The Bottleneck Podcast
Bottleneck Podcast
Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, and Elfried Samba, CEO and Co-Founder of Butterfly Effect and former Global Head of Social at Gymshark, explore the hidden blocks that slow teams down, from flawed strategies to missed cultural signals and outdated thinking. Each episode breaks down a real challenge through the lens of behavioural science, digital strategy, and lived experience. Through conversations with industry pioneers and creative thinkers, they unpack why teams fail and reveal secrets for driving progress. Joined by guests who’ve built, rebuilt, or reimagined entire industries, Rory and Elfried challenge assumptions, unpack failure, and explore what moves the needle. Powered by Sassy+ www.sassyplus.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 33min
Rory, Elfried and Timothy on the future for influencers
Timothy Armoo, founder of Fanbytes and Irrational Media, shares insights on the evolving landscape of influencer marketing. He discusses how the focus has shifted from personalities to niche content creators, particularly those aged 16-24 on TikTok. Timothy emphasizes the importance of community-driven growth and trust, while also exploring the power of niche audiences. The conversation touches on innovative marketing strategies, the art of storytelling, and why brands should aspire to become influencers themselves.
Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 17min
Rory, Elfried and Jordan on scaling the Sidemen
This episode of The Bottleneck Podcast explores how creators turn audiences into real businesses — and why many struggle to grow. Jordan Schwarzenberger, manager of The Sidemen, reveals how they built an empire that spans restaurants, vodka brands, and sold-out stadium shows. Together with Rory Sutherland and Elfried Samba, they explore the forces reshaping the creator economy, the opportunities ahead, and the funding hurdles that hold many aspiring entrepreneurs back.Join Rory, Elfried, and Jordan for a deep dive into the business of creators and what it takes to turn cultural relevance into long-term success.Follow Rory:Instagram: @rorysutherland_clipsTiktok: @RorysutherlandclipsX: @rorysutherlandLinkedin: in/rorysutherland/Follow Elfried:Instagram: elfriedsambaLinkedin: in/elfriedsamba/https://www.butterflyeffect.xyz/Follow Jordan:Instagram: @jordanschwarz/Linkedin: jordanschwarzenberger/tiktok: @jordanschwarzenbergerX: jordanerschwarzhttps://www.jordanschwarz.com/https://www.thinklikeacreator.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 31min
Rory, Elfried and Krish on AI
Krish Ramineni, CEO of Fireflies.ai, shares insights on building an AI meeting assistant that has garnered 20 million users and reached a $1B valuation. He tackles common misconceptions about AI, emphasizing trust and human connection. The discussion delves into privacy concerns, the balance between automation and genuine interactions, and how AI is transforming the remote work landscape. With a humorous touch, the trio reflects on the origins of Fireflies and how it's revolutionizing business meetings by prioritizing discussion over note-taking.
Sep 4, 2025 • 1min
The Bottleneck Podcast - Trailer
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