Series FiveThis episode of The New Abnormal features Gareth Kay, Partner at The Intangibles 'the transformation consultancy for the intangible world'. He's spent over two decades working in, and learning from, some of the best creative companies in the world. In that time, Gareth realized there is no ‘one way’ to shape and deliver valuable brands that create sustainable demand, but there are some principles that hold true: that problem-finding is at least as important as problem-solving; that being interesting is as important as being right; that great brands are built by their behavior not just their narrative; that the biggest risk facing many businesses is the false division between ‘brand’ and ‘product’; that a strategy is only as good as the work it delivers. (By the way, he makes a return to the podcast, having been one of my first guests when I set the series up, back in 2000 during the first weeks of the pandemic). Gareth has earned himself a stellar reputation in the marketing world, and in this interview he discusses leading-edge thinking about the business context of today and how to unlock value for the world's most ambitious equity firms and brands...

Epaminondas Christophilopoulos, a foresight and innovation advisor and UNESCO Chair on Futures Research, shares fascinating insights from his extensive career. He discusses the importance of a 'futures mindset' in navigating global challenges like climate change and technology. Christophilopoulos also explores the transformative role of art in society and introduces the SPF game for fostering creative foresight. Additionally, he delves into Russian Cosmism, a radical philosophical perspective aimed at transformative societal changes.

Jan Berger, Founder and CEO of Themis Foresight and expert in anticipating future changes, shares insights from his diverse background in history and leadership. He discusses the significance of empathy in corporate foresight, exploring its role in addressing working-class alienation. Berger highlights the need for genuine sustainability efforts, contrasting them with superficial marketing. He also examines Europe’s economic landscape and innovation opportunities in rapidly growing markets like India and Africa, emphasizing a balanced approach to future challenges.

Series FourIn this episode of 'The New Abnormal' I interview Nils Muller, CEO & Founder of TrendONE - a specialist agency that's a market leader in identifying key trends in fast moving branches of business. In our discussion, Nils discusses their methodologies and approach to working for clients such as BMW and Airbus, his viewpoints on developing 'Brand Germany' and takeouts from the Dubai Future Forum - having just returned from a hot and sunny UAE to a cold and snowy Germany. Hence, we discuss a range of topics covered at the forum, including Future Generations,  Future Education, and the Future of Nature regarding Planet-Centric Innovation.  Along the way, we also cover issues such as the latest thinking around Foresight, Strategic Growth, Collaborative Approaches and Futures-Literacy regarding Complexity, Experimentation and Anti-Fragility. So, I hope you enjoy listening to Nils as much as I did!

Series FourIn this episode of The New Abnormal, I interview Chris Arning, Founder of the boutique consultancy Creative Semiotics Ltd, co-founder of Semiofest, and course leader of 'How to do semiotics in seven weeks'. He works with best-in-class virtual teams to analyse brands in order to make them more coherent and true to themselves, more distinctive within their category and sector, and more resonant and relevant within the prevailing (and ever changing) culture. The outcome of his work is new pack designs, communication strategies, new systems for content creation and better equipped, more confident brand teams. He does that via semiotics: an evidence based technique rooted in academia via the premise that preference is driven by the intangible aspects of brands that activate associative thinking. Chris has a stellar reputation in his field, and in this interview he gives a brief masterclass in his specialist subject(s). So...enjoy!

Series FourThis episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Michael Beverland, Professor of Brand Strategy, Strategy & Marketing, at the University of Sussex Business School.He's an innovator in marketplace authenticity and strategic design research, as well as cultural marketing insights.Michael is also the author of 'Building Brand Authenticity: Seven Habits of Iconic Brands' and 'Brand Management: Co-creating Brand Meaning'. (Which provides an overview of the controversies and debates, leading thinking and enduring challenges in brands and branding, including historical context, cultural & critical perspectives).We discuss all of the above, therefore including issues such as classic and leading-edge thinking relating to branding / strategy / marketing, along with how these subjects are currently taught in business schools. Michael is an expert in his field, so I hope you enjoy listening to (and learning from) him as much as I did!

Series FourThis episode of 'The New Abnormal' podcast features Phil Balagtas, author of the superb new book 'Making Futures Work'.Phil is also a former Design Director at McKinsey Design and General Electric (Digital & Aviation) with over 20yrs of experience as a Digital Interaction Designer and Design Leader working across sectors inc aviation, aerospace, airlines, advertising, retail, utilities, and public sector. He's also a Facilitator, Futurist and Founder of the Design Futures Initiative (a nonprofit based in San Francisco), the Speculative Futures network and PRIMER conference - initiatives dedicated to the education and advancement of Futures Thinking and helping organisations develop business and product strategies for the near and far future through Strategic Foresight and Speculative Design. In this fascinating conversation, we discuss all of the above. So...enjoy!

Series FourThis episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Matt Boffey, Chief Strategy Officer at Design Bridge and Partners. He’s part of its Senior Leadership Team and Executive Committee, managing a business of nearly 300 people in London, where he leads a strategy team of ‘the brightest and best brand & design thinkers on the planet’! We discuss a range of career highlights (so far) including how he authored transformational brand strategies for the likes of Adidas and Deliveroo, developed world-famous global creative campaigns for Nike, and originated the much-imitated ‘Good Food Deserves Lurpak’ campaign. Elsewhere, Matt outlines the latest issues impacting the world of agencies, and how to encourage and enable a dynamic internal agency culture. He’s a really dynamic thinker, so I hope you enjoy listening to his viewpoints as much as I did. 

Series FourThis episode of The New Abnormal podcast features the brand innoventor & commercial strategist Stephanie Vilner-Sheppard, who consults globally on strategy to help clients innovate and futureproof their P&L (for people and planet). She’s a problem solver for brands and businesses, through a lens of planet-centred design-led thinking.That problem solving might mean creating innovation pipelines or setting short-, mid- to long-range strategy, or pointing out white space that’s harder to see once you’re in a company obsessing over short term results. It will likely mean bringing in insights from seemingly far afield and disconnected to a particular industry vertical, pulling on deliberately disparate insights. In this wide-ranging interview, she explains how to see opportunities before others, her experience at the G20 where she was elected ‘Lead Delegate’ by EY, how she advised the Mexican President on futureproofing education, and why L’Oreal offered her any job in the company.She’s deep multi-sector / multi-market experience, and so we discuss all of the above, and more, in this dynamic conversation. 

Max McKeown, a strategic psychologist and consultant, dives into the nuances of innovation, leadership, and culture. He brilliantly distinguishes between change and progress, arguing that while change is constant, genuine progress requires effort and understanding. McKeown advocates for fostering an innovation culture that thrives on curiosity and collaboration. He also explores the philosophical aspects of freedom and satisfaction, hinting at his forthcoming book 'Super Adaptability' while sharing insights on shaping strategies for the future.