In this episode of B2B Marketing: The Provocative Truth, Benedict explores a striking paradox with Nicole German, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Corporate and Institutional Banking at HSBC. Despite having unprecedented amounts of customer data, many B2B organisations could seem further away from truly understanding their clients than ever before.

Nicole challenges this assumption head-on, arguing that data creates signals and opportunities - if you know how to listen. She reveals how HSBC navigates the complexity of 25+ personas across multiple regions, turning astronomical amounts of data into actionable insights that drive trust and deeper client relationships.

They discuss the shift from campaign-driven marketing to always-on optimisation, why business buy-in matters more than brilliant ideas, and how a global financial services giant moved from concept to market leadership in just eight weeks during a period of trade uncertainty.

Highlights:

02:03 – With data comes signals and opportunity

05:40 – Managing 25 personas across multiple regions and cultures

07:03 – Moving from campaign mentality to always-on optimisation

09:59 – The trade report that moved HSBC from 8th to 3rd in share of voice

14:16 – Know me, value me, service me: the client centricity framework

18:16 – Why great marketing ideas mean nothing without business sponsorship

21:46 – Balancing brand consistency with personalised relevance

26:22 – How global brands avoid tension between local and global messaging

🎙️ Tune in to discover why signals matter more than data, and how speed can be your competitive advantage in client centricity.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo of B2B marketing. Listen to more episodes at www.alan-agency.com/podcast

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In this episode of B2B Marketing: The Provocative Truth, Benedict speaks to Craig Welsh, Head of Research Marketing at Elsevier, about why most B2B teams are still stuck using AI as a content tool, and what they’re missing. Craig argues that the bigger opportunity lies in data, analytics and lead scoring, where AI can solve real marketing problems and help marketers become more strategic.

Craig discusses where generative AI is falling short and how agentic AI could fundamentally change how brands engage. With trust, storytelling and human insight still at the core, this is a frank look at how AI can reshape marketing. Craig outlines what this means for the marketer’s role, the risks of getting it wrong and why human storytelling, trust and brand consistency are more important than ever.

Highlights:

02:05 – Why marketers are misusing generative AI

04:19 – Where the real value lies: analytics, not just content

07:03 – Defining the destination before picking the tool

11:18 – Bringing marketing, tech and finance together

17:32 – Why storytelling is still in short supply

21:32 – What agentic AI means for personalisation in B2B

26:15 – The human handover: why trust still matters

🎙️ Tune in to hear why AI isn’t replacing marketers, it’s forcing them to get clearer on where they add value.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo of B2B marketing. Listen to more episodes at www.alan-agency.com/podcast

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In this episode of B2B Marketing: The Provocative Truth, Benedict asks a leading insurance CMO what it takes to build a meaningful brand in a category known for conservatism. In this episode, Georgina Peters Venzano, CMO at Beazley, joins us to challenge the long-held assumption that B2B must be strictly rational. She shares how authenticity, emotional resonance and brand consistency are key to modern B2B success, and why the industry needs to embrace more human storytelling.

From running a brand audit during lockdown to building a differentiated identity in a conservative category, Georgina gives a behind-the-scenes look at Beazley’s brand evolution.

Highlights:

01:30 – Why emotion still matters in B2B

04:35 – What authenticity really means

07:50 – Rebranding Beazley during lockdown

13:15 – Understanding your audience as people, not just buyers

16:30 – Segmentation and finding your tribe

20:20 – Maintaining brand consistency across the funnel

22:25 – Is there still space for rational, serious brands?

🎙️ Tune in to discover why humour isn’t off-limits in B2B, and how it can build stronger, more human brands.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo of B2B marketing. Listen to more episodes at www.alan-agency.com/podcast

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In this episode of B2B Marketing: The Provocative Truth, Benedict speaks with Martin Dyhouse, Head of Sponsorship at Intuit, to challenge the notion that B2B sponsorship is little more than overpriced hospitality. Martin shares his framework for building effective sponsorship strategies—from audience and brand alignment to commercial value and long-term integration.

Drawing on his experience leading Intuit QuickBooks’ partnership with West Ham United, he explains why the best sponsorships are measured by more than just impressions—and how businesses can use them to drive brand salience, customer growth, and even sales cycle efficiency.

🎙️ Tune in to discover why the best B2B sponsorships start with strategy, not tickets.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo of B2B marketing. Listen to more episodes at www.alan-agency.com/podcast

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In this episode of B2B Marketing: The Provocative Truth, Benedict speaks with Nick Rose, Head of Brand Marketing and Digital Communications at Linklaters, to unpack the complex (and often misunderstood) relationship between personal and corporate branding in professional services. From law firm conservatism to the growing influence of digital-native employees, Nick shares how modern firms must align internal values, embrace personal brands, and evolve their corporate brand strategies, or risk becoming irrelevant.

🎙️ Tune in to discover why balancing brand identity isn’t just a marketing challenge, it’s a strategic imperative.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode that challenges the status quo of B2B marketing. Listen to more episodes at www.alan-agency.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of B2B Marketing: The Provocative Truth, Benedict is joined by Joel Harrison, Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of B2BMarketing.net, the leading community for B2B marketers, to explore the shift from lead generation to growth marketing, drawing insights from B2B Ignite, their flagship event.

He challenges the ambiguity of "growth marketing" and introduces the concept of the "commercial marketer" as a more holistic approach to B2B marketing success. Tune in to hear Joel's perspective on how marketers can elevate their role within organisations by mastering five key dimensions: financial acumen, reporting effectiveness, market insights, cross-functional collaboration and agile decision-making.

Joel Harrison is a veteran in the B2B marketing space, overseeing B2BMarketing.net's range of resources, events, and communities designed to empower marketers. His insights stem from years of experience and interactions with leading marketers across the industry.

You can find Joel on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/joelharrison

Ready to provoke the truth? Get in touch at alan-agency.com.

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In this episode of B2B Marketing: The Provocative Truth, Benedict is joined by Kayleeann Maritz to define marketing's role in shaping commercial strategy.

Kayleeann makes the compelling case for over investment in tier two accounts and provides multiple practical tips for how marketers can transform lead generation. Tune in to learn how a diversified approach built on robust segmentation and targeting is the bedrock of successful B2B marketing.

Kayleeann is experienced global marketer with expertise in brand building and growth.

You can find Kayleeann on Linkedin.

Ready to provoke change? Get in touch at alan-agency.com.

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In this episode of B2B Marketing: The Provocative Truth, Benedict is joined by Katrina Nichols to interrogate Linkedin as a platform.

Katrina eviscerates much of the received wisdom about what works on Linkedin and advocates for a rebalance from influencers to evangelists. Tune in to hear a progressive perspective on how marketers can get value through novel, persona-led approaches to social platforms.

Katrina is an experienced marketing, public relations, and brand director, across a varied range of B2B products and services, with a digital, data-driven focus.. An expert in brand storytelling, she specialises in creating deep relationships and affinity between audiences and products and services.

You can find Katrina on Linkedin.

Ready to provoke the truth? Get in touch at alan-agency.com.

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