The New Abnormal

Series OneMartin Raymond is an author, journalist and co-founder of The Future Laboratory - one of the world's most renowned futures consultancies. Established in 2000, they've worked with more than 1000 businesses in 50 countries. In this reposted episode, we discuss his thinking around a wide range of areas, including journalism being 'the last refuge of the desperate - and the curious' to the cultural drivers of tomorrow, strategic foresight around resilience and purpose, surveillance capitalism, scenario planning, and a certain J G Ballard. Along the way, we discuss his books "The Tomorrow People", "The Trend Forecaster's Handbook" and (at that point) forthcoming title "The Trusted and the Damned - or how to take a big company and make it small, irrelevant and pointless'. As they say, what's not to like? 

Series OneSteve Lacey has a reputation for being a genuine outsider, in an industry where being 'inside the bubble' is the 24/7 reality for the vast majority of its workforce. (Hence him founding 'The Outsiders: an international network of misfits and experts'). He understands diversity and prides himself on conducting research outside the margins, delivering social insight that really makes an impact. His team also works outside industry norms, and in this reposted episode we discuss leading-edge approaches to conducting research, his views on 'real' cultural & societal trends, and some emerging issues that he expects to impact our futures.As part of this, we debate his views about the 'Death of Rebellion', brand leadership, the need for reflection and hope re: #TheGreatReset, and of C19 as a catalyst for creativity. Finally, I have to point out that this is one of the earliest episodes of #TheNewAbnormal and I've reposted it, as listening to / learning from Steve is always such a pleasure. He's a genuine star of the research world. 

Series One In this early episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed Simon Armstrong, who has the incredibly enviable job of being the book buyer for The Tate. He's a fascinating individual, with a background across an array of leading-edge cultural positions. In this interview, he describes his journey from a working-class background in the North East, to running what many consider to be the finest art bookshop in the world. (Where the subject matter of the stock includes Modern & Contemporary Art, Photography, Design, Fashion and Architecture, etc). We discuss the highly divisive culture wars, the search for artistic authenticity (with an obligatory nod to Sartre), and why actively supporting counter-culture / sub-culture is so important, because - as ever - the most interesting things happen on the periphery 'where everything influences everything else'. Finally, he emphasises how crucial it is to promote fresh thinking and to have 'thoughtful disagreements'. 

Series OneIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal podcast, I interview the features journalist, trend analyst and data storyteller Sabrina Faramarzi, who's particularly fascinated by internet culture and online communities. She's written for The Guardian, Wired, Vice and Culture Trip, and is the international newsrooms & content lead for Opinary in Berlin, and the Contributing Data Editor of Vogue Business. Her previous experience inc the likes of the Future Lab, Spacestor, Canvas8 and Trendwatching, alongside creating branded content for those including Airbnb, Regus, Tempur, GSK and Lush. In the interview, we discuss her views on immersive experiences, lifestyle journalism, the feminist internet, marginalised groups, surveillance capitalism, transparent governance, the rethinking of public spaces and issues around work/play.

Series One In this early episode of the series, I talked with John Grant, who spent his early career at JWT and BMP-DDB, before becoming co-founder and Head of Strategy for the revolutionary St Luke's . (As you'll hear, it narrowly missed being named after...well listen and find out). John has since become a highly sought-after consultant, and somehow managed to write several excellent books along the way, inc 'The New Marketing Manifesto', 'The Green Marketing Manifesto', Co-opportunity', 'Made With', and 'Better'. He has worked with an array of leading global brands, along with various departments of the UK and Swedish Governments. He's also written a sequel to the #GreenMarketingManifesto titled #GreenerMarketing. Therefore we talk about that, #TheGreatReset...and Spiral Tribe. As you do. 

Series OneIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview Raja Habre. He's Executive Director of the LFA, a highly influential business organisation based in Beirut, comprising a mixture of those from top Lebanese and international brands. He's also responsible for the innovative economic congresses #BIFF and #BIFEX events, that promote the Lebanese economy. A widely travelled and deeply experienced individual, in this interview Raja gives a no-holds barred account of the situation within which Lebanon now finds itself, after a catastrophic year that left it with a 75% poverty rate, whilst hosting nearly 2 million refugees (many of which are c/o the conflict in Syria) in a country afflicted in various parts by up to 22hrs a day of power blackouts and a plummeting currency. Meanwhile, the impact of both Covid and the catastrophic explosion in Beirut port have made the situation even worse than many thought possible, in a country that was already affected by years of political chaos. So, in this sobering discussion, Raja delivers an important message; during which he reflects on the subjects of hope, community and resilience: #LawChouMaSar - Lebanon doesn't give up!

Series OneThis episode of 'The New Abnormal' coincided with the 25th anniversary of Sony Playstation's launch: one of the most successful (and in a marketing context - anarchic) launches of all time. The brains behind that activity is my guest, Geoff Glendenning. He's a renowned brand strategist and integrated marketing expert, who's also worked with iconic brands including Greenpeace, Microsoft, Vans, Coca-Cola, MTV,  Olympus, Ben & Jerry's, Channel 4, Sega, Ministry of Sound, Volcom and Sony Music. In this episode, he focuses on the launch of PS1, as at the time it used an approach - basically fighting a traditional corporate mindset - which has been incredibly influential in the years that have followed. To do so, Geoff utilised his knowledge of, and preference for, leveraging alternative culture with guerilla marketing techniques. The catalytic results changed an industry, and in this podcast he explains in detail why he took this approach, the tactics that he used, and how he views the marketing landscape. BTW, Geoff is very enthusiastic about his favourite subject - so in this episode I just sat back and enjoyed listening to the story unfold!

Series OneIn this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview Neil Boorman, Head of Creative Lab Europe at TikTok. He builds and leads their in-house creative service, dedicated to producing best in class work on the platform. Prior to TikTok, he was the Content Director at agencies including Wieden + Kennedy, Mother, Grey, and VCCP, before which he was a Content Strategist/Producer at Amnesty International. He's also the author of books inc "It's all their fault" & "Bonfire of the Brands". And...he edited/published the satirical fanzine 'Shoreditch Twat'. (Whose readership combined those who got what was going on, along with those who later watched Nathan Barley and hoped their neighbours were laughing with them, not at them. I'm increasingly concerned about my membership of the former). So...Neil's been at the leading-edge of culture throughout his career, and in this episode discusses a range of contemporary issues that interest and/or appall him in equal measure. As for the mighty TikTok, Neil explains why he thinks a platform that has 'honesty, humility and authenticity' at its heart is such a spectacular global success, regarding its ability to connect us all via creativity and joy. 

Series OneIn this episode of 'The New Abnormal' I talk with the inspirational Andy Middleton.He's the Chief Exploration Officer of the adventure pioneers TYF, who introduced the world to coasteering and are at the forefront of low-impact adventures and experiential learning. In addition to supporting TYF, Andy's role is to enable leaders to deliver radical and transformational innovation to help solve carbon, biodiversity, resource and wellbeing challenges by re-thinking education, ambition and engagement. So, we discuss risk management, his 'Planet B' ethos, #TheGreatReset, a future strategy for the Do Lectures, and the core purpose of the incredible TYF organisation - connecting people to nature. (For more info: www.tyf.com).It's an early episode from the series, but feels as though it was recorded yesterday!

Series OneIn this early episode of 'The New Abnormal' I spoke with the founder of the world's first "Movement" marketing / transformation / advertising and design company: the famous Strawberry Frog. Prior to this, I'd last spoken with Scott Goodson, the agency's founder/CEO, just after they'd won the coveted 'Best Marketing Agency of the Year' award c/o The Drum. In this podcast, he explains the inspiring journey that Strawberry Frog has been on to deal with / adapt to the business realities of C19 - which is about as good an example of best-practise as you're likely to hear. He describes, in detail, the way that the agency has implemented issues such as 'Positive Intent' and reinforced their 'all in it together' ethos to install added confidence in the future, throughout the agency team. Scott also highlights their development of 'On/Up Movements' and how it is that Strawberry Frog have established an enviable reputation for building big transformative ideas, with clear values at their nucleus. Hence a client list ranging from P&G to Google to PepsiCo to SunTrust to LG to Morgan Stanley, etc. Oh, and Scott is the author of the books 'Uprising' and 'Activate Brand Purpose'...