In this SEEDea Executive Insights podcast episode we discover what modern marketing really takes — beyond influencers and flashy campaigns. This special episode features Dániel Nyeste-Kállay (Marketing Director at FrieslandCampina) and Sarolta Gál (Chief Strategist at DDB), joined by SEED’s László Aczél, as a prelude to the upcoming Strategic Marketing for Business Leaders course.Together, they unpack the long-term business strategies behind Pöttyös Túró Rudi, Hungary’s most iconic snack brand. From building penetration and managing light users to mastering physical and mental availability, the episode explores why consistent branding, innovation, and evidence-based marketing drive real growth.The conversation also questions today’s marketing priorities: Has marketing lost its business edge? What role should experimentation and failure play in innovation? And how can leaders stay bold and relevant in a fast-changing landscape?Join us as we explore what it truly takes to build brands that grow — and stay ahead — in a constantly evolving market.Learn more about our upcoming program: https://seed-uni.com/programs/focus-programs/building-scalable-growth-strategic-marketing-for-business-leaders/

THE INNOVATION PARADOX
WHY STRATEGY FAILS & WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT

SEED Executive School welcomes Saul Betmead de Chasteigner (Associate Fellow, Oxford Saïd Business School) in this thought-provoking webinar on the disconnect between strategic ambition and real-world execution. Drawing on decades of experience in innovation strategy, Saul unpacks why many strategies fail to deliver — and what leaders can do differently.

He explores how traditional planning often overlooks experimentation, adaptability, and emotional engagement, and introduces a new approach to strategy built on insight, foresight, and continuous evolution. From the role of mindset in innovation to the concept of strategy as a living theory of value, this session equips leaders with practical tools to close the gap between thinking and doing.

SEED Executive School’s SEEDEA Podcast series welcomes Krisztián Kurtisz (CEO, UNIQA Hungary) and András Fischer (Innovation Director, OTP Bank) to discuss the critical need for digital transformation across industries with Dr. László Eszes (CEO and Academic Director, SEED). 

They explore key digital trends shaping businesses today, including AI, automation, cloud computing, and data-driven decision-making. The guests highlight how these technologies are reshaping industries, customer behavior, and business strategy, making digital transformation a necessity rather than an option. They also address the hype around AI, advising leaders to take a strategic and purpose-driven approach rather than rushing into AI adoption without clear objectives.

Beyond technology, they discuss how CEE companies are leveraging digital tools across three key areas: operational efficiency, customer experience, and new business models. While digitalization offers vast potential, many companies in the region are still underutilizing data and digital opportunities. The discussion also covers how leaders can design effective digital strategies and why culture is the deciding factor in digital success.

Tune in to gain practical insights and learn about their upcoming hands-on executive program at SEED!

In this insightful episode, SEED Executive School faculty members László Aczél and Sanjay Gupta dive into the key themes of Sanjay’s new book, Leading in Uncertainty: Leadership Practices for the VUCA World. Together, they explore the challenges of navigating the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world and discuss Sanjay’s innovative AVICA model—a leadership framework designed to help leaders thrive in these turbulent times.

The AVICA model, which stands for Agility, Value-Orientation, Inspiration, Collaboration, and Appreciation, is broken down in detail as Sanjay shares real-life examples and personal stories that illustrate how these five attributes can be applied in practice. Whether you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills or simply curious about modern leadership strategies, this episode offers valuable insights into effective leadership in today’s complex world.

Tune in to discover how the AVICA model can equip you with the tools to lead confidently and resiliently in any situation.

Learn more and preorder the book: https://seed-uni.com/leading-in-uncertainty-sanjay-gupta/

In this episode of the SEED Executive Insights - Podcast Series, we discover the critical role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in shaping modern business strategies. Réka Szücs, Director at Deloitte, explains how ESG principles can be seamlessly integrated across all levels of a company to achieve sustainable success.

Réka and our host, György Leitner (SEED Faculty Member) discuss the comprehensive approach Deloitte takes, involving collaborative efforts with industry specialists to customize ESG strategies that are both impactful and practical. She shares insights on essential topics such as transforming operational models through ESG integration and the significance of leadership in promoting a culture of sustainability.

For more insights and to access other episodes from the SEED Executive Insights series, please visit our website.

▶ https://seed-uni.com/executive-insights

In this episode of the SEED Executive Insights - Podcast Series, we talked to Volodymyr Mudryi, CEO of OTP Ukraine about the recent challenges in business operations and in handling the complex economical, societal and humanitarian crisis following the Russian invasion.

Since June 2023, Volodymyr acts as the Chairman of the Ukrainian Banking Association (IABU) and fosters active collaboration between the Ukrainian economic, financial and banking organization. He also shares valuable insights on his leadership approach, strategic and operational priorities and efforts to create a high employee engagement in the company, that led OTP Ukraine to be ranked among the Top 5 most stable and efficient banks in the country.

The interview has been hosted by Sandy Vaci, SEED Faculty Member.

Volodymyr Mudry acts as the CEO of OTP Ukraine since November 2020. He graduated from Faculty of Economics of Volyn State University, and received diploms from the Krannert Business School (USA) and Tias Nimbas Business School (Netherlands). He started his career in the banking sector in 2001 at JSC OTP BANK, the Ukrainian subsidiary of OTP in 2005 as the Head of the Operational Department of the bank's Volyn branch. Since July 2012, he was a Member of the Board of JSC OTP BANK, responsible for the development of retail business.

Volodymyr, as our distinguished SEED Alumni Member, has been recognized with the SEED Excellence Award for his outstanding professional and leadership performance as the CEO of OTP Ukraine, and the President of the Ukrainian Banking Association (IABU).

For more info about the SEED Executive Insights, visit out our website.

▶ https://seed-uni.com/executive-insights/

In this episode of the SEED Executive Insights - Podcast Series, we talked to Márton Homola, Group-level Head of Loyalty, Digital Channels and CRM at MOL Group. Márton shared their incredible journey with MOL Group and MOL MOVE application based loyalty program, which received international success and just in 2 years have been rolled out in 6 different countries and reached more than 2.7 millions members to join the community.

In this episode of the SEED Executive Insights - Podcast Series, we talked to Béla Szabó, Brandcomms Director of Magyar Telekom. Béla dispelled the myths around the concepts and practices of CSR and purpose, while highlighted the essence of brand activism approach that they established at Magyar Telekom. Brands have growing influence not only as a key differentiator in business operation, but also as a problem solving entities. Béla shared his belief, that companies and leaders with a deeper understanding of people and culture could have more positive impact on business and society.

Béla Szabó acts as Brandcomms Director of Magyar Telekom, since 2017. Previously he held key positions at several large international advertising agencies, at Y&R, Leo Burnett and DDB. In the telecommunications industry, he worked for Vodafone's global organization in Hungary and London as Head of Branding and Marketing Communications. 

Béla, as our distinguished SEED Alumni Member, has been recognized with the SEED Excellence Award for their recent achievements with Magyar Telekom and his outstanding professional and leadership performance.

For more info about the SEED Executive Insights, visit out our website.

▶ https://seed-uni.com/seed-executive-insights/

In this episode of the SEED Executive Insights - 'Podcast Series', we talked to Tamás Hák-Kovács, Chairman and CEO of DSK Bank. Tamás shared insights about the successful business transition and digital transformation achievements of DSK Bank, the key experiences from the renewal of the organization, their own digital transformation approach and definition, his most important roles as a CEO in this process, also shared details about DSK Bank's Digital Factory and talked about his leadership lessons in the CEE region.  

Tamás Hák-Kovács acts as Chairman and CEO of DSK Bank, since November 2020. Previously, since 2012, he has been Chairman and CEO of JSC OTP Bank, the Ukrainian subsidiary of OTP. Before that he worked as Chairman and CEO of the Commerzbank subsidiary in Hungary (2000-2007). From 2007 he led the Commerzbank subsidiary in Moscow and from 2010 headed a division of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Commerzbank.  

Tamás, as our distinguished SEED Alumni Member, has been recognized with the SEED Excellence Award for their recent achievements with DSK Bank and his outstanding professional and leadership performance.  

For more info about the SEED Executive Insights, visit out our website. ▶ https://seed-uni.com/seed-executive-insights/