Brand Over Coffee Conversations with Andrea Arañador-Ferri

Martin Duplantier is the CEO-Architect of Martin Duplantier Architectes. Though his firm is based in Paris, he jet sets the globe for different design projects that cover from campuses to housing, public facilities, urban design, museums and offices. Tune in to our conversation on how design and architecture could help build brands, the different design trends and his design tips in creating physical spaces that strengthen the brand experience.

A CEO with a proven track record in commercial transformation, product innovation and growth, Fergus Hay has lived and worked all over - New York, Chicago, Hong Kong and Singapore - leading different agencies and businesses. Now based in London, he is the founder and CEO of the marketing and fundraising advisory firm Elysian Fields. Tune in to hear our conversation on investment, trends and what it takes to help ensure your brand and business thrive post-pandemic.

Advertising veteran Lisa Glasgow's award-winning work spans Europe and Asia. Currently based in Hong Kong, she has also started her own eCommerce business. Tune in as she and I speak about her work, the need to diversify one's skill sets and sources of income especially in the face of a global pandemic and the importance of creating a brand, even for a side hustle.

A seasoned advertising creative, Knox Balbastro has done the rounds of working in different agencies and countries to now become a champion of content strategy and social media for e-commerce platforms AliExpress and Alibaba.com. Tune in to our conversation on her experiences of living in China and working on 11.11 Global Shopping Festival. She also shares key trends that brands and businesses could take note of, especially in their efforts to thrive post-pandemic.

With her background in cultural anthropology, Ann Van Wetteren develops concepts with human interaction at the forefront. Her work has been fundamental to the interior design and hospitality offers of 25 Hours hotels and several restaurants. On this episode, Ann and I speak about what it takes to create a wonderful hospitality brand, her take on the trends and future of the industry and why staying people-centered (guests and staff) is critical in sustaining a hospitality business.

Olivia Asiedu-Ntow has over 15 years of experience building and developing brand in Europe and Africa. But in 2019, her narrative has evolved with ScaleUp Africa, an organization she co-founded to help develop, grow and sustain SME's across Africa. Tune in as Olivia and I talk about what it takes to create an organisation that is sustainable and satisfies stakeholders, her advice for business owners, her story as an entrepreneur and the importance of showing up!

With more than a decade of experience working in India, Singapore and Malaysia, Mandar Wairkar is a digital lead creative whose work has been recognised at Cannes, D&AD, One Show, Adfest, Spikes Asia and many more. Tune in as he and I speak about what makes storytelling and great creative work important in building brands and businesses. He also generously shares his thoughts on how to create relevant and exciting work that the audience won't even bother hitting that “skip ad” button.

Alan Vladusic was a seasoned ad man who created work for global agencies like Ogilvy, Y&R, Publicis and Saatchi & Saatchi. His creative work has been awarded by The One Show, Clio Awards, D&Ad and Cannes Lions. After making his mark in advertising, he co-founded Once Upon A Coconut and P.S. Condoms. Listen in as Alan and I speak about his journey as an entrepreneur and his process to create brands that delight consumers.

Patty Laurel-Filart successfully transitioned from traditional media as an MTV VJ (among many things) to become a sought-after digital creator and influencer in The Philippines. She and I speak about her story, the community she nurtures and what it takes to be successful in the digital space. Patty also generously shares what businesses and brands could do to win in the social media game.

Even while in med school more than a decade ago, Dr. Amadeus Baraan was already pursuing his love for traveling as Grandeur Traveler. On this episode, he and I speak about what it takes to turn one's passion into a successful business. He also shares the story behind Sirom Beach House in The Philippines - his vision for the brand, the challenges of being a hotelier with no formal training, the lessons he learned and his joys as an entrepreneur.

After almost 20 years of working in big multi-national companies, Gilbert Guaring has changed his narrative as a marketer to champion small and medium-sized businesses. Tune in as he and I talk about the importance and what it takes for an SME to sustain its business long-term. Gilbert also shares his personal experience in helping build and nurture the brand of UAP Company, an SME based in Australia.

With over 15 years of work experience in advertising, Yaa Boateng has rose the ranks to become the celebrated creative and brand specialist that she is today. Tune in as she and I speak about the importance of great creative work that is rooted in consumer truth and cultural context in building a brand. She also shares her creative process and tips that could inspire in creating great campaigns.

With Style Tribute and Reflaunt, Stephanie Crespin is able to pursue her passion for fashion, circular economy and helping make a positive impact in the world. Listen in as she and I talk about her story - how she started her first startup in 2013, the challenges she faces and her biggest lessons as an entrepreneur. Stephanie also stresses the importance of having a strong brand in the success of a business.

In 1993, Roman Ripoll and his brother helped their father start the family cigar business. From its humble beginnings, Tabaqueria de Filipinas has now grown into an international player that has put the Philippines on the map for good cigars. Tune in as Roman and I talk about the realities of running a family business and what it takes to turn it into a success. He also stresses the importance of trust and reputation in building a company with staying power.

Since 2009, Lamia Asag-Gau has been taking on different roles at Unilever. Currently based in Singapore, she is the Global Brand Manager for the beauty brand Lux. On this episode, Lamia and I speak about brand purpose - its importance, the challenges in crafting one and some great examples of purpose done right. Lamia also generously shares her experience and tips that businesses could learn from as they create their own brand purpose.

As a TV commercial director, Sid Maderazo is a force to be reckoned with - he has worked with some of the biggest global and local Filipino brands the past two decades. Listen in as Sid and I talk about creating advertising work in the midst a pandemic and the challenges that come with it. He also shares how an unfortunate motorcycle accident has led him to start directing remotely, the work he does with Sidekick - a collective he founded, the lessons he learned and his tips on how to create wonderful stories in the new normal.

For a decade now, Mayra Hurtado has been helping one of the biggest global sports brands ensure its continued success in Southeast Asia. Her role as the Senior Director for Concept to Consumers is important to consistently put the customer at the centre of everything that the brand does. In this episode, Mayra and I discuss why having a customer-first approach is important to sustain a business. We will also hear her thoughts on the struggles and what it takes for a brand to remain customer-centric.

Before Anne Tiongco took on the role as Corporate Communications Director of Victorias Milling Company, she was an executive at Ogilvy, one of the biggest global advertising agencies. With over two decades of experience in marketing, she has also done work for brands under Unilever, Mondelez and Kimberly-Clark. Tune in as Anne talks about the benefits of having a strong corporate brand, the challenges one may encounter in the process and her tips to help overcome these. She also stresses that a company, no matter its size, should nurture a strong corporate brand.

Karen Jimeno is a quintessential multi-hyphenate. She has successfully built her multifaceted career as a lawyer, consultant, professor, TV host and columnist, all while pursuing her different passions. Tune in as Karen and I talk about her purpose that serves as the common thread in everything that she does. She also shares how important it is for her to lead a life that allows her to do multiple things and how she nurtures her own personal brand, especially on social media.

As an entrepreneur, Laura Ortiz Diaz is the face of the travel business that her mother built 30 years ago. Understanding this has made her conscious with every decision on how to present herself. On this episode, Laura and I talk about the importance of staying authentic - to always be grounded with who she really is, her passions and roots. She also shares how her brand has evolved when she transitioned from corporate work and the challenges and benefits of having a strong personal brand for her business.

Claire Jedrek is Singapore's only female race car driver. Determined to forge her own path, she entered the male-dominated motorsports industry and has since successfully navigated it. A true multi-hyphenate, she is also a marketing executive, an events host, an influencer and a key opinion leader. Tune in as Claire shares her story - how she crafted her personal brand, how it has evolved as she is now a mother of two, the lessons she learned and the importance of focusing on one's strengths.

Learn about the story behind #BRANDOVERCOFFEEE Conversations.