Marketing Week

In the latest episode, we explore why mothers are being pushed out of the workforce in increasing numbers, from the rollback of flexible policies to poor company culture. We are joined by Jess Heagren, founder and CEO of parenting organisation Careers After Babies, and Sophie Maunder, former VCCP CEO turned founder of maternity coaching business Matri.

In this latest episode, we explore the rate of marketing team restructures, debate what's next for WHSmith as the chain prepares to disappear from UK high streets and explore the value of personalisation following the return of Coca-Cola's 'Share a Coke'.

Marketing has a big pay gap problem and for many people it's getting worse. Exclusive new data from Marketing Week's 2025 Career & Salary Survey shows the marketing profession has an ethnicity pay gap for full-time workers of 13.3%, up sharply from 8.5% in 2024 – based on a sample 82.9% of whom identify as white. Marketing's gender pay gap has also widened. Female marketers are paid on average 17.8% less than their male peers. This figure is based on a sample of more than 3,500 marketers – 59.9% of whom are female – and is up on the 16% pay gap revealed in 2024. Analysis of the data also finds a socio-economic pay gap for full-time workers of 15.3%, flat compared to last year's figure at 15.9%. Furthermore, 74% of the sample identify as middle-class, up on the 70.1% figure reported in 2024. On this week's podcast, deputy managing editor and head of insight Charlotte Rogers, managing editor Lucy Tesseras and senior reporter Molly Innes dig into what is causing these pay gaps to be so persistent. Meanwhile, marketing's recruitment challenges continue. From drawn out interview processes to ghosting and mental health pressures, the jobs wheel isn't turning as it used to and is having a detrimental impact on many. Listen to find out more.

This week on The Marketing Week Podcast we're tackling marketing's early talent problem. With fewer routes into the industry and a lack of support for apprenticeships, are aspiring marketers being shut out before they even get started? Marketing Week's 2025 Career & Salary Survey revealed just 15.9% of companies operate a marketing apprenticeship, citing the level of resource required and a lack of senior buy-in as key barriers. In this episode, deputy managing editor and head of insight Charlotte Rogers and senior reporter Molly Innes are joined by editor-in-chief Russell Parsons to dig into what is holding the industry back from opening up different ways of entering the industry and its problem with representation. The episode features an interview with Cerys Gardiner, former apprentice and marketing manager at Medichecks, who details the benefits to businesses of hiring marketing apprentices. We also speak to Brixton Finishing School's head of adventure Jo Royce and Simone Johnson, head of new business and strategic partnerships, who discuss the work they're doing to support early talent pathways.

This week on The Marketing Week Podcast, we explore just how widespread imposter syndrome is in the industry. Marketing Week's exclusive 2025 Career & Salary Survey reveals a staggering 80.1% of the more than 3,500 marketers we surveyed have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. In this episode, deputy managing editor Charlotte Rogers, managing editor Lucy Tesseras, and senior reporter Molly Innes unpack the findings, discussing why so many marketers struggle with self-doubt and what can be done to tackle it. We are joined by Nishma Patel Robb, founder of the female-focused personal brand accelerator Glittersphere and former senior director of brand and reputation marketing at Google. She shares her perspective on why imposter syndrome isn't just an individual issue but a structural industry challenge and how fostering open conversations and support can make a difference. Plus, we look at Asda's return to its value roots and M&S's latest move to strengthen its value proposition.

Virgin Media O2's marketing director Simon Valcarcel and founder of VCCP, Marketing Week's Agency of the Year, Charles Vallance discuss the importance of honesty, consistency and how they've kept things "fresh" during a 23-year client/agency relationship.

Deputy managing editor Charlotte Rogers, managing editor Lucy Tesseras and senior reporters Molly Innes and Niamh Carroll dig into the big marketing stories making headlines this week. We kick off by analysing the potential fallout for brands and creators after TikTok was briefly banned for US users before being reinstated over the weekend, as well as unpacking the dramatic implications of Aldi's legal loss to cider brand Thatchers and what it could mean for the future of copycat products.  Niamh shares insights from her reporting on how brands can uncover new avenues for growth, whether they're market leaders or challengers. We explore how brands can grow in 2025, from the role of value to fostering belief in growth. The latter is an idea Munnawar Chishty - recently promoted to CMO of Carlsberg Britvic - discussed with Marketing Week earlier this month.  Make sure to listen to the entire podcast to get a sneak peek at 2025's Career & Salary Survey results, as Charlotte reveals how often brands and agencies are going into the office and we debate how return-to-office (RTO) policies are impacting marketers. 

It's almost time to close the door on 2024, but not before listening to The Marketing Week Podcast's Christmas special and end of-year wrap-up. Hosts deputy managing editor Charlotte Rogers, managing editor Lucy Tesseras and senior reporter Molly Innes are joined by our very own editor-in-chief Russell Parsons and senior reporter Niamh Carroll to dissect the year that was. We kick things off with the podcast's inaugural marketing quiz, from Starbucks and Nike to Moo Deng and Wham. Marketing Week columnists Helen Edwards and Grace Kite, along with Marketing Week Future Marketing Leader Lucky Saint's Emily Laws and marketer of the year, PwC's global CMO Antonia Wade, join to reveal their marketing moments of the year. We also look back on the big stories of 2024, from a good year for consistency and AI to a bad one for transparent pricing. Plus, which campaigns resonated - from Irn Bru's Euros effort to Charli XCX's Brat. That's all from The Marketing Week Podcast until the new year. We look forward to seeing you again in January.

M&S's top marketing directors, Anna Braithwaite and Sharry Cramond, on how the brand's transformation came about and what successes led them to be Marketing Week's brand of the year – with consistency being key.

In this episode of The Marketing Week Podcast, hosts Charlotte Rogers, Lucy Tesseras and Molly Innes talk about all things marketing teams: how to build them, what the ideal team looks like and who needs to be included.   We also speak to our Marketing Team of the Year, the BBC, to find out how director of marketing and audiences Paul Davies transformed his team from an under-utilised, under-appreciated function to a high-performing one.  

In this episode of The Marketing Week Podcast, hosts Charlotte Rogers and Molly Innes are joined by editor-in-chief Russell Parsons to discuss the 2024 Marketing Week Awards. Russell interviewed our Marketer of the Year, PwC's global CMO Antonia Wade to find out the secrets to her success, the importance of B2B and her career resilience. We also cover why M&S is 2024's Brand of the Year.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's This Much I Learned podcast, Diageo's chief marketing officer Cristina Diezhandino discusses why driving a culture of effectiveness is key for growing its brands, including Guinness and Johnnie Walker.

In this episode of The Marketing Week Podcast, hosts Charlotte Rogers, Lucy Tesseras and Molly Innes are joined by Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation to talk about the marketing industry's problem with socio-economic diversity. Plus, after being given exclusive access to attend Specsavers' annual internal marketing festival, a gathering of the brand's senior marketing leaders from across the globe, we talk about the importance of collaboration and sharing best practice, as well as how to cultivate a positive work culture.

In the first episode of The Marketing Week Podcast, hosts Charlotte Rogers, Lucy Tesseras and Molly Innes are joined by B2B marketing leader Mary-Anne Russell and Jon Lombardo, former LinkedIn B2B Institute lead, to discuss our new State of B2B Marketing research. We also discuss the impact Labour's HFSS ad ban will have on advertisers, brands' fears over their agencies' use of generative AI and what it takes to go from CMO to CEO.

Asos's executive vice-president of customer, Dan Elton, on the challenges he is facing in turning the fashion retailer into a more brand-led organisation – and why marketers shouldn't take measurement tools as gospel.

Deborah Dolce has been with TJX Europe, best known for owner TK Maxx, for 30 years and joined as the ‘off-price' fashion store launched in the UK. She praises culture and curiosity as being key to her longevity at the business.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series Tesco marketing boss Emma Botton and Karen Martin of BBH share the inside story of their partnership.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Boots' chief marketing officer and Marketing Week's Marketer of the Year Pete Markey discusses the importance of being choiceful, his approach to career management, breaking silos and how to avoid being ‘typecast' as a marketer.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's This Much I Learned podcast, ITV's CMO Jane Stiller talks about what has changed for the better and worse in marketing since she started her career, marketing's influence in businesses, and the mistakes that have helped shape her career.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Domino's CMO Sarah Barron tells why she doesn't ‘mess' with brands and why getting the right capability is essential for building an effective marketing unit.

In this edition of the podcast, Martin, who teaches strategy on Marketing Week's Mini MBA in Business Management, imparts wisdom on everything from what a great leader should be and the role of AI to how marketing and strategy can intersect and work together.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Sage's CMO Cath Keers discusses the brand building opportunity in B2B, customer centricity and the AI  opportunity.

Having recently moved into a role as the group's strategic transformation director, Chris Carter explains how Specsavers matches up the online and offline customer experience across markets, and the different customer personas who shop with the brand.

The hotel brand's global customer director tells Marketing Week how commercial, technology and operational teams align to ensure the customer is at the heart of every decision.

Guinness is on a roll, with sales on the up and a recent claim to be UK's favourite pint. In this latest episode of This Much I Learned, two of architects of that success, Grainne Wafer and Neil Shah, discuss how the brand's past informs the present.

The challenger bank's director of brand and marketing tells Marketing Week how important customer experience was when building the brand from scratch, and why doing right by customers is a competitive advantage when times are tough.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, TUI's CMO Katie McAlister and global brand and content director, Toby Horry, share what it takes to develop an award-winning marketing team.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, effectiveness experts Les Binet and Peter Field reflect on the impact of their book The Long and Short of It as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, its legacy and what's next.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Mums in Marketing founder Claire Ferreira discusses the digital confidence gap, how to address imposter syndrome and why female marketers should never revise their aspirations.

Checkatrade's chief product officer Kim Faura explains how the brand serves both consumers and trade customers, and discusses his previous experience at Giffgaff.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Bob Hoffman, bestselling author and the man behind the Ad Contrarian blog, claims marketers “don't really care” about ad fraud and its impact on society in this wide ranging interview.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Tom Fishburne discusses the origin story of the Marketoonist, the birth of his artistic alter ego and why humour is an untapped opportunity for brands.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Johnnie Walker global marketing director Chris Goddard discusses his 18-year career at Diageo, why taking parental leave was a lifechanging decision and the value of cultural curiosity.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, M&S Food's Sharry Cramond and Lucky Generals founder Andy Nairn discuss why now is the time to address the taboos surrounding social class and ask what marketers are doing to take accountability?

Gousto's VP of brand, who has appeared in each of the past three CX50 lists, discusses the evolution of customer experience, and how Gousto has focused on serving customers' needs in its core UK market to differentiate from competitors.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Giffgaff's CMO shares the story of her cancer diagnosis and outlines the change she wants to see to support people suffering from long-term illness.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, former Nike CMO Greg Hoffman discusses the origins of 2018's ‘Dream Crazy', the secrets of brand identity excellence and why restrictions can be joyful.

In the five years of the CX50 list, customer expectations have grown and evolved. As the top marketer at the quintessential challenger brand of UK mobile networks, Giffgaff's Sophie Wheater discusses the biggest and most important shifts she has seen. In partnership with Zone and Cognizant Digital Experience.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's This Much I Learned podcast, we speak to two Procter & Gamble marketers at different stages of their career who have both benefitted from a culture of continual learning and the constant exchange of ideas.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, What3Words CMO Giles Rhys Jones discusses the importance of global nuance, building a team from scratch and his mission to help the brand secure its place in popular culture.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Zoopla CMO Gary Bramall and Weetabix head of marketing Gareth Turner discuss marketing's renewed strategic role, the appetite for data talent and accelerating upheaval industry-wide.

As one of the CX50's 10 Disruptors, Cazoo's CCO explains why the online car retailer puts customer satisfaction above all else, and why customer-focused brands can't get distracted by generating short-term sales.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, Ikea and long-term creative partner Mother London discuss why ambition, honesty and accountability frees them from a fear of the obvious.

The pandemic-driven acceleration of B2B marketing transformation has undoubtedly raised expectations for digital engagement. In this podcast, sponsored by Omobono, Russell Parsons speaks to B2B marketing leaders examine what the B2B buyer journey looks like now and where it could go in 2022 and beyond.

In this episode of Marketing That Matters, sponsored by Google, Russell Parsons talks to three marketers who are tackling the challenge of measuring marketing effectiveness: Which? head of marketing Simon Crane; and Jo Lyall and Andy Goodwin, UK CEO and head of search respectively at the consumer protection brand's digital agency, Brainlabs. They delve into the challenges that Which? and Brainlabs have faced in measuring marketing outcomes and driving sustainable business growth, in order to further the brand's consumer-championing agenda, including: - How organisations can benchmark performance in the midst of a highly unusual period - How the language used to frame measurement can help organisations align internally around objectives - Why linking marketing activity to business growth poses a perennial challenge for marketers.

In this special episode of Marketing That Matters, sponsored by Google, Russell Parsons looks back at the key highlights from the case studies featured in the podcast in 2021: from TalkTalk's rapid digitisation of its sales journey to Ancestry and IG Group capitalising on new-found consumer demand, to how Samsung and Uswitch are meeting customers where they are with the right message deployed at the right moment. Plus, some sage advice from Google's senior industry managers on how to champion a digital transformation agenda within your organisation.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, the Marketing Week Masters Team of the Year Forest Holidays discuss the value of specialisms, grassroots talent and going all in to achieve their transformation agenda.

Marketing Week editor Russell Parsons asks leading B2B marketers to discuss how and why experience-focused B2B brands beat the competition.

One of the 10 Technologists named in the 2021 CX50 list of the UK's top customer experience professionals, BHF's chief technology officer Ursula Dolton explains how technology enables brands to deliver empathetic customer experiences, including by elevating the employee experience.

In the latest episode of Marketing Week's podcast series, the NFL's commercial director Michelle Webb discusses the continued popularity of American football in the UK and the rise of athlete activism on both sides of the Atlantic.

As one of the 10 Organisational Leaders in the CX50 list, First Direct CEO Chris Pitt discusses the role of the C-suite in delivering CX and customer-centric culture, as well as the functions that senior executives look to for strategic CX leadership.