Socially Unacceptable

A single missing gesture can set the internet alight. We open up about a day when Royal Mail faced a fast-moving backlash over Paralympics stamps and how a quiet policy gap looked like a loud value judgment on social media. From the first surge of tweets to the uncomfortable hours stuck in monitoring mode, we walk through what happens when your team lacks the tools, approvals, and scripts to respond at the speed of the timeline.You'll hear how the narrative formed in real time: honour given to Olympians, absence for Paralympians, and a rush of anger that framed the issue as dignity denied. We unpack why silence isn't neutral, why a clear holding statement can stabilise a story, and how early Twitter's velocity made every minute count. Along the way, we get practical about social listening, crisis playbooks, and the small operational choices, like pre-approved templates and escalation paths that create big advantages when things go sideways.We also talk about brand symbolism and equity. Commemorative stamps seem simple, but they carry cultural weight, and unequal treatment reads as exclusion. That's why policy stress testing matters: diverse eyes, scenario planning, and checks for unintentional bias before a campaign goes live. If you work in comms, marketing, or customer care, you'll find clear takeaways you can implement today: set up the tech stack, define who can speak when, rehearse the response flow, and protect your team with debriefs that turn chaos into learning.If this conversation helps sharpen your crisis plan, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review telling us the one change you'll make this week. Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

When Lisa, co-founder of Common People and strategist at Wavemaker Manchester, accidentally misbooked an out-of-home campaign linked to a BBC event, it was more than an embarrassing blunder back in episode 41.It became the moment she started questioning who really gets to thrive in advertising and media. In this episode, Lisa recounts that campaign mishap, a chaotic run of travel mix-ups, a painful pitch-room tumble, and the day she ended up crying at her desk. She then connects those experiences to a bigger issue: how class, confidence and unspoken office rules quietly shut working-class people out of the industry. Lisa shares practical ideas for change, from dropping unnecessary degree requirements and paying real living wages to simplifying recruitment tasks and making workplace norms explicit. This is a candid, funny and insightful conversation for marketers who want more relatable teams, smarter campaigns and fewer people feeling like they don't belong.Click here to listen to the full episode 41. Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What happens when you drop £30,000 on an influencer and the sign-ups never show?In this episode of Embracing Marketing Mistakes, Andy Lambert, co-founder of ContentCal, author of Spheres of Influence and now Principal Manager of Product at Adobe Express, unpacks two costly growth errors: overinvesting in performance ads and running a transactional influencer campaign that barely moved the needle.Andy explains why demand capture can look like growth until it suddenly stops, and how “pilot” influencer tests often fail because trust is not built in a week. He shares the practical reset that followed: tighter audience focus, creators who genuinely use the product, stronger community signals, and personality-led brand building that supports revenue over time.If your paid media efficiency is slipping, your influencer spend feels underwhelming, or you are trying to rebalance brand and demand, this episode will help you avoid the same expensive mistakes.  Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

When Director of Thinking and Creative PR Specialist Peter Freedman joined us for this episode 39, he unpacked the unusual marketing mistake he made while working with Craigslist.Tasked with satirising the rise of in-your-face shirt sponsorships, Peter sponsored a women's football team in Battersea Park and put them in full advertising sandwich boards. The stunt was pretty clever, photogenic and completely impractical, yet it barely registered with any journalists.One even called it the most peculiar idea they had ever seen. Peter explains why the campaign fell flat, how it was simply too weird and not familiar enough, and what he learned from books like The Creative Curve and Contagious about the sweet spot between novelty and recognition. Marketers will hear a candid breakdown of why some ideas stay niche, why moderate innovation works better than pure shock value, and how to judge whether your next PR concept is different in the right way. Click on the link to listen to the full episode:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206375/episodes/15568830 Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Ken Hughes spent 15 years chasing NPS scores, loyalty points and dashboards, only to realise his “loyal customers” were simply trapped by discounts and habit. Then he ignored two clear warning signs on his own roof, fell 30 feet and shattered 26 bones. That moment forced him to reconsider risk, fear and what real loyalty means for modern brands. In this episode, Ken explains why many brands confuse transactions with true connection, how data worship blinds marketers, and why emotion, humour and intimacy are now non-negotiable. He also shares how agentic AI will change buying decisions and what brands must do to stay in their customers' heart space. If you are under pressure to prove ROI on every campaign yet still worry your brand is forgettable, this conversation will challenge how you think about loyalty.  Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

As Creative Marketer Anil Manji joined the show, he reflected on an early-career incident that continues to guide his thinking today. We take you into this segment of episode 40, inside a haircare TV ad that reused legacy footage, layered on a week of pricey CGI to turn shampoo into conditioner, and accidentally created a texture that read like something no brand wants on primetime. The client's blunt feedback changed everything, and once we heard it, we couldn't unsee it either.We break down how efficient asset reuse can backfire when context and semiotics are ignored, why fluid simulations demand more than photorealism, and how a single freeze-frame can become meme fuel. From the first treatment to the final cut, we map the decisions that led us there: close-up hair shots, a convincing squeeze-to-palm animation, and the overlooked risk in colour, opacity, and flow. Then we show the fix that is warmer tones, micro-bubbles, altered angles, and strand separation which pulled the work back into brand-safe territory without losing impact.This conversation goes beyond one mishap. We talk perception checks, diverse feedback loops, and how to design review gates that ask, “What could this be mistaken for?” We dig into sunk-cost bias during CGI iterations, how to use cold reads at key milestones, and why creative teams should plan for what social media might clip and share. If you work in advertising, brand management, or production, you'll get practical steps to reduce risk while keeping speed: better briefs for reused footage, early semiotic audits, and a culture where someone can say the awkward truth sooner.If this story helped sharpen your creative process, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a quick review telling us your most unforgettable client note.Click on this link to the full episode 40:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206375/episodes/15606126 Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

This week on Embracing Marketing Mistakes, Chris Norton is joined by Chris Attewell, former CEO of Search Laboratory and now board advisor at Realise Advisory, to explore how AI is changing the future of SEO. Chris revisits his early years in digital marketing and explains how Search Laboratory moved from PPC into SEO, digital PR and integrated search. He breaks down how Google, Bing and ChatGPT are reshaping user behaviour, why brand authority now matters more than ever, and how AI overviews and multi platform search are shifting the mechanics of visibility. Together they unpack the North Star trap, where teams chase a perfect strategy instead of delivering value in stages, and how marketers can link content, PR, social, brand and search without falling into silos. Whether you work in digital, PR or brand, this episode gives you clear insight into how AI is transforming search and what it means for your marketing in 2025.  Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

When Pinterest Strategist and Niche Marketing Expert Meagan Williamson joined the show for Episode 38, she opened up about a painful and expensive mistake that shaped the way she works today. Early in her business, she hired a Facebook ads expert to run paid traffic to a new funnel that had never been tested organically. Over a 90-day period she spent more than twenty-five thousand dollars on ad spend and fees with almost nothing to show for it. The only purchase was a sixty-seven-dollar sale that ended in a refund four days later. The experience was embarrassing for Meagan, but it completely changed the way she evaluates contractors, tests funnels, and teaches clients about paid traffic. In this episode she shares the red flags she ignored, the questions she now asks before outsourcing, and the lessons every marketer should take from her story. Click on this link to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206375/episodes/15532735 Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Marshall Manson is the CEO of Fleishman Hillard and a communications strategist with deep experience in both brand marketing and corporate reputation. In 2006, while working at Edelman, he played a central role in the infamous "Walmarting Across America" campaign, an early and much criticised attempt at influencer marketing that quickly unravelled due to a lack of transparency. Marshall joins us to reflect openly on what went wrong, what he learned, and why the lessons from that experience still matter today. The 2006 "Walmarting Across America" PR scandal offers valuable lessons about transparency and ethics that remain relevant in today's influencer marketing landscape. This storytelling deep-dive reveals how a promising campaign featuring anonymous bloggers in Walmart-branded RVs unraveled when they refused to identify themselves to a journalist, leading to front-page coverage in major newspapers.• Campaign concept: Bloggers would travel in Walmart-branded RVs, staying in store parking lots and documenting their experiences• Critical mistake: Allowing bloggers to remain anonymous despite red flags• Campaign built momentum that made it difficult to cancel despite ethical concerns• Media coverage quickly turned from positive to highly critical• Leadership response from Richard Edelman emphasized learning from mistakes rather than scapegoating• Importance of transparency in sponsored content remains a crucial lesson for modern influencer campaigns• Setting high ethical standards when operating in uncharted territory Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

A single soft line on The Body Shop catalogue haunted copywriter Vikki Ross for six months. Years later, another forgettable line slipped through and ended up across London on billboards. In this episode, I talk to Vikki about how those moments changed the way she presents copy and how she helps clients avoid drifting into the dull middle.We get into why stakeholders so often choose the safest option, how she now protects the creative process, and what it really takes to build a brand voice for Sky, Virgin, Expedia, Jaguar Land Rover and Formula E. Vikki also opens up about imposter syndrome, the reality of AI in copywriting, and the pressure that comes with presenting work to a room full of decision makers.If you have ever watched your best idea, get watered down in a meeting, this episode is going to hit home. Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Christopher McKay, Head of Brand Engagement at Hillarys shares his career-defining failure when working at Ministry of Sound, revealing how a creative idea bombed due to lack of audience research and testing.• Started career in journalism before moving to PR at CalPR in Leeds• Moved to Ministry of Sound in London• Created "French Lessons with Bob" featuring DJ Bob Sinclair teaching French phrases• Campaign received only 50 likes compared to the usual 800-1,000 engagement• After two failed posts, had to cancel the planned 10-part series• Learned a valuable lesson about using data and insights before creative brainstorming• Key takeaway: Test before investing significant resources into a campaign Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What if the key to leading brilliant brand teams was already wired into your brain? Claire Koryczan, founder of Imagine Beyond, has helped FTSE 100 brands and creative agencies unlock smarter ways to lead, create and think. In this episode, she shares how neuroscience shapes everything from energy in meetings to decision-making under pressure. Expect practical tips, brain-friendly habits, and a few stories from the front lines of brand leadership.  Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Marketing mishaps from major brands reveal the critical importance of PR coordination with marketing efforts and careful forward planning to prevent campaign disasters. • Zara's campaign featuring mannequins with missing limbs was filmed before the Israel-Palestine conflict but released during war coverage, resulting in widespread criticism• Negative sentiment towards Zara surged from 13% to 76.4% following the incident• Nike initially refused to sell Mary Earps' England goalkeeper kit despite her popularity• After public outcry and a petition with 150,000 signatures, Nike reversed course and the kit sold out immediately• Bud Light's partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney faced transphobic backlash• The company's vague response failed to support Mulvaney, alienating both conservative customers and the LGBTQ+ community• Bud Light suffered a 15% drop in revenue and lost its position as America's top-selling beer Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

 What happens when you leave a top PR agency to launch your own business, only for the world to shut down weeks later? Darryl Sparey, co-founder of Hard Numbers and former Hotwire leader, shares how he built an agency focused on proving marketing impact through data. In this episode, Darryl explains how marketers can move beyond vanity metrics and start connecting PR and SEO performance to measurable ROI.You'll learn why access to GA4, Looker Studio, Search Console and CRM data changes everything, and how brands like Reddit, The FT and the BBC are shaping authority in the age of ChatGPT and Gemini. We also unpack what generative engine optimisation means for the future of earned media and how to future-proof your marketing results in 2026. If you care about clear metrics, credible reporting and meaningful outcomes, this conversation is for you.  Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Sam Benton, co-founder of Mad Masters, shares a career-shaping error many ambitious marketers will recognise: believing you know it all and avoiding help until reality proves otherwise. He explains why pricing is a feeling, not a number, how KFC's box-meal flop only succeeded after they doubled the price, and the pitch-room mistake where an Experian logo appeared in an Expedia meeting but still led to a client win. Sam explores herd effects, talk-trigger moments like hotel cookies, and the idea of “reverse benchmarking” to turn competitor weaknesses into creative strengths. You'll learn how to build a culture that encourages risk-taking, use the SCARF model to motivate teams, and reframe pricing without relying on discounts. This episode is a reminder that the smartest marketers fail first, learn fast, and stand out by thinking differently.  Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Today we speak with Greg Matusky, CEO & Founder, Gregory FCA Public Relations. He talks about being a young PR professional. We learn how Auntie Anne Beiler, founder of the famous pretzel franchise, brilliantly managed a potential scandal by revealing her own past mistakes before they could be used against her.• Auntie Anne grew up connected to the Amish community in Pennsylvania• Her hand-rolled soft pretzel recipe allegedly came through divine inspiration, creating a wholesome origin story• Secured an appearance on The 700 Club with Pat Robertson to share her story• Unexpectedly revealed a scandalous past involving an affair with a pastor and church fraud• Strategically shared her dark past publicly so it couldn't be weaponised against her later• Demonstrated the PR principle that "if you put bad news out, it can never be used against you"• The business now has approximately 1,200 franchises globally Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

When Google rolled out AI Overviews, Prohibition PR's founder Chris Norton and co-owner Will watched something shocking: their clients' sites still ranked high, but traffic plummeted overnight. The cause? AI summaries stealing clicks before users ever reached their pages. In this episode, Chris and Will reveal how a 50% traffic crash exposed the myth that “rankings = revenue,” and how they pivoted to GEO, meaning Generative Engine Optimization. From an awkward AI hallucination that invented a fake client to the discovery that authority beats keyword every time, they share the playbook that rebuilt visibility and leads. Learn how to make your brand the cited source inside AI answers, not the forgotten footnote. This is the new marketing reality: adapt your SEO to AI or risk disappearing entirely.  Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

We explore marketing mishaps and professional blunders that offer valuable life lessons with a bit of humour. Our guest today is Gerry White, SEO, Growth and Product Led Marketing Expert he talks about costly decimal point errors right through to accidentally breaking the BBC homepage himself.• How a decimal point error (£50 instead of 50p) in a pay-per-click campaign led to dismissal• Setting a lifetime budget as a daily budget over a weekend – and how the client actually loved the results• Accidentally publishing Doctor Who fan fiction articles on a government website• An intern documenting her drunken weekend on a client's Instagram account• Breaking the BBC homepage and discovering the mysterious "burning clown" test card• The evolution of digital content from early BBC webpages to modern platforms Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What do you do when your big pitch idea quite literally vanishes in front of the client? For James Tomlinson, it involved a magician, a torn-up Financial Times, and the most awkward silence of his career.In this episode of Embracing Marketing Mistakes, James reveals the pitch fails that taught him more than any win ever could from sanding a CEO's boardroom table to dealing with AI-written briefs that make no sense. With two decades in agency leadership, he now helps brands and agencies avoid the same time-wasting, budget-draining mistakes.Expect brutal honesty, plenty of laughs, and practical lessons on how to run pitches that actually work.

Andrew Bloch shares the challenging story of opening Frank PR's New York office after successful expansion to Manchester, Glasgow, and Sydney. What started as a promising venture with moderate success ultimately became a significant business lesson about knowing when to walk away.• American business culture proved vastly different despite sharing the same language• US clients expected much larger account teams - one "small boutique agency" had 35 people on a single account• American executives would readily agree to meetings but rarely convert to business• US candidates interviewed exceptionally well regardless of actual skills or experience• Frank's disruptive UK approach didn't resonate with the more conservative US PR market• The New York office became a drain on the London headquarters despite being marginally profitable• Making the tough decision to close the office was painful but necessary• Sometimes acknowledging failure and moving on is the strongest business decision Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Forget chasing subscribers and viral videos. It's time to turn YouTube into a serious lead generation engine.In this episode of Embracing Marketing Mistakes, hosts Chris Norton and Will Ockenden sit down with David Greiner, co-founder of David & Luana Co., to explore how businesses can use YouTube not for vanity metrics, but as a predictable client acquisition channel.David shares the hard truths behind what most marketers get wrong on YouTube and why traditional engagement metrics likes, comments, and subscriber counts don't translate into real business results. He breaks down the psychology of trust, the data that drives conversions, and the simple automation systems that can cut your YouTube workflow from forty minutes to two.This episode is a masterclass in data-driven marketing and practical creativity. If you're a coach, consultant, or business owner tired of chasing empty views, this conversation will show you how to make YouTube work for your brand and your bottom line.Follow Embracing Marketing Mistakes for more insights from industry experts who turn marketing errors into opportunities for smarter growth. Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Marketing professionals aren't immune to making classic business mistakes, especially when personal projects cloud professional judgment. Our guest Katie Tucker, a Customer Insight Strategist, and Author of Do Penguins Eat Peaches, shares how her family gap year adventure led her to create a course without proper market validation, only to be unexpectedly saved by the COVID pandemic's timely intervention.World tour with family generated Instagram following and many questions about how to plan family gap yearsCreated a comprehensive course teaching practical and psychological preparation for family travelSecured impressive media coverage in The Times money sectionFailed to properly validate the business idea beyond supportive friends and familyCOVID pandemic intervened before full launch, preventing potential business failureWorking in market research didn't prevent making the same mistakes she warns clients aboutPersonal connection to the project made objective assessment more difficultSometimes you need to make mistakes to learn valuable business lessons Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Careers rarely implode on schedule, but what you do next can change everything. When Alice Ter Haar was demoted at Deliveroo, right as the rocket ship was taking off she refused to hide. Instead, she told the truth, turned a career low into an origin story, and built Badass Unicorn to help high-growth teams find confidence, resilience, and psychological safety without the buzzwords or the fluff.We dig into how to reframe shame into signal, why morale rises when people spend more time in their energising strengths, and how psychological safety unlocks better ideas, faster decisions, and real accountability. Alice breaks down imposter syndrome with disarming clarity, spotting the perfectionist and workaholic archetypes, reframing nerves as excitement, and giving your inner critic a name so you can thank it and then do the work anyway. Her BRAVE method makes resilience practical: protect the body, invest in relationships, acknowledge reality, venture into your circle of control, and be easier on yourself so you can try again sooner.Along the way, we talk leadership style and culture fit, the trap of the arrival fallacy, and the power of “wince-and-send” micro-actions that compound into a career you actually want. If you're building a high-growth team or navigating your own squiggly path, you'll leave with tools to boost morale, set fair expectations, and create the conditions where people speak up and do their best work. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs this, and leave a review to tell us which idea you'll try first. Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Shaheen Samavati, Co-founder and CEO of Vera Content, explores career mistakes through a cautionary tale of a webinar gone wrong during severe storms in Spain.

Think your LinkedIn profile is just a digital CV? Think again. In this eye‐opening conversation with Louise Brogan (Founder, Brogan Partners; LinkedIn: Louise Brogan Ltd. – Video Content Marketing) LinkedIn UK, author of Raise your Visibility on LinkedIn, we uncover the strategic approach that transformed her business from a failing craft shop to a thriving LinkedIn consultancy serving global clients.Louise breaks down her four‐stage system for LinkedIn success that goes far beyond basic profile tips. She explains why your headline should communicate value rather than just your job title, how your “About” section should focus on helping potential clients (not showcasing your achievements), and why the often‐overlooked “Featured” section might be your most powerful conversion tool.What's particularly fascinating is Louise's approach to networking and selling on the platform. Rather than connecting with everyone who sends a request, she maintains a carefully curated network of relevant contacts. “It's so much better to have a network of people who are interested in what you have to say,” she explains, comparing LinkedIn to an in-person industry conference where strategic connections and thoughtful conversations lead to business opportunities.Perhaps most surprising is Louise's revelation about YouTube's role in her business growth. With 110,000 subscribers watching her short, targeted LinkedIn tutorials, she's built a powerful lead generation engine that funnels prospects to her consulting services. “I have 3.3 million views on YouTube,” she shares, “and I have less than 16,000 followers on LinkedIn.”Whether you're a marketing professional looking to build thought leadership, a business owner seeking quality leads, or simply tired of getting spammy connection requests, Louise's practical advice will transform how you approach LinkedIn. Stop wasting time on random connections and irrelevant content – start treating LinkedIn as the powerful business development tool it can be.Ready to raise your visibility and start meaningful conversations that actually lead to business? This episode is your blueprint. Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

In this mini series where we take a look back to our guest's mistakes they have shared, we have Patrick Collister's marketing mistake.Everyone makes mistakes in their marketing careers, but few are willing to discuss them openly. In this refreshingly candid conversation, our guest reveals how a seemingly catastrophic career move - joining a French-owned direct marketing agency as creative director – became an unexpected turning point in their professional journey.The position seemed promising on paper, but reality proved harsh. Billed at £1,000 per hour, Patrick found themselves in the peculiar position of being too expensive for account directors to utilise in client meetings. "Not a single account director wanted me to go to a single meeting with their clients because I was going to massively damage their numbers," they explain. This structural dysfunction made success impossible, leading to termination after about a year – "a blessed relief to both parties."What makes this story compelling isn't the failure itself, but the unexpected benefits that followed. This career detour exposed our guest to direct marketing precisely as digital transformation was revolutionising the field, turning what was once dismissively called "folding shit" into the foundation of modern advertising. "If you haven't got a URL and if there isn't a whole series of consumer experiences that comes out of your communication, then you're a bloody idiot," our guest notes, highlighting how direct marketing principles have become fundamental to all effective advertising.You can listen to Patrick's full episode hereIs your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Alexandra Galviz, better known as Authentic Alex, is a LinkedIn Top Voice and the co-creator of the global LinkedIn Local movement. At just 24, she was leading training for 350 people across 21 offices, while secretly battling imposter syndrome, burnout and the pressure of living a life that didn't feel like her own. Her viral LinkedIn post about leaving the “pointy-top building by the river” marked the start of her mission to build a career rooted in authenticity.In this episode, Alexandra opens up about her biggest mistake: chasing prestige clients and big logos that looked impressive but conflicted with her values. She shares what happens when you choose status over alignment, and how that experience reshaped her approach to work, storytelling and leadership.Listeners will learn why emotion and relatability matter more than polish, how to use AI without losing your unique voice, and the principle of authentic storytelling that Alexandra refuses to compromise on. This is an honest conversation about success, failure and what it truly takes to build a personal brand that lasts. Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Tamsin Daniel, a senior marketing professional and Head of Marketing at Firetree Chocolate, shares her embarrassing culinary f*ck up while supporting celebrity chef Meena Patak during a cooking show filmed in India. What begins as an exciting opportunity quickly descends into chaos with illness and a fundamental misunderstanding about chickpeas.

Only 26 percent of B2B brands see real results from thought leadership, even though 80% are actively producing it. In this episode, we explore why most strategies are falling short in a time when trust in media and corporations is at just 33 per cent in the UK. The biggest missed opportunity is clear. Employee-shared content delivers 561% more reach, is reshared 24 times more often, and drives eight times more engagement than corporate channels.We share a practical roadmap for turning employees into influential voices. Learn how to create strong LinkedIn profiles, develop consistent content, and use nano-influencers to boost visibility without chasing massive audiences. We cover how to overcome executive resistance, measure success, and keep programs focused using a simple one-page strategy. You'll also hear how friendly internal competition can accelerate adoption and results. If your thought leadership isn't working, this episode shows how your people can turn it around. Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Wellness initiatives in the workplace often sound ideal, but what happens when they demand more than businesses can give? In this Campaign Crunch mini-episode, we're joined by guest Sadie Straw to unpack Joe Wicks' Movement Hour campaign, which encouraged employers to give staff an extra hour off each day for physical activity. Despite 10,000 companies applying for a personal visit from Wicks, only 600 committed to the pledge. We explore why this well-intentioned campaign struggled to gain traction and whether it asked too much, too soon.Sadie shares her insights on what could have made the campaign stronger, from better timing to a more realistic approach and stronger use of storytelling. She also shares a memorable marketing mistake of her own involving a very awkward email mix-up between two clients with the same name. It's a candid and insightful conversation about campaign ambition, real-world results, and the small errors that keep us humble.Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Back when Apple was rumoured to be about to launch the iPad, BBC presenter Spencer Kelly was already on air confidently predicting that the rumours were nonsense, because tablets were a stupid idea. Just six hours later, Steve Jobs proved him spectacularly wrong. In this episode, Spencer reflects on the mistake, the lessons it taught him about spotting genuine innovation, and why even the experts get it wrong.Spencer is no stranger to high stakes. As host of the BBC's Click for 20 years and 1,000 episodes, he introduced audiences worldwide to AI, virtual reality, and emerging tech before they became everyday conversation. His presenting skills and ability to turn complex ideas into stories people understand have made him a trusted voice in technology.We also dive into failed PR promises, a £2,000 drone crash, and what marketers can learn about separating hype from reality. Packed with insights and entertaining stories, this episode is a must for every marketer.Follow Spencer on LinkedIn here and X here. Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

For Sarah Clay, that nightmare became her big break. Pre-pandemic, she was running a social media agency for hospitality brands. Then lockdown hit, and in the space of a week her market evaporated.Instead of wallowing, she made a bold pivot into LinkedIn training. That's when she spotted the goldmine nobody was talking about: employee advocacy. Get your people talking about your brand on their own profiles, and you'll see up to 561% more engagement than a company page ever gets (LinkedIn's own stat, not mine).From ditching law school, to producing TV ads, to mastering LinkedIn, Sarah's career says one thing loud and clear: LinkedIn isn't social media, it's a networking machine. And if you're still treating it like Facebook in a suit, you're doing it wrong.Is this a smart move or a marketing mistake? Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

Tired of marketing campaigns that miss the mark? Richard Shotton, bestselling author of "The Choice Factory" and "The Illusion of Choice," reveals why understanding human psychology is the secret sauce behind effective marketing.The gap between what consumers say influences them and what actually drives their behavior creates a golden opportunity for marketers who master behavioral science principles. Shotton demystifies these concepts, proving they're not just for academics with psychology doctorates but practical tools any marketer can deploy immediately.Want to raise prices without losing customers? Frame increases as "pennies per day" rather than larger monthly sums and clearly explain your reasoning. Struggling with website conversions? Change "out of stock" to "sold out" for a 15% reduction in customer irritation. These small, cost-free interventions leverage how our brains actually work rather than how we think they work.The most overlooked principle, according to Shotton, is surprisingly simple: "make it easy." Both Nobel Prize winners Daniel Kahneman and Richard Thaler identify this as their single most important insight. Removing small friction points has an outsized effect on behavior change – something marketers consistently underestimate while overemphasizing motivation.Testing these principles is crucial, but Shotton warns against directly asking consumers if they'd be influenced. "People do not have full introspective insight into their own motivations," he explains. Instead, use monadic testing – showing different groups only one version of your messaging and measuring their responses. This oblique approach reveals the true impact of psychological nudges that consumers would otherwise deny affect them.Whether you're managing seven-figure campaigns or launching your first marketing efforts, these evidence-based techniques can dramatically improve results without increasing your budget. Listen now to unlock the behavioral science secrets behind the world's most successful brands – and learn how to apply them to your next campaign. Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Our host, Chris Norton, reveals his biggest career mistake when he joined a new PR agency as an account manager. What started as enthusiasm to impress his new employers quickly descended into a PR disaster when he prematurely distributed a press release about a new bar opening without client approval.• Background as a PR professional with experience in London before moving to Leeds• Eagerly took on a project for an alcohol brand launching a new bar• Misinterpreted "good to go" from London office as permission to distribute the press release• Sent the release to media outlets without client approval• Discovered his mistake when the story triggered local controversy on the evening news• Feared being fired on his first weekend in the new job"To everybody out there I apologise for sending a release out too early. I was just keen to get going, but luckily I survived and I'm here to do this podcast with you today."Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?What does it take to market an iconic British agricultural product in today's digital world? Graham Clark, Director of Marketing at British Wool, pulls back the curtain on the fascinating journey of promoting this sustainable fiber to modern consumers.British Wool stands as the last remaining farmers' cooperative in the UK, representing approximately 30,000 sheep farmers across the nation. Unlike conventional businesses, this unique organization returns all profits directly to farmers, supporting rural communities while championing sustainability. Graham shares how they've navigated the complex challenge of communicating their distinctive identity to consumers who often don't understand the difference between "wool" and "British wool."The conversation takes us through British wool's remarkable versatility beyond just clothing. Did you know the iconic upholstery on London Underground seating is made from British wool in Yorkshire? Or that wool bedding naturally regulates your body temperature while you sleep? These practical applications highlight wool's superiority over synthetic alternatives, which Graham pointedly reminds us are essentially plastic.We explore how British Wool has built brand awareness through innovative campaigns, including collaborations with Love Island's Farmer Will and Shaun the Sheep. Their marketing strategy balances traditional channels like radio with contemporary digital approaches, resulting in measurable success brand recognition has increased 7% in recent years, with nearly a third of consumers now recognizing their iconic "crook mark" logo.The episode also delivers honest reflections on marketing mishaps, from printing 50,000 high-quality brochures with the wrong phone number to mail merge disasters that sent customers competitors' information. These candid stories remind us that even seasoned marketers make mistakes, it's how we respond and learn that matters.Listen now to discover how this legacy brand is fighting fast fashion while supporting local farmers. Whether you're a marketing professional seeking inspiration or simply curious about sustainable consumer choices, this episode offers valuable insights into how traditional industries can thrive in the modern marketplace.Subscribe today and join the conversation about bringing sustainability to the forefront of consumer consciousness! Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Exploring professional mishaps in the world of media training, our guest expert media trainer, Guy Clapperton, shares candid stories from 20 years of journalism experience that reveal how technical difficulties, difficult clients, and embarrassing moments become valuable learning experiences.• A particularly memorable mishap involved conducting interviews from an unflattering camera angle focused on the "left man boob"• Managing difficult clients presents unique challenges, especially when company directors intimidate their staff during practice interviews• Clear expectations must be established before training begins to avoid conflict between stakeholders• The most challenging trainees are those who don't believe they need training and are just there to show off their existing abilitiesIs your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?When a high-profile fashion brand stumbles at launch, how do they rebuild customer trust? This fascinating episode dives into Molly Mae's clothing brand "Maybe" and their clever reputation recovery strategy following a quality control disaster that left customers disappointed.Our marketing experts Lauren and Becca unpack how the brand leveraged International Women's Day to reconnect with their core audience of young female professionals through a perfectly targeted coffee and sweet treats pop-up in Manchester. The genius of this activation wasn't just free goodies – it was the thoughtful alignment with their audience's lifestyle, featuring collaborations with female-led businesses like Sage Coffee Machines and North Star Coffee Roasteries, plus Molly's personal involvement serving customers and creating genuine connections.The results speak volumes about effective community engagement: minimal press coverage but explosive user-generated content across social platforms. As the team notes, "Everything Molly touches turns to gold," but even celebrity-backed brands need strong reputation management after missteps. The episode offers valuable insights on authenticity in crisis recovery and understanding your audience on a deeper level.In a hilarious turn, Lauren shares her own marketing mishap when booking a venue for a sports nutrition brand photoshoot, only to be asked if they were filming adult content! It's a reminder that clear communication is essential in all aspects of marketing.Have you experienced your own marketing blunder? We'd love to feature it on a future episode! Email us at podcast@prohibitionpr.co.uk to share your story – anonymous submissions welcome.Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Neville Hobson, a former Vice President of Corporate Communications, shares a near career-ending mistake when he accidentally published financial results for a public company 12 hours early by hitting "publish" instead of "schedule." Quick thinking and a lot of panic led him to unpublish the content, reschedule it correctly, and immediately report the incident to the stock exchange, which fortunately responded with understanding.• Preparing financial results publication using FrontPage software• Potentially illegal early disclosure of financial results for a public company• Learning the critical importance of attention to detail• Modern publishing risks are even greater with multiple access points• First public disclosure of this corporate communications fuck upIs your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?What happens when you mix two decades of digital comms experience with a brain wired for analytics, SEO and AI? You get friend of the show Andrew Bruce Smith. He's the founder of Escherman, a CIPR Fellow, and Chair of the AI in PR panel, not to mention a certified Google Partner who's trained over 3,000 organisations. From global brands to government departments, he's helped them all wrap their heads around data, strategy and the tech shaping modern PR.We dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of AI for marketers with expert Andrew Bruce Smith, exploring how reasoning models, research capabilities, and AI avatars are transforming the marketing landscape at breathtaking speed.• Reasoning models like ChatGPT-4o spend more time thinking through complex problems, delivering better quality responses for marketing plans and strategy • Deep research functionality allows marketers to generate comprehensive market analyses in minutes that previously took weeks and cost thousands • Understanding when to use different AI models is crucial, reasoning models for complex tasks, standard models for simpler requests • AI avatars through tools like HeyGen and Syntesia can create promotional videos and may soon represent you in meetings • The rise of agentic AI allows for autonomous systems that can execute complex workflows with minimal human intervention • Marketers need to rethink where they add value as AI handles more tasks, potentially moving from time-based to value-based billing • AI isn't replacing jobs but tasks, freeing humans to focus on strategic thinking and creativityThe best place to find Andrew is on LinkedIn (there's only one Andrew Bruce Smith) or at his website escherman.com. Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?The podcast explores notable professional mistakes and what can be learned from them. B2B Marketing expert Tom Basgil shares his experience organising a New Year's Eve fireworks event at Coney Island, where instead of the expected 500 attendees, 5,000 people showed up, creating major logistical challenges with insufficient facilities.• Event was planned at iconic Coney Island amusement park district• Organizers competed with Macy's monopoly on New York fireworks• Infrastructure (porta-potties, PA system, vendors) was only prepared for 500 people• Police were upset about the unexpected crowd size and inadequate security preparations• The event happened in freezing temperatures, adding to the challenges• The experience taught Tom to "prepare for the best, just in case it happens"Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Let's be honest, the PR world still loves a good-looking coverage book. A glossy spread in the national press, a namecheck in a podcast, a flurry of social mentions. It feels like success. But what's it actually doing for the business? Not much, in most cases. For too long, we've let vanity metrics run the show – chasing likes, impressions and clippings instead of asking the tough questions: Did it shift perception? Did it drive action? Did it move the bloody needle?That's why Stuart Bruce is worth listening to. He's not peddling the latest buzzword or flogging a new AI subscription. He's a PR Futurist who actually gets it. Someone who helps senior comms leaders cut through the noise, sidestep the hype, and use technology to do better work, not just faster work. He's advised more than 400 organisations across the globe, and he's still banging the drum for strategy, substance and measurement that matters. His latest take? The new Barcelona Principles 4.0, and why the way we measure communications is finally getting smarter.Here's what stood out from our chat:• Set clear objectives upfront. If you don't know what success looks like, how can you measure it? • The new Barcelona Principles 4.0 focus on learning and iteration, not chasing perfection. • Shift your attention from outputs like media hits to outcomes that drive real business impact. • AI tools like Copilot and Gemini can save you hours each week. But only if your team knows how to use them. • Buying AI without training? That's the "AI adoption illusion". We hate it. • “Generative AI optimisation” is the next battleground. It's how you shape what AI says about your brand. • Trade publications might now outrank national press in AI-driven search. Yes, seriously. • Misinformation and AI-generated video are your new crisis comms nightmares. • Authentic content and human interaction are back in fashion. Thank goodness.If you want to measure what matters, ditch the ego metrics and start with the AMEC framework: amecorg.com Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Rachel Auty, head of marketing at Brew York, discusses the brewery birthday celebration that featured collaborations with international breweries like Lervig and Hidden Springs, creating six beers with a Eurovision tie-in called "Collabivision." What seemed like marketing genius internally received a lukewarm public reception, teaching them valuable lessons about keeping messaging focused and straightforward.• Timed release with Eurovision in the UK and called it "Collabivision"• Created adventurous beer flavours including a cherry stout• Found the concept exciting internally but met with public indifference• Realised we had too many marketing messages competing for attentionFor the full episode visit: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206375/episodes/13748919Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Rachel Massey, Director of Marketing at Huthwaite International, is a brilliant B2B marketing manager with deep experience in leading marketing operations and running fully integrated campaigns that actually deliver on business objectives. She's worked across both large corporations and SMEs in a range of sectors, and always brings a sharp, strategic edge to everything she does. Rachel Massey joins the podcast to share candid stories about marketing mishaps, including a spelling error on an exhibition stand that went unnoticed for three days and a creative brand strategy that was too ahead of its time.Starting as a salesperson before transitioning to marketing without a marketing degreeThe current state of B2B marketing is becoming bland due to AI overuse and the need for creativity to stand out.Using white papers that offer genuine expertise and deep knowledge to establish authorityBalancing traditional corporate approaches with more authentic, personal brand storytelling The challenge of selling creative ideas to conservative B2B leadershipIf you want to connect with Rachel, you can find her on LinkedIn or visit huthwaiteinternational.com. Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Moving fast in business means making quick decisions that can sometimes lead to significant mistakes, as Jack Sutcliffe, CEO of Powersheds, found out when their website was hacked due to an overly simplistic password.• Rapid decision-making is part of their business approach, which inevitably leads to some wrong choices• Poor decisions have included selecting the wrong systems and hiring staff who weren't a good fit• A major security oversight involved using "jack" as the CMS password• The website hack resulted in thousands of Japanese pages appearing in Google search results• Even after fixing the security issue, the compromised pages remained in search results for monthsIs your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Chris Simmance, Founder of OMG Centre, opens up about the hard leadership lessons learned through emotional reactions to business setbacks and poor financial management in agency life.• Letting emotional responses to client departures negatively impact team management• Acknowledging how leadership mistakes create lasting negative impressions that can't be fixed with apologies• Taking business losses personally while attributing wins to others• Failing to properly understand financial numbers despite having management accounts• Experiencing cash flow crises when client departures coincided with new hires• Not properly provisioning for expenses like VAT bills• Learning significant lessons that led to starting additional agencies• Expanding into multiple businesses outside the digital industry through openness to learningIs your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Josh Lachovic, ex-startup founder turned growth agency founder, shares his journey from digital marketing roots to founding a wine startup that experienced meteoric growth during the pandemic, only to face the harsh reality when lockdown behaviors proved unsustainable.• Started in SEO and content writing at a PR agency, combining his tech background with writing skills• Moved to Pact Coffee before their Series A, experiencing the shift from agency to startup life• Joined health-tech Thriver as first employee and head of growth, growing from 500 to 100,000 customers• Launched WineList in 2019, initially as a podcast before evolving into a subscription service• Went full-time on March 1, 2020, with lockdown creating perfect market conditions initially• Revenue jumped from £3,000 to £50,000 within months, leading to rapid expansion• Pandemic success created false impression of product-market fit• As restrictions eased, retention declined dramatically despite various pivot attempts• Business shut down in September 2021 after funding fell through• Reflects that he should have recognized warning signs earlier rather than letting money run outIs your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Welcome to another Campaign Crunch episode where we take a look at trending campaigns, what they did and the results they gained. This podcast (presented by one of our Account Managers, Becca Quinlan) delves into one of the most fascinating PR campaigns of recent times - the introduction of Evie Pig to the Peppa Pig universe.From pregnancy announcement to birth, the Peppa Pig team crafted a masterclass in integrated marketing that blurred the lines between fiction and reality. Mummy Pig appeared on Good Morning Britain for an "exclusive interview" announcing her pregnancy, graced the cover of Grazia magazine for a maternity photoshoot, and even had Battersea Power Station lit up pink for a spectacular gender reveal party. The birth announcement, strategically staged outside St Mary's Hospital (where royal babies are presented), completed this remarkable campaign that transcended children's entertainment to become a national talking point.What makes this campaign particularly brilliant is how it reached parents directly through adult media channels, rather than relying on children to carry the message home. By partnering with the National Children's Trust and treating a cartoon character with the same media approach as a celebrity, the team created something genuinely innovative that sparked conversation across demographics - even causing controversy among farmers concerned about the inaccurate portrayal of pig births!The episode also features a candid discussion of embarrassing professional mistakes, from accidentally copying competitors into confidential emails to unfortunate verbal slips during presentations. Have you made a marketing blunder? We'd love to hear your story - share it with us for a possible mention in a future episode!Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?This clip explores career mistakes and what people learn from them. Andrew shares a memorable blunder from his early journalism career when he nearly became part of the printing machinery at the historic launch of the Today newspaper in 1986.• Sent to cover the launch of the Today newspaper as his first press assignment• Instructed to get an exclusive interview with Eddie Shah• Climbed onto the actual printing press thinking it was a good vantage point• Was saved when Eddie Shah spotted him and warned him before starting the press• Became the laughing stock of Fleet Street journalists present at the event• Eddie Shah kindly sought Andrew out afterward, giving him the interview and photo opportunity• The embarrassing moment actually created a memorable connection• Demonstrates how career mistakes can sometimes lead to unexpected opportunitiesIs your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Guy Utley from Tall Agency shares his journey from recognising his creative talents at school to founding a digital agency working with global brands like Lego and Shark Ninja, focusing on the critical importance of specialisation in marketing.• The value of using specialists rather than generalists - "I wouldn't use a painter to fix my roof" • How Google's algorithm now prioritises human-first content over AI-generated material• Understanding your customers deeply leads to product innovation, as demonstrated by Shark Ninja's vacuum research• The infamous "drunken pitch" story and what it taught Guy about authentic presentations• Why the traditional pitching process is broken and how paid pitches could create better agency-client relationships• The importance of flexibility in marketing budgets to adapt to rapidly changing digital landscapes• How imposter syndrome can actually indicate you're pushing yourself in the right directionIf you're looking to digitise your brand or create better digital experiences that convert, reach out to Tall Agency - they're a small team in Leeds working globally to help brands achieve high performance online.https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyutley/https://tall.agency/ Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Andy Green shares his biggest professional mistake from his time as deputy head of PR at Yorkshire Water, when he inadvertently angered 120,000 anglers by running a competition featuring a photo that violated pike fishing ethics.

What topic would you like us to cover next?Ever wondered what makes truly exceptional chocolate? The secret might be sitting right beneath its roots - volcanic soil.Tamsin Daniel, Head of Marketing at Firetree Chocolate, takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of premium chocolate production, revealing how cocoa grown in the nutrient-rich volcanic soils of remote islands creates distinctively complex flavour profiles that chocolate lovers are increasingly willing to pay premium prices for.What makes Firetree's approach particularly interesting is their commitment to the bean-to-bar process. Working directly with small-scale farmers in places like the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the Philippines, they're creating chocolate with nuanced taste notes that challenge conventional chocolate making. Tamsin shares insights from her remarkable career working with iconic food brands including Newman's Own, Pataks spices, and Betty's Tea Rooms. Her candid "chickpea disaster" story from an early marketing trip to India with Meena Patak offers a humbling reminder of how even the smallest details can impact marketing success. The conversation explores broader food marketing trends, including the shift toward taste appreciation, ethical sourcing considerations, and how major retailers like Tesco are recognising consumer demand for more sophisticated offerings.Whether you're a chocolate enthusiast, food marketer, or business owner interested in premium product positioning, this episode delivers valuable insights into how authentic product differentiation combined with distinctive brand positioning creates lasting consumer appeal.  Is your marketing strategy ready for 2025? Book a free 15-min discovery call with Chris to get tailored insights to boost your brand's growth.