In the first episode of Season 2 of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Andrew Boatman, Andrew is highly experienced international Agency leader turned Consultant, with an impressive career at some of the worlds biggest agencies.

In this episode Andrew and I discuss his journey journey through the advertising and consultancy industries, discussing his experiences in Singapore, the challenges of relocating during a pandemic, and the evolving landscape of marketing. We reflect on the impact of age on job opportunities, the rise of smaller agencies, and the importance of subject matter expertise. Andrew also discusses his plans to start his own consultancy, Rushmore Growth Consulting, aimed at helping small to medium-sized enterprises navigate their marketing challenges. Along with some tips and advice on job hunting with purpose in 2025.

We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone in need of a highly experienced Ad man / Consultant.

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

In this final episode of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ in 2024, I’m talking with not 1, but 4 guests in a very special year in review episode.

I’m joined by Celia Muddier, Rachel King, Jay Dillamore and Damian McKeown. All former guests and all kind enough to do another episode and share their year in review with regards to job hunting, things they’ve learnt, and their plans for 2025, oh and we even talk about work we’ve seen out in the wild that we would have loved to have been involved in.

We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands and is planning their next move in 2025.

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

In this special episode of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Richard Robinson, Richard is the human version of LinkedIn. Given his time in the agency world and the intermediary world running Oystercatchers and now Executive Director of Ingenuity +, he simply knows everyone and everyone knows him!

In this conversation, Richard shares his extensive experience in marketing and advertising, discussing the challenges faced by professionals in the industry today, particularly those in transition. We talk about the importance of personal branding, networking, and Richard introduces the concept of 'inbetweeners' (those currently out of work) and advocates for recognising their value and contributions, regardless of their employment status. 

We discuss effective job search strategies and the significance of investing time in career development outside of regular working hours. Finally Richard gives his views on the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025.

We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone that doesn’t know Richard. (all 3 of them)

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

In this week's instalment of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Gregor Young, Gregor is highly experienced strategic digital product leader and most recently a CEO, with an impressive career at some of the UK’s biggest Brands, including BT the FT and Channel 4.

In this episode Gregor and I discuss the shift in recruitment dynamics favouring specialists over generalists, and the importance of adapting one's approach to job applications. We delve into the complexities of senior hiring practices, the challenges of assessing soft skills, and the importance of networking in job searching. We go deep on the disconnect between what senior leaders seek in candidates and how those requirements are often lost in translation through recruitment processes. Ultimately agreeing on the need for nurturing professional relationships to navigate this crazy job market successfully.

We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone in need of a highly experienced strategic digital product leader.

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

From Global CMO to CMO Coach..a story of pivoting.

In this week's instalment of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Andrew Garrihy, Andrew is highly experienced CMO now a CMO coach, with an impressive career at some of the worlds biggest Brands, including Vodafone, Samsung and Hauwei.  

In this special episode Andrew takes us from his days of leading the Global Marketing for Hauwei to now helping the CMOs of tomorrow be better in every way. So as someone that was in the Badlands from time to time during his career he decided ultimately to pivot into a new career, something I know everyone in the Badlands for long enough considers. So today he talks about the need for setting realistic expectations to reduce stress during job searches, Keeping a weekly list of wins to boost morale and motivation and how Pivots in careers should be tailored to individual circumstances and how investing in personal development is crucial during transitions. Amongst many other things. 

We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone thinking about career transitions or pivot as this episode is packed with lots of help and advice.

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

Trouble Down Under - Another International Episode, from Sydney, Australia.

In this week's instalment of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Cath Bosson, Cath is highly experienced Marketing & Creative Leader in Sydney, Australia, with an impressive career at some of the worlds biggest agency networks and some of Australia biggest Brands. But like many others in Australia and all countries to be honest, she finds herself in the Badlands!

Today we explore the emotional toll of being retrenched and the difficulties of navigating a shrinking job market, where roles are often misaligned with expectations. We delve into the emotional and mental challenges faced during job searching, emphasising the importance of vulnerability, community support, and mental health.

We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone in Australia that needs a can do, problem solver and team builder, either agency side or client side.

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

Discussing being open to random chats that may unlock new possibilities?

In this week's instalment of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Dawn Cummins, Dawn is highly experienced Insights & Analytics Strategy Director, with an impressive career at Unilever and Mars. But after a self imposed career break she has like many wound up in the Badlands!

Today we discuss the humbling experience of job hunting, the impact of technology on the hiring process, and the disconnect between job descriptions and actual expectations. BUT, it’s super upbeat as Dawn is an incredibly positive person and it comes through in this chat, in spite of all the nonsense we all face. She also shares some excellent advice on managing time and effort when job hunting and the need to prioritise health and well being over everything else.

We had a slight technical snafu but it gave me the chance to practice my old ‘meeting tap-dance skills’. Which came in handy on a number of occasions in big old meetings in the past. 

We hope you Enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone that needs new legacies building at their global organisation. Yes you read that right!

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

Star Wars actor, TV Producer, Discoverer of Rag & Bone Ma?

In this week's instalment of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with James Dillamore, James is an experienced TV Development Producer, having worked with major music labels to working on some the UK's biggest reality TV shows to pitching shows about the world's funniest Budgies to the back of his head staring in Star Wars! He joins me to talk his career to date, from finding some big music stars to navigating today's crazy Film and Television world. Which like the creative industry as a whole has a lot of issues and challenges.

We discuss everything from burnout when looking for the UK's next big talent, to the relentless rejection of being a TV Development Producer which ironically should have prepared him for the last 12 months in the Badlands, we discuss the state of the film and television industry and the need for creatives to find new ways of showcasing their talent to the world. Obviously we discuss the power of networking in and amongst many other things.

The Budgie show comes up a lot! (If anyone wants to make it please get in touch)

We hope you Enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone that needs a new TV Development Producer with on screen skills to boot.

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

In this week's instalment of  The Badlands I’m talking with Al Jenkins, Al is an experienced Marketing Operations & Enablement Leader, he joins me to talk about his career so far at some of the biggest tech companies on the planet culminating in a recent redundancy from Microsoft along with most of his team.

We discuss the madness of redundancy, the lack of humanity involved in the process, the revolving door at the big tech companies and the collateral damage of humans in the game of hiring and redundancy. We also discuss the power of networking in and amongst many other things.

We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone who needs a new Operations Leader with lots of big tech experiences.

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

The perfect Two for 1 deal. 

In this week's instalment of  @TheBadlandsJDC   I’m talking with not 1 but 2 recruiters, whom between them have worked everywhere and across everything, Helen Kimber and Samantha Peace, They join me to talk about their new consultancy called Creative Connections, A specialist creative talent agency delivering the very best leadership, new business, strategic and innovation talent in the UK.

Today we discuss their journey to the recent launch of Creative Connections, from working together on and off for over 2 decades, to what they are experiencing in the job market today, and what they are trying to deliver with their new consultancy, ALL very interesting and useful for anyone in the Badlands as well any in house talent teams that need a hand (you know who you are)

We discuss ghosting, the lack of humanity, the need for change in the recruitment / head hunting sector. The power of networking and the need for better feedback mechanisms and the shift towards skills-based hiring. Amongst many other things.

We hope you Enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands and needs a new set of recruiters to help! or any in house talent team you have come across that could also do with some help.

Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.