Behind Marketing Lines

Zeeshan Haider
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Inspired by the spirit of the movie Behind Enemy Lines, where navigating treacherous territory reveals survival tactics, Behind Marketing Lines takes you deep into the world of marketing, uncovering strategies and stories that fuel success. Each episode brings experts from marketing and other fields, breaking down complex ideas into simple, actionable insights for aspiring marketers, seasoned professionals, and even non-marketers curious about the magic of the trade. This isn’t just about interviews—there are solo episodes too, where I break down the essentials of DIY Marketing to show you how simple it can be. Whether you’re building a personal brand or growing your business, I’ll guide you step-by-step to become your own marketing champion. Join me as I uncover the stories, lessons, and tools to navigate the marketing battlefield with confidence. Ready to go behind the lines? Let's do this!

  1. The Art of Communication ft. Ksenia Zaykova | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 45

    6D AGO

    The Art of Communication ft. Ksenia Zaykova | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 45

    How does a communications leader stay relevant across two decades of rapid change, from the rise of social media to the age of artificial intelligence? The answer is a deep understanding of human behavior and an unwavering commitment to knowing your audience. In this episode of Behind Marketing Lines, our host Zeeshan sits down with Ksenia Zaykova, Chief Communications Officer at AngelsDeck Global Ventures. Ksenia takes us inside the mind of a strategist who has spent her career decoding the difference between what we say and what others hear. She shares her journey from studying mass communications to leading narratives in the venture capital world, why she believes emotional context is the most endangered element of modern communication, and how she empowers female founders to own their stories.

    39 min
  2. Marketing with Soul ft. Myreine A. Massih | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 44

    FEB 17

    Marketing with Soul ft. Myreine A. Massih | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 44

    In this episode of Behind Marketing Lines, our host Zeeshan sits down with Myreine A. Massih, Group Marketing, Communications & Creative Director at Damas Jewellery. Myreine unpacks her journey from Paris to Dubai, revealing how brand transformation became her superpower and why marketing must drive business, not just campaigns. This is a masterclass in brand reinvention, leading through uncertainty, and building a career that moves with intention across continents and categories.

    26 min
  3. The Leader’s Mindset ft. João Barreto | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 43

    FEB 10

    The Leader’s Mindset ft. João Barreto | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 43

    How does a leader navigate four countries in a decade, leave a long-term corporate home to build something new, and drive innovation with the belief that "senior leaders are human"? The answer lies in radical curiosity and a commitment to human-centric leadership. In this episode of Behind Marketing Lines, our host Zeeshan sits down with João Barreto, Director of Innovation at Bateel International. João deconstructs his journey from marketing executive to global innovation leader, arguing that true innovation is powered by critical thinking and deep consumer understanding, not just technology. He breaks down his philosophy on feedback as a blessing, the underrated power of knowing your team deeper than your customer, and how he manages to balance deep family roots with a relentless drive for professional reinvention.

    32 min
  4. Marketing, Martial Arts and Mindset ft. Karan Khanna | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 42

    FEB 3

    Marketing, Martial Arts and Mindset ft. Karan Khanna | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 42

    What happens when a call center agent, national judo athlete, and biotech graduate combine to build a marketing career? In this episode of Behind Marketing Lines, our host Zeeshan sits down with Karan Khanna, Marketing Director at Sidra Healthcare. Karan reveals how resilience, discipline, and a "never say never" mentality can turn career setbacks into your greatest growth engine. 🎙️ Inside this episode: • The Marketer’s Origin Story: How a five-month period of unemployment during COVID became his launchpad into digital marketing mastery • Marketing is a Martial Art: Why the discipline, respect, and competitive analysis from judo are his secret weapons in business • The Nightly Research Ritual: How dedicating two hours every night to studying competitors fuels his strategy • From Billboards to Bedside: The mission behind building Sidra Healthcare as the go-to home healthcare brand • Speaking the Language of Humility: The crucial lesson in never taking your team or position for granted • The AI & Humanity Balance: Why human connection will always be the core of great marketing • Life’s Three Word Summary: How Discipline, Calm, and Persistence define his journey It’s a masterclass in blending personal passion with professional grit, proving that your mindset is your most valuable campaign.

    23 min
  5. Find the Right People ft Anna Vapnichna | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 41

    JAN 25

    Find the Right People ft Anna Vapnichna | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 41

    What defines a leader who has built an 18-year career across five countries and industries, from beauty to spirits? It’s the philosophy that "confidence is not constant" and the relentless pursuit of the right people. In this episode of Behind Marketing Lines, host Zeeshan sits down with Anna Vapnichna, Brand Director at Bacardi, for a conversation on intercultural leadership, resilience, and reinvention. Anna shares how true leadership is demonstrated in navigating the downs, not just celebrating the ups. From a pivotal career shift in Paris to leading in the cultural mosaic of Dubai, she reveals the mindset that fuels constant growth and value creation.

    29 min
  6. How Modern Marketers Think & Win ft. Reham Abdallah | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 40

    JAN 20

    How Modern Marketers Think & Win ft. Reham Abdallah | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 40

    What happens when a marketing career chooses you from a pharma background, leading to a journey across continents and industries? In this episode of Behind Marketing Lines, our host Zeeshan sits down with Reham Abdallah, Regional Marketing Manager at GIG Gulf. Reham takes us through her unexpected evolution, proving that the most powerful marketing tool isn't just creativity, it’s resilience and business acumen. 🎙️ Inside this episode: • The Marketer’s Origin Story: How a pharmacy graduate answered a call for a marketing job at a German pharmaceutical giant and never looked back. • "Silver Bullet" is a Myth: Why chasing the perfect campaign is a trap and why consistent, incremental growth builds stronger brands. • Speaking the CFO’s Language: The one skill that will secure your marketing budget and move you from a cost center to a value driver. • The 30 Minute Strategic Silence: How this daily ritual of thinking about nothing powers her day and keeps her sharp. • The Power of Saying "No": A lesson learned from Gen Z on how to filter requests and save your energy for what truly moves the needle. • The Synthesist Mindset: The future marketer’s key skill, connecting data, channels, and the full customer journey into one coherent strategy. • Life’s Three Word Summary: How Risk, Resilience, and Reward define her professional and personal journey. It’s a masterclass in balancing analytical rigor with creative passion, proving that a marketer's greatest asset is their mindset.

    31 min
  7. Reshaping Insurance Marketing | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 39

    JAN 13

    Reshaping Insurance Marketing | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 39

    The insurance industry is at a crossroads. Customers expect hyper-personalization, digital ecosystems are becoming the norm, and AI is moving from buzzword to core business driver. How can insurers adapt and thrive? In this episode of Behind Marketing Lines, our host Zeeshan explores the rapidly evolving landscape of insurance marketing. We go beyond theory to provide a clear playbook for embracing innovation, from AI-powered personalization to immersive customer education with VR. This episode is a strategic deep dive into building a modern, competitive, and customer-centric insurance brand. 🎙️ Inside this episode: - Hyper-Personalization is Non-Negotiable: How AI and data analytics go beyond simple segmentation to deliver truly tailored policies and communications, including usage-based insurance models. - Building Digital Ecosystems: Why the future isn’t just about policies, but integrating value-added services like wellness apps and financial planning tools into a seamless customer journey. - The Rise of the Smart Chatbot: Moving past basic FAQs to AI assistants that handle complex processes like policy renewals and claims in minutes, redefining customer service. - Marketing with a Green Conscience: How leading insurers turn sustainability into a competitive advantage, from eco-friendly policy discounts to championing paperless processes. - Education Through Immersion: How VR and AR are being used to simplify complex insurance products and create memorable customer understanding. We also break down actionable steps for implementation, from investing in the right technology to avoiding common pitfalls like data privacy missteps and underestimating social media. This forward-looking guide is designed to help marketing leaders, strategists, and innovators not just keep up, but set the pace in the future of insurance.

    7 min
  8. The Marketing Mindset Shift ft. Shyam Sunder | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 38

    JAN 6

    The Marketing Mindset Shift ft. Shyam Sunder | Behind Marketing Lines | Episode 38

    How does a marketing leader build a 20 year career that spans from the creative halls of top ad agencies to the boardrooms of global travel tech, all while launching a new sports league on the side?The answer lies in a powerful blend of strategic patience and fearless execution. In this episode of Behind Marketing Lines, our host Zeeshan sits down with Shyam Sunder, Vice President of Marketing at TBO.com. Sham deconstructs his journey from a hungry graduate walking into an advertising agency to a marketing leader steering global strategy, arguing that the industry’s greatest need today is a return to foundational brand building. He breaks down the pivotal transitions, the challenges of modern marketing pressure, and how he manages to lead a global team while co-founding the world’s first beach volleyball franchise league. 🎙️ Inside this episode: • The Career Pivot: The strategic shift from advertising creative to marketing custodian and why it was the best move for his career.• The Brand Building Mandate: A veteran’s case for why marketers must fight to balance performance demands with long term brand equity. • Building a League: How he’s applying decades of marketing expertise to solve a core problem in beach volleyball by co-founding a franchise model. • A Leader’s Daily Engine: The non-negotiable 4:30 AM routine, office rituals, and mindset that drives productivity across multiple ventures.• The Resilience Framework: How adopting the mindset that “the harder you fall, the higher you rise” has defined his career comebacks. • Rapid Fire: Sham’s unambiguous takes on SEO vs Paid, Brand vs Performance, Creativity vs Data, and the tools he relies on most. • The Core Philosophy: The simple, powerful principle that has guided every major decision in his professional life. This is a masterclass in building a multifaceted career anchored by clarity of purpose and an unwavering belief in the craft of marketing.

    30 min
See All (45)

About

Inspired by the spirit of the movie Behind Enemy Lines, where navigating treacherous territory reveals survival tactics, Behind Marketing Lines takes you deep into the world of marketing, uncovering strategies and stories that fuel success. Each episode brings experts from marketing and other fields, breaking down complex ideas into simple, actionable insights for aspiring marketers, seasoned professionals, and even non-marketers curious about the magic of the trade. This isn’t just about interviews—there are solo episodes too, where I break down the essentials of DIY Marketing to show you how simple it can be. Whether you’re building a personal brand or growing your business, I’ll guide you step-by-step to become your own marketing champion. Join me as I uncover the stories, lessons, and tools to navigate the marketing battlefield with confidence. Ready to go behind the lines? Let's do this!

Information

  • Creator
    Zeeshan Haider
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved by Zeeshan Haider