
Think with Google Firestarters
Think with Google Firestarters is a series of insightful conversations with the interested and interesting of the advertising, marketing and innovation communities, focusing on the areas of challenge and opportunity in the industry. This series of conversations builds off the back of almost 60 live events which were run over 10 years at Google. Think with Google Firestarters is commissioned by Think with Google.
Check out our YouTube video series at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNBdIP33wJ3rZLkH1iR_Xjy0TznS1Ii_3
Latest episodes

Jul 9, 2024 • 9min
TakeOuts: Quiet Storm founder Trevor Robinson's key insights in 10 minutes
New: Firestarters TakeOuts! Our fast-paced, all-you-need-to-know version of the Think with Google Firestarters podcast. In this series, we’ll be sharing highlights of our favourite episodes in 10 minutes or less. We hope you enjoy it. From challenging the status quo to getting the most out of yourself and your team, hear Trevor Robinson, founder of Quiet Storm and Create Not Hate, discuss why diversity of thought is the key to creative success.

8 snips
Jul 2, 2024 • 41min
Author Sam Conniff on becoming comfortable with uncertainty
Entrepreneur and author Sam Conniff discusses turning uncertainty into innovation, the role of humility in leadership, and the need for a balanced approach to decision-making. He emphasizes embracing creative risk-taking and intentional steps out of comfort zones for personal growth.

Jun 25, 2024 • 11min
TakeOuts: VCCP CSO Michael Lee's key insights in 10 minutes
New: Firestarters TakeOuts! Our fast-paced, all-you-need-to-know version of the Think with Google Firestarters podcast. In this series, we’ll be sharing highlights of our favourite episodes in 10 minutes or less. We hope you enjoy it. The range of skills needed to be a media planner has never been wider, says Michael Lee, VCCP Chief Strategy Officer and APG Chair. Listen to find out what marketers can do to keep pace with change.

Jun 18, 2024 • 8min
TakeOuts: Team culture expert Alison Coward's key insight in 10 minutes
New: Firestarters TakeOuts! Our fast-paced, all-you-need-to-know version of the Think with Google Firestarters podcast. In this series, we’ll be sharing highlights of our favourite episodes in 10 minutes or less. We hope you enjoy it. Team culture expert Alison Coward shares her tips on building highly motivated teams, leadership lessons, and the power of workshop mentality.

Jun 11, 2024 • 36min
Author Ann Handley on the secrets of great marketing writing
Is your grammatical perfectionism holding you back? Ann Handley, author of “Everybody Writes”, says great writing is about clear communication — not flawless grammar. Hear Ann share her secrets to writing content that people actually want to read, why perfectionism is a writer’s worst enemy, and how AI should be used as a tool, never a crutch. Think with Google Firestarters delves into the minds of the marketing and advertising industry’s most inspirational leaders. Check out our YouTube video series at: https://goo.gle/3t13pWt

May 21, 2024 • 34min
'Are advertising and PR really that different?', asks Weber Shandwick's Gen Kobayashi
Are PR and advertising really so different? Not according to Gen Kobayashi, CSO at Weber Shandwick. Hear him discuss why understanding people is at the heart of effective PR and advertising, the power of an earned-first mindset, and why the best ideas come from operating in the jungle, not the zoo. Think with Google Firestarters delves into the minds of the marketing and advertising industry’s most inspirational leaders. Check out our YouTube video series at: https://goo.gle/3t13pWt

Apr 30, 2024 • 40min
“Great advertising is just a matter of taste”, says M&C Saatchi’s Sophie Lewis
All great advertising is just a matter of taste, says Sophie Lewis, CSO at M&C Saatchi. Hear her discuss why understanding cultural influences is the secret to creating real impact, how advertisers should think outside of their bubble, and why she has 64,000 photos on her phone. Think with Google Firestarters delves into the minds of the marketing and advertising industry’s most inspirational leaders. Check out our YouTube video series at: https://goo.gle/3t13pWt

Apr 9, 2024 • 43min
Jason Oke, Global Client President at Dentsu on getting great advertising ideas made
How can agencies sell stand out ideas to their clients? What are the secrets of establishing truly beneficial and sustainable client and agency relationships? In this fascinating episode Jason Oke, Global Client President at Dentsu, talks about how to sell great creative thinking to clients, the importance of understanding how ideas move through organisations, and why agencies need to be more confident. Think with Google Firestarters delves into the minds of the marketing and advertising industry’s most inspirational leaders. Check out our YouTube video series at: https://goo.gle/3t13pWt

Mar 28, 2024 • 36min
The secrets of successful marketing transformation with Alison Orsi
Alison Orsi, former IBM CMO, discusses mastering customer experience, breaking silos, and fostering team collaboration. Explore the evolving role of marketing, importance of data-driven mindset, and AI integration in workflows for innovation.

Mar 21, 2024 • 38min
The aesthetics of persuasion by design consultant Andy Cowles
How do you capture someone’s attention in under 3 seconds? Listen to design consultant and former creative director of Rolling Stone, Andy Cowles, on the art of effective visual communication and why the role of design is so often misunderstood. Think with Google Firestarters delves into the minds of the marketing and advertising industry’s most inspirational leaders. Check out our YouTube video series at: https://goo.gle/3t13pWt
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