In this episode, Rob Twells speaks with Pat Butkus, SVP of Marketing & Growth at Acast, the world’s largest independent podcast company. They explore why podcasting continues to outperform expectations in a landscape dominated by video.

The conversation covers how 63% of listeners say they trust their podcast host – and how that level of trust leads to real, measurable action.

Pat shares how brands of all sizes are leveraging podcasting to drive both brand awareness and performance, and why audio is one of the most underused tools in the modern marketing mix.

He also discusses the role of AI, some of the tools and strategies his team uses day-to-day, and the marketing habits he’s ready to leave behind for good.

If you're thinking of adding podcasting to your marketing strategy, then this is the episode for you!

In this episode of Room 301, Rob sits down with Lynn Power, a former ad agency executive who has worked with brands like L’Oréal, Clinique, Amex, and Gillette, and now turned indie beauty founder of Masami Haircare.

They unpack what it really takes to grow a modern ecommerce brand without a massive budget or a celebrity name. Lynn shares how she’s built a loyal, engaged customer base by focusing on what most brands overlook: authentic relationships, community-driven marketing, and scrappy experimentation.

We discuss:

– Why e-commerce is getting harder (and how to adapt)

– Building loyalty in an industry where no one sticks around

– The myth of overnight success, and the reality of indie growth

– What Lynn learned from leading major global brands

If you’re tired of hype and want a real talk with someone who’s marketing credentials are second-to-none, tune in now!

In this episode of Room 301, Rob Twells is joined by Ryan Jones, Marketing Manager at SEOTesting, to unpack the real value of SEO experimentation.

They explore why testing matters, how it helps overcome client pushback, and the surprisingly powerful results Ryan’s seen from even the simplest changes.

He also shares a few lessons from career missteps and failures, and explains why SEO isn’t dead, no matter what buzzword comes next.

If you’ve ever felt like SEO is part science, part guesswork, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Room 301, Rob Twells chats with Tim Elliott, a B2B marketing expert, about the power of differentiation. They delve into what truly makes a brand unique beyond basic customer service and value propositions. Tim emphasizes the importance of storytelling, visual cues, and focusing on a niche to gain a competitive edge.

He also discusses something called the "torchbearer's calling" tools – speeches, stories, ceremonies, and symbols – to effectively communicate distinctiveness and build a strong brand identity in the B2B world.

A thought-provoking and fun episode, brought to you by The Digital Maze, a full service marketing agency from Derby.

Join Rob as he chats with Dani McNabb, a product marketer at SBS Software in Paris.

Dani shares her insights on effective product positioning, emphasising storytelling and customer solutions. She discusses the importance of collaboration in a global company, the value of documentation, and learning from marketing mishaps. Dani also reveals her unique career journey and advocates for specialisation over being a 'jack of all trades' in marketing.

It's time to step into Room 301... brought to you by The Digital Maze, a full service digital marketing agency, based in Derby.

In this episode of Room 301, we chat with PPC specialist Sophie Logan about holding digital agencies accountable for paid ad performance, the importance of post-click optimisation, and why businesses shouldn’t rely solely on PPC for growth.

Sophie shares hard-learned lessons from her agency days, including costly mistakes, and gives her take on the evolving role of PPC professionals in an AI-driven world.

Plus, she reveals the marketing trends that frustrate her the most...

If you work in digital marketing or with a PPC agency, this episode is one you can't afford to miss!

In this episode of Room 301, host Rob Twells sits down with Paid Media Account Manager Lewis Hall to uncover why businesses burn through their PPC budgets without seeing results. They dive into the biggest mistakes advertisers make, the evolving challenges of conversion tracking, and the future of paid media in an AI-driven world.

Lewis also shares his must-have marketing tools, a nightmare ad mistake that cost thousands, and his biggest pet peeve in digital marketing. If you're running paid campaigns or just want to optimize your ad spend, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

New episodes drop every two weeks—subscribe now!

Join us on this episode ofRoom 301 as Rob Twells chats with Bet Hannon, Founder and CEO of AccessiCart, to explore the world of web accessibility.

Bet shares her journey from non-profit management to leading an agency focused on making eCommerce more inclusive for people accessibility requirements.

They discuss why accessibility is more than just a legal requirement – it’s about business, independence, and opening digital doors for everyone. From the most common accessibility mistakes to the role accessibility and user experience plays inSEO, this episode is packed with practical insights for businesses navigating the evolving landscape of digital accessibility.

Plus, Bet reveals the one thing about marketing that really grinds her gears! It's time to step into Room 301...

In this episode of Room 301, brought to you by The Digital Maze, we're joined by Caroline Smith, brand and growth consultant at Smudged, to explore the importance of aligning your business with purpose-led values.

Caroline discusses how understanding who you are and what you stand for is key to making meaningful connections with your clients.

We dive into the challenges of B2B marketing, stressing that marketing isn’t just about promotions—it’s about building a solid brand strategy and knowing where your audience is.

Tune in for insights on growing your business through authentic branding and strategic marketing, not just flashy tactics.

Got a second? Join our marketing experts on our FREE quarterly webinar "What's New in Digital Marketing?" on Thursdat 13th February. All the latest trends, tools and updates in digital. Sign up here.

In this episode of Room 301, we’re joined by Mark Saxby, founder of Status Social and Positive Social, to uncover the secrets behind his success in social media marketing.

Mark shares the tools he swears by (hint: it’s not fancy apps) and why he likes to put his faith in people over technology. He also opens up about the lessons learned from his most ambitious flop and the surprising campaign that had national press buzzing.

Plus, discover the LinkedIn practice he’d banish forever and the unusual reason he’s on a personal crusade against quiche.

Packed with humor, wisdom, and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen! It's time to step into Room 301...

Brought to you by The Digital Maze.