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	Titre	Date	Durée
	Why Reddit Matters for Marketers	09 Oct 2026	00:36:07
Ever wondered why so many people add “Reddit” to their Google searches? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with Sam Hughes, Head of Industry at Reddit, about what makes the platform such a trusted source of information and advice. Sam explores how people use Reddit to discover, research,and validate their choices, and what marketers need to understand before getting involved. Sam’s top 3 tips Experience Reddit as a user: join communities and understand how the platform works before approaching it as a marketer. Listen before you participate: use Reddit Pro to understand where and how people are talking about your brand, products, and industry. Ask for help when you need it: use Reddit’s resources and teams to find the right approach for your business and goals. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by theDigital Marketing Institute and is available on YouTube, ApplePodcasts, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review soothers can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! Timestamps 0:01:08 – Sam’s journey to Reddit 0:02:18 – What makes Reddit different 0:03:29 – How Reddit communities work 0:06:02 – Why people turn to Reddit for information 0:08:21 – Trust, anonymity, and authentic conversations 0:10:21 – How brands can approach Reddit 0:11:44 – Getting started as a marketer on Reddit 0:12:35 – Understanding upvotes and community participation 0:14:43 – Using Reddit Pro for audience research 0:16:48 – Turning Reddit insights into marketing ideas 0:19:08 – How brands can use honest community feedback 0:21:28 – Do Redditors actually want to hear from brands? 0:24:24 – Where Reddit fits in the customer journey 0:25:36 – Reddit as a mix of search and social 0:29:14 – Creating ads that fit how people use Reddit 0:29:31 – Sam’s top tips for marketers using Reddit 0:31:25 – How Will and Sam use Reddit personally 0:32:56 – Discovering niche communities and interests 0:34:29 – The community mindset behind Reddit
	How to Organize Your Digital Workspace	18 Sep 2026	00:56:12
Ever feel like your digital life is getting harder to manage? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with Shawn Lemon, founder of The Digital Organizer, about creating simpler systems for managing files, email, tasks, and the growing number of tools we use every day. Shawn explores why good digital organization is becoming even more important in the age of AI, how to build systems around the way you work, and why adding another productivity tool often isn’t the answer. For a jump start on how to mange your own files, check out Shawn's File Organization Guide. Shawn’s top 3 tips Focus on what matters now: separate current work from older clutter. Build a system that works for you: organize around your own tasks and habits. Simplify your tools: consolidate files, emails, and platforms where possible. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! Timestamps 0:02:56 – Why our digital lives have become so cluttered 0:05:03 – Why organization matters more in the age of AI 0:08:06 – Organizing files around how you work 0:09:32 – Why digital organization becomes overwhelming 0:11:51 – Building a “second brain” with AI 0:14:39 – Shawn’s personal productivity tech stack 0:18:03 – The biggest digital organization mistakes 0:19:28 – Where organization meets productivity 0:20:56 – Finding focus in an always-on working world 0:23:14 – GTD, PARA and finding a system that works for you 0:26:22 – Simplifying an overloaded email inbox 0:29:52 – Why there’s no perfect productivity system 0:32:21 – Creating digital systems for teams 0:34:39 – Who should own digital organization at work? 0:36:41 – Could AI solve digital organization? 0:37:56 – How Shawn is using AI in his own workflows 0:42:19 – AI, ADHD, and managing digital overwhelm 0:46:30 – Using AI to make organization easier 0:49:05 – Managing Slack, email, and workplace communication 0:53:00 – Organizing files effectively in SharePoint 0:54:41 – A simple file naming convention 0:57:48 – Shawn’s tips for getting digitally organized
	Building Audience Through Content	28 Aug 2026	00:48:19
What does content marketing look like when creating more content is no longer enough? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with Chima Mmeje, Senior Content Marketing Manager at Moz, about how marketers can stand out as AI transforms search, content, and the way audiences discover brands. From building direct relationships with audiences to finding genuine demand and using AI without losing your own voice, Chima shares her perspective on where content marketing is heading and the skills marketers will need to keep up. Chima’s Top 3 Tips Understand the pain behind the problem: go beyond surface-level audience insights and understand what genuinely motivates people to seek a solution. Develop your storytelling skills: use storytelling to make your content distinctive, hold attention, and adapt ideas for different audiences and formats. Use AI as an assistant, not the thinker: bring your own strategy, expertise, and judgment, then use AI to help you execute and scale your ideas. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! Timestamps 0:03:16 – Why brands need to reduce their reliance on Google 0:05:01 – Webinars, email, social and building owned audiences 0:09:20 – Turning educational content into conversions 0:13:41 – How content marketing is changing 0:14:23 – Why creating more content is no longer enough 0:16:18 – Creating useful resources instead of basic articles 0:16:30 – Storytelling and multimodal content 0:18:47 – Using AI to repurpose content 0:20:55 – The biggest mistake marketers make with AI 0:24:04 – Why personality matters more in the age of AI 0:24:45 – How obvious AI content can damage trust 0:26:24 – Earning and keeping attention in search 0:27:45 – Finding content demand across search,social and AI 0:29:34 – Building authority across your online presence 0:32:03 – Why you can’t trust AI agents 0:33:05 – Building AI workflows that keep humans in control 0:35:12 – When to hand repetitive work over to AI 0:36:33 – The skills marketers need for the future 0:40:52 – Understanding your audience’s deeper pain points 0:42:51 – Founding the Freelance Coalition for Developing Countries 0:45:33 – The importance of building skills and accessing better opportunities
	Understanding AI Search Visibility	07 Aug 2026	00:42:52
How does your brand stay visible when search is shifting from rankings and clicks to mentions, citations, and AI-driven answers? And did you know that AI can't yet read the Javascript on your site? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis talks to Aimee Jurenka, founder of SEO Sustainable and AI visibility strategist, about how brands can adapt to discoverability in an AI-powered search world. They chat about the ongoing evolution from traditional SEO to AI visibility, why inbound content is changing, how mentions and PR are becoming more important, and what technical and brand foundations still matter most. Aimee's top tips on AI search: Make sure AI bots can crawl and understand your site. Focus on brand-led, product-specific, and highly relevant content. Build visibility through mentions, LinkedIn, and other places your audience already trusts. Aimee mentions her detailed article on informational content for AI search on Site Bulb and gives credit to the work of Celeste Gonzalez on local SEO. Timestamps: 02:10 - Understanding black hat and white hat SEO 04:24 - Loopholes in AI SEO and the wild west of tactics 07:06 - Differences between traditional SEO and AI search 08:38 - The shift in content creation for AI visibility 10:09 - Brand-focused content and new SEO strategies 12:40 - Agent-to-agent web and the future of the agentic web 16:39 - Changes in off-page SEO and mentions versus backlinks 18:09 - The importance of mentions and citations in AI search 19:22 - Training AI to recognize your brand 23:56 - Personalized search and the use of LLMs 24:52 - The shift in user research and purchase journey 25:34 - Impact on Google ads and revenue models 27:25 - Common misconceptions about AI visibility 39:21 - Top tips for marketers
	Stories From an Entrepreneur	20 Jul 2026	00:39:44
Ever wondered why some brands earn attention while others get overlooked? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon about what it really takes to build brands people remember. Ernest is co-founder of Black Emerald Irish Whiskey, COO of LYQD - a digital exchange for whiskey casks, and owns the pub Sober Lane in Cork, Ireland. Drawing on his experience across hospitality, food and drink, and e-commerce, Ernest shares the lessons he's learned from building businesses and taking risks in competitive markets. This conversation explores the ideas and experiences that have shaped Ernest's approach to building lasting attention. Ernest's top 3 tips: Don't take your brand too seriously: authenticity resonates far more than trying to appear perfect Ship your ideas: getting good work into the world beats endlessly chasing perfection Focus on creating experiences people genuinely want to share: great products and happy customers are your best marketing The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! Timestamps: 0:00:00 – Why attention is every business's biggest challenge 0:01:12 – Building customer loyalty with email marketing 0:03:05 – Why WhatsApp Business is worth watching 0:05:00 – How hospitality marketing has changed 0:06:28 – Creating content people actually enjoy 0:07:45 – Building a brand through culture and community 0:08:57 – LinkedIn as a networking and personal branding tool 0:09:52 – Marketing products that require education 0:11:10 – Why in-person events still matter 0:12:16 – When unexpected content creates opportunities 0:13:35 – Experimentation, failure, and learning in business 0:14:00 – The restaurant pivot that didn't work 0:16:38 – Why failure is still worth it 0:18:54 – Personal branding as a founder 0:20:09 – Growing beyond founder-led businesses 0:21:51 – Looking after existing customers first 0:23:15 – Why the product is the marketing 0:25:16 – Positioning a premium whiskey brand 0:27:23 – Adapting marketing for international audiences 0:29:43 – When attention doesn't translate into sales 0:31:05 – Why consistent marketing beats viral moments 0:31:48 – User-generated content and simple marketing ideas 0:32:16 – Turning your product into your marketing 0:33:49 – The messy middle between awareness and purchase 0:34:18 – How AI is changing marketing workflows 0:35:53 – Why AI helps marketers do more, not less 0:37:48 – Ernest's top tips for building awareness
	How AI is Changing Search	19 Jun 2026	00:49:52
Search is changing faster than most marketers realize. In this episode, Will Francis speaks with Crystal Carter, Head of AI Search and SEO Communications at Wix Studio, a role focused on helping brands understand how AI-powered search is reshaping online visibility and discovery. They discuss the rise of AI search, the growing role of AI agents, and what these changes mean for brands trying to stay visible online. As AI-powered search transforms how people discover and engage with information, Crystal explores the emerging trends marketers should be watching closely and why some long-held assumptions about search may need to change. Crystal’s top 3 tips for marketers: Measure your AI visibility: track how much traffic is already coming from AI tools and monitor how it changes over time Make your website more actionable: ensure every page gives users and AI agents a clear way to take action Check how AI tools describe your brand: test prompts across multiple LLMs and look for consistency in how your business is represented The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, and all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠email the podcast team⁠! Timestamps: 0:00:08 – What AI search means for marketers 0:00:39 – SEO, AI search, and the rise of agentic discovery 0:02:27 – Is AI search really threatening Google? 0:05:15 – How search behaviour is changing 0:07:58 – Tracking AI search visibility and traffic 0:08:23 – AI agents and the future of website discovery 0:10:06 – Why brands need deeper customer understanding 0:11:29 – Using customer questions to drive content strategy 0:13:14 – Turning websites into actionable resources 0:15:42 – Protocols, interoperability and the agentic web 0:17:04 – Will consumers trust AI agents to buy for them? 0:19:21 – Crystal’s “do-thingsy” website framework 0:20:24 – Why SEO is becoming more algorithmic and personalised 0:22:48 – The three pillars of SEO in an AI era 0:24:15 – Technical SEO for AI search and agents 0:26:37 – Content strategies that work in AI search 0:28:51 – Evergreen content versus fresh and spicy content 0:34:10 – Why AI search rewards fresh information 0:36:26 – Using AI to create better content workflows 0:40:29 – Can AI be manipulated by marketers? 0:41:33 – The future of backlinks and brand relevance 0:44:15 – PR, content syndication and AI visibility 0:46:02 – Building a consistent brand identity across the web 0:47:34 – Three practical steps to improve AI visibility
	Responsible AI in the Workplace	29 May 2026	00:48:53
What does “responsible AI” look like in practice? In one of our most engaging episodes of the year, host Will Francis speaks with  Gordon Ryan, Senior Managing Consultant and Design Process Lead at Sopra Steria, about the growing impact of AI on work, business, and society, and the hidden trade-offs behind its adoption. From the future of design and marketing to productivity and identity, Gordon shares his perspective on where AI could take us next, and whether we’re building the kind of future we want. Gordon’s top 3 tips for responsible strategic use of AI: Reflect on what you value most in your work: Identify the parts of your role that feel meaningful and uniquely human Use AI intentionally: Focus on solving real problems instead of adopting tools simply because they’re available Think beyond productivity: Consider how AI could improve wellbeing, relationships, creativity, and quality of life at work The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! Timestamps: 0:01:57 – What systems-oriented design means 0:04:31 – UX design, digital experiences and systems thinking 0:05:10 – Will AI replace designers? 0:08:24 – Creativity, craft and the human side of design 0:09:24 – Are companies adopting AI without a clear strategy? 0:11:37 – The “Wild West” of AI inside organizations 0:14:41 – Gordon’s most practical uses of AI today 0:16:00 – Using AI to analyze complex environmental and forestry data 0:18:36 – The human impact of automation and lost relationships 0:21:13 – What ethical AI really means beyond compliance 0:22:41 – Productivity, profit and the future of work 0:26:12 – Why business growth can’t continue forever 0:30:18 – Is Gordon optimistic or skeptical about AI? 0:31:30 – AI, inequality and the environmental crisis 0:34:59 – Reconciling AI’s benefits with its environmental impact 0:36:00 – Could AI enable shorter working weeks? 0:39:36 – The future of marketing and behavioral manipulation 0:45:50 – Marketing, persuasion and ethical responsibility 0:46:37 – How to use AI more mindfully
	Inside Social Creativity and Virality	10 May 2026	00:28:07
Ever wondered what really makes social content go viral? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with Stuart Larkin about viral social campaigns, creativity on social media, and why “going viral” is rarely the right starting point for a brand strategy. Drawing on his background in comedy writing and his work at UNILAD creating reactive, social-first content, Stuart explains how brands can create content that entertains, educates, inspires or invites participation while still staying authentic to who they are. From the role of humor and trend-jacking to the importance of platform fit and consistent publishing, Stuart breaks down what it takes to build stronger social content over time. He also shares why brands should experiment with repeatable formats and give themselves permission to learn through imperfect content, rather than expecting instant viral success. For marketers and brand leaders alike, Stuart offers a practical look at how to balance creativity with strategy, build social-first teams, and develop a more audience-led approach to content that can earn attention in today’s fragmented feeds. Stuart’s top 3 tips: Understand your audience – create content for a specific person, not a vague mass audience Commit to a clear social strategy – build long-term value instead of constantly chasing trends Treat content as an experiment – publish consistently, learn from what performs, and don’t lose your nerve when content doesn’t land straight away The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms.  And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show,  ⁠email the podcast team⁠!
	How AI is Reshaping Recruitment and Careers	17 Apr 2026	00:43:54
Wondering how AI is changing the hiring process? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ speaks with Katie Fortunato, Co-Founder and EVP of Innovation and Platform Strategy at Hire Innovations, about how AI is transforming recruitment, reshaping the job market, and creating new opportunities and challenges for employers and job seekers alike. Katie shares insights from the front lines of talent acquisition, unpacking how automation, the creator economy, and shifting workforce expectations are redefining how companies connect with talent. From the rise of AI-driven hiring tools to the growing importance of employer branding and personal networks, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to succeed in the future of work. Katie’s top 3 tips: Learn AI and apply it to your work - understand how AI can streamline processes and make you more effective as a marketer. Stay curious and keep up with change - platforms, tools, and algorithms evolve constantly, making continuous learning essential. Network proactively (especially in person) - Build real connections, show up, and create opportunities beyond job applications. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms.  And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show,  email the podcast team!  Timestamps 0:02:14 – How AI is disrupting recruitment (and creating new problems) 0:04:40 – Where AI works best in the hiring process 0:07:13 – What job seekers need to change in an AI-driven world 0:08:03 – Employer branding: where marketing meets HR 0:11:24 – The evolving job market and Gen Z expectations 0:16:05 – The impact of AI on marketing careers 0:18:25 – What’s working in marketing today: the creator economy 0:20:59 – Turning employees into influencers and brand advocates 0:24:51 – The reality of applying for jobs in today’s market 0:25:53 – Advice for entry-level candidates 0:31:16 – How senior professionals can stay competitive 0:33:32 – The rise of the gig and fractional economy 0:36:02 – Small teams, AI, and the future of work 0:39:19 – Personal branding and standing out to employers 0:41:23 – Katie’s top tips for junior marketers
	Sustainability in Retail	27 Mar 2026	00:42:40
Ever wondered how fast fashion brands tackle sustainability? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ speaks with ⁠Sarah Whittaker⁠, Head of Sustainability Communications at Primark, about how one of the world’s largest fashion retailers is navigating the challenge of becoming more sustainable while maintaining affordability at scale. From addressing common misconceptions around fast fashion to embedding more responsible practices across teams and supply chains, Sarah shares a behind-the-scenes look at how communications helps shape perception, influence behaviour, and avoid greenwashing. She also explores how brands can simplify complex sustainability messages, empower employees as advocates, and balance commercial realities with ethical responsibility. Sarah’s Top 3 Tips: Keep sustainability messaging simple and focused – narrow in on what matters most to your audience Back up every claim with evidence – avoid absolutes and communicate progress, not perfection Engage your internal teams first – employees are your most powerful (and credible) advocates The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms.  And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!  Timestamps: 0:00:49 – Sustainability communications vs marketing explained 0:02:47 – What Primark stands for as a global brand 0:05:50 – Tackling perceptions of fast fashion and low cost 0:08:56 – Communicating sustainability reports in a more engaging way 0:12:03 – What circularity means in fashion 0:14:10 – Working with suppliers to drive sustainability 0:16:16 – Regulation vs voluntary sustainability efforts 0:19:15 – Do customers really care about sustainability? 0:23:52 – What sustainability actually includes (beyond environment) 0:25:41 – Most effective channels for sustainability communication 0:28:41 – Empowering employees to talk about sustainability 0:31:34 – Keeping messaging clear and avoiding greenwashing 0:35:33 – Sarah’s career journey into communications 0:37:58 – Agency vs in-house: key differences 0:40:02 – Career advice for marketers and communicators
	Practical Lessons from Female Founders	06 Mar 2026	00:51:46
In this special episode of the DMI Podcast for International Women’s Day, host Taz Kelleher speaks with Areej AbuAli, founder of Women in Tech SEO, and Maeve Kneafsey, entrepreneur, host of the Transform Gov podcast, and long-time leader in digital and public sector innovation. They share practical lessons from building communities, scaling businesses, securing funding, and leading with clarity in a fast-moving industry. This conversation is full of grounded advice about confidence, decision-making, community building, and the shift that AI is creating for founders. Top 3 tips from Areej & Maeve Be decisive and stop waiting for perfect conditions: Progress comes from action, not from over analysis. Push yourself forward: Say yes to opportunities, speak on stages, and treat visibility as core to leadership. Build and invest in community: The right network accelerates your business, your learning, and your confidence. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms.    And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!   Timestamps 01:26 — Acting on an idea 03:29 — Knowing which ideas to commit to 04:53 — Recognizing meaningful innovation 06:19 — Representation and confidence 09:14 — Finding your voice 11:07 — Evolving beliefs about success 16:39 — Early decisions that shaped growth 20:17 — Pricing, confidence, and commercial conversations 22:19 — What people underestimate about scaling 24:36 — Testing, learning, and dropping what doesn’t work 26:39 — Patterns in companies that succeed 30:22 — What matters less than people think 31:58 — The power of community 36:19 — How to find a mentor 40:45 — AI and the future for founders 44:22 — Leadership habits for women 47:10 — Biggest opportunities for women in digital marketing
	What You Need to Know About PPC in 2026	20 Feb 2026	00:53:23
Not getting the results you used to from your paid search? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with PPC specialist Cathal Melinn about the current state and future of pay-per-click advertising. With rising costs, AI-driven automation, and new campaign types like Demand Gen reshaping advertising, Cathal shares what’s actually delivering results right now, and what marketers should approach with caution. They explore why PPC is still profitable (but less forgiving than before), how AI Max for Search differs from Performance Max, and why mid-funnel campaigns are becoming essential. Cathal also explains how to structure campaigns strategically, manage budgets effectively, and avoid over-relying on automation. Cathal’s top 3 tips Separate brand and non-brand campaigns: Run a dedicated brand campaign on exact match to protect your name and control impression share. Start small and structured: Begin with 10–15 carefully chosen exact match keywords and grow strategically. Don’t ignore the mid-funnel: Demand Gen campaigns can feed your search performance and deliver measurable returns faster than traditional top-of-funnel activity. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube,  Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms.  And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!  Timestamps 3:14 – Why Demand Gen is changing the funnel 12:54 – AI Max vs Performance Max 17:52 – Manual bids vs smart bidding 23:00 – The “learning phase” myth 29:00 – Amazon & Bing: where else to invest 34:05 – Why PR supercharges PPC 38:16 – Metrics that actually matter 40:14 – The biggest PPC mistakes 46:31 – The future: pay-per-conversation? 48:31 – Tools and automation stack 51:10 – Cathal’s starter framework for beginners
	Cybersecurity for Marketers	30 Jan 2026	00:55:07
Worried about your organisation’s security, or not worried enough?  In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with ⁠⁠Rebecca Robinson⁠⁠, cybersecurity expert and founder of ⁠⁠Cybec Consulting⁠⁠. Rebecca breaks down why cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue, but a business, brand, and marketing issue too. From phishing and social engineering to ransomware and reputation risk, she explains how modern cyber threats really work, why people shouldn’t always be seen as the “weakest link,” and how marketers can build secure systems without killing creativity. She also shares practical advice on training, password management, and building resilience so organisations can grow safely, even when things go wrong. Rebecca’s top 3 tips: Take a moment before acting on anything urgent – pause, question it, and ask someone else. Treat system access like currency – only give people the access they genuinely need. Use strong, unique passwords – and a password manager if possible ---------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠email the podcast team⁠!
	2026 Trends in Digital Marketing	09 Jan 2026	00:41:53
A new year is here, and 2026 brings a new wave of marketing predictions. In our most anticipated episode of the year, the 2026 Trends edition of Ahead of the Game, DMI podcast host Will Francis explores the biggest changes, challenges, and opportunities facing marketers in the year ahead. As expected, AI dominates the conversation, but not in isolation. Across ecommerce, social media, youth marketing, PPC, and content creation, our experts share how marketers can move beyond automation and focus on creativity, trust, and genuine customer value. Will also highlights the growing need for authenticity in an increasingly AI-dominated world, a concept Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri touched on in a recent post. In this episode, 6 DMI experts explore this year’s trends from across the digital marketing landscape: Jim Lecinski, Professor of Marketing at Northwestern Kellogg and author of The AI Marketing Canvas, predicts 2026 will see mobile AI become a constant shopping companion, with marketers shifting from AI automation to AI elevation focused on taste, curation, and brand value. He also flags power and infrastructure as emerging constraints on AI growth. Alison Battisby, founder of Avocado Social, warns of a surge in AI-generated video and “AI slop” that could erode trust, making transparency, human oversight, and authenticity more important than ever. She also highlights the rise of community-first platforms and increased automation in paid social. Jane McDaid, founder of youth marketing agency Thinkhouse, paints an optimistic picture for independent agencies, and sees creativity becoming the key differentiator as AI removes speed and efficiency advantages. She predicts continued growth in social, creator-led marketing, and PR playing a more central role in an LLM-driven ecosystem. Cathal Melinn, PPC specialist and regular DMI contributor, explains how AI is simplifying paid search through keywordless campaigns, Performance Max, and built-in AI assistants. While increased competition may drive costs up, he believes 2026 is a strong year for marketers to start experimenting with PPC. Derek Liddy, ecommerce expert and Head of Marketing at Nesta, forecasts growth in conversational ecommerce, hyper-personalisation, and AI-powered shopping agents. He stresses the importance of first-party data, authentic content, and strong product feeds to stay competitive. ---------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!
	Inside Media Planning in Mena	22 Dec 2025	00:46:55
How do you build a media plan for a region where social usage is among the highest in the world? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ speaks with ⁠Ibrahim Jabri⁠, Client Solutions at Meta and host of the Below the Fold podcast, about what makes media planning across MENA so distinct right now. Ibrahim breaks down how the region has vastly increased its digital budget allocations, which platforms dominate, and why Out of Home still delivers serious impact in Saudi Arabia. He also shares the biggest performance killer he sees in paid media: running the wrong creative in the wrong placement: like static, text-heavy direct response ads in video placement and what he expects to surge in 2026. Ibrahim’s Top 3 Tips for Marketers Match creative to the placement – Great ideas fail when formats don’t suit the channel or user mindset Don’t sacrifice long-term brand equity for short-term ROAS – Balance the funnel or risk stalling growth Share your expertise publicly – Podcasts and content build networks, credibility, and unexpected opportunities The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!
	GDPR and AI Regulation for Marketers	28 Nov 2025	00:52:55
Finding it difficult to navigate the changing landscape of data protection? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with Steven Roberts, Group Head of Marketing at Griffith College, Chartered Director, certified Data Protection Officer, and long-time marketing leader. Steven demystifies GDPR, AI governance, and the rapidly evolving regulatory environment that marketers must now navigate. Steven explains how GDPR enforcement has matured, why AI has created a new layer of complexity, and how businesses can balance innovation with compliance. He breaks down the EU AI Act, its risk-based structure, and its implications for organizations inside and outside the EU. Steven also shares practical guidance for building internal AI policies, tackling “shadow AI,” reducing data breach risks, and supporting teams with training and clear governance. For an even deeper look into how businesses can ensure data protection compliance, check out Steven’s book, Data Protection for Business: Compliance, Governance, Reputation and Trust. Steven’s Top 3 Tips Build data protection into projects from the start, using tools like Data Protection Impact Assessments to uncover risks early. Invest in regular staff training to avoid common mistakes caused by human error. Balance compliance with business performance by setting clear policies, understanding your risk appetite, and iterating your AI governance over time. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! Timestamps 01:29 – AI’s impact on GDPR & the explosion of new global privacy laws 03:26 – Is GDPR the global gold standard? 05:04 – GDPR enforcement today: Who gets fined and why 07:09 – Cultural attitudes toward data: EU vs. US 08:51 – The EU AI Act explained: Risk tiers, guardrails & human oversight 10:48 – What businesses must do: DPIAs, fundamental rights assessments & more 13:38 – Shadow AI, risk appetite & internal governance challenges 17:10 – Should you upload company data to ChatGPT? 20:40 – How the AI Act affects countries outside the EU 24:47 – Will privacy improve over time? 28:45 – What teams can do now: Tools, processes & data audits 33:49 – Data enrichment tools: targeting vs. Legality 36:47 – Will anyone actually check your data practices? 40:06 – Steven’s top tips for navigating GDPR & AI
	Inside the World of Hotel Marketing	07 Nov 2025	00:49:37
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a luxury hotel marketer? In this episode of the DMI Podcast, host ⁠⁠Will Francis⁠⁠ speaks with Mary Beth O’Connor, an experienced hospitality marketing professional whose career has taken her from international sales to Director of Sales & Marketing at the legendary Pierre Hotel in New York City. Mary Beth shares insider perspectives on how hotels and resorts can maintain their identity and customer loyalty in an age dominated by online travel agents, why “people are the product,” and what all businesses can learn from the hospitality mindset. She also explores the rise of wellness travel, the power of partnerships, and how authenticity, curiosity, and personalization drive success in hospitality marketing. Mary Beth’s Top 3 Tips Stay curious and keep learning: The marketing industry changes constantly — adapt with it. Keep it personal: Hospitality is built on relationships and genuine connection. Build partnerships: Creative collaborations can amplify reach without huge budgets. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! Timestamps 3:23 – How online travel agents changed hotel marketing 6:04 – Selling experience, not just rooms: the people-first approach 8:09 – Retention, culture, and leadership in hotels 10:27 – Human stories that build brand loyalty 12:03 – Bringing hotel staff personalities into marketing 13:41 – What makes hospitality marketing unique 14:59 – Digital marketing, events, and local partnerships 18:43 – How travel audiences changed after the pandemic 21:13 – Global markets and U.S. traveler demand 23:32 – Marketing multiple offerings (rooms, restaurants, spa) 26:19 – Branding luxury properties and using heritage wisely 29:24 – Benchmarking top hotel brands 31:21 – Marketing inside the property and guest personalization 33:00 – Balancing technology and human touch in luxury 34:07 – Why arrival experience defines customer loyalty 36:44 – Lessons all businesses can learn from hospitality 38:11 – Emerging trends: wellness, sustainability, and women’s travel 40:28 – Using digital and webinars for B2B marketing 43:26 – Influencer marketing in hospitality: challenges and best fits 47:24 – Advice for aspiring hospitality marketers
	An Insider’s Look at Product Marketing	17 Oct 2025	01:00:10
How often do innovators ask themselves if someone really needs their products? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with Laurier Mandin, founder of Graphos Product and author of I Need That. With over 30 years helping innovators bring ideas to life, Laurier reveals how brands can turn customer wants into needs by focusing on empathy, validation, and true problem-solving. Laurier shares lessons from working with sustainable B2B products like recycled wind-turbine materials and explains why many innovators still skip the crucial step of validating whether anyone needs what they’re building. He also discusses the psychology behind purchase decisions, our “dog brain” versus “tank brain”, and why clarity and simplicity in messaging always win. Laurier’s Top 3 Tips for Marketers Validate properly: Test your product with real money or real commitment, not just surveys. Go beyond MVP to “MWP” (Minimum Wow Product): Build something that makes people say wow, not just it works. Focus on empathy and clarity: Cut the clutter, connect emotionally, and make the need unmistakable. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! 1:00 – Why “need” trumps “want” in marketing psychology 4:40 – Pain points and empathy: How to connect like Steve Jobs 9:00 – Building trust and shared purpose with customers 11:00 – Inside Laurier’s work: guiding innovators and building go-to-market roadmaps 13:00 – Case study: Recycling wind-turbine blades into building materials 16:00 – How to persuade risk-averse buyers to adopt innovation 20:00 – Getting involved early: linking product development and marketing 24:00 – Finding the original need behind every innovation 27:00 – Why simplicity beats features (and what Apple teaches us) 33:00 – Positioning for your tribe: how similar products can coexist 34:00 – Lessons from I Need That: validation, emotion, and the “dog brain” 38:00 – How to run validation that actually works 44:00 – Laurier’s “Innovative Product Go-to-Market Roadmap” explained 48:00 – Using AI to accelerate, but not replace, expertise 49:00 – Which marketing channels work best today 55:00 – Balancing paid and organic: why SEO still matters 57:30 – Laurier’s top advice for innovators
	Smarter Marketing with Better Insights	26 Sep 2025	00:53:10
What’s the key to turning research into lasting brand growth? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ speaks with ⁠Heather O’Shea⁠, Chief Research Officer at Alter Agents. With a career spanning Snapchat, Twitter, and Kantar, Heather shares her expertise on consumer insights, research methods, and how brands can better understand their audiences. She explores how qualitative and quantitative research work together, how AI is transforming the speed of insights, and how neuroscience reveals subconscious behaviors. Heather also discusses shifting consumer values, particularly among Gen Zers, the pitfalls of obsessing over clicks, and why marketers should focus on long-term brand growth. She also reflects on her move from client-side to agency-side research and offers practical advice for marketers looking to get closer to their audiences. What You'll Learn: How leading brands use insights to tackle tough business challenges The difference between qualitative and quantitative research, and when to use each Why AI is transforming qualitative analysis and speeding up research The role of neuroscience in uncovering subconscious consumer behaviors How platforms like Snapchat use research to guide marketers on effective activation The shift from client-side to agency-side research, and what that means for insights work Heather’s Top 3 Tips for Effective Research Give people space — During research, step back and let conversations flow naturally to reveal unexpected insights Look past your assumptions — Keep an open mind to discover what you weren’t looking for. Move beyond clicks — Prioritize meaningful metrics that show true impact and support long-term brand growth The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! 0:03:38 – What keeps brands up at night: premium, value, and video influence 0:07:09 – Why Gen Z expects brands to take a stand 0:09:32 – Research methods: qualitative, quantitative & mobile ethnographies 0:14:19 – Using neuroscience and immersion to uncover true behavior 0:16:55 – Strengths and drawbacks of qualitative vs. quantitative research 0:21:11 – How AI helps analyze unstructured qualitative data 0:25:50 – Partnering with platforms like Snapchat for trend insights 0:31:42 – Moving from client-side to agency-side research 0:35:16 – Heather’s career lessons & finding the right fit 0:44:14 – The future of market research & role of AI 0:47:40 – Practical tips to better understand your audience 0:50:22 – The one metric Heather would scrap: clicks
	Global Marketing Job Trends	05 Sep 2025	00:53:19
Looking for a new role and disheartened by the job market? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠⁠Will Francis⁠⁠ chats with ⁠Terry Payne⁠⁠ of Aspire Recruitment and Executive Edge about the findings from Aspire’s recent report on digital marketing salaries across 5 different territories. They get stuck into how the job market has shifted at every level, from the decline in entry-level roles to the boom in senior positions. Terry shares insights on regional hiring trends, salary expectations across markets, and how AI is actually reshaping recruitment. He also gives practical advice for job seekers navigating today’s highly competitive, candidate-driven market. You can view and download the 2025 Salary Guides on the DMI website. They cover four key regions: the UK, the US, MENA, and APAC. What You'll Learn: How AI is impacting entry-level, mid-level, and senior marketing roles The regions and industries driving growth in marketing jobs Salary trends across the UK, US, Dubai, and Asia in 2025 How hybrid work is replacing remote-first opportunities Practical strategies for standing out as a candidate in a crowded job market Top 3 Tips for Job Seekers Humanize your profile – LinkedIn is your shop window, so keep it sharp, authentic, and supported with testimonials. Practice, practice, practice – Prepare for interviews by rehearsing competency-based answers with real, measurable achievements. Be resilient – Volume is key. Keep applying, networking, and following up—don’t get disheartened by knockbacks. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us. If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team! Timestamps & Key Sections 0:00:51 – Overview of the job market shifts in 2025 0:04:23 – How AI is reshaping entry-level opportunities 0:08:14 – Growth in senior roles and startup demand for CMOs 0:11:51 – Rising demand for SEO, social media, and data roles 0:13:27 – Regional differences: Middle East growth, US recovery, UK resilience 0:16:51 – The decline of remote roles and rise of hybrid work 0:19:34 – 2025 Salary Guide: key trends and rising pay gaps 0:24:10 – Which sectors are driving salary increases 0:30:05 – Managing unrealistic workloads and setting expectations 0:32:55 – How to stand out when applying for jobs 0:37:35 – Building a strong LinkedIn profile and showing your “sizzle” 0:43:32 – Preparing for interviews and presentations 0:46:49 – The importance of communication and leadership “power skills” 0:50:43 – Terry’s three top tips for job seekers
	Practical Entrepreneurship for Marketers	22 Aug 2025	00:45:27
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis speaks with Faisal Laljee, entrepreneur and growth strategist, about the intersection of entrepreneurship and marketing. Faisal shares his insights on risk-taking, growth hacking, customer acquisition, and building brands that last. From the importance of testing ideas early to the realities of startup funding, he explains how marketers and entrepreneurs can think like an entrepreneur to drive meaningful growth. What You’ll Learn Why entrepreneurs need to focus less on perfection and more on getting products in front of customers. How early customers can become your most valuable advocates and growth drivers. Is SEO overrated? Why brand is inseparable from early business strategy. Why not all investor money is good money. Top 3 Tips from Faisal Know your co-founders – Think of it as an “entrepreneurial prenup.” Shared values, commitment levels, and expectations matter more than complementary skills. Double your marketing budget – Customer acquisition costs are always higher than you think. Planning conservatively helps you build a sustainable business. Be selective with funding – Not all investment is good investment. Take money from the right sources, not just anyone willing to offer it. Timestamps & Key Sections 01:28 – From corporate marketing to startups 02:54 – The big shift: traditional marketing to digital 05:13 – The #1 problem startups face: finding the right customer 06:57 – Why entrepreneurs need to test ideas early and avoid perfectionism 09:01 – Applying entrepreneurial thinking to marketing 11:10 – Are personas outdated? How to approach customer profiling 13:42 – Building trust through community engagement 15:32 – Overcoming rejection and embracing failure in marketing 16:57 – Growth hacking: experiment, measure, adapt 19:08 – Paid ads vs. organic growth for startups 22:33 – Turning early customers into advocates 24:29 – Overrated and underrated digital channels 29:33 – Why brand = business strategy 33:54 – The importance of mentors and career planning 39:03 – Faisal’s top 3 tips for new founders
	How to Get Youth Marketing Right	01 Aug 2025	00:55:07
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠⁠Will Francis⁠⁠ speaks with ⁠⁠Maurice Wheeler⁠⁠, CEO of We Are Family, a specialist agency focused on research, strategy, and creative work for brands that market to children, teens, and families. Maurice shares how his agency helps household-name brands like Nickelodeon, Hasbro, and Moonbug understand rapidly shifting youth trends – from meme culture to Roblox – while staying legally compliant and ethically sound. This episode digs into how marketing to under-18s must balance creativity with a deep understanding of cognitive development, parental expectations, and platform dynamics. Maurice also explains how his agency conducts global research with thousands of children annually and why “marketing without manipulation” is their north star. What You’ll Learn: Why audience insight matters more than ever in youth marketing How to ethically and legally engage under-18s The importance of cognitive development in content design What platforms kids really use – and how Why screen time post-COVID is evolving again How to balance messaging across kids, parents, and platforms Where influencer marketing fits – and where it doesn’t Why creativity must thrive inside tight guardrails Top 3 Tips from Maurice: Talk to kids constantly: Research can't be replaced by reports. Direct conversations reveal the truth. Learn the rules: Global youth marketing demands obsessive knowledge of local legal and ethical guidelines. Immerse yourself in their world: Play Roblox, scroll YouTube Shorts, and understand meme culture. You can’t market what you don’t experience. Timestamps 01:00 – How brands stay in touch with kids’ realities 02:30 – Meme trends, masculinity, and parenting shifts post-COVID 05:15 – How brands act on research and insights 07:44 – The challenge of ethical creativity in marketing to kids 11:30 – Why guardrails make for better creativity 13:49 – Breaking down under-18s into real audience cohorts 16:38 – Running global research with very young children 19:14 – Sharing vs. owning insights: what gets published 20:50 – Developmental personas vs. traditional marketing personas 23:00 – The Venn diagram of kids, parents, and platforms 26:43 – Creating immersive brand experiences in Roblox 30:07 – Influencer marketing and where to draw the line 32:10 – Marketing ethics in YouTube content for kids 34:04 – How Maurice parented with a marketer’s mindset 36:25 – What metrics really matter in this space 39:48 – The rise of co-viewing and why it’s good news 41:55 – Maurice’s early career from Leo Burnett to Disney 47:51 – What’s changed most in 20+ years of marketing 53:39 – AI in research and creativity: risks and realities 59:00 – Maurice’s 3 must-do tips for youth marketers
	Inside the Rise of Agentic AI	11 Jul 2025	00:42:16
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠⁠Will Francis⁠⁠ chats with ⁠⁠Dikshant Dave⁠⁠, CEO of Zigment, about the fast-evolving world of agentic AI — autonomous AI agents that execute multi-step marketing and sales tasks. Dikshant shares how agentic AI goes beyond basic automation to adapt, personalize, and optimize customer engagement in real time. He explains how this shift is affecting marketers today, how companies can start adopting it, and what roles are most impacted. Dikshant brings deep insights from building Zigment, a platform designed to help brands move from patchwork automations to intelligent, contextual customer journeys — especially in industries with long buying cycles like healthcare, finance, and real estate. What You’ll Learn: What agentic AI really is (and what it isn’t) The difference between traditional automation and AI agents How agentic AI can help marketers handle unstructured, real-time data Why personalization over long buying journeys is the killer use case Where AI fits into customer interactions — and where it doesn’t Practical advice for marketers looking to experiment with AI Top 3 Tips from Dikshant Start small but do start – pick low-risk workflows like unmanned channels to test AI agents. Keep cold outreach human – use AI only where context is already established. Don’t try to control every step – let agents figure out the best path to your goal using LLMs. Timestamps & Key Sections: 00:00 – Intro to agentic AI and why it matters now 02:39 – Dikshant’s journey from a supplements startup to AI-powered sales 05:11 – Why personalization beats automation in complex sales 07:23 – Tackling hallucinations: reliability and transparency of agents 11:58 – The shift from structured to unstructured marketing data 15:30 – Real-time decision-making and customer intent detection 18:12 – Automation vs. agents: what’s the real difference? 21:18 – How Zigment builds agentic customer journeys 24:47 – Why long buying cycles are ideal for AI agents 26:16 – What parts of marketing to keep human 28:08 – Which roles are most at risk of being replaced 29:38 – How to stay relevant as a marketer in the AI era 32:27 – The “duct tape” problem in marketing stacks 35:24 – Why AI is a multiplier, not a workforce reducer 38:28 – How to start: small, smart use cases and tools to try 40:19 – Sneak peek: Zigment’s upcoming agent builder platform ------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	The Next Wave of AI in Marketing	20 Jun 2025	00:51:59
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠⁠Will Francis⁠⁠ speaks with ⁠Jim Lecinski⁠⁠, marketing professor at Northwestern University, Kellogg and co-author of The AI Marketing Canvas. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing — from reducing cycle times and boosting productivity to transforming how marketers plan, execute, and measure campaigns. Jim demystifies emerging tools like AI agents, custom GPTs, and reasoning engines, and shares why marketers need to lead AI strategy rather than passively adopt it. He also offers great advice for how marketers can make the most of AI at junior, middle, and senior levels of a career.Jim's Top 3 Tips Nominate an AI Champion Focus on Today’s Practical Use Cases Upskill with Free Tools Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & State of Marketing Today 01:08 – The AI Adoption Curve 03:30 – How AI Is Actually Used Today 05:01 – 4 Common Approaches to AI in Enterprises 08:42 – Creating an AI Strategy in Marketing 10:27 – Understanding AI Agents vs. Assistants 13:27 – What Marketers Should (and Shouldn’t) Focus On 16:15 – The Human Side of Marketing & Creativity 20:12 – AI-Generated Ads & the NBCU-Waymark Deal 24:33 – “We’re an AI-first company”: Why Leaders Say This 27:02 – How AI Will Affect Marketing Jobs 32:31 – Career Advice by Level 36:12 – What’s New in The AI Marketing Canvas (2nd Edition) 40:17 – How Jim Used AI to Build His Course 45:02 – Reframing AI as a Reasoning Engine, Not a Chatbot 46:12 – Job Hunting with AI 48:33 – Where to Upskill in AI for Marketing ------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	Influencer Marketing - the Influencer	06 Jun 2025	01:16:27
In the second part of our influencer marketing series, we shift focus from the marketer to the creator. Host ⁠⁠⁠Will Francis⁠⁠⁠ chats with ⁠Ben Kaluza⁠, a former Twitch ad ops professional turned full-time content creator. Ben shares his candid journey into content creation—from gaming streams and OBS tutorials to building a trusted multi-platform presence across TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Ben gets into what creators really need to succeed, how to balance authenticity with monetization, and how marketers can partner with them successfully. With honest takes on influencer compensation, content production, and building trust in a noisy digital space, this episode is a must-listen for anyone working with—or aspiring to become—a creator today. Listen to Part 1 with Sarah Adam who directs the B2B influencer marketing team at Wix Studio. Ben's top 3 tips for content creators: Prioritize ideas over everything Don't fuss over the details like hashtags or captions Keep experimenting with formats Ben's top 3 tips for marketers: Match the content with your product, not just your audience Build great affiliate programs Use creators for unique insights and strategy Timestamps: 03:00 – What Ben learned about value and CPM from Twitch and healthcare display ads 06:30 – Starting content creation and streaming on Twitch 08:45 – Discoverability struggles on Twitch and why TikTok became his growth engine 11:00 – How monetization culture differs across Twitch and TikTok 14:10 – Creator fatigue and why streaming isn't sustainable for most 16:30 – Pivoting to TikTok tutorials: from opinion to practical value 20:15 – High vs. low production content and platform fit 28:00 – Creator vs. influencer: defining the roles 30:00 – Making a living: how brand deals, pricing, and scheduling actually work 38:15 – What marketers should understand when working with creators 41:30 – Why paid media should back creator content 46:00 – Smart strategies for gifting vs. paid partnerships 51:00 – Ranking platforms: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn 58:30 – Tailoring content by platform for trust and reach 1:05:00 – Top 3 tips for aspiring creators and top 3 tips for marketers working with them ------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	Influencer Marketing - the Marketer	23 May 2025	00:53:52
On the DMI podcast, we're devoting the next 2 episodes to going deep into influencer marketing. First from the marketer's viewpoint and then from the creator's. In this first episode host ⁠Will Francis⁠ chats with ⁠Sarah Adam⁠, Head of Partnerships and Influencer Marketing at ⁠Wix⁠. Sarah shares a behind-the-scenes look at how Wix has navigated the branding challenge of launching its B2B solution, ⁠Wix Studio⁠, in a market that traditionally sees Wix as a consumer-first platform. From influencer strategy to performance metrics and the role of AI, Sarah offers an unique view into B2B influencer marketing in today’s creator economy. Listen to part 2 with content creator Ben Kaluza. Key tips from Sarah: Pick influencers for their professional relevance, not follower count Focus on organic discovery over so-called influencer tools Invest in long-term relationships, not just one-off campaigns Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Sarah Adam and her role at Wix 02:27 – What is Wix Studio and how it differs from classic Wix 04:10 – The branding challenge: shifting from B2C to B2B 07:21 – Why influencer marketing is a long-term game 08:36 – Metrics that matter: brand awareness vs. acquisition 10:24 – Choosing the right platforms based on marketing goals 13:00 – How to budget and benchmark for influencer campaigns 18:14 – Finding the right influencers: tools vs. organic discovery 22:28 – The rise of B2B influencer marketing on LinkedIn 29:40 – Platform breakdown: what each one does best 35:51 – Reposting and ad usage of influencer content 40:49 – Advice for aspiring full-time creators 47:11 – Sarah’s career journey and advice to her younger self ------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	How to Go to Network (Not Market)	11 May 2025	00:49:21
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ speaks with ⁠Mark Kilens⁠, CEO and co-founder of ⁠Tack⁠, a community and consultancy focused on helping companies go to market. Mark shares a fresh perspective on how go-to-market strategies must evolve by putting people, not companies, at the heart of everything. From building trust to leveraging networks over traditional channels, Mark offers plenty of insights that challenge the status quo and equip marketers to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. Mark's top 3 insights: Focus on People-First GTM built around relationships, storytelling, and partnerships. Build an owned audience through value-led content and free tools, not just blog posts. Prioritize network leverage over channels: think people, places, and brands as your new marketing reach. Timestamps 0:00:25 – What is People-First Go-To-Market (GTM)? 0:03:02 – Common challenges: Positioning and Ideal Customer Profiles 0:06:54 – The importance of ecosystems and partnerships 0:09:47 – Distribution leverage and marketing in noisy environments 0:12:31 – Channels vs. Networks: A mindset shift 0:18:24 – The role of AI in GTM strategy and marketing careers0:23:56 – Why build a community? The power of owned audiences 0:27:58 – Using free tools to deliver value and collect data0:34:00 – Real-world client scenarios and solutions Tack provides 0:36:38 – The over-reliance on paid media and what to do instead 0:41:23 – What product metrics reveal about GTM effectiveness 0:42:27 – Mark’s GTM checklist: ICPs, messaging, networks 0:45:45 – Career reflections and advice for marketers----------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	The Rise of Sustainable Marketing	18 Apr 2025	00:55:17
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ speaks with ⁠Laura Costello⁠, Head of Sustainability and Planet Services at youth agency ⁠Thinkhouse⁠, as well as Ireland lead at ⁠Purpose Disruptors⁠. Starting with having Ben & Jerry's as her first client, Laura shares her deep understanding of how marketers can embrace sustainability, avoid greenwashing, and build authentic connections with, especially, younger audiences. She explores what B Corp really means, how brands can shift from consumer focus to community impact, and why storytelling is key to driving meaningful change. Laura’s top 3 tips: 1. Sustainability starts with long-term thinking 2. Storytelling should focus on values, not just products 3. Avoid greenwashing by collaborating with other teams, including legal ----------- Resources Read about Greenwashing on the DMI blog WARC - Future of Effectiveness The Good Life campaign UN Pact for the Future AdGreen Climate Communications -------- Timestamps 0:00:51 – What Laura is working on now 0:03:51 – The meaning and challenges of B Corp certification 0:08:30 – Why youth and sustainability are deeply connected 0:11:26 – Embedding sustainability without tokenism 0:15:30 – Changing consumer expectations and community building 0:22:45 – Creative global campaigns that make an impact 0:31:54 – Using social media to promote long-term behavior change 0:36:06 – Making climate storytelling specific and relatable 0:40:53 – Where to start with sustainability in your business 0:44:56 – How to measure effectiveness and real impact 0:47:25 – The future of responsible consumption marketing 0:50:26 – Laura’s career path into climate communications 0:52:30 – Lessons learned from the front lines of sustainable marketing ----------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! ⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	The Expert's Guide to Amazon Ads	04 Apr 2025	00:58:11
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis⁠⁠ speaks with Elizabeth Greene, co-founder of Junglr, a specialist agency for Amazon advertising. As someone who works in a niche world of Amazon ads, Elizabeth breaks down how they actually function within the wider Amazon ecosystem, and provides insightful tactics on how to use them effectively for business growth on the platform. Elizabeth's top 3 tips: 1. Focus on sponsored products 2. Understand and master bid management 3. Fit your products to the right relevancy Timestamps 0:00:51 - What are Amazon Ads? 0:02:13 - Where do Amazon Ads Appear? 0:03:59 - How are Amazon Ads Unique? 0:10:24 - Order Velocity, Conversions, and Relevancy 0:13:38 - Trend Watching and Product Differentiation 0:23:48 - The Impact of TikTok Shop on Amazon 0:31:47 - The Perception of Amazon-Centric Businesses 0:38:04 - Scaling with Amazon Ads, with metrics like TACOS 0:43:48 - The Interplay of Ads and Organic Growth 0:49:25 - Consumer Behaviour and Search Specificity 0:55:54 - Top Three Tips for Amazon Advertising Beginners ----------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! ⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	Why Community Matters More than Followers	21 Mar 2025	00:39:50
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ sits down with Kineta Kelsall, founder of School of Social and LinkedIn trainer, to dive into the art of building genuine communities in social media. Kineta challenges the traditional notion of brand-centric marketing, emphasizing that true community is about creating spaces where like-minded people can connect authentically. She shares insights on how brands can move beyond follower counts to create meaningful connections, highlighting the importance of understanding audience needs, providing value, and letting community members take the lead. 0:01:08 - Defining true community in social media 0:13:11 - Changes in social media community building over the past decade 0:22:19 - Examples of successful community building (Cleats Club, Lululemon) 0:32:52 - Top 5 tips for building a community "It's not that we want to connect, it's that we need to connect. We want to be understood." ----------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠website⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! ⁠Join for free today⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	Making Smarter Marketing Decisions with Clickstream Data	07 Mar 2025	00:57:13
How can marketers use data effectively without getting completely lost in the numbers? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis sits down with Eli Goodman, CEO and founder of Datos, a company specializing in clickstream data. They discuss how anonymous, large-scale data can help marketers better understand consumer behavior, how marketing attribution is evolving, and why nonlinear customer journeys are often misunderstood. Eli also shares his founder journey, from launching Datos during the pandemic to its acquisition by Semrush in 2023. Datos is also the provider of data to SparkToro, run by Rand Fishkin who came on the podcast during 2024. What you'll learn: What clickstream data is and why it matters for marketers The biggest misconceptions about marketing attribution How brands can measure the real impact of their content Why nonlinear consumer journeys challenge traditional analytics How data-driven marketers should think about AI The key lessons Eli learned from growing and selling a startup Eli also shares insights on the future of data privacy, why marketers should think beyond last-click attribution, and how AI is reshaping both creativity and analytics in marketing. 00:06 – Introduction 00:40 – What is Datos and how does it use clickstream data? 03:08 – Understanding consumer behavior through anonymized data 06:17 – The challenge of marketing attribution and nonlinear journeys 10:36 – Why correlation matters as much as causation 14:01 – The biggest surprises marketers discover in their data 19:21 – Data vs. creative decision-making in marketing 24:04 – AI’s impact on both data analysis and creative work 35:54 – Eli’s founder journey and the early days of Datos 41:23 – From startup to acquisition: Lessons in scaling a business 45:41 – Advice for marketers: Using data effectively without over-relying on it 49:55 – Where to find Eli online ------------------------ The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Check out the DMI’s extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, webinars, guides, templates, and more! Join for free today. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so others can find us!
	What Does a Fractional CMO Do?	14 Feb 2025	00:51:45
The word "fractional" gets bandied around a lot these days. But what does it really mean, and how can a CMO be fractional? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis sits down with Peter Murphy Lewis of StrategicPete.com and a successful fractional CMO. Peter shares his journey from launching a travel business in South America to becoming a data-driven marketing strategist for a wide range of industries, including software, finance, media, and even zoos. 🔹 What you’ll learn: What a Fractional CMO is and why the role is booming Who actually needs a CMO, and who doesn’t The biggest marketing mistakes Peter made and what he learned The most in-demand digital marketing skills for 2025 Why LinkedIn newsletters and automation are underrated goldmines How and why Peter builds high-performing remote teams using global talent Peter also talks about the power of vulnerability in leadership, his intern-to-MVP framework, and why he believes AI is an opportunity, not a threat. Check out Peter's documentary on YouTube - People Worth Caring About ------------------------- 00:06 – Introduction 00:54 – What is a Fractional CMO? 04:38 – Does Every Business Need a CMO? 06:49 – Peter’s Background & Path to Becoming a Fractional CMO 09:18 – Performance-Based Marketing Contracts: Pros & Cons 12:36 – Biggest Early Career Mistakes & Lessons Learned 16:05 – How Digital Marketing Has Changed in 15 Years 18:26 – Leveraging Global Talent for Growth 21:06 – Peter’s Internship Model: Training Future Marketers 23:32 – The Importance of Soft Skills in Digital Marketing 27:09 – Coaching, Feedback, and the Power of Vulnerability 33:42 – The Most In-Demand Marketing Skills for 2025 36:09 – The Role of AI in Marketing 42:50 – The Top Marketing Trends for 2025 46:46 – Advice for Young Marketers & Entrepreneurs 49:25 – Where to Find Peter Online ------------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!
	2025 Trends in Digital Marketing - Part 2	24 Jan 2025	01:07:05
In this second episode of our trends insights for 2025, host ⁠⁠Will Francis⁠⁠⁠⁠ introduces the ideas and tips brought to bear in the DMI's trends webinar held on December 2024. We talked to lots of other experts about their predictions for this year, and you can listen to them in Part 1 here. In this episode: Alison Battisby of Avocado Social discusses key social media trends, from Bluesky to EGC to customer collaboration. Clark Boyd of Novela considers the state of paid search and Performance Max and how we'll see a lot more of AI agents. Luke O'Leary of Neil Patel Digital look at AI search and content reveals research on attitudes to AI vs human-generated content. He also joins Will to answer questions on the fly during the webinar Q&A. ------------------------- Join Will in his 4-part live masterclass next month - the Social Media Playbook for 2025! Podcast listeners can avail of a discount with the code DMIPODQ2. Sign up here. ------------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! You can also drop us a line with topic or guest suggestions at podcast (at) digitalmarketinginstitute (dot) com.
	2025 Trends in Digital Marketing - Part 1	10 Jan 2025	00:51:40
New year = new predictions for the world of digital marketing! The DMI's podcast host ⁠Will Francis⁠⁠ talked to eight experts across digital marketing about what marketers can expect to see and what they should focus on during 2025. We have so many amazing insights to share, so we've broken this podcast into two episodes! Catch episode 2 here. ------------------------ Join Will in his 4-part live masterclass next month - the Social Media Playbook for 2025! Podcast listeners can avail of a discount with the code DMIPODQ2. Sign up ⁠here⁠. ------------------------- In this first episode, Will hears a range of thoughts of the opportunities and challenges coming up. Jim Lecinski, Professor of Marketing at Northwestern-Kellogg, sees AI shifting from productivity improvements to enabling transformative business growth, customer data platforms (CDPs) becoming more cloud-native and AI-powered, and marketers needing to prepare for Gen Alpha. -- Check out our ⁠January 22 webinar on Youth Marketing⁠. -- Nikki Lindgren, founder of agency Pennock, sees community engagement and alignment with brand values becoming crucial for beauty & lifestyle brands, increased use of machine learning-based marketing campaigns, and growth in fractional CMO/marketing director roles to support emerging brands. -- Listen to our full episode with Nikki Lindgren on DTC Marketing -- Brian Corish, founder of Elemental AI, isn't the only person to talk about the rise of AI agents that can autonomously execute marketing tasks and workflows . He also sees the need for marketers to develop more holistic, creative, and cross-functional skills to deal with the changing landscape. Fractional CMO and documentarian Peter Murphy Lewis sees LinkedIn organic content and newsletters as highly effective marketing tactics, the leveraging of LinkedIn automation tools to connect with prospects, and webinars remaining a powerful top-to-bottom of funnel marketing strategy. You'll hear more from Peter in an upcoming episode. Mischa McInerney, CMO of the DMI says soft skills are even more critical as AI becomes more pervasive, while companies need to upskill their workforce on AI adoption, and marketers prove the value and outcome of applying new efficiencies. ------------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! You can also drop us a line with topic or guest suggestions at podcast (at) digitalmarketinginstitute (dot) com.
	The Beauty of DTC Marketing	20 Dec 2024	00:46:38
Want to look inside the strategies of a successful DTC agency working in the beauty and lifestyle area? This week, host Will Francis⁠⁠⁠ chats with Nikki Lindgren, founder of digital agency Pennock, about where she's seeing the best ROI for DTC beauty and lifestyle brands. Nikki shares unexpected insights about advertising channels, the evolution of social commerce including TikTok Shop, and what's working in performance marketing today. 3 top tips from Nikki: Don't overlook Reddit - it's an efficient ad platform reaching audiences who aren't on traditional social media Focus on Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) instead of ROAS to better understand overall campaign performance Use programmatic native advertising to appear alongside relevant articles where your audience is already engaged. ------------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!
	Make a Podcast for your Brand	06 Dec 2024	01:01:02
Want to know how to get your own podcast up and running as part of your branding strategy? This week, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ is joined by Harry Morton, founder of top podcasting agency Lower Street, who talks us through how to develop a show strategy, production best practices, and effective promotion tactics to grow your audience. This episode is adapted from Harry's webinar with the DMI which you can watch in full on our library. 3 top podcasting tips from Harry. Really understand what your audience wants. Be creatively brave. And, remember - when it comes to measuring success a download is not a listen! ------------------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!
	Being Creative with B2B Marketing	22 Nov 2024	00:59:39
On this week's episode of Ahead of the Game, Will Francis is joined by Catherine Flynn, Director for Agency Development and Marketing Education at LinkedIn APAC. From her early days at Eircell and Facebook (Meta) to her current role, Catherine discusses her 20+ year career in marketing, touching on the evolution of B2B marketing and why creativity is more crucial than ever to connect with today's decision-makers. Plus, we learn why Catherine sees working closely with sales and product teams as key to B2B marketing success. ---------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!
	Owning your Brand on Google	01 Nov 2024	00:41:30
Are you making sure your brand appears the way you want to when people search for it in Google? That's what Jason Barnard has set out to tackle for his clients, and in thie episode he downloads plenty of tips to host ⁠Will Francis⁠ on how to own your profile on Google and AI-driven search. Check out Jason's free downloadable guides at his site Kalicube. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!
	Use your Personal Brand to Build a Business	11 Oct 2024	00:44:49
In this week's episode, host Will Francis speaks with Niamh Delaney, co-founder of TeamVirtual, who shares her journey from providing virtual assistant services to coaching others in building their own businesses. They chat about the role of different social media platforms and strategies, as well as email, in generating leads and maintaining strong relationships. Niamh is a great believer in the power of community support, especially when dealing with challenges and while working as a digital nomad between Ireland and Australia, and points inbetween. Find Niamh Delaney on Instagram and her website. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠website⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠Join for free today⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!
	Behavioral Science and Digital Marketing	11 Oct 2024	00:45:06
In front of the microphone this week is DMI's own head of marketing, Mischa McInerney. Her particular passion is the psychology of marketing and she chats with Will Francis about all aspects on the "Why", covering examples of some key brands who have benefitted from smart application of the science. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! Join for free today. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!
	How To Build Your Brand On Pinterest	06 Sep 2024	00:49:00
In this episode, host Will Francis⁠⁠⁠⁠ chats with ⁠ Archana Haarnack, Pinterest specialist. They explore what makes Pinterest such a unique social platform, and how organizations can build their brands there. (It’s not just for arts and crafts!) They also tease out some best practices and creative strategies for posting on Pinterest, as exemplified by brands such as HOOG and MADE. And they highlight some common mistakes that people make when they try to establish themselves on the platform. Looking to expand your social media skills? Don’t forget to register for our upcoming Instagram webinar. --------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!
	What Does Today's CMO Really Do?	16 Aug 2024	00:55:32
In this episode - our 100th! - host Will Francis⁠⁠⁠⁠ chats with ⁠Brian Finnerty, the CMO of educational software company D2L. They look at Brian's long career in educational technology where he sees the learner as always taking the central role, especially in the age of AI. He explains how he manages their global marketing strategies, and offers insights into the ideal relationship between marketing and sales, as well as tips for anyone considering working in marketing. "Marketing is a great profession. It's plugged into the heartbeat of a company and its growth and its commercial viability. --------- To listen to more great conversations with professionals in digital marketing subscribe to Ahead of the Game on ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and the video version on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. And visit the Digital Marketing Institute for thousands of educational resources. You'll find ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, guides, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join as a member for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠⁠email the podcast team⁠⁠!
	Trends in Digital Marketing Jobs	26 Jul 2024	00:51:21
How does the current job market look for digital marketing professionals? How is AI impacting the jobs scene? In this episode, Will Francis⁠⁠ interviews Terry Payne, Global Managing Director at Aspire Recruitment and learns about: the demand for digital marketing skills in high-growth markets, cultural differences in hiring practices, the shift towards hybrid work models, and the importance of demonstrating AI skills on CVs. They also touch on the significance of company culture, the average tenure in marketing roles (now 1.5 years!), key skills and roles for 2025, and the findings from Aspire's salary survey across the UK, US, MENA and APAC, available on the DMI website. "We've seen a 221 % increase in marketing professionals now listing AI on their CV. Upskill yourself now... get ahead of the curve." Terry's top 3 tips for jobseekers: Showcasing your tangible results Have realistic expectations Keep upskilling Resources mentioned: 2024 Salary Guides for Digital Marketers --------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠email the podcast team⁠!
	Is PPC Still Worth It?	11 Jul 2024	00:53:12
Paid search, or pay-per-click (PPP) advertising, has always been a core part of any digital marketing strategy, and a perfect complement to SEO tactics. However, with the changes in users' search behavior and the rise of AI-powered search, such as Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE), is PPC really worth it anymore? In this episode of the DMI podcast, host ⁠Will Francis⁠ talks to Brendan Almack, Managing Director of Wolfgang Digital, and Cathal Melinn, digital marketing expert, about the changing face of PPC and where we are at now. They assess how the PPC landscape has been evolving, and they explore what tactics you can deploy future-proof your PPC strategies. ----------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!
	How to Get Your Strategy off the Ground	07 Jun 2024	00:55:08
In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis talks to serial entrepreneur and digital marketing advisor Maeve Kneafsey about crafting a strategic marketing plan for new businesses. They dive deep on going to market strategies, conducting audience research through personas, mapping the customer journey, and testing tactics before scaling. Maeve also shares tips for getting buy-in from stakeholders and the key skills marketers need to build and implement an effective strategy. Check out Maeve's previous chat on the podcast, about scaling your business beyond borders. ---------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and as a video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
	Optimize Your LinkedIn Routine	17 May 2024	00:55:19
LinkedIn is 20 years old, and it's never been so popular! In this episode of the DMI podcast, host Will Francis chats with Luan Wise, a long-time LinkedIn user and trainer and all-round social media consultant. They look at how you can use LinkedIn to fit your needs, the best ways to interact, comment and post, how to leverage the company page for employee advocacy, all while taking good care of your own personal brand. We also get Luan's thoughts on the latest LinkedIn AI tools (spoiler: they're not great!) BONUS CONTENT: Download Luan's Top Tips for Engaging on LinkedIn ----------⁠ The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and as a video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
	How to be a Digital Nomad	03 May 2024	00:47:14
Travel the world in this week's episode! Host Will Francis⁠ peeks into the digital nomad life, chatting with Chris Cerra and Michelle Coulson. Chris founded the platform RemoteBase⁠ for finding remote accommodation and Michelle built HR platform Remote Rebellion out of frustration with companies calling people back to the office. They have tips for newbies, choosing the right destinations, essential gear, and the challenges and rewards of remote work. We also get some insights from Chris on his remarkably successful email newsletter and MIchelle's approach to LinkedIn. BONUS - Download our Free Guide with 10 Top Tips for Digital Nomads! ----------⁠ The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and as a video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
	The Evolving State of AI Search	19 Apr 2024	01:02:22
There's a lot going on with search and the effects of AI, and no-one's sure where it's all headed! One voice of reason is this week's guest, Luke O'Leary, who emphasizes the fundamentals of search marketing that won't change: good UX and optimization, understanding your audience, solid content, and testing. Luke and host Will Francis look at how the role of an SEO is changing, the latest E in E-E-A-T, how TikTok works as a search platforms, the partnership between Google and Reddit, where AI might take the search sector and how to prepare for it. Luke O'Leary is VP of Media Strategy & Operations at Neil Patel Digital, EMEA. He also tells us about his career and the interesting differences he's seeing between marketing and the world or work, having moved from California to London. FURTHER READING on the DMI A Guide to Google E-E-A-T Preparing for AI Search with Google Search Generative Experience (SGE) AI in Digital Marketing Google on the Messy Middle ---------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and as a video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 6SycGjxRYkSxVNate9Ow
	Professional Services Marketing with Heart	05 Apr 2024	00:59:28
How do you market an organization made up of diverse individuals - in this case a global firm of over 700 legal professionals? We were delighted to have an insightful conversation with Roy Sexton, head of marketing at Clark Hill, on how marketing can be a force for good, the overlap between B2B and B2C marketing, working on a company's personal brand, considerations about putting your marketing behind social movements, and lots of tips for marketers at any stage of their career. Roy tells host Will Francis about his advocacy for LGBTQ+, and how his background in theater has influenced all areas of his marketing skills, including how to manage a team and approaches to using storytelling in marketing. ---------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and as a video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
	Understanding Your Audience with Rand Fishkin	22 Mar 2024	01:03:50
In this episode, we get to mine the mind of marketing great, Rand Fishkin, creator of Moz and SparkToro, among other ventures. Rand and our host Will Francis have a wide-ranging discussion covering the state of marketing in 2024, how he created SparkToro to allow marketers a better way to understand their audiences, who’s using the tool to best effect, issues around personal branding, and quite crucially – as we’re heard before on the podcast – why we need to keep the human side of marketing balanced with AI. Stay tuned to the end to find out what the 10-year-old Rand wanted to be when he grew up (and Will’s similar answer) – let’s just say neither of them planned to be a firefighter or a marketing entrepreneur! Watch this episode on YouTube. Check out Rand's latest venture, Snackbar Studio. --------------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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