The Automotive Talent Show

Cameron Cresswell

Weekly Cameron and the team from Automotive Talent interview leaders from the automotive industry, gaining insights, their stories, and talking all things automotive related.

  1. Oct 14

    AI Is a People Project, Not a Plug-In | Jeremy Nowling, Michael Clarke & John Clavadetscher

    🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER: theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com 🎬 Full Episodes: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu 🎬 Clips & Shorts: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts 📱 FOLLOW US Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/ 👥 Host: Cameron Cresswell linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/ 🎤 Guests: Jeremy Nowling linkedin.com/in/jeremy-nowling-20293265/ linkedin.com/company/rohrman-automotive-group/home/ Michael Clarke linkedin.com/in/michael-clarke-motivated/ linkedin.com/company/getimpel/home/ John Clavadetscher linkedin.com/in/john-clavadetscher-1692693/

  2. Oct 7

    Automotive is the Best Game in Town! | SCOTT MAYNARD

    What do a mechanic, auto electrician, salesman and Managing Director have in common? Scott Maynard! From swinging spanners in Tasmania to leading Polestar Australia and New Zealand, Scott’s career has taken a few turns — and he wouldn’t have it any other way. In this chat with Cameron Cresswell, Scott shares why he still reckons automotive is the best game in town, what keeps the industry interesting, and why being willing to change direction might be one of the best career moves you can make. Oh, and there’s a Ferrari confession in there too. 🏎️ 🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Scott Maynard on the Automotive Talent Show. #Automotive #AutomotiveIndustry #AutomotiveCareers #Polestar #AutomotiveTalent 🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER: theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com 🎬 Full Episodes: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu 🎬 Clips & Shorts: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts 📱 FOLLOW US Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/ 👥 Host: Cameron Cresswell linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/ 🎤 Guest: Scott Maynard linkedin.com/in/scott-maynard-02424827 linkedin.com/company/polestarcars/ 00:28 Introduction to Scott and His Impact 00:28 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Reflections 00:28 Introduction and Background of Scott Maynard 00:28 Introduction to the Guest's Journey 01:08 Transitioning to Polestar and the EV Revolution 04:24 Career Journey in the Automotive Industry 06:36 Understanding the Automotive Landscape 09:09 The Evolution of Polestar in Australia 11:31 The Shift Towards Electric Vehicles 14:10 Mainstream Acceptance of EVs 16:37 The Future of Automotive and Customer Expectations 20:18 The Evolving Relationship with Electric Vehicles 22:23 From Mechanic to Executive: A Journey Through the Industry 24:42 Future Trends in the Automotive Industry 28:11 The Role of Data in Modern Vehicles 30:33 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations 30:58 Introduction to Scott and His Impact 31:16 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and Reflections

  3. Sep 30

    "The Opportunities Come If You Do Well At What You're Doing Today" | Vaughan Blackman

    Sometimes the best career advice isn't about chasing the next opportunity—it's about making the most of the one you're already in. Vaughan Blackman explains why the biggest opportunities in his career came from doing the job in front of him exceptionally well. From Australia to leading automotive businesses in the UK, he reflects on the importance of consistency, earning trust, developing great people, embracing change, and letting your work speak for itself rather than constantly looking for what's next. More than an interview, this feels like two old friends catching up on careers, leadership, and how the automotive industry has evolved over the years. It's an honest conversation filled with practical lessons for anyone looking to build a career, lead people well, and recognise that the next opportunity often comes from excelling in the present one.🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER: theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com 🎬 Full Episodes: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu 🎬 Clips & Shorts: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts 📱 FOLLOW US Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/ 👥 Host: Cameron Cresswell linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/ 🎤 Guest: Vaughan Blackman linkedin.com/in/vaughan-blackman linkedin.com/company/lsh-auto-uk-limited/ 00:28 Introduction to Vaughan Blackman's Journey 01:14 The Vaughan Blackman Journey Begins 02:52 From Music to Marine Sales 05:56 Transitioning to Automotive Sales 09:10 Lessons from the Automotive Industry 10:57 Navigating Change in the Automotive Landscape 16:45 Understanding the Agency Model 17:56 Navigating Language Nuances in Automotive Conversations 17:56 Adapting to Business Operations in Melbourne 19:14 Scaling Leadership Across Multiple Locations 22:13 The Complexity of Agency Models in Dealerships 22:13 Understanding Income Streams in Dealership Operations 22:47 People and Process: The Core of Dealership Success 23:50 Comparing UK and Australian Automotive Markets 24:58 Insights into the UK Automotive Market Dynamics 27:01 Transaction Speeds: UK vs. Australia vs. US 29:07 The Rise of Chinese Automotive Brands 31:06 Electric Vehicles: Shaping the Future of the Market 36:28 The Evolving Electric Vehicle Market 37:01 Pursuing Education While Managing a Career 39:01 The Value of Legal Knowledge in Business

  4. Sep 16

    She Left Criminal Law for Car Sales — Then Helped Build a Market Leader | Ella Letiagina

    Imagine spending years becoming a criminal barrister, only to decide you’d rather sell cars. That’s exactly what Ella Letiagina did. She left law, walked onto a Volkswagen dealership floor and started again — eventually helping take the brand from 4% market share to number one in Belarus. Then came Russia, then Australia, where she had to do something arguably harder: arrive with plenty of experience, but no reputation, no network and no shortcuts. In this conversation, Ella and Cameron talk about what it takes to start again, earn trust in a new country and keep backing yourself when the path ahead isn’t obvious. They also get into the future of automotive — from KGM’s reinvention and the changing role of dealerships to AI, technology and why the more machines take care of the routine, the more valuable human judgement and relationships become. And if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready to take the next step, Ella has some pretty good advice: sometimes you just have to back yourself a little earlier. 🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER: theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com 🎬 Full Episodes: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu 🎬 Clips & Shorts: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts 📱 FOLLOW US Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/ 👥 Host: Cameron Cresswell linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/ 🎤 Guest: Ella Letiagina linkedin.com/in/ella-letiagina-b7266144/ linkedin.com/company/kgm-au/ 00:28 From Law to Leadership: Ella's Unique Journey 01:20 Navigating Market Volatility and Brand Reinvention 01:41 Introduction and Background 04:28 Transition from Law to Automotive 07:08 Passion for the Automotive Industry 09:26 Insights from Global Markets 11:59 Cultural Differences in Automotive 14:47 Reflections on Brand Experiences 17:29 Challenges and Humor in the Industry 19:58 Proving Yourself in a New Market 22:32 Navigating New Markets: A Humbling Experience 24:54 Building Relationships and Reputation 25:53 The Value of International Experience 26:57 The Evolution of the Dealership Model 29:07 The Role of AI in the Automotive Industry 32:41 Reflections on Personal Growth and Advice 38:32 From Belarus to Australia: A Journey of Resilience 39:01 Building a Reputation in a New Land

  5. Sep 9

    Are We Building the Dealership of the Future… or Just Bolting AI Onto the Past? | Ed Tapley, Podium

    What happens when AI stops being a tool you add to the dealership — and starts becoming part of how the dealership actually operates? In this episode of The Automotive Talent Show, Cameron Cresswell sits down with Ed Tapley from Podium to look well beyond the current AI hype and into what automotive retail could actually become. From AI sales agents and AI “chiefs of staff” to AI managers, agent-to-agent interactions and buyer-side AI, Ed shares a fascinating perspective on how technology could fundamentally reshape the way dealerships generate demand, manage customers, structure teams and measure performance. Ed Tapley talks about why the biggest opportunity may not be making today's dealership more efficient, but rebuilding the machine for the operating environment of the future. They explore the shift from “rented demand” to “owned demand”, why dealerships may need to rethink traditional KPIs, how AI could give sales and service teams more time for the moments that actually matter, and why the organisations that win won't necessarily be the ones with the most technology — but the ones that understand how to redesign their business around it. The future of automotive retail may not be human versus AI. It may be humans and AI working together in ways the industry hasn't fully imagined yet. 

🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER: theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com 🎬 Full Episodes: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu 🎬 Clips & Shorts: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts 📱 FOLLOW US Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/ 👥 Host: Cameron Cresswell linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/ 🎤 Guest: Ed Tapley linkedin.com/in/edwardtapley/ linkedin.com/company/podium/ 00:29 Meet Ed Tapley 04:47 The AI opportunity for dealerships 12:11 Redesigning dealership operations 19:28 AI agents, data and real-time insight 30:26 AI, staffing and retention 38:38 AI leadership and ownership 44:20 The future of automotive retail 48:08 Where to start with AI 52:06 Connect with Podium

  6. Jul 29

    Running the Dealership Like A Footy Team | Luke Camilleri

    From dreaming of a career in professional football to leading one of Australia's highest-performing Mazda dealerships, Luke Camilleri has built his leadership philosophy around one simple idea: great dealerships are built like great sporting teams. Luke Camilleri talks about why culture isn't something you talk about—it's something you practise every day. We explore recruitment, accountability, adapting to change, leading through crises, creating a team-first mentality, and why celebrating the small wins is what ultimately drives long-term success. Luke also shares how marketing, leadership, and customer experience all improve when everyone is pulling in the same direction. Whether you're leading a dealership, managing a team, or simply looking to build a stronger culture, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons that extend well beyond the automotive industry. 🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER: theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com 🎬 Full Episodes: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu 🎬 Clips & Shorts: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts 📱 FOLLOW US Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/ 👥 Host: Cameron Cresswell linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/ 🎤 Guest: Luke Camilleri linkedin.com/in/luke-camilleri-44b04362/ linkedin.com/company/aspley-mazda/ 00:00 Introduction to Luke Camilleri 00:28 Introduction to Luke Camellieri and His Journey 00:48 Running a Dealership Like a High-Performance Team 01:06 Transforming Traditional Business Practices 02:18 Luke's Journey into the Automotive Industry 06:39 Lessons from Early Experiences 11:05 Adapting to Change in the Automotive Industry 16:27 The Importance of Community and Social Media 25:48 Building the 'Car Man' Brand 27:02 Evolving Marketing Strategies 32:46 Creating a Destination Experience 38:53 Building a Strong Team Culture 44:06 Hiring for Fit and Potential 48:16 Future Growth and Consistency 49:52 The Importance of Discipline in Leadership 50:17 Hiring for Culture and Engagement 50:21 Transforming Traditional Business Practices

  7. Jul 22

    If You Don't Like Change, You're Gonna Hate Extinction | Kieran Stack

    The automotive industry is changing faster than ever. Customer expectations are evolving, technology continues to reshape the dealership experience, and service departments can no longer rely on doing things the way they've always been done. Kieran Stack talks about why embracing change isn't optional for today's dealerships. From coaching service advisers and developing stronger leaders to improving customer communication and building service departments that customers genuinely want to return to, he shares the practical mindset shifts that separate thriving dealerships from those that get left behind. Whether you're a dealer principal, service manager, service adviser, or someone building a career in automotive, this episode is packed with practical insights on leadership, aftersales performance, customer experience, and why the dealerships that continue to evolve will always have the competitive advantage. 🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER: theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com 🎬 Full Episodes: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu 🎬 Clips & Shorts: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts 📱 FOLLOW US Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/ 👥 Host: Cameron Cresswell linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/ 🎤 Guest: Kieran Stack linkedin.com/in/kieran-stack-49060246 linkedin.com/company/service101/ 00:00 Introduction to Kieran Stack 02:05 Kieran's Journey to Australia and Training 03:27 The Philosophy of Service 101 05:13 The Role of Service Advisors 09:54 The Changing Landscape of Service Advisors 11:31 The Importance of Training and Communication 17:25 Selling vs. Helping in Service Departments 22:51 Consequences of Neglecting Vehicle Maintenance 28:01 Feature, Function, Consequence in Service Sales 29:15 The Evolution of Communication in Service Advising 31:23 The Importance of Effective Communication 35:37 Understanding Customer Needs and Rejections 40:22 Creating a Memorable Customer Experience 46:42 The Role of Technology in Service Advising 50:59 The Future of Service Departments 56:45 Final Outro.mp4

  8. Jul 9

    Why the Best F&I Leaders Think Beyond the Numbers | Anthony Maluccio

    F&I is often viewed as a numbers game—but the best leaders know it's about much more than finance, products, and profitability. In this episode of The Automotive Talent Show, Anthony Maluccio shares the leadership principles that have shaped his career in automotive, exploring how trust, culture, customer relationships, and developing people ultimately drive long-term business success. Anthony Maluccio talks about why the best F&I leaders think beyond the numbers, focusing on building strong teams, creating exceptional customer experiences, and making decisions that strengthen dealerships for the long term. His insights are practical, honest, and highly relevant for anyone leading in today's automotive industry. Whether you're a Business Manager, F&I professional, Dealer Principal, department leader, or simply passionate about the future of automotive retail, this conversation offers valuable lessons on leadership, performance, and building businesses that last. 🎧 Listen on SPOTIFY/APPLE/AMAZON/IHEART/DEEZER: theautomotivetalentshow.riverside.com 🎬 Full Episodes: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu 🎬 Clips & Shorts: youtube.com/@AutomotivetalentAu/shorts 📱 FOLLOW US Instagram: instagram.com/automotivetalent LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/automotive-talent Facebook: facebook.com/AutomotiveTalent X/Twitter: x.com/Auto_Talent Podcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/the-automotive-talent-show-podcast/ 👥 Host: Cameron Cresswell linkedin.com/in/cameroncresswell/ 🎤 Guest: Anthony Maluccio linkedin.com/in/anthony-maluccio/ linkedin.com/company/think-auto-pty-ltd/about/ 00:00 Introduction to Automotive Talent Show 01:45 Anthony Maluccio's Journey into Automotive Finance 03:38 The Unique Role of F&I in Dealerships 05:08 Navigating Sales and Finance Dynamics 07:35 Evolution of F&I Practices Over Two Decades 08:32 Current Challenges in the F&I Landscape 11:32 Compliance in the F&I World 14:04 The Role of Technology in Compliance 17:20 Changing Customer Expectations and Education 20:03 Best Practices for Dealerships in a Competitive Market 23:42 The Future of EV Financing and Market Adaptation 26:36 The Evolving Automotive Landscape 28:35 The Role of Business Managers in Dealerships 32:24 Finance as a Service: The Changing Dynamics 35:36 Future Predictions for F&I Desks 39:02 The Evolution of Think Auto 44:39 Scaling and Adapting to Market Changes 53:21 Final Outro.mp4

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About

Weekly Cameron and the team from Automotive Talent interview leaders from the automotive industry, gaining insights, their stories, and talking all things automotive related.

Information

  • Creator
    Cameron Cresswell
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cameron Cresswell

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