Why do some marketing agencies thrive while others struggle to survive?

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, Maira Genovese sits down with agency growth advisor and expert Ivan Fernandes to unpack the realities of building, scaling and reinventing independent agencies in today’s rapidly changing industry.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience across global agency groups, challenger networks and independents, Ivan shares why the traditional agency model is under pressure, what clients are really looking for from their partners, and why the future may belong to smaller, more focused and founder-led businesses.

Together, they explore the emotional realities of entrepreneurship, the hidden challenges of growth and M&A, why money can fundamentally change a business, and why insight, creativity and human connection remain the true competitive advantage in the age of AI.

A must-listen for agency founders, leaders and marketers navigating their next chapter.

In this episode Maira Genovese sits down with Vanessa Kingori, one of Europe’s most influential business leaders and former Managing Director of Technology, Media & Telecoms at #Google.

From her childhood across Kenya, St. Kitts and London, to becoming British Vogue’s first female Publishing Director and Condé Nast UK’s first Black Publisher, Vanessa’s career is a story of bold reinvention and breaking barriers.

Together, they explore the leadership lessons nobody teaches you: navigating career pivots, embracing change, building confidence as an outsider, and creating opportunities through relationships and self-belief. Vanessa shares her perspective on AI, the future of work, the growing importance of personal IP, and why uniquely human skills will matter more than ever.

A powerful conversation on leadership, adaptability, and succeeding on your own terms.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, host Maira Genovese sits down with Maya Raichoora, UK's number one mental fitness and visualisation coach, book author, keynote speaker, and Nike's first-ever mental fitness trainer, to explore what it truly means to train the brain for peak performance.

From being diagnosed with a debilitating illness at 15 to fully overcoming it with no symptoms and no medication through the power of visualisation and mental fitness, Maya shares one of the most extraordinary stories of resilience, surrender, and self-mastery. They discuss the five visualisation types most people have never heard of, why the brain rewires while you sleep, and how celebrating small wins creates momentum for bigger goals.

A deeply powerful and practical conversation on mental strength, performance, and why mental fitness might just be the most important investment any of us can make.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, host Maira Genovese sits down with Lady Barbara, award-winning creative director, artist, style director, and visionary, to explore what it truly means to create from a place of purpose, identity, and spirit.

From growing up as a first-generation Italian Nigerian in northern Italy to leading global campaigns and exhibiting at Photo London, Lady Barbara shares how her journey shaped not just her career but also her entire philosophy of creativity. They discuss why confidence is something you build, not something you're born with, why AI can translate but never originate, and how staying relevant means understanding your past to see your future.

A deeply honest and soulful conversation on identity, self-expression, leadership, and why the most powerful creative force in the world will always be human.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, host Maira Genovese sits down with Tatiana Alonso, CEO of Gerando Falcões International, to explore why brand purpose often fails without action.

From a global legal career to leading impactful initiatives, Tatiana shares how purpose must move beyond intention into long-term commitment. They discuss why philanthropy isn’t a quarterly strategy, what real impact requires, and how brands can shift from visibility to accountability.

A sharp, honest conversation on leadership, responsibility, and redefining success, not as performance, but as legacy.

 In this episode of Beyond Marketing, Maira Genovese sits down with Matthew Spiteri, Head of Global Brand Communications & Advocacy at Kérastase, L’Oréal, to explore his journey from Sydney, London and now Paris, and how those experiences have shaped his perspective on leadership, culture and brand building.

Together, they unpack what brand advocacy really means today, why most brands struggle to build genuine connection, and how global teams balance consistency with cultural relevance.

The conversation explores how brands choose the right ambassadors, including the thinking behind Kérastase’s recent partnership with Demi Moore, and what it takes to build relevance beyond reach. We dive into the growing role of IRL experiences and why purpose must move beyond messaging into action, including Kérastase’s work around closing the confidence gap. A sharp, human-led conversation on building brands people don’t just see, but believe in.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing,  The Podcast, Maira Genovese sits down with Georgia Dayton, PR consultant and co-founder of the Made By Mammas podcast, for an honest conversation about identity, ambition, and the reality of balancing career and motherhood.

From the moment many women quietly face asking “Who am I now?” to the pressure of “having it all,” Georgia shares why the truth is often simpler: you can have it all, just not at the same time.

Together, they explore how Made By Mammas became a space for non-judgemental conversations about work, parenting, and identity, and how that mission expanded into a recruitment platform helping parents and businesses connect with employers who genuinely support flexible careers.

This episode goes beyond marketing to explore motherhood in the midst of a professional career, leadership through lived experience, and the cultural shift needed to support women who refuse to choose between ambition and motherhood, even if the balance isn’t always perfect.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, Maira Genovese sits down with Gabrielle Figueiredo for a conversation about identity, visibility, and building your own path while living in the spotlight.

Known publicly as the wife of Gabriel Magalhães, Brazilian footballer playing for Arsenal, Gabrielle shares the story behind the title. One that began long before football, cameras, or London. A journey shaped by resilience and reinvention.

We discussed her experience as she stepped into the public eye through the Amazon Prime series, 'Married To The Game', and how she saw it as a chance to show who she is beyond assumptions, beyond the “WAG” label, beyond the glamour people imagine.

Gabrielle speaks openly about faith as her anchor and about staying grounded. This episode is about claiming space. About saying yes when it’s finally your turn. About refusing to be reduced to a title and choosing to build your own name, on your own terms.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, Maira Genovese, CEO and Founder of MG Empower, sits down with Bianca Franklin, Global Business Development - Lead for Music & Brand Experience at H&M, for a deeply human conversation at the intersection of music, marketing, leadership, and culture.

Born and raised in San Francisco and shaped by a multicultural upbringing, Bianca shares how diversity, intuition, and emotional intelligence became the foundation of her career. From pitching herself to leading global marketing initiatives, her journey is defined by courage, persistence, and a belief in human connection.  Together, they explore how music became a powerful strategic tool to build authentic brands, especially in a post-pandemic world where audiences crave meaning, emotion, and belonging. Bianca reflects on why working with emerging and local artists creates a deeper cultural relevance and how building platforms allows brands to truly connect with people.

This episode is a reminder that the future of marketing isn’t just driven by technology or performance metrics, but by intuition, collaboration, and the power of human emotion. Because when brands feel human, connections become culture, and culture builds impact.

In this episode of Beyond Marketing, The Podcast, Maira Genovese, CEO and Founder of MG Empower,  sits down with Juliet Mayhew, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, for a deeply human conversation about purpose, generosity, and the power of life transformation.

Raised across cultures and shaped by a global upbringing, Juliet’s life has been defined by curiosity, creativity, and a strong “give first” mindset. She shares how each chapter of her journey has shaped who she is today. Together, they explore what it means to live with intention in a world that often pushes perfection over progress. They unpack the power of generosity, and how giving without expectation can transform your work, network, and the impact you leave behind.

This episode is a reminder that success doesn’t come from having all the answers, but from staying open, curious, and generous along the way. Because in the end, we are all a work in progress, and you can never lose by giving.