The Overthinkers

Often debated, decried or revered, but rarely tenured. That's the reality of CMO, a job many of us aspire to as the ultimate goal, but one that is often hard to navigate. In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss the traits they think define the best CMOs, as well as some of the realities they have to contend with.

Coming at a problem with a sharp point of view can be daunting. Between the egos of the people you work for and your own insecurities, overcoming that can require leaps of faith and efforts that are hard or discouraging. Likewise, we have to establish the role of leaders to set a culture that welcomes points of view, and what it means to delegate.

It's part of the recurring questions our community loves to ask. Sat between "what is an insight?" and "what is strategy?", we've recently had a resurgence of debates surrounding the difference between planning and strategy. In this episode, we explore why it is we are so enamoured with it, and explore potential implications, whether you're a junior or senior strategist - and even as a client!

A slightly more personal than usual episode this week, where Rachel and Shann share some of the things they've fucked in their careers and what they've learned from it. As the self-aware, introspective superstar Rachel is, she did the the honours, while Shann was playing catch up trying to dig out all the wrongs he'd done.

Brands are often accused of putting glitter on a shit product. But is it really that simple? Are brands able to excuse poor quality? And vice versa, could a bad brand sink a good product?

Community Marketing has long been pegged to represent the future of how marketing would operate, promising brands the ability to get their fans and followers do the bidding. But in the past decade, we've seen both an evolution and a recognition of what community marketing can (or cannot) deliver for brands. To discuss its future, we're joined by Christina Garnett, one of the more insightful voices of the social media industry.

In-housing is a very common strategic shift for clients nowadays, and often seen as a risk to agencies. While it does have downsides in terms of immediate ownership and revenues, it's not necessarily a negative step for the ecosystem. In this episode, Rachel and Shann discuss the good, the bad and the maybe sometimes ugly aspects of in-housing marketing services.

This week we're joined by one of the industry's best straight shooters, Derek Walker, to discuss his perspective on whether the quality of our industry's work has gone done or up (hint: Derek is not mincing words). A great opportunity to hear from a veteran who has seen it all, and to discuss pretty openly the dynamics at play, from client agency relationships to the growth of specialist shops, of holding companies and the focus on profit making.

We're beyond delighted to welcome Murray Calder this week, ex strategist from Edinburgh with experiences both client and agency side. As an integrator by heart, Murray joined us to discuss the ways in which media and creative (two worlds often pitted against one another) can work better together.

Let's be honest, we all love to be rewarded. But between the number of disciplines in major awards and the proliferation of xx over/under xx, the sheer volume over awards is skyrocketing. Is there still any value in them? Or are we all a bit too cynical for our own good?