Call To Action

Giles Edwards
Podcast de Call To Action

Feel better about marketing™ The go-to podcast for anyone trying to make sense of the world of marketing, business and beyond. In an industry that is a minefield of utter bollocks, we aim to capture our heroes and allies from the front line to have a chin-wag with. It’s like Pokémon Go, with the single but vital exception that it’s not a short-term bandwagon of shite. UK TOP 2 | US TOP 50 | RELEASED FORTNIGHTLY

  1. Dan Nelken on copywriting confidence, creatively winging it and not giving a forklift

    HACE 4 DÍAS

    Dan Nelken on copywriting confidence, creatively winging it and not giving a forklift

    This week, we got into a thumb-war-to-the-death with our inner critic in order to lure over legendary copywriter, speaker, coach, author and all-round good Canada goose egg Dan Nelken. The alphabetical genius behind the bestselling Self Help Guide for Copywriters, and his 5-star online course ‘Writing Under Pressure’, Dan has made it his mission to rescue writers and brands all over the world from the malign influence of the dreaded inner critic – a character that Dan describes, with characteristic politeness, as a ‘ding dong’. The true Canadian king of creativity (shut your face Reynolds) Dan chats to CTA about the importance of creating stuff that’s just for you, the long-game of any creative career, how to gain and maintain creative confidence, and of course his own grapplings with an inner critic he calls Alan. ///// Follow Dan on LinkedIn  Visit Dan’s site  Jerry Seinfeld's interview with Tim Ferriss, the interview every creative should watch ///// Timestamps (02:05) - Quick Fire Questions (04:05) - Dan's Early Jobs (04:53) - From Forklift Truck Driver to Copywriter (06:45) - Finding His Path into Copywriting (08:36) - First Copywriting Gig at Cosset and Breaking through with McDonald's (12:02) - Value of Getting Lost (13:21) - The inspiration behind “Writing Under Pressure” (17:59) - Creating a Course On Writing Headlines (21:03) - Response to the Book (22:40) - Maintaining Creative Confidence (24:09) - Confronting Your Inner Critic (26:07) - Structure in Creativity (29:07) - Creativity Closer to Math(s) than Magic (31:04) - Importance of Structure in Creativity (32:39) - Most Creatives Hate Brainstorming (36:57) - Naming Alan, the Inner Critic (39:21) - The Joy of Creating for Yourself (42:46) - Impact of Creating on Social Media (43:40) - Audience Questions (48:20) - Four Pertinent Posers ///// Dan's book recommendations are:   A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters by Dan Nelken  Hey Whipple, Squeeze This  by Luke Sullivan Mind Management, Not Time Management by David Kadavy /////

    55 min
  2. Kevin Chesters on Shambles to Success via Strategy, Creativity and Muddy Fields

    23 AGO

    Kevin Chesters on Shambles to Success via Strategy, Creativity and Muddy Fields

    This week, we went fishing in a Levi’s Creek to catch TED speaker, co-author of ‘The Creative Nudge’ and enthusiasm enthusiast, Kevin Chesters. His Twitter bio says he’s a “tall bald bloke from Penzance”. And whilst that might be true, it does rather undersell the fact that perched atop that tall body, and in that bald bonce, are some serious smarts. For Kevin is a Chief Strategy Officer, formerly strategy head at Ogilvy, Wieden + Kennedy, Saatchi, Dentsu, with a client-side cameo at BT, a visiting lecturer in creativity at several universities, a TEDx speaker, co-author of ‘The Creative Nudge’ and an absolute advocate for walking in stupid and talking in smarts.  We discuss his journey from his beginning manning boying a vegetable stall, flirting with journalism, getting past ‘A’ in the careers dictionary, the importance of fostering creativity in all fields (including muddy ones), executional skill, breaking category norms, sifting through the interesting to find useful, enthusiasm, neurodiversity, walking in stupid, finding the world endlessly fascintating, big agencies, little agencies and so much more. ///// Kevin’s website  Follow Kevin on LinkedIn Here’s his book, co-written with the brilliant Mick Mahoney His TED Talk Levi’s – Creek by BBH, 1993 ///// Timestamps (03:17) - Kevin's early jobs and first steps in the advertising industry (07:34) - His initial lack of interest in advertising and his pivot from journalism (10:04) - The impact of iconic ads like Levi's Creek on Kevin's career (19:04) - The value of diverse experiences in building a successful career (23:03) - Defining creativity and its importance in business and life (27:37) - Breaking category norms (31:06) - The concept of bravery in marketing (34:42) - Bringing Fresh Perspectives to Meetings (36:38) - Practical tips for fostering creativity in the workplace (45:05) - Listener questions including Mark Earls about the role of enthusiasm (47:08) - The impact of neurodiversity on Kevin's approach to strategy Kevin’s book recommendations are:  The Creative Nudge: Simple Steps to help you think differently by Kevin Chesters and Mick Mahoney The Victorian Internet by Tom Standage Legacy by James Kerr An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield The Rebuilders by Sara Tate & Anna Vogt (Sara’s appearance on Call to Action® https://gasp.agency/media/call-to-action/sara-tate) ////

    1 h y 4 min
  3. Why Brand Matters More Than Ever in B2B Marketing with the Marvellous Mimi Turner of the B2B Institute at LinkedIn

    9 AGO

    Why Brand Matters More Than Ever in B2B Marketing with the Marvellous Mimi Turner of the B2B Institute at LinkedIn

    This week we got out our thesaurus and sent a proper professional-sounding connection request to snag the attention of Mimi Turner, Head of LinkedIn’s B2B institute for EMEA and Latin America. With more strategic know-how in her little finger than a yurt-load of gurus, Mimi has worked as Director of Strategy, Messaging and Research for The Liberal Democrats and Marketing Director for Lad Bible, before moving to her current role at LinkedIn where she champions brand as a key growth driver for B2B businesses.  One of B2B’s biggest brains and boldest bullshit busters, Mimi shares her thoughts on the ancient origins of strategic thinking, journalism’s tendency toward self-harm, the common mistakes B2B marketers keep on making and why B2B is just one big game of hide and seek. ///// Follow Mimi on LinkedIn Read Mimi and Jann  Schwarz's eye-opening research The real job of B2B Marketing is to give the Buyer Group permission to agree Tune in to Mimi's Nudgestock 2023 talk Every Product Needs a Promise   Timestamps (02:23) - Quick Fire Questions (07:14) - Mimi’s Early Career (08:43) - The early days as a student journalist (10:52) - The world’s worst chambermaid (12:09) - Sequencing operations in Burger King (15:48) - Hospitality Skills in Marketing: Leaders should be waiters (21:35) - Mimi’s route into marketing (24:50) - Playing to win and solve the strategic problems (29:31) - B2B marketing: The challenger to B2C marketing (32:29) - Joining the B2B Institute at LinkedIn (33:55) - Who is making the decisions in B2B buying (37:03) - In B2B Brand is a decision insurance (46:03) - This quarter’s sales will be won or lost on brand (49:26) - Target B2B’s hidden buyers (57:16) - Advice for CMO’s fighting for investment (01:01:46) - Target your customers, go after the buying group (01:04:43) - Differentiation and distinctiveness: The job of creativity in B2B brands (01:11:23) - Pertinent posers   Mimi's book recommendations are: The Penguin Book of Modern Speeches by Brian MacArthur  /////

    1 h y 31 min
  4. [BEST OF] Building a culture of creativity with ex-Burger King CMO, Fernando Machado

    26 JUL

    [BEST OF] Building a culture of creativity with ex-Burger King CMO, Fernando Machado

    It’s been 5 years since Call to Action® captured our first of what’s now over 140 heroes and allies from the industry front lines to have a chin-wag with. To celebrate, we’re rereleasing a choice cut of our favourite episodes as part of a ‘Best Of’ series.  Back in 2021, we posed as a jester in the throne room of the Burger Kingdom to nab one of the most influential CMOs in the industry; the mind behind the infamous Mouldy Whopper, Fernando Machado. A global marketer with enough Lions to rival Joe Exotic, Fernando has since tucked into a few new roles, including one as CMO at Activision Blizzard. But at the time of recording, Fer was CMO at Restaurant Brands International, serving up great creative work for Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons.  So, pull up to the next window and pick-up Fer’s final flame-grilled interview pre-abdicating, where we chat on his obsession with creativity, how to make the case for creativity, the role of the CMO, why Mouldy Whopper was never a risk, brand heritage, cancel culture, Bill Bernbach, Dads in Briefs and the cliff divers of Acapulco. ///// Check out The One Club for Creativity  BGH Air Conditioners: Dads in Briefs   Timestamps (02:15) - Quick fire questions (03:39) - His early career and first job (08:02) - Importance of creativity as a competitive advantage (15:24) - Making the case for creativity in marketing (20:30) - Burger King's challenger mindset and culture of creativity (25:22) - Role of the CMO and comfort with being uncomfortable (28:29) - Listener questions  (33:04) - 4 pertinent posers  Fernando’s book recommendations are:  Bill Bernbach's Book by Bob Levenson  The Copy Book by D&AD  /////

    40 min
  5. Why craft is crucial with copywriter Andrew Jolliffe.

    12 JUL

    Why craft is crucial with copywriter Andrew Jolliffe.

    This week, we tracked a trail through deserts, glaciers, coral reefs, paddy fields, palaces, the DMZ between the two Koreas and an Italian hilltop to catch a copywriter with a lifetime of wild experience behind him. Ciao, Andrew Jolliffe.  For 25 years he’s written ads, strategies, thought starters, content, manifestos and copy. Some of those have won him prizes in Cannes, Paris and New York, but more importantly, he still adores writing them. In an age where concepts cast shadows over craft, Andrew is a true craftsman.  Full of refreshingly smart observations, Andrew talks to us on his organ building apprenticeships, fireworks accidents, Princess Di’s wedding, his "3rd career" in advertising, the internet as a vending machine, an outstanding defence of proper craft, and much, much more.  ///// Follow Andrew on LinkedIn  Here’s his website, entirely written by his clients  A short but very award-winning film he wrote with animator Darren Price   MusiCuvia, music festival in Valcuvia, northern Italy, founded by Andrew 4 years ago  And some Jack Dee for good measure  Timestamps (02:12) - Quick Fire Questions  (06:03) - Andrew's Early Career: Pipe Organ Builder (11:03) - Transition to Firework Technician (16:20) - The Cutthroat World of Fireworks (19:53) - Transition to Advertising (23:54) - Learning the Craft at Ogilvy (25:09) - Understanding People from All Walks of Life (26:14) - The Value of Real Experiences (27:32) - The Internet as a Vending Machine (29:59) - The Importance of Craft in Advertising (32:22) - Consumer Intelligence and Craft (45:00) - Advice for Aspiring Advertisers  (52:06) - Pertinent Posers  Andrew’s book recommendations are:  Atonement by Ian McEwan Saturday by Ian McEwan Black Dogs by Ian McEwan The Pornographer by John McGahern The Plot Against America by Philip Roth  The Howard Gossage Show by Steve Harrison and Dave Dye /////

    1 h y 2 min
  6. [BEST OF] Why advertising MUST entertain with Paul Feldwick.

    28 JUN

    [BEST OF] Why advertising MUST entertain with Paul Feldwick.

    It’s been 5 years since Call to Action® captured our first of what’s now over 140 heroes and allies from the industry front lines to have a chin-wag with. To celebrate, we’re rereleasing a choice cut of our favourite episodes as part of a ‘Best Of’ series.  In 2021, baited by a Bedouin birthing blanket, we caught big thinker and bestselling author, Paul Feldwick.  The man behind one of our favourite all time ad campaigns, Paul worked at the legendary agency BMP on some of Britain’s most famous brands for over 30 years. Paul talks to us on tonnes of topics, including BMP, being the world’s worst account manager, clowns, talking to real people, what brands can learn from Snow White, Jeremy Bullmore, PT Barnum, fame, shame, purpose, Mrs Brown’s Boys, whether ads need to be "liked", Martin Boase, and a whole lot more.  ///// Check out his website  Follow Paul on LinkedIn We implore you to read both of his fabulous books:   Why Does the Pedlar Sing?  Anatomy of Humbug  And here’s that famous Barclaycard ad with Rowan Atkinson  Timestamps (01:58) - Quick fire questions (07:20) - Paul's early career and transition to account planning (11:24) - Importance of entertaining advertising (17:29) - Discussion on fame in advertising (24:35) - The history of advertising and its impact on creativity (29:33) - The moral implications of advertising and the need for entertaining content (35:32) - Question on creative thinking in advertising and overcoming shame for fame (41:36) - Balancing likability and fame in advertising campaigns (47:07) - Pertinent posers  Paul’s book recommendations are:  How Brands Grow by Byron Sharp  Building Distinctive Brand Assets by Jenni Romaniuk  /////

    55 min
  7. Building the world’s first GEN-Z copywriting community, Word Tonic, with Carolyn McMurray and Em Goodier.

    14 JUN

    Building the world’s first GEN-Z copywriting community, Word Tonic, with Carolyn McMurray and Em Goodier.

    This week, we ate and left no some crumbs to lure and catch GEN-Z copywriters, Carolyn McMurray and Em Goodier.  Co-founders of Word Tonic, the world’s first GEN-Z copywriting community, Carolyn and Em are hell-bent on helping and inspiring more young people to write for a living. Driven directly by young copywriters, it's a space to connect, share advice and learn from both each other and in masterclasses with the world's most noticeable brands like Disney and Google.  With over 700 GEN-Z copywriters involved, they’re growing so fast they’ve got brands reaching out to recruit fresh, emerging talent straight from the community.  We spill the tea (we’ll stop now) on embracing chaos in your career, building a community as an introvert, why research matters before a GEN-Z marketing effort, flexibility, mentorship, wanky creative directors, creating a diverse and inclusive community, short-term echo chambers, listener questions from Vikki Ross, Dave Harland, Thomas Kemeny and Andrew Boulton, boyfriend dedications, and loads more*. *including a World Cup of GEN-Z words designed solely to get Giles to say “yeet”, “bussin”, and “vibe check”.  ///// Follow Word Tonic on Instagram  Find them on LinkedIn  Here’s their website and newsletter  And check out one of Carolyn’s recommendation; Farnam Street Timestamps (01:47) - World Cup of GEN-Z Words  (03:31) - Early (chaotic) career paths; from Costa Coffee and cleaning to copywriting  (12:31) - How Word Tonic started, the recruitment side, and why you should join  (22:46) - How to nail GEN-Z marketing efforts  (31:31) - Listener questions  (40:51) - 4 pertinent posers  Their book recommendations are:  Junior by Thomas Kemeny  Hey Whipple Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan  Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters by Dan Nelken  The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey /////

    58 min
  8. Lessons in Creative Leadership with Coca-Cola’s Adam Ross.

    31 MAY

    Lessons in Creative Leadership with Coca-Cola’s Adam Ross.

    This week we asked “Is Pepsi okay?” to bait and catch Coca-Cola Creative Lead, Adam Ross.  Creative Lead for Coca-Cola across the ASEAN & South Pacific region, Adam is responsible for translating and elevating global core creative ideas regionally and locally, wrangling agencies around the world, and driving thought leadership across the business. So, gather on a Hilltop and listen as we sing on working on impactful campaigns for the Met Police, the power of brand and why it’s far from dead, “leaving loudly”, serendipity, the power of a great brief, going from agency to client side at Coca-Cola, Cantona, being an agency whisperer, balancing parenthood and leaderships and loads more. ///// Follow Adam on LinkedIn  Listen to his sister, Vikki, on Episode 6 of Call to Action®  Check out Adam’s Creative Sparks post each month   And keep an eye out for Vikki’s Copy Safaris  Timestamps (02:01) - Quickfire questions  (02:56) - His first jobs and first proper job at MediaCom  (05:05) - Tackling issues like knife crime and gun violence for the Met Police (08:29) - The role of serendipity in his career  (13:07) - Transition to client-side at Coca-Cola (23:17) - Being an ‘agency whisperer’  (26:08) - The power of a brief  (31:15) - Leaving loudly  (40:55) - Listener questions (51:38) - 4 pertinent posers  Adam’s book recommendations are:  Emotion by Design by Greg Hoffman  Misfits by Michaela Coel  Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld  Dave Trott’s books  The Course of Love by Alain de Botton  The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work by Alain de Botton /////

    57 min

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Feel better about marketing™ The go-to podcast for anyone trying to make sense of the world of marketing, business and beyond. In an industry that is a minefield of utter bollocks, we aim to capture our heroes and allies from the front line to have a chin-wag with. It’s like Pokémon Go, with the single but vital exception that it’s not a short-term bandwagon of shite. UK TOP 2 | US TOP 50 | RELEASED FORTNIGHTLY

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