The Cambridge Marketing Podcast

Marketing for architects is WAY more interesting than you'd think! For this episode, Susie Lober joins us to share why strategy beats shouting, how word-of-mouth actually works, and why architects aren't just selling buildings. Susie has a very impressive CV, having worked at Norman Foster's iconic Foster + Partners and who now runs her own consultancy, LO Marketing.

In this episode, brand strategists Rachel Fairley and Sarah Robb join us to discuss their book Re-Brand Right: How to Refresh Your Brand and Marketing to Grow Your Business. We explore what rebranding really means, why it's not just about new logos, and how smart brand strategy can boost revenue, cohesion—and even price.  The discussion is FULL of sharp insight and fresh thinking!

This week Matt Wake of Hideout Theatre joins Kiran to discuss how his theatre company is storming the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer with their show The Players of Diadon. But, with no tangible product, how do you go about marketing?  Listen to hear Matt talk about guerrilla tactics, branding and good old-fashioned hustle!

This week, our Opinionated Marketers discuss the unnecessary use of AI in everyday life.

In this episode of the Cambridge Marketing Podcast, Kiran Kapur talks with marketer Sam Bridge about using the SOSTAC framework for effective marketing planning. They discuss how to make it work in real-world scenarios (dealing with vague briefs, moving targets, and tight deadlines) while keeping marketing strategies clear and focused.

This week Charles Nixon and Kiran Kapur discuss the findings from a Marketing Meetup survey, highlighting marketers' views on workload stress, team dynamics, and AI adoption. 

This week, we chat with Wendy Thompson, Chair of ERIC, the children's bowel and bladder charity. We explore the power of clear, stigma-free communication, what it's really like being a trustee or chair, and how clever marketing and humour help support thousands of families dealing with tough health issues.

This week, our Opinionated Marketers discuss why brands should embrace pricing transparency.  We also touch on changing consumer habits in the night time economy.

In this episode, we dive into the tricky world of marketing measurement with Richard Levy. Why are marketers so nervous about being measured? How can we show real impact beyond fluffy metrics? From brand tracking to boardroom language, we explore what really works when proving marketing's value without losing the creative spark.

This week our Opinionated Marketrers look at the new UK-EU trade deal and what it actually means beyond the headlines. Plus, we chat about AI avatars in finance and how tech is reshaping work. 

In this episode, brand expert Anushree Deshpande discusses brand management for small businesses, emphasising consistency, authenticity, and values. She shares solopreneur insights, the power of tone of voice, and building trust through clear, strategic brand expression across all touch points. It's a must-listen for anyone involved in the day-to-day running of a business and, of course, working in marketing.

This week, our Opinionated Marketers reflect on how businesses play a role in customer wellbeing in today's chaotic world.  We also discuss M&S's measured response to their recent cyberattack.

In this episode of the Cambridge Marketing Podcast, Richard Kendrick breaks down what it means to be a digital product manager—and why it's such a fast-paced, exciting role. Unlike traditional product management, where you're dealing with physical goods, digital products (like apps or platforms) are constantly evolving and can be updated instantly based on user feedback. The conversation touches on key ideas like launching with a “minimum viable product” (MVP), staying close to your users, and using data to improve continuously. Richard also emphasises the importance of communication and stakeholder management, especially when working with developers, sales teams, or agencies.

In this episode, Jason Donapel, co-founder of The Email Experience, dives into how brands can level up their retention marketing using smarter segmentation and hyper-personalisation.   He explains why relying on generic pop-ups, discounts, and surface-level personalisation just doesn't cut it anymore. Instead, he advocates for tailoring messages based on real customer behaviour—like what they're browsing or why they signed up in the first place—and choosing the right channels (email, SMS, even postcards) to reach them at the right time.   Jason's all about using welcome flows and opt-ins to learn what people actually want, then building curated experiences that feel more relevant and less spammy. He also pushes back on old-school split testing, saying brands should focus on understanding their users first and testing smarter later. It's a practical, no-fluff take on how to build stronger customer relationships that actually drive results.

In this weeks news, there are three prime examples of why resilience is so important.  Kiran Kapur and Charles Nixon discuss.

This podcast episode explores the concept of social value in the context of corporate responsibility and sustainability, with insights from Victoria Hartley, a sustainability professional. Victoria outlines how social value has evolved from early philanthropic efforts by industrialists (such as providing housing and education for workers) into a more strategic and measurable part of modern business practice. Today, social value encompasses a business's broader responsibility across its entire value chain, including supplier communities and environmental impact. It's no longer seen as a “fluffy” add-on, but as a vital component of a company's strategy. The episode also touches on challenges, such as transitioning from ad hoc donations to structured strategies, and stresses the importance of aligning social efforts with employee and stakeholder expectations.

In this episode of Opinionated Marketers, Charles Nixon and Kiran Kapur dive into the world of tariffs and their far-reaching effects. Discover how tariffs, although not an immediate economic remedy, shape the landscape of international trade, influence consumer behaviuor, and impact macro-economic policies. As we venture into potential recession, the conversation highlights the importance of reassessing business models, optimising processes, and embracing innovations such as AI to counteract economic challenges.

On this programme, we discuss the value of strong agency relationships.  Our guest is Andy Bargery, Client Director at oystercatchers - a company specialising in creative excellence in marketing communications.

Charles Nixon says it's time to "Up your ante" and do 25% more marketing.  Find out why in this week's episode of Opinionated Marketers.

This week we explore the importance and benefits of content localisation.  Our guest is Shaheen Samavati from VeraContent, a marketing agency who specialise in Multimedia Localisation services.

This week we look at marketing in the world of legal with returning guest, Rob Watson. 

This week - among other topics - our Opinionated Marketers discuss the demise of April Fools.

In our last episode, we took a tour of the Museum of Brands in London.  This week the Museum's Director, Paul Botje, speaks to us about the collection, the challenges and the future of the museum.

Welcome to the Cambridge Marketing Podcast, where this week, we take you on a fascinating journey through time at the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill, London. Joined by Christian Pratt, founder of The Clarity Company, we explore the rich history of branding, from Victorian railway memorabilia to iconic 20th-century products and beyond. As we walk through the Time Tunnel, we discover how brand communications have evolved, examining intriguing exhibits that highlight the transformation of consumer brands and packaging over the decades. From early long-form advertisements to the rise of collectibles and modern branding trends, this episode uncovers the stories behind the enduring appeal of some of the world's most recognisable brands. Join us as we delve into the vibrant world of advertising and branding, exploring themes of cultural shifts, technological advancements, and the power of brand identity. 

This week our Opinionated Marketers discuss the new/old marketing strategy of GAIL'S bakery in the UK.

Welcome to the Cambridge Marketing Podcast, where we delve into the intricacies of international marketing with Nandan Sengupta, a Senior Lecturer and Director of Studies at Anglia Ruskin University. In this episode, we explore how marketing frameworks, both classical and contemporary, remain relevant and essential in today's global landscape. Nandan emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural elements in decision-making, highlighting that different markets require tailored strategies. Whether discussing the nuances of selling consumer electronics in India or understanding the unique challenges posed by diverse global regulations, this episode is packed with insights. We also examine how technology aids in segmentation, targeting, and positioning, providing marketers with a deeper understanding of customer behaviors and market demands. From leveraging Porter's models to discussing data-driven insights, this conversation offers a comprehensive overview of international marketing dynamics.

In a shock discovery, this week we reveal which of our Opinionated Marketers is a bona fide influencer!

We've all heard about Experiential Marketing, but this week we discover how you market an experience. Our guest is Christopher Bone, Communications Director for the hugely successful Hay Festival in the UK. 

This week our Opinionated Marketers discuss Britain's booming Net Zero economy, and a change of perspective towards AI.

Welcome to this episode of the Cambridge Marketing Podcast where we delve into the niche world of golf marketing with James Savage, PR and Communications Manager at Acushnet UK. Discover the strategies behind marketing leading golf brands Titleist and Footjoy, the competitive landscape of the golf ball market, and the importance of maintaining brand consistency from professional tours to dedicated golfers. 

This week we explore the future of AI with Patrick Hustings, the developer of a new third-party add-in called Ghostwriter.ai.

This week we look at effective crisis communications strategies with Terry Nicklin.

This week our Opinionated Marketers discuss Trump's Tariffs and the segmentation of grapes!

This week our Opinionated Marketers discuss DeepSeek - the new Chinese AI chatbot which has wiped off nearly $1-trillion from global stock markets.

Ever wanted to work in the computer gaming industry but not sure how to make it happen? Want to know why marketing in a computer game is irresistible to advertisers?  John-Paul Burke, head of Overwolf UK, is Kiran's guest this week.

"Convincing the world to eat green slime" - just one of the topics on this week's Opinionated Marketers.  

In our first episode of 2025, our Opinionated Marketers discover high-end anti-perspirant.  

As we start 2025, this episode is dedicated to Career Development.  Our guest is Anne Bailey - CEO and Co-Founder of Form the Future, who in 2025 celebrate 10 years of helping young people learn about and form their future careers. 

How was 2024 for marketers? Did our Opinionated Marketers correctly predict how the year would play out?  Listen to our final episode of the year to find out!

This week our Opinionated Marketers discuss Peter Fisk's A-Z Trend Kaleidoscope. 

This week we explore how search engines will work in the future, and what marketers need to know now.  Paris Childress of Hop Online ltd is our expert guest for this episode.

This week we discuss how you differentiate your product from your competitors. Our guest is Barry LaBov, author of 'The Power of Differentiation'. We explain what differentiation is, and how to discover what separates you from your competition.

Among this week's marketing stories - the rebrand of jaGuar catches the eye of Kiran Kapur and Charles NIxon.

This week we explore the varying and exciting role of being a Generalist Marketer.  My guest is Joanna Hudson - Communications and Engagement Manager at the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge.

This week our Opinionated Marketers look at the minimum wage, turtle botherers and the role of automation in the future world of employment.

This week we take a look at Membership Marketing with Mark Scott, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Well - it's fair to say we got last week's prediction wrong! This week our Opinionated Marketers discuss Trump's win and the positives that the result brings.

This week we explore the world of Subscription Marketing - what it is, its superpower, and how it can work for you.  Anne Janzer guests, hosted by Kiran Kapur.

Among this week's topics, our Opinionated Marketers consider why we're not seeing as much seasonal marketing in 2024.

This week, something a little different! We're on location at the beautiful Watercress Heritage Steam Railway in Hampshire. Built as the Mid-Hants railway in the victorian era, today it comprises 16km of line from Alton to Arlesford.  But how do you market a deeply traditional product in the 21st Century.  We went to find out!

Has Volkswagen been guilty of doing a King Canute? Our Opinionated Marketers explain the story and discuss why VW are closing three factories in Germany.