Navigating Change: Ian Ord's Insights on Digital Transformation and Business Culture

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In this episode of Taproom Talks, Kenny is joined by Ian Ord of Fifth Ring, an Aberdeen-founded marketing communications business that has grown to serve clients globally. Ian shares his journey from aspiring accountant to advertising professional and the founding of Fifth Ring in 1993. He discusses the evolution of the agency from a generalist to a B2B specialist in the energy industry, its international expansion to Singapore and Houston, and the significant impact of the digital world on marketing and PR over the last 35 years. Ian also touches on the company's culture, its acquisition by DC Thomson, his current role as Global Director of Sunlight, and the importance of "owning your space" in business. He offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, reflecting on the stigma of failure in the UK compared to the US, and shares his personal experiences with cancer and his passion for cycling and charitable work. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the role of AI in marketing.