Mentor

Viral Tribe Entertainment
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MENTOR is a podcast that shares the lived experiences of senior leaders across industries. In each episode, guests open up to founders Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi of TheZoo.London about their careers, mistakes, lessons, and the people who inspired them along the way. It’s smart, relaxed, and packed with real-world insight. Whether you’re a future leader or simply curious about how others have navigated the world of work, MENTOR delivers valuable takeaways and thoughtful conversation. Brought to you by TheZoo.London and Viral Tribe.

  1. 1d ago

    Chris Mellish: Respect, Resilience & What Makes a Great Leader

    Chris Mellish is Managing Director at Accenture Song, CEO of TMW and a Non-Executive Board Member at YBB. One of the advertising industry's most experienced agency leaders, Chris began his career in the early days of digital before going on to spend around 15 years at Razorfish, ultimately becoming UK CEO. He later founded and led Black Book London before joining TMW Unlimited as CEO in 2019, where he oversaw a significant period of growth and transformation before the business became part of Accenture. In this episode of Mentor, Chris reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership journey, from entering the emerging world of digital marketing to leading agencies through acquisitions, periods of growth and major organisational change. He shares how an unexpected conversation with an early boss first made him realise he had the potential to become a Managing Director, and why recognising potential in others can be one of the most powerful things a leader can do. Chris explains why he believes respect is a more powerful ambition than simply becoming the biggest or most commercially successful business. He reveals how building a culture around respect helped transform TMW, bringing teams together around a shared purpose. He also discusses the realities of leadership pressure, the importance of listening and authenticity, and why great leaders must balance empathy with the confidence to make difficult decisions. Along the way, Chris shares some of his biggest career lessons, including why decision-making should involve triangulating data, gut instinct and experience, the costly mistake of making the wrong senior hire, and why sometimes the best decision a leader can make is to walk away from a difficult client relationship. He also explores the challenges of integrating a business into a much larger organisation, protecting company culture through change, and the importance of building trusted relationships with mentors throughout your career. Whether you're leading a team, navigating a senior leadership role, managing organisational change or building your own career in the creative industries, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom on leadership, decision-making, resilience and what it really takes to earn the respect of the people around you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  2. Jun 24

    Vivian Mohr: Why Great Leaders Need Clarity, Courage & Humility

    Vivian Mohr is Chief Operating Officer of Bauer Media Group, one of Europe’s largest media businesses, operating across radio, publishing, digital platforms and outdoor advertising. Before joining Bauer, he built his career across consulting, technology and media, including leadership roles at McKinsey, Comparis and major European media organisations. In this episode of Mentor, Vivian reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy, from growing up between Germany and the United States, studying in Dubai and Cambridge, to leading transformation programmes across international businesses. He shares why some of the most important career opportunities are often the ones that feel uncomfortable, and how stepping into roles he felt unprepared for accelerated his growth. Vivian explains why even the best strategies fail without belief, alignment and execution. He reveals the three qualities he believes every leader must balance: clarity, courage and humility. He also discusses the importance of psychological safety, building trust across cultures, bringing people with you through change, and why leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating an environment where great ideas can emerge. Along the way, he shares lessons learned from McKinsey, the career mistake that taught him the importance of taking people on the journey, and why meeting people where they are is one of the most underrated leadership skills. Whether you're leading a team, navigating a career transition, managing change or aspiring to senior leadership, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from a leader responsible for helping shape the future of one of Europe’s most influential media companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  3. Jun 17

    Mark Howe: 17 Years at Google, Leadership Lessons & Why Authenticity Wins

    Mark Howe spent 17 years at Google helping agencies and brands navigate one of the biggest transformations in media history. Before that, he built a successful career across television, media sales and leadership, giving him a front-row seat to decades of industry change. In this episode of Mentor, Mark reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from leaving traditional television for Google at a time when many thought he was making a mistake, to navigating difficult leadership challenges, industry disruption and periods of intense personal pressure. Mark shares why authenticity became his greatest professional asset, how trust is built over decades rather than transactions, and why the best leaders surround themselves with people who are smarter than they are. He also opens up about career-defining setbacks, the importance of resilience, lessons learned from Google’s culture, and the difficult balance between professional success and family life. Along the way, he reveals the story behind escaping Alcatraz three times, the leadership lesson that changed his perspective forever, and why "being the best you can be at what you're best at" remains his guiding principle. Whether you're leading teams, building a business, navigating change or simply looking to make better career decisions, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from someone who has spent decades at the highest levels of media and technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  4. Jun 10

    Judith Salison OBE: Mentorship, Resilience & Building a Career That Lasts

    Judith Salison OBE joins MENTOR to share the lessons, leadership principles and career wisdom gained from more than five decades at the forefront of the advertising and media industry. From becoming one of the first female television sales executives in Britain to co-founding one of the UK's pioneering outdoor advertising businesses, Judith reflects on the determination, resilience and adaptability that shaped her career. She discusses the realities of building confidence in male-dominated environments, the importance of earning trust through expertise, and how a willingness to embrace change helped her navigate an industry undergoing constant transformation. Judith shares the story behind launching Harrison Salison, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the experience of growing and eventually selling the business after more than a decade of success. The conversation explores the role of mentorship throughout a career, why the best mentors are often those willing to challenge your assumptions, and how honest feedback can shape important decisions. Judith also reflects on her long-standing involvement with WACL and NABS, the progress made for women in leadership, and the challenges that still remain around ageism, inclusion and workplace culture. Along the way, she offers practical advice on career fulfilment, knowing when it's time to move on, building meaningful professional relationships and supporting the next generation. Asked what advice she would give her younger self, Judith's answer is simple but powerful: always stand up for yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  5. Jun 3

    Richard Eyre: Leadership, Reinvention & The Decisions That Shape a Career

    Richard Eyre CBE joins MENTOR to share the leadership lessons, career decisions and hard-won wisdom that shaped a remarkable journey across advertising, broadcasting, television and digital media. From his early days in advertising at BBH to leading Capital Radio, ITV and some of the most influential organisations in British media, Richard reflects on the opportunities, setbacks and pivotal moments that defined his career. He explains why careers are rarely as planned as they appear, how some of his biggest opportunities emerged from disappointment, and why the ability to adapt matters more than having a perfectly mapped-out strategy. Richard shares candid stories from boardrooms, merger negotiations and leadership roles at the highest level, including the lessons learned from missed opportunities, difficult decisions and managing competing interests under intense pressure. The conversation explores the realities of leadership, from balancing confidence with self-doubt to building influence as an introvert, attracting great talent and learning from people whose strengths differ from your own. Richard also discusses the importance of visibility, mentorship, risk-taking and why some of the most valuable career decisions come from following curiosity rather than certainty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  6. May 27

    Laura Desmond: The Future of Advertising, AI & Leadership

    Laura Desmond joins MENTOR to share the leadership lessons that shaped her journey from rising through the advertising industry to becoming CEO of Smartly and one of the most respected figures in global media and marketing. Having led some of the world’s biggest agency businesses at Publicis Groupe and Starcom MediaVest Group, Laura reflects on the defining moments, risks and reinventions that helped her navigate decades of transformation across advertising, technology and leadership. She explains why great leadership starts with purpose, why the hardest problems always reach the CEO, and how embracing innovation before the rest of the industry became one of the defining themes of her career. Laura also opens up about the realities of operating at the top level — from managing pressure and making high-stakes decisions to balancing ambition, culture and human connection in an increasingly digital world. The conversation explores the future of advertising in the age of AI, the shift from smart targeting to intelligent creative, and why trust, storytelling and collaboration still matter more than ever. Honest, insightful and full of practical wisdom, this is a conversation about leadership, reinvention, technology and building winning teams in times of constant change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  7. May 20

    Piers North: Why Journalism Still Matters in the AI Era

    Piers North joins MENTOR to share the leadership lessons that shaped his journey from aspiring journalist to CEO of Reach PLC, the UK’s largest commercial news publisher. Having started his career in journalism before moving into the rapidly evolving world of digital media at Yahoo, Piers reflects on the setbacks, risks and pivotal moments that ultimately led him to the top of one of Britain’s biggest media businesses. He explains why storytelling remains the most important skill in leadership, why redundancy taught him more than success ever could, and how leading a public company means constantly balancing short-term pressure with long-term vision. Piers also opens up about the realities of being CEO — from loneliness and difficult decision-making to managing stress, building trust and staying grounded when everyone around you sees the title before the person. The conversation explores the future of journalism in the age of AI, the challenges facing trusted media, and why accountable reporting still matters in a world increasingly driven by platforms and creators. Honest, thoughtful and full of practical insight, this is a conversation about leadership, resilience, modern media and navigating uncertainty at the highest level.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  8. May 13

    Kerry Glazer OBE on Reinventing Leadership & Changing the Industry From Within

    Kerry Glazer joins MENTOR to share the leadership lessons that shaped her extraordinary journey from NHS nurse to one of the most respected figures in the UK advertising industry. Former CEO of AAR and recipient of an OBE for services to advertising and charity, Kerry reflects on the moments, mentors and challenges that defined her career across nearly five decades. She explains why the best leaders lead with kindness, why shaking up the status quo is essential for real change, and how resilience, empathy and generosity became the foundation of her leadership style. Kerry also opens up about imposter syndrome at the highest levels of business, balancing leadership with motherhood, creating healthier workplace cultures, and the industry-wide work behind Time To, the initiative tackling sexual harassment in advertising. Honest, thoughtful and full of practical wisdom, this is a conversation about leadership, culture, courage and building a career that creates lasting impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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About

MENTOR is a podcast that shares the lived experiences of senior leaders across industries. In each episode, guests open up to founders Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi of TheZoo.London about their careers, mistakes, lessons, and the people who inspired them along the way. It’s smart, relaxed, and packed with real-world insight. Whether you’re a future leader or simply curious about how others have navigated the world of work, MENTOR delivers valuable takeaways and thoughtful conversation. Brought to you by TheZoo.London and Viral Tribe.

Information

  • Creator
    Viral Tribe Entertainment
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Mentor