Smarter Marketer

People don’t buy luxury for utility. In high-end markets, purchase decisions are driven by emotion, identity and status - not features or price points. For marketers in the high-end space, this changes everything.

In this episode of Smarter Marketer, Giverny Reid - Director at creative property marketing firm &Only and former Creative and Marketing Director at Crown Group - breaks down what actually drives demand in premium categories. 

• What sets luxury marketing apart from traditional marketing
• Why legacy and brand credibility matter more than ever
• How to genuinely harness scarcity and FOMO without any tricks
• Why real-world experiences still dominate in luxury and property marketing
• Using digital, AI and emerging technologies like AR/VR to spark desire
• Where most marketers get high-end marketing wrong 

Giverny Reid is the Director of creative property marketing firm &Only, bringing over 15 years of experience in building and positioning premium brands in the luxury space. Previously, she was the Creative and Marketing Director at Crown Group, where she played a key role in shaping one of Australia’s most recognised luxury property brands.

Giverny’s work has earned her recognition across the industry, including being named ‘Marketer of the Year’ by realestate.com.au in 2022. She’s also been a finalist in the B&T Under 30 Awards for Design and has led major brand and event campaigns across Australia.

You can follow Giverny on LinkedIn.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast 

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

The agency pitch process is one of the most important - yet deeply flawed - aspects of the marketer-agency relationship. In this Smarter Marketer Podcast episode, Host James Lawrence talks about the realities of modern-day pitching with someone who’s been at the coalface for decades: industry veteran Darren Woolley, Founder and CEO of TrinityP3.

Darren unpacks the latest State of the Pitch 2025 Report by TrinityP3, revealing why things have actually gotten worse in 2025 - and what both marketers and agencies can do to fix it. 

Read the State of the Pitch 2025 Report.

• The most common pitch mistakes made by marketers - and how to avoid them
• Why cost-cutting is undermining agency performance and client outcomes
• The real-world impact of involving too many agencies in a pitch
• How AI and automation are being overpromised in the pitch process
• Effective ideas to create a more respectful, effective and sustainable approach to pitching

Darren Woolley is considered a thought leader on all aspects of marketing management. A Problem Solver, Negotiator, Mentor, Founder & Global CEO of TrinityP3 - Marketing Management Consultants, Industry Commentator, Podcaster, and Author. He is also a Past-Chair of the Australian Marketing Institute, Past President of the Melbourne Advertising and Design Club, Ex-Medical Scientist and Ex-Creative Director.

You can follow him on Instagram [@_trinityp3_], LinkedIn, or find out more on his website.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast 

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

Email marketing might not be the newest toy in the digital toolbox, but it’s still one of the most powerful. In a time when AI is transforming how we work and big platforms are making it harder for businesses to own audience relationships, marketers are turning back to the basics - and doing them better.

Host James Lawrence sits down with Anthony Capano, Regional Director at Intuit Mailchimp, to talk about how email is thriving in Australia, how personalisation and AI are changing the game, and what smart brands are doing to get ahead. 

• Why email marketing is far from dead - and what Mailchimp’s intriguing SXSW campaign was really about
• How Australian brands are achieving some of the world’s highest email open rates
• The resurgence of email in an era of rising media costs, fragmented attention and zero-click search
• Why first-party data is becoming a non-negotiable for marketers
• The role of AI in scaling hyper-personalisation without stretching your team
• Mailchimp’s evolution: from a simple email tool to an integrated platform with SMS, automation, CRM and 300+ tech integrations
• How Aussie brands are using Mailchimp to manage their data, run omnichannel campaigns and boost ROI
• The growing importance of creative and consistency across channels
• What the future holds for marketing teams using Intuit Mailchimp

Anthony Capano is the Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand at Intuit Mailchimp. With over two decades of leadership experience across global ad tech and martech companies, Anthony has launched international brands into APAC, led localised campaigns for names like Woolworths, Telstra and IKEA, and previously served as Managing Director for North America at Rakuten Advertising.

Now back in Australia, Anthony is focused on expanding Mailchimp’s local footprint - building out on-the-ground support, growing strategic partnerships and helping marketers unlock the full power of email and first-party data. 

You can follow Anthony on LinkedIn.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast 

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

Digital isn’t what it used to be and neither is marketing. In this episode of Smarter Marketer, James welcomes back industry legend Rand Fishkin, Co-Founder and CEO of Sparktoro, to cut through the noise as they discuss the flawed logic of traditional attribution models, the pitfalls of over-relying on Google and the importance of audience-first marketing to future-proof your digital strategy.

• Zero-click searches and AI Search tools - Where is traffic going?
• The AI hype cycle - Why most marketers are chasing the wrong trends
• SEO and digital PR strategies - When and why it's vital to invest in PR
• The hidden challenges of AI data sources and what they mean for marketers
• How to find and engage your ideal customers through audience research
• The evolution of social media - How platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok are shifting
• Privacy, data collection and attribution - Why traditional tracking models are failing
• Brand awareness vs paid advertising - How to strike the right balance

Rand Fishkin is the co-founder and CEO of SparkToro, a leading audience research software company helping brands discover where their target customers engage online. Prior to founding SparkToro, Rand was the co-founder of Moz, where he built one of the most influential SEO communities in the world.

He’s also the author of Lost and Founder, a candid look at the startup world and a frequent speaker at global marketing conferences. 

You can follow Rand on LinkedIn.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast 

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

Broad-reach campaigns are simply not enough sometimes. Account-Based Marketing (ABM) is emerging as an extremely effective strategy for businesses that are seeking deeper engagement, stronger relationships with their prospective clients and higher-value deals. But what does it really take to run an effective ABM program?

Host James Lawrence sits down with seasoned ABM strategist Paola Piccinno to unpack the nuances of this powerful marketing approach. Whether you’re considering ABM for the first time or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with practical advice, real-world examples and actionable takeaways.

• Paola’s journey - from London to Sydney and her global marketing experience
• What is ABM and how it differs from traditional B2B marketing and demand generation
• Common ABM challenges and misconceptions:
• Lack of ABM maturity in APAC and ANZ
• Getting buy-in between marketing, sales and the leadership
• Budget concerns due to the misconception that ABM is expensive
• The challenge of selecting the right accounts (and the right number of accounts)
• Creative detachment from the goal of the campaigns
• Case studies of stand-out ABM campaigns:

1. T-Mobile Batman comic book campaign - Using personalisation to secure a meeting with a CEO
2. Auto Telefonica’s remote control truck - Direct mail tailored to an executive’s interests
3. Adobe’s executive roundtable breakfast - Engaging high-level decision makers without a traditional sales pitch

• Technology and AI in ABM: opportunities and risks
• Practical advice for marketers considering ABM

Italian-born, Australia-based Fractional CMO, Paola brings 20+ years of experience leading and executing successful B2B marketing strategies across UK, EMEA and APAC for global brands (from big enterprises, to SMB’s and more recently startups), with a specialisation in strategic Account Based Marketing (ABM). She has helped numerous early-stage as well as established companies achieve significant growth through strategic ABM programs, and she is passionate about sharing her expertise with her international network. Paola currently mentors start-ups for the Techstars accelerator program in Australia, and she is also a post-grad lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast and RMIT in international business and digital marketing strategy.

You can follow Paola on LinkedIn. You can also visit her website to know more.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast 

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

In marketing, deadlines are relentless and expectations are high. It’s critical to manage stress and make clear-headed decisions under pressure. In this episode of Smarter Marketer, host James Lawrence chats with Dr. Jemma King - founder of BioPsychAnalytics and expert in stress, resilience and high performance. 

Having worked with elite organisations like the Australian Olympic Swim Team, the Australian Defence Force, McKinsey and Atlassian, Dr.King shares science-backed insights on managing burnout, improving decision-making and optimising sleep for peak performance. Whether you're leading a team, juggling campaigns, or striving for balance in your personal life, this episode will equip you with practical strategies to navigate the pressures of marketing.

• Dr. Jemma King’s journey - How she became a leading expert in stress research and high-performance psychology.
• Why marketers are under pressure And the need to manage stress for long-term success
• Science-backed strategies to reduce stress and prevent burnout – Practical techniques used by elite athletes, military personnel and corporate leaders to stay resilient
• The role of sleep in peak performance - How sleep quality directly impacts decision-making, creativity and overall health.
• Actionable tips to improve sleep for better health:

1. How to measure sleep quality and its effects on energy and performance.
2. The hidden impact of alcohol on sleep cycles and cognitive function.
3. Simple ways to eliminate sleep-disrupting distractions.
4. How dim lighting before bedtime signals your brain to relax.
5. The science behind a 40-degree hot bath as a sleep aid.
6. How cutting back on sugar can significantly improve sleep quality.

• Beyond sleep: The next most powerful factors in resilience - regular exercise, a balanced diet, meaningful relationships, fulfilling work and financial stability.
• Tactical ways to build a stress-resilient life by structuring your day, improving your work environment and developing a low-stress mindset.
• Decision-making under pressure – How to maintain a clear, strategic mindset in high-stakes situations.
• Emotional intelligence & AI – The evolving role of AI in helping professionals improve emotional intelligence and make better, more rational decisions.

Dr. Jemma King PhD is the founder of BioPsychAnalytics, a consultancy that helps companies, teams and individuals reduce stress, avoid burnout and make better decisions under pressure. She focuses on practical strategies to improve team performance and well-being in high-stress environments.

Jemma has worked with organisations like the Australian Olympic Swim Team, the Australian Defence Force, McKinsey and Atlassian, among others.

You can follow Jemma on LinkedIn.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

In marketing, there exists a fine line between influencing decisions and crossing into manipulation. The difference? One builds trust while the other erodes it.

Host James Lawrence chats with Dan Monheit, Chief CX Thinker at Thinkerbell and former CEO of creative behavioural science agency HardHat, about applying behavioural science principles like default bias and anchoring to your marketing, related ethical considerations and how to draw the line between persuasion and manipulation.

• Dan’s journey - starting Hardhat and his interest in behavioural science
• Introduction to behavioural science and it’s connection to marketing
• What are some common behavioural biases you see everyday?

-Default bias

-Framing

-Anchoring

-Loss aversion

-Effort bias

• Ethics in persuasion vs manipulation
• Navigating dark patterns
• How context impacts perception and shapes biases
• Essential behavioural science resources for marketers

Dan Monheit is a leader in creative behavioural science. In 2005, he founded Hardhat, a pioneering agency that worked with top brands like Mattel, Bega Dairy, the Victorian Government, Kogan, DocuSign and Afterpay. Under his direction, Hardhat became a go-to agency for brands looking to understand and influence consumer behaviour.

In October 2024, Hardhat was acquired by Thinkerbell, where Dan now serves as Chief CX Thinker, applying his expertise to elevate customer experiences through a blend of creativity and behavioural insights.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast 

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

Rocket Agency’s top experts and Host James Lawrence discuss what will work in digital marketing in 2025 and how to set yourself up for success with the latest on SEO, digital and creative.

• How to navigate AI Overviews and the impact on paid search and SEO
• Will ChatGPT replace search engines?
• How to adapt SEO practices to align with AI-driven algorithms in 2025
• How digital marketing roles will remain relevant as we enter the age of AI
• How to improve the impact of digital ad creative
• The relevance of low-fidelity video content in B2B and its potential in 2025
• Interesting strategies that delivered exceptional results in 2024, and how to advocate for them
• How to balance investment between brand-building and performance activities
• How to maintain creativity across campaigns when constrained by budgets and deadlines
• How often should ad creative be updated to optimise conversions?
• The most impactful SEO initiative to prioritise in 2025
• How to structure and optimise content for SGE’s conversational search approach
• How Google Ads will evolve in 2025 and whether TikTok is a viable platform for B2B
• Changes to expect on Meta platforms this year

Joe Alder is an award-winning SEO expert and has driven organic growth for global brands like Amazon, Coca-Cola, ANZ and Dulux through innovative strategies and data-driven insights. With over 20 industry award nominations, Joe is recognised as a leader in the field. You can follow Joe on LinkedIn.

Samantha Dodson heads Rocket’s creative wing and brings a wealth of experience, having excelled in both B2B and B2C landscapes for brands including LinkedIn, Adobe, Microsoft and Salesforce, as well as Telstra, WWF, Coca-Cola and KFC. Previously she was the creative lead at BlueMelon and has worked at Ogilvy and DDB. You can follow Sam on LinkedIn.

Mariano Di Lascio leads a team of outstanding marketers at Rocket Agency across paid search and paid social channels. Together with the team, he has won some outstanding awards for client campaigns, including Best Integrated Campaign at APAC Search Awards, Best Integration of Search into Cross-Channel Marketing at Search Engine Land Awards and Best Integrated Campaign at Semrush Awards. You can follow Mariano on LinkedIn.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

Building your personal brand as a marketer is crucial for career advancement, establishing credibility, obtaining salary increases and creating professional opportunities. This week, James interviews Fleur Brown, celebrated author of ‘The Business of Being YOU: Personal Brand Secrets of CEOs and Celebrities’. Fleur shares why you should be building your personal brand reputation and practical tips for marketing yourself within a competitive industry.

• The importance of marketing yourself to stand out from the crowd
• What does ‘building your personal brand’ really mean?
• Picking three elements to curate your personal brand
• Using your LinkedIn profile effectively to establish yourself in your company and industry
• The value in transparency and being upfront about your intentions
• Creating your own short bio and headshot for distribution
• How to get speaking opportunities

Fleur Brown is a creative entrepreneur who has helped build the profiles of some of the world's most innovative media, technology and entertainment brands, thought leaders and entrepreneurs. Fleur is passionate about helping individuals establish and grow their personal profile and this website is dedicated to that focus. Formerly, Fleur was the Co-Founder and CEO of award-winning PR Agency, Launch Group, the Founder and Executive Producer of the ENTREPRENEURS TV Show on Sky Business News and a Co-Founder of TEDxSydney - one of the world's largest innovation festivals.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

Ranked in Forbes World's Most Influential 50 CMOs list, Ryan Bonnici shares career advice marketers should take onboard. Ryan has gone from marketing roles in Australia to global CMO roles for two tech unicorns in the USA.

• What are the benefits of working for a company that is growing quickly?
• The importance of owning a number/region to develop your career
• How to gain mentorship and advice from your connections
• Knowing your worth as you move through your career
• When is the right time to move companies?
• Why it’s actually good to talk to your competition

Ryan Bonnici was awarded 26th place on the World's Most Influential CMOs in 2020 list by Forbes (up from 41st place in 2019) and is currently the CMO of Wellhub (formerly Gympass). Ryan has extensive experience across B2B and B2C marketing and sales development, which has led to a strong understanding of the processes behind the job, refined interpersonal skills and an advanced understanding and track record in achieving strong return-on-marketing-investment and business growth.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/ 

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/ 

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg 

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm 

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.