In our latest podcast episode, we catch-up with Deviation’s Co-founder, Ashley Liddell, and discover his career journey from refuse collector to digital leader, his dream client, the industry’s biggest opportunity in 2026, and his love for The Verve’s Urban Hymns.

Timestamps

(0:00) - Welcome

(00:40) - How did you enter a career in digital?

(05:48) - How do you switch-off?

(07:38) - What is your favourite book/podcast?

(15:37) - Who's been your biggest influence/inspiration?

(18:40) - Fun Fact?

(21:31) - Your dream client in 2026?

(24:40) - Favourite music album of all time?

(27:38) - Biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2026?

(29:23) - What makes a standout agency?

(33:08) - What do you like and dislike about AI?(

40:03_ - Closing

About Ashley Liddell:

Ashley Liddell is a search and organic marketing specialist with a passion for how people actually discover brands today. With a background in SEO, Ashley has spent his career thinking beyond traditional rankings, focusing instead on discoverability across platforms like Google, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and AI-powered search.

Ashley is now a Co-Founder at Deviation | The Search Everywhere® Agency, where he helps brands connect the dots between search, content, and social discovery, through a multi-channel mindset.

📽️NEXT EVENT: DIGITAL SUPERCHATS#18 - PAID MEDIA STRATEGY & PERFORMANCE

https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/online-events/digital-superchats-18-paid-media-strategy-performance/

In our latest podcast episode, we catch-up with Bind’s Joint MD & Co-founder, Oli Hopkinson, and discover his career journey into digital marketing, the biggest AI challenge facing the industry, and his love for the Prodigy & Sopranos.

Timestamps/Chapters

(0:00) - Welcome

(01:00) - How did you enter a career in digital?

(05:35) - How do you switch-off?

(10:12) - What is your favourite TV show in 2025?

(12:14) - Becoming an author

(15:34) - What's your favourite album of all time?

(18:10) - What's your dream client for 2026?

(20:53) - Biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2026?

(22:50) - What excites and scares you MOST about AI?

(29:05) - Who has inspired you the most?

(32:50) - Closing

About Oli Hopkinson:Oli founded media agency Bind with his two brothers, Max & Will. He brings the agency side experience to the partnership having been a director in both a big network and a mid-sized independent.Oliver is also the entrepreneurial brother, starting his first business straight out of university, which he grew and sold 5 years later. He’s also a father, a husband, a charity fundraiser, a mental health advocate, an ultra-runner, and an author.

📽️NEXT EVENT: DIGITAL SUPERCHATS#18 - PAID MEDIA STRATEGY & PERFORMANCE

https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/online-events/digital-superchats-18-paid-media-strategy-performance/

👉Buy Oli's Book "Thoughts of a Wild Pig":

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thoughts-Wild-Pig-Oli-Hop/dp/1036929191

We catch-up with Stephen Kenwright, and find out about how accidently stumbled into a career in digital marketing, his non-negotiables for being a dad, and what he believes is the biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2025/2026. 

Timestamp/Chapters

(0:00) - Welcome

(0:55) - How did you enter a career in digital?

(03:11) - How do you switch-off?

(06:14) - Favourite podcast & book?

(09:39) - Fun fact about Stephen?

(12:59) - Proudest achievement to-date?

(15:50) - Favourite movie of all-time?

(18:58) - Advice for younger self?

(22:10) - Biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2025/26?

(27:24) - Favourite inspirational quote?

(30:42) - Favourite meal to cook at home?

(33:15) - Closing

About Stephen…

Stephen is a non-executive director and consultant for marketing agencies. He founded SEARCH-FIRST creative agency Rise at Seven in 2019 and served as Chief Commercial Officer, growing annual revenues to more than £7m; hiring 110 staff; opening offices in Sheffield, Manchester, London and New York; and winning more than 70 industry awards – about one every two weeks – before exiting after three years.

Stephen held board positions at £15m turnover/200-strong content production agency Ride Shotgun; digital marketing agency Branded3, which he helped to merge into £22m/250-strong data business Edit after its acquisition; and served on the Edit board as Sales and Marketing Director. He was also Head of Digital at £4.7bn turnover automotive retailer Pendragon PLC.

He’s delivered talks on more than 100 stages in 10 countries and founded SearchLeeds, a digital marketing conference that attracted more than 2,000 delegates to the first direct arena in its most recent edition. He’s one of Business Insider’s 42 Under 42 and The Drum once turned him into a Top Trump card. 

This podcast is produced/hosted by John McCambley, Founder & Chief Producer at Marketing Masterclass Series

Related Links/Mentions:

📢Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn  | 

📢Stephen’s Weekly Newsletter

📢 https://www.mothernutter.co.uk/

📢Digital Superchats #17: Organic Search Strategy & Performance (9/9/25)

We catch-up with Cedarwood Digital’s Director – Head of Organic Media, Amanda Walls, and find out about her love for long walks with Ted (her Golden Retriever), Tom Petty’s inspiration, Speaking in Saigon, and what advice she’d give her younger self…

Timestamps

(00:00) - Welcome

(00:14) - How did you enter a career in digital?

(02:59) - How do you switch-off?

(06:35) - Favourite podcast/book/Inspirational Quote?

(09:39) - Fun fact about Amanda?

(11:21) - Proudest achievement to-date?

(12:39) - Advice for younger self?

(15:45) - Biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2025/26?

(17:55) - Favourite holiday destination?

(19:49) - Closing

About Amanda…

Amanda Walls is the founder and Director of ⁠Cedarwood Digital⁠, an award-winning Digital Marketing agency specialising in SEO, PPC and Digital PR.

With 15 years of Digital Marketing experience under her belt, Amanda founded Cedarwood Digital eight years ago which was recently named Best Small Integrated Agency, PPC Agency & SEO Agency at the European Search Awards and Best Small PPC Agency, Integrated Agency and SEO Agency (Silver) at the UK Search Awards.

Her talks and digital expertise have been showcased at events including 4x Brighton SEO, Digital Marketing Europe, SEO Mastery Summit, SEO Estonia, Digital DNA, MissingLink LIVE and Sheffield DM.

In addition to speaking, Amanda has previously contributed to Forbes, Search Engine Watch, MOZ, Ahrefs, Majestic SEO and many more, discussing topics around SEO, Digital PR and general business. ⁠Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn⁠.

Upcoming Events:

⁠https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/online-events/digital-superchats-17-organic-search-strategy-performance/⁠

⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-dm-8-digital-marketing-event-tickets-1459740195219⁠

We catch-up with Cedarwood Digital’s Director – Head of Organic Media, Amanda Walls, and find out about her love for long walks with Ted (her Golden Retriever), Tom Petty’s inspiration, Speaking in Saigon, and what advice she’d give her younger self…

Timestamps

(00:00) - Welcome

(00:14) - How did you enter a career in digital?

(02:59) - How do you switch-off?

(06:35) - Favourite podcast/book/Inspirational Quote?

(09:39) - Fun fact about Amanda?

(11:21) - Proudest achievement to-date?

(12:39) - Advice for younger self?

(15:45) - Biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2025/26?

(17:55) - Favourite holiday destination?

(19:49) - Closing

About Amanda…

Amanda Walls is the founder and Director of Cedarwood Digital, an award-winning Digital Marketing agency specialising in SEO, PPC and Digital PR.

With 15 years of Digital Marketing experience under her belt, Amanda founded Cedarwood Digital eight years ago which was recently named Best Small Integrated Agency, PPC Agency & SEO Agency at the European Search Awards and Best Small PPC Agency, Integrated Agency and SEO Agency (Silver) at the UK Search Awards.

Her talks and digital expertise have been showcased at events including 4x Brighton SEO, Digital Marketing Europe, SEO Mastery Summit, SEO Estonia, Digital DNA, MissingLink LIVE and Sheffield DM.

In addition to speaking, Amanda has previously contributed to Forbes, Search Engine Watch, MOZ, Ahrefs, Majestic SEO and many more, discussing topics around SEO, Digital PR and general business. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

Upcoming Events:

https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/online-events/digital-superchats-17-organic-search-strategy-performance/

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-dm-8-digital-marketing-event-tickets-1459740195219

In this talk from Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition), Propellernet's Head of Digital PR, Louise Parker examines - Digital PR & AI: Simple Adjustments to Future-Proof Your Strategy.

Louise began her career in traditional PR agencies before transitioning in-house at major fashion brands, eventually joining Propellernet in 2015.

Louise is well known in the industry for her niche TikTok content, which provided light relief to the digital PR community during lockdown. She is also the co-host of the top 40 charting Digital PR Podcast.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition). The online event took place on Tuesday 13th May 2025. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Rick Guttridge from Smoking Gun.

Get Involved: https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In this talk from Digital Superchats #13 (Digital Strategy, Performance & Effectiveness Edition), idhl's Performance's Media Strategy Director , Tom Walkden, examines - Navigating Beyond Search and Social: Unleashing Programmatic’s Potential.

As Media Strategy Director at idhl, Tom is a seasoned expert in digital marketing and paid media strategies. With a wealth of experience in paid search (PPC), programmatic advertising, and social media advertising, Tom has a proven track record of delivering outstanding results for his clients.

Tom’s journey in the digital marketing world has been marked by innovative campaigns, data-driven approaches and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His deep understanding of the ever-evolving digital landscape, coupled with his creative flair, has enabled him to stay ahead of the curve and drive tangible business outcomes for his clients.

Outside of the digital world, Tom is an avid fan of sci-fi epics, enjoys immersing himself in the world of fantasy RPGs, and likes spending his time with his spaniel, Parker. With his passion for storytelling and his flair for strategic thinking, Tom brings a unique blend of creativity and analytical prowess.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #13 (Digital Strategy, Performance & Effectiveness Edition). The online event took place on Tuesday 21st May 2024. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Jamie Pollard from Impression.

Get Involved: https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In this talk from Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition), Cedarwood Digital's Senior Digital PR Manager, Sarah-Jayne Taylorson, examines - Put On your Thinking Cap(s): Six Hats to Inspire Digital PR Ideas.

SJ has over seven years of experience in digital PR, having worked both in-house and agency-side with a diverse range of brands—from well-known consumer names to niche industries like compliance and insurance.

Specialising in reactive PR, she leads the reactive digital PR offering at ⁠Cedarwood Digital⁠. With a passion for creative, timely campaigns, SJ excels at finding ways to put clients at the centre of trending conversations, securing valuable links and supporting long-term organic growth.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition). The online event took place on Tuesday 13th May 2025. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Rick Guttridge from Smoking Gun.

Get Involved: https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In this talk from Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition), Impression's Digital PR Strategy Consultant, Lauren Henley, examines - Capturing Your Customer’s Pain Points to Build Brand & Drive Organic Performance

Lauren has over 12 years of experience in SEO and digitalPR, delivering successful campaigns for B2C and B2B clients across local, national, and international markets. Drawing on a decade of expertise in SEO, social media, and PR, Lauren collaborates with teams and clients to unlock thefull potential of digital PR and drive impactful results.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition). The online event took place on Tuesday 13th May 2025. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Rick Guttridge from Smoking Gun.Get Involved:

https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In this talk from Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition), Connective3's UK Digital PR Manager, Will Waldron takes examines - Building More Than Just Links; How to Make Sure your Link Building Strategies Drive Success by Aligning Digital PR, SEO and Content

Starting out in music PR, and now with over ten years’ experience in traditional and digital PR, Will is the UK PR Manager at ⁠Connective3⁠, overseeing the strategy and delivery of PR activity with a team of 12.

Working with brands such as Ocado, Adobe, thortful and more, Will covers both B2C and B2B outreach, with a specific focus on organic and SEO performance.

Covering new business, marketing, and managing the UK PR team, Will is also experienced in technical PR and delivers award-winning campaigns for his clients.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition). The online event took place on Tuesday 13th May 2025. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Rick Guttridge from Smoking Gun.Get Involved:

https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In this talk from Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition), Propellernet's Head of Digital PR, Louise Parker examines - Digital PR & AI: Simple Adjustments to Future-Proof Your Strategy.

Louise began her career in traditional PR agencies before transitioning in-house at major fashion brands, eventually joining Propellernet in 2015.

Louise is well known in the industry for her niche TikTok content, which provided light relief to the digital PR community during lockdown. She is also the co-host of the top 40 charting Digital PR Podcast.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #16 (Digital PR Strategy & Search Performance Edition). The online event took place on Tuesday 13th May 2025. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Rick Guttridge from Smoking Gun.

Get Involved: https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In this talk, Propellernet's Head of Paid Media, Travis Eyles, examines - Demystifying Paid Media & Providing a No-Nonsense Approach to Your Strategies.Paid Media is full of acronyms, abbreviations, and closed language. Whether you’re an experienced paid media consultant or an in-house marketing manager, Paid Media offers an abundance of barriers to entry.

Travis’ talk has the ambition of demystifying what has become an overly complicated to empower our peers to talk about their paid media activity with confidence. He’ll discuss the evolution of multi-billion industry digital advertising is today and offer his recommendation for approaching your paid media strategy.

Once comfortable with that, he’ll share his view on what’s next for the industry, setting up the event nicely for the remaining talks to follow.

Key Delegate Takeaways:

• 1. You’ll understand how Paid Media has grown into the industry it’s become today.
  2. You’ll be given an acronym/abbreviation free overview of how to approach your paid media strategies.
  3. Finally, you’ll receive an understanding of what is next for the Paid Media industry and what you need to be mindful of in the future.

About the Speaker:

Travis is the Head of Paid Media at Propellernet and prides himself on demystifying technical elements of paid media for his clients. With over a decade’s experience in the industry, Travis joined Propellernet in 2023 after two years working in digital marketing for conservation groups. Travis uses his experience to translate the complex language used in paid advertising and make it accessible for his clients.

Outside of work, he spends a lot of time outdoors taking pictures of wildlife or running on the South Downs and along the beach. He’s also a huge music fan who loves the local gig-scene in Brighton.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #15 (Paid Media Strategy & Performance Edition). The online event took place on Tuesday 14th January 2025. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Will Anderson from Growth Society.

Get Involved:

https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In our latest podcast episode (part of the offline with series), I caught-up with Higgs LLP’s Head of Digital Marketing, Michelle Hughes, and find out about her love for sketching, how she ended up in the Northernmost pub in the world, digital’s biggest opportunity in 2026 and much more!

#digitalmarketing | #marketing | #ai

Timestamps/Chapters

(0:00) - Welcome

(0:35) - How did you enter a career in digital?

(05:06) - How do you switch-off?

(08:00) - The most influential person in your career?

(10:21) - Fun fact?(11:46) - Proudest achievement to-date?

(17:20) - Biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2026?

(19:38) - Closing

About Michelle…Michelle Hughes is fast approaching 50 and has the grey hair to prove it! She has been working in digital marketing since around 1998, back in the pre-Google era when getting into the Yahoo directory was the height of sophistication.She’s worked across a variety of sectors including education, recruitment, and for the last decade, legal services. For almost 3 years, she’s had the privilege of leading marketing at Higgs LLP, launching their rebrand and website in 2024, a project that stands as her proudest professional achievement to date.She needs dogs, tea, exercise and fresh air to stay sane, and when not immersed in digital marketing, she’s usually plotting her next adventure or finding ways to give back.

📽️NEXT EVENT: DIGITAL SUPERCHATS#18 - PAID MEDIA STRATEGY & PERFORMANCEhttps://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/online-events/digital-superchats-18-paid-media-strategy-performance/

In this talk from Digital Superchats #14 (Organic Search Strategy & Performance), Digitaloft's, James Brockbank, examines - Link Relevance: How To Measure It & Make Sure Google Doesn’t Ignore The Links You’re EarningJames Brockbank is an experienced SEO professional and is the Managing Director & Founder at Digitaloft, a UK-based agency, and an experienced specialist in content-first SEO and digital PR.

With more than 14 years of experience in SEO, spanning both the technical and creative sides of the industry, and having spent the last nine years growing an agency at the forefront of the digital PR and content-led SEO space, James offers valuable insights into proven tactics and advocates for the importance of building a positive agency culture.

James has previously spoken at or written for events and publications including SMX, BrightonSEO, Pubcon, WordCamp, State of Search, Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land and Semrush.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #14 (Organic Search Strategy & Performance). The online event took place on Tuesday 10th September 2024. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Rick Guttridge from Smoking Gun.

Get Involved: https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In this talk from Digital Superchats #5 (Digital Content Edition), Greenlight's Digital PR Performance Director, Jennifer Grey, examines - Newsworthy Content: The Secret Sauce When it Comes to Conversions

It’s not new that creating newsworthy content is key when it comes to driving traffic to your site and boosting conversions. But how do you create content that will be impactful for the reader, enhance your SEO, and get media pickup?

In this talk, Greenlight’s Digital PR Performance Director, Jennifer Grey, will take you through the process of creating newsworthy content; from planning your piece, to amplifying it through digital PR.

Key Delegate Takeaways:

1. What is making news and why it shouldn’t always be about your brand
2. How to plan your content and the importance of an agile strategy
3. Strategies to make your content go further, drive traffic and increase conversions

About Speaker:

Jennifer Grey is Digital PR Performance Director at Greenlight, she heads up the Digital PR team as part of the Content & Digital PR department. She’s been immersed in all aspects of content marketing for the past six years, with a career spanning content strategy, link earning and media relations, social media, influencer engagement and event management, as well as working with design teams to produce microsites and interactive content solutions. She’s passionate about building content campaigns which are useful and meaningful as well as media-friendly.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #5 (Digital Content Edition). The online event took place on Tuesday 30th November 2021. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Max Hopkinson from Bind.

Get Involved: https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

Is Digital PR still worth investing in? Absolutely — if you’re doing it right.

In this talk, Amy Irvine, Digital PR Director at Digitaloft, breaks down the evolving role of digital PR in modern marketing and SEO strategies. Learn why many brands are missing the mark, what real success looks like, and how digital PR can drive measurable organic growth — not just vanity metrics.

📽️This online talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #12 (Digital Strategy & Performance Edition) on Tuesday 30th January 2024.

Key Takeaways:

💡Why Digital PR is essential — and what real success looks like

💡The true value of Digital PR beyond just links

💡Proven, scalable tactics to drive faster organic growth

💡How Digital PR supports E-E-A-T and enhances your SEO strategy

💡Common mistakes to avoid and how to future-proof your approach

📢Don't forget to subscribe for more expert insights on digital marketing.

SEO isn’t just about rankings and backlinks anymore — it’s about brand. In this insightful talk, Thierry Ngutegure, Head of Insight at Journey Further, explores how SEO professionals can evolve their strategy by incorporating brand tracking into the mix.

Creating great content and building links will only take you so far. To unlock sustainable growth, it’s time to ask: What impact is your SEO strategy really having on your brand?

📽️This online talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #9 (Creative SEO Edition) on Tuesday 19th July 2022.

Key Takeaways:

💡Why brand is a crucial — and often overlooked — metric in SEO success

💡The danger of creating campaigns purely for SEO benefit, without considering brand perception

💡Tools and methods to start tracking how your SEO efforts impact brand awareness, sentiment, and trust

👍 Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert insights on the future of SEO and brand tracking.

NP Digital's VP Media Strategy, Luke O’Leary, reveals the exact strategies used to build powerful content engines that drive visibility, engage audiences, and convert traffic into customers.Learn how to build a scalable, AI-ready content strategy that drives traffic, leads & results. We're always told that "content is king"—but what does great content actually look like? And how can you consistently create content that performs?

This is a featured talk from Digital Superchats #9 (SEO Strategy Edition), which took place on Tuesday 14th March 2023.

🔥 Whether you're a marketer, content strategist, SEO professional, or business owner—this is your roadmap to building content that works in the age of AI.

🚀 What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to develop a targeted yet scalable content strategy

✅ Leveraging AI-generated content for long-term impact

✅ How to create systems that support consistent, high-quality output

✅ Proven industry secrets to drive conversions from informational content

✅ Tools and techniques to increase content ROI

🧠 Want more marketing insights? Subscribe for strategies from top industry experts.

User journeys are no longer linear. As digital behaviorbecomes more fragmented, traditional SEO strategies are falling behind.

In this insightful talk, Search Laboratory's Head of SEO, James Bentham, dives into how the evolving role of search demands a new, more adaptive approach from marketers.

Discover how to realign your search strategy with modern consumer behavior and leverage generative AI to unlock newgrowth opportunities.

🚀 What You’ll Learn:

1. How to adapt your SEO strategy to fit today’s complexuser journeys

2. The blueprint for achieving search maturity andcross-team collaboration

3. Immediate tactics to leverage generative AI for organicgrowth

Whether you're a digital marketer, SEO strategist, orbusiness leader, this session is packed with quick wins and future-ready insights to help you stay competitive in the new search landscape.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more content on the future of digital marketing and AI-driven strategies.

📽️This online talk was from Digital Superchats #11 (SEO Strategy & Performance Edition), which took place on Tuesday 24th October 2023.

#SEO #DigitalMarketing #SearchStrategy #GenerativeAI#OrganicSearch

We head back to 2023! In this talk from Digital Superchats #10 (AI & Digital Strategy), ICS-digital's Marketing Director, Martin Calvert, sets out the blueprint for creating a global content strategy in the world of AI.

Key Takeaways:

• Current applications of generative AI to support content-led SEO strategy
• Talking points about the wider context that’s driving Bing and Google in their AI product strategies – and implications for marketers
• Industry-specific case examples, suggested methodologies and AI initiatives to try based on the sectors of attendees

About Martin:

Martin is Marketing Director at ICS-digital – Martin frequently speaks and writes about marketing best practice in highly regulated sectors defined by fierce SEO competition, and spearheads the ICS: Everything Digital podcast on Apple and Spotify.

Focusing on actionable information, Martin draws on experience in professional services organisations, his digital agency background and especially his time at ICS, which covers campaigns in 100+ languages and dozens of countries.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #10 (AI & Digital Strategy Edition) .The online event took place on Tuesday 4th July 2023. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series

https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

In this talk from Digital Superchats #17 (Organic Search Strategy & Performance Edition), HUB's Performance Director, Malcolm Slade examines - Marketing During the AI Boom and Beyond.

Key Delegate Takeaways:

1. How to stay on target while avoiding all of the hyperbole and snake oil currently prevalent on LinkedIn and other social platforms.

2. How to start your journey building your brand.

3. What to do to prepare for the next iteration of marketing an AI driven world.

About Malcom:

Combining a degree in Computer Science with a 20-year career in performance marketing, Malcolm is a problem solver having led projects for many household brands such as Disney, Greggs, PrettyLittleThing and Virgin Holidays.

Now, as Performance Director at integrated agency HUB, Malcolm combines online, offline, business and product to deliver winning strategies focused on brand building and genuine business growth. “At HUB I finally have all the levers at my disposal to help clients thrive in this ever changing landscape”.

*This talk was delivered at Digital Superchats #17 (Organic Search Strategy & Performance Edition) .The online event took place on Tuesday 9th September 2025. Produced by John McCambley at Marketing Masterclass Series and hosted by our MC Jamie Pollard from Impression. Get Involved:

https://www.marketing-masterclass-series.com/

We catch-up with Stephen Kenwright, and find out about how accidently stumbled into a career in digital marketing, his non-negotiables for being a dad, and what he believes is the biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2025/2026. 

Timestamp/Chapters

(0:00) - Welcome

(0:55) - How did you enter a career in digital?

(03:11) - How do you switch-off?

(06:14) - Favourite podcast & book?

(09:39) - Fun fact about Stephen?

(12:59) - Proudest achievement to-date?

(15:50) - Favourite movie of all-time?(18:58) - Advice for younger self?

(22:10) - Biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2025/26?

(27:24) - Favourite inspirational quote?

(30:42) - Favourite meal to cook at home?

(33:15) - Closing

About Stephen…

Stephen is a non-executive director and consultant for marketing agencies. He founded SEARCH-FIRST creative agency Rise at Seven in 2019 and served as Chief Commercial Officer, growing annual revenues to more than £7m; hiring 110 staff; opening offices in Sheffield, Manchester, London and New York; and winning more than 70 industry awards – about one every two weeks – before exiting after three years.

Stephen held board positions at £15m turnover/200-strong content production agency Ride Shotgun; digital marketing agency Branded3, which he helped to merge into £22m/250-strong data business Edit after its acquisition; and served on the Edit board as Sales and Marketing Director. He was also Head of Digital at £4.7bn turnover automotive retailer Pendragon PLC.

He’s delivered talks on more than 100 stages in 10 countries and founded SearchLeeds, a digital marketing conference that attracted more than 2,000 delegates to the first direct arena in its most recent edition. He’s one of Business Insider’s 42 Under 42 and The Drum once turned him into a Top Trump card. 

This podcast is produced/hosted by John McCambley, Founder & Chief Producer at Marketing Masterclass Series

Related Links/Mentions:

⁠📢Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn⁠  | 

📢⁠Stephen’s Weekly Newsletter⁠

📢 ⁠https://www.mothernutter.co.uk/⁠

📢⁠Digital Superchats #17: Organic Search Strategy & Performance (9/9/25)