Message Makers

Paradigm Creative

Welcome to Message Makers, a brand-new podcast hosted by Owen Vittanuova, MD at Paradigm Creative Ltd. Each episode, he'll take you behind the scenes of the communications world, exploring the insight, experience, and expertise of the people at the forefront of it. From crafting key messages and understanding what truly resonates with hard-to-reach audiences, to breaking down barriers, planning complex global events, and exploring innovative internal communications practices, this podcast is your go-to for learning directly from the experts. Hear firsthand from the UK's leading communications professionals, who share the challenges, successes, and practical tips that make their work impactful. Episodes include engaging chats with communications leaders, offering a mix of inspiration, strategy, and real-world advice for anyone working in a communications role. Whether you're a business communications professional looking to sharpen your skills, a leader wanting to understand the power of effective communication, or just curious about how best to negotiate change management or how to use AI prompts to your advantage, Message Makers will give you the insights you need to elevate your business game.

Episodes

  1. 19 May

    Episode 3

    Dan Gibbons, Internal Communications & Engagement Manager at Capita, is our guest for podcast episode three. He shares a refreshingly honest look at his career journey and what effective internal comms really looks like in a large, complex organisation. Dan's path into communications wasn't planned. Having worked across learning and development, video editing, marketing and comms, he explains how internal communications became the place where all those skills came together. For Dan, the appeal lies in the people side of the role - engagement, understanding behaviour, and helping people feel connected at work. Like many in the profession, he didn't set out to work in internal comms, but discovered it as a niche with real impact. The conversation explores the balance between data and instinct. Dan highlights how metrics like readership, engagement rates and surveys are essential for shaping strategy and winning stakeholder buy-in, particularly when time and cost are involved. At the same time, gut feeling still plays a valuable role, especially when data shows that an idea simply isn't landing. Working at Capita brings unique challenges, from navigating shared values and tone of voice to embedding culture at scale. Dan shares how Capita developed a culture code rooted in employee insight, collaboration and line manager buy-in, alongside a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.  The episode also touches on where internal comms sits within organisations, the risks of underestimating its value, and the exciting opportunities technology presents for engaging people in new, creative ways.

    Episode 3
  2. 14 Apr

    Episode 2

    In this second episode of Message Makers, host Owen sits down with Iain Lumsden, Head of Events, Activations and Social Impact at ING Australia, to explore culture, connection and the evolving role of comms in a digital-first, global organisation. Iain has spent more than 20 years in communications, starting in financial services before moving into telecoms, where he and Owen worked together at O2. Internal communications has always been central to his career, and for the past decade he's brought that expertise to ING Australia, one of the country's original online-only banks. As a challenger brand with no physical branches, ING prides itself on not "feeling like a bank". Ian describes a playful, slightly irreverent culture - or "wonky", as they call it - that shapes everything from advertising to internal tone of voice, while still balancing professionalism. That strong culture, combined with long tenure and close relationships, helps comms land more effectively. The conversation explores how ING connects local teams to its global strategy, with leaders from Amsterdam visiting regularly to build understanding and celebrate success. Iain also reflects on cultural differences between working in the UK and Australia, highlighting the remarkable diversity of ING's workforce, with more than 50 languages spoken. They discuss ING's unwavering commitment to inclusion, and how AI tools like Copilot can support, but never replace, human creativity and collaboration in communications.

    Episode 2

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Message Makers, a brand-new podcast hosted by Owen Vittanuova, MD at Paradigm Creative Ltd. Each episode, he'll take you behind the scenes of the communications world, exploring the insight, experience, and expertise of the people at the forefront of it. From crafting key messages and understanding what truly resonates with hard-to-reach audiences, to breaking down barriers, planning complex global events, and exploring innovative internal communications practices, this podcast is your go-to for learning directly from the experts. Hear firsthand from the UK's leading communications professionals, who share the challenges, successes, and practical tips that make their work impactful. Episodes include engaging chats with communications leaders, offering a mix of inspiration, strategy, and real-world advice for anyone working in a communications role. Whether you're a business communications professional looking to sharpen your skills, a leader wanting to understand the power of effective communication, or just curious about how best to negotiate change management or how to use AI prompts to your advantage, Message Makers will give you the insights you need to elevate your business game.