After Dinner Chats

James Welch
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  • 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 your brand's default promotion strategy actually turning customers away?

    6D AGO

    Is your brand's default promotion strategy actually turning customers away?

    In this episode, we dive deep into B2B marketing strategy and the latest consumer behaviour trends with Annabel Venner, former Global Brand Director at Coca-Cola and Hiscox. If you want global marketing insights that challenge the status quo and reveal how to pivot your campaigns for modern audiences, this is a must-listen. Key Takeaways: The New Consumer Thoughtfulness: Why buyers are ditching generic expensive gifts for hyper-personalised, practical gestures—and how brands must adapt.Career Agility: How Annabel successfully transitioned from consumer goods (Coca-Cola) to complex B2B financial services (Hiscox), and why continuous learning is non-negotiable.The Myth of "Asia": Why treating the Asian market as a single homogeneous entity is a costly mistake, with on-the-ground lessons from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand.

    26 min
  2. The Future of AdTech, Empathy & Ego: A Better Way to Work | Fern Potter

    FEB 23

    The Future of AdTech, Empathy & Ego: A Better Way to Work | Fern Potter

    In an ad-tech world increasingly driven by AI, human connection remains the most powerful strategy we have. Join us as we explore the future of programmatic curation and supply-side decisioning with Fern Potter, SVP of Strategy & Partnerships at Multilocal. In this episode, Fern explains how streamlining the audience experience is creating viable alternatives to the walled gardens. We also dive into fascinating consumer trends, unpacking why Gen Z is abandoning static images for video storytelling to filter out AI disruption. Finally, we cover the deeply human side of business, discussing the vital importance of setting psychological boundaries and separating personal ego from professional outcomes. Key Takeaways: The Power of Curation: How bridging audience experiences on the supply side makes programmatic advertising less expensive and more efficient.Monetising Data Assets: How supply-side decisioning allows publishers to control performance and pricing directly.Leadership & Boundaries: Why internalising the success or failure of a project can be damaging to your career.Finding the Signal: Why futurists like Deborah Kantt and empathy experts like Brené Brown are essential guides for modern leaders. Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome00:31 - The Signal in the Noise: Futurism & Media Indicators00:43 - Gen Z Media Consumption & Filtering Out AI Disruption04:56 - Navigating People's Attention in Advertising05:22 - What is Programmatic Curation in Ad-Tech?07:58 - Standing Out in a Competitive Ad-Tech Marketplace10:43 - Monetising Data Assets via Supply-Side Decisioning14:22 - Leadership Hero: Brené Brown18:14 - The Importance of Psychological Boundaries in Business21:59 - Finding Community: Digital Leading Ladies & Panel Power Links & Resources: Watch the full video interview on YouTube:https://youtu.be/zW74gTDu74g Connect with your host, James Welch, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswelch1234/ Connect with today’s guest, Fern Potter, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fp121/ Learn more about Multilocal: https://www.multilocal.media/

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

    JAN 22

    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

  4. JAN 1

    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 #RetailMedia #AmazonUnboxed #Criteo #Commerce #Ecommerce #AdTech #DigitalMarketing #RetailTrends #ShopperData #MarketingStrategy #SignalsAndSparks #JamesWelch #BusinessGrowth #LondonTech

    23 min

  5. 11/26/2025

    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 media shift, cross-cultural media, consumer data Asia, travel intelligence systems, media strategy Asia, digital expansion Asia, audience data insights, future of content, media design, digital travel behavior, Asia competitive strategy, travel analytics platforms, media storytelling, content evolution, Asia digital shift, travel data insights, global digital trends, digital ecosystem Asia, innovation in travel data, media future analysis 🔎 Relevant Hashtags: #JeshSukwani #AsiasEdge #MediaFuture #TravelData #DigitalAsia #MediaEvolution #TravelAnalytics #AsiaTech #MediaTransformation #DataInsights #EmergingMarkets #DigitalMediaTrends #TravelIntelligence #AsiaGrowth #MediaIndustry #TechInnovationAsia #TravelTrends #DataDriven #ContentStrategy #SignalsAndSparks

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

    11/10/2025

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

    11/03/2025

    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 #FuturistAI #JamesBondAI #IntelligentSystems #AITechTalk #DigitalTransformation

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

    10/27/2025

    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, Signals and Sparks AI, advanced AI discussion, AI problem solving, AI education podcast, AI entrepreneurship, AI ethics and society, AI research podcast, AI thought experiments, AI storytelling, AI in modern life, AI psychology insights, digital AI companions, AI and consciousness, AI philosophy, AI human interaction, AI future insights, AI and society podcast, AI innovation media, AI for business, AI leadership talk, AI ethics leadership, AI systems design, AI community discussion, AI long form podcast, AI interview insights, AI technology trends, AI and creativity, AI communication systems, AI applications, AI and culture, AI intelligence discussion, AI and technology podcast, AI social impact talk, AI research media, AI futurist discussion, AI human-machine interaction, AI podcast interview, AI innovation leadership, AI and personal relationships, AI digital ethics, AI storytelling media, AI innovation insights, AI technology future, AI ethical design, AI communication strategies, AI research ethics, AI trend analysis, AI in modern society, AI expert podcast, AI digital innovation, AI and lifestyle, AI human emotion insights, AI analysis podcast, AI philosophy discussion, AI and companionship, AI technology ethics, AI innovation and trends, AI human connection, AI and digital culture, AI futuristic podcast, AI leadership insights, AI problem solving strategies, AI technology analysis, AI and human behavior 🔎 Relevant Hashtags: • #AfterDinnerChats #SignalsAndSparks #PodcastGuest17 #DrKateDevlin #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalGhosts #AIAndLove #HumanAIMinds #AITechTalk #AIResearch #AIAndSociety #DigitalCompanionship #AIInnovation #AIThoughtLeadership #FutureOfAI #AIAndEthics #HumanAIInteraction #LongFormPodcast #TechPodcast

    7 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
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 James Welch
  • Show Website
    After Dinner Chats