
OnBD with ALF
Are you ready to level up your sales game? Welcome to OnBD with ALF, the podcast that brings you the best advice and success stories from industry leaders in media and advertising. Each episode, we tackle the challenges of new business to help you elevate your own sales strategy. If you're in business development and looking to sharpen your sales techniques, discover actionable insights, and stay ahead of the competition, you're in the right place. If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Oct 11, 2023 • 52min
The buzz around Pension Bee with Jasper Martens
Jasper Martens, CMO at Pension Bee, discusses the challenges of managing pensions and the need for a simpler system. They explore pension consolidation and the problems of multiple pensions. The speaker also talks about delegating tasks, brand partnerships, and the importance of trust in a startup. They discuss the biggest challenge for Pension Bee and managing pensions and retirement. They explore the power of sports sponsorships and long-term brand investment, as well as the long-term benefits and customer referrals.

Sep 13, 2023 • 47min
Turning online dreams into reality with Pinterest
Rory is joined by Milka Privodanova, VP Head of EMEA of Pinterest to talk about the online platform which they describe as 'personal media' rather than social.Milka outlines how the user experience of Pinterest is a positive and natural environment for advertisers and how almost everything you see on Pinterest is available to buy. Food, beauty, fashion and home décor are all hugely popular but the company is also experiencing success in the areas of travel, financial services and entertainment.In the Top Two Challenges, Milka shares what she believes is the biggest challenge for Pinterest and also the most pressing issue for the online media sector as a whole.If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 9, 2023 • 60min
Leading the Charge. Rory meets Nic Thomas from Nissan.
As we head towards one million electric cars on Britain’s roads, Marketing Director Nic Thomas discusses Nissan’s drive towards a totally electric range in 2030. Nic addresses the ‘charging’ challenge faced by the whole EV industry and why he’s calling for destination charging to be legislated. Nic also discusses some of the exciting engineering and design benefits of Nissan EVs - imagine your office on wheels! - but also why timing is proving to be the main marketing challenge for Nissan. Plus, Nic and Rory talk about the cost of car batteries, ‘range anxiety’ and single pedal driving - who knew?If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12, 2023 • 56min
Rory talks "wonky" vegetables with Oddbox's Emilie Vanpoperinghe
Rory chats to Emilie Vanpoperinghe, CEO and Co-Founder of Oddbox, the subscription box company that saves imperfect and surplus fruit and vegetables from going to waste. Emilie explains how the idea for the business came about, why pricing 'wonky' vegetables can be challenging and the company's plans for the future.In the Top Two Challenges, Emilie shares her thoughts on what is the biggest challenge for Oddbox and the most pressing challenge for the grocery industry as a whole.Code ALF will give new Oddbox customers 50% off their first box. Offer excludes the fruit booster box. Valid until 31st August, 2023.If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 15, 2023 • 53min
Getting Paid - Rory finds out how GoCardless is helping companies get paid more easily
Nicola Hamilton, Senior Director of Branding & Communications at GoCardless, outlines how businesses can get paid more easily and conveniently by using their service. She outlines that the challenge for GoCardless is the inertia of companies not realising how much money and time they can save by moving away from outdated, manual methods to automated, online payments. As someone who's worked in the industry for over 15 years Nicola counsels that fintech companies now need to focus on profitability more than growth.If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 10, 2023 • 56min
Pasta Evangelist Finn Lagun tucks into the challenges of going from letterbox pasta to retail
In 2018, Finn Lagun went on Dragon's Den but failed to convince Peter Jones & Co to invest in his home delivery pasta business. Now the business has a multi-million pound turnover and is majority owned by the pasta giant Barilla. Rory quizzes Finn about moving from 'pasta through your letter box' to a business which has now expanded into retails outlets and offers fully prepared takeaway delivery.Plus in our 'Top Two Challenges' feature, Finn shares his thoughts on the biggest challenges facing Pasta Evangelists and also the direct-to-consumer food industry in general.If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 12, 2023 • 45min
Harnessing the TikTok Boom
Rory Sutherland is joined by Khartoon Weiss, Global Head of Agency & Accounts at TikTok.Since launching in 2016, TikTok has seen a meteoric rise to success, currently boasting 1.2 billion monthly users across the globe. Rory and Khartoon discuss the unique elements of the platform that make it so appealing and examine how brands can harness the existing creativity and community to engage users and achieve the ultimate goal of marketing - changing behaviour. Plus in our 'Top Two Challenges' feature, Khartoon shares her thoughts on the biggest hurdles facing both TikTok and social media in general.If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 8, 2023 • 39min
The Challenger Brand Cleaning Up Home Care
Rory meets Tim Keaveney, Co-Founder of Homethings, a challenger brand offering sustainable household cleaning products delivered direct to your door. As a winner of Sky’s Zero Footprint Fund, Tim reveals their plans for their first TV campaign and discusses how perceptions are changing about the efficacy of ‘green’ products.Plus, in the Top Two challenges, Tim shares the biggest issues facing both Homethings and the home care sector in general. If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 9, 2023 • 49min
How Nokia phones new 'Circular' subscription service is combatting e-waste.
Lars Silberbauer has been named as one of the most innovative and influential marketers in Europe. Before joining HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, as Chief Marketing Officer in September 2022, he held positions with the International Olympic Committee, MTV, Viacom and Lego. Rory talks to Lars about 'Circular', the new subscription service for Nokia phones which is looking to revolutionise the relationship we have with our handsets and provide a sustainable solution to e-waste.Plus in the Top Two Challenges feature, Lars shares what he thinks is the biggest challenge for Nokia phones moving forward and for the mobile phone handset industry as a whole.If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 4, 2023 • 56min
How Primark Cares with Director Lynne Walker
With a distinguished career in textiles and fashion retail, Lynne Walker is Director of Primark Cares. Lynne talks to Rory about the phenomenal high street success of Primark and how the brand approaches marketing, the environment and sustainability. If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.