Guide To The Creative Mind,” “Friction,” and “Iconic Advantage.” Find them all here. His upcoming book will focus on applied AI. Dave has taught university courses on multiple continents, from Singapore to Santiago and New York to Newcastle. He is an occasional broadcaster, having written, directed and presented the 6-part TV series “The Day Before Tomorrow” in the UK. Dave also wrote and presented the world’s first Virtual Reality history documentary “Secret Spaces.” And he has lent his expert commentary to news programs on the BBC and Channel 5. With his prolific output across books, courses, speaking, advising, and broadcasting, Dave Birss has established himself as a leading global authority at the intersection of creativity, innovation, and AI. He’s currently working on more courses, a video series, a couple of books and releases content on an almost daily basis. Find Dave on LinkedIn or at DaveBirss.com Host - Andi Jarvis If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating.

Ikram Mohideen is the Chief Strategy Officer at Shift Integrated, an independent agency in Sri Lanka. In this episode we discuss: Why quant doesn’t tell you everything The importance of testing and radical thinking Focus on effectiveness Marketing and advertising in a difficult economic climate Lessons from judging awards Does positioning exist Recommendations LondonSEOXL ⁠ - use code Andi20 to get 20% off a ticket Good Strategy / Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt Social Class in the 21st Century by Mike Savage The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable Paperback by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Other links James Hayhurst on agency client relationships JP Castlin on why language matters in marketing Ikram Mohideen Ikram currently leads strategy at Shift Integrated – an independent, fully-fledged creative agency based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. At Shift he is the custodian of the “effectiveness culture”, focused on creating a culture that combines rigour, creativity, and data, to help make work that really works. He previously worked at Nielsen in consumer insights, specializing in brand equity research, and afterwards at Leo Burnett, helping to grow brands in CPG, telco, banking, finance, and real estate. Working together with clients and research partners, he is currently engaged in establishing a brand and advertising strategy practice built upon marketing science. Find Ikram on LinkedIn Strategy Sessions Host - Andi Jarvis If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating. Find the full audio transcription here: https://eximomarketingstrategy.com/focus-on-effectiveness-with-ikram-mohideen-strategy-sessions-podcast/

James Hayhurst is former MD of Leagas Delaney, Global Brand Equity Director for OMO/Persil at Unilever and the Founder of the Magic Sauce Course. In this episode we discuss: What makes great creative Why the agency / client relationship break down The importance of talking to your customers The Parents Promise LondonSEOXL ⁠ - use code Andi20 to get 20% off a ticket How Brands Grow by Bryon Sharp James started his career agency-side BMP DDB (now Adam&Eve DDB) as a grad trainee. During his time there he worked on award-winning campaigns for Volkswagen, Channel 4 and the Teacher Training Agency amongst many other UK and international clients. In 2012 James joined Leagas Delaney as Managing Director running the London office, and managing brands including Glenfiddich, Patek Philippe and Timberland. James decided to try his hand at client-side marketing by joining Unilever in October 2014 as the Global Brand Equity director for OMO/Persil, Unilever's third biggest brand and sold in 80 countries globally. James was attracted by the brand positioning of Dirt is Good and Unilever's commitment to sustainable living and during his four years James helped position the brand as one of Unilever's fastest growing purposeful brands. Whilst there James was struck by what he 'didn't know he didn't know' when he'd been an agency MD about client culture and decision making. He also began to appreciate how alien agency culture appeared to many clients, and that they hadn't been given the instruction manual of how to 'operate' their agencies. There was an empathy gap on both sides that needed bridging.  The Magic Sauce Programme was the result. The Magic Sauce programme helps clients and agencies to work more effectively, efficiently, enjoyably and profitably together.  It does this by improving the understanding and importance of relationship dynamics, communication and wider team chemistry.  It also offers a behaviour change and measurement framework to improve relationship quality over time. Find James on LinkedIn or visit the website https://magicsaucecourse.co.uk/ If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating. RecommendationsJames HayhurstStrategy Sessions Host - Andi Jarvis

Lidia Infante, Head of SEO at SurveyMonkey, brings over a decade of marketing expertise to the table. She dives into fascinating parallels between dating and marketing strategies, discussing how emotional triggers can transform dating experiences. Lidia humorously recounts a disastrous date, emphasizing the importance of personal safety and consent. The conversation also explores the complexities of modern dating apps, offering tips on personal branding while navigating relationships, and suggests viewing love through a business lens for deeper insights.

Catherine is a long time listener to the Strategy Sessions and good friend. It’s an honour to hand over the reigns for this episode – the first I don’t feature on! – to Catherine. In this episode we discuss the highlights from the episodes featuring Aleya Harris, Geraldine DeRuiter and Emma Mallett that made up the Women’s History Month Mini Series. Catherine McKernan Catherine is an accomplished marketing professional with over 10 years’ experience across the manufacturing, engineering and hospitality industries. She’s currently the Marketing Manager for the Galgorm Collection – the premium hotel group from Northern Ireland. Catherine is highly strategic with a creative mind, who matches her marketing skills with empathy and a calm composure that gets the most out of her team. You’ll often find Catherine with a book, writing, baking or at a gig. Find Catherine on LinkedIn. Andi Jarvis If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating.

Emma Mallett is in marketing and business development for a B Corp. She also helps young marketers build a career, via her Concrete Club platform and podcast. In this episode we discuss: Working for a B Corp How marketing and sales can work better together Building a career Fighting back from life threatening adversity   Recommendations Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences by Peter A Levine Juliet Hodges on the Strategy Sessions (the person who speaks about fight or flight response) Strategy Sessions Host - Andi Jarvis If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating.

Take The Heat, is out now. It’s a series of essays about food, feminism and fury. In this episode we discuss: Promoting a book The story behind If You Can’t Take The Heat Dealing with internet trolls Creativity Geraldine's Links If You Can't Take the Heat: Tales of Food, Feminism, and Fury The blog where it all started, I Made the Pizza Cinnamon Rolls from Mario Batali’s Sexual Misconduct Apology Letter Geraldine’s review of Bros, Lecce All Over the Place: Adventures in Travel, True Love, and Petty Theft Other Links Lunchtime Learning in Belfast Geraldine DeRuiter Geraldine DeRuiter is an acclaimed author, world-renowned public speaker, and the voice behind the award-winning Everywhereist blog. She finds it very difficult to be self-promotional, so she hopes that you understand how hard that last sentence was for her to write. Time magazine named Everywhereist one of their blogs of the year in 2011. Her memoir, All Over the Place, was published in 2017. While ostensibly a travel writer, Geraldine also writes about dessert, feminism, and Jeff Goldblum’s entire filmography. TIME Magazine described her work as “consistently clever” and The New York Times said her writing was “dark and hilarious”. Her blog has received accolades from The Independent, Forbes Magazine, and The Huffington Post, because sometimes features editors get drunk. When not on the road with her long-suffering and infinitely patient husband, Rand, Geraldine can be found in Seattle, usually fighting with people on the internet. Strategy Sessions Host - Andi Jarvis If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating. For a full transcription of this podcast, visit the episode page on the Eximo Marketing website.

Aleya Harris is the spark for your spark™. With her infectious energy and profound expertise, Aleya Harris stands as a intersection of innovative storytelling and strategic thinking. In this episode we discuss: The secret to successful public speaking Using stories to build your organisation Succeeding through adversity Being part of StoryBrand Understanding the challenges women face in business Recommendations Andi’s blog on storytelling for JP Castlin’s Strategy in Praxis newsletter Thierry Ngutegure talking data on the Strategy Sessions Sherice Anibaba on the Strategy Sessions podcast Aleya photo credits - Aurelia D'Amore Photography StoryBrand Aleya Harris As the founder and CEO of The Evolution Collective Inc., and a seasoned former marketing executive and ex-Google Vendor Partner, Aleya brings a wealth of experience to her role as a Strategic Storytelling Consultant. Aleya excels in guiding entrepreneurs, executives, and teams to excavate their radically authentic stories, fostering memorable connections that resonate deeply within and beyond their organizations. Her unique approach leads to significant shifts, differentiating brands in the market, repairing workplace cultures, and fulfilling a higher purpose through meaningful connections. As a two-time Speaker of the Year award recipient, Aleya has captivated audiences with over 100 presentations and webinars, and has been featured on over 125 podcasts. Her role as the host of the award-winning Flourishing Entrepreneur Podcast further solidifies her status as a thought leader. Aleya Harris is not just a dynamic voice in the industry; her diverse background, including her time as Stevie Wonder's private chef, adds an extraordinary layer to her narrative. Aleya's rich tapestry of experiences includes certifications as a StoryBrand Guide and NES Health Practitioner and is augmented by her presence in global platforms like Thrive Global, Authority Magazine, and the Marketing Made Simple podcast. Aleya Harris is not merely a voice in the industry; she is a spark of innovation, inspiring leaders and teams to embrace and articulate their unique narratives. Her commitment to strategic storytelling and transformative leadership has made her an indispensable figure in the realm of business consultancy and public speaking. Strategy Sessions Host - Andi Jarvis If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating.

Duane runs Take Some Risks, a Toronto based agency that helps ecommerce and DTC brands grow through strategy, PPC marketing, and data. Top 3 things in this episode: Moving from delivery to strategy for clients Staying nimble in the face of changes by Google and Meta Lessons on pricing from the luxury sector Duane Brown Duane has been called an international man of mystery and digital nomad by friends. He has lived in 6 cities across 3 continents and visited 50+ countries around the world. Over the years Duane has had the opportunity to work with brands including LARQ, Birdies, Pela Case, The Lost Co and Tiger Companies. Strategy Sessions Host - Andi Jarvis If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast directly or sign up for it here to have it emailed when it's released. If you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating.

In this episode I review Daryl’s incredible hour on the podcast. I could have featured every single word she said, but instead I focused on • Insights being the rocket fuel of marketing • Why diversity matters • How to plan a marketing career (spoiler alert: it’s hard) Links Daryl’s episode Dove Real Women campaign Andi Jarvis If you have any questions or want to talk about anything that was discussed in the show, the best place to get me is on LinkedIn or Instagram. If you want the podcast emailed to you sign up for it on the Eximo Marketing website. Make sure you subscribe to get the podcast pushed to you and if you enjoyed the show, please give it a 5* rating. Andi Jarvis, Eximo Marketing.