Spikes Excitement Talks

In this episode, Gordon speaks with Bhavna Satyanarayan, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Positioning at BASF.From agency life to global leadership roles across India, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, Bhavna shares how storytelling, strong mentorship and bold career moves shaped her journey — including returning to BASF after exploring new paths at Volvo Buses. They discuss aligning brand with business strategy, building global teams from scratch, the power of purpose-driven brands like Patagonia, and why the future of marketing lies in bringing humans and AI together — not choosing between them.Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, courage, and crafting brands that truly stand for something.

In this episode, Sandra speaks with Ginevra Adamoli-Kalbli, Director of Marketing Intelligence and Digital Analytics at Marriott International.From academia and early social media research to agency life at Epsilon and global hospitality, Ginevra shares how her love of culture, diversity, and understanding people shaped a non-linear and powerful career in analytics.They explore the evolution of “big data,” the challenge of connecting fragmented customer journeys, and why AI isn't optional anymore — it's about how creatively you use it.Tune in for a sharp conversation about insight, innovation, and the future of marketing intelligence.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Mareike Bell, CSR & Sustainability Director for L'Oréal Consumer Products Division in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Mareike reflects on her 18-year journey in the beauty industry—from category management at Henkel to leadership roles at L'Oréal—and shares how sustainability, refills and cultural change have become her personal mission. Tune in for insights on learning outside your comfort zone, leading with vulnerability and why optimism is a critical skill when driving real transformation.

In this episode Gordon hosts Therese Bork, Director Marketing, Head of Brand and Partnerships, Nordics & Baltics for Visa. She shares an honest story about ambition, joy and choosing a career path that feels right—even when it doesn't look linear on paper. From fashion and design to the Stockholm School of Economics, from Mondelez to Amazon, and now leading branded partnerships for Visa across the Nordics and Baltics, Therese has always followed one guiding principle: spark joy. She reflects on the courage it takes to leave great roles behind and discovering that loyalty itself can be a superpower. Tune in for a conversation about self-belief, growth and embracing the scenic route—professionally and personally.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Michelle van der Veen, Global Direct-to-Consumer Lead for Specialized Nutrition at Danone. Michelle shares her unconventional journey from art history and museums into global digital commerce, how COVID fast-tracked Danone's DTC ambitions and why DTC is less about selling more—and more about serving better. The conversation explores personalization, AI, patient-centric platforms and what it really takes to build meaningful digital services inside a global corporation.Tune in to get insights about building what matters. 

In this epsiode, Gordon speaks with Lea Drusio, Marketing Director at Nespresso Germany. She shares her non-linear journey from startups and agencies to global brands. From learning performance marketing in the early Rocket Internet days to leading highly emotional categories like pet care and coffee, Lea reflects on trust-based leadership, the courage to say no, and why corporate environments can be powerful platforms for real impact. Tune in for insights about brand consistency, human connection in a tech-driven world, and what truly excites marketers looking ahead.

*german episode*In this episode Gordon hosts Michael Lüttgen, Chief Customer Officer at Kaufland and former CMO at Biedronka for Jerónimo Martins, OBI and Lidl. From challenger mindsets and retail scale to customer insight, price reality, and leadership without ego, Michael shares why marketing is not advertising, why consistency beats copycats, and why understanding people matters more than winning arguments. Tune in for a sharp episode about impact, complexity and staying grounded in reality.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Angeliki Kazantzidi, Head of Marketing Northern Europe at Kenvue, to talk about leadership without ego, the power of learning agility, and what it really takes to manage complex brand portfolios across cultures.With nearly two decades at Johnson & Johnson / Kenvue, Angeliki shares her unconventional career path from chemistry to marketing, why she returned to the same company twice, and how purpose-driven brands, great teams, and curiosity fuel long-term success. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about people-first leadership, mentoring and the future of marketing in the age of AI.

In this episode, Dave Cobban sits down with Guido Gennari, Executive Director Product Management at JP Morgan Chase. From Buenos Aires to New York, Dallas and now JP Morgan Chase, Guido's career is a masterclass in embracing change. He shares how strong analytical foundations, customer obsession, and curiosity shaped his journey from KPMG to leading product management for nearly 300,000 employees worldwide.The conversation dives into the balance between data and human insight, the power of killing your ego, building memorable customer experience cultures and why AI isn't here to replace us—but to help us go faster and think bigger. Tune in to get insights about growth, leadership and designing experiences that truly work.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Lucia Martinez Barrenechea, Global Strategy and Competitor Intelligence Lead for Beauty & Wellbeing Business Group at Unilever, to unpack how global FMCG giants really think and compete. From a law degree in Spain to shaping strategy across a beauty and personal care business, Lucia shares how decoding competitors, understanding organizational structures, and tracking trends like longevity, AI, and social commerce are redefining the beauty industry. Tune in for insights about markets in motion, brands that endure and the people who shape meaningful careers.

In this episode Gordon Euchler hosts Danyal Syed Ali, Head of Consumer and Customer Insights at IKEA, to explore his journey from early startup life in Pakistan to global brands like Nestlé, the BBC, and ultimately one of the world's most loved retailers.Danyal shares what it really takes to evolve an iconic brand in a time shaped by AI, omnichannel complexity, and changing customer expectations—without losing the warmth and humanity that made the brand successful in the first place. The conversation also dives into IKEA's unique culture, what keeps people there for decades, the power of diversity and inclusion in retail, and Danyal's growing interest in responsible consumerism and the role businesses must play in protecting the future of our planet.Tune in to find out what it takes to stay relevant while staying human.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Natasha Maharaj, Senior Global Brands Director at The Heineken Company. With a career spanning Unilever, Nestlé, PepsiCo and now Heineken, Natasha shares how world-class FMCG brands are built at the intersection of creativity, culture, and commercial impact.From her belief that “marketing chose me,” to shaping iconic beer brands around human connection and togetherness, Natasha reflects on leadership, curiosity, experimentation, and why timeless insights matter even more in an AI-driven world. Tune in for a conversation on brand courage, creativity at scale and the future of marketing.

In this episode, Dave sits down with Matt Kerbel, Global Brand Strategist and Marketing Leader at Turo. With nearly two decades of experience across challenger brands like Lyft, Call of Duty, MeUndies and now Turo, Matt shares how curiosity, empathy and human connection have shaped his career.From formative childhood experiences in multicultural Toronto to career-defining mentorship moments, Matt reflects on what great leadership really looks like, why fundamentals still matter in an AI-driven world, and how brands can build meaning beyond transactions. Tune in for insights on staying human in an ever-accelerating industry.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler hosts Rob Edwards, Head of Media Digital at Arla Foods, shares his journey from local press to leading brand media, reflecting on the power of creativity, personality, and storytelling in an increasingly data-driven world. He explores the role of partnerships, mergers, and integrity in shaping brands that stand out, and why connecting with people—at all levels—is the secret to lasting impact. Tune in to get inspired on building a brand with personality.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Alexander Shmelkov, Director of Consumer & Brand Insight at IKEA, to talk about what it really takes to evolve a global brand tracker. Alex shares his journey from economic sociology and GfK to the client side, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at leading large-scale change in a values-driven, consensus-oriented organization. The conversation covers brand tracking transformation, change management, IKEA's culture, and what excites Alex about the future of marketing in an increasingly complex world.Tune in to get first-hand insights  of one of our most beloved brand! 

In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with Elle McCarthy to explore a career defined by transformation. From her early days in advertising to senior leadership roles at EA and the Ford Motor Company, Elle shares how failure, curiosity, and the intersection of art and science shaped her path. Together they unpack brand as a driver of cultural and business change, the power of leading transformation from within, and what excites Elle now—from AI-driven strategy to building the future of brands. Tune in for a conversation about growth, impact, and reimagining what brand leadership can be.

In this episode, Sandra Peat is joined by Richard De Villa, Marketing Director for the UK, Ireland and Nordics at Club Med. Richard shares his journey through the travel industry—from destination marketing at the Philippines Embassy to airlines, and finally to leading one of the world's most iconic holiday brands.Together they explore the power of storytelling, what makes Club Med's all-inclusive experience truly distinctive, and how technology and AI are reshaping the future of travel. Tune in for insights about customer experience, innovation, and why travel remains one of the most exciting industries to work in.

In this episode, Sandra Peat is joined by Lucas Bergmans, Global Marketing Director at Wise, to explore a career that spans FMCG giants, challenger brands, startups, and fintech. Lucas shares how he moved from languages into marketing and ultimately made the leap into digital-first financial services. Together, they discuss the shift from brand-led to product-led businesses, building growth in fast-paced fintech environments, the power of founder-led cultures, and what excites Lucas most about Wise's mission and future—plus his perspective on AI and what it could unlock next.Tune in for insights on Building challenger brands, driving growth and some witty anecdotes. 

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with special guest Allyson Witherspoon, CMO and Global Brand Advisor at Nissan Motor Corporation, to talk about leadership, brand transformation, and the power of taking bold leaps. Allyson shares her journey from accounting student to global marketing leader, her experiences across iconic automotive brands, and the mentors who shaped her career. They explore Nissan's ongoing transformation, the role of creativity inside large corporations, inspiration from brands beyond automotive, and what excites her about the future of marketing—especially the impact of AI. Tune in for a candid conversation about boundaries, curiosity, and building brands with purpose.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Zsuzsanna Szak, Global Category Director at Henkel, about building a global FMCG career driven by curiosity, ownership, and people-centric leadership.Zsuzsanna shares her journey from early marketing roles at FrieslandCampina to nearly a decade at Colgate-Palmolive, followed by senior leadership roles at Henkel across multiple countries. Having lived and worked in six countries, she reflects on how international experience, adaptability, and continuous learning have shaped her leadership style.The conversation explores what marketing looks like beyond campaigns, the value of cross-functional collaboration, and why people centricity is essential in both marketing and leadership. Zsuzsanna also introduces her perspective on endurance versus resilience, explaining why sustainable routines and long-term thinking matter more than short bursts of effort in today's fast-changing world.Tune in to find out how to stay grounded while navigating constant change.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Amina Mattern, Head of Marketing for Canada and LATAM at Indeed. Amina shares her career journey from psychology and journalism into global marketing leadership roles across agencies, LinkedIn, and now Indeed.They discuss the evolution of digital marketing, the importance of aligning marketing and sales, and how brands can balance growth with ethics and responsible data use. Amina also reflects on leadership, mentorship, and how personal experiences have shaped her approach to work.Tune in to take a look to the future of marketing, where Amina explains why mentoring the next generation of marketers and using AI to unlock creativity excites her most.

In this short episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon Euchler speaks with Mona Elsaka, VP Global Sponsorships & Partnerships at Mastercard,  about the evolving role of marketing at the intersection of culture, technology, and human passion. Mona shares her journey from social impact work to leading major brand and communication functions, and why brand partnerships and human connection remain at the heart of meaningful marketing.She reflects on mentors who shaped her mindset, the importance of not taking things personally, and why authentic, trust-building storytelling will define the future.Tune in for a refreshing chat about creativity, collaboration, and the power of people in a tech-driven world.

In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks Gordon Euchler hosts  Julien Moignard, Global Chief Prospective Innovation and Design Officer & SVP - Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever.The conversation explores the future of beauty, innovation, and leadership. Julien shares his journey from a family of pharmacists to working with L'Oréal and Estée Lauder, and now driving Unilever's transformation into a true beauty company.He discusses how he blends innovation, design, and sustainability to create products that inspire confidence, joy, and desire. Furthermore foresight, mentoring, and shaping the future of work and life, while balancing business ambition with human responsibility. Tune in for a conversation packed with passion, vision and the art of making beauty meaningful.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler talks with Gabriele Haessig, Managing Director for Communications and Sustainability at Procter & Gamble Deutschland (Germany). With a remarkable career spanning decades at P&G, Gabriele shares her journey from economics student to leading sustainability and communications for one of the world's biggest brands. She discusses how purpose and sustainability are woven into the fabric of P&G, shaping everything from product innovation to global partnerships. Gabriele also dives into her vision for the future—a future where brands are co-created with purpose, sustainability is no longer optional, and businesses actively contribute to a better world for generations to come.Tune in for an motivating conversation on how brands can drive meaningful change and why the future is brighter than we think.

In this episode, Gordon speaks with Marco Philipp Koppenstein, Head of Category Development DACH at Mars Wrigley, about excitement, leadership, and the future of retail.Marco shares how he found his way to Mars, why he stayed, and what makes the company's purpose. He explains how his team works as a neutral, data-driven category consulting unit, optimizing store touchpoints, checkout layouts, and impulse modules to grow entire categories, not just brands.They talk about inspiring leaders, why the best ones stay in the background, and how Marco's own team motivates him daily. He also reveals what excites him about the future: AI-driven retail, seamless shopping, and shaping the next generation of in-store experiences.Tune in for an inspiring talk about purpose, growth, and the people who make work exciting.

In this episode, Gordon speaks with Mark Grether — one of the rare leaders who has built billion-dollar advertising businesses at Amazon, Uber, and now PayPal. Mark shares the story behind selling Seismic to Amazon as their first-ever advertising acquisition, how he helped turn Uber profitable through ads, and why PayPal's transaction graph may be one of the most powerful data assets in the industry.He explains how PayPal Ads is being built from the ground up and how innovations like storefront ads let people buy products directly inside any publisher environment — without ever leaving the page.Along the way, Mark reflects on the people and principles that shaped his career, from German media pioneers to Amazon's leadership culture. And we end on the big one: what excites him about the future of advertising in the age of AI.Tune in for a conversation about data, identity, commerce, and the next wave of advertising innovation.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Matteo Giarrizzo, Head of Media & Digital at Opella (Sanofi), about his journey from media agencies to major global brands like Samsung, Vodafone, L'Oréal, and Henkel—leading up to his current role in the fast-evolving consumer health sector.Matteo shares how media has always been the engine of change, why FMCG mindsets are reshaping healthcare, and how AI is transforming the relationship between content, audiences, and brands. He reflects on global transformation projects, the mentors who pushed him beyond his comfort zone, and why the future of marketing is exciting precisely because it's unpredictable.Tune in for a concise conversation about change, curiosity, and building the future of media.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Cristian Grajales—a marketing leader with an extraordinary journey spanning more than 15 years at Audi, global roles across continents, a leap into autonomous-driving tech, and now CMO at Germany's long-established homebuilding company, Viebrockhaus.What connects selling sports cars and selling homes? As Cristian reveals: a car takes you from A to B—but a home brings you home. Together, they explore the deep emotional power behind buying a house, the German one-time-in-a-lifetime homeownership mindset, and how these insights shaped Viebrock's new campaign “Einmal im Leben”.The conversation addresses how early hardship shaped Cristian's work ethic and global mindset, the creative giants and empathetic leaders who shaped his career, navigating the scale and speed of a global automotive brand and why the future of marketing belongs to human creativity amid exponential tech and AI.Tune in for an insightful conversation about career, creativity, and the places we choose to call home.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Steffen Zeller, CMO of Rügenwalder Mühle – the German food pioneer that taught an entire nation to love veggie meat. Steffen shares his unusual journey from physics student to FMCG marketer, shaped by mentors, challenges, and a love for food discovered on the beaches of La Rochelle.He talks about reviving iconic brands, launching innovations with tiny budgets, bringing the Captain back from sea, and what it's like to run marketing in a company that produces both meat and plant-based alternatives under one roof.Steffen also gives a rare inside look at how his team blends marketing fundamentals with entrepreneurial test-balloons, how agencies become one team instead of suppliers, and why consistency beats pressure.And in the end, he shares what really excites him about the future: not just the next campaign, but the responsibility—and opportunity to transform how we eat.Tune in to get inspired to do things differently.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Nuno Alexandre, Global Condiments Head of Category & Commercial Strategy at Unilever, to explore what truly drives excitement in modern marketing — from building category growth to evolving heritage brands for a changing world.Nuno shares his journey — from KPMG to Coca-Cola and now Unilever — reflecting on what it means to bridge brand ambition with commercial reality. He discusses how great marketing starts with a deep understanding of shoppers and customers, and how that understanding fuels growth not just for companies, but for entire categories.Together, they unpack how Unilever builds category growth that benefits both brand and retailer, the art of translating brand strategy into commercial activation, the balance between global consistency and local relevance, why AI and personalization are reshaping the future of food and shopper behavior and what makes truly great brands feel “human” — and why we invite them to our dinner tables.Nuno also reflects on leadership lessons from inspiring managers, how to lead from behind, and why empathy and simplicity remain timeless in business.Listen now to discover why the future of marketing lies at the intersection of purpose, personalization, and people.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Mohamed Aboelfotouh, Senior Marketing Director for Content & Digital Innovation at PepsiCo, to trace a career journey that redefines what it means to embrace change and chase excitement.From computer science lecturer in Cairo to leading global digital transformation at one of the world's biggest food and beverage companies, Mohamed shares how curiosity, courage, and creativity fueled every step of his path — and how taking smart leaps into the unknown can spark real growth.Together they explore how a computer science background became the perfect foundation for digital marketing leadership, the bold leap from academia to Nestlé — and how one coffee mug changed everything, what it takes to scale digital and content innovation across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia and the art of influence over authority in global roles.Listen now to hear how one marketer's leap from code to content became a masterclass in reinvention and growth.

In this  episode, host Gordon welcomes an old friend, colleague, and former boss — Jo Royce, whose remarkable career spans Glue, Sapient, Google, Unilever, and Kimberly-Clark.Together, they explore the evolution and implosion  of the creative and marketing industries in an era of AI disruption, automation, and shifting business models. They dive deep into the changing landscape of advertising and marketing, why the industry struggles to attract diverse new talent, the impact of AI on creativity and employment, leadership, learning, and staying “connected to the do” and inding purpose and humanity in fast-changing systemsAlong the way, Jo shares candid stories from her path — from building agencies to mentoring through WACL and Brixton Finishing School — and offers hope and honesty for anyone navigating change.Tune in to get refreshing insights!

In this episode, Dave Cobban sits down with Stephanie Jacoby, Global SVP of Vodka at Diageo, to explore her remarkable 18-year journey in brand marketing — from her early career in tech to leading some of the world's most iconic spirits, including Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff.Stephanie shares how her background in psychology shaped her approach to building brands with purpose, authenticity, and human connection. She opens up about the mentors who shaped her leadership, the bold campaigns that moved audiences — like Keep Walking — and her belief that brands have the power to change the world.We can also hear how curiosity and courage define great marketers, why inclusivity and “positive drinking” are core to Smirnoff's DNA,  the rise of mindful drinking and low/no-alcohol innovation and how AI is transforming creativity, storytelling, and consumer connection.  Tune in for a conversation full of insight, optimism, and a reminder to always keep walking.

*German episode*In this episode, Gordon Euchler welcomes Sonja Messerschmidt, Head of Marketing and Communications at ÖRAG Rechtsschutzversicherung, for a chat about the evolution of marketing — from classic communication to a discipline centered around solutions and customer empowerment.Sonja shares insights from her career path, which began in advertising and led her through many years at Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf before taking on her current leadership role at ÖRAG. Together, she and Gordon explore how marketing can help customers not just buy, but solve and why this mindset is transforming the role of brands today.The topics include why Sonja believes in a “driver's license for AI” to guide responsible use inside companies, the importance of trust and curiosity in leadership and career growth and why today's strongest brands don't just communicate — they deliver real solutions.Tune in to find out how solution-oriented marketing keeps business and people moving forward.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Akshay Sardesai, Vice President of Marketing at Reckitt, to explore how curiosity, adaptability, and humility fuel long-term success in a fast-changing business world. Akshay shares his journey from starting out at Procter & Gamble in India to leading Reckitt's Enfamil brand in the United States — reflecting on the lessons from each chapter and the people who helped shape his path.The conversation dives into, the art of unlearning old habits to stay agile in new markets, how to balance global brand consistency with local relevance, the role of family and personal choices in an international career. Moreover what iconic brands like Heinz, Apple, and Dettol teach us about reinvention and why AI and technology are set to transform the very core of marketing. Tune in for a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the future of marketing in the age of AI.

In this episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon Euchler sits down with Nicola Villa, Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth at Mastercard, to explore the intersections of technology, public policy, and economic transformation across three decades of innovation.From his beginnings in industrial economics to his early days at Cisco's European call center, Nicola shares an extraordinary career journey that took him from pioneering B2B e-commerce to global smart city initiatives, and now to AI-driven public sector solutions at Mastercard. Nicola shares why trust, not tech, is the real driver of innovation, how a tiny Finnish city near the Arctic Circle became a global reference point for innovation, the critical role of language and cultural translation between sectors, why copy-pasting Silicon Valley doesn't work—and what to do instead. Moreover the four pillars Nicola believes every successful public-private partnership needs: leadership, governance, competencies, and technology.Tune in to find out how to create real societal change at scale and get insights about the future of global innovation.

In this episode, Moritz Wehr sits down with Catherine Niebuhr, CMO NIVEA for Germany & Switzerland at Beiersdorf.Catherine shares her unique career journey — a rare example in today's marketing world of someone who has spent 23 years with a single company. She opens up about what's kept her energized at Beiersdorf for over two decades: constant opportunities for growth, a flexible and inclusive work culture, and a deep personal connection to both the brand and the people she works with.Together, Moritz and Catherine explore the dynamics of job-sharing in executive roles, lessons from working under strong female leadership and the evolution of NIVEA and marketing in a fast-changing digital-first world. Moreover how traditional brands can stay relevant amid rising influencer and personality-led beauty brands and why culture, flexibility, and purpose-driven branding matter more than ever.Tune in for insights about making career choices with heart, adapting to change, and building a sustainable, meaningful path in leadership.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Rene Federico, an experienced brand leader whose career spans two powerhouse names in retail—Nike and Converse—and now, Head of Marketing US at Primark.Rene shares her journey from the shop floor of Nike Town Boston to shaping the basketball brand at Nike, and now leading brand building in a fast-growing US market at Primark. The conversation explores, what it really means to connect brands with consumers, how to build brand equity from the ground up, why strong retail fundamentals create space for bold storytelling, the power of leadership, optimism, and staying obsessed with the customer and how creators are rewriting the rules of branding today.Tune in if you want to know more about how passion and practicality come together in great marketing.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Patrick Krul, former Global Head of Marketing Technology at Danone, to explore the intersection of marketing, technology, and capability-building.From his key roles at Unilever, DPG Media, and Danone, Patrick shares a career shaped by curiosity, a deep passion for consumer-centric marketing, and a strong belief in the power of data consciousness. He discusses what it really means to build scalable marketing capabilities, the challenges of leading transformation across 40 markets, and how connecting marketing and sales technology can elevate impact.Moreover why capability, not just technology, is the key to modern marketing success, a behind-the-scenes look at transforming Danone's global martech stack and the importance of cross-functional collaboration—from IT to legal to HR. Patrick also reflects on the people who shaped his career, the value of curiosity, and why being data conscious is the future of impactful marketing.Listen in to learn how data, tech, and people come together to drive meaningful growth.

In this episode, Sandra sits down with Pete Markey—renowned marketing leader and former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots—for a deep dive into what truly excites him about the industry, and the lessons he's picked up along his hjourney. Pete shares the origin of his love for marketing, from childhood inspiration watching Star Wars to building bold, award-winning campaigns like More Than Freeman. He reflects on the emotional power of storytelling in brand-building, how to create truly customer-centric experiences, and why authenticity is non-negotiable in today's landscape.We also hear his thoughts on what financial services get wrong and how to fix it, Leading through inspiration, not control, why AI is now his personal assistant and how it's reshaping marketing and the importance of getting out of your team's way.Tune in now to hear why Pete believes there's never been a more exciting time to be in the industry.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Jan Francis, Head of Marketing Procurement at Visa Europe, to explore the power of partnerships, navigating change, and finding opportunity in complexity.Jan takes us through his unconventional career path—from hotels and forestry to IT, law, and ultimately leading procurement for marketing across 26 countries at one of the world's most trusted brands. He shares honest reflections on overcoming dyslexia, learning through leaps, and building psychologically safe teams that dare to grow.The conversation explores why marketing procurement is about more than just contracts, what it takes to form true supplier partnerships, not just transactions, the role of AI in accelerating creative campaigns, how Visa is preparing for a new generation of customers and platforms and why risk, when handled right, can be the best driver of innovation.Tune in to hear why Jan says: “What's the worst that can happen? I learn something.”

In this episode Sandra hosts Melda Hamarat, Global Head of Digital Commerce Strategy at Unilever.Melda shares her unconventional journey from industrial engineering to leading global digital commerce strategy. She discusses how curiosity, consumer psychology, and fearless pivots shaped her career and how digital commerce exploded during COVID and continues to evolve with AI, retail media, and rapid innovation. The conversation explores the rise (and fall) of rapid grocery delivery, why consumer insight drives everything, How AI is reshaping content, media, and measurement and the power of leaders who take risks on people.Tune in to know what makes ice cream such an exciting and delicious category to work in and more. 

In this episode, Gordon welcomes Krinio Christaras, Head of Consumer Experience for the MENA region at Mondelēz International, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation on marketing, transformation, and the human side of innovation.From her early career in Australian media agencies to leading consumer experience across a complex and diverse region, Krinio shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path—including a bold decision to leave without a plan and how that leap led to her most transformative professional chapter in the UAE.They discuss how curiosity and a passion for human behavior fueled her career, the Oreo dunking ritual and how consumer behavior becomes brand storytelling.Also why empathy and cultural nuance are the superpowers of regional marketing and the role of AI in shaping utility-driven brand experiences. Krinio offers a grounded, insightful perspective on how brands can stop shouting and start truly connecting. Listen in to hear why the future belongs to brands that blend innovation with empathy—and how you can design, not just react to, what's next.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with David Beer, Director of EMEA Sales at MasterCard, to explore the future of subscription management, financial transparency, and the power of purpose-led innovation in fintech.From his roots in New Zealand and a career that spans engineering, startups, The Guardian, NatWest, and now MasterCard, David shares a refreshingly human perspective on how technology can make financial services more intuitive, inclusive, and aligned with people's values.They discuss the rise of subscriptions and how banks can help manage them better and MasterCard's evolving role beyond payments. Moreover David's lessons from launching products across the world, why purpose isn't just PR — it has to be in a company's DNA and the future of hyper-personalized financial experiences.Listen in for an interesting point of view of fintech and purpose-driven business.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Alexandra (Allie) Sparr, Global Head of Branded Marketing at Envoyage,  joining from the other side of the world, Allie shares her global marketing journey, from early days in New Orleans tourism to spearheading a brand that's redefining the B2B travel space.The conversation explores the entrepreneurial roots of Flight Centre—and how that spirit still drives Envoyage today, building a globally distributed marketing team—and why it's a superpower, not a compromise and why brand storytelling, cultural nuance, and travel excitement are at the core of what makes great marketing.Allie also reflects on the people and principles that have shaped her leadership style—and how her intentional path into marketing came down to one surprising decision at university.Tune in for insights on brand building of a dynamic travel brand. 

In this episode of Excitement Talks, Sandra Peat is joined by Matt Darbon, Head of Digital Marketing at Waitrose & Partners, to unpack a remarkable career journey—from stacking shelves at 16 to leading digital transformation at one of the UK's most beloved supermarkets.Matt shares candid insights of how he "fell into" digital marketing during a dog walk, what he learned from working at brands like Virgin Media and the role customer experience plays in shaping strategy at Waitrose.The conversation also explores why AI and emerging technologies aren't replacing fundamentals—they're enhancing them and the emotional power of great marketing, and how fun, trust, and ambition still drive growth.Listen in for a conversation on the real excitement behind digital marketing today.

In this episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon sits down with Dorotheé Gardon, Global Marketing Strategy & Integrated Media Director at IKEA, to explore what it really means to lead one of the world's most loved brands in today's evolving media landscape.From her early days at Google, Microsoft, and Meta, to shaping brand experiences at Precis Digital and now IKEA, Dorothée brings a deep perspective on navigating brand love, creative pressure and marketing transformation.They discuss how IKEA unites data precision with playful, purposeful storytelling, the shift from omnichannel to "omni-experience" marketing and why marketing should feel like an extension of service, not an interruption.Moreover what AI means for the future of brand interaction and personalization and the importance of leadership, collaboration and building shared purpose in global teams.Tune in to get insights on how to build consistency across markets while staying locally relevant.

In this episode, Gordon is joined by Amélie Manac'h, a seasoned marketing leader who's worked with some of the most iconic French and global brands and recently new Head of Brand Content and Strategy at Nestlé.  The talk explores the art of combining research, creativity, and cultural relevance, why boldness matters — and how a fake baby in a bubble led to one of the most talked-about infant nutrition campaigns in Spain.Furthermore what brought Amélie into marketing and what excites her most about the future of marketing, from the shifting media landscape to the rise of AI.Tune in if you want to know more about consumer-centric marketing, brand innovation and the bravery it takes to break through the noise.

In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with Anna Hale, Chief Marketing Officer at Karo Healthcare, to explore her "excitement journey" through the world of brand building, transformation and purposeful marketing.From early beginnings at Reckitt to a 15-year career with GSK (now Haleon), Anna shares the pivotal moments that shaped her marketing philosophy—balancing emotional resonance with functional efficacy.  Now at Karo Healthcare, Anna discusses how the company is redefining modern brand-building in consumer health, from digitally-led strategies to AI-enhanced content creation. She talks about competing with scale by being smarter—not louder—and how Karo is helping people take ownership of their health in areas like women's intimate care and eczema treatment.The conversation explores how to build performance through people, the emotional power of “low involvement” brands, why purpose in consumer health is not optional—it's inherent and of course the evolving role of AI in marketing, from insight to execution.Tune in and get excited about the future of healthcare marketing and much more.

In this post-holiday return episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon is joined by Adam Ross, Senior Director of Creative Strategy at Coca-Cola. Adam's journey from agency life in London to leading creative strategy for one of the most iconic global brands is filled with insightful stories, bold career moves (including a spontaneous relocation to Australia) and a deeply human take on creativity and leadership. The episode explores the steep learning curve of joining a brand like Coca-Cola, creative work that goes beyond ads — from crime prevention campaigns to TV show concepts, what it's really like working in-house on brand strategy.Moreover the value of staying an “outsider” inside big organizations and why not knowing can be your greatest superpower.Tune in for a reminder that behind every great campaign is a person bringing their full, curious self to the table.

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Richard Le Moult, CMO of Latin America at Pernod Ricard, for a conversation about the realities of modern marketing leadership. From his early days at Danone, Kraft and Philip Morris to now leading marketing across one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Richard shares what it really means to be a marketer today—and why he finds the complexity exhilarating.The conversation explores  Richard's international journey—from France to Mexico to Brazil and why LATAM is a region full of big opportunities. Furthermore why managing conflicting expectations isn't a problem, but the job. He also reflects on not being afraid to embrace the messiness of it all why he sees himself as a midfield player, connecting defense and attack — a perfect analogy for the CMO role today.Ending on the future of marketing: hyper-personalization, scalable big ideas and redefining experience.Tune in to get insights on how big brands navigate complex markets.