The Black Box of Media

Ultimate Edge Communications
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Welcome to The Black Box of Media with Aleisha McCall—the podcast that lifts the lid on the hidden strategies behind high-performance media advertising. Each episode features top marketing experts, media buyers, and brand leaders sharing actionable tactics, insights, and real-world case studies. No fluff, no jargon—just results-driven advice to help your business cut through the noise. Whether you're a CMO, Marketing Manager, or Business Owner, this is your backstage pass to smarter advertising. Let’s unlock the Black Box of Media—and transform the way you think about advertising.

Episodes

  1. 12/15/2025

    Differentiating in a Saturated Market

    What does it take to master brand distinctiveness in competitive markets? In this insightful episode of The Black Box of Media, Aleisha McCall and GM of Marketing for Wesfarmers Health MediAesthetics, including the brands Clear Skincare, SILK Laser and Australian Skin Clinics, Gavin Bell, dive into expert tips on uniting legacy brands, unlocking growth potential, and boosting profitability in the fast-moving aesthetic space. Learn how smart targeting, continuous optimisation strategies, and creative frameworks can transform your ad budget and drive business growth. Gain insider knowledge on leveraging AI, enhancing ROAS, and achieving benchmarks that elevate brand performance. Gavin Bell shares his innovative approach to building distinctive positioning for Australian Skin Clinics, Clear Skincare, and Silks Laser Clinics while maintaining market share. Explore how actionable insights like employee-generated content, platform-first creative approaches, and strategic media advertising can amplify results. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a business leader, this episode equips you with strategies to succeed in a crowded marketplace. Hit subscribe for more expert advice on high-performance media advertising and learn how Ultimate Edge Communications can help you make smarter decisions for continuous growth. Keep pushing boundaries to make your marketing work harder for you! #competitivemarketpositioning #aestheticmarketingstrategies #creativemarketingstrategies #highperformanceadvertising #customerengagement CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction 02:10 - Differentiating Brands with Similar Offerings 03:31 - Maintaining Consistent Brand Positioning 06:24 - Importance of Language in Branding 11:52 - Analysing Brand Performance 17:44 - Creative Impact on Brand Performance 21:20 - Mecca Cosmetica and User Generated Content 24:37 - Creative Optimisation and Performance Impact 27:24 - AI in Laser Clinics Australia 27:55 - AI Applications in Creative Strategy 33:30 - Challenges Facing Gavin 35:15 - Monthly Mimosas Discussion 36:05 - Outro For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. And if you're ready to make your business work harder for you, schedule a Power Session with Black Box of Media host, Aleisha McCall. This 45-minute call will give you clear, custom strategies to grow your business fast. Learn what drives high-performance media. Subscribe and visit The Black Box of Media page to start turning these insights into action.

    38 min

  2. 12/01/2025

    Cracking the Code on Creative Consistency and Full-Funnel Strategy

    In episode 09 of The Black Box of Media Podcast, discover the high-level strategies to mastering full-funnel marketing with this expert blueprint. Join Aleisha McCall and Shaun Briggs, Specsavers' Director of Marketing Planning ANZ, as they reveal actionable insights to boost profitability, drive business growth, and achieve smart targeting. Packed with expert tips on creative consistency, omni-channel decision-making, and continuous optimisation strategies, this episode provides a roadmap to make media work harder for your business. Discover how staying true to proven campaigns like "Should’ve Gone to Specsavers" delivers lasting results while balancing metrics and innovation. Learn how to align your ad budget with strategic benchmarks, leverage automation and AI for smarter media planning, and ensure seamless customer experiences online and offline. Whether you're a CMO, marketing manager, or business owner, these insights will transform the way you think about marketing. Ready to take your campaigns to the next level? Hit subscribe, leave a review, and share your biggest takeaway. Keep pushing boundaries and driving growth with smarter marketing strategies. #mediaadvertisingstrategies #marketingmeasurementtechniques #mediabuyertactics #brandperformancemetrics #marketinginsights CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Welcome Shaun Briggs 03:09 - Longevity of Specsavers Campaign 07:29 - Stick or Twist Decision Making 09:29 - Knowing When to Expand a Campaign 10:15 - Leveraging Existing Assets for Results 14:42 - Metrics to Track at Funnel Stages 19:34 - Aligning Media with Funnel Stages 22:40 - Holistic View of Marketing Mix 25:22 - Understanding Friction in Marketing 31:00 - Balancing Intuition and Data in Marketing 36:40 - Discipline in Execution of Marketing Strategies 38:30 - Using AI in Media Buying 42:00 - Advice for CMOs in Marketing 48:00 - Consistent Performance in Media Environments 49:51 - Meeting Immediate Needs in Marketing 51:37 - Playing the Long Game in Marketing 55:19 - Outro For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. And if you're ready to make your business work harder for you, schedule a Power Session with Black Box of Media host, Aleisha McCall. This 45-minute call will give you clear, custom strategies to grow your business fast. Learn what drives high-performance media. Subscribe and visit The Black Box of Media page to start turning these insights into action.

    56 min

  3. 11/17/2025

    High-Performance Marketing in a Fast-Moving World

    Discover the secrets of high-performance marketing in a fast-moving world with Aleisha McCall on The Black Box of Media Podcast. In this episode, marketing powerhouse Sarah Myers, General Manager of Audience and Marketing at REA Group, shares expert tips on unlocking growth potential and boosting profitability. Learn how to master platform-specific creative strategies, optimise ad budgets, and leverage cutting-edge AI innovations to achieve continuous success in an ever-changing landscape. Gain actionable insights into smart targeting, maximising ROAS, and building a robust MarTech stack to drive business growth. Sarah reveals how her team navigates the challenges of personalisation at scale, harnessing billions of data points to deliver hyper-personalised experiences for 12 million monthly users. Whether you're a marketer, CMO, or business owner, this episode offers strategies to elevate your campaigns and deliver measurable results. Stay ahead of the curve with proven techniques for creative execution, data-driven decision-making, and seamless integration of AI tools. Ready to transform your marketing game? Subscribe now to The Black Box of Media Podcast and explore more episodes packed with actionable strategies for success. Keep pushing boundaries and making media work harder for you! #audiencepersonalisationtactics #creativeexecutiontechniques #creativemarketingstrategies #high-performanceadvertising #marketingtechnology #mediaadvertisingstrategies #personalisationinmarketing #creativeadvertisingstrategies #realestatemarketing #mediaadvertisingtrends CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 02:06 - Platform First Creative Strategy 05:45 - Creating Efficiency Through the Marketing Funnel 06:56 - In-Campaign Creative Testing Techniques 11:05 - Maintaining Core Brand Essence in Marketing 13:18 - Payoffs from Marketing Technology Stack 17:25 - Innovative Strategies with Strong Foundations 19:25 - Must-Haves for Personalisation in Marketing 22:07 - AI Agents in Marketing 24:38 - Safe AI Adoption Strategies at REA 28:48 - Smarter Signals and Audience Segmentation 31:50 - Extracting Insights from Marketing Data 33:20 - Acquiring Talent and RMIT Partnership Insights 36:33 - Graduate Mentorship and Collaboration 38:00 - Mass Personalisation in Real Estate Marketing 42:30 - Driving Growth and Meeting Expectations 44:45 - Advice for Marketers on Data Segmentation 46:13 - Staying Inspired and Leading Effectively 50:32 - OUTRO For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. And if you're ready to make your business work harder for you, schedule a Power Session with Black Box of Media host, Aleisha McCall. This 45-minute call will give you clear, custom strategies to grow your business fast. Learn what drives high-performance media. Subscribe and visit The Black Box of Media page to start turning these insights into action.

    51 min

  4. 11/03/2025

    Real Estate Marketing Decoded

    Unlock the secrets to high-performance real estate marketing in this episode of The Black Box of Media Podcast, hosted by Aleisha McCall and featuring Trent Sutton, CMO of Harcourts International. This episode dives into expert tips and actionable strategies to unlock growth potential, boost profitability, and optimise your ad budget with a focus on smart targeting and continuous optimisation strategies. Explore how Harcourts has doubled organic traffic, enhanced local SEO, and achieved faster property sales with higher returns using cutting-edge media advertising tactics. Trent shares insights on balancing brand and performance marketing, structuring high-performance teams, and leveraging data-driven strategies to maximise ROAS and business growth. Gain practical advice on navigating long purchase cycles, evolving attribution models, and creating value for your audience. Whether you're a CMO, marketer, or business leader, this episode is packed with benchmarks and strategies to elevate your marketing game. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of real estate marketing. Subscribe now for more expert insights and actionable takeaways! #seoperformance #trafficgrowth #seoperformance #trafficgrowth #leadgeneration #digitalstrategy #leadgeneration #seoperformance #marketingroi #digitalmarketingstrategies CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Welcome to the Black Box of Media 00:44 - Introducing Trent Sutton, CMO of Harcourts International 03:06 - Effective Marketing Strategies for Real Estate 04:56 - Importance of SEO in Real Estate Industry 07:20 - SEO vs Pay-to-Play: Finding the Right Balance 10:25 - Allocating Leads Across 1000 Offices 15:32 - Lessons Learned: Refining Marketing Approaches 19:41 - Data-Driven Decision Making in Marketing 20:40 - Understanding the Full Funnel Feedback Loop 23:20 - Engaging Consumers: From Passive to Active 27:20 - Justifying Brand Investment in Marketing 30:47 - Insights from the Compound Creativity Study 34:20 - Structuring High-Performing Marketing Teams 38:18 - Achieving Optimal Outcomes in Marketing 42:00 - Educating Businesses on Digital Media Strategies 45:30 - Overview of Harcourts Reach 52:10 - Marketing Attribution and Tracking Techniques 52:30 - Measuring Marketing Performance Across the Funnel 56:15 - Key Advice for Marketing Leaders in 2025 58:29 - Connecting with Trent Sutton Online For more resources, click here to visit the podcast episode page. And if you're ready to make your business work harder for you, schedule a Power Session with Black Box of Media host, Aleisha McCall. This 45-minute call will give you clear, custom strategies to grow your business fast. Learn what drives high-performance media. Subscribe and visit The Black Box of Media page to start turning these insights into action.

    1 hr

  5. 10/20/2025

    Unlocking Hidden Drivers of Tourism Demand

    In the Season 2 premiere of "The Black Box of Media Podcast," host Aleisha McCall dives into unlocking hidden drivers of tourism demand with marketing powerhouse Kim McConnie, Group Executive Marketing Lead at Tourism and Events Queensland. Discover expert tips and actionable strategies that transform tourism campaigns into measurable results. From smart targeting to leveraging user-generated content and sustainability messaging, this episode delivers practical insights to boost profitability and drive business growth. Kim shares her expertise on how data-backed decisions, emotional connections, and innovative partnerships fuel destination marketing success in 2025 and beyond. Learn how to optimise ad budgets, enhance ROAS, and implement continuous optimisation strategies for greater impact. Whether you're a CMO, marketing manager, or business owner, this episode is packed with insights to sharpen your media strategies and elevate your brand. Hit subscribe, share your biggest takeaway, and explore future episodes for more strategies to make media work harder for your business. Don't miss this valuable conversation designed to inspire and empower! #mediastrategy #mediastrategies #user-generatedcontenttourism #destinationmarketingstrategies #destinationmarketingstrategies #destinationmarketingsuccess #mediaadvertisingstrategies #tourismmarketingstrategies #emotionalconnectionmarketing #tourismmarketingstrategies CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Kim McConnie, Executive Marketing Lead at Tourism Queensland 02:48 - Segmenting 90% of Australians 06:24 - Bluey's World: Tangibilising Success 11:41 - Measuring Influence Beyond Clicks 18:00 - Resurgence of User Generated Content 22:52 - Exciting Emerging Formats in Marketing 26:13 - Attribution: Fixing the Click Model 30:41 - Sustainability's Impact on Destination Choice 34:27 - Connect with Kim and TEQ 34:54 - Subscribe for More Value For more resources, click here to check out the podcast episode page. And if you're ready to make your business work harder for you, schedule a Power Session with Black Box of Media host, Aleisha McCall. This 45-minute call will give you clear, custom strategies to grow your business fast. Schedule your session here. Learn what drives high-performance media. Subscribe and visit The Black Box of Media page to apply these strategies to grow your brand .

    36 min

  6. SEASON 2 TRAILER

    Season 02 Trailer

    Season 2 of The Black Box of Media podcast is here, and we're lifting the lid on the hidden strategies behind high-performance media advertising. This season, host Aleisha McCall sits down with leading CMOs and marketing innovators to reveal how world-class brands are: - Balancing creativity, data, and technology to drive measurable results - Using AI, automation, and Martech to scale smarter, not harder - Crafting customer journeys that convert across every channel - Building agile, future-ready marketing teams that fuel growth No jargon. No fluff. Just insider insights and actionable strategies you can put to work immediately. Whether you’re a CMO, Marketing Manager, or business leader, Season 2 gives you the competitive edge to cut through the noise, make sharper decisions, and transform insights into impact. New episodes drop every second Tuesday at 8am starting 21 October. Subscribe and visit The Black Box of Media page to start turning these insights into action. Questions about the podcast? Connect with us at getbetterresults@ultimateedgecommunications.com.au

    2 min

  7. 06/30/2025

    Master Full Funnel Marketing for 10X Results

    Unlock the secrets to full funnel marketing success in Episode 05 of "The Black Box of Media Podcast." Join host Aleisha McCall and special guest Liana Ling as they reveal expert tips, smart targeting techniques, and continuous optimisation strategies to drive 10X results for your media campaigns. Learn how to align your team, structure high-performing funnels, and leverage platforms like Meta and Google to maximise ROAS, boost profitability, and scale your business growth. This episode dives into overcoming common pitfalls in lead generation and tracking, creating an omnichannel experience, and the importance of planning ahead for key sales periods like Black Friday. Discover how micro-optimisations and a disciplined testing approach can help achieve your benchmarks while staying focused on the ultimate goal—delivering measurable success. If you're ready to stop guessing and start implementing strategies that work, this episode is your ultimate guide. Don't miss out on actionable insights to make your ad budget work harder. Subscribe now for more high-impact strategies, and let’s keep unlocking the black box of media together! #facebookads #leadgeneration #conversionrateoptimisation #emailmarketing #linkedinmarketing#facebookads #emailmarketing #coldemail #b2bleadgeneration #conversionrateoptimisation CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 01:24 - Marketers Struggle with Full Funnel Marketing 05:02 - Strategic Management of Full Funnel Marketing 07:38 - Successful Full Funnel Marketing Campaign Example 13:18 - Creating and Refining a High Performing Funnel 16:57 - Defining Your Marketing Objectives 17:40 - Leveraging Platform Algorithms for Results 22:20 - Take Action 23:24 - Outro

    24 min

  8. 06/16/2025

    Secrets to ROI Mastery

    Unlock the secrets to ROI mastery with The Black Box of Media Podcast - Episode 04! Join host Aleisha McCall and marketing expert Dr. Lorel Colgin as they share expert tips, actionable strategies, and real-world insights to help you maximise your ad budget, boost profitability, and drive business growth. Discover how small, consistent improvements can create game-changing results, even on a lean budget. Learn how the Children's Medical Research Institute achieved record-breaking success through smart targeting, continuous optimisation strategies, and innovative media partnerships. From enhancing ROAS benchmarks to leveraging creative campaigns like Jeans for Genes, this episode is packed with practical advice for CMOs, marketing managers, and business owners striving to unlock growth potential. Explore strategies to improve tracking, integrate online and offline channels, and delight audiences at every stage of the funnel. Whether you're aiming to enhance your marketing impact or refine your media buying approach, this episode equips you with the tools to succeed. Don’t miss this insightful conversation filled with data-driven solutions and proven tactics. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode to support results-driven marketing! Let’s unlock the black box of media together. #roidigitalmarketing #digitalmarketingroi #ppcroi #socialmediamarketing #returnonadspend#leadgeneration #emailmarketing #socialmediamarketing #digitalmarketing #whatisroi CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Welcome to The Black Box of Media Podcast - Episode 04 01:02 - Charity Success: Record-Breaking Results 01:45 - Introducing Dr. Lorel Colgin 03:07 - Understanding the Jeans for Genes Campaign 06:22 - 1% Improvements in Media Strategy 07:52 - Tracking Customer Journey Effectively 12:43 - Big Impact on a Small Budget 15:48 - Importance of Early Awareness Advertising 17:20 - Video Insight: Long-Form Content Benefits 20:15 - Low Budget, High Impact Marketing 23:50 - Planning for Extraordinary Campaign Results 26:25 - Complete Picture of Campaign Performance 29:38 - Key Levers at Each Funnel Stage 30:16 - Words of Wisdom from Dr. Lorel Colgin 34:50 - Advice for Marketing Managers 35:46 - Thank You for Listening 36:40 - Subscribe, Review, and Share

    37 min

  9. 06/02/2025

    Scaling Your Startup Like a Pro

    Discover expert tips to unlock growth potential and scale your startup like a pro in Episode 03 of The Black Box of Media Podcast. Hosted by Aleisha McCall of Ultimate Edge Communications, this episode dives deep into the secrets behind scaling a business, boosting profitability, and competing against industry giants. Learn smart targeting techniques, actionable strategies for continuous optimisation, and the importance of strategic media investments to maximise ROAS and drive business growth. Special guest Stephen Deveraux-Stanford, a renowned multi-business founder and disruptive brand builder, shares his journey of transforming Ivory Coat from a small-scale startup into an iconic household name. Gain insights into the "test and learn" approach, leveraging media to support distributors, and overcoming challenges with limited ad budgets. This episode is packed with practical advice and real-world benchmarks that will equip you to refine your strategies and achieve measurable results. Whether you're a business owner, marketing manager, or entrepreneur, this conversation will inspire you to push boundaries and think differently about advertising and business growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your approach and stay ahead in competitive markets.If you found this valuable, subscribe for more high-impact conversations, share with your network, and leave a review. Stay tuned as we continue unlocking the black box of media with expert insights and strategies tailored for success. #hubspot #emailmarketing #hubspotmarketing #leadgeneration #socialmediamarketing#emailmarketing #leadgeneration #digitalmarketing #marketinganalytics #socialmediamarketing CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Welcome to the Black Box of Media 01:01 - Introducing Stephen Deveraux Stanford, Founder of Ivory Coat 03:16 - Key Milestones in Ivory Coat’s Journey 07:34 - Advice for First-Time Media Campaign Founders 10:06 - How Ivory Coat Started 11:13 - Building Confidence in Digital Marketing 18:20 - Approach to Testing and Learning 18:40 - Importance of Media and Advertising 21:55 - Importance of Sampling and First-Party Data 25:36 - Creating a Seamless Consumer Experience 27:38 - Using Media Advertising to Support Distributors 33:25 - Understanding Your Market and Product Winners 34:40 - Importance of a Feedback Loop 36:55 - Understanding Your Sales Process 40:41 - Failing Fast and Learning from It 45:20 - Competing with Industry Giants 48:11 - Summary of Key Takeaways 48:45 - OUTRO

    49 min

  10. 05/19/2025

    Unlock High-Performance Media Strategies

    Join Aleisha McCall and marketing expert Rosie Rissetto in Episode 02 of The Black Box of Media as they unlock high-performance media strategies designed to boost profitability and drive business growth. Discover expert tips on balancing performance, brand, and innovation while mastering continuous optimisation strategies to make your ad budget work harder. Rosie shares invaluable insights from her extensive career, touching on ROAS benchmarks, smart targeting techniques, and how to win big in the attention economy. This episode dives into actionable strategies for navigating the messy middle of the customer journey, building impactful campaigns, and fostering a test-and-learn mindset. From maximising agency partnerships to leveraging data-driven decisions while trusting intuition, this session is packed with proven techniques to fuel growth and enhance your media funnel.Whether you're a CMO, marketing manager, or business owner, this conversation delivers the tools you need to unlock growth potential and achieve measurable results. Don’t miss out—subscribe to The Black Box of Media Podcast for more episodes featuring industry leaders and actionable strategies. #emailmarketing #leadgeneration #marketinganalytics #data-driventactics #digitalmarketing#emailmarketing #marketinganalytics #leadgeneration #digitalmarketing #socialmediamarketing CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 03:26 - Balancing Brand and Performance Strategies 07:14 - Winning the Attention Battle in Marketing 11:38 - Strategies for Success in the Messy Middle 14:44 - Data vs Instinct: Trusting Numbers and Gut Feelings 20:44 - Building a Test and Learn Culture in Business 24:34 - Maximising Agency Partnerships for Growth 27:56 - Importance of Website Optimisation for Media Performance 31:10 - The Impact of One Small Change on Marketing 34:00 - Staying Ahead of the Curve in Marketing Trends 37:30 - Key Takeaways from Rosie Risetto's Insights 38:07 - Outro

    39 min

  11. 05/05/2025

    Unlocking AI for Marketing Success

    Discover expert tips to unlock AI for marketing success in this debut episode of "The Black Box of Media Podcast," hosted by Aleisha McCall. Featuring Liana Ling, a leading authority in online marketing, this episode dives into actionable strategies for integrating AI and automation into your business to optimise ad budgets, boost profitability, and improve ROAS. Learn how to approach AI confidently, streamline workflows, and leverage tools for smarter targeting and continuous optimisation.Liana shares her insights on creating efficient testing strategies, managing overwhelm, and setting up your CRM for seamless marketing automation. Whether you’re a CMO, marketing manager, or business owner, this episode provides practical advice to unlock growth potential and achieve measurable results. Don’t miss Aleisha McCall’s expert guidance and Liana Ling’s cutting-edge strategies to transform your media advertising efforts. Subscribe now for more game-changing insights and actionable strategies to drive business growth and stay ahead in the evolving world of AI and media. #aiautomationagency #leadgeneration #emailmarketing #aiautomation #marketingautomation#mediabuying #leadgeneration #emailmarketing #marketinganalytics #aitools CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Welcome to the Blackbox of Media 01:18 - Introducing Liana Ling 03:27 - Approaching AI and Automation Strategies 09:04 - Testing Your AI Model Effectively 13:39 - AI Tools for Media Advertising and Lead Generation 19:20 - Overcoming AI Overwhelm: Getting Started 23:15 - Setting Up Your CRM for AI Integration 27:36 - Outro 28:25 - End of the Episode

    29 min

  12. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Season 01 Trailer

    Unlock the secrets to media success with The Black Box of Media Podcast, hosted by Aleisha McCall and brought to you by Ultimate Edge Communications. This powerful new podcast lifts the lid on the hidden strategies behind high-performance advertising. Launching in May, The Black Box of Media delivers bi-weekly episodes packed with expert interviews, myth-busting insights, and real-world campaign breakdowns. No jargon, no fluff—just actionable advice to help you make media work harder for your business. From marketing managers to business owners and CMOs, this is your backstage pass to smarter, results-driven advertising. Watch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Don't miss the premiere—subscribe now and stay ahead of the curve! First episode drops 6 May. Subscribe to the podcast and don't miss a beat: https://www.ultimateedgecommunications.com.au/the-black-box-of-media-podcast/ Questions about the podcast? Connect with us at getbetterresults@ultimateedgecommunications.com.au

    2 min

Trailers

About

Welcome to The Black Box of Media with Aleisha McCall—the podcast that lifts the lid on the hidden strategies behind high-performance media advertising. Each episode features top marketing experts, media buyers, and brand leaders sharing actionable tactics, insights, and real-world case studies. No fluff, no jargon—just results-driven advice to help your business cut through the noise. Whether you're a CMO, Marketing Manager, or Business Owner, this is your backstage pass to smarter advertising. Let’s unlock the Black Box of Media—and transform the way you think about advertising.

Information

  • Creator
    Ultimate Edge Communications
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ultimate Edge Communications
  • Show Website
    The Black Box of Media