After Dinner Chats

James Welch
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MARKETING

These conversations started over dinners where I get to introduce everyone at the table in a way that interests me. Dinners are always fun. And sometimes useful, but the end of the day doesn’t really matter if it’s fun or useful it’s just the fact that we are all there connecting and making sure that we can all see what’s coming round the corner. And the next thing we’ve got to do is to stay in touch with each other. Yes, we have ended up having dinner parties where people have made new jobs, got new contacts for work . For me, it’s been just a way over the last 17 years to get to know the fabulous people who are always a little bit senior and a little bit fun and a little bit smarter, brighter, shinier than most!

  1. Is Multi-Touch Attribution dead? And why is "Average CAC" a trap for investors? Guest #22, James Walker

    22 JAN

    Is Multi-Touch Attribution dead? And why is "Average CAC" a trap for investors? Guest #22, James Walker

    In this episode, host James Welch sits down with original "Maths Man" and analytics pioneer, James Walker. From their early days at JWT to James’s successful exit selling Edge Consulting to Accenture, they discuss the existential shifts in the advertising data landscape. James Walker breaks down why Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) is experiencing a massive resurgence in 2026, why Multi-Touch Attribution (MTA) failed to deliver, and the specific "bad metrics" that trip up e-commerce investors. Whether you are an agency owner, a data analyst, or a C-suite executive, this episode offers a masterclass on bridging the gap between creative sparks and hard commercial data. Key Takeaways & Timestamps: [01:29] Signal in the Noise: Why Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) is hot again and the recent M&A activity shaking up the sector.[03:29] The Death of MTA: How the decline of Multi-Touch Attribution and post-COVID inflation brought MMM back to the boardroom.[05:00] Democratizing Data: The impact of open-source tools like Meta’s Robyn and Google’s Meridian on the agency landscape.[06:50] Life After Accenture: James discusses his transition from selling his agency to advising Private Equity boards.[09:44] The CAC vs. CLTV Myth: Why comparing Average Customer Acquisition Cost to Customer Lifetime Value is a "bad metric" that leads to poor valuation decisions.[12:57] The Billion Dollar Bet: Lessons learned from selling Edge Consulting to Accenture and managing massive digital transformation projects.[16:26] Bright Spark: Why James Hurst (HelloFresh, ex-Google/Tinder) sits at the perfect intersection of design, business, and transformation. Guest Bio: James Walker is a serial entrepreneur and data analytics pioneer. He began his career bridging creativity and math at JWT's Advanced Techniques Group. He founded Edge Consulting, which he successfully sold to Accenture, where he served as President International for Accenture Marketing Sciences. Later, he became the Global Head of Analytics at OC&C Strategy Consultants. Today, he acts as a senior advisor to boards and Private Equity houses, specializing in marketing effectiveness and valuation. Keywords: Marketing Mix Modeling, MMM, Data Analytics, Multi-Touch Attribution, CAC, CLTV, Marketing Strategy, Accenture, Private Equity, AdTech, E-commerce Valuation, James Walker, James Welch.

    25 min

  2. 1 JAN

    After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #21 - Steve Mader: Retail Media Signals, Amazon Unboxed & The 'Move Fast' Trap

    Host James Welch sits down with Criteo’s Steve Mader, a commerce heavyweight operating at the intersection of retail’s future and global brand strategy. Steve unpacks the critical signals from Amazon Unboxed and reveals how Criteo is simplifying and democratising access to retail media for the world's biggest brands. Tune in for a masterclass on rewiring organisations for e-commerce and why the "move fast and break things" mantra might just make you an ass. Interview Guide This chat follows our "Signals & Sparks" format, where we find the method in the madness and the data behind the creative spark. Here’s what we covered: The Signal in the Noise: Steve focuses on the recent Amazon Unboxed conference, highlighting their move towards campaign builders and full-funnel orchestration agents. He views this as a major signal for the industry: a shift towards simplifying the buying process and democratising access to retail media tools, ensuring you don't need an "army of hands-on keyboard folks" to operate effectively. Connecting the Dots: Steve connects the dots by leveraging Criteo's massive scale—over 230 retailers—to paint a unique picture of shopper behaviour. He explains how combining search trends with performance media data allows advertisers to target abandoned baskets and build custom audiences, ultimately helping large brands "rewire themselves" to capitalise on e-commerce growth. Quick-fire: The quick-fire round to get to know them better: Hero: The original leadership team at Kantar in Boston, who taught him the foundational "four box models" of retail that he still uses 20 years later.Best Decision: Moving to London with his wife without ever having visited before, a decision that led to "cartoon character" children with dual accents and a love for the city.Worst Decision: Adopting a "move fast and break things" mentality early in his career within a culture that didn't support it, learning the hard way that if you break things alone, "all you are is just an ass."Funniest Moment: Watching his usually articulate wife go completely mute on live Canadian television during the London Olympics when news anchor Peter Mansbridge put a microphone in her face at a pub.A Bright Spark: Patrick Ryan, former Global Head of Business Development at PHD, recommended for his unique storytelling ability and skill in orchestrating agency opportunities. 📍 Keywords: Steve Mader, retail media, Criteo, Amazon Unboxed, commerce trends, digital shelf, retail advertising, ecommerce strategy, retail media networks, RMN, shopper behaviour, performance media, ad tech, marketing strategy, supply chain, digital transformation, retail data, audience targeting, omnichannel marketing, brand strategy, media planning, CPG marketing, retail innovation, Amazon advertising, Walmart Connect, Tesco media, nectar, online retail, programmatic advertising, demand side platform, DSP, commerce media, shopper insights, data monetisation, marketing attribution, full funnel marketing, London tech, ad tech leadership, business development, agency partnerships, digital commerce, automated retail, agentic AI, retail ecosystem, consumer trends, strategic partnerships, global retail, marketing orchestration 🔎 Relevant Hashtags: #SteveMader...

    23 min

  3. 26/11/2025

    After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #20 - Jesh Sukhwani: Asia’s Edge, Media’s Future & The Power of Travel Data

    20 - Jesh Sukwani : Asia’s Edge, Media’s Future & The Power of Travel Data Host James Welch, a former 24-7 Media innovation captain, grills Global Media and Marketing Transformation Executive Jesh Sukwani—the mastermind who once led Zaxis behind the Great Firewall in China for WPP. Now based in Milan, Jesh shares his winning strategies for future-proofing a CMO’s toolkit. Tune in as they dive deep into the revolution shaping the future of global media, marketing, and data. Interview Guide This chat follows our "Signals & Sparks" format, where we find the method in the madness and the data behind the creative spark. Here’s what we covered: The Signal in the Noise: Jesh sees Asia—spanning from the UAE to Japan—as a powerful signal for the future, noting its energetic, can-do mentality and advancements in creative industries and the democratisation of AI. He highlights the development of cost-effective, mixed-model AI solutions and the success of B2C platforms like TikTok, which created an entire content creation industry. Connecting the Dots: Jesh, who spent almost five years leading media and the COE at Lenovo/Motorola, is focused on the changing dynamics of how brands engage with media agencies. He argues that an updated compensation model is required to utilise first-party data effectively to develop models and drive better outcomes, connecting media, technology, and data. Jesh also stresses the under-monetisation of travel data, which he categorises as a subsection of retail media, and the opportunity to use audience data (e.g., specific flight routes) to target audiences with intent, consideration, and a strong call to action. Quick-fire. The quick-fire round to get to know them better: Hero: Too many to name, referring to all the people who have been alongside him on his journey, both privately and professionally. Best Decision: Coming into and remaining in the media and marketing industry, calling it dynamic, changing, and potentially the most profitable. Worst Decision: Underestimating his own abilities and not taking a leap of faith to move to Dubai or the Caribbean when he had the opportunities early in his career. A Bright Spark: Anthony Rhind, a London-based executive with a fascinating career path spanning agency, tech, and media. 📍Keywords: Jesh Sukwani, Asia’s edge, media future, travel data, digital Asia, media evolution, Asian innovation, travel analytics, media transformation, data insights, digital disruption, travel intelligence, Asia tech growth, media modernization, emerging markets, digital media trends, Asian business growth, content strategy, global travel trends, data-driven insights, predictive analytics, travel forecasting, media industry trends, digital storytelling, Asia digital economy, audience analytics, tech adoption Asia, travel industry data, media platforms, smart data systems, content distribution, digital content strategy, data-powered decisions, media tech, travel consumer insights, Asian markets, content ecosystems, travel segmentation, digital transformation Asia, travel demand analysis, media performance, cross-border travel trends, Asia competitive edge, global content strategy, media engagement, travel patterns, data science travel, media analytics tools, Asia leadership, future-ready media, travel behavior insights, digital travel tools, content innovation, Asia storytelling, digital systems Asia, audience behavior, business intelligence Asia, travel data platforms, media production trends, travel marketing, digital research Asia, travel experiences data, media growth strategy, regional media growth, data monetization, tech-driven media, analytics-driven travel, Asia-focused content, travel insights 2025, global audience data, media architecture, travel trends analysis, Asia market insights, content performance analytics, smart travel solutions, digital travel platforms, Asia future trends, global...

    17 min
  4. After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #19 - David Spencer: Lando, Agents, and F1 Disco Helmets

    10/11/2025

    After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #19 - David Spencer: Lando, Agents, and F1 Disco Helmets

    Welcome to After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, the series where we find the method in the madness and the signal in the deafening noise of data and tech. This week, host James Welch brings in a guest from his own team: WPP's David Spencer. David's the colleague who gets the "weird and wonderful" tech problems, the ones ad agencies don't normally solve, and somehow finds a "springboard for success." Get ready to hear about the incredible Easter eggs hidden in Lando Norris's new F1 website (and how to find them), why the future of AI isn't one big "bulldozer" but a team of specialist agents, and a truly... unfortunate... triathlon mishap. This is one of those conversations that is both fun and useful. 📍Keywords: • After Dinner Chats, Signals and Sparks podcast, Guest 19 interview, David Spencer, David Spencer interview, Lando Norris discussion, Lando F1 analysis, Formula 1 podcast, F1 insider talk, motorsport podcast, racing industry insights, F1 agents explained, driver management F1, F1 career strategy, Formula One culture, F1 media talk, racing business podcast, motorsport storytelling, F1 behind the scenes, Lando Norris fans, McLaren F1 content, F1 helmet design, disco helmet F1, unique F1 helmets, racing branding, motorsport marketing, F1 innovation talk, F1 lifestyle discussion, racing personality podcast, motorsport interviews, Formula 1 trends, F1 paddock stories, modern F1 podcast, racing agents role, motorsport management, F1 fan podcast, racing analysis show, motorsport community, high performance racing, elite motorsport talk, F1 conversation podcast, long-form racing interview, motorsport thought leadership 🔎 Relevant Hashtags: • #AfterDinnerChats #SignalsAndSparks #PodcastGuest19 #DavidSpencer #LandoNorris #Formula1 #F1Podcast #MotorsportTalk #F1Agents #RacingCulture #F1Helmets #DiscoHelmet #MotorsportPodcast #RacingStories #F1Insights #F1Fans #McLarenF1 #BehindTheScenes #MotorsportMedia #LongFormPodcast

    18 min
  5. After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #18 - Jamie Sergeant: The James Bond of Bespoke AI

    03/11/2025

    After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #18 - Jamie Sergeant: The James Bond of Bespoke AI

    Welcome to "Signals & Sparks," the podcast that finds the method in the madness and the data behind the creative spark. This week, James Welch sits down with Jamie Sergeant, founder of the global marketing agency Crowd. Jamie joins the pod to talk AI, global insights, and... giant penises? (Yes, you read that right.) The Signal in the NoiseJamie's signal is the great AI showdown: USA vs. China. He argues the US is trying to build one "behemoth AI" to rule them all (and costing a fortune in compute power to run). Meanwhile, China is quietly building an army of "bespoke AI"—over 2,000 tiny, specialist AIs in WeChat alone—that "get one job done really, really well" using far less power. Jamie places his bets on the bespoke approach, warning that the giant models will soon be too expensive to even switch on. Connecting the DotsSo, how does Jamie know all this? He's not just doom-scrolling. His "spark" comes from his agency, Crowd. While some agencies are "global" on their website, Jamie is on "daily calls" with his teams in key territories like Chengdu and Shenzhen. He explains how having 25 nationalities on a staff of 55 and serving as a UK "export champion" gives him a direct line to what's actually happening on the ground, long before it becomes a trend piece. High FiveWe finish with the "High Five" quick-fire round, and frankly, it's an all-timer. Tune in to hear: His Hero: The "super cool" James Bond.His Best Decision: Starting his global agency, Crowd, back in 2012.His Worst Decision: The classic managerial regret: "a couple of people that I've hired over the 25 years..."His Funniest Moment: This one is worth the download alone. It’s a story about pitching an NHS sexual health campaign that involves the immortal line: "Close your eyes. Imagine you're in a big dark room and there's a ginormous penis in front of you." (He won the pitch, by the way).His "Bright Spark" recommendation: Matthew Horobin, our fabulous brand strategist friend who introduced us. (Music from "Signals & Sparks" by The Consultants) 📍Keywords: • After Dinner Chats, Signals and Sparks, Guest 18 interview, Jamie Sergeant, Jamie Sergeant interview, bespoke AI expert, custom AI solutions, private AI systems, enterprise AI strategy, AI innovation podcast, artificial intelligence discussion, AI thought leadership, advanced AI development, AI for business, bespoke technology podcast, elite AI consulting, AI futurist talk, modern AI trends, next generation AI, AI entrepreneurship, startup AI insights, AI automation strategy, intelligent systems design, AI ethics discussion, secure AI solutions, confidential AI builds, James Bond style AI, James Bond inspired AI, cutting edge technology talk, tech leadership podcast, future of AI, AI storytelling podcast, long form tech interview, AI innovation stories, smart automation podcast, tech visionaries, AI problem solving, high end AI services, premium AI development, Signals and Sparks podcast, technology and AI media, AI community discussion, digital transformation AI, advanced machine intelligence 🔎 Relevant Hashtags: • #AfterDinnerChats #SignalsAndSparks #PodcastGuest18 #JamieSergeant #BespokeAI #CustomAI #AIInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #AIPodcast #AIEntrepreneur #AITrends #AdvancedAI #AIForBusiness #TechLeadership #AIConsulting...

    18 min
  6. After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #17 - Dr. Kate Devlin: AI, Love, and Digital Ghosts

    27/10/2025

    After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #17 - Dr. Kate Devlin: AI, Love, and Digital Ghosts

    Welcome to the second episode of Season Two, Signals & Sparks! Our 17th guest is the brilliant Dr. Kate Devlin, Professor of AI and Society at King's College London. Kate is a leading expert on how we emotionally engage with technology. She's on a mission to explore the complex, messy, and fascinating relationships we're building with AI, from digital companions to the ethics of resurrecting the dead. In this episode, we explore: The Signal in the Noise Kate shares her thoughts on the AI news dominating the headlines, framed as a story of "weird and wonderful": The Signal: The release of OpenAI's video generator, Sora, and its most startling use case: creating digital versions of people who have passed away, raising profound questions about grief, memory, and digital ghosts. Connecting the Dots We dive into Kate's journey and her process for turning signals into sparks: She discusses her decade-long research into human-robot relationships, which started with headlines about sex robots and evolved to the reality of AI companions on every phone.Kate explains her skepticism of using AI for research, arguing that inherent biases and the tendency for LLMs to "hallucinate" make them unreliable tools for gathering accurate insights.She argues that generating AI video clips doesn't make you a filmmaker, highlighting the risk of "AI slop" and the irreplaceable value of human craft and creativity. High Five We finish with a quick-fire round: Your Hero: A celebration of curiosity—all the people at conferences and events who are prepared to think outside the box and explore new ideas.Your Best Decision: Moving to King's College London, a place that has been a fantastic fit for her work and research.Your Worst Decision: Getting involved in work she didn't fully believe in, and a more personal one: marrying her first husband.Funniest Moment: The time Jeff Bezos told her she was "very funny," and the endless stream of good jokes that can be found in the world of sex robots.A Bright Spark: She recommends Matt Tompkins, the mutual connection who brought her to The Next Dinner Party in the first place. 📍Keywords: • After Dinner Chats, Signals and Sparks podcast, Guest 17 interview, Dr. Kate Devlin, Dr. Kate Devlin interview, AI and love discussion, digital ghosts AI, artificial intelligence talk, human-AI relationships, AI ethics discussion, AI and society, technology and love, digital companionship, AI psychology, AI and human emotion, AI future trends, AI storytelling podcast, long form AI interview, AI research insights, AI for everyday life, intelligent machines discussion, AI and intimacy, digital identity AI, human-centered AI, AI technology podcast, AI innovation stories, AI culture talk, AI and technology ethics, AI thought leadership, AI for social impact, AI communication, AI design discussion, AI and robotics, AI development podcast, AI trends 2025, AI futurism, AI and mental health, AI in relationships, AI media podcast,...

    7 min

  7. 13/10/2025

    After Dinner Chats: Signals & Sparks, Guest #16 - Paul Evans: Fighting for Position

    Welcome to the first episode of Season Two, Signals & Sparks! Our 16th guest is the brilliant Paul Evans, founder of the positioning company, version. Paul is on a mission to transform positioning from a static, 40-year-old marketing concept into a dynamic, data-driven capability fit for the intelligence era. In this episode, we explore: The Signal in the Noise Paul shares two fascinating signals he’s picked up on, framed as stories of "love and hate": Hate: The recent lawsuits filed against Google by Pubmatic and Magnite. Paul highlights the incredibly smart positioning by Pubmatic, which framed its legal action around industry transparency and fairness, rather than just lost revenue.Love: The partnership between Amazon and Netflix. Paul sees this as a powerful signal of Amazon's meteoric rise as a DSP, creating much-needed competition for giants like The Trade Desk and proving that competition is one of the strongest drivers of innovation. Connecting the Dots We dive into Paul's journey and his process for turning signals into sparks: He discusses his transition from roles at Vodafone and as a fractional CMO to founding his own company, version, to address a desire to build something bigger than himself.Paul explains his vision for "positioning engineering"—a rigorous, data-driven, and adaptive approach that treats a company's market position like software, capable of being updated in response to market changes.He argues that positioning is the critical, often undervalued, catalyst that translates business strategy into a successful go-to-market plan. High Five We finish with a quick-fire round: Your Hero: Victoria Asha from Ginger May, for her energy, expertise, and approach to problem-solving.Your Best Decision: Starting his company, V2RSION, to transform the capability of positioning.Your Worst Decision: Leaving Microsoft and the Xbox team, a decision made more with emotion than rationale.Funniest Moment: Redefining "funniest" as "fun," he points to the physical challenges he undertakes, from Media Fight Night to his upcoming 250km Marathon des Sables.A Bright Spark: He recommends Lucia Mastromauro, Global VP at Deliveroo, as a future guest, praising her intelligence, energy, and problem-solving skills.H8UWpMLioKkw9Pa629tC 📍Keywords: • After Dinner Chats, Signals and Sparks podcast, Guest 16 interview, Paul Evans, Paul Evans interview, Fighting for Position, F1 racing discussion, Formula 1 podcast, motorsport analysis, F1 strategy talk, racing career insights, driver mindset F1, racing team tactics, F1 race breakdown, Formula One insights, F1 driver interview, motorsport storytelling, racing industry discussion, F1 paddock talk, F1 behind the scenes, race strategy analysis, F1 career development, racing psychology, F1 fan podcast, F1 culture discussion, racing business insights,

    28 min
  8. Ripped Off Less Ep 6 | Welch v Welch – After Dinner Chats

    09/10/2025

    Ripped Off Less Ep 6 | Welch v Welch – After Dinner Chats

    After Dinner Chats, Ripped Off Less Ep6: Welch v Welch Welcome to today’s conversation. These conversations started over dinners where James welch gets to introduce everyone at the table. Dinners are always fun. And sometimes useful, but the end of the day doesn’t really matter how it’s fun or useful it’s just the fact that we are all there connecting and making sure that we can all see what’s coming round the corner. And the next thing we’ve got to do is to stay in touch with each other. For a special episode of AfterDinnerChats, host James Welch takes on Guest number 15, his most challenging guest yet... himself. The episode, prompted by a dare from guest number 10, Tim Burrowes, features two "Jameses" for the price of one. They discuss topics ranging from an innovative wooden satellite to fixing industry-wide "bad data." James Welch, a consultant at WPP, also reveals his two other "hats": an event organiser for "The Next Dinner Party" and the host of this very pod. He shares insights on how all three roles work to help people "get ripped off less" by providing more value, whether that's through intelligent data products, curating events that foster real connection, or translating complex topics into plain English. The conversation follows the usual format, ranging from business insights to personal anecdotes, provides a glimpse into his heroes, best decisions, and worst. Yes, join us for this irreverent 12-minute chat! 📍Keywords: • After Dinner Chats, Ripped Off Less podcast, Episode 6, Welch v Welch, legal dispute discussion, family law podcast, divorce case analysis, Welch family story, legal battles podcast, court case discussion, family conflict analysis, Welch v Welch case, divorce insights, legal advice podcast, family law insights, high profile legal cases, court proceedings discussion, dispute resolution podcast, legal storytelling, case study podcast, legal strategy discussion, family court analysis, divorce strategy, legal commentary podcast, Ripped Off Less series, episode 6 analysis, court drama podcast, legal media discussion, family law expert talk, conflict resolution insights, divorce and mediation, legal battles analysis, Welch v Welch update, court ruling discussion, legal process podcast, family law commentary, legal insights podcast, courtroom stories, legal education podcast, family law trends, divorce legal tips, case study analysis, family conflict podcast, legal system discussion, dispute analysis, court decision insights, Welch v Welch review, legal storytelling media, law podcast series, family law debate, legal industry insights, divorce litigation, mediation strategies, legal expert commentary, high profile divorce cases, family law media, courtroom analysis, legal case breakdown, divorce insights media, conflict resolution podcast series, legal process insights, family law update, legal discussion series, court drama analysis, legal analysis podcast, Welch v Welch case review, divorce law insights, legal system podcast, family law stories, dispute resolution media, courtroom commentary, legal trends discussion, divorce case study, legal education media, family conflict analysis, legal insights series, high profile court cases, divorce law discussion, legal advice media, courtroom drama podcast, family law update podcast, legal commentary series, dispute case analysis, Welch v Welch breakdown, family law expert insights, legal education insights, courtroom storytelling, family dispute analysis, legal trends podcast, divorce and family law podcast, legal news podcast, conflict resolution series, family law media insights, court proceedings analysis, legal system review, divorce case insights, high profile legal podcast, Welch family legal stories, family law media coverage, court decision podcast, legal analysis media, dispute resolution podcast insights, family law case study, legal storytelling podcast series 🔎 Relevant Hashtags:...

    11 min
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About

These conversations started over dinners where I get to introduce everyone at the table in a way that interests me. Dinners are always fun. And sometimes useful, but the end of the day doesn’t really matter if it’s fun or useful it’s just the fact that we are all there connecting and making sure that we can all see what’s coming round the corner. And the next thing we’ve got to do is to stay in touch with each other. Yes, we have ended up having dinner parties where people have made new jobs, got new contacts for work . For me, it’s been just a way over the last 17 years to get to know the fabulous people who are always a little bit senior and a little bit fun and a little bit smarter, brighter, shinier than most!

Information

  • Creator
    James Welch
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 James Welch
  • Show Website
    After Dinner Chats