Cat McGinn, industry commentator and the founder of Liminal and Co, joins Darren to discuss the structural problems with how the advertising industry is using artificial intelligence. While AI promises creative abundance and more originality, it is instead delivering creative convergence and more of the same.

They explore why AI acts as a "stochastic parrot," predicting patterns based on past human content and biases, which ultimately regresses output toward the average rather than generating true ideas. 

The conversation delves into the cognitive science behind this phenomenon, referencing Wharton's System Three model and the dangerous rise of "cognitive surrender," where high trust in AI leads creatives to adopt faulty outputs with minimal scrutiny. To combat this, they discuss how the best use of AI requires systems thinking, taste, and introducing deliberate productive friction instead of simply offloading the effort of thinking.

Finally, they offer an optimistic reframing of creativity as a wild, divergent problem-solving practice. Instead of asking how to make campaigns slightly faster and cheaper, Cat urges the industry to ask what problems can now be solved that couldn't before.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/   

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  

Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

Nick Hand is the commercially savvy CFO and senior finance consultant at Trinity P3. He brings a rigorous financial perspective to the marketing landscape, advising both marketers and agencies on how to move beyond traditional cost-recovery models toward more sustainable, value-based relationships.

They explore the fundamental shift from cost-based to value-based remuneration systems, a transition accelerated by the rise of generative AI. The conversation delves into the "crisis of the hourly rate," the hidden financial risks of in-housing, and the necessity of differentiating between low-value commoditized tasks and high-value strategic work. They also examine how marketers can align their activities with business outcomes to transition from a "spending" mindset to an "investment" portfolio approach that satisfies C-suite scrutiny.

For a sector where marketing is often the second-largest line item on a P&L, trailing only behind payroll, understanding how to articulate and measure commercial impact is critical. As AI decouples production time from output value, making the traditional "head-hour" model a race to the bottom, this is an essential conversation to eavesdrop on for anyone looking to future-proof their agency fee structures and marketing investments.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190 

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934 

Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS91c2Vycy9zb3VuZGNsb3VkOnVzZXJzOjE2MTQ0MjA2NC9zb3VuZHMucnNz 

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing 

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/ 

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/ 

Recorded live on Zoom H4n and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

Nick Jackson is the CEO and co-founder of Artist Partners, and collaborates with Andrew Mote, the Principal and Founder of Mote Advisors on analysing and advising superannuation funds on meeting their fiduciary responsibilities when it comes to their marketing investment.

The explore the complexities of marketing within the Australian superannuation industry, focusing on regulatory scrutiny, measurement challenges, and strategic insights for marketers aiming to demonstrate member benefits and business outcomes.

For a sector that manages more than $4.13 trillion in funds, making it one of the world's largest pension systems, and spending $482 million a year on marketing and sponsorship, this is an essential conversation to eavesdrop on.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/   

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  

Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

The Starcom Australia leadership team, CEO Matt Houltham, Chief Operating Officer, Louise Romeo, and Chief Client & Growth Officer Scott McCaffrey explore the evolving definition of a media agency partnership as AI continues to reshape the industry. 

As the marketing landscape faces "twin evil forces" of increasing uncertainty and growing complexity, the conversation dives into how agencies must move beyond simple efficiency to drive true business effectiveness. 

And they address the future of partnership, highlighting why being a proactive partner means knowing a client’s business inside out to solve complex commercial challenges rather than just selling media solutions.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190 

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934 

Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS91c2Vycy9zb3VuZGNsb3VkOnVzZXJzOjE2MTQ0MjA2NC9zb3VuZHMucnNz 

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing 

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/ 

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/ 

Recorded live on Zoom H4n and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

Jarrod Allen, Associate Director, Strategic Media Solutions at .monks discusses the transformative impact of AI on marketing, particularly focusing on the shift from traditional SEO to generative engine optimization (GEO). 

He explores how AI is changing consumer behavior, the importance of understanding audience language, and the challenges marketers face in measuring success in this new landscape. 

The conversation also touches on the future of agentic commerce and the need for authenticity in AI-driven marketing strategies. This is a rapidly evolving field and this conversation represents and important touchpoint in the evolution in search for brand and marketing.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/   

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  

Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

Joel Kleber, CMO of Jim's Group, admits that he’s not a classically trained marketer. And thankfully is glad that he’s not. Otherwise he may never have achieved the commercial heights that he has if he was bogged down by process, frameworks and risk-averse thinking.

Joel shares how he helped spearhead the explosive growth of Jim’s Group with their digital presence and franchise recruitment strategy. Which now achieves over a $1b annual turnover from over 5,700 franchisees across more than 50 divisions in Australia, NZ, Canada, and the UK. 

From AI tools, failing, and harnessing real authenticity, to letting go and trusting the network to inspire people, Joel shares Jim’s Group’s unique recipe for success. 

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/   

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  

Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

Amanda Connors, a seasoned marketer with a diverse career spanning retail, banking, and wellness. Amanda discusses the challenges and transformations in marketing, the importance of resilience, and the strategies she has employed to build successful brands. 

From her early days at Myer to her impactful role at Priceline and beyond, Amanda shares insights on customer obsession, community building, and the evolution of marketing in a rapidly changing landscape.

Amanda has not just embraced the challenges of these categories, businesses and marketing, she appears to relish them. From retail, to banking, to wellness and beauty, she has not just survived, she continues to thrive.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/   

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  

Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

Ellie Angell goes undercover to delve into the complexities of the agency pitching process. She discusses the challenges faced by agencies, including emotional tolls, the role of procurement, and the importance of clear communication and feedback. 

The TrinityP3 State of the Pitch report has shone a light into the pitching process as it is practiced and revealed what many feel, but few could articulate. That is the problem with pitching is it is not broken as some maintain, but it is suffering often from poor management and even worse behaviour, particularly by a few procurement professionals and marketers.

But just how bad is this behaviour? Surely some of the reports of poor time management down to outright rudeness is a huge exaggeration. Ellie went behind the scenes to a few agencies who were in the pitch process to see first-hand and report back. 

What she shares highlights the need for a behavioral reset in how agencies and marketers interact during pitches, emphasizing the necessity for a fair and reasonable process that respects the efforts of all parties involved.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/   

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  

Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

John Elbing, the author of 'Story Building: Your Brand from Their Standpoint”, explores the critical differences between storytelling and story building, emphasizing the importance of understanding the consumer's perspective. 

John shares insights on how effective storytelling can create emotional connections, enhance brand recognition, and drive consumer engagement. The conversation also delves into the complexities of B2B marketing, the founder advantage in storytelling, and the need for consistency across different audience segments.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/   

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  

Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

Ahron Young, founder and CEO of Ticker News, to discuss the current state of journalism, the evolution of news media, and the challenges faced by modern journalists. Ahron shares his personal journey in journalism, from his early days as a cadet journalist to becoming a foreign correspondent and eventually launching Ticker News. 

The conversation delves into the impact of technology on journalism, the importance of maintaining integrity in news reporting, and the innovative approach Ticker Studio takes in creating engaging content for audiences. Ahron emphasizes the need for journalists to adapt to the changing media landscape while remaining committed to delivering credible and authentic news.

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  

Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  

Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/   

For more episodes of TrinityP3’s Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  

Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.