In this episode of the Better Marketing Podcast, Nicola Mendelsohn, Meta's Head of Global Business Group, shares insights on how Meta is transforming from a teenage platform to a mature business partner for advertisers with innovative tools, AI implementation and a renewed focus on effectiveness.

From her early agency days to her pivotal role at Meta over the past 12 years, Mendelsohn brings a unique perspective that bridges creative thinking with technological innovation.

Between Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that translate languages in real-time and the revelation that messaging platforms are becoming the new frontier for brand-consumer relationships (with over 600 million daily messages between people and businesses), Mendelsohn paints a picture of marketing's near future that feels both exciting and tangible. To CMOs, Mendelsohn says the following: embrace messaging, leverage AI ethically and prepare for a world where every business will have AI agents representing their brand. The future isn't just coming — it's already here for those ready to seize it.

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What does it take to rebuild an airline brand after the devastating impact of a global pandemic? Ed Bell, General Manager Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications at Cathay Pacific, takes us behind the scenes of one of aviation's most remarkable recovery stories.

Bell's journey from agency dynamo during China's economic boom to airline marketing leader offers a masterclass in resilience and strategic thinking. Having worked on iconic launches like the Motorola Razr and Beijing Olympics with Adidas, he brings a unique perspective on what truly drives consumer choice in premium markets.

At the heart of Cathay Pacific's revival is a refreshingly straightforward philosophy: happy staff create happy customers, who in turn generate strong financial results. During the darkest days of the pandemic, when budgets disappeared and uncertainty reigned, the airline doubled down on celebrating their employees through "Cathay Stories" - showcasing extraordinary acts of dedication that maintained morale when it mattered most.

Rather than competing through flashy amenities, Cathay embraces "human-centric design" - creating experiences that make passengers feel genuinely at home. This approach extends from their more residential-feeling lounges to communications that emphasize emotional connection rather than feature lists. As Bell explains, they position themselves as "the winds beneath your wings," not the star of the show.

For marketers in any industry, Bell's insights on measuring effectiveness are particularly valuable. Through sophisticated modelling, Cathay has quantified that brand emotions drive approximately 50% of consumer choices, with a 1% increase in consideration across just four markets translating to half a billion dollars in value. This data-driven approach helps marketing secure its rightful place in business strategy conversations.

Listen now to discover how Cathay Pacific is soaring again, and why Bell believes that regardless of technology trends, "the battle for business starts in the mind" of your customers.

About Ed Bell, General Manager Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications, Cathay Pacific

Ed Bell is responsible for the development of brand strategy, consumer insights, loyalty marketing and marketing communications for the Cathay Pacific group globally.

He has spent the majority of his career in marketing strategy and later as a CEO for marketing and communication consultancies across Asia and Greater China, working for a diverse set of brands and businesses.

A seasoned marketing professional, he is the recipient of the prestigious IPA and Jay Chiat awards for marketing effectiveness and strategy and is a regular author and speaker.

Originally from Melbourne, Ed trained in psychology and later marketing. He is married with three children and calls Hong Kong home.

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What makes a brand truly meaningful in people's lives? In this captivating conversation with Dr. Marcus Collins - professor, agency strategist, and cultural marketing expert - we explore how the most powerful brands transcend their product categories to become vessels of meaning in culture.

Marcus reveals why brands aren't something we construct but rather what others think of them. Through examples like Patagonia, Nike, and Beyoncé, he illustrates how brands that stand for something beyond their products create deeper connections with people. "They are not defined by what they do," Marcus explains, "They're defined by who they are and how they see the world."

The discussion takes a fascinating turn when Marcus unpacks the three levels of empathy in marketing, with cognitive empathy - treating others as they want to be treated rather than how we would want - representing the highest form. This perspective shift from "how do I tap into culture?" to "how do I contribute to culture?" transforms how brands can authentically connect with people.

Perhaps most provocatively, Marcus challenges the concept of brand purpose, suggesting that "conviction" provides a more powerful framework. While many brands jumped on social causes when convenient, those with true conviction stand for their principles regardless of consequences. "Speak up when you are convicted, when it really matters," he advises, noting how brands that make strategic decisions based on genuine beliefs rather than opportunism create more meaningful connections.

For marketers navigating today's complex landscape, Marcus offers a profound reminder that brands exist as characters in constantly evolving cultural stories. The key to success lies not in rigid control but in authentic participation in culture with humility and curiosity. Listen now to discover how putting humanity first in your marketing can create lasting impact.

About Dr Marcus Collins

Dr. Marcus Collins is an award-winning marketer and cultural translator with one foot in the world of practice—formerly serving as the Head of Strategy at Wieden+Kennedy, New York—and one foot in the world of academia—as a marketing professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. 

Before joining Wieden+Kennedy, he served as the Chief Consumer Connections Officer at Doner Advertising and led Social Engagement at Steve Stoute’s advertising agency, Translation.

Over the course of his career, Marcus has developed a practice for creating culturally contagious ideas that inspire people to take action. Prior to his advertising tenure, Marcus began his career in music and tech with a startup he co-founded before working on iTunes + Nike sport music initiatives at Apple and running digital strategy for Beyoncé. 

His best-selling book, For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be, examines the influence of culture on consumption and unpacks how everyone, from marketers to activists, can leverage culture to get people to take action.

Marcus holds a doctorate in marketing from Temple University, where he studied cultural contagion and meaning making. He received an MBA with an emphasis on strategic brand marketing from the University of Michigan, where he also earned his undergraduate degree in Material Science Engineering. 

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In this episode of WFA's Better Marketing Podcast in partnership with Meta, David Wheldon speaks with Dr Frederique Covington Corbett who is in the private sector division of UNICEF as Chief of Global Brand & Marketing. 

David and Frederique discuss the biggest mistake marketers make, whether Gen Alpha is getting the leadership they need, why CEOs need to become Chief Energy Officers, the hushing trend sweeping across companies and what Chief Marketing Officers may be surprised about when it comes to standing out in judging for the Effie Awards. 

About Frederique Covington Corbett

Frederique “Freddie” Covington Corbett is Chief of Global Brand & Marketing at UNICEF in Geneva. 

Prior to joining UNICEF, she completed a tour of several senior roles, including as senior vice president, chief global brand strategy and integrated marketing officer at Visa; the senior vice president, head of marketing and cross border for Visa in Asia Pacific; international marketing director at Twitter and chief marketing officer for Microsoft in Asia Pacific.

Earlier in her career, Covington held several leadership roles in advertising and strategy consulting, including as a Managing Partner at Ogilvy & Mather and a global strategist at Y&R in the United States.

Covington holds a doctoral degree in global leadership and change from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California, as well as a BA and MBA from La Sorbonne University (CELSA) in Paris, France. Furthermore, she is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School for the Women and Public Policy Program.

In 2023 Frederique published Leadership on a Blockchain: What Asia Can Teach Us About Networked Leadership, which offers a provocative call to all businesspeople to reimagine leadership for transparency, trust, and distributed decision-making.

Dr. Corbett is a guest lecturer at Berkeley and Pepperdine University and sits on the board of Directors of EFFIE Worldwide.

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In this episode of WFA's Better Marketing Podcast, David Wheldon speaks to marketing guru, Mark Ritson, and his AI-generated alter ego, the Ritbot. 

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In this episode of WFA's Better Marketing Podcast, David Wheldon speaks to Primark's Chief Customer Officer, Michelle McEttrick, about pivoting from a 'no marketing' approach to brand building to redefine customer proposition and grow in new markets.

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In episode 34 of the Better Marketing Pod, David Wheldon speaks to AXA Group Head of Communication, Brand and Sustainability, and a member of the AXA Management Committee, Ulrike Decoene.

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In this episode of the Better Marketing Pod, David Wheldon speaks to Allyson Witherspoon, Global CMO of Nissan Motor Corporation about the electric vehicle race, why marketers should always put brand before product and how a YouTube music channel can help sell cars.

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In episode 31 of the Better Marketing Pod, David Wheldon speaks to L'Oréal's CMO, Marketer of 2023 and Global Marketer Week speaker, Asmita Dubey.

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Creative Salon’s Claire Beale and Sonoo Singh on why clients should champion creativity, how to attract young talent and the future of the profession in a technology-driven world.

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