Marketing in the Madness – Details, episodes & analysis

Can AI do 90% of your job? 

Maybe. 

But the last 10% - story, judgment, and real human connection -  is where careers are won. 

In this conversation with Chris Croft, we get honest about using AI boldly without losing your voice, why brand polish matters less than authenticity, and why people skills are the new moat.

What we cover:

- Authenticity > aesthetics: Your studio and brand can change; what audiences trust is you, open and honest on camera. 

- Agentic AI is here: From bookings to cold calls, AI will eat routine work so double down on the human bits: rapport, influence, leadership. 

- The “20 ideas” creativity workout: Push past the obvious; ideas #15–20 often contain the gold. Then let AI add another 20 to spark what you missed. 

- Where AI shines (and doesn’t): Great for ideation, structure, and pros/cons, you still choose, tell the story, and add the edge audiences remember. 

- AI music is fun, not Dylan: Tools like Suno can make catchy songs, but originality and lived nuance still belong to humans. 

- Aim for the top 30%: If you’re in that tier for creativity and people skills, you’ll outperform today’s AI and tomorrow’s. 

If you’re a marketer, creator, trainer, or leader, this episode gives you a practical playbook for partnering with AI while staying unmistakably you. Expect candid examples, a few laughs, and a clear path to staying valuable as tech races ahead.

If this resonated, hit the notification bell to stay tuned for upcoming episodes!

What if one tiny mistake could change your whole life?

Katie Street sits down with international trainer, author, and LinkedIn Learning superstar Chris Croft. His story is anything but ordinary. From turning down an opportunity that could have ended his career before it even started, to accidentally creating a viral project management rap, Chris shares how a mix of saying yes (and sometimes no) shaped his path from corporate trainer to one of the world’s most-watched online instructors.

Chris has grown a community of more than 250,000 people on LinkedIn, created over 47 LinkedIn Learning courses (yes, more than anyone else in the world), built a YouTube channel with 20,000 subscribers, and reached audiences across the globe on Udemy. And the best part? He’s done it all without the kind of heavy marketing you might expect.

Together they dig into:

• How a mistake turned into millions
• Why LinkedIn and YouTube became his most powerful growth tools
• What he’s learned about the connection between happiness and success

Chris also opens up about staying relevant in a world of AI, why authenticity is non-negotiable, and how creativity is still the ultimate edge in business. This conversation is packed with stories, laughs, and lessons that prove success doesn’t come from following the rules - it comes from showing up, trying things, and sometimes just getting it wrong.

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What does it really take to cut through the noise in today’s marketing world? In this episode, Katie Street sits down with Joe Glover - founder of The Marketing Meetup, LinkedIn legend, and all-round positively lovely human - to talk about the power of showing up as your ACTUAL self, building communities with meaning, and why kindness (and proactivity!) might just be the most underrated growth hacks out there. Whether you're trying to grow an audience, build a brand, or stay sane in the midst of marketing madness - this episode hits different. These are the key takeaways of this episode, and WHY they matter: - Kindness isn’t just a value (it can be your strategy) - Joe built The Marketing Meetup into a global community of over 50,000 by putting people first. No egos. No job title snobbery. Just human-to-human connection, with “positively lovely” baked in from day one. That's all we're here for! - Don’t just wait to be chosen. Knock on the damn door - From showing up in a suit with his CV at age 16, to running 4 events a month on his own, Joe proves that proactivity beats perfection every time. Never ask for permission.  - Content fatigue is real. But honesty still wins - Katie and Joe unpack the rise of fake engagement, AI content spam, and why the most viral posts aren’t always the most valuable. Your most powerful tool? Being human! - Your audience now lives on LinkedIn, YouTube & TikTok - As AI changes how we search, discover, and buy, marketers need to rethink everything from attribution to content hubs. Your social channels are the new front door. No one is looking at your website first anymore. Whether you're scaling a marketing team, building a brand, or just trying to stay ahead of the madness, this episode is full with practical wisdom and good energy!   Don't forget to hit subscribe, drop us a comment so we can keep making wonderful content like this. And let us know, what’s YOUR version of positively lovely marketing?

Connect with Joe https://www.linkedin.com/in/josepheglover/ The Marketing Meetup https://themarketingmeetup.com/

Katie Street: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in The Madness https://marketinginthemadness.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Follow Street Agency: https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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In this Shoptalk special, Katie Street grabs 20 minutes with one of retail’s most inspiring voices - Slavka Jancikova, VP of Marketing for Foot Locker Europe. From sneaker drops to social strategy, Slavka lifts the lid on how Foot Locker is keeping things fresh, future-ready and fiercely relevant - especially with Gen Z. Spoiler: it’s not just about the kicks (though that helps). We talk AI, agile marketing, in-store reinvention and why your physical experience still matters more than ever in an increasingly digital world. If you’re in retail, marketing, or simply obsessed with what’s next, this one’s for you. What you'll take away from this episode: 1. Gen Z is always watching - Slavka reveals how Foot Locker is doubling down on youth culture without losing touch with loyal Millennial fans. It's all about cultural relevance, real community voices and collabs with the right tastemakers. 2. Make AI useful - Think SEO content in multiple languages, automated reporting, dynamic visuals... all powered by AI to speed things up and keep campaigns lean. 3. Trends move fast - Foot Locker moves faster - From Barbie to seasonal hype - learn how the team reacts to real-time trends across e-comm, social and in-store, with speed and style. 4. Physical retail isn't dead. It's just getting a glow-up - With 600+ stores in Europe, Foot Locker’s rolling out a reimagined, experience-first concept. Expect easier try-ons, community connection, and in-store energy that can’t be scrolled past! Hit play if you want to feel inspired by the future of retail. And if you love trainers, marketing, or both - this one’s non-negotiable. Slavka Jancikova https://www.linkedin.com/in/slavkajancikova/

Katie Street: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in The Madness https://marketinginthemadness.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Follow Street Agency: https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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In this byte-sized episode, we’re back with Sylvain Grande, Chief Product Officer at PayFit, diving into how they’re weaving AI into every layer of their marketing engine.

PayFit, one of Europe’s leading HR tech platforms, has been on a big transformation journey - from classic sales-led to a smarter, more connected, multi-channel model. And AI is right at the heart of it.

1. AI Is Reshaping the Marketing Stack

PayFit’s marketing has evolved from being purely in service of sales to playing a central role across the entire customer lifecycle. 

2. Data Accessibility > More Tools

 PayFit uses tools like Snowflake to consolidate inputs across CRM, CMS, customer support, and product teams, creating a unified data foundation that powers smarter AI outputs.

3. Real-Time Workflows, Not Just Chatbots

Beyond clever assistants, Sylvain talks about moving toward agentic AI - where tasks trigger next steps automatically. From analysing call transcripts to enriching CRM entries and driving follow-up actions, it's all about building intelligent workflows that scale.

4. Start Small, Then Scale

While some of PayFit’s AI use cases are complex - like updating salaries based on government API changes - many started small. The key? Test. Learn. Iterate. AI success isn’t about big bang projects. It’s about building momentum with micro-automations.

This mini-episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what real AI adoption looks like inside a modern B2B SaaS brand. It’s not hype. It’s not just tooling. It’s a thoughtful, iterative, data-led approach to marketing that connects dots across your business.

If you’re serious about modernising your growth engine - or just want to steal a few smart moves - this one’s worth 10 minutes of your day.

Sylvain Grande https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgrande/

PayFit https://payfit.com/

Katie Street: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in The Madness https://marketinginthemadness.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Follow Street Agency: https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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What happens when a fashion brand thinks like a tech company? At Shoptalk Europe, Katie sits down with Mark Ralea, General Manager of Fabletics Europe, to find out how this fast-growing activewear brand is disrupting the retail game - from AI-powered personalisation to immersive, experience-led stores. Together, they unpacked:   Subscription models create deeper customer relationships - Mark explains how Fabletics’ recurring model drives predictable revenue, reduces overstock, and builds genuine customer relationships. Owning your tech stack gives you superpowers - From proprietary onboarding quizzes to omnichannel experiences and AI recommendations, Fabletics is built on in-house innovation. Build an Experience - Mark shares plans for a 900m² flagship wellness store -think reformer Pilates, cryo chambers, and nutrition bars. Katie’s take? “This is the future of retail - not just selling, but creating something people want to visit.” This conversation with Mark Ralea isn’t just about athleisure -  it’s a masterclass in how to build a future-proof brand. From flipping the fashion retail model on its head with subscriptions, to creating community through experience-led retail, Fabletics isn’t playing by old rules - they’re writing new ones. Tech alone doesn’t drive loyalty. It’s the human-first thinking behind the product recommendations, personalisation, and brand partnerships that creates real connection. 

Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-ralea/

Katie Street: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in The Madness https://marketinginthemadness.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Follow Street Agency: https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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With AI rapidly transforming how we run businesses, many leaders are asking: how do you actually implement AI tools in a way that enhances productivity, improves customer experience, and still keeps your teams empowered - not overwhelmed? In this special episode of Marketing in the Madness, recorded in Paris, host Katie Street is joined by Sylvain Grande, Chief Product Officer at PayFit, a leading HR and payroll SaaS platform serving SMEs across France, the UK, and Spain. With over 650 employees and a bold approach to tech adoption, PayFit has rolled out AI tools across marketing, sales, product, and support - and the impact has been game-changing. Adoption starts with culture - Rather than force top-down change, PayFit encouraged safe experimentation. Through education, tools like Dust, and team-specific support, 75% of staff now use AI regularly and feel more productive because of it. How amazing is that? AI Is the glue across marketing functions - From SEO optimisation and content creation to customer sentiment analysis, AI isn’t just a tool - it’s helping connect data, teams, and decision-making. “Marketing, product, and support now work more collaboratively thanks to shared insights,” Sylvain explains. B2B requires smarter, multi-touch journeys - With long buying cycles and multiple decision-makers, PayFit is blending product-led growth, influencer content, and live events - all powered by AI-driven automation and segmentation. This episode is essential listening for B2B marketers, founders, and tech leaders navigating AI integration. Tune in to hear how PayFit is not just adopting AI, but using it to elevate both the employee and customer experience. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment below with how you're using AI in your business. We want to know your take!

Sylvain Grande https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgrande/

Katie Street: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in The Madness https://marketinginthemadness.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Follow Street Agency: https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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What happens when an iconic heritage beauty brand meets cutting-edge AI and TikTok trends?  

Recorded live at Shoptalk Europe in Barcelona, this special episode welcomes Karen Ehrlich, VP/GM, Skin Care, Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland! She dives into digital innovation, personalised beauty marketing, and how iconic brands like Clinique stay ahead in today’s fast-moving retail landscape.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How Clinique’s AI-powered tools like 'Clinical Reality' redefine personalisation - The power of consumer-first marketing strategies and why understanding behaviours beats demographics - The secrets behind viral products like 'Black Honey Lipstick' and creating shareable brand experiences - How trends like 'Skinimalism' and 'Glass Skin' are transforming beauty marketing across generations - Why TikTok is crucial for connecting with Gen Z & Millennials, and how Estee Lauder drives organic buzz

Whether you’re in beauty, retail, or just love seeing brands push boundaries, this episode is packed with must-know insights and fresh ideas straight from the top of the industry!

Connect with Karen:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-ehrlich/

Katie Street: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in The Madness https://marketinginthemadness.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Follow Street Agency: https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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In this episode of Marketing in the Madness, we sit down with George Sullivan, founder of The Sole Supplier, to unpack the rapidly changing landscape of eCommerce and the role of social commerce, AI, and human-first marketing in shaping the next decade of online retail.

Together, we explore:

 ✅ Why traditional transactional websites are becoming obsolete

George argues that websites relying purely on transactions will become irrelevant within the next 5–10 years. Instead, successful platforms will blend content, social interaction, and community, creating niche spaces that tap into culture and inspire shoppers!

 ✅ How social and community-driven platforms are transforming shopping habits

As AI-generated content proliferates, people will crave authentic, human-driven experiences more than ever. Brands that lean into human-centred storytelling will build trust and connection in an increasingly automated world.

 ✅ Why brands need to double down on authentic, human-centred content to stand out in an AI-driven world

The way people search for products is changing dramatically - consumers now look on Instagram, TikTok, or even ChatGPT instead of Google. This means brands must rethink their SEO strategies, creating unique content optimised not just for traditional search engines but also for AI tools and social platforms.

Join us as we discuss why micro-communities, human experiences, and AI-enhanced strategies will define the winners in the future of retail!

Connect with George:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-sullivan-96397765/

Katie Street: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in The Madness https://marketinginthemadness.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Follow Street Agency: https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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In this special Marketing the Madness x Shoptalk Europe episode, our host Katie is joined by the powerhouse duo from Jägermeister, Susanne and Maren, who dive deep into what digital transformation really looks like behind the scenes. Live from Shoptalk Europe in Barcelona, we unpack how this iconic FMCG brand is evolving from heritage liquor to digital-first DTC innovator — all powered by a tiny team and smart tech. Together, they explore: Global Digital Transformation – How Jägermeister streamlined 18 local websites into one scalable platform, enabling global consistency with local flexibility. Smart Tech Stack Choices – Why they chose Shopify and Contentful to future-proof their eCommerce and content operations — and how it empowered a tiny team to move fast. Real-World Personalisation – From engraved bottles to limited-edition drops, discover how Jägermeister is using personalisation to deepen loyalty and drive online sales. Leadership & Change Management – The cultural, strategic, and operational lessons from leading transformation in a legacy brand — including the power of worst-case planning and stakeholder empathy. Tune in for honest lessons, practical takeaways, and a little bit of Jäger spirit.

Katie Street: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in The Madness https://marketinginthemadness.buzzsprout.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Follow Street Agency: https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/