Simplicity Talks

We kick off 2020 with a look at the world of financial services – from retail and private banking, to asset and wealth management, fintech and insurance. Specifically, we explore how the talent of tomorrow – the students and post-grads who are figuring out where they want to work – is looking at the financial services sector as an employer. The perception can be that the sector is old-fashioned, bigoted, corrupt and greedy. So why would a young and diverse audience want to work there? Do financial services firms risk being starved of the talent pool that can drive innovation for them in the future?We carried out research across seven countries with over a thousand participants to figure out what financial institutions need to be doing to be top of mind when it comes to recruiting and retaining the young talent that will future-proof their firms moving forward.Mitchell Kirkham-Cooper and Rob Costelloe chat with Siegel+Gale’s Associate Strategist Becki Zeuner and Research Strategist James Moretti.

We look at a world that can sound really rather dry but is filled with opportunity and impact - the world of brand architecture. From figuring out where a new acquisition sits in your business, to making sure a new business unit is not cannibalising another, to killing off a brand entirely, brand architecture is business strategy made visible. It brings clarity to decision makers and customers, and opens new ways to engage employees. Rob Costelloe and Mitchell Kirkham-Cooper sit down with Rana Brightman, Senior Strategy Director for Siegel+Gale London, and Head of Insights Ben Osborne, to hear about the approaches, challenges and opportunities with brand architecture.MusicSuper Human - Paddy Conn, Angelina Dove - Audio Networkhttps://www.audionetwork.com/browse/m/track/super-human_1007686

Our latest episode has been a long time coming but we are thrilled to be back on track. In our latest episode of Simplicity Talks, we chat with Mike Scott, head of creative for Siegel+Gale in Europe, and Will Bosanko, our brand associate, on the challenges and opportunities in education in the face of ballooning student debt and ever rising levels of student dissatisfaction with what they are getting for their money. We explore the shift in how students - the customer - are considering which institutions to put their money on and why, the role that history and legacy has in a world dominated by flexible programmes and multiple sources of learning, and ultimately the role brand can play to guide both established and challenger institutions to develop holistic, authentic and engaging experiences in every student touchpoint. Let us know what you think about the episode by messaging us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the handle @siegelgale. You can also drop us a note on our website - siegelgale.com. Thanks!

Nearly 16,000 participants, 9 countries, 800 brands - this is the Siegel+Gale World's Simplest Brands - a deep dive into the brands that are delivering simpler experiences for consumers which is driving loyalty and a premium for their products and services. Rob Costelloe and Mitchell Kirkham-Cooper speak with Siegel+Gale's Executive Strategy and Development Director for EMEA, Liana Dinghile, and Head of Insights in Siegel+Gale London, Ben Osborne, about the brands that are winning in the battle for share and consideration through their clear, transparent, innovative and useful brand experiences. To see the results, check out simplicityindex.com.

New logos, new identities, new mistakes? We've just had the seasonal circus of fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris. The world of fashion and retail seems to be in a constant state of flux as brands and retailers try to figure out who they are, what they stand for, who their customers are and, in many cases, how to just ride out the storm. We have seen the trend continuing of putting high-profile designers at the front of the stage with the brand heritage and story taking the back seat, luxury players all following the same standardised thinking on a logo, and reactive, unconvincing steps by UK high-street players to look like they're turning things around. So where's the calm in the storm? Rob Costelloe and Mitchell Cooper talk with Siegel+Gale London's Strategy Director John Matthews and Design Director Mike Tyson to explore what's going on.

What's in a name? More than you might think in fact. In this week's Simplicity Talks we are crossing continents, languages and emotions to discover the opportunities and pitfalls for brands when it comes to naming their business, services or products in the world's most important markets - China and the USA. Taking us on this journey is Gabriele Zamora, Senior Strategist for Naming from Siegel+Gale's San Francisco Office, and Susie Jiang who heads up naming in Siegel+Gale Shanghai. A truly global episode for a time when brands are trying to be more global than ever and quickly realise how their presence can be cut short because of failures to understand local language, interpretation and metaphor.

We delve into an apparent ‘crisis of trust’ facing some of the biggest industries and names out there. From the big four to big pharma, we are looking at how players are battling against a loss of trust, how trust relates to brand equity, the role of company leaders to build trust with customers and what firms can be doing to turn talk into tangible authenticity. Joining us in the studio we have Ben Osborne, Director of Insights for Siegel+Gale EMEA as well as Creative Director Mike Tyson. Please subscribe on iTunes or Spotify and do get in touch with your thoughts, ideas, and feedback on Twitter or Facebook with the handle @siegelgale or via our website - siegelgale.com.

In our inaugural episode, Robert Costelloe and Mitchell Kirkham-Cooper speak with John Matthews, Siegel+Gale’s Strategy Director for Europe, and Camilla Butcher, a strategist in our London office. This week we discuss casual dining and those UK companies currently stuck in the meaningless middle-ground, an immediate opportunity for private equity firms to break ranks and really set themselves apart, and car makers trying to find their place in the fast-approaching world of autonomous vehicle. Check out our piece of research on how emotionally prepared we are for the world of autonomous vehicles at www.altermotiv.com. You can also give us feedback on twitter and Facebook using the handle @siegelgale, or on our website www.siegelgale.com. Thanks for listening!