In this episode, Gordon sits down with Gianluca Toccafondi, a self-proclaimed IKEA “lifer” and current Head of Global Marketing at Inter IKEA Systems, to explore how purpose, passion and people come together to create not just a career—but a calling. The question is what keeps someone excited about work after 20+ years at the same company?

From his early days in Tuscany to leading marketing on a global stage, Gianluca shares why marketing is still a science in a world of AI and disruption, how values can fuel long-term engagement, what it means to “do marketing without saying we’re doing marketing”.

Tune in for a episode about sustained excitement, human leadership and staying curious.

In this episode, Gordon is joined by Frida  Elisson to talk about her journey across sectors and continents—from Lidl to Unilever, Google to eBay, and now as CMO of Kleinanzeigen.
From the ballet studio to the boardroom, Frida’s career is anything but linear—and all the more inspiring because of it.

They explore what it means to shape iconic brands through times of transformation, the power of curiosity and adaptability and why making big leaps can be the key to staying excited about your career.
The conversation explores what it really meant to bring classical brand thinking into Google Germany, steering Kleinanzeigen’s shift from “second-hand” to “sustainable” and why impact, not just output, defines great marketing.

Tune in  to get inspired – whether you're in FMCG, tech or just trying to navigate your own next leap.

In this episode of Excitement Talk, Dave Cobban sits down with Ajinkya  Joglekar, a seasoned marketing and product leader with over two decades of experience scaling iconic brands like Comcast, JP Morgan, Dish, and Sling TV. But his journey didn’t start in a boardroom — it began in the world of jazz and physics.

Ajinkya shares how his unique blend of creativity and analytical thinking led him from music theory to leading high-growth marketing teams and ultimately founding Growth Stack Commerce.  The conversation explores why embracing small tasks with tenacity can lead to big opportunities, what it was like building digital marketing from scratch in the early 2000s, the parallels between the rise of digital and today’s AI transformation, how brands can use AI without losing their emotional and creative edge.

Tune in for a  conversation that bridges past, present and future in the ever-evolving world of marketing.

In this episode, Gordon welcomes  Sharalyn Orr, Executive Director of Global Marketing Innovation at The Estée Lauder Companies, for a powerful conversation about beauty, purpose and transformation.

Sharalyn shares her unique, non-linear journey from media and research to luxury beauty and how her six-year pursuit of the right role ultimately led her to Estée Lauder.Now leading a Center of Excellence focused on women 45+ across Western markets, she discusses the shifting consumer mindset, the business case for inclusivity and the mission-driven work behind campaigns like “Because of My Age.”

They also explore how brands like Nike and Under Armour have successfully tapped into universal human truths — and how the beauty industry is evolving with greater diversity, accessibility and authenticity. From VR tools for the visually impaired to the rise of indie and inclusive brands, Sharalyn offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of beauty and why it matters.

Tune in for insights on campaign storytelling that actually resonates.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Matthias Hanschke, the Global Head of Marketing Transformation at Henkel and Advisory CMO at Spotify. Together, they dive deep into the rapid evolution of the FMCG sector and explore the challenges and opportunities in marketing, particularly as AI and new technologies reshape the landscape.

Matthias shares his unique insights on balancing visionary strategies with practical execution in a world that’s evolving faster than ever. From navigating the complexities of brand transformation to fostering a culture of innovation and embracing failure, they unpack the key decisions that shape successful businesses today.

Plus, they discuss the power of collaboration, the importance of learning from others and the evolving role of leadership in guiding brands through periods of change. 

Tune in for an honest talk about marketing evolution, strategic decision-making and the future of global brands.

In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with Rachel Exton, VP of Global Brand at Pearson, to explore a career that spans everything from high-end beauty and disinfectant to cutting-edge education and AI.

Rachel shares her remarkable journey through brands like Unilever, John Frieda and Dyson and how each role taught her something new about people, purpose and pivoting. She opens up about navigating career challenges, including returning from maternity leave and re-entering the workplace on her own terms.
Together, Sandra and Rachel unpack why every product — even bricks and disinfectant can be emotionally meaningful, the importance of purpose in today’s marketing landscape, how brand marketing can drive transformation in education and what excites Rachel most about AI and the future of lifelong learning

Tune in and get inspired to follow curiosity and go back for what you really want.

In this episode of Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Chiara Grillo, Head of Digital Marketing & Media for Unilever’s ice cream division in Italy.
From Magnum tastings on Monday mornings to unlocking confidence through deodorant campaigns, Chiara’s journey across categories and continents shows how marketing can be both deeply human and endlessly creative.

She reflects on starting out as a national-level athlete, studying marketing psychology, and building a career —moving from ice cream to skincare, deodorants and back to ice cream again. Along the way, Chiara shares insights on leadership, the mentors who shaped her and why she sees marketing not as selling, but as serving people’s needs.

They also explore the future of marketing where creators, authenticity, and data-driven media meet—and why ice cream will always be the business of happiness.

Tune in for a real talk about what it means to make brands meaningful in people’s everyday lives.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Antoine Genot, whose career spans Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, BCG and now Pernod Ricard, where he leads global marketing performance. Antoine shares how marketing has evolved from the classic 4Ps to a fast-paced, data-driven, AI-empowered discipline.

The conversation explores how to do more with less, why collaboration across creatives, data scientists and tech experts is the new core skill of marketing and how AI unlocks both the art and science of marketing.

Antoine also shares the strategic brand choices he admires—from Jameson’s consistent storytelling to Lego’s licensing pivot and Red Bull’s discipline in SKU strategy. He reflects on the future of marketing leadership, where agility, humility and critical judgment matter as much as innovation.

Tune in for a  clear-eyed look at what it takes to win in modern marketing.

In this episode of Excitement Talks, Spikes UK Partner Sandra Peat sits down with Ilaria Pasquinelli, CMO of Cannes Lions, to explore her fascinating and non-linear career journey—from fashion and sustainability to global marketing leadership.

Ilaria shares how her early passion for languages and cultures led her into marketing “by accident” and how her work with the United Nations and major fashion brands shaped her belief that business can be a force for change. She reflects on the transformation of Cannes Lions—navigating the challenges of the pandemic, reimagining the role of the festival beyond a single global event and making creativity more accessible and inclusive across the industry.

The conversation also dives into themes of business transformation, marketing effectiveness, diversity in creativity, global perspectives and the evolving role of AI as a tool to help marketers refocus on what makes us human.

Tune in if you’re  interested in how creativity, strategy and transformation intersect at the heart of today’s marketing industry.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Martin Doens, Global Director of Digital Experiences (Europe) at Mondelēz International, to explore the sweet spot where heritage brands meet cutting-edge technology.
The conversation explores Martin’s global career journey—from Accenture in Amsterdam, Melbourne, and Silicon Valley to leadership roles at Heineken, ECCO Shoes, JDE Peet’s, and now Mondelēz. He shares how a background in telecom and high tech shaped his approach to FMCG digital transformation, why empathy at scale matters and how data-driven campaigns can deepen brand love.

Along the way, Martin reflects on brands he admires, the importance of staying true to heritage while embracing innovation and what keeps him excited about the road ahead—whether it’s chocolate, quantum computing or the next big disruption.

Tune in if you’ve ever wondered how global consumer brands blend tradition with tech, or how to lead change across cultures and industries.