The New Abnormal

Series TwoThis reposted episode of #TheNewAbnormal podcast features John Dunleavy,  Global Chief Client Officer, Ogilvy Group & IBM Global Client Leader, WPP. He's spent over a decade leading agencies and working with some of the most iconic tech brands in the world. (He's the ex-Global President of m:united//McCann, before which he was Exec-VP/MD of Saatchi & Saatchi NYC, and MD of G2 Worldwide.) John describes agency leadership today and how agencies can & must provide great service for their clients in these 'difficult times'. Looking to the future, he talks of a belief that agency models must evolve, via building bespoke teams that are as unique as their client's brands; by bundling capabilities, data and technology into everything they do, helping them reinvent, transform and above , remain relevant in a category that shifts daily. In our 'Brave New World' these issues are ever more important, so John clarifies exactly what these concepts actually mean, and how they can be actioned... 

Series TwoThis episode of #TheNewAbnormal is a masterclass in retail c/o a renowned specialist. Ian McGarrigle, an ex-senior retail journalist and Parter at Bell Pottinger, is Chairman of the World Retail Congress, the major annual event that attracts personnel from throughout the retail sector, on a truly global basis. In this interview, Ian discusses the key issue impacting retail, namely the game-changing macro issue of the global pandemic. But he also explains more specific ones such as why the theme of this year's congress, alongside subjects such as trust, relevance, experience, NextGen technology, sustainability, purpose, and design. Finally, he talks in detail about the need for reinvention in these 'disruptive times'. So, I hope you enjoy your coffee while listening! (Talking of which, you can buy me one here if you like: https://ko-fi.com/thenewabnormal).

Series ThreeIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal podcast, I interview Julian Boulding, President of TheNetworkOne, who work with around 1200 agencies in nearly 120 countries worldwide, providing 'open source creativity' and comms services from independent agencies, for a growing number of leading international marketing companies.  Julian's been attending the Cannes Lions for nearly 20 years, and after each festival, TheNetworkOne publishes a renowned report of their analysis and viewpoints on the underlying trends and longer-term significance of what has been seen, heard and discussed at the event. (Which, as ever, is the world's largest gathering of the advertising and creative communications industry.) As you'll hear in our discussion, the observations from the 2023 event are very different from last year...

Series TwoIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed Cailin O'Connor, who is an associate professor of logic and philosophy of science at the University of California. She's also the co-author of 'The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread' (published by Yale University Press.In our interview, we discuss Cailin's most recent writings on the subject of 'why we trust lies' re: the most effective misinformation starting with seeds of truth. In doing so, she explains the crucial importance of transparency and accountability, alongside her viewpoints on issues such as confirmation bias i.e. why what you believe depends on who you know; and how demonstrably false beliefs persist and spread - despite negative consequences for the people holding them. In an era where arguments rage about issues ranging from climate change (as the polar ice caps melt and forest fires burn) to the wearing of face masks (as millions have died of Covid-19), Cailin illuminates the social forces that explain the manipulation of 'false belief' and propaganda, and why we must understand both how that process works and trust the evidence, in order to fight back against misinformation. 

Series TwoIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed Jack Godfrey Wood, VP Design at Native Design in San Francisco. They're an independent design company who 'drive growth by creating what people love', with a client roster including Audi, Bentley, Diageo, Google, Microsoft, Oxfam and Santander. Jack leads physical, digital, research and engineering design teams, whose work 'solves tricky problems beautifully'. In the interview, we discuss issues including a career path that lead from Central St Martins to the West Coast, how the American and European design ethos differ, and why empathy is at the heart of great design regarding lived experiences and improved futures. Jack also explains what simplicity, streamlining and reductive thinking brings to the design process, and the vital requirement of having a healthy distrust for the status quo. 

Series TwoIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview Ben Hughes, Professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology. He's also a consultant at, and an ex-professor of, the Central Academy of Fine Arts School of Design in Beijing; and was previously a consultant at the Innovation Centre, Central St Martins + the Course Director MA Ind Design at CSM. In this episode, we discuss his fascinating experience of working in China over the last decade, and of his viewpoints on all things relating to design / creativity / education. Along the way, we cover the different approaches taken to technology, as illustrated by the 'G-Mafia vs the BAT' i.e. Google / Microsoft / Amazon / Facebook / IBM / Apple vs Baidu / Alibaba / Tencent. And of course, Ben talks about design theory, the practicalities of life under the C19 lockdown in Beijing, and of the view from China, looking back to Europe.

Series Two In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview David Shah, the renowned Publisher and Owner at View-Publications; five leading-edge magazines specialising in textiles, colours and branding strategy. He's also the Director of DRS Consulting, which specialises in the design of private label brands for menswear and womenswear, and is a consultant to numerous companies on future consumer trends. In addition, he's a Fellow at the Royal College of Art, and is a regular speechmaker and conference regulator at international design and marketing events. In this episode, we discuss his insights relating to subjects including the acceleration of trends, societal polarisation, a decline in trust, how decision making is changing in the Information Economy, the rise and rise of the oligopolies; and a greater need for generosity, collaboration and kindness. We finish by debating 'where next' for sustainability and the impact of inequality - from a gender and generational perspective. 

Series TwoThis episode of #TheNewAbnormal features Sarah Rabia, the Global Director of Cultural Strategy & Backslash Co-Founder at TBWA\Chiat\Day. Based in Los Angeles she's an award-winning Content Marketer and Cultural Insight Expert, who was previously a Strategist at BBH London and Mother London; having been the Senior Trends Analyst at The Future Laboratory and a journalist at The Face, which she joined after studying journalism at the London College of Fashion / University of the Arts London. In this podcast, she talks about how and why she co-founded Backslash re: blending cultural insights and trend data to help the agency make brands more relevant. In effect, to help them move at the speed of cultural issues. So she describes her trend research, spotting patterns and stories 'at the edge' in order to develop forecasting reports. We discuss her recent projects into issues such as work-life boundaries, the convenience economy, diversification, wealth warfare and innovation around wellbeing. Finally, and along the way, Billie Eilish gets an appropriate shout-out. 

Series TwoIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview David Nottoli. He's an award-winning brand and communications strategist re: some of the world's top advertisers inc Hershey, Nike, Levi's, Coca Cola, Samsung, Best Buy, and Bank of America. Dave's built a track record of re-energizing big brands, helping small brands get noticed, and finding new ways into the consumers heart. Along the way, he was the Director of Brand/Comms Strategy at 22squared, Group Planning Director at CP+B, SVP Account Planning at Digitas, a Brand Strategist at the Open Intelligence Agency, and a Strategic Planner at agencies inc BBH, kirshenbaum bond + partners, Lowe, and Wieden + Kennedy. (Which makes him one of the very few to have worked for both John Hegarty and Dan Wieden). In this episode, we discuss a wide range of topics inc numerous brand issues/problems that he's encountered along the way, how he views contemporary socio/political realities impacting brands, and the type of strategic thinking that the successful businesses of tomorrow should consider... 

This isn’t actually an episode of #TheNewAbnormal at all…but as it’s my podcast series, I’m taking the outrageous liberty of linking to a separate one that features me - as opposed to my guests.Hence linking to 'The Speaker Show' which is run by the renowned global speaker-bureau, Speakers Associates. In this episode, their brilliant host Maria Franzoni interviewed me as the launch episode for the year. We discuss some of the key trends impacting culture / society / brands etc, and of how those issues connect to my books #ThePostTruthBusiness (re: authenticity / ethics) and #Influencers&Revolutionaries (re: leading-edge innovation). I also highlight the wide range of fascinating guests I’ve interviewed for ‘The New Abnormal’ podcast, where my guests and I have discussed an array of issues linked to hope, community and resilience. (The themes mentioned above are reflected in my ongoing speeches...) The promotional  intro featured here only lasts a minute, but you can listen to the full episode via this audio link: https://apple.co/3e6yI7N or, if you prefer a visual YouTube version: https://bit.ly/3FVnv5Y.So, I hope you enjoy it!