Label Sessions Presents...

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... the podcast bringing you what you need to know right now if you want to lead change at work, and introducing you to the leaders from the world's leading innovation expert network.

This week, join Maxine Mackie + Josh Nixon of Label Sessions alongside leaders Tim Wieringa + Walter Seepersad to showcase their stories as well as delve into the latest innovation in business, tech, sustainability, and more.

For the full list of stories mentioned in this episode check out:

Starbucks have announced that they are doubling down on the concept of being a ‘third space’ between work and home.

People say more people than ever are working from home but actually we can mostly work from anywhere.

Are there opportunities to create new kinds of spaces? New kinds of coffee shop? Co-working? Gym? What kinds of new spaces could emerge and what do we need to emerge if we are to make remote working work?

https://sherwood.news/business/starbucks-tells-shareholders-its-doubling-down-on-third-place-playbook/

Magnum have launched a new sonic identity that builds of the positive associations that people have around biting into an ice cream.

Tiktok are using sound to stop teenagers using the app for too long.

Why is sound so powerful for brands and product designers? And why have brand and product leaders been so reluctant to use sound in the past?

https://www.creativebloq.com/design/branding/magnum-abducts-our-radio-waves-with-ingenious-sonic-branding-ad

https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/new-ways-we-are-supporting-parents-and-helping-teens-build-balanced-digital-habits?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--iC5fyrV7GQutUn8WlEU6K82TRhq0o4i14wcosgksdjB3Q90WvZleaQq8trII-fctVMChGmrXvzJcR21PcEZeMEWIg06yHGsgZM36FCMEDFWHyt60&_hsmi=351337589&utm

How should we remember Skype?

Now that the product has been sunset by Microsoft many people are talking about Skype as an example of failure because the brand is no more.

But now they are owned by Microsoft video calls are very much central to the parent company proposition.

So should we remember Skype as an innovator or as a loser of the pandemic?

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/09/skype-shutdown-memories-video-calling

Mastercard are partnering with Likecard in the Middle East to create a new family banking proposition.

What is the future of family banking, and why have incumbent banks found it so hard to get this right?

https://gulfbusiness.com/new-family-banking-solution-launches-in-mena/

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... the podcast bringing you what you need to know right now if you want to lead change at work, and introducing you to the leaders from the world's leading innovation expert network.

This week, join Nick Sherrard and Fuzlin Esau of Label Sessions alongside leaders Nicolas Babin + Celina Agaton to showcase their stories as well as delve into the latest innovation in business, tech, sustainability, and more.

For the full list of stories mentioned in this episode check out:

1. People are creating a more playful, positive internet.

Digg is coming back to bring good vibes to the internet

Tolan are giving everyone AI aliens to talk to on Tiktok (and raising a lot of money in the process)

Crocs are letting users create their own weird and wonderful shoes

The new app Pie want to use AI to help people make more friends

How can we all build products and businesses that bring a bit more joy to the world? https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/04/andy-dunns-new-app-pie-uses-ai-to-help-you-make-friends/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/digg-reboot-social-platform-revived-kevin-rose-alexis-ohanian-1236153674/

https://www.geekwire.com/2025/these-colorful-ai-aliens-could-be-your-new-virtual-best-friend-as-startup-lands-10m-to-launch-tolan/

2. How should we think about new tech that could change the world, but might also harm it?

The CSO of Microsoft says that AI means their climate goals will move back, and certainly not be delivered as previously promised.

Does that mean the ethical thing to do is to turn off and stop using AI, or should innovators be embracing a new technology that could transform the way everything works. https://www.esgtoday.com/microsoft-cso-says-ai-widens-gap-and-offers-solutions-to-meeting-climate-goals/

3. What’s the future of Patagonia?

The iconic, environmentally friendly company is updating its font to reflect the values of its founder but is also facing commercial challenges.

Is the future for Patagonia bright or does it need to change a lot fast?

https://www.modernretail.co/operations/theyre-reevaluating-everything-why-outdoor-retailers-rei-and-patagonia-continue-to-struggle/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/michaelleonpatagonia_were-thrilled-to-introduce-ridgeway-sans-ugcPost-7302790993206988801-16wM/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAATrk-oBHCZC7xaOs56CBrNmzhflD3bdWPE

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... the podcast bringing you what you need to know right now if you want to lead change at work, and introducing you to the leaders from the world's leading innovation expert network.

This week, join Nick Sherrard and Fuzlin Esau of Label Sessions alongside leaders Phoebe Liu, Rich Brown + Richard Denton to showcase their stories as well as delve into the latest innovation in business, tech, sustainability, and more.

For the full list of stories mentioned in this episode check out:

1. The founders of Ben and Jerrys are perhaps trying to take the brand back, to take it back to its roots. If you are leading a brand when is the right time to go back to your roots? And when is the right time to leave some of them behind to become something new? https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-26/ben-jerry-s-founders-discuss-buying-back-brand-from-unilever?srnd=homepage-americas&sref=Ptu9QECN&embedded-checkout=true

2. 1/3 of Brits would plan a holiday with AI. Would you?

Also, what does AI offer the future of travel? What should all sectors have in mind as they explore the AI future? https://globetrender.com/2025/02/17/kayak-third-brits-ai-help-book-holiday/

3. F1 is growing its audience and growing a larger female fanbase for the first time. Lululemon have just signed an F1 driver, Lewis Hamilton, as an ambassador which seems a big step forward for that plan.

How much can sponsors and partners be the driver of innovation for a sport? Rather than just simply providing $?

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/02/27/ferraris-lewis-hamilton-partnering-with-lululemon-represents-a-gender-shift-for-f1

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... the podcast bringing you what you need to know right now if you want to lead change at work, and introducing you to the leaders from the world's leading innovation expert network.

This week, join Nick Sherrard and Fuzlin Esau of Label Sessions alongside leaders Rob Andrews, Rachid Gado + Javier Bargas to showcase their stories as well as delve into the latest innovation in business, tech, sustainability, and more.

For the full list of stories mentioned in this episode check out:

1. Could the future of sportswear look very different?

Nike have teamed up with Skims to create NikeSkims – a brand that “merges NIKE, Inc.’s world-class approach to advanced innovation, sport science and athlete insights with SKIMS’ obsession for the female form and pioneering pursuit of solutions for every body.”

Allbirds have launched a zero carbon shoe.

How could sportswear as a category change in the future?

https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nikeskims-official-announcement?utm_source=news.tboypod.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-pop-biz-news-club-4-2-18-25&_bhlid=cff1b35cfe20667b3a96666aa739cd1fc288727c

https://www.retaildive.com/news/allbirds-zero-carbon-moonshot-shoe-publicly-available-purchase/739273/?utm_source=news.tboypod.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-pop-biz-news-club-4-2-18-25&_bhlid=5cd0e634d5f8d4bd97696479ba1e1130d04cf94c

1. Some brands with the biggest legacy are breaking into new categories, whilst new brands are tapping into lore and nostalgia.

How can innovators today tap into the past to unlock the future of their brand? Or even their category?

Lore is on the rise in a big way too

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/18/coca-cola-launches-simply-pop-prebiotic-soda-to-rival-olipop-poppi.html?utm_source=news.tboypod.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-pop-biz-news-club-4-2-18-25&_bhlid=91e97b9d3d8e4ccbb52c64eee90154b03a38c6f1

https://fortune.com/europe/2025/02/20/londoners-pay-for-chance-to-switch-off-their-phones-connect-with-real-world-gen-z-digital-detox/

Microsoft announced a major breakthrough in quantum computing this week.

How can leaders in business think through the implications of these kinds of fundamental shifts in technology capability?

https://theconversation.com/microsoft-just-claimed-a-quantum-breakthrough-a-quantum-physicist-explains-what-it-means-250388

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... we have a special episode for you introducing our next Labelmate Accelerator with consumer duty, transformation + regulation leader Ravi Bhalla.

Ravi led innovation at the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, but also led change in the sector for years before he took on that role.​ Ravi has seen the process of building sandbox environments from both perspectives – and seen what makes them work (or doesn’t) in both cases.​

He's joined by Nick Sherrard and Keishia Quijano of Label Sessions to walk you through his consumer offering. Find out more at www.labelsessions.com/accelerators/the-cyber-innovation-accelerator

This podcast is produced by Label Sessions, the world's leading innovation expert network.

To find out more about our work helping brands and institutions around the world make progress head to labelsessions.com to find out more.

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... we have a special episode for you introducing our next Labelmate Accelerator with cybersecurity + innovation leader Jez Goldstone.

Jez has shaped innovation programmes at the UK's biggest banks and knows how to agitate for change in a corporate banking environment. Jez focuses on finding the differentiator for customers in banking (which can feel like a utility for customers) using customer programmes to drive innovation.

He's joined by Nick Sherrard and Keishia Quijano of Label Sessions to walk you through his cyber offering. Find out more at www.labelsessions.com/accelerators/the-cyber-innovation-accelerator

This podcast is produced by Label Sessions, the world's leading innovation expert network.

To find out more about our work helping brands and institutions around the world make progress head to labelsessions.com to find out more.

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... the podcast bringing you what you need to know right now if you want to lead change at work, and introducing you to the leaders from the world's leading innovation expert network.

This week, join Nick Sherrard and Fuzlin Esau of Label Sessions alongside leaders Mehar Zariwala, Robert Lee + Matt Deatrick to showcase their stories as well as delve into the latest innovation in business, tech, sustainability, and more.

For the full list of stories mentioned in this episode check out:

1. What does responsibility look like for a brand in 2025?

Some investors say ESG is under attack around the world, but equally consumers seem to expect that payments companies should police what Ye sells on his website.

Where do the responsibilities of a company start and stop now?

Background link(s): https://research.cbinsights.com/esg-down-bigly?ecid=ACsprvt--9egOaEn-DflmmoyU5YHPmK2c7C-Lco3C4YEHBBNLLohovCuc4-GU2MYrg9KzfLLc25N&utm_campaign=newsletter_general_DD_hs&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=346877648&utm_content=346877648&utm_source=hs_email https://finance.yahoo.com/news/holocaust-denial-merchandise-tests-shopify-140619091.html?utm_campaign=mb&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=morning_brew&_bhlid=6daf00cbcbdecac42d11fed0a760d56bcb983d65&guccounter=1

2. How can brands go from early adopters to success with a mainstream audience?

Oura seem to be a case study of bridging the gap between tech bros and normal people:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-02-12/oura-ring-4-has-bridged-the-gap-from-tech-bros-to-normies?srnd=homepage-americas&utm_source=news.tboypod.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-pop-biz-news-club&_bhlid=387b8b58a94f55ef12b1129fd6952ea65ff911d6&embedded-checkout=true

3. How can brands design for joy?

Buzzfeed are launching a new social network “built specifically to spread joy and enable playful creative expression.”

Duolingo seem to have created a cartoon owl that people take a lot of joy in (or maybe take joy in hating).

We were all trained to design around user needs, how does our task change if we start to design for joy.

https://www.theverge.com/news/610269/buzzfeed-social-media-platform-launch?utm_source=news.tboypod.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=the-pop-biz-news-club&_bhlid=a1ca5badaaadc52c5b5217fa918c6feb7eac8d98

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... the podcast bringing you what you need to know right now if you want to lead change at work, and introducing you to the leaders from the world's leading innovation expert network.

This week, join Nick Sherrard and Fuzlin Esau of Label Sessions alongside leaders Shafik Nasser and Raj Kapoor to showcase their stories as well as delve into the latest innovation in business, tech, sustainability, and more.

For the full list of stories mentioned in this episode check out:

1. How should we all find the best use cases for AI? And when should we not be using it all?

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250206545502/en/Eco-friendly-Toilet-Paper-Brand-Who-Gives-A-Crap-Announces-%E2%80%98World-Dump-Day%E2%80%99-Breakup-Service-to-Combat-Use-of-AI-Chatbots

https://www.adweek.com/media/alexis-ohanian-plot-4-1m/

https://youtu.be/lvmmk85ArWg?si=MUkJhX423qZGOnmF

https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/public-sector-must-take-risks-nao-7146306/

1. How should the world of sustainability respond to the ‘mask off’ era?

That at least is the phrase being used for the times we are living in, where people have no filter. And corporations are getting sued for complying with ESG rules.

https://archive.is/2025.02.03-001421/https://www.ft.com/content/7c825624-8afc- 4581-85d9-4f524fcb047a

1. Sabre, one of the biggest tech companies in travel, announced big changes in their leadership team this week How important is the leadership team really in a big company?

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/southlake-texas-sabres-leadership-transition-marks-a-new-era-in-travel-technology-innovation-for-the-global-tourism-industry/

1. It was the Super Bowl last night, does it matter outside America? As an event and as something we can learn from as innovators in business?

https://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-2025-ad-trends-ai-influencers-humor-nostalgia/2601581

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... a conversational roundtable with our team and Labelmates, new and old, to discuss and bring their unique perspectives to news and thought-provoking stories across the globe in business and beyond.

This week, join Nick Sherrard, Fuzlin Esau and Josh Nixon of Label Sessions alongside Labelmates Michelle Koh and Elisa Michelet to showcase their stories as well as delve into the latest happenings in music, tech, sustainability, and more.

The full list of stories mentioned in this episode you can find out more about here:

A new fintech app has launched with big backing and big buzz and getting younger people investing. What should the rest of the world of finance learn from Dub?

https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/02/dub-the-copy-trading-app-that-has-teens-talking/

Lululemon have announced big growth goals for the future. How do we think they can achieve that? Also what can the rest of the world of business and brands learn from Lululemon’s success?

https://fashionunited.uk/press/business/lululemons-plan-to-double-its-business-and-continue-global-expansion/2025013179913

OpenAI have launched a new brand platform with Sonic branding at its heart. How can companies in the sea of new brands in the AI stand out?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=k3d_xeVxEOE&themeRefresh=1

This podcast is produced by Label Sessions, the world's leading innovation expert network.

To find out more about our work helping brands and institutions around the world make progress head to labelsessions.com to find out more.

Welcome to Label Sessions Presents... a conversational roundtable with our team and Labelmates, new and old, to discuss and bring their unique perspectives to news and thought-provoking stories across the globe in business and beyond.

This week, join Nick Sherrard, Fuzlin Esau and Josh Nixon of Label Sessions alongside Labelmates Rafael Castelo Branco, Tim Metz and Hilde Franzsen to showcase their stories as well as delve into the latest happenings in music, tech, sustainability, and more.

The full list of stories mentioned in this episode you can find out more about here:

American investors had a panic about the rise of Chinese AI with the release of Deepseek’s new model in recent weeks.

In the rest of the world, do we think US AI firms still have an advantage over Chinese firms? Do we think it’s even worth talking in those terms?

https://www.ai-supremacy.com/p/china-deepseek-ai-founder-background?utm_source=%2Fbrowse%2Ftechnology&utm_medium=reader2

CEOs are losing their jobs faster and faster, why is CEO turnover so high?

At the same time, for the first time since 2007, more young people in the US are fed up with their jobs than older workers.

Has something gone wrong in the modern corporation?

https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/ceo-turnover-jumps-to-new-high-7141410/

https://archive.is/2025.01.27-091405/https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-employee-engagement-workplace-morale-careers-boomers-gen-x-2025-1

Blackrock has created a fund to allow investors to back ‘climate improvers’ as well as purely green companies.

Should ESG always guide us to showcase and invest in the greenest of companies? Or is it important to back companies making a transition?

https://www.esgtoday.com/blackrock-launches-first-fund-using-fcas-sustainability-improvers-label-targeting-brown-to-green-materials-opportunities/

Mastercard say the future of payments is tokenization

Is this the future of payments? Where might we see this future emerge first?

https://wired.me/business/future-for-payments-mastercard-tokenization/

Is the luxury as a category back on the rise?

LVMH’s financial results might suggest that things are looking up.

But also what is luxury now? The NFL now has a fashion director and high end designers and sport are getting closer and closer.

https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/luxury-sector-eyes-rebound-6302644/

This podcast is produced by Label Sessions, the world's leading innovation expert network.

To find out more about our work helping brands and institutions around the world make progress head to labelsessions.com to find out more.