Untrended Podcast

Social media platforms have evolved into more than just communication tools —they’re now global power players shaping public discourse and influencing elections. So where does that leave brands, especially B2B brands, when it comes to placing ads or building communities on platforms with complicated reputations?

In this episode of UnTrended, Nicole Jones is joined by Publicis Pro’s Billy Hamilton-Stent, Jamie Fewery, and Zoe Hadsley for a lively and nuanced conversation on platform politics, advertising ethics, and whether brands should (or even can) be truly principled in their platform choices.

From Elon Musk’s X to Meta’s Threads, from the rise of absurdist “s**tposting” to the realities of brand risk in B2B marketing — it’s all on the table.

Subscribe to The Untrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Chapter Markers:

(04:39) Platform Vibes: Is X Still Worth It?

The team reflects on the user experience, bot takeovers, and whether engagement is dead on Elon’s watch.

(08:39) Are Platforms the New Nation States?

If social platforms have more power than governments, should we expect more from them — or just log off?

(14:40) Ethics vs. Exposure

Zoe breaks down brand safety, platform choices, and what it really means to be “responsible” in digital advertising.

(19:06) Why B2B Brands Don’t Like Risk

B2B companies love strategy but fear chaos — so how do they handle platforms that are unpredictable by design?

(23:41) Rethinking Social in B2B

Is it time to build social-first strategies instead of treating social like a dumping ground for campaign leftovers?

(24:32) S**tposting 101

What it is, why it works, and how it’s changing the way B2B voices show up on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok.

(29:54) Mailbag: Do Brands Need to Be Good?

Do consumers really care about ethics — or just say they do in surveys?

Useful Links:

Follow Nicole Jones on LinkedIn

Connect with Billy Hamilton-Stent

Learn more from Jamie Fewery

Touch base with Zoe Hadsley on LinkedIn

For more information visit the Publicis Pro Website

Welcome to The Untrended Podcast, where we lift the lid on extraordinary ideas about business and culture.

In this episode, we are exploring the changing relationship between alcohol and creativity. From the legendary drinking culture of advertising’s past to today’s more sober-curious workforce, we ask: Does the hangover have any creative currency left?

The team tackles the myths and realities of alcohol-fueled inspiration, the shift away from pub culture, and what actually sparks great ideas. Is there any truth to the stereotype of the tortured creative genius, or have we all just been romanticising bad habits?

We also dive into alternative ways to build workplace culture, the surprising link between sorting LEGO and creativity, and the modern office’s obsession with plants over pints.

Packed with witty observations, generational perspectives, and a healthy dose of self-reflection, this episode takes a fresh look at an age-old industry tradition.

Subscribe to The Untrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Have a question or an idea for us to explore? Use the link in the episode description to send it our way.

Chapter Markers:

(01:11) Trend or Trash: Tough Mudders vs. Pub Crawls

Are agencies ditching the bar for extreme team-building challenges?

(03:27) Plants Not Pubs

Why companies are prioritising office design over work socials.

(06:22) Do Hangovers Ever Spark Good Ideas?

The team debates the link between alcohol and creativity.

(14:10) How Work Cultures Are Changing

Is the traditional agency drinking culture fading away?

(24:00) What Fuels Creativity?

The surprising science behind what helps (and hurts) creative thinking.

(26:50) Mailbag: The B2B Brands That Stood Out This Year

A listener question sparks a discussion on the most memorable brand campaigns.

Useful Links:

Nicole Jones

Billy Hamilton-Stent

Louise Brooks

Aditi Kulkarni

Publicis Pro Website

Welcome to The Untrended Podcast, where we lift the lid on extraordinary ideas about business and culture.

In this episode, we tackle a familiar struggle for creative professionals: Why don’t our parents understand what we do? From job titles that defy explanation to the way work shapes our identity, we explore the challenges of defining creative careers in a way that makes sense—both to family and the wider world.

The team also dives into the role of humor in B2B marketing, breaking down the Workbooks No BS CRM campaign. Is shock value the key to standing out, or is there a fine line between bold and too far?

Packed with witty observations, relatable struggles, and real-world examples, this episode explores the complexities of creative careers—why they’re so hard to explain, how they shape our identity, and what it really means to push boundaries in marketing.

Subscribe to The Untrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. 

Have a question or an idea for us to explore? Use the link in the episode description to send it our way.

Chapter Markers:

(01:09) Trend or Trash: Is Social Media Essential for Career Success? 

The team debates the necessity of personal branding on platforms like LinkedIn.

(10:02) Why Don’t Our Parents Understand What We Do?

The challenge of explaining creative jobs to family and friends.

(17:37) The Definition of a Creative

How the word “creative” has evolved and its different interpretations.

(18:57) The ‘Mad Men’ Comparison

Is marketing today anything like the world of Don Draper?

(20:19) Work, Identity & Purpose

The team discusses work-life balance and personal fulfillment.

(26:51) Mailbag: The No BS CRM Campaign

A listener question sparks a discussion on how far is too far in B2B marketing.

Useful Links:

Nicole Jones

Billy Hamilton-Stent

Alastair Kirk

Carly Auletta 

Publicis Pro Website

Welcome to the Untrended Podcast, where we lift the lid on extraordinary ideas about business and culture.

In this episode, Nicole Jones sits down with members of the Publicis Pro team, including Billy Hamilton-Stent, Jamie Fewery, and Shiri Wolff, to explore the transformative - yet contentious! - role of AI in the world of B2B marketing.  

The team dives into how tools like ChatGPT are influencing creativity, productivity, and critical thinking. Are these advancements pushing humanity forward - or are we simply heading toward cognitive decline?

This is a watercooler-type chat packed with insights, analogies, and real-world examples of how to think about AI in creative work - challenging the conventional view of how we use artificial intelligence in our everyday day and what it means for the future of work.

Subscribe to the Untrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, never to miss an episode.

Chapter Markers

(01:01) Trend or Trash: Fully AI-Generated Ads

The team debates the future of AI-generated ads.

(07:20) Brainstorming with AI

The panel discusses whether AI can truly enhance creativity or if it limits originality.

(15:21) Productivity Booster or Crutch?

We explore how reliance on AI affects daily tasks and decision-making.

(19:10) AI in PR and Creativity

The conversation then turns to the role of AI in content creation and its reception by professionals.

(21:53) The Long-Term Cognitive Impact of AI

The group shares their predictions about how AI could reshape human thinking over time.

(32:01) Mailbag! Rebrands and Bold Moves in B2B

Audience question on the Jaguar rebrand and its implications for B2B marketing.

Useful Links

• Nicole Jones
• Billy Hamilton-Stent
• Shiri Wolff
• Jamie Fewery
• Publicis Pro Website
• McKinsey’s Report on AI Adoption
• Google Cloud’s AI Research

Tired of business podcasts that promise silver bullets and spoon-feed you cookie-cutter advice?

Well, this isn’t one of them.

Welcome to the Untrended Podcast, where we uncover extraordinary stories about business and culture.

Brought to you by Publicis Pro, this show isn’t about “growth hacks” or corporate fluff. It’s about raw, honest, and sometimes ridiculous tales from the world of marketing and business.

From unexpected challenges to out-of-the-box ideas, we’re here to talk about the truths you won’t find in a handbook—the ones that truly shape creativity, strategy, and success.

Be sure to tune into episode one, where we sit down with Nicole Jones, Billy Hamilton-Stent, Jamie Fewery, and Shiri Wolff to explore the all-important question of what AI is doing to our brains.

The Untrended Podcast. Real stories. Real laughs. Nothing held back. 

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.