<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:psc="http://podlove.org/simple-chapters" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talks]]></title><description><![CDATA[“Spikes Excitement Talks” is an engaging podcast hosted by Gordon Euchler, co-founder of Spikes, featuring some of the most famous figures from the world of marketing and branding. Each episode welcomes guests who share their professional journeys and delve into what personally and professionally excites them. From notable studio heads to leading minds in top advertising agencies, listeners gain an intimate look at the passions driving these industry leaders. ]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes</link><generator>Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:23:05 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://api.riverside.com/hosting/8WyH3CAE.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><author><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></author><pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:32:21 GMT</pubDate><copyright><![CDATA[2026 The Spikes]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><ttl>60</ttl><category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category><itunes:author>The Spikes</itunes:author><itunes:summary>“Spikes Excitement Talks” is an engaging podcast hosted by Gordon Euchler, co-founder of Spikes, featuring some of the most famous figures from the world of marketing and branding. Each episode welcomes guests who share their professional journeys and delve into what personally and professionally excites them. From notable studio heads to leading minds in top advertising agencies, listeners gain an intimate look at the passions driving these industry leaders. </itunes:summary><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:owner><itunes:name>The Spikes</itunes:name><itunes:email>gordon.euchler@the-spikes.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="Business"><itunes:category text="Marketing"/></itunes:category><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #234 with Davide D'Alena]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with <b><strong>Davide D’Alena</strong></b>, <b><strong>Head of Marketing, Retail Sun at </strong></b><i><b><strong>EssilorLuxottica</strong></b></i>, about a career driven by curiosity, creativity and the desire to build what doesn’t yet exist.</p><p>From <i><em>Bain &amp; Company </em></i>and <i><em>Kraft Heinz </em></i>to <i><em>Shopfully</em></i> and <i><em>EssilorLuxottica</em></i>, Davide shares how each step of his journey took him further outside his comfort zone and closer to consumers. He talks about transforming retail stores from transactional spaces into destinations, the power of great mentors, and why marketing is ultimately about bringing ideas to life.</p><p>He also looks ahead at AI, innovation and the enduring importance of human connection, arguing that as technology makes experiences simpler and more efficient, the human touch could become the premium experience.</p><p>Tune in to hear Davide’s perspective on finding opportunity without a playbook, building brands and businesses, and why curiosity might be one of the most valuable qualities for marketers today.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">df3128ee-4057-4cb7-a58e-03138a33213c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:57:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/0d4b46caaef1510bde5e50f98a90b8e209986b5ac67b29fe9b5412f434ab1336/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkZjMxMjhlZS00MDU3LTRjYjctYTU4ZS0wMzEzOGEzMzIxM2MiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmFiZTNiODc2MjRlZGQ5OTQxM2ZiZDY1L2dvcmRvbi0tZXVjaGxlcnMtc3R1ZGlvLTIwMjYtMTAtMV9fMTAtNTctNDAubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="30626630" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/df3128ee-4057-4cb7-a58e-03138a33213c/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with &lt;b&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Davide D’Alena&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Head of Marketing, Retail Sun at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;strong&gt;EssilorLuxottica&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;, about a career driven by curiosity, creativity and the desire to build what doesn’t yet exist.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From &lt;i&gt;&lt;em&gt;Bain &amp;amp; Company &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/i&gt;and &lt;i&gt;&lt;em&gt;Kraft Heinz &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/i&gt;to &lt;i&gt;&lt;em&gt;Shopfully&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;&lt;em&gt;EssilorLuxottica&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/i&gt;, Davide shares how each step of his journey took him further outside his comfort zone and closer to consumers. He talks about transforming retail stores from transactional spaces into destinations, the power of great mentors, and why marketing is ultimately about bringing ideas to life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He also looks ahead at AI, innovation and the enduring importance of human connection, arguing that as technology makes experiences simpler and more efficient, the human touch could become the premium experience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear Davide’s perspective on finding opportunity without a playbook, building brands and businesses, and why curiosity might be one of the most valuable qualities for marketers today.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:16</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #234 with Davide D&apos;Alena</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #233 with Ivan Reyes]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <b><strong>Iván Reyes</strong></b>, <b><strong>VP Derma Emerging Markets at </strong></b><i><b><strong>Beiersdorf</strong></b></i>, to explore a career shaped by curiosity, cultural diversity and continuous learning.</p><p>From Mexico to Dubai and across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, Ivan shares how different markets and consumer behaviours have shaped his approach to marketing. He talks about the unique intersection of dermatology and consumer marketing, the importance of strong teams and mentors, and why the future belongs to marketers who keep learning and adapting.</p><p>Tune in to hear Ivan’s perspective on building global strategies that work locally, learning from different cultures, and navigating the rapidly changing world of marketing and AI.</p>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">f9558584-e70f-4ac4-8163-05e482640bd4</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:48:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1e66dedc6529b247acd7721264248cc174937e59b9671dba7c80f7436965fcf0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmOTU1ODU4NC1lNzBmLTRhYzQtODE2My0wNWU0ODI2NDBiZDQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmFiZTNhNTc4ZWVlNDBhNTk1YWY5YjdiL2dvcmRvbi0tZXVjaGxlcnMtc3R1ZGlvLTIwMjYtMTAtMV9fMTAtNDgtNDgubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="36581294" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f9558584-e70f-4ac4-8163-05e482640bd4/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;b&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Iván Reyes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;&lt;strong&gt;VP Derma Emerging Markets at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Beiersdorf&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;, to explore a career shaped by curiosity, cultural diversity and continuous learning.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From Mexico to Dubai and across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, Ivan shares how different markets and consumer behaviours have shaped his approach to marketing. He talks about the unique intersection of dermatology and consumer marketing, the importance of strong teams and mentors, and why the future belongs to marketers who keep learning and adapting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear Ivan’s perspective on building global strategies that work locally, learning from different cultures, and navigating the rapidly changing world of marketing and AI.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:24</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #233 with Ivan Reyes</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #119 with Stephanie Jacoby]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Dave Cobban sits down with Stephanie Jacoby, Global SVP of Vodka at Diageo, to explore her remarkable 18-year journey in brand marketing — from her early career in tech to leading some of the world’s most iconic spirits, including Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff.</p><p>Stephanie shares how her background in psychology shaped her approach to building brands with purpose, authenticity, and human connection. She opens up about the mentors who shaped her leadership, the bold campaigns that moved audiences — like <em>Keep Walking</em> — and her belief that brands have the power to change the world.</p><p>We can also hear how curiosity and courage define great marketers, why inclusivity and “positive drinking” are core to Smirnoff’s DNA,  the rise of mindful drinking and low/no-alcohol innovation and how AI is transforming creativity, storytelling, and consumer connection. </p><p> Tune in for a conversation full of insight, optimism, and a reminder to always <em>keep walking</em>.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-119-with-Stephanie-Jacoby-e3afnbv</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679d2e7e-cf5e-4590-a604-5e75e28fdc42</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:46:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/581ca72c5f77f084b8eb6f2e4bb5e5fdcc808b79b788e075e84c0ee43447b9c6/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmNzQzOTc3NC1kMjYzLTQ0MzQtOGI0MS04MmVjOTkxNGVmNjEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjc0Mzk3NzQtZDI2My00NDM0LThiNDEtODJlYzk5MTRlZjYxLzA5MzMyMDVjLTE5NjItNmE1OS1kYzUyLTJkYzAyYmUyZDdjNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24421658" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Dave Cobban sits down with Stephanie Jacoby, Global SVP of Vodka at Diageo, to explore her remarkable 18-year journey in brand marketing — from her early career in tech to leading some of the world’s most iconic spirits, including Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Stephanie shares how her background in psychology shaped her approach to building brands with purpose, authenticity, and human connection. She opens up about the mentors who shaped her leadership, the bold campaigns that moved audiences — like &lt;em&gt;Keep Walking&lt;/em&gt; — and her belief that brands have the power to change the world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We can also hear how curiosity and courage define great marketers, why inclusivity and “positive drinking” are core to Smirnoff’s DNA,  the rise of mindful drinking and low/no-alcohol innovation and how AI is transforming creativity, storytelling, and consumer connection. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Tune in for a conversation full of insight, optimism, and a reminder to always &lt;em&gt;keep walking&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:00</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f7439774-d263-4434-8b41-82ec9914ef61/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #119 with Stephanie Jacoby</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #111 with Jan Francis]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Jan Francis, Head of Marketing Procurement at Visa Europe, to explore the power of partnerships, navigating change, and finding opportunity in complexity.</p><p>Jan takes us through his unconventional career path—from hotels and forestry to IT, law, and ultimately leading procurement for marketing across 26 countries at one of the world’s most trusted brands. He shares honest reflections on overcoming dyslexia, learning through leaps, and building psychologically safe teams that dare to grow.</p><p>The conversation explores why marketing procurement is about more than just contracts, what it takes to form true supplier partnerships, not just transactions, the role of AI in accelerating creative campaigns, how Visa is preparing for a new generation of customers and platforms and why risk, when handled right, can be the best driver of innovation.</p><p>Tune in to hear why Jan says: “What’s the worst that can happen? I learn something.”</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-111-with-Jan-Francis-e39brua</link><guid isPermaLink="false">294ea839-356e-408e-bb0c-b23b333f50b6</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:00:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/dda61dc4e18c514aaa7403d4fc61c07aafe295620586e17706a515e61869127b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyOGM2ODE2Ni1lOTMyLTQyNzgtYjY1NS1kZGUzZmExNzNmOTIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjhjNjgxNjYtZTkzMi00Mjc4LWI2NTUtZGRlM2ZhMTczZjkyL2JmMzdjM2NmLTFmOWMtNDQ0My05NDQ4LWM2ZDE1MjAwMzcwYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22163271" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Jan Francis, Head of Marketing Procurement at Visa Europe, to explore the power of partnerships, navigating change, and finding opportunity in complexity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jan takes us through his unconventional career path—from hotels and forestry to IT, law, and ultimately leading procurement for marketing across 26 countries at one of the world’s most trusted brands. He shares honest reflections on overcoming dyslexia, learning through leaps, and building psychologically safe teams that dare to grow.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores why marketing procurement is about more than just contracts, what it takes to form true supplier partnerships, not just transactions, the role of AI in accelerating creative campaigns, how Visa is preparing for a new generation of customers and platforms and why risk, when handled right, can be the best driver of innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why Jan says: “What’s the worst that can happen? I learn something.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:07</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/28c68166-e932-4278-b655-dde3fa173f92/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #111 with Jan Francis</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #128 with Gabriele Haessig ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler talks with Gabriele Haessig, Managing Director for Communications and Sustainability at Procter &amp; Gamble Deutschland (Germany). With a remarkable career spanning decades at P&amp;G, Gabriele shares her journey from economics student to leading sustainability and communications for one of the world’s biggest brands. <br />She discusses how purpose and sustainability are woven into the fabric of P&amp;G, shaping everything from product innovation to global partnerships. Gabriele also dives into her vision for the future—a future where brands are co-created with purpose, sustainability is no longer optional, and businesses actively contribute to a better world for generations to come.</p><p>Tune in for an motivating conversation on how brands can drive meaningful change and why the future is brighter than we think.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-128-with-Gabriele-Haessig-e3c5bfj</link><guid isPermaLink="false">7578a5a7-8a86-4eec-8f84-258911d83db0</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:27:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d60d56ebe40dbae404e15a2d93df4fc852d04cf6562fddfcd06f74b803bee45d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMDM0M2UyZC0xYTg1LTRjZDQtODA4YS1mMzIyOTgwMjYxMzciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDAzNDNlMmQtMWE4NS00Y2Q0LTgwOGEtZjMyMjk4MDI2MTM3LzFmMTFkMTg2LTNkMzktY2VjNy1lMjZkLWUzYzlkZDQwNDZlMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15499881" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler talks with Gabriele Haessig, Managing Director for Communications and Sustainability at Procter &amp;amp; Gamble Deutschland (Germany). With a remarkable career spanning decades at P&amp;amp;G, Gabriele shares her journey from economics student to leading sustainability and communications for one of the world’s biggest brands. &lt;br /&gt;She discusses how purpose and sustainability are woven into the fabric of P&amp;amp;G, shaping everything from product innovation to global partnerships. Gabriele also dives into her vision for the future—a future where brands are co-created with purpose, sustainability is no longer optional, and businesses actively contribute to a better world for generations to come.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an motivating conversation on how brands can drive meaningful change and why the future is brighter than we think.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:21</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/00343e2d-1a85-4cd4-808a-f32298026137/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #128 with Gabriele Haessig </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #130 with Julien Moignard ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks Gordon Euchler hosts  <strong>Julien Moignard</strong>, <strong>Global Chief Prospective Innovation and Design Officer &amp; SVP - Beauty &amp; Wellbeing at Unilever</strong>.</p><p>The conversation explores the future of beauty, innovation, and leadership. Julien shares his journey from a family of pharmacists to working with L’Oréal and Estée Lauder, and now driving Unilever’s transformation into a true beauty company.<br />He discusses how he blends innovation, design, and sustainability to create products that inspire confidence, joy, and desire. Furthermore foresight, mentoring, and shaping the future of work and life, while balancing business ambition with human responsibility. <br />Tune in for a conversation packed with passion, vision and the art of making beauty meaningful.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-130-with-Julien-Moignard-e3c5f7g</link><guid isPermaLink="false">a5b2fc45-85a2-47ab-a809-fce158e722e6</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:35:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5d1ee6f8127de4eca74e9d73d290e47a7a59483c765cd2b242c6e33a4ba48b2b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhMmJlMmJhMC05ZGQwLTRlZjUtOWM4Ny1mNzYwMmZmZWU1NTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTJiZTJiYTAtOWRkMC00ZWY1LTljODctZjc2MDJmZmVlNTUxLzEyNjA0MDMwLWQ1MTAtYTcxMC0xNTg2LTM5ZTdkZjY0MTY4NC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22231516" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks Gordon Euchler hosts  &lt;strong&gt;Julien Moignard&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Global Chief Prospective Innovation and Design Officer &amp;amp; SVP - Beauty &amp;amp; Wellbeing at Unilever&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores the future of beauty, innovation, and leadership. Julien shares his journey from a family of pharmacists to working with L’Oréal and Estée Lauder, and now driving Unilever’s transformation into a true beauty company.&lt;br /&gt;He discusses how he blends innovation, design, and sustainability to create products that inspire confidence, joy, and desire. Furthermore foresight, mentoring, and shaping the future of work and life, while balancing business ambition with human responsibility. &lt;br /&gt;Tune in for a conversation packed with passion, vision and the art of making beauty meaningful.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:27</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a2be2ba0-9dd0-4ef5-9c87-f7602ffee551/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #130 with Julien Moignard </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #106 with Matt Darbon ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Excitement Talks, Sandra Peat is joined by Matt Darbon, Head of Digital Marketing at Waitrose &amp; Partners, to unpack a remarkable career journey—from stacking shelves at 16 to leading digital transformation at one of the UK’s most beloved supermarkets.</p><p>Matt shares candid insights of how he "fell into" digital marketing during a dog walk, what he learned from working at brands like Virgin Media and the role customer experience plays in shaping strategy at Waitrose.</p><p>The conversation also explores why AI and emerging technologies aren’t replacing fundamentals—they’re enhancing them and the emotional power of great marketing, and how fun, trust, and ambition still drive growth.<br /></p><p>Listen in for a conversation on the real excitement behind digital marketing today.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-106-with-Matt-Darbon-e38ljtq</link><guid isPermaLink="false">183b6c50-1e9b-4394-96df-e3a3fa61924a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:42:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/151326e7cce73a1d732ee3158ae0c55e9c017cec8d7d445ece665c9b48229e75/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwZjZmYzA0Yi05MTIyLTRiMzgtOGQwYy05ODFkZjU0NWI0MzAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGY2ZmMwNGItOTEyMi00YjM4LThkMGMtOTgxZGY1NDViNDMwLzQwODA3NDgyOC00NDEwMC0yLWJjNTFhOGVhMWM3OTgubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="18445068" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Excitement Talks, Sandra Peat is joined by Matt Darbon, Head of Digital Marketing at Waitrose &amp;amp; Partners, to unpack a remarkable career journey—from stacking shelves at 16 to leading digital transformation at one of the UK’s most beloved supermarkets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Matt shares candid insights of how he &quot;fell into&quot; digital marketing during a dog walk, what he learned from working at brands like Virgin Media and the role customer experience plays in shaping strategy at Waitrose.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation also explores why AI and emerging technologies aren’t replacing fundamentals—they’re enhancing them and the emotional power of great marketing, and how fun, trust, and ambition still drive growth.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen in for a conversation on the real excitement behind digital marketing today.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:19:00</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0f6fc04b-9122-4b38-8d0c-981df545b430/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #106 with Matt Darbon </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #105 with Dorothée Gardon ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon sits down with Dorotheé Gardon, Global Marketing Strategy &amp; Integrated Media Director at IKEA, to explore what it really means to lead one of the world's most loved brands in today’s evolving media landscape.</p><p>From her early days at Google, Microsoft, and Meta, to shaping brand experiences at Precis Digital and now IKEA, Dorothée brings a deep perspective on navigating brand love, creative pressure and marketing transformation.</p><p>They discuss how IKEA unites data precision with playful, purposeful storytelling, the shift from omnichannel to "omni-experience" marketing and why marketing should feel like an extension of service, not an interruption.</p><p>Moreover what AI means for the future of brand interaction and personalization and the importance of leadership, collaboration and building shared purpose in global teams.</p><p><br />Tune in to get insights on how to build consistency across markets while staying locally relevant.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-105-with-Dorothe-Gardon-e38bmjj</link><guid isPermaLink="false">019e9340-f4aa-4d29-ba5b-4c22c6c4e456</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:46:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/41e45e05fadc360e2e6b636c5d2a8e9d6090e32b770ee23f93fc0f7afceb35c1/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiYTBiZTdhZi1mODRmLTRhZGYtODNjMC0wZmE5MzliY2YyNGEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYmEwYmU3YWYtZjg0Zi00YWRmLTgzYzAtMGZhOTM5YmNmMjRhLzc3YTgyMjY3LThhZjYtZDAxNC1jMzY0LTE1ZTUwMzhkYjBkZi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="13946354" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon sits down with Dorotheé Gardon, Global Marketing Strategy &amp;amp; Integrated Media Director at IKEA, to explore what it really means to lead one of the world&apos;s most loved brands in today’s evolving media landscape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From her early days at Google, Microsoft, and Meta, to shaping brand experiences at Precis Digital and now IKEA, Dorothée brings a deep perspective on navigating brand love, creative pressure and marketing transformation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss how IKEA unites data precision with playful, purposeful storytelling, the shift from omnichannel to &quot;omni-experience&quot; marketing and why marketing should feel like an extension of service, not an interruption.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Moreover what AI means for the future of brand interaction and personalization and the importance of leadership, collaboration and building shared purpose in global teams.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tune in to get insights on how to build consistency across markets while staying locally relevant.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:14</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ba0be7af-f84f-4adf-83c0-0fa939bcf24a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #105 with Dorothée Gardon </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #93 with Chiara Grillo ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Chiara Grillo, Head of Digital Marketing &amp; Media for Unilever’s ice cream division in Italy. <br />From Magnum tastings on Monday mornings to unlocking confidence through deodorant campaigns, Chiara’s journey across categories and continents shows how marketing can be both deeply human and endlessly creative.</p><p>She reflects on starting out as a national-level athlete, studying marketing psychology, and building a career —moving from ice cream to skincare, deodorants and back to ice cream again. Along the way, Chiara shares insights on leadership, the mentors who shaped her and why she sees marketing not as selling, but as serving people’s needs.</p><p>They also explore the future of marketing where creators, authenticity, and data-driven media meet—and why ice cream will always be the business of happiness.</p><p>Tune in for a real talk about what it means to make brands meaningful in people’s everyday lives.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-93-with-Chiara-Grillo-e371s2c</link><guid isPermaLink="false">451ecdf3-91b6-4147-abb7-c6bd67cc7568</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:31:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/858a91494191d7754de7ca71c0ae5f1c78025262789eaf1f2733155c4dfd07a0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjMWMxNDRkNi00YmZmLTQxY2MtOWNjMi1lM2Q0NTgxYTBiNDEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzFjMTQ0ZDYtNGJmZi00MWNjLTljYzItZTNkNDU4MWEwYjQxLzk0MjlmZmUyLTExYTAtNzMwYi1hNmIxLWFmZTE0NTMwOWIyYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16728832" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Chiara Grillo, Head of Digital Marketing &amp;amp; Media for Unilever’s ice cream division in Italy. &lt;br /&gt;From Magnum tastings on Monday mornings to unlocking confidence through deodorant campaigns, Chiara’s journey across categories and continents shows how marketing can be both deeply human and endlessly creative.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She reflects on starting out as a national-level athlete, studying marketing psychology, and building a career —moving from ice cream to skincare, deodorants and back to ice cream again. Along the way, Chiara shares insights on leadership, the mentors who shaped her and why she sees marketing not as selling, but as serving people’s needs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore the future of marketing where creators, authenticity, and data-driven media meet—and why ice cream will always be the business of happiness.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a real talk about what it means to make brands meaningful in people’s everyday lives.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:56</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c1c144d6-4bff-41cc-9cc2-e3d4581a0b41/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #93 with Chiara Grillo </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #82 with Nathalie Frank Castellanos]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Nathalie Frank Castellanos, former Global Head of Marketing for Whisky Brands at Diageo, to explore her remarkable 15-year journey through branding, innovation and multicultural leadership.</p><p>Born in Brazil to Uruguayan parents, now based in Amsterdam, Nathalie reflects on how a chance internship at Diageo sparked her passion for marketing and how that passion evolved into a global career touching markets across every continent. She shares how deep consumer insights, cultural understanding and creativity drive successful brand building.<br />The conversation explores her early days in consumer planning and pivot to brand management and innovation, the challenges and thrill of launching a zero-alcohol spirit, her mentors who shaped her leadership style and professional ethos and why emotional resonance still matters most—even in an age of AI and hyper-personalization.</p><p>Tune in  if you're curious about where global brands are headed and what it takes to lead them there.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-82-with-Nathalie-Frank-Castellanos-e36aqfh</link><guid isPermaLink="false">db2a5c1e-7aaf-4436-845c-6e01d1d8ff0c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2025 12:49:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/eb99403951cfbfec90351ba95a690028835cba3cc9efd546c64d8ce1bca936e6/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmYjE2ZjM4NC04Zjc2LTRjZWQtOTMzYi1jYzJhMzM1MTkzOWIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZmIxNmYzODQtOGY3Ni00Y2VkLTkzM2ItY2MyYTMzNTE5MzliLzkyMzA3MmI2LWE3OGUtNDg3MC01NTI4LWQxMGI2MGRkY2Q1YS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15936190" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Nathalie Frank Castellanos, former Global Head of Marketing for Whisky Brands at Diageo, to explore her remarkable 15-year journey through branding, innovation and multicultural leadership.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Born in Brazil to Uruguayan parents, now based in Amsterdam, Nathalie reflects on how a chance internship at Diageo sparked her passion for marketing and how that passion evolved into a global career touching markets across every continent. She shares how deep consumer insights, cultural understanding and creativity drive successful brand building.&lt;br /&gt;The conversation explores her early days in consumer planning and pivot to brand management and innovation, the challenges and thrill of launching a zero-alcohol spirit, her mentors who shaped her leadership style and professional ethos and why emotional resonance still matters most—even in an age of AI and hyper-personalization.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in  if you&apos;re curious about where global brands are headed and what it takes to lead them there.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:54</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/fb16f384-8f76-4ced-933b-cc2a3351939b/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #82 with Nathalie Frank Castellanos</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #189 with Laura Sileo Pavat]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Laura Sileo Pavat, Global Brand Homes Director at Pernod Ricard, leading the most comprehensive network of spirit venues in the industry. With over 20 years of experience, she drives innovation, brand advocacy and guest experience across 30+ destinations worldwide, bringing energy, vision and bold approaches to the future of experiential transformative tourism.</p><p>From Scottish distilleries to Champagne maisons and whiskey ranches in Texas, Laura explains why travelers today seek meaningful, transformative experiences, not just destinations. She reflects on her unexpected journey from literature professor and tour guide to global hospitality leader and why “storyliving” is replacing storytelling in modern brand experiences.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about experiential travel, human connection and why the future of tourism is all about transformation.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-189-with-Laura-Sileo-Pavat-e3k0vcc</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8d6b31e0-8385-479b-a3b5-3c361f14c1a4</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 12:29:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/db127d684e6c8863a231b5471bbe0555bdfa0912ebf442acebef929d8ada7abf/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzYWE0ZmYzNS04NTdlLTRjZWUtYWYyNS1hZWE1ODdjMDFmN2MiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvM2FhNGZmMzUtODU3ZS00Y2VlLWFmMjUtYWVhNTg3YzAxZjdjL2JmYjZkMDA3LWVkNTUtYzdkYi1kZjdjLTkwMzhiYjBmM2U4Yy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15546204" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Laura Sileo Pavat, Global Brand Homes Director at Pernod Ricard, leading the most comprehensive network of spirit venues in the industry. With over 20 years of experience, she drives innovation, brand advocacy and guest experience across 30+ destinations worldwide, bringing energy, vision and bold approaches to the future of experiential transformative tourism.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From Scottish distilleries to Champagne maisons and whiskey ranches in Texas, Laura explains why travelers today seek meaningful, transformative experiences, not just destinations. She reflects on her unexpected journey from literature professor and tour guide to global hospitality leader and why “storyliving” is replacing storytelling in modern brand experiences.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about experiential travel, human connection and why the future of tourism is all about transformation.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:33</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/3aa4ff35-857e-4cee-af25-aea587c01f7c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #189 with Laura Sileo Pavat</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #181 with Billy Cheng]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Billy Cheng, Head of Consumer Data Activation &amp; CRM at L’Oréal, shares how global experience across Asia, Europe and the US has shaped his approach to consumer data and brand relationships. With experience spanning companies like AS Watson and Reckitt, he has built deep expertise in managing large-scale consumer databases, designing CRM strategies and driving innovation across diverse markets. Billy is focused on developing a broader leadership perspective that bridges data, marketing, and business strategy. From managing databases of over 100 million consumers to driving innovation in CRM and beauty tech, Billy explains why the future isn’t just about more data but better trust. He explores the balance between rapid AI-driven innovation and strong governance and why brands that master both will win in the long run.</p><p>Tune in to discover how data, governance and innovation come together to build meaningful consumer experiences at scale.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-181-with-Billy-Cheng-e3itos4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ec1cff5e-0b74-47f6-83f3-53678ee23bef</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 12:55:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/38d68870fd0cbcff19b0bd1d2ac1d7e8dcf09190951c22e7193730f4de5edc41/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5YmIyYmM0Mi1hYTc1LTQyNzgtYWJhYS1lYzMyNmM5NDc5NzYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOWJiMmJjNDItYWE3NS00Mjc4LWFiYWEtZWMzMjZjOTQ3OTc2LzQyMzUwNjE0My00NDEwMC0yLTc1N2YzYWIxM2I2OWEubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="15929701" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Billy Cheng, Head of Consumer Data Activation &amp;amp; CRM at L’Oréal, shares how global experience across Asia, Europe and the US has shaped his approach to consumer data and brand relationships. With experience spanning companies like AS Watson and Reckitt, he has built deep expertise in managing large-scale consumer databases, designing CRM strategies and driving innovation across diverse markets. Billy is focused on developing a broader leadership perspective that bridges data, marketing, and business strategy. From managing databases of over 100 million consumers to driving innovation in CRM and beauty tech, Billy explains why the future isn’t just about more data but better trust. He explores the balance between rapid AI-driven innovation and strong governance and why brands that master both will win in the long run.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to discover how data, governance and innovation come together to build meaningful consumer experiences at scale.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:16:24</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/9bb2bc42-aa75-4278-abaa-ec326c947976/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #181 with Billy Cheng</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #177 with Florent Bondoux]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Florent Bondoux, Global Head of Digital, E-Commerce, Data &amp; Analytics at Nestlé Health Science, to explore how AI is transforming health, commerce and the way we make decisions. <br />From building a multi-billion health science business inside a global corporation to experimenting with AI-driven habit coaching and personalized wellness, Florent shares a rare inside view on where innovation is actually creating impact today.</p><p>They dive into the complexity of modern health, the rise of omnichannel commerce and why the real challenge isn’t data but changing how people think and act on it. Florent also reflects on leadership, career-defining moments and the growing tension between technological opportunity and societal disruption.<br />Tune in to learn how AI is turning fragmented health data into actionable insights and why simplicity is the ultimate competitive advantage in a complex world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-177-with-Florent-Bondoux-e3iheg9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">2f5c0f0c-c247-4d65-a150-230fbb5c240d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:14:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d22b17e88033bef8f7e42c94081e7dcbd78bcb207a8d454dd1c15d395ac45498/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNzEwYWQyNC1jYTYyLTQxZmYtODRiMC05MjE3ZGNhMWNhOGYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzcxMGFkMjQtY2E2Mi00MWZmLTg0YjAtOTIxN2RjYTFjYThmL2FiNjhhZTU0LTYyMzgtNGVmMy1kNjFhLTg3OWU3ZTNmNjk0Ny5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19348635" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Florent Bondoux, Global Head of Digital, E-Commerce, Data &amp;amp; Analytics at Nestlé Health Science, to explore how AI is transforming health, commerce and the way we make decisions. &lt;br /&gt;From building a multi-billion health science business inside a global corporation to experimenting with AI-driven habit coaching and personalized wellness, Florent shares a rare inside view on where innovation is actually creating impact today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into the complexity of modern health, the rise of omnichannel commerce and why the real challenge isn’t data but changing how people think and act on it. Florent also reflects on leadership, career-defining moments and the growing tension between technological opportunity and societal disruption.&lt;br /&gt;Tune in to learn how AI is turning fragmented health data into actionable insights and why simplicity is the ultimate competitive advantage in a complex world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:07</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/3710ad24-ca62-41ff-84b0-9217dca1ca8f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #177 with Florent Bondoux</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #36 with Joe Goldberg]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Joe Goldberg, Head of Brand Strategy at Santander UK and a member of the bank’s Global Brand Council. From his early days in politics and consulting to shaping brand strategy at major agencies like Engine UK, Joe shares his unique perspective on how brands win hearts and minds.</p><p>They dive into his early marketing lessons at Mars, where he learned the power of brand design, emotional connection, and category-defining campaigns. Joe reflects on the evolution of banking as an emotional business, the challenge of keeping financial brands relevant, and why helping customers make better money decisions is the ultimate test of brand strategy.</p><p>Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of banking, the role of AI in marketing, and why brands that create meaning—not just awareness—are the ones that truly stand out.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-36-with-Joe-Goldberg-e2vh9qk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ae32554e-631a-417c-a4a2-767ff2bcba10</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 28 Feb 2025 17:30:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/38b36ea106a3ea1b72c59accf23a6e201035598c1db0a60cd839f6e335d59ad0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1OGM0YmU2Ny0yMGFkLTRjODYtOTM2MS02MTk2MjU1YTI4Y2QiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNThjNGJlNjctMjBhZC00Yzg2LTkzNjEtNjE5NjI1NWEyOGNkL2MxNTU5ZTUyLWRkYTUtY2I5MC1kNjI4LWUzNjY0M2FhYTM0Mi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="30433613" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Joe Goldberg, Head of Brand Strategy at Santander UK and a member of the bank’s Global Brand Council. From his early days in politics and consulting to shaping brand strategy at major agencies like Engine UK, Joe shares his unique perspective on how brands win hearts and minds.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into his early marketing lessons at Mars, where he learned the power of brand design, emotional connection, and category-defining campaigns. Joe reflects on the evolution of banking as an emotional business, the challenge of keeping financial brands relevant, and why helping customers make better money decisions is the ultimate test of brand strategy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of banking, the role of AI in marketing, and why brands that create meaning—not just awareness—are the ones that truly stand out.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:40:08</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/58c4be67-20ad-4c86-9361-6196255a28cd/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #36 with Joe Goldberg</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes excitement talk #11 with Johnny Vulkan]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Join us for a new episode of "Excitement Talk" featuring Johnny Vulkan, founder of Anomaly! In this ninth episode, we delve into the world of groundbreaking advertising strategies and the creative processes behind Anomaly's success. Johnny Vulkan shares his journey, the challenges of fostering innovation in a dynamic industry, and the impact of digital transformation on traditional advertising models. This episode is packed with valuable insights, industry anecdotes, and a fresh perspective on the future of advertising. Tune in to learn from one of the industry's most innovative minds and gain inspiration for your own creative ventures. Don’t miss it! ​​</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-excitement-talk-11-with-Johnny-Vulkan-e2li77g</link><guid isPermaLink="false">e3c63460-cafa-4c26-bad6-e17aebbcfed6</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:07:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1f4bb9896df35e94912e48b907f4deb534f384e1b9df4f1ca0c0403982fd2fc5/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5OTAzMDI3My01NDY0LTQwYWYtOTdhOS1iMmMzN2Q5Y2QyYjMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTkwMzAyNzMtNTQ2NC00MGFmLTk3YTktYjJjMzdkOWNkMmIzLzQxNjQxYzlmLTc1NDgtZjU2OC03ZGVkLWUzNjJlNGYyMzljNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="31467342" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Join us for a new episode of &quot;Excitement Talk&quot; featuring Johnny Vulkan, founder of Anomaly! In this ninth episode, we delve into the world of groundbreaking advertising strategies and the creative processes behind Anomaly&apos;s success. Johnny Vulkan shares his journey, the challenges of fostering innovation in a dynamic industry, and the impact of digital transformation on traditional advertising models. This episode is packed with valuable insights, industry anecdotes, and a fresh perspective on the future of advertising. Tune in to learn from one of the industry&apos;s most innovative minds and gain inspiration for your own creative ventures. Don’t miss it! ​​&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:42:19</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/99030273-5464-40af-97a9-b2c37d9cd2b3/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes excitement talk #11 with Johnny Vulkan</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #24 with Gunnar Droescher]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Gunnar Droescher, Vice President of Bombardier Programs at Rolls-Royce. Gunnar shares his fascinating journey from consulting at P3 to leading key aerospace projects, offering unique insights into one of the world’s most safety-obsessed and innovation-driven industries.</p>
<p>They dive into the complexities of managing technical programs, the collaboration required for creating jet engines with over 10,000 components, and how safety transcends competition in the aviation sector. Gunnar also reflects on the challenges of decarbonizing aviation, the role of sustainable aviation fuel, and how Rolls-Royce is shaping the future of the industry.</p>
<p>Tune in to discover what excites Gunnar about the future of aerospace and how his experiences in international teams have shaped his leadership philosophy.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-24-with-Gunnar-Droescher-e2s3j2i</link><guid isPermaLink="false">bbd36ae4-db13-46e5-aca5-a927c586cd8c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:47:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4c7502cca10b6b5e9b0ca4aea815ee4825bbadb06150a52b78eb9862754bafd0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzM2EyZjkyNi0yYzM5LTQ2OTYtYTFmNy00NGZkZjQ1ZmI0MTQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzNhMmY5MjYtMmMzOS00Njk2LWExZjctNDRmZGY0NWZiNDE0LzA4ZmFiODRhLTdmY2UtYjJjMC05MmM2LWFiMDQxNTg0Y2VmMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17504297" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Gunnar Droescher, Vice President of Bombardier Programs at Rolls-Royce. Gunnar shares his fascinating journey from consulting at P3 to leading key aerospace projects, offering unique insights into one of the world’s most safety-obsessed and innovation-driven industries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They dive into the complexities of managing technical programs, the collaboration required for creating jet engines with over 10,000 components, and how safety transcends competition in the aviation sector. Gunnar also reflects on the challenges of decarbonizing aviation, the role of sustainable aviation fuel, and how Rolls-Royce is shaping the future of the industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tune in to discover what excites Gunnar about the future of aerospace and how his experiences in international teams have shaped his leadership philosophy.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:44</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/33a2f926-2c39-4696-a1f7-44fdf45fb414/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #24 with Gunnar Droescher</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #21 with Ethan Decker]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Ethan Decker, President of Applied Brand Science, for a lively discussion on the intersection of science and marketing. Ethan shares insights from his journey through renowned agencies like Crispin Porter and 72andSunny, and how his background in urban ecology informs his approach to brand strategy. They dive into the power of curiosity, the importance of understanding marketing laws versus levers, and the role of science in guiding creative decisions. Tune in to hear Ethan’s thoughts on industry trends and his unique perspective on what excites him about the future of marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-21-with-Ethan-Decker-e2pcll4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">e59465b1-2664-4886-9ce4-720151d27905</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:08:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/41c4d39f11aec7c296f54a725c4d935e03aefac96e246506aedd28c60319b96f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxNzlmZjkxOS1lYzUxLTQ5MzctODkwOC02ZTY2MjNjNmJlYTAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMTc5ZmY5MTktZWM1MS00OTM3LTg5MDgtNmU2NjIzYzZiZWEwL2IyMWQwNzZkLWRiNDItOGM4OC1kNzIzLTQ1Njg2MGEwMDhmYi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="28629164" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Ethan Decker, President of Applied Brand Science, for a lively discussion on the intersection of science and marketing. Ethan shares insights from his journey through renowned agencies like Crispin Porter and 72andSunny, and how his background in urban ecology informs his approach to brand strategy. They dive into the power of curiosity, the importance of understanding marketing laws versus levers, and the role of science in guiding creative decisions. Tune in to hear Ethan’s thoughts on industry trends and his unique perspective on what excites him about the future of marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:38:18</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/179ff919-ec51-4937-8908-6e6623c6bea0/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #21 with Ethan Decker</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #18 with Steve Walls]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In <em>Excitement Talks #18</em>, the host interviews Steve Walls CSO at Moon Rabbit, focusing on his insights into creativity and excitement in the industry. They discuss Steve's connection to the “planning university” and how he became a bit of a LinkedIn star. The conversation delves into the evolving role of technology, such as AI in photography, and how it shapes the industry. Steve shares his enthusiasm for the future, highlighting the passion and responsibility of younger generations entering the creative fields. He emphasizes the importance of respecting audiences and avoiding superficial trends, advocating for a deeper, more meaningful connection in media and marketing. The episode wraps up with Steve's excitement about the industry's future, driven by fresh perspectives and a sense of responsibility.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-18-with-Steve-Walls-e2o4l0k</link><guid isPermaLink="false">003d9c03-8a52-4426-8ad0-cb1f23925af2</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 08 Sep 2024 05:37:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2a69af387f7725a67a24e88e1dd4e377aaac684d3653a2d2c306d07a68b2bdb9/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmYWE3MTBkMS0xYjc1LTQ0MDYtYjQwOC1lYjg1YzdlZTI1ZjMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZmFhNzEwZDEtMWI3NS00NDA2LWI0MDgtZWI4NWM3ZWUyNWYzLzBjYjViYTc0LTk1ODMtYWNmZC0xNGYwLTQwZjFlN2I1MjdhOC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23730582" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talks #18&lt;/em&gt;, the host interviews Steve Walls CSO at Moon Rabbit, focusing on his insights into creativity and excitement in the industry. They discuss Steve&apos;s connection to the “planning university” and how he became a bit of a LinkedIn star. The conversation delves into the evolving role of technology, such as AI in photography, and how it shapes the industry. Steve shares his enthusiasm for the future, highlighting the passion and responsibility of younger generations entering the creative fields. He emphasizes the importance of respecting audiences and avoiding superficial trends, advocating for a deeper, more meaningful connection in media and marketing. The episode wraps up with Steve&apos;s excitement about the industry&apos;s future, driven by fresh perspectives and a sense of responsibility.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:23</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/faa710d1-1b75-4406-b408-eb85c7ee25f3/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #18 with Steve Walls</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #215 with Christina Müller]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with <strong>Christina Müller</strong>, <strong>Head of Marketing DACH at Haleon</strong>, who reflects on a career spanning Unilever, Kraft Heinz and award-winning campaigns that challenged convention, most notably the viral red cabbage pizza campaign for Kühne. She shares why marketers need to embrace risk, how to build brands that become part of culture, and why AI is making creativity more important, not less. </p><p><br />Tune in for an exciting chat on why the biggest risk in marketing is playing it safe and how bold creativity can unlock extraordinary growth.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-215-with-Christina-Mller-e3ml86n</link><guid isPermaLink="false">052eef2f-3df8-41bd-ada4-dd9e3ff1ee46</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:28:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8c20cbeae4833ebda53ba2fcfc983c9b09a1f1fec0d3b24ba1476819a51723ef/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjYWJmZTQzMS0zZmE2LTRmYWUtOTAxNy03ZWU4MTU0ZTMxNGQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvY2FiZmU0MzEtM2ZhNi00ZmFlLTkwMTctN2VlODE1NGUzMTRkL2I1OTYzZTliLTcxOTYtY2FlNy02NTFkLTdmZTgzMGI1MjlhMC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25738154" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Christina Müller&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Head of Marketing DACH at Haleon&lt;/strong&gt;, who reflects on a career spanning Unilever, Kraft Heinz and award-winning campaigns that challenged convention, most notably the viral red cabbage pizza campaign for Kühne. She shares why marketers need to embrace risk, how to build brands that become part of culture, and why AI is making creativity more important, not less. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tune in for an exciting chat on why the biggest risk in marketing is playing it safe and how bold creativity can unlock extraordinary growth.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:39</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/cabfe431-3fa6-4fae-9017-7ee8154e314d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #215 with Christina Müller</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #129 with Mona Elsaka]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this short episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon Euchler speaks with <strong>Mona Elsaka, VP Global Sponsorships &amp; Partnerships at Mastercard, </strong> about the evolving role of marketing at the intersection of culture, technology, and human passion. Mona shares her journey from social impact work to leading major brand and communication functions, and why brand partnerships and human connection remain at the heart of meaningful marketing.</p><p>She reflects on mentors who shaped her mindset, the importance of not taking things personally, and why authentic, trust-building storytelling will define the future.</p><p>Tune in for a refreshing chat about creativity, collaboration, and the power of people in a tech-driven world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-129-with-Mona-Elsaka-e3c5f3f</link><guid isPermaLink="false">925b22a8-0898-45db-99ad-13c5b3563c9a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:35:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/0e32d2439449c43673164e13335795b8c5d07b1414e6ea4cbd4b44b4a653a797/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5YjNkYTdmOC0xMTMxLTQ2MzItYTQxYy1lZmI4ZjM1YmFhY2IiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOWIzZGE3ZjgtMTEzMS00NjMyLWE0MWMtZWZiOGYzNWJhYWNiLzBkMDliNTgzLWVmYTItNTRiMC1kNTc4LTM1OWE5YzUwMzc2OC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="11260570" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this short episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon Euchler speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Mona Elsaka, VP Global Sponsorships &amp;amp; Partnerships at Mastercard, &lt;/strong&gt; about the evolving role of marketing at the intersection of culture, technology, and human passion. Mona shares her journey from social impact work to leading major brand and communication functions, and why brand partnerships and human connection remain at the heart of meaningful marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She reflects on mentors who shaped her mindset, the importance of not taking things personally, and why authentic, trust-building storytelling will define the future.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a refreshing chat about creativity, collaboration, and the power of people in a tech-driven world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:14:59</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/9b3da7f8-1131-4632-a41c-efb8f35baacb/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #129 with Mona Elsaka</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #198 with Julian Sauer]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with Julian Sauer, Head of Marketing at Puma Group about his journey from sports journalism into global sports marketing. He shares how a deep passion for sport, especially basketball, shaped his early path into storytelling and ultimately led him from journalism into communications and marketing roles at Audi, Red Bull and Puma.<br />The discussion explores his experience building a career across highly diverse sports and brand environments, from automotive and motorsports to global sports platforms and how he learned to combine strategic thinking with storytelling. Julian reflects on working in fast-moving, international sports organizations, the realities of global sports marketing across regions such as EMEA and Africa and how data, technology and AI are reshaping how sports brands engage with audiences and build emotional connections.</p><p>Tune in to hear how a lifelong passion for sport can evolve into a global marketing career spanning some of the world’s most iconic sports and lifestyle brands.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-198-with-Julian-Sauer-e3kvbq0</link><guid isPermaLink="false">dcd373ea-167b-4a6f-96e7-36834a7eb8f8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:33:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/72133338d4f713fb6a03544c4c61db28de2a16e49585598cb18daeb35f18b540/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmNGFiMGYwOC0zZjZkLTQzZGUtYjgzMi1mMTdhMjdkZGZmMGQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjRhYjBmMDgtM2Y2ZC00M2RlLWI4MzItZjE3YTI3ZGRmZjBkLzI4ZDc5NGQyLWQxOTQtMDRlMC0zYTJjLTFjY2NlMzI3ZGFjYS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24820526" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with Julian Sauer, Head of Marketing at Puma Group about his journey from sports journalism into global sports marketing. He shares how a deep passion for sport, especially basketball, shaped his early path into storytelling and ultimately led him from journalism into communications and marketing roles at Audi, Red Bull and Puma.&lt;br /&gt;The discussion explores his experience building a career across highly diverse sports and brand environments, from automotive and motorsports to global sports platforms and how he learned to combine strategic thinking with storytelling. Julian reflects on working in fast-moving, international sports organizations, the realities of global sports marketing across regions such as EMEA and Africa and how data, technology and AI are reshaping how sports brands engage with audiences and build emotional connections.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear how a lifelong passion for sport can evolve into a global marketing career spanning some of the world’s most iconic sports and lifestyle brands.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:20</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f4ab0f08-3f6d-43de-b832-f17a27ddff0d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #198 with Julian Sauer</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #216 with Julian Probst ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon hosts <strong>Julian Probst</strong>, who after nearly 15 years at P&amp;G made the leap to financial services as <strong>CMO of BNP Paribas Personal Investors Germany</strong>. </p><p>He shares why there are no boring categories, only undiscovered human insights, and how the principles of world-class brand building apply just as much to finance as they do to consumer goods. Julian also discusses the role of mentorship, why marketing must bridge creativity and technology  and how AI is reshaping the future of marketing by freeing teams to focus on what matters most: creativity and customer understanding.</p><p>Tune in to hear why the best brands aren't built on products. They’re built on human truths, courageous decisions and a relentless customer-first mindset.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-216-with-Julian-Probst-e3ml88m</link><guid isPermaLink="false">a5bfccae-6916-408b-ae26-47a4cfb87ff9</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:30:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/28b05d184e4a3b5a116d9359ca0ea78243060e03ab743b77c4de56b14af837aa/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhMDQ0ODY5ZS03MjFlLTQ1MDMtYTM2OC01ZGNkYWE0NDI3ODIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTA0NDg2OWUtNzIxZS00NTAzLWEzNjgtNWRjZGFhNDQyNzgyLzkyZjc5MmVlLTczOTktNTkwOC1hNDA3LWI4MTgxNDExZWZkMC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19765524" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts &lt;strong&gt;Julian Probst&lt;/strong&gt;, who after nearly 15 years at P&amp;amp;G made the leap to financial services as &lt;strong&gt;CMO of BNP Paribas Personal Investors Germany&lt;/strong&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He shares why there are no boring categories, only undiscovered human insights, and how the principles of world-class brand building apply just as much to finance as they do to consumer goods. Julian also discusses the role of mentorship, why marketing must bridge creativity and technology  and how AI is reshaping the future of marketing by freeing teams to focus on what matters most: creativity and customer understanding.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why the best brands aren&apos;t built on products. They’re built on human truths, courageous decisions and a relentless customer-first mindset.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a044869e-721e-4503-a368-5dcdaa442782/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #216 with Julian Probst </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #151 with Bhavna Satyanarayan]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with Bhavna Satyanarayan, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy &amp; Positioning at BASF.</p><p>From agency life to global leadership roles across India, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, Bhavna shares how storytelling, strong mentorship and bold career moves shaped her journey — including returning to BASF after exploring new paths at Volvo Buses. </p><p>They discuss aligning brand with business strategy, building global teams from scratch, the power of purpose-driven brands like Patagonia, and why the future of marketing lies in bringing humans and AI together — not choosing between them.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, courage, and crafting brands that truly stand for something.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-151-with-Bhavna-Satyanarayan-e3f7m7g</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3450971e-640a-4923-90c2-a2bb169f6043</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:28:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/400092836c9809af5a6d1d20b1a86b6c2c1630c280161fbdac4e9db04e5530a1/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhNzI5NWU3YS0yNWIyLTQ3ZmEtYmEwOS04ZDMyZTgxMjVmNzUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTcyOTVlN2EtMjViMi00N2ZhLWJhMDktOGQzMmU4MTI1Zjc1L2E0OGYzYzg1LTdjZGQtODEzOS00NGM5LWJiNzkzODNlYTAyMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17082789" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with Bhavna Satyanarayan, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy &amp;amp; Positioning at BASF.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From agency life to global leadership roles across India, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, Bhavna shares how storytelling, strong mentorship and bold career moves shaped her journey — including returning to BASF after exploring new paths at Volvo Buses. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss aligning brand with business strategy, building global teams from scratch, the power of purpose-driven brands like Patagonia, and why the future of marketing lies in bringing humans and AI together — not choosing between them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, courage, and crafting brands that truly stand for something.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:14</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a7295e7a-25b2-47fa-ba09-8d32e8125f75/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #151 with Bhavna Satyanarayan</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #232 with Gael De Talhouet ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>In a world where AI can analyze data, generate ideas, and automate decisions, what does it mean to be a truly creative marketer?</em></p><p>In this episode, Gordon talks to <strong>Gael de Talhouët, former VP Brand Building, Marketing, Technology, Data &amp; AI, FMCG B2B Retail at </strong><em><strong>Essity</strong></em>, about creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship and the changing role of marketing in the age of AI.</p><p>Gael argues that marketers need to move beyond dashboards and business cases to rediscover intuition, empathy and inspiration — while using AI to bring the best ideas to scale.</p><p>Tune in for a provocative conversation about why the future of marketing belongs to those who can combine human creativity with technological scale.</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-232-with-Gael-De-Talhouet-e3p9p1i</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8895987c-0713-450d-a70d-fca14755907c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:56:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d012d1c563d7569ebb304dda6bdbe390a6455f3716246cdeafe0040ee95a61d8/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0NDY1NGUxOC1jMzEyLTQwN2MtOTFhNi1kZTJhODg3YjU4ZGUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDQ2NTRlMTgtYzMxMi00MDdjLTkxYTYtZGUyYTg4N2I1OGRlL2VhZWMzMmVmLTRkNzAtZDgyMS1iNzhkLWE0NGQyYjQ1OTQwZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="27399920" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;In a world where AI can analyze data, generate ideas, and automate decisions, what does it mean to be a truly creative marketer?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon talks to &lt;strong&gt;Gael de Talhouët, former VP Brand Building, Marketing, Technology, Data &amp;amp; AI, FMCG B2B Retail at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Essity&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, about creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship and the changing role of marketing in the age of AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Gael argues that marketers need to move beyond dashboards and business cases to rediscover intuition, empathy and inspiration — while using AI to bring the best ideas to scale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a provocative conversation about why the future of marketing belongs to those who can combine human creativity with technological scale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:36:56</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/44654e18-c312-407c-91a6-de2a887b58de/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #232 with Gael De Talhouet </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #147 with Michelle van der Veen ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Michelle van der Veen, Global Direct-to-Consumer Lead for Specialized Nutrition at Danone. Michelle shares her unconventional journey from art history and museums into global digital commerce, how COVID fast-tracked Danone’s DTC ambitions and why DTC is less about selling more—and more about serving better. </p><p>The conversation explores personalization, AI, patient-centric platforms and what it really takes to build meaningful digital services inside a global corporation.</p><p>Tune in to get insights about building what matters. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-147-with-Michelle-van-der-Veen-e3erlg5</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ddb0c1e-2450-4a07-8be5-803c93f8046e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:19:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/601c49cabc39ce22caef3412f53c8fa9cb6497b94b67469e8c1d29bce24c05de/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlMDM4ZGFkOS02MjE5LTQxNGEtOTQ4MC0zZmVkODE5ODg3OTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTAzOGRhZDktNjIxOS00MTRhLTk0ODAtM2ZlZDgxOTg4NzkxL2NlZWZiMDU5LTcxOTItZGZkNS01MWIxLWYyNDBkYmJhYmRkZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23377397" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Michelle van der Veen, Global Direct-to-Consumer Lead for Specialized Nutrition at Danone. Michelle shares her unconventional journey from art history and museums into global digital commerce, how COVID fast-tracked Danone’s DTC ambitions and why DTC is less about selling more—and more about serving better. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores personalization, AI, patient-centric platforms and what it really takes to build meaningful digital services inside a global corporation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get insights about building what matters. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:18</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e038dad9-6219-414a-9480-3fed81988791/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #147 with Michelle van der Veen </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #207 with Jim Cervantes ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon is joined by Jim Cervantes, VP Marketing, Crunch, 100G, Raisinets at Ferrero USA, who shares his journey from selling candy at school in Mexico to leading iconic confectionery brands at Ferrero USA. He talks about building brands through curiosity, balancing creativity with commercial discipline, why Ferrero's brand-first culture stands out, and how AI can become a creative partner for marketers, not a replacement.</p><p>Tune in to hear why the best marketers think like business leaders, why curiosity is a career superpower and how iconic brands stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-207-with-Jim-Cervantes-e3lp5os</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8bf58e29-e98c-4dbd-99a6-4eb77ba50303</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:12:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d0154efc41c08fa8312e4734e6cdacf33a304058b00ae46cb04b81c1e19aba5c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMTY0Zjk5ZS03YjViLTRmODgtYTE0MS00ZTM4OWJjMTZhNTkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDE2NGY5OWUtN2I1Yi00Zjg4LWExNDEtNGUzODliYzE2YTU5LzlkNzdjYjdlLWUyZDMtOThlZi1hMDI0LThlOTQxZGFkY2FkNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18021216" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon is joined by Jim Cervantes, VP Marketing, Crunch, 100G, Raisinets at Ferrero USA, who shares his journey from selling candy at school in Mexico to leading iconic confectionery brands at Ferrero USA. He talks about building brands through curiosity, balancing creativity with commercial discipline, why Ferrero&apos;s brand-first culture stands out, and how AI can become a creative partner for marketers, not a replacement.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why the best marketers think like business leaders, why curiosity is a career superpower and how iconic brands stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:46</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0164f99e-7b5b-4f88-a141-4e389bc16a59/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #207 with Jim Cervantes </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #169 with Luke Paxton ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Luke Paxton, VP of New Product Exploration &amp; Incubation at Fidelity Investments, takes us on a journey from architecture and 3D design to the forefront of AI innovation. With a career shaped by reinvention—from startups to skateboards to cutting-edge tech—Luke shares how user experience has been the common thread throughout.</p><p>The conversation explores how AI is transforming the way we build, learn, and create—removing skill barriers and enabling anyone to turn ideas into reality. </p><p>Tune in to dive into mentorship, creativity as an adult and why the future belongs to those willing to experiment, learn and think beyond limitations.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-169-with-Luke-Paxton-e3hnc81</link><guid isPermaLink="false">7cd24316-c86b-43d5-831f-c454a0f71c0e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:08:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/45fd670096e78c45d6477981c64de9bd22d1dfc3f51ea93dcf831a5dedd0ddda/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4NGIzOTlmZi03NDI1LTQ1OWItYTkxYS02MTdhZmExYzk3YjciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvODRiMzk5ZmYtNzQyNS00NTliLWE5MWEtNjE3YWZhMWM5N2I3L2M3ODlhODUzLTU4N2UtZmNjZS1iZjc4LTFlNDE2MjZjNjZhNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17568783" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Luke Paxton, VP of New Product Exploration &amp;amp; Incubation at Fidelity Investments, takes us on a journey from architecture and 3D design to the forefront of AI innovation. With a career shaped by reinvention—from startups to skateboards to cutting-edge tech—Luke shares how user experience has been the common thread throughout.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores how AI is transforming the way we build, learn, and create—removing skill barriers and enabling anyone to turn ideas into reality. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to dive into mentorship, creativity as an adult and why the future belongs to those willing to experiment, learn and think beyond limitations.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:05</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/84b399ff-7425-459b-a91a-617afa1c97b7/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #169 with Luke Paxton </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #132 with Zsuzsanna Szak]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with <strong>Zsuzsanna Szak</strong>, Global Category Director at <strong>Henkel</strong>, about building a global FMCG career driven by curiosity, ownership, and people-centric leadership.</p><p>Zsuzsanna shares her journey from early marketing roles at FrieslandCampina to nearly a decade at Colgate-Palmolive, followed by senior leadership roles at Henkel across multiple countries. Having lived and worked in six countries, she reflects on how international experience, adaptability, and continuous learning have shaped her leadership style.</p><p>The conversation explores what marketing looks like beyond campaigns, the value of cross-functional collaboration, and why people centricity is essential in both marketing and leadership. Zsuzsanna also introduces her perspective on endurance versus resilience, explaining why sustainable routines and long-term thinking matter more than short bursts of effort in today’s fast-changing world.</p><p>Tune in to find out how to stay grounded while navigating constant change.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-132-with-Zsuzsanna-Szak-e3cki49</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ba901247-ad76-4fc4-a2a1-15480cb58adf</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 20 Dec 2025 20:58:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ab8e6343091b63d1b1d37eac947016208b923ef0046f5cb008951c415b1f826d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzYTljNWFmNi1hNmFlLTRjMDctYjg4ZS05ZjgwNmY4M2MzOWYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvM2E5YzVhZjYtYTZhZS00YzA3LWI4OGUtOWY4MDZmODNjMzlmLzU3MTliYWU3LWFkYTEtNjQ3Yi0wYTNkLTczNTZiMTllODY0MC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17730247" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Zsuzsanna Szak&lt;/strong&gt;, Global Category Director at &lt;strong&gt;Henkel&lt;/strong&gt;, about building a global FMCG career driven by curiosity, ownership, and people-centric leadership.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Zsuzsanna shares her journey from early marketing roles at FrieslandCampina to nearly a decade at Colgate-Palmolive, followed by senior leadership roles at Henkel across multiple countries. Having lived and worked in six countries, she reflects on how international experience, adaptability, and continuous learning have shaped her leadership style.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores what marketing looks like beyond campaigns, the value of cross-functional collaboration, and why people centricity is essential in both marketing and leadership. Zsuzsanna also introduces her perspective on endurance versus resilience, explaining why sustainable routines and long-term thinking matter more than short bursts of effort in today’s fast-changing world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out how to stay grounded while navigating constant change.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:20</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/3a9c5af6-a6ae-4c07-b88e-9f806f83c39f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #132 with Zsuzsanna Szak</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #133 with Allyson Witherspoon ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with special guest Allyson Witherspoon, CMO and Global Brand Advisor at Nissan Motor Corporation, to talk about leadership, brand transformation, and the power of taking bold leaps. Allyson shares her journey from accounting student to global marketing leader, her experiences across iconic automotive brands, and the mentors who shaped her career. </p><p>They explore Nissan’s ongoing transformation, the role of creativity inside large corporations, inspiration from brands beyond automotive, and what excites her about the future of marketing—especially the impact of AI. </p><p>Tune in for a candid conversation about boundaries, curiosity, and building brands with purpose.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-133-with-Allyson-Witherspoon-e3ctd5v</link><guid isPermaLink="false">9c51469c-5c45-4038-84a5-86418adb2141</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:44:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e660c41f6b239cb9274ae0c6c34cf91e20230e2809c7be067a760d2319fdefdc/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2NjczZTJmMS1hNDZlLTRmN2EtYjA5Ni02YzBiYzRkYjJmN2QiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNjY3M2UyZjEtYTQ2ZS00ZjdhLWIwOTYtNmMwYmM0ZGIyZjdkLzMxZjZhZTkzLWE5MjctZjA0ZC04ZDE0LTJiY2Y2N2NlMjk0My5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16164982" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with special guest Allyson Witherspoon, CMO and Global Brand Advisor at Nissan Motor Corporation, to talk about leadership, brand transformation, and the power of taking bold leaps. Allyson shares her journey from accounting student to global marketing leader, her experiences across iconic automotive brands, and the mentors who shaped her career. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore Nissan’s ongoing transformation, the role of creativity inside large corporations, inspiration from brands beyond automotive, and what excites her about the future of marketing—especially the impact of AI. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a candid conversation about boundaries, curiosity, and building brands with purpose.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:42</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/6673e2f1-a46e-4f7a-b096-6c0bc4db2f7d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #133 with Allyson Witherspoon </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #126 with Mark Grether ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with Mark Grether — one of the rare leaders who has built billion-dollar advertising businesses at Amazon, Uber, and now PayPal. Mark shares the story behind selling Seismic to Amazon as their first-ever advertising acquisition, how he helped turn Uber profitable through ads, and why PayPal’s <em>transaction graph</em> may be one of the most powerful data assets in the industry.</p><p>He explains how PayPal Ads is being built from the ground up and how innovations like <em>storefront ads</em> let people buy products directly inside any publisher environment — without ever leaving the page.</p><p>Along the way, Mark reflects on the people and principles that shaped his career, from German media pioneers to Amazon’s leadership culture. And we end on the big one: what excites him about the future of advertising in the age of AI.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about data, identity, commerce, and the next wave of advertising innovation.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-126-with-Mark-Grether-e3bkplk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">92ee0151-c802-4fce-9af2-93d77d2d012d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 29 Nov 2025 13:10:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a5b03f86b62448e5323bb031fa832732e9132c16728555c0fae49a7d9a69b255/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3MjMxMWM4OC1mMGZmLTRkMDctYTc1Yi02ZmQ5MzVhNjg5ZGYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNzIzMTFjODgtZjBmZi00ZDA3LWE3NWItNmZkOTM1YTY4OWRmLzE0MmU0YWE3LWE3ZjYtOGNiZi00OTc0LWMzMGRmZDViN2E5Zi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="28510578" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with Mark Grether — one of the rare leaders who has built billion-dollar advertising businesses at Amazon, Uber, and now PayPal. Mark shares the story behind selling Seismic to Amazon as their first-ever advertising acquisition, how he helped turn Uber profitable through ads, and why PayPal’s &lt;em&gt;transaction graph&lt;/em&gt; may be one of the most powerful data assets in the industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He explains how PayPal Ads is being built from the ground up and how innovations like &lt;em&gt;storefront ads&lt;/em&gt; let people buy products directly inside any publisher environment — without ever leaving the page.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Along the way, Mark reflects on the people and principles that shaped his career, from German media pioneers to Amazon’s leadership culture. And we end on the big one: what excites him about the future of advertising in the age of AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about data, identity, commerce, and the next wave of advertising innovation.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:37:29</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/72311c88-f0ff-4d07-a75b-6fd935a689df/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #126 with Mark Grether </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #44 with Adam Morgan ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Adam Morgan, Founder and Chair of <em>Eat Big Fish</em> and a pioneer of challenger brand thinking as Brand and Marketing Consultant. They dive into what it truly means to be a pirate in the navy—how to push boundaries within large organizations without unleashing chaos.</p><p>Adam shares insights on structuring challenger cultures, drawing from 26 years of experience advising brands. From the Oakley founder’s goosebumps-inducing storytelling to the unexpected lessons challenger brands can learn from educators and TV producers, this episode is packed with thought-provoking insights.</p><p>They also tackle a pressing issue in marketing today: dullness. With data showing that being dull can cost brands millions, Adam explores why creativity and strategic inventiveness are more essential than ever. The conversation spans AI in fintech (including an unusual musical experiment on tax services), the fear of the ‘Poonami,’ and how insights should be expressed as behaviors rather than slogans.</p><p>Additionally, they discuss how humor and surprise can break through even in traditionally dry industries like insurance. They explore standout brand experiences—such as Amazon's seamless customer service and the emotional impact of a simple beer moment shared across generations—showing how the smallest insights can create the biggest connections.</p><p>Finally, they examine how AI might paradoxically fuel creativity by lowering the cost of experimentation, making it easier for bold ideas to get tested and approved. If AI can convince a fintech startup to create a tax musical, what else might be possible?</p><p>Tune in for a lively discussion on breaking free from mediocrity, challenging the status quo, and learning from unlikely places to drive impact in 2025 and beyond.</p><p>*Eric Koivisto is also joining this episode as a third voice. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-44-with-Adam-Morgan-e310ftc</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3507fb2e-9500-495c-9bf2-91590b370f2d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2025 11:01:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f86d51a657b1141869a2595b231b08b871b696ae1bd67de67093cf83ce885dd6/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4MmZmMGE5MC00YmM0LTQ4YTItYmQyZS0zZGI3YjI2NzQ3ZjYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvODJmZjBhOTAtNGJjNC00OGEyLWJkMmUtM2RiN2IyNjc0N2Y2LzMxNDljNTRlLTlkM2YtMDEwNS03ZWU2LTc1M2Y1MWE2YTYwYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21787763" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Adam Morgan, Founder and Chair of &lt;em&gt;Eat Big Fish&lt;/em&gt; and a pioneer of challenger brand thinking as Brand and Marketing Consultant. They dive into what it truly means to be a pirate in the navy—how to push boundaries within large organizations without unleashing chaos.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Adam shares insights on structuring challenger cultures, drawing from 26 years of experience advising brands. From the Oakley founder’s goosebumps-inducing storytelling to the unexpected lessons challenger brands can learn from educators and TV producers, this episode is packed with thought-provoking insights.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also tackle a pressing issue in marketing today: dullness. With data showing that being dull can cost brands millions, Adam explores why creativity and strategic inventiveness are more essential than ever. The conversation spans AI in fintech (including an unusual musical experiment on tax services), the fear of the ‘Poonami,’ and how insights should be expressed as behaviors rather than slogans.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Additionally, they discuss how humor and surprise can break through even in traditionally dry industries like insurance. They explore standout brand experiences—such as Amazon&apos;s seamless customer service and the emotional impact of a simple beer moment shared across generations—showing how the smallest insights can create the biggest connections.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Finally, they examine how AI might paradoxically fuel creativity by lowering the cost of experimentation, making it easier for bold ideas to get tested and approved. If AI can convince a fintech startup to create a tax musical, what else might be possible?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a lively discussion on breaking free from mediocrity, challenging the status quo, and learning from unlikely places to drive impact in 2025 and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;*Eric Koivisto is also joining this episode as a third voice. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:19</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/82ff0a90-4bc4-48a2-bd2e-3db7b26747f6/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #44 with Adam Morgan </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #104 with Amélie Manac'h]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon is joined by Amélie Manac’h, a seasoned marketing leader who's worked with some of the most iconic French and global brands and recently new Head of Brand Content and Strategy at Nestlé.  </p><p>The talk explores the art of combining research, creativity, and cultural relevance, why boldness matters — and how a fake baby in a bubble led to one of the most talked-about infant nutrition campaigns in Spain.<br />Furthermore what brought Amélie into marketing and what excites her most about the future of marketing, from the shifting media landscape to the rise of AI.</p><p>Tune in if you want to know more about consumer-centric marketing, brand innovation and the bravery it takes to break through the noise.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-104-with-Amlie-Manach-e38blp9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">688a665c-1186-428e-bb59-3dcdbbb1bb09</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:29:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/9c65f8f1557bb5ab8a8a88e304f205e0d38033189b43f272c4a964a9438cd532/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiNGFlYzFmMy03ZGJhLTRlOWItODA4OS1mZDcxYzUxMmE4MjUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjRhZWMxZjMtN2RiYS00ZTliLTgwODktZmQ3MWM1MTJhODI1L2RkODU1ZWQ1LTBlNjAtYWI0Mi1kMzY3LTU1NThlY2M0MDZlNi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17421986" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon is joined by Amélie Manac’h, a seasoned marketing leader who&apos;s worked with some of the most iconic French and global brands and recently new Head of Brand Content and Strategy at Nestlé.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The talk explores the art of combining research, creativity, and cultural relevance, why boldness matters — and how a fake baby in a bubble led to one of the most talked-about infant nutrition campaigns in Spain.&lt;br /&gt;Furthermore what brought Amélie into marketing and what excites her most about the future of marketing, from the shifting media landscape to the rise of AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you want to know more about consumer-centric marketing, brand innovation and the bravery it takes to break through the noise.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:42</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b4aec1f3-7dba-4e9b-8089-fd71c512a825/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #104 with Amélie Manac&apos;h</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #34 with Dr. Stephan Hausberg]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Dr. Stephan Hausberg, former Head of Data Science and Business Analytics at 1&amp;1, now embarking on an entrepreneurial journey. Stephan shares his unconventional path from earning a PhD in mathematics to becoming a leader in data-driven decision-making, and why he recently took the leap into the unknown to explore new opportunities in AI, analytics, and beyond.</p><p>They discuss the power of data to reveal hidden insights, the art of solving complex riddles, and how businesses can bridge the gap between data and action. Stephan also reflects on the intersection of math and sales, the mentors who shaped his thinking, and his passion for making AI more accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises.</p><p>Tune in to hear Stephan’s thoughts on the future of data, the lessons from his career shift, and why curiosity remains his greatest driver.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-34-with-Dr--Stephan-Hausberg-e2vdl2f</link><guid isPermaLink="false">132da166-9b51-45a9-92ca-c9dd6a22b4a8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:17:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f0590219788c19e68b551fe2cb346b9dfbdd389788f02c8a1b5336fbc485b4d5/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4MTllYTU3OS04MGY1LTRhMDctYWZiYy1iY2UwMGE0ZTI5NTQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvODE5ZWE1NzktODBmNS00YTA3LWFmYmMtYmNlMDBhNGUyOTU0L2RkZDlhNjk4LTY5ZDgtNWIxMC03ZWI2LWMwOGRmMjA3NzZlYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20630244" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Dr. Stephan Hausberg, former Head of Data Science and Business Analytics at 1&amp;amp;1, now embarking on an entrepreneurial journey. Stephan shares his unconventional path from earning a PhD in mathematics to becoming a leader in data-driven decision-making, and why he recently took the leap into the unknown to explore new opportunities in AI, analytics, and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss the power of data to reveal hidden insights, the art of solving complex riddles, and how businesses can bridge the gap between data and action. Stephan also reflects on the intersection of math and sales, the mentors who shaped his thinking, and his passion for making AI more accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear Stephan’s thoughts on the future of data, the lessons from his career shift, and why curiosity remains his greatest driver.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:32</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/819ea579-80f5-4a07-afbc-bce00a4e2954/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #34 with Dr. Stephan Hausberg</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #91 with Ilaria Pasquinelli ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Excitement Talks</em>, Spikes UK Partner Sandra Peat sits down with Ilaria Pasquinelli, CMO of Cannes Lions, to explore her fascinating and non-linear career journey—from fashion and sustainability to global marketing leadership.</p><p>Ilaria shares how her early passion for languages and cultures led her into marketing “by accident” and how her work with the United Nations and major fashion brands shaped her belief that business can be a force for change. She reflects on the transformation of Cannes Lions—navigating the challenges of the pandemic, reimagining the role of the festival beyond a single global event and making creativity more accessible and inclusive across the industry.</p><p>The conversation also dives into themes of business transformation, marketing effectiveness, diversity in creativity, global perspectives and the evolving role of AI as a tool to help marketers refocus on what makes us human.</p><p>Tune in if you’re  interested in how creativity, strategy and transformation intersect at the heart of today’s marketing industry.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-91-with-Ilaria-Pasquinelli-e371rkk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ae25a158-4ea7-4701-b284-93514473c051</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:22:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/fd4844fd7f71a9dba61f28512effc10e671299b12e2b216494aabe7c680f2a09/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmOGQzMmUxZS1jNmMyLTQzNGItYTBkZC0xZjMzMGI3OTRkYjkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjhkMzJlMWUtYzZjMi00MzRiLWEwZGQtMWYzMzBiNzk0ZGI5L2ZlZjNmYzFiLWVkNTMtMDVlNi0zMWM0LWZkNWQ0NWEyNTVjNi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17885442" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Spikes UK Partner Sandra Peat sits down with Ilaria Pasquinelli, CMO of Cannes Lions, to explore her fascinating and non-linear career journey—from fashion and sustainability to global marketing leadership.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ilaria shares how her early passion for languages and cultures led her into marketing “by accident” and how her work with the United Nations and major fashion brands shaped her belief that business can be a force for change. She reflects on the transformation of Cannes Lions—navigating the challenges of the pandemic, reimagining the role of the festival beyond a single global event and making creativity more accessible and inclusive across the industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation also dives into themes of business transformation, marketing effectiveness, diversity in creativity, global perspectives and the evolving role of AI as a tool to help marketers refocus on what makes us human.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you’re  interested in how creativity, strategy and transformation intersect at the heart of today’s marketing industry.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:15</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f8d32e1e-c6c2-434b-a0dd-1f330b794db9/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #91 with Ilaria Pasquinelli </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #88 with Lucas Elliott]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Lucas Elliott, Customer Experience Research Lead at Google, who takes us through his unexpected journey from a PhD in kinesiology at Penn State to startup life at Rebel, and now to one of the biggest tech companies on the planet.</p><p>They dive into how understanding human behavior—whether in public health or product marketing—can unlock better product-market fit, why aligning product, marketing and sales is mission-critical and how insights travel across teams at Google. Also what does studying human movement have to do with shaping world-class customer experiences.<br /> Lucas also shares career lessons from mentors, the value of staying humble and never burning bridges and why he’s optimistic about AI’s potential to fuel personalization and level the playing field for entrepreneurs.</p><p>Tune in if you’re curious about translating academic research into business impact, scaling insights in a massive organization and the future of customer experience.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-88-with-Lucas-Elliott-e36p06j</link><guid isPermaLink="false">05c1c113-36b6-4f31-82a2-175e109b3018</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:49:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/69553edcc374958f14f379c8a8205acb17f5303e89811d1ca44318fcfcf857b9/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5MWZjNTQyYy00MzU5LTQ2M2UtODRjYS1hZjNhNGQ4ODVmZmEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTFmYzU0MmMtNDM1OS00NjNlLTg0Y2EtYWYzYTRkODg1ZmZhLzliMTZiOTEyLTJkZTctNmJmNC01ODY5LTE1Yzc3MWNkZDgzMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20333376" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Lucas Elliott, Customer Experience Research Lead at Google, who takes us through his unexpected journey from a PhD in kinesiology at Penn State to startup life at Rebel, and now to one of the biggest tech companies on the planet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into how understanding human behavior—whether in public health or product marketing—can unlock better product-market fit, why aligning product, marketing and sales is mission-critical and how insights travel across teams at Google. Also what does studying human movement have to do with shaping world-class customer experiences.&lt;br /&gt; Lucas also shares career lessons from mentors, the value of staying humble and never burning bridges and why he’s optimistic about AI’s potential to fuel personalization and level the playing field for entrepreneurs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you’re curious about translating academic research into business impact, scaling insights in a massive organization and the future of customer experience.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/91fc542c-4359-463e-84ca-af3a4d885ffa/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #88 with Lucas Elliott</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #89 with Victoria Lozano]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Victoria Lozano, Chief Marketing Officer at Crayola and Forbes 50 Entrepreneurial CMO, to explore how one of the world’s most beloved brands keeps creativity at the heart of everything it does. <br />From Crayola’s 122-year-old origins rooted in education to its modern-day expansion into entertainment, interactive experiences and global initiatives, Victoria shares how the brand continues to spark imagination.</p><p>They dive into Crayola’s <em>Campaign for Creativity</em>, fresh from winning multiple Cannes Lions and hear how it reframes creativity as a lifelong skill—not just an artistic pursuit.Victoria also discusses the brand’s immersive location-based experiences, innovative digital canvases and educational content that empowers teachers to inspire the next generation.</p><p>Tune in to know how brands remain timeless in purpose and timely in action.<br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-89-with-Victoria-Lozano-e36p0ip</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8484874c-bf6b-49d6-b71c-79de52b9f0d3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:59:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/feb9cc1523521922234958cfc5180ec4545a798741fd3e9824f35b7d3321be53/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5ZDg0MTgwMC1lOTc3LTQ3NjItYjBhYy04YjEyZDIxOTVjNDYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOWQ4NDE4MDAtZTk3Ny00NzYyLWIwYWMtOGIxMmQyMTk1YzQ2LzMxYWJmYzI1LTM5N2UtNDVlZi1iNTg2LWMzNTBmODU0ZTRjNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18793671" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Victoria Lozano, Chief Marketing Officer at Crayola and Forbes 50 Entrepreneurial CMO, to explore how one of the world’s most beloved brands keeps creativity at the heart of everything it does. &lt;br /&gt;From Crayola’s 122-year-old origins rooted in education to its modern-day expansion into entertainment, interactive experiences and global initiatives, Victoria shares how the brand continues to spark imagination.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into Crayola’s &lt;em&gt;Campaign for Creativity&lt;/em&gt;, fresh from winning multiple Cannes Lions and hear how it reframes creativity as a lifelong skill—not just an artistic pursuit.Victoria also discusses the brand’s immersive location-based experiences, innovative digital canvases and educational content that empowers teachers to inspire the next generation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to know how brands remain timeless in purpose and timely in action.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:11</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/9d841800-e977-4762-b0ac-8b12d2195c46/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #89 with Victoria Lozano</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #17 with Lukas Großebner]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon welcomes Lucas, a long-time friend and successful agency founder. They discuss their shared experiences at DDB, the pressures of the advertising industry, and Lucas' admiration for Volvo's "Epic Split" ad. Lucas also shares his personal passion for German literature, praising Surkamp Verlag for its continued excellence. This episode blends professional insights with personal reflections, offering a unique look into creativity and growth in both business and life.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-17-with-Lukas-Groebner-e2o17mu</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8938a7f1-7226-47bd-a2aa-9027bc57d512</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 05 Sep 2024 05:03:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/005325a8e20f46d249b4a9d69a85a03f9b90ef8749b045a56ffcb7622952e12a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwOWE0NWJmYS1iNzA2LTRkY2EtYjcwZS1iMzZiNTc2MmFiODYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDlhNDViZmEtYjcwNi00ZGNhLWI3MGUtYjM2YjU3NjJhYjg2LzI5NGZkMmJlLWM1YTEtNDZlZS1iNTA4LWZiZjYzNzI0NDk2NC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21808139" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon welcomes Lucas, a long-time friend and successful agency founder. They discuss their shared experiences at DDB, the pressures of the advertising industry, and Lucas&apos; admiration for Volvo&apos;s &quot;Epic Split&quot; ad. Lucas also shares his personal passion for German literature, praising Surkamp Verlag for its continued excellence. This episode blends professional insights with personal reflections, offering a unique look into creativity and growth in both business and life.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:08</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/09a45bfa-b706-4dca-b70e-b36b5762ab86/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #17 with Lukas Großebner</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #12 with Nikki Crumpton]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this engaging episode of our podcast, we're joined by Nikki Crumpton, the Chief Strategy Officer of BeenThereDoneThat. With a wealth of experience in the advertising industry, Nikki shares her journey, insights, and reflections on leadership, problem-solving, and the evolving demands of the business world. One important example she highlights is the need for leaders to become comfortable with ambiguity and not having all the answers. Nikki emphasizes how defining problems clearly, even when solutions are not immediately evident, can galvanize teams to innovate and find the right answers. As she discusses her passion for capability training and the importance of addressing the right problems, Nikki offers valuable advice for both seasoned professionals and those just starting out. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities in today's dynamic landscape with one of the industry's most thoughtful leaders.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-12-with-Nikki-Crumpton-e2mo3uo</link><guid isPermaLink="false">f915fca8-36f2-47d1-9231-d60cb2aa3bf8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:03:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5d83d596204e91a021215050b8aa155e04aefe968c1e2c2143deab9384ce3315/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlODczODZiOC0xNjUxLTRiYzUtOGVkNi0zNjYxYTVhYTNiOTYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTg3Mzg2YjgtMTY1MS00YmM1LThlZDYtMzY2MWE1YWEzYjk2LzM4NDE5NjIzNS00NDEwMC0yLTY3M2NkODc2MDAyOTYubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="33550983" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this engaging episode of our podcast, we&apos;re joined by Nikki Crumpton, the Chief Strategy Officer of BeenThereDoneThat. With a wealth of experience in the advertising industry, Nikki shares her journey, insights, and reflections on leadership, problem-solving, and the evolving demands of the business world. One important example she highlights is the need for leaders to become comfortable with ambiguity and not having all the answers. Nikki emphasizes how defining problems clearly, even when solutions are not immediately evident, can galvanize teams to innovate and find the right answers. As she discusses her passion for capability training and the importance of addressing the right problems, Nikki offers valuable advice for both seasoned professionals and those just starting out. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities in today&apos;s dynamic landscape with one of the industry&apos;s most thoughtful leaders.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:34:34</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e87386b8-1651-4bc5-8ed6-3661a5aa3b96/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #12 with Nikki Crumpton</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #171 with Silke Mennenga Vishab ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Silke Mennenga Vishab, Co-Head of Design, Brand at JPMorgan Chase, shares her remarkable journey from a small town in Germany to co-leading design for one of the world’s largest financial institutions. With roots in agency life and global beauty brands, Silke reveals how early lessons in resilience, craftsmanship, and attention to detail shaped her creative philosophy.</p><p>She takes us inside the world of large-scale design systems at JPMorgan Chase, where even the smallest detail can impact millions and explains why she sees financial services as a true luxury experience. From designing credit cards like pieces of jewelry to creating immersive airport lounges, Silke shows how great design is about making people feel something.</p><p>The conversation dives into the power of collecting ideas, the importance of strong creative foundations in the age of AI, and why surrounding yourself with inspiring, challenging people is key to doing your best work. </p><p>Tune in to know more about the art of turning vision into experience.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-171-with-Silke-Mennenga-Vishab-e3hulpl</link><guid isPermaLink="false">11522658-f789-4c52-9bc1-77c8679f605d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:53:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/cb5d8d5fc1612ecae1f179e1c66880d419d32300e585c666421a3e9d84c13269/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlNmJmZjhhYS0xMTAxLTRlMjctYjdiOS0yNGMxMzFiMDNjODgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTZiZmY4YWEtMTEwMS00ZTI3LWI3YjktMjRjMTMxYjAzYzg4Lzk0NTgyNTc4LWIyNjEtMGMxNi04YzQ4LTE5MDg0Nzc1ZDMzOS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20953772" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Silke Mennenga Vishab, Co-Head of Design, Brand at JPMorgan Chase, shares her remarkable journey from a small town in Germany to co-leading design for one of the world’s largest financial institutions. With roots in agency life and global beauty brands, Silke reveals how early lessons in resilience, craftsmanship, and attention to detail shaped her creative philosophy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She takes us inside the world of large-scale design systems at JPMorgan Chase, where even the smallest detail can impact millions and explains why she sees financial services as a true luxury experience. From designing credit cards like pieces of jewelry to creating immersive airport lounges, Silke shows how great design is about making people feel something.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation dives into the power of collecting ideas, the importance of strong creative foundations in the age of AI, and why surrounding yourself with inspiring, challenging people is key to doing your best work. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to know more about the art of turning vision into experience.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:16</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e6bff8aa-1101-4e27-b7b9-24c131b03c88/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #171 with Silke Mennenga Vishab </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #144 with Angeliki Kazantzidi]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with <strong>Angeliki Kazantzidi</strong>, <strong>Head of Marketing Northern Europe at Kenvue</strong>, to talk about leadership without ego, the power of learning agility, and what it really takes to manage complex brand portfolios across cultures.</p><p>With nearly two decades at Johnson &amp; Johnson / Kenvue, Angeliki shares her unconventional career path from chemistry to marketing, why she returned to the same company twice, and how purpose-driven brands, great teams, and curiosity fuel long-term success. </p><p>Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about people-first leadership, mentoring and the future of marketing in the age of AI.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-144-with-Angeliki-Kazantzidi-e3eh5lj</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0effae46-1038-410c-87de-c4aa61a9c780</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:52:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2b9055eba9158f74cc1e9085e16ec711c400f8fc747bd9a2aca6e50d5bcf376f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjMWY3NTdlNC0yMDA0LTRkYTQtYWMxNy03ZjYxY2E0NTdlNzUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzFmNzU3ZTQtMjAwNC00ZGE0LWFjMTctN2Y2MWNhNDU3ZTc1LzFmYzdkOTgwLWYzOTAtNDI4MS1jYzhkLWIyNGQyYTMyODk4MC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19840890" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Angeliki Kazantzidi&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Head of Marketing Northern Europe at Kenvue&lt;/strong&gt;, to talk about leadership without ego, the power of learning agility, and what it really takes to manage complex brand portfolios across cultures.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With nearly two decades at Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson / Kenvue, Angeliki shares her unconventional career path from chemistry to marketing, why she returned to the same company twice, and how purpose-driven brands, great teams, and curiosity fuel long-term success. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about people-first leadership, mentoring and the future of marketing in the age of AI.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:39</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c1f757e4-2004-4da4-ac17-7f61ca457e75/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #144 with Angeliki Kazantzidi</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #110 with Melda Hamarat ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode Sandra hosts Melda Hamarat, Global Head of Digital Commerce Strategy at Unilever.</p><p>Melda shares her unconventional journey from industrial engineering to leading global digital commerce strategy. She discusses how curiosity, consumer psychology, and fearless pivots shaped her career and how digital commerce exploded during COVID and continues to evolve with AI, retail media, and rapid innovation. </p><p>The conversation explores the rise (and fall) of rapid grocery delivery, why consumer insight drives everything, How AI is reshaping content, media, and measurement and the power of leaders who take risks on people.</p><p>Tune in to know what makes ice cream such an exciting and delicious category to work in and more. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-110-with-Melda-Hamarat-e390cqu</link><guid isPermaLink="false">f345b82c-0547-4244-ac77-56529bc58a53</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:38:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/22f10f0a96502abd970384efec79df8ff1122ff903fbd694239305eb34e7f976/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmYjIzODRhZC1kZTQ5LTRiZjktODk3NC00MDIxYjczNTUyMmYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZmIyMzg0YWQtZGU0OS00YmY5LTg5NzQtNDAyMWI3MzU1MjJmLzQwODUzMzExOS00NDEwMC0yLTVlNjc5NzU3OTg2NDMubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="13246252" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode Sandra hosts Melda Hamarat, Global Head of Digital Commerce Strategy at Unilever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Melda shares her unconventional journey from industrial engineering to leading global digital commerce strategy. She discusses how curiosity, consumer psychology, and fearless pivots shaped her career and how digital commerce exploded during COVID and continues to evolve with AI, retail media, and rapid innovation. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores the rise (and fall) of rapid grocery delivery, why consumer insight drives everything, How AI is reshaping content, media, and measurement and the power of leaders who take risks on people.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to know what makes ice cream such an exciting and delicious category to work in and more. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:13:38</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/fb2384ad-de49-4bf9-8974-4021b735522f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #110 with Melda Hamarat </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #170 with Miriam Garcke ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Miriam Garcke, Marketing Lead NIVEA Face &amp; Skin Care Germany at Beiersdorf, reflects on a two-decade career shaped by iconic brands like Nivea and Eucerin. From launching products seen in millions of households to creating meaningful impact for people with real skin concerns, she shares how her motivation evolved from visibility to purpose.</p><p>Miriam also talks about the power of strong leadership, trust, and a unique job-sharing model that fuels learning and collaboration. As she transitions back to Nivea, she discusses what excites her most—people, fresh challenges, and the opportunity to keep growing.</p><p>Tune in to hear more about innovation in skincare, shifting consumer values, and why curiosity—paired with human connection—remains the key driver in an ever-changing industry.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-170-with-Miriam-Garcke-e3hncd3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">12c2f709-501b-41d0-9c0e-95bdf6215452</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:12:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8cb2af0e0518db559dc348d64137806e598101db3fc5a3a85ab6cfce350cefcb/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiNGM2YmU2ZC00ZDI4LTQ3Y2ItYjY0Yi1hZDc2Y2M1NTUzMTkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjRjNmJlNmQtNGQyOC00N2NiLWI2NGItYWQ3NmNjNTU1MzE5LzM3N2E5YzVmLWE1ZDUtNDQ1Yy1lODQ3LWY0ZDc1Mjc5ZGM2ZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19715122" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Miriam Garcke, Marketing Lead NIVEA Face &amp;amp; Skin Care Germany at Beiersdorf, reflects on a two-decade career shaped by iconic brands like Nivea and Eucerin. From launching products seen in millions of households to creating meaningful impact for people with real skin concerns, she shares how her motivation evolved from visibility to purpose.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Miriam also talks about the power of strong leadership, trust, and a unique job-sharing model that fuels learning and collaboration. As she transitions back to Nivea, she discusses what excites her most—people, fresh challenges, and the opportunity to keep growing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear more about innovation in skincare, shifting consumer values, and why curiosity—paired with human connection—remains the key driver in an ever-changing industry.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:57</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b4c6be6d-4d28-47cb-b64b-ad76cc555319/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #170 with Miriam Garcke </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #145 with Michael Lüttgen ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>*german episode*</p><p>In this episode Gordon hosts Michael Lüttgen, Chief Customer Officer at Kaufland and former CMO at Biedronka for Jerónimo Martins, OBI and Lidl. From challenger mindsets and retail scale to customer insight, price reality, and leadership without ego, Michael shares why marketing is not advertising, why consistency beats copycats, and why understanding people matters more than winning arguments. </p><p>Tune in for a sharp episode about impact, complexity and staying grounded in reality.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-145-with-Michael-Lttgen-e3ehr9s</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5889b602-51a0-4402-9943-b50c12fef637</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:29:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7b9cd0dbb627f7aa81ca34e6f7bb21bbbc43137e46cb50ed31b0d2c69fd674bd/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlZWYxYTA3Yy1hYzIzLTQ1YjktOWE2OC1mOGRjYzc5Yjc0NDAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWVmMWEwN2MtYWMyMy00NWI5LTlhNjgtZjhkY2M3OWI3NDQwLzdmYzA3Y2RjLTEwMGUtMGNmYy01MmYxLWQzYjVlMDVjMGFiYi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19838644" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;*german episode*&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode Gordon hosts Michael Lüttgen, Chief Customer Officer at Kaufland and former CMO at Biedronka for Jerónimo Martins, OBI and Lidl. From challenger mindsets and retail scale to customer insight, price reality, and leadership without ego, Michael shares why marketing is not advertising, why consistency beats copycats, and why understanding people matters more than winning arguments. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a sharp episode about impact, complexity and staying grounded in reality.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:58</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/eef1a07c-ac23-45b9-9a68-f8dcc79b7440/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #145 with Michael Lüttgen </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #142 with Lucia Martinez Barrenechea]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Lucia Martinez Barrenechea, Global Strategy and Competitor Intelligence Lead for Beauty &amp; Wellbeing Business Group at Unilever, to unpack how global FMCG giants really think and compete. From a law degree in Spain to shaping strategy across a beauty and personal care business, Lucia shares how decoding competitors, understanding organizational structures, and tracking trends like longevity, AI, and social commerce are redefining the beauty industry. </p><p>Tune in for insights about markets in motion, brands that endure and the people who shape meaningful careers.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-142-with-Lucia-Martinez-Barrenechea-e3ds3n3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">12a6c5d8-a6ed-4c59-bc07-3943183ba25a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:01:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7e69568aae6c755d6afd0e276de4c35a7bc9b95846d2c590ac2b4a0f86c92876/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3M2RkNjM1MC1kZGMwLTQyNzEtOGVhYi00YzNjODJhNmFiYzYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNzNkZDYzNTAtZGRjMC00MjcxLThlYWItNGMzYzgyYTZhYmM2L2RlMDI1MjA4LTA0ZmMtOTZjYS0yYjI5LThmMmVkZjdjZmYwNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15826804" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Lucia Martinez Barrenechea, Global Strategy and Competitor Intelligence Lead for Beauty &amp;amp; Wellbeing Business Group at Unilever, to unpack how global FMCG giants really think and compete. From a law degree in Spain to shaping strategy across a beauty and personal care business, Lucia shares how decoding competitors, understanding organizational structures, and tracking trends like longevity, AI, and social commerce are redefining the beauty industry. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights about markets in motion, brands that endure and the people who shape meaningful careers.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:27</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/73dd6350-ddc0-4271-8eab-4c3c82a6abc6/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #142 with Lucia Martinez Barrenechea</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #141 with Danyal Syed Ali ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode Gordon Euchler hosts Danyal Syed Ali, Head of Consumer and Customer Insights at IKEA, to explore his journey from early startup life in Pakistan to global brands like Nestlé, the BBC, and ultimately one of the world’s most loved retailers.</p><p>Danyal shares what it really takes to evolve an iconic brand in a time shaped by AI, omnichannel complexity, and changing customer expectations—without losing the warmth and humanity that made the brand successful in the first place. </p><p>The conversation also dives into IKEA’s unique culture, what keeps people there for decades, the power of diversity and inclusion in retail, and Danyal's growing interest in responsible consumerism and the role businesses must play in protecting the future of our planet.</p><p>Tune in to find out what it takes to stay relevant while staying human.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-141-with-Danyal-Syed-Ali-e3ds3jd</link><guid isPermaLink="false">2fd6089a-6a52-4b3f-87d3-36ee552d6520</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:56:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/32a99b815a68826acdab39d58c848f48d8b78aa95e97d5a6bd5f199e4beed14a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4NzJmNGU3YS03MGNmLTRhYTYtYmJmMS0yNjNhYjQxNGQxOGYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvODcyZjRlN2EtNzBjZi00YWE2LWJiZjEtMjYzYWI0MTRkMThmL2I2N2QxZWMxLTFhN2QtOWQ2YS0zZGJlLWU5OWFkZGJhOGY0Ny5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17033197" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode Gordon Euchler hosts Danyal Syed Ali, Head of Consumer and Customer Insights at IKEA, to explore his journey from early startup life in Pakistan to global brands like Nestlé, the BBC, and ultimately one of the world’s most loved retailers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Danyal shares what it really takes to evolve an iconic brand in a time shaped by AI, omnichannel complexity, and changing customer expectations—without losing the warmth and humanity that made the brand successful in the first place. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation also dives into IKEA’s unique culture, what keeps people there for decades, the power of diversity and inclusion in retail, and Danyal&apos;s growing interest in responsible consumerism and the role businesses must play in protecting the future of our planet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out what it takes to stay relevant while staying human.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:20</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/872f4e7a-70cf-4aa6-bbf1-263ab414d18f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #141 with Danyal Syed Ali </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #140 with Natasha Maharaj ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Natasha Maharaj, Senior Global Brands Director at The Heineken Company</strong>. With a career spanning Unilever, Nestlé, PepsiCo and now Heineken, Natasha shares how world-class FMCG brands are built at the intersection of creativity, culture, and commercial impact.</p><p>From her belief that “marketing chose me,” to shaping iconic beer brands around human connection and togetherness, Natasha reflects on leadership, curiosity, experimentation, and why timeless insights matter even more in an AI-driven world. </p><p>Tune in for a conversation on brand courage, creativity at scale and the future of marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-140-with-Natasha-Maharaj-e3dl4m6</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8e2ad831-0bb6-4e2e-995d-97d1f7c85d82</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:59:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b78dbca5540d28bfe196fee260d5a8b8756da30044b8071da1b7b9964fb74c16/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkYWY1YzMzZi1kMzlmLTRjNjctYjE2ZS0yYTNkMGFhNmY1MDgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZGFmNWMzM2YtZDM5Zi00YzY3LWIxNmUtMmEzZDBhYTZmNTA4LzIxY2JmZWU2LWViMjItZTM2My04NjA4LTRlMzE1MmI2ZTg3YS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16562503" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Natasha Maharaj, Senior Global Brands Director at The Heineken Company&lt;/strong&gt;. With a career spanning Unilever, Nestlé, PepsiCo and now Heineken, Natasha shares how world-class FMCG brands are built at the intersection of creativity, culture, and commercial impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From her belief that “marketing chose me,” to shaping iconic beer brands around human connection and togetherness, Natasha reflects on leadership, curiosity, experimentation, and why timeless insights matter even more in an AI-driven world. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation on brand courage, creativity at scale and the future of marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:17</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/daf5c33f-d39f-4c67-b16e-2a3d0aa6f508/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #140 with Natasha Maharaj </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #212 with Khanh Huynh-Kürzinger]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>What remains constant when brands, technology, and leadership are changing faster than ever?</strong></p><p><br /></p><p>In this episode, Alessandro Panella speaks with <strong>Khanh Huynh-Kürzinger, author of the forthcoming book "Leading with Humanity". </strong></p><p>She reflects on a career spanning P&amp;G, BSH and Siemens, where she led global brand transformations before embarking on a new journey as an author. She shares why the fundamentals of great branding never change, how purpose creates lasting impact,and why the future belongs to leaders who create environments where people can thrive, especially in the age of AI.<br /></p><p>Tune in for an inspiring conversation on timeless brand building, authentic leadership and why leading with humanity may be the greatest competitive advantage.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-212-with-Khanh-Huynh-Krzinger-e3m11r6</link><guid isPermaLink="false">89510b94-82f0-4db5-91a1-336b8fa3eafe</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:02:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/df9680a51effc15f0ed96908a1075136b709fcd7f5ad065313e5d00ef3593588/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwYmNhNTk0Ny1mY2VkLTQxNGItYWYwMi0yNjUwNGIwYjIyMWQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGJjYTU5NDctZmNlZC00MTRiLWFmMDItMjY1MDRiMGIyMjFkLzk4MmM3NGY4LWY5NTEtZjI3My1hZmU0LTM5YzkxOGJkNTFjZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19776514" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What remains constant when brands, technology, and leadership are changing faster than ever?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Alessandro Panella speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Khanh Huynh-Kürzinger, author of the forthcoming book &quot;Leading with Humanity&quot;. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She reflects on a career spanning P&amp;amp;G, BSH and Siemens, where she led global brand transformations before embarking on a new journey as an author. She shares why the fundamentals of great branding never change, how purpose creates lasting impact,and why the future belongs to leaders who create environments where people can thrive, especially in the age of AI.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an inspiring conversation on timeless brand building, authentic leadership and why leading with humanity may be the greatest competitive advantage.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:34</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0bca5947-fced-414b-af02-26504b0b221d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #212 with Khanh Huynh-Kürzinger</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #206 with Andrea Zappolini]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this epsiode, Gordon speaks with <strong>Andrea Zappolini</strong>, <strong>Marketing Director, Digital and Commerce Activation at Puma</strong>.</p><p>From childhood inspiration in Italian advertising to leading digital marketing at Puma, Andrea shares the career decisions, mentors and moments that shaped his journey through Nike, Zalando, Adidas, and beyond. The conversation explores sports, e-commerce, AI and why, despite rapid technological change, people remain the true competitive advantage.</p><p><br />Tune in for an inspiring conversation about sports marketing, career growth, AI and why the human element will always matter most.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-206-with-Andrea-Zappolini-e3lfnp7</link><guid isPermaLink="false">c6c0f1db-447e-4253-a584-27834fd2785d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:47:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b26dae0a75e4f68f55cc7e6bd7e99f34d5d5876a7f60f3bdb6c53d1e12adf7fb/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmNzgyMmY2MC00ZDU4LTQxNGItYTQzMS03YTcwZWI5OTcyMjIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjc4MjJmNjAtNGQ1OC00MTRiLWE0MzEtN2E3MGViOTk3MjIyL2EzYzNiNGQ1LTk2NDgtNzcyMi1jNjRiLWI5Mjg2MTQ4MjNlNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21258566" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this epsiode, Gordon speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Andrea Zappolini&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Marketing Director, Digital and Commerce Activation at Puma&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From childhood inspiration in Italian advertising to leading digital marketing at Puma, Andrea shares the career decisions, mentors and moments that shaped his journey through Nike, Zalando, Adidas, and beyond. The conversation explores sports, e-commerce, AI and why, despite rapid technological change, people remain the true competitive advantage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tune in for an inspiring conversation about sports marketing, career growth, AI and why the human element will always matter most.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:56</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f7822f60-4d58-414b-a431-7a70eb997222/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #206 with Andrea Zappolini</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #222 with Vincent Sieben]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>What does it take to build a marketing career, create lasting impact, and stay curious in a world transformed by AI? </p><p>In this episode, Gordon talks to <strong>Vincent Sieben</strong>, <strong>Head of Marketing, International Region, Healthcare Informatics at </strong><em><strong>Philips</strong></em>, about purpose-driven marketing, career growth, sustaining ideas, and the opportunities AI is creating in healthcare.</p><p>Vincent shares the unconventional start to his career — he once dreamed of becoming a professional drummer—and how studying marketing ultimately gave him the energy and curiosity to build a career in technical B2B environments.</p><p>A key theme of the conversation is sustaining: not simply stopping to rest, but giving good ideas the time, depth and reach they need to reach their full potential. Vincent explains why successful initiatives should be replicated across markets, why careers cannot develop at the speed of social media, and why “on to the next” can sometimes get in the way of lasting impact. </p><p>Looking ahead, Vincent is particularly excited about AI’s potential to transform healthcare, from earlier cancer detection and better diagnosis to making marketing and sales operations dramatically more accessible and efficient across languages and markets.</p><p>Tune in for insights on what marketers can learn from brands such as <em>Nike</em> and <em>Salesforce</em>, and why community, consistency and purpose matter just as much in B2B as they do in consumer marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-222-with-Vincent-Sieben-e3njn82</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ca2123b3-0979-4831-849d-cd8f12d049a7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:42:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6b4ab57737e7e2f4c06af8d1cd7abd9946e590920408c36d870d0426f30333fd/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkOTgxOGQ3Ni05NWJkLTRlMzYtOGRhOC0yNTA4ZjhhNGIyZGEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZDk4MThkNzYtOTViZC00ZTM2LThkYTgtMjUwOGY4YTRiMmRhLzEzMDZiZjVlLTU0ZTAtZDMwMC00ZjE0LTE3OTY3MDdjYjZkNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17787370" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;What does it take to build a marketing career, create lasting impact, and stay curious in a world transformed by AI? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon talks to &lt;strong&gt;Vincent Sieben&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Head of Marketing, International Region, Healthcare Informatics at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Philips&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, about purpose-driven marketing, career growth, sustaining ideas, and the opportunities AI is creating in healthcare.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Vincent shares the unconventional start to his career — he once dreamed of becoming a professional drummer—and how studying marketing ultimately gave him the energy and curiosity to build a career in technical B2B environments.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A key theme of the conversation is sustaining: not simply stopping to rest, but giving good ideas the time, depth and reach they need to reach their full potential. Vincent explains why successful initiatives should be replicated across markets, why careers cannot develop at the speed of social media, and why “on to the next” can sometimes get in the way of lasting impact. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking ahead, Vincent is particularly excited about AI’s potential to transform healthcare, from earlier cancer detection and better diagnosis to making marketing and sales operations dramatically more accessible and efficient across languages and markets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on what marketers can learn from brands such as &lt;em&gt;Nike&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Salesforce&lt;/em&gt;, and why community, consistency and purpose matter just as much in B2B as they do in consumer marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:25</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/d9818d76-95bd-4e36-8da8-2508f8a4b2da/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #222 with Vincent Sieben</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #54 with Michael Gross]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon dives deep into the eclectic and inspiring journey of guest <strong>Michael Gross</strong>, a music supervisor and creative force who's left his mark at some of the most influential names in advertising and tech—<strong>TBWA\Chiat\Day</strong>, <strong>Droga5</strong>, <strong>Google</strong>, <strong>Twitter</strong>, and now as a partner at <strong>Squeak E. Clean Studios</strong>.</p><p>Michael shares how his first break came not through a CV but through water polo—a sport he played at UC Berkeley—which surprisingly opened the door to a job at TBWA\Chiat\Day. From there, we follow his path from production coordinator to becoming <em>the</em> go-to music guy at the agency, simply by noticing that no one was opening the endless stream of promo CDs and deciding he would. What started as a side hustle turned into live concerts on the agency basketball court and supervising million-dollar music licenses for global campaigns.</p><p>They explore the evolution of the music supervision role, the inspiring culture under advertising legend <strong>Lee Clow</strong>, and how Michael carved a hybrid path that blurred the lines between producer and creative. You'll hear about the power of surf culture in shaping his creative ethos, his time in London leading music at <strong>AllSaints</strong>, and the moments of professional jealousy that come with deep admiration for peers in this tight-knit community.</p><p>Tune in to hear why music is not just part of the ad – sometimes, it <em>is</em> the ad and how Michael’s story is a masterclass in staying curious and creating your own role.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-54-with-Michael-Gross-e32f8pj</link><guid isPermaLink="false">dc1b2f71-8ca1-4d94-8316-1363c0c52e91</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2025 09:38:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ba9b7876495793d755630bfad2bbd34e6c0480208bed6c3e287873493d4a22e6/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxY2JhYmQ2ZS0wYjMyLTQyMmMtOWUxNi0zNTFiZWU3N2QwMDYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMWNiYWJkNmUtMGIzMi00MjJjLTllMTYtMzUxYmVlNzdkMDA2L2M4ODljYjM0LWI4YzEtZDA3Yy1kNzk3LWFlNmVmNjlmZjNhZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22803793" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon dives deep into the eclectic and inspiring journey of guest &lt;strong&gt;Michael Gross&lt;/strong&gt;, a music supervisor and creative force who&apos;s left his mark at some of the most influential names in advertising and tech—&lt;strong&gt;TBWA\Chiat\Day&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Droga5&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Google&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Twitter&lt;/strong&gt;, and now as a partner at &lt;strong&gt;Squeak E. Clean Studios&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Michael shares how his first break came not through a CV but through water polo—a sport he played at UC Berkeley—which surprisingly opened the door to a job at TBWA\Chiat\Day. From there, we follow his path from production coordinator to becoming &lt;em&gt;the&lt;/em&gt; go-to music guy at the agency, simply by noticing that no one was opening the endless stream of promo CDs and deciding he would. What started as a side hustle turned into live concerts on the agency basketball court and supervising million-dollar music licenses for global campaigns.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore the evolution of the music supervision role, the inspiring culture under advertising legend &lt;strong&gt;Lee Clow&lt;/strong&gt;, and how Michael carved a hybrid path that blurred the lines between producer and creative. You&apos;ll hear about the power of surf culture in shaping his creative ethos, his time in London leading music at &lt;strong&gt;AllSaints&lt;/strong&gt;, and the moments of professional jealousy that come with deep admiration for peers in this tight-knit community.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why music is not just part of the ad – sometimes, it &lt;em&gt;is&lt;/em&gt; the ad and how Michael’s story is a masterclass in staying curious and creating your own role.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:34</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1cbabd6e-0b32-422c-9e16-351bee77d006/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #54 with Michael Gross</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #85 with Asif Memon ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <strong>Spikes Excitement Talks</strong>, Gordon sits down with <strong>Asif Memon</strong>, Head of Strategic Revenue Management at <strong>Unilever</strong>, for an insightful conversation on connecting marketing, sales and consumer value in the FMCG space.</p><p>Asif shares his global journey from <strong>Procter &amp; Gamble</strong> to <strong>Unilever</strong>, with stops at <strong>L’Oréal</strong>, and life across continents—from Dubai to Casablanca to the UK. He reflects on what truly brings impact in today’s fast-moving consumer world and why the future lies in collaboration and purpose-led leadership.</p><p>The conversation explores what Strategic Revenue Management actually is and why it’s the engine of modern FMCG growth, how to align sales and marketing not from dysfunction but from untapped opportunity, why cultural immersion and diverse leadership styles shaped his approach and the role of AI, digital commerce and premiumization in the future of FMCG.</p><p>Listen in if you care about brand, business and the power of principle-led leadership.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-85-with-Asif-Memon-e36h5co</link><guid isPermaLink="false">848c4730-ad0a-4f9b-a57e-c2a30f341547</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:08:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/763cf39691dd04bec6d6af459e5742bc07470a1bb46f9839fbd02f6d1ea72c15/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlM2YwZWYyOC05OGFiLTRjZjgtOTNmNi04ZWI4YzAzNWI5MDEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTNmMGVmMjgtOThhYi00Y2Y4LTkzZjYtOGViOGMwMzViOTAxLzdiMzllYmYyLTA2ZjItZjBlNi1iNGM5LTMyNWM5ZGQxYmNiNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16782843" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;strong&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/strong&gt;, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Asif Memon&lt;/strong&gt;, Head of Strategic Revenue Management at &lt;strong&gt;Unilever&lt;/strong&gt;, for an insightful conversation on connecting marketing, sales and consumer value in the FMCG space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Asif shares his global journey from &lt;strong&gt;Procter &amp;amp; Gamble&lt;/strong&gt; to &lt;strong&gt;Unilever&lt;/strong&gt;, with stops at &lt;strong&gt;L’Oréal&lt;/strong&gt;, and life across continents—from Dubai to Casablanca to the UK. He reflects on what truly brings impact in today’s fast-moving consumer world and why the future lies in collaboration and purpose-led leadership.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores what Strategic Revenue Management actually is and why it’s the engine of modern FMCG growth, how to align sales and marketing not from dysfunction but from untapped opportunity, why cultural immersion and diverse leadership styles shaped his approach and the role of AI, digital commerce and premiumization in the future of FMCG.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen in if you care about brand, business and the power of principle-led leadership.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:36</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e3f0ef28-98ab-4cf8-93f6-8eb8c035b901/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #85 with Asif Memon </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #195 with Fabrice Digonnet]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Alessandro Panella, Advisory Board Member of Spikes,  speaks with Fabrice Digonnet, EMEA Marketing Director, Transportation &amp; Plastic Business at Dow, about a career built on curiosity, global experience and a deep passion for Material Science, Sustainability and People.</p><p>From unexpectedly joining Dow in 1995 to working across cultures and leading global innovation projects, Fabrice shares how his journey was shaped by opportunity, intuition and a willingness to embrace change rather than resist it.</p><p>He also opens up about what makes Dow unique, why chemistry and sustainability have always been central to his mindset and how the future of mobility is being reshaped by recycled materials and regulation-driven innovation.</p><p>Tune in to know what keeps someone excited after 30 years at the same company and many more insights about leadership, disruptive innovation, materials circularity and the evolving future of mobility in a rapidly changing world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-195-with-Fabrice-Digonnet-e3knsl4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61baebe7-034a-425c-ab7a-1b2565a14fc3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:32:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/310d196f18d195ae3e400abdeca9cb7a639f6bdf1266476bde3f160888e8a452/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMWE2YTA5Yy1lNjRjLTRhODEtODhhYi0wZjY3ODk3MzBkZDMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDFhNmEwOWMtZTY0Yy00YTgxLTg4YWItMGY2Nzg5NzMwZGQzLzI1NzcwZmNkLTliYTMtMWM5Ny00MmU2LTM3NGI4M2NhNzM3NS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="26832813" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Alessandro Panella, Advisory Board Member of Spikes,  speaks with Fabrice Digonnet, EMEA Marketing Director, Transportation &amp;amp; Plastic Business at Dow, about a career built on curiosity, global experience and a deep passion for Material Science, Sustainability and People.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From unexpectedly joining Dow in 1995 to working across cultures and leading global innovation projects, Fabrice shares how his journey was shaped by opportunity, intuition and a willingness to embrace change rather than resist it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He also opens up about what makes Dow unique, why chemistry and sustainability have always been central to his mindset and how the future of mobility is being reshaped by recycled materials and regulation-driven innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to know what keeps someone excited after 30 years at the same company and many more insights about leadership, disruptive innovation, materials circularity and the evolving future of mobility in a rapidly changing world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:34:17</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/01a6a09c-e64c-4a81-88ab-0f6789730dd3/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #195 with Fabrice Digonnet</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #192 with Steph Withacre]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Steph Whitacre, Merchandise Director at Vans, shares her perspective on navigating one of the most transformative periods in retail. From her early days at Bergdorf Goodman and Burberry to leading merchandising at iconic brands, Steph reflects on the growing tension between AI-driven innovation and the enduring importance of product, brand identity and human connection.</p><p>Tune in to explore how technology is reshaping shopping, why younger generations may be pushing back against a fully digital future and what it takes for brands to stay relevant in an era of constant change.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-192-with-Steph-Withacre-e3k99gk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0aa2ba85-5a3b-49e8-922e-a7ee96c2d66c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:22:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/93d5a6c1b715e2e820f770917e190e4957ec947a1af0d3a2b20ae30b02c81e4a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2OGQ0ZGRhMy0zNTA5LTQ1MzUtYTI1My1iZDQzZjkwMDAyOTIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNjhkNGRkYTMtMzUwOS00NTM1LWEyNTMtYmQ0M2Y5MDAwMjkyL2Y2ZWNiNTJjLWVmMDQtZDRjNC1lODg2LTU3OGJlNjY5YzVkNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="12789353" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Steph Whitacre, Merchandise Director at Vans, shares her perspective on navigating one of the most transformative periods in retail. From her early days at Bergdorf Goodman and Burberry to leading merchandising at iconic brands, Steph reflects on the growing tension between AI-driven innovation and the enduring importance of product, brand identity and human connection.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to explore how technology is reshaping shopping, why younger generations may be pushing back against a fully digital future and what it takes for brands to stay relevant in an era of constant change.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:16:46</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/68d4dda3-3509-4535-a253-bd43f9000292/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #192 with Steph Withacre</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #83 with Peter DeLuca]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode,  Spikes US Partner Dave Cobban sits down with Peter DeLuca, former Chief Creative Officer at T-Mobile &amp; Board Member (CMCI) at University of Colorado Boulder, for an energetic and insightful conversation spanning creativity, leadership and brand transformation. <br />From his early days pounding the pavement in New York’s ad scene to helping shape T-Mobile into a bold, customer-centric brand, Peter reflects on a career defined by curiosity, consistency and fearless reinvention.</p><p>Peter shares stories of launching the iconic <em>Uncarrier</em> platform, navigating high-stakes media moments and building a culture of influence, not control. He also unpacks the evolving role of creativity in an AI-driven world and what it takes to lead teams that shape consumer experience across every touchpoint from TV spots to TikTok.</p><p>Tune in to get re-energized about the creative possibilities of marketing today.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-83-with-Peter-DeLuca-e36aqie</link><guid isPermaLink="false">c32c91ec-72c2-4344-ad14-d40167b3805f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:44:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2fcbf1ea45594d488534124657933eb1b7d30ed6e4c982abcf0d33441477d3ff/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyODMyZjQ2MC1hZmViLTRlZTMtOTM2Yi05YzBhNjA4OWIwNzYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjgzMmY0NjAtYWZlYi00ZWUzLTkzNmItOWMwYTYwODliMDc2LzI1M2Q3NDM4LTY1ZjItNTliNy1kYzk2LTFlOTYwY2I3ZjM2ZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23855294" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode,  Spikes US Partner Dave Cobban sits down with Peter DeLuca, former Chief Creative Officer at T-Mobile &amp;amp; Board Member (CMCI) at University of Colorado Boulder, for an energetic and insightful conversation spanning creativity, leadership and brand transformation. &lt;br /&gt;From his early days pounding the pavement in New York’s ad scene to helping shape T-Mobile into a bold, customer-centric brand, Peter reflects on a career defined by curiosity, consistency and fearless reinvention.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Peter shares stories of launching the iconic &lt;em&gt;Uncarrier&lt;/em&gt; platform, navigating high-stakes media moments and building a culture of influence, not control. He also unpacks the evolving role of creativity in an AI-driven world and what it takes to lead teams that shape consumer experience across every touchpoint from TV spots to TikTok.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get re-energized about the creative possibilities of marketing today.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:05</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/2832f460-afeb-4ee3-936b-9c0a6089b076/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #83 with Peter DeLuca</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #127 with Marco Philipp Koppenstein]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with <strong>Marco Philipp Koppenstein</strong>, Head of Category Development DACH at <strong>Mars Wrigley</strong>, about excitement, leadership, and the future of retail.</p><p>Marco shares how he found his way to Mars, why he stayed, and what makes the company’s purpose. He explains how his team works as a neutral, data-driven category consulting unit, optimizing store touchpoints, checkout layouts, and impulse modules to grow entire categories, not just brands.</p><p>They talk about inspiring leaders, why the best ones stay in the background, and how Marco’s own team motivates him daily. He also reveals what excites him about the future: AI-driven retail, seamless shopping, and shaping the next generation of in-store experiences.</p><p>Tune in for an inspiring talk about purpose, growth, and the people who make work exciting.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-127-with-Marco-Philipp-Koppenstein-e3c1kc7</link><guid isPermaLink="false">2f9e28b5-088b-4e1b-ba32-fdfebeb51fd8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:37:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f5fa223764c4147892e8913ddd2ef4c67efaf664d93b6359900de2a760b14833/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzMzBkZTdlMy1jMzZkLTRhYmQtODE2Mi1kNDdhYTNkNDFlMWMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzMwZGU3ZTMtYzM2ZC00YWJkLTgxNjItZDQ3YWEzZDQxZTFjLzMwMzE3YTYzLTVlODUtYzE1OS02NmFiLTA0MWJlZGJjNzZjMC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20102286" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Marco Philipp Koppenstein&lt;/strong&gt;, Head of Category Development DACH at &lt;strong&gt;Mars Wrigley&lt;/strong&gt;, about excitement, leadership, and the future of retail.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Marco shares how he found his way to Mars, why he stayed, and what makes the company’s purpose. He explains how his team works as a neutral, data-driven category consulting unit, optimizing store touchpoints, checkout layouts, and impulse modules to grow entire categories, not just brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They talk about inspiring leaders, why the best ones stay in the background, and how Marco’s own team motivates him daily. He also reveals what excites him about the future: AI-driven retail, seamless shopping, and shaping the next generation of in-store experiences.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an inspiring talk about purpose, growth, and the people who make work exciting.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:06</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/330de7e3-c36d-4abd-8162-d47aa3d41e1c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #127 with Marco Philipp Koppenstein</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #182 with Saurav Mohanty]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Saurav Mohanty, Head of Digital Products &amp; Technology at Yum! Brands Europe, shares a remarkable journey from growing up in rural India to leading digital innovation across global brands. He reflects on how curiosity sparked his path into technology, why product thinking sits at the intersection of business and engineering and what it takes to stay grounded in a fast-moving digital world. With previous roles at EF Education First, Nestlé, IBM, and Accenture, he brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and business acumen. A Harvard MBA graduate, Saurav is passionate about using technology to create meaningful impact—especially in fostering community and supporting future generations in an AI-driven world.Looking ahead, Saurav explores the role of AI in shaping society and why building real human connection and opportunity should be at the heart of it.</p><p>Tune in to hear how curiosity, resilience and big thinking can turn humble beginnings into a global career in digital innovation and why the future of tech must stay deeply human.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-182-with-Saurav-Mohanty-e3itou2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3f638cdb-a072-4989-a9ab-da69a65a18d8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 12:57:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b2ae6d78d6c48c08e67a2399c6516a512e9ed051919a9844e036c4a167cd8e1f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1ZDA2NTQ0Zi1hYzQ5LTRkNWYtYjY5Ny0wNjg4MjBlMjQzMDYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNWQwNjU0NGYtYWM0OS00ZDVmLWI2OTctMDY4ODIwZTI0MzA2L2FhY2ZkNGU2LTk0YTItYmIyNi0xMDM0LWZiYjNiNjA4MjNiZi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18151930" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Saurav Mohanty, Head of Digital Products &amp;amp; Technology at Yum! Brands Europe, shares a remarkable journey from growing up in rural India to leading digital innovation across global brands. He reflects on how curiosity sparked his path into technology, why product thinking sits at the intersection of business and engineering and what it takes to stay grounded in a fast-moving digital world. With previous roles at EF Education First, Nestlé, IBM, and Accenture, he brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and business acumen. A Harvard MBA graduate, Saurav is passionate about using technology to create meaningful impact—especially in fostering community and supporting future generations in an AI-driven world.Looking ahead, Saurav explores the role of AI in shaping society and why building real human connection and opportunity should be at the heart of it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear how curiosity, resilience and big thinking can turn humble beginnings into a global career in digital innovation and why the future of tech must stay deeply human.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/5d06544f-ac49-4d5f-b697-068820e24306/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #182 with Saurav Mohanty</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #183 with Ralitza Iordanova]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode Ralitza Iordanova, Global VP, Brand Marketing at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, reflects on what luxury really means today, why hospitality is ultimately about human emotion, and how the future of brands may shift from aspiration to restoration. From leading iconic hotel transformations across cultures to designing experiences that help people regulate their nervous systems, this conversation explores the intersection of luxury, wellbeing, culture and human connection.</p><p>Tune in to get insights on luxury hospitality, emotional connection and why the future of wellness is about helping people slow down, reconnect and truly feel cared for.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-183-with-Ralitza-Iordanova-e3j8mc6</link><guid isPermaLink="false">b96172aa-4f03-49f1-a06f-ebce6db55975</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 11:33:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c2dfc9bd40fab9df94a39000295de6f0c387076e1be2da62580fe709bfa23ead/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5YTE2MmFlZS1iMzQ2LTQyZDYtYjQxMi0wYjU2MGRkOTc0YzIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOWExNjJhZWUtYjM0Ni00MmQ2LWI0MTItMGI1NjBkZDk3NGMyL2E4NDZhY2Y4LWI4ZjUtNWNhMC04ZDRmLTJlZGVmOGVjNjU3Ni5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16955201" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode Ralitza Iordanova, Global VP, Brand Marketing at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, reflects on what luxury really means today, why hospitality is ultimately about human emotion, and how the future of brands may shift from aspiration to restoration. From leading iconic hotel transformations across cultures to designing experiences that help people regulate their nervous systems, this conversation explores the intersection of luxury, wellbeing, culture and human connection.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get insights on luxury hospitality, emotional connection and why the future of wellness is about helping people slow down, reconnect and truly feel cared for.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:47</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/9a162aee-b346-42d6-b412-0b560dd974c2/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #183 with Ralitza Iordanova</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #114 with Rene Federico ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Rene Federico, an experienced brand leader whose career spans two powerhouse names in retail—Nike and Converse—and now, Head of Marketing US at Primark.</p><p>Rene shares her journey from the shop floor of Nike Town Boston to shaping the basketball brand at Nike, and now leading brand building in a fast-growing US market at Primark. </p><p>The conversation explores, what it really means to connect brands with consumers, how to build brand equity from the ground up, why strong retail fundamentals create space for bold storytelling, the power of leadership, optimism, and staying obsessed with the customer and how creators are rewriting the rules of branding today.</p><p>Tune in if you want to know more about how passion and practicality come together in great marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-114-with-Rene-Federico-e39f1om</link><guid isPermaLink="false">7b055b20-fb97-40dc-8d02-cfdec1a7e591</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:17:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c7dc98936054606089330efe4ea908c33c9dd1d7037430109f8bb7a3ae58d773/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2ZTNmMDU1Ni1jMjNkLTRiYTQtOTdkYy02YzA2ZDA5MGIwYmUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNmUzZjA1NTYtYzIzZC00YmE0LTk3ZGMtNmMwNmQwOTBiMGJlLzI2YmIzYjYzLWI4ZWMtYmJiNi1jYjE0LTFhYjg4Y2Y2MGMxZi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19469924" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Rene Federico, an experienced brand leader whose career spans two powerhouse names in retail—Nike and Converse—and now, Head of Marketing US at Primark.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rene shares her journey from the shop floor of Nike Town Boston to shaping the basketball brand at Nike, and now leading brand building in a fast-growing US market at Primark. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores, what it really means to connect brands with consumers, how to build brand equity from the ground up, why strong retail fundamentals create space for bold storytelling, the power of leadership, optimism, and staying obsessed with the customer and how creators are rewriting the rules of branding today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you want to know more about how passion and practicality come together in great marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/6e3f0556-c23d-4ba4-97dc-6c06d090b0be/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #114 with Rene Federico </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #179 with Burcu Sahin ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Excitement Talks, Sandra Peat speaks with Burcu Sahin, Director of Global Marketing for Portfolio Strategic Initiatives at Mars, about a career driven by curiosity, culture and a deep understanding of people.</p><p>From starting out in investment banking to discovering her passion for behavioural economics and strategic planning, Burcu shares how a non-linear path led her to global brand building. She reflects on pivotal moments—from navigating visa setbacks that turned into global opportunities to shaping transformative growth strategies for iconic brands.</p><p>The conversation explores what it really takes to build brands in today’s world: understanding evolving consumer values, connecting with new generations and rethinking marketing in a more human, collaborative and culturally relevant way.</p><p><br />Tune in to understand better why the future of brand building is about deeply understanding people and co-creating with them.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-179-with-Burcu-Sahin-e3iheje</link><guid isPermaLink="false">77ee0feb-6e1b-4156-bd1f-658972d0e359</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:18:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/30d81e1fe6c11ec559c96a51239c48fa70d9a926cf4869029a92045f1a2007d6/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlZWZjMmI5OC05ODdkLTRjNzctODdiZS1jMjk2ZDliYTdjZTciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWVmYzJiOTgtOTg3ZC00Yzc3LTg3YmUtYzI5NmQ5YmE3Y2U3LzQyMjk1NDYzNS00NDEwMC0yLTBiY2JhOTdlYTlkZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="13393783" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Excitement Talks, Sandra Peat speaks with Burcu Sahin, Director of Global Marketing for Portfolio Strategic Initiatives at Mars, about a career driven by curiosity, culture and a deep understanding of people.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From starting out in investment banking to discovering her passion for behavioural economics and strategic planning, Burcu shares how a non-linear path led her to global brand building. She reflects on pivotal moments—from navigating visa setbacks that turned into global opportunities to shaping transformative growth strategies for iconic brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores what it really takes to build brands in today’s world: understanding evolving consumer values, connecting with new generations and rethinking marketing in a more human, collaborative and culturally relevant way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tune in to understand better why the future of brand building is about deeply understanding people and co-creating with them.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:13:48</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/eefc2b98-987d-4c77-87be-c296d9ba7ce7/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #179 with Burcu Sahin </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #180 with Linda Bethea]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Linda Bethea, Senior marketing executive and former Chief Marketing Officer at Danone with leadership experience at companies like Diageo and PepsiCo. Linda has spent her career building and transforming major consumer brands, combining deep consumer insight with sharp business acumen. Beyond her corporate roles, she also serves as a board director for Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley.<br />Linda shares her unconventional journey from studying psychology to leading iconic brands across food, beverage and beyond. She breaks down why great marketing is about far more than ads, how to truly understand consumers and what it takes to turn around a struggling brand. From reinventing Captain Morgan to navigating the future of AI-driven marketing, Linda offers a candid, experience-rich perspective on building brands that matter—and last.</p><p>Tune in to learn how world-class brands grow beyond advertising and what it really takes to win in today’s fast-changing marketing landscape.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-180-with-Linda-Bethea-e3itooq</link><guid isPermaLink="false">f82fa17d-a689-4ea1-941d-2fc100f89346</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 12:54:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/417affcd4a41e7f97a84ee11dda5d5bb37d28c93d2d442cf84f94b930811fc85/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4YjNhNmZjOC1kYmY0LTRmMmMtYWY5Mi1lNjc5M2Y2MDQyOWUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOGIzYTZmYzgtZGJmNC00ZjJjLWFmOTItZTY3OTNmNjA0MjllL2I5YWM4OWVjLWUzNDktMTIwNC00MjZhLWExMzNmYzQzOTcyYi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19064872" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Linda Bethea, Senior marketing executive and former Chief Marketing Officer at Danone with leadership experience at companies like Diageo and PepsiCo. Linda has spent her career building and transforming major consumer brands, combining deep consumer insight with sharp business acumen. Beyond her corporate roles, she also serves as a board director for Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley.&lt;br /&gt;Linda shares her unconventional journey from studying psychology to leading iconic brands across food, beverage and beyond. She breaks down why great marketing is about far more than ads, how to truly understand consumers and what it takes to turn around a struggling brand. From reinventing Captain Morgan to navigating the future of AI-driven marketing, Linda offers a candid, experience-rich perspective on building brands that matter—and last.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to learn how world-class brands grow beyond advertising and what it really takes to win in today’s fast-changing marketing landscape.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/8b3a6fc8-dbf4-4f2c-af92-e6793f60429e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #180 with Linda Bethea</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #197 with Marcela Gutierrez]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Marcela Gutierrez, Global Head of Digital Analytics &amp; Optimization at Fossil Group, shares how curiosity, continuous learning and taking initiative have shaped her 13-year career journey. From accidentally discovering her passion for analytics to pioneering AI-powered experimentation programs, Marcela explains why the most exciting opportunities often come from creating them yourself.</p><p>She discusses the future of A/B testing, the impact of AI on decision-making and why the best career moves rarely come from waiting for someone else to offer them.</p><p>Tune in to learn how curiosity can become a career strategy, why initiative beats waiting for opportunities and what excites one of the leading voices in digital analytics about the future of AI.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-197-with-Marcela-Gutierrez-e3knsop</link><guid isPermaLink="false">2d0988de-c491-4e9b-b964-2160594152e5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:39:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ea6588c2d748532a63c384adebec0f0aad7177e8c93df55fc249be70562bee27/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiMThhNmEwNC05OTQyLTQ4MTktODYzOC1kMTM2OTQ5NjFjNDAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjE4YTZhMDQtOTk0Mi00ODE5LTg2MzgtZDEzNjk0OTYxYzQwLzA5MGI0NWVkLWJkZGItNmE2My0wZGI5LWQxMWRiNWE3Y2YyNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18394657" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Marcela Gutierrez, Global Head of Digital Analytics &amp;amp; Optimization at Fossil Group, shares how curiosity, continuous learning and taking initiative have shaped her 13-year career journey. From accidentally discovering her passion for analytics to pioneering AI-powered experimentation programs, Marcela explains why the most exciting opportunities often come from creating them yourself.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She discusses the future of A/B testing, the impact of AI on decision-making and why the best career moves rarely come from waiting for someone else to offer them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to learn how curiosity can become a career strategy, why initiative beats waiting for opportunities and what excites one of the leading voices in digital analytics about the future of AI.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:12</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b18a6a04-9942-4819-8638-d13694961c40/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #197 with Marcela Gutierrez</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #196 with Philipp Züllich]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Philipp Züllich, Global Head of Brand at Deutsche Bank, shares why branding is ultimately about people, stories, purpose and creating meaning.</p><p>Drawing on experiences from design consulting, agency leadership and now one of the world's most recognized financial institutions, Philipp explores the intersection of strategy, philosophy, creativity and human connection. He explains why brands are built from the inside out, why every employee shapes a brand and why the future of branding may be less about controlling outputs and more about defining identity.</p><p>Tune in to discover what it means to shape one of Germany's most iconic brands in a world transformed by AI, fragmented touchpoints and changing expectations.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-196-with-Philipp-Zllich-e3knsn8</link><guid isPermaLink="false">84acb29b-76c1-4bc4-ba89-9c8491dc601d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:34:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ef73c082596ac0aada6a6aa02ba36e99b31bb759d0be69e8f0f92a8ac869c9dd/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxYTY5ZDM0ZC1jYzYxLTQxNjgtOWI5Ni0zNjEzOWNiN2Q3M2UiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMWE2OWQzNGQtY2M2MS00MTY4LTliOTYtMzYxMzljYjdkNzNlLzhhZDM5ZjZlLTkyNGMtYzg0Yy0yOGFhLTA3ZDgyMmU1YTJmNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19448931" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Philipp Züllich, Global Head of Brand at Deutsche Bank, shares why branding is ultimately about people, stories, purpose and creating meaning.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Drawing on experiences from design consulting, agency leadership and now one of the world&apos;s most recognized financial institutions, Philipp explores the intersection of strategy, philosophy, creativity and human connection. He explains why brands are built from the inside out, why every employee shapes a brand and why the future of branding may be less about controlling outputs and more about defining identity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to discover what it means to shape one of Germany&apos;s most iconic brands in a world transformed by AI, fragmented touchpoints and changing expectations.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:49</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1a69d34d-cc61-4168-9b96-36139cb7d73e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #196 with Philipp Züllich</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #199 with Dominic Grounsell]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with Dominic Grounsell, Chief Revenue Officer at the UK Post Office, about a career shaped by transformation, curiosity and a relentless focus on impact.</p><p>From starting out at Unilever, where he learned the foundations of brand marketing, to building data-driven growth models at BT and Capital One, Dominic shares how each industry shift sharpened his understanding of what really drives performance: clarity, accountability and customer impact.</p><p>The conversation explores why great marketing now sits at the intersection of creativity and analytics, how digital businesses have changed the speed of experimentation and why AI and data are reshaping how companies understand and serve customers.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation on transformation, data and what it really takes to build brands in a world that changes by the second.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-199-with-Dominic-Grounsell-e3kvbsd</link><guid isPermaLink="false">456a1342-3bcc-458a-bf50-d2dae90691b9</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:34:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f0e4c1db740715a50c50d105fc9ea70fb1a7b4c4669b3098ea26cd6859e56765/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxMzg0NWZhYS05MmVmLTRhNGEtODQxMy0wMGNhYTBiYWUxMDYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMTM4NDVmYWEtOTJlZi00YTRhLTg0MTMtMDBjYWEwYmFlMTA2LzY1OGQ3YjM2LWExNTktZjkwMC01NWFiLTQwYWQwNjBlMjVmOC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18231656" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with Dominic Grounsell, Chief Revenue Officer at the UK Post Office, about a career shaped by transformation, curiosity and a relentless focus on impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From starting out at Unilever, where he learned the foundations of brand marketing, to building data-driven growth models at BT and Capital One, Dominic shares how each industry shift sharpened his understanding of what really drives performance: clarity, accountability and customer impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores why great marketing now sits at the intersection of creativity and analytics, how digital businesses have changed the speed of experimentation and why AI and data are reshaping how companies understand and serve customers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation on transformation, data and what it really takes to build brands in a world that changes by the second.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/13845faa-92ef-4a4a-8413-00caa0bae106/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #199 with Dominic Grounsell</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #35 with Gui Pasculli]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Gui Pasculli, Global Head of Culture and Partnerships at The Absolut Group. With a career spanning some of the most creative agencies—including BBH, 72andSunny, and Wieden+Kennedy—Gui shares his journey from client-side marketing at Unilever to shaping cultural impact for global brands.</p><p>They discuss the power of brand storytelling, the importance of blending creativity with strategic rigor, and how Gui’s background in both agency and client-side roles has shaped his approach to marketing. From launching Dove’s Real Beauty campaign in Latin America to leading innovative brand collaborations at Malibu, Gui reflects on the projects that defined his career and the lessons he’s learned along the way.</p><p>Tune in for an insightful conversation about brand-building, cultural relevance, and why advertising should help people keep dreaming.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-35-with-Gui-Pasculli-e2vdqa1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">2fd004a4-76ba-45e8-8ead-f9d9ecbe65da</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:06:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8f631d892c728bdb6b979756c9de5b3ba17cfdc769d1bd7ebb09bcf9a08c29b5/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyZTM2ZDIxNy1hOWVkLTQ5OTYtYTY1Yi1hNjdkZWQ0MWNkODIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMmUzNmQyMTctYTllZC00OTk2LWE2NWItYTY3ZGVkNDFjZDgyL2ZiNDNjM2Y0LWJmZjYtYmVmZi0xZDZjLWMwMjUzMzM5ZTUwZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20821431" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Gui Pasculli, Global Head of Culture and Partnerships at The Absolut Group. With a career spanning some of the most creative agencies—including BBH, 72andSunny, and Wieden+Kennedy—Gui shares his journey from client-side marketing at Unilever to shaping cultural impact for global brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss the power of brand storytelling, the importance of blending creativity with strategic rigor, and how Gui’s background in both agency and client-side roles has shaped his approach to marketing. From launching Dove’s Real Beauty campaign in Latin America to leading innovative brand collaborations at Malibu, Gui reflects on the projects that defined his career and the lessons he’s learned along the way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an insightful conversation about brand-building, cultural relevance, and why advertising should help people keep dreaming.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:16</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/2e36d217-a9ed-4996-a65b-a67ded41cd82/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #35 with Gui Pasculli</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #166 with Leonora Scarpa]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Leonora Scarpa, VP at Procter &amp; Gamble, shares what it really takes to build brands in a world where commerce, technology and human behavior are constantly evolving.</p><p>From a 20+ year journey across innovation, digital commerce and brand building, Leonora reveals why true growth starts with curiosity and why the future of marketing depends on staying deeply connected to real human needs.</p><p>A conversation on leadership, mentorship, purpose and how to integrate creativity, data and commerce without losing the human at the center.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-166-with-Leonora-Scarpa-e3h9ep4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ba592ffc-3f51-401d-b60a-c11eae1579e3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:11:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c206902116ea6b55397b9d6ac4e20e0063d88838653a0b78791d6697a06ad505/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyMDA4ZDFmNi01MWUwLTQxZmQtOWMzNS02YjkyNDNmOWI4N2QiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjAwOGQxZjYtNTFlMC00MWZkLTljMzUtNmI5MjQzZjliODdkL2E3Zjg5M2IyLWM0YmItYzk1YS0zMjEyLWU1MTFlNDZmMGVhNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18378461" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Leonora Scarpa, VP at Procter &amp;amp; Gamble, shares what it really takes to build brands in a world where commerce, technology and human behavior are constantly evolving.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From a 20+ year journey across innovation, digital commerce and brand building, Leonora reveals why true growth starts with curiosity and why the future of marketing depends on staying deeply connected to real human needs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A conversation on leadership, mentorship, purpose and how to integrate creativity, data and commerce without losing the human at the center.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:01</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/2008d1f6-51e0-41fd-9c35-6b9243f9b87d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #166 with Leonora Scarpa</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #167 with Greg Lombardo]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Greg Lombardo VP Global Marketing at Tupperware, shares how great brands don’t just grow—they evolve. From reinventing <em>Transformers</em> into a storytelling powerhouse to redefining <em>Play-Doh</em> and rediscovering the emotional core of Tupperware, Greg breaks down what it really takes to unlock a brand’s full potential.</p><p>Tune in for a deep dive into creativity, strategy and the art of staying true to your brand while thinking bigger than your category.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-167-with-Greg-Lombardo-e3h9erb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">105e473d-1fe2-495a-a395-af1b00269948</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:12:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/0a1ef181901eac003ed44f098b86a00e0fbf9e99be7048b709a3149ddcf23961/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjMWM5MTNkZi1hZGZlLTRlMDUtYTg2OC0zNDU1OTQ2MTM5NDYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzFjOTEzZGYtYWRmZS00ZTA1LWE4NjgtMzQ1NTk0NjEzOTQ2LzhmZjlkZWMzLWVmYTktOWMyOS00MzZkLThmNGQ3MTg0YjJiNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24180754" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Greg Lombardo VP Global Marketing at Tupperware, shares how great brands don’t just grow—they evolve. From reinventing &lt;em&gt;Transformers&lt;/em&gt; into a storytelling powerhouse to redefining &lt;em&gt;Play-Doh&lt;/em&gt; and rediscovering the emotional core of Tupperware, Greg breaks down what it really takes to unlock a brand’s full potential.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a deep dive into creativity, strategy and the art of staying true to your brand while thinking bigger than your category.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:13</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c1c913df-adfe-4e05-a868-345594613946/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #167 with Greg Lombardo</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #168 with Shruti Bose ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon is joined by Shruti Bose, Head of Global Campaigns at Roche and former VP at APACD, shares her journey across continents and industries—shaped less by planning and more by embracing opportunity. From “planned happenstance” to her philosophy of “bloom anywhere,” she reflects on building a meaningful career in healthcare communications.</p><p>The episode explores the shift from treating illness to enabling lifelong health, the impact of AI, and why today’s communicators must navigate constant change—and take calculated risks instead of chasing perfect answers.</p><p>Tune in to find out more about the power of inspiring leadership and why the future belongs to those willing to take calculated risks rather than chase perfect answers.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-168-with-Shruti-Bose-e3hnbb9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">585fab49-2c68-46b6-8631-5211f0eadd5d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:51:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2cf4a8df8fc68fa79bc4e111d8c88ebb9ad3246a9e8f3f4c9a02655317f34a59/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1NWJiODkzNy0zY2JhLTQ0OTgtODE0Zi01NjI4NjlhYzU2OTciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNTViYjg5MzctM2NiYS00NDk4LTgxNGYtNTYyODY5YWM1Njk3L2Y5NTZkMjgwLWYzODMtZjAwYS04MGQ4LTgzODdmZTM1MDU2Mi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17520642" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon is joined by Shruti Bose, Head of Global Campaigns at Roche and former VP at APACD, shares her journey across continents and industries—shaped less by planning and more by embracing opportunity. From “planned happenstance” to her philosophy of “bloom anywhere,” she reflects on building a meaningful career in healthcare communications.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The episode explores the shift from treating illness to enabling lifelong health, the impact of AI, and why today’s communicators must navigate constant change—and take calculated risks instead of chasing perfect answers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out more about the power of inspiring leadership and why the future belongs to those willing to take calculated risks rather than chase perfect answers.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:16</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/55bb8937-3cba-4498-814f-562869ac5697/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #168 with Shruti Bose </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #160 with Thomas Ullram ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Thomas Ullram, Global Marketing Director for Taste &amp; Wellbeing at Givaudan. With more than 25 years in the food and beverage industry—from Kraft Foods to flavour houses—Thomas shares how curiosity, consumer insight, and bold marketing shape the future of what we eat and drink. They explore the fast-changing world of flavours, the power of provocative brands, and why the most valuable career lessons often come from the toughest bosses.</p><p>Tune in to hear why understanding consumer curiosity, embracing change and even learning from the bosses you didn’t like can shape a truly flavorful career.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-160-with-Thomas-Ullram-e3gh5pa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">207a5061-c5e6-45b0-a789-0f514abe246e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:11:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/624adc5c87a904d1fdd34474af276615a5fb9f3cef133bb3bba7de74854f23bc/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0ZGVkYjU5Zi1kNmZiLTQ0ODEtODNmMi1lNzBlNWI5OGIxYzkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNGRlZGI1OWYtZDZmYi00NDgxLTgzZjItZTcwZTViOThiMWM5LzA3MWFiYTVlLTI0ZjctYzI5Mi1jNWY3LWNjMTVkNWJkMDM0Mi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15880278" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Thomas Ullram, Global Marketing Director for Taste &amp;amp; Wellbeing at Givaudan. With more than 25 years in the food and beverage industry—from Kraft Foods to flavour houses—Thomas shares how curiosity, consumer insight, and bold marketing shape the future of what we eat and drink. They explore the fast-changing world of flavours, the power of provocative brands, and why the most valuable career lessons often come from the toughest bosses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why understanding consumer curiosity, embracing change and even learning from the bosses you didn’t like can shape a truly flavorful career.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:35</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/4dedb59f-d6fb-4481-83f2-e70e5b98b1c9/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #160 with Thomas Ullram </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #163 with Jason Holzman ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon hosts Jason Holzman, former Senior Vice President, Creative &amp; Production at Macy’s.<br />He shares his unconventional journey from studying literature at Harvard University to leading creative strategy at global brands like NBCUniversal and Macy's.</p><p>Jason unpacks how storytelling sits at the heart of marketing, why learning “on the job” can be your greatest advantage, and how the future of branding lies at the intersection of entertainment, retail and immersive experiences.</p><p><br />Tune in to get insights on leadership, creative feedback and why in an AI-driven world, human authenticity may become the most valuable currency of all.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-163-with-Jason-Holzman-e3guuee</link><guid isPermaLink="false">712fc413-c44f-4bd9-8a2e-67e0245ab1ad</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:32:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/dd073640b88ae56fe3032c602efa195d8f784eebd00e8a8f7585a7a7a3277ac2/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyODk2NzVlMi0wYjQ3LTQxZGYtYmEzMC0zYTc0OTdlNDIwNTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjg5Njc1ZTItMGI0Ny00MWRmLWJhMzAtM2E3NDk3ZTQyMDUxLzM2OWFiMDViLWY0NWEtM2IwYi1iNGRjLWNmODZjMDZhYjJhMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22174815" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts Jason Holzman, former Senior Vice President, Creative &amp;amp; Production at Macy’s.&lt;br /&gt;He shares his unconventional journey from studying literature at Harvard University to leading creative strategy at global brands like NBCUniversal and Macy&apos;s.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jason unpacks how storytelling sits at the heart of marketing, why learning “on the job” can be your greatest advantage, and how the future of branding lies at the intersection of entertainment, retail and immersive experiences.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tune in to get insights on leadership, creative feedback and why in an AI-driven world, human authenticity may become the most valuable currency of all.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:18</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/289675e2-0b47-41df-ba30-3a7497e42051/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #163 with Jason Holzman </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #162 with Valda Coryat ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Valda Coryat, VP Marketing Consumer Products &amp; Branded  Food Service at McCormick &amp; Company, shares her journey from an MBA at Columbia University to leading marketing across global giants like Colgate-Palmolive, Heineken and now McCormick &amp; Company.</p><p>Valda dives into the power of mentorship, the transition from functional to emotional branding, and why trust is the real foundation of great careers. She also explores the shifting dynamics between brands, retailers, and consumers, and what it takes to build brands that endure for generations. <br />Tune in to get insights about how a world shaped by AI and rapid change, the marketers who win will be those who stay human, intuitive and relentlessly curious.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-162-with-Valda-Coryat-e3guub0</link><guid isPermaLink="false">a439c0b3-28ac-4cd8-b92b-ed0f70090729</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:28:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/13df472596d892cbdf271a484a13c0f82aed5ab4942df21a20911a58eb384f69/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiMGZlMzNmZi1mNDcyLTQ2NzUtOTY1MC0wYzI3NGY1MWJhN2EiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjBmZTMzZmYtZjQ3Mi00Njc1LTk2NTAtMGMyNzRmNTFiYTdhL2IzMDQ4MjY5LTYzNzgtYTZhYS0xMTJkLWNjYzNmOTk5NGVjYi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22092218" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Valda Coryat, VP Marketing Consumer Products &amp;amp; Branded  Food Service at McCormick &amp;amp; Company, shares her journey from an MBA at Columbia University to leading marketing across global giants like Colgate-Palmolive, Heineken and now McCormick &amp;amp; Company.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Valda dives into the power of mentorship, the transition from functional to emotional branding, and why trust is the real foundation of great careers. She also explores the shifting dynamics between brands, retailers, and consumers, and what it takes to build brands that endure for generations. &lt;br /&gt;Tune in to get insights about how a world shaped by AI and rapid change, the marketers who win will be those who stay human, intuitive and relentlessly curious.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:10</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b0fe33ff-f472-4675-9650-0c274f51ba7a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #162 with Valda Coryat </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #164 with David Dowgiello ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, David Dowgiello, Director Global Social Media at Adidas, shares his journey from aspiring sports journalist to shaping global brand conversations at one of the world’s most iconic companies.</p><p>From early days in digital advertising to pivotal roles at Twitter and TikTok, David reflects on building a career at the intersection of culture, technology and sport. He also opens up about moving to Germany, navigating personal setbacks, and why embracing the “underdog mindset” can unlock bold, creative work.</p><p>Tune in for a energetic conversation about risk, resilience and doing work that genuinely excites you.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-164-with-David-Dowgiello-e3guuho</link><guid isPermaLink="false">1a006ab2-0164-44c8-841b-93df785ba353</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:34:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/72993303040a8bfa56fa79b944071c8b25e5bd7a942bf8010e9c1b66f298a84d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkODJmNzQzOC0zYjRlLTRiNDItYmNkMC1lYWU1ZmFhMDIwZGMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZDgyZjc0MzgtM2I0ZS00YjQyLWJjZDAtZWFlNWZhYTAyMGRjL2QwOWY3NjUzLWJjNDktYjc0NS1jZjE5LTQzMDFlYzhlYjU3Yi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19697264" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, David Dowgiello, Director Global Social Media at Adidas, shares his journey from aspiring sports journalist to shaping global brand conversations at one of the world’s most iconic companies.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From early days in digital advertising to pivotal roles at Twitter and TikTok, David reflects on building a career at the intersection of culture, technology and sport. He also opens up about moving to Germany, navigating personal setbacks, and why embracing the “underdog mindset” can unlock bold, creative work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a energetic conversation about risk, resilience and doing work that genuinely excites you.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:53</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/d82f7438-3b4e-4b42-bcd0-eae5faa020dc/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #164 with David Dowgiello </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #134 with Lucas Bergmans]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Sandra Peat is joined by Lucas Bergmans, Global Marketing Director at Wise, to explore a career that spans FMCG giants, challenger brands, startups, and fintech. Lucas shares how he moved from languages into marketing and ultimately made the leap into digital-first financial services. </p><p>Together, they discuss the shift from brand-led to product-led businesses, building growth in fast-paced fintech environments, the power of founder-led cultures, and what excites Lucas most about Wise’s mission and future—plus his perspective on AI and what it could unlock next.</p><p>Tune in for insights on Building challenger brands, driving growth and some witty anecdotes. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-134-with-Lucas-Bergmans-e3ctde7</link><guid isPermaLink="false">83c51253-bca8-4ad0-b622-b13d28aebb8e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:54:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/02c25ba54ef938154c4adff888d22a2be13f2f49fa4b63bab8cede5d039ea157/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2OTY1N2M2ZC0yMWFiLTRiOTQtOGU4Ny0xZjFlNjNlOGVkYWIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNjk2NTdjNmQtMjFhYi00Yjk0LThlODctMWYxZTYzZThlZGFiLzQxNTEyMTcyMC00NDEwMC0yLWZjYmFlN2ViMDAwNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22146551" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Sandra Peat is joined by Lucas Bergmans, Global Marketing Director at Wise, to explore a career that spans FMCG giants, challenger brands, startups, and fintech. Lucas shares how he moved from languages into marketing and ultimately made the leap into digital-first financial services. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, they discuss the shift from brand-led to product-led businesses, building growth in fast-paced fintech environments, the power of founder-led cultures, and what excites Lucas most about Wise’s mission and future—plus his perspective on AI and what it could unlock next.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on Building challenger brands, driving growth and some witty anecdotes. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:49</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/69657c6d-21ab-4b94-8e87-1f1e63e8edab/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #134 with Lucas Bergmans</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #137 with Alexander Shmelkov]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with <strong>Alexander Shmelkov</strong>, <strong>Director of Consumer &amp; Brand Insight at IKEA</strong>, to talk about what it really takes to evolve a global brand tracker. </p><p>Alex shares his journey from economic sociology and GfK to the client side, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at leading large-scale change in a values-driven, consensus-oriented organization. The conversation covers brand tracking transformation, change management, IKEA’s culture, and what excites Alex about the future of marketing in an increasingly complex world.</p><p>Tune in to get first-hand insights  of one of our most beloved brand! </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-137-with-Alexander-Shmelkov-e3dabno</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6bbf5d8b-e829-428f-8d04-59dce222db77</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:21:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8946fda976c6404563a6e11fe8217d7d170bfd0b21a6d85183aeea774921ae2a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmMmU3YmIzOS1jYzI4LTRkZGUtOGEyOS01MWY5YTEwMmFiMTMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjJlN2JiMzktY2MyOC00ZGRlLThhMjktNTFmOWExMDJhYjEzL2I4YzEwNTUyLTBkZjQtNzU4My04NDc4LTlmM2YzYjE1MTFlNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19857297" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Alexander Shmelkov&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Director of Consumer &amp;amp; Brand Insight at IKEA&lt;/strong&gt;, to talk about what it really takes to evolve a global brand tracker. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alex shares his journey from economic sociology and GfK to the client side, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at leading large-scale change in a values-driven, consensus-oriented organization. The conversation covers brand tracking transformation, change management, IKEA’s culture, and what excites Alex about the future of marketing in an increasingly complex world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get first-hand insights  of one of our most beloved brand! &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:04</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f2e7bb39-cc28-4dde-8a29-51f9a102ab13/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #137 with Alexander Shmelkov</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #131 with Amina Mattern ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with <strong>Amina Mattern</strong>, Head of Marketing for <strong>Canada and LATAM at Indeed</strong>. Amina shares her career journey from psychology and journalism into global marketing leadership roles across agencies, LinkedIn, and now Indeed.</p><p>They discuss the evolution of digital marketing, the importance of aligning marketing and sales, and how brands can balance growth with ethics and responsible data use. Amina also reflects on leadership, mentorship, and how personal experiences have shaped her approach to work.</p><p>Tune in to take a look to the future of marketing, where Amina explains why mentoring the next generation of marketers and using AI to unlock creativity excites her most.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-131-with-Amina-Mattern-e3cki38</link><guid isPermaLink="false">a6e77f83-2d65-45be-a046-022182e3119e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 20 Dec 2025 20:55:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6601e3b51cf225ecc6d56c67db0d142a2880b48f90bf1bcc786fb29818bf1251/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlN2E5YTI0Yy00MWZjLTQ1YzQtOTRhZS1hZTI5M2YyZjFkODUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTdhOWEyNGMtNDFmYy00NWM0LTk0YWUtYWUyOTNmMmYxZDg1LzYwNzUxYzMzLWE2MTUtNjBhNC1jZmYxLWQwMWI4YmY0NzIwYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21955533" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Amina Mattern&lt;/strong&gt;, Head of Marketing for &lt;strong&gt;Canada and LATAM at Indeed&lt;/strong&gt;. Amina shares her career journey from psychology and journalism into global marketing leadership roles across agencies, LinkedIn, and now Indeed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss the evolution of digital marketing, the importance of aligning marketing and sales, and how brands can balance growth with ethics and responsible data use. Amina also reflects on leadership, mentorship, and how personal experiences have shaped her approach to work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to take a look to the future of marketing, where Amina explains why mentoring the next generation of marketers and using AI to unlock creativity excites her most.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:41</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e7a9a24c-41fc-45c4-94ae-ae293f2f1d85/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #131 with Amina Mattern </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #138 with Rob Edwards]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler hosts<strong> Rob Edwards</strong>, <strong>Head of Media Digital at Arla Foods</strong>, shares his journey from local press to leading brand media, reflecting on the power of creativity, personality, and storytelling in an increasingly data-driven world. </p><p>He explores the role of partnerships, mergers, and integrity in shaping brands that stand out, and why connecting with people—at all levels—is the secret to lasting impact. <br /></p><p>Tune in to get inspired on building a brand with personality.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-138-with-Rob-Edwards-e3dac12</link><guid isPermaLink="false">103e2d73-7ade-4495-a1f1-4b6fe20d9371</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:23:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5292c09a018bc9d1a5c56487c8f85170d48d066cbff6fc111168e24208ab15e8/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxNmNiYTY1ZS1iMzU5LTRjZjItOGMwYi03MDJkMzdlNzdjYWYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMTZjYmE2NWUtYjM1OS00Y2YyLThjMGItNzAyZDM3ZTc3Y2FmLzUyZGNmYjM1LTY5ZDAtNWVkYi0xYmE5LTMxMTMwNDAxMDI4NC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17952273" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler hosts&lt;strong&gt; Rob Edwards&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Head of Media Digital at Arla Foods&lt;/strong&gt;, shares his journey from local press to leading brand media, reflecting on the power of creativity, personality, and storytelling in an increasingly data-driven world. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He explores the role of partnerships, mergers, and integrity in shaping brands that stand out, and why connecting with people—at all levels—is the secret to lasting impact. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get inspired on building a brand with personality.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:41</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/16cba65e-b359-4cf2-8c0b-702d37e77caf/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #138 with Rob Edwards</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #139 with Matt Kerbel ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Dave sits down with <strong>Matt Kerbel</strong>, <strong>Global Brand Strategist and Marketing Leader at Turo</strong>. With nearly two decades of experience across challenger brands like Lyft, Call of Duty, MeUndies and now Turo, Matt shares how curiosity, empathy and human connection have shaped his career.</p><p>From formative childhood experiences in multicultural Toronto to career-defining mentorship moments, Matt reflects on what great leadership really looks like, why fundamentals still matter in an AI-driven world, and how brands can build meaning beyond transactions. </p><p>Tune in for insights on staying human in an ever-accelerating industry.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-139-with-Matt-Kerbel-e3dl4jl</link><guid isPermaLink="false">b1d98ed6-ecbb-4a1d-97c8-915add930501</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:58:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/55265843dd9d5a362413b230835631e279fd55c53ed022330992e6e7b3d5874a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjM2E3YmE1OS03ZWRmLTRlMzItYWUwNC1iMjVlZTlkMzMzNDAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzNhN2JhNTktN2VkZi00ZTMyLWFlMDQtYjI1ZWU5ZDMzMzQwLzBkNWVkYjZiLTRmOTQtM2U0MC1hNmQxLTc0YTI0MWFjNTljNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="29651654" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Dave sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Matt Kerbel&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Global Brand Strategist and Marketing Leader at Turo&lt;/strong&gt;. With nearly two decades of experience across challenger brands like Lyft, Call of Duty, MeUndies and now Turo, Matt shares how curiosity, empathy and human connection have shaped his career.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From formative childhood experiences in multicultural Toronto to career-defining mentorship moments, Matt reflects on what great leadership really looks like, why fundamentals still matter in an AI-driven world, and how brands can build meaning beyond transactions. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on staying human in an ever-accelerating industry.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:40:31</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c3a7ba59-7edf-4e32-ae04-b25ee9d33340/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #139 with Matt Kerbel </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #136 with Elle McCarthy ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with <strong>Elle McCarthy</strong> to explore a career defined by transformation. From her early days in advertising to senior leadership roles at EA and the Ford Motor Company, Elle shares how failure, curiosity, and the intersection of art and science shaped her path. <br />Together they unpack brand as a driver of cultural and business change, the power of leading transformation from within, and what excites Elle now—from AI-driven strategy to building the future of brands. </p><p>Tune in for a conversation about growth, impact, and reimagining what brand leadership can be.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-136-with-Elle-McCarthy-e3da73r</link><guid isPermaLink="false">47feda78-5923-4791-9911-687e95d5bbd7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:52:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/79194e1cae05c904c1254b230a94388391434f0c580c2508697bef19cc6663c0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyNTY5NDg4YS1hNmQyLTQ3N2UtYjUwOC1hMzIwNzU5Mzk2YmQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjU2OTQ4OGEtYTZkMi00NzdlLWI1MDgtYTMyMDc1OTM5NmJkLzQxNTY1MDkxOC00NDEwMC0yLTA0NGQyZDM4ZTQ4YTYubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="29303613" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Elle McCarthy&lt;/strong&gt; to explore a career defined by transformation. From her early days in advertising to senior leadership roles at EA and the Ford Motor Company, Elle shares how failure, curiosity, and the intersection of art and science shaped her path. &lt;br /&gt;Together they unpack brand as a driver of cultural and business change, the power of leading transformation from within, and what excites Elle now—from AI-driven strategy to building the future of brands. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about growth, impact, and reimagining what brand leadership can be.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:11</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/2569488a-a6d2-477e-b508-a320759396bd/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #136 with Elle McCarthy </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #159 with Sierra Thomas ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Dave Cobban speaks with Sierra Thomas, Head of Brand Innovation at Crocs. Starting with a background in fine arts and art history, Sierra found her path into marketing just as social media was emerging as a powerful business tool. She shares how creativity, curiosity, and agile thinking shape modern brand building—from rapid-response marketing to culturally relevant campaigns. The conversation explores agency vs. brand-side life, the power of mentorship, and why the future of marketing may actually be more human and more “in real life” than ever before.</p><p>Tune in to learn how creativity, culture, and agile thinking help brands move at the speed of the internet and why the future of marketing may be more human than ever.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-159-with-Sierra-Thomas-e3gh4jg</link><guid isPermaLink="false">b1382d89-e352-4cef-ab65-6fb3038de6db</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:56:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5399bf934500a5bfa98fef96d8e4334cb0deeb579ae0752c030a8ce399898f34/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlNWUzNDQ3YS1lYjhiLTRkNmYtYWU3ZC1jYmM0NzQyZTk2ZTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTVlMzQ0N2EtZWI4Yi00ZDZmLWFlN2QtY2JjNDc0MmU5NmUxL2Y3MzdhNzQwLWI1YTktZWVlNC0xNWZjLTgxZGU3YWFmOTc1NC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="14724168" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Dave Cobban speaks with Sierra Thomas, Head of Brand Innovation at Crocs. Starting with a background in fine arts and art history, Sierra found her path into marketing just as social media was emerging as a powerful business tool. She shares how creativity, curiosity, and agile thinking shape modern brand building—from rapid-response marketing to culturally relevant campaigns. The conversation explores agency vs. brand-side life, the power of mentorship, and why the future of marketing may actually be more human and more “in real life” than ever before.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to learn how creativity, culture, and agile thinking help brands move at the speed of the internet and why the future of marketing may be more human than ever.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:52</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e5e3447a-eb8b-4d6f-ae7d-cbc4742e96e1/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #159 with Sierra Thomas </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #231 with Christian Bauer ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>What really makes people choose one brand over another? </em></p><p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Christian Bauer, Marketing Director at</strong><em><strong> Subway</strong></em>, who shares his perspective on consumer behaviour, brand building, leadership and creative marketing.</p><p>From turning commodities into beloved brands to creating campaigns that push boundaries, Christian talks about the importance of finding the right tension, trusting your audience and knowing when to let go. He also shares why, despite AI and constant technological change, the fundamentals of marketing remain the same: understand people, find the insight and build from there.</p><p>Tune in for a candid conversation about what drives consumer choice, how great marketing gets made, and why sometimes the best thing a marketer can do is let go.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-231-with-Christian-Bauer-e3p5u1s</link><guid isPermaLink="false">42f93472-1550-42d5-b985-507f8b16ce37</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:30:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/3e247eeed2e76a6f760f1061de8d7ebf6ece32ab7f8550a2d4c6fdcbd8182477/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiNzFiZGVkMS00MmRkLTQzOGUtOGNmNS0wYzE5NzZhNGQyMWYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjcxYmRlZDEtNDJkZC00MzhlLThjZjUtMGMxOTc2YTRkMjFmLzk1MDIwYTgyLTJmOWMtYWFmMi1mNTA4LWE0NDE0YjBhZDdmNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18343833" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;What really makes people choose one brand over another? &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Christian Bauer, Marketing Director at&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Subway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, who shares his perspective on consumer behaviour, brand building, leadership and creative marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From turning commodities into beloved brands to creating campaigns that push boundaries, Christian talks about the importance of finding the right tension, trusting your audience and knowing when to let go. He also shares why, despite AI and constant technological change, the fundamentals of marketing remain the same: understand people, find the insight and build from there.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a candid conversation about what drives consumer choice, how great marketing gets made, and why sometimes the best thing a marketer can do is let go.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:33</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b71bded1-42dd-438e-8cf5-0c1976a4d21f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #231 with Christian Bauer </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #158 with Nikita Kucheryavyy]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon talks with Nikita Kucheryavy, Digital Activation Head at Mars Petcare, about his journey from professional ballroom dancer to a decade-long career at Mars. </p><p>Nikita shares how the company’s culture and values shaped his path, what it means to work at the intersection of retail media, marketing, and e-commerce, and why embracing change—especially in the age of AI—is essential for marketers today.<br /></p><p>Tune in to get how curiosity, purpose and adaptability fuel long-term growth.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-158-with-Nikita-Kucheryavyy-e3ggtin</link><guid isPermaLink="false">72bf0bbd-613b-4310-9b29-649e5c75229a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:55:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e121c63583cf4926d33c25ddf41b772553ed71b9e7f3a95d3c5a6d83993446e3/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxYTgwMzlmZi00YmFlLTQ0OTMtOTE1NS04MzM1MDg0ODgxYzAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMWE4MDM5ZmYtNGJhZS00NDkzLTkxNTUtODMzNTA4NDg4MWMwLzZkZTcyYzEyLWM3YzEtNDg3YS1kNDBkLTg0NWY2OGVmYjM3My5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="12738528" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon talks with Nikita Kucheryavy, Digital Activation Head at Mars Petcare, about his journey from professional ballroom dancer to a decade-long career at Mars. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Nikita shares how the company’s culture and values shaped his path, what it means to work at the intersection of retail media, marketing, and e-commerce, and why embracing change—especially in the age of AI—is essential for marketers today.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get how curiosity, purpose and adaptability fuel long-term growth.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:16:36</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1a8039ff-4bae-4493-9155-8335084881c0/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #158 with Nikita Kucheryavyy</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #153 with Alex Nicholson ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Alex Nicholson, Senior Director of Digital Strategy at AstraZeneca, whose career spans from record stores and underground event promotion to leading social media transformation at USA TODAY and working with iconic brands like National Geographic.</p><p>A true early pioneer of social media (full-time since 2007), Alex reflects on riding the first wave of digital disruption and what today’s AI boom can learn from it. <br />From securing facebook.com/USAToday in the early days to training 140 journalists to break news on Twitter, she shares hard-earned lessons about change management, authenticity, and the tension between technology and humanity. The conversation dives into connection, credibility, media responsibility and why the future may belong to those who can contextualize, not just create.</p><p>Tune in for a exploration of digital evolution  and a reminder that in every wave of innovation, the real opportunity lies in understanding how humans connect.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-153-with-Alex-Nicholson-e3fjgpc</link><guid isPermaLink="false">eec7e3c5-c168-4aae-b6d5-5f69d3b9b3b3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:30:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b851408e0048bc75ff3897dcb4ab040135952cd2f6067c0d4e058a40335b2962/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzMDc1YWJjOC0xZGViLTQ0NWItOTI2ZC1jYzRlNjUyYjQ2MjEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzA3NWFiYzgtMWRlYi00NDViLTkyNmQtY2M0ZTY1MmI0NjIxLzI2MTFhMWNiLWNkMjgtZGRjMy1mYmZmLTA1ZDdmMTgzMGY5ZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16839598" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Alex Nicholson, Senior Director of Digital Strategy at AstraZeneca, whose career spans from record stores and underground event promotion to leading social media transformation at USA TODAY and working with iconic brands like National Geographic.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A true early pioneer of social media (full-time since 2007), Alex reflects on riding the first wave of digital disruption and what today’s AI boom can learn from it. &lt;br /&gt;From securing facebook.com/USAToday in the early days to training 140 journalists to break news on Twitter, she shares hard-earned lessons about change management, authenticity, and the tension between technology and humanity. The conversation dives into connection, credibility, media responsibility and why the future may belong to those who can contextualize, not just create.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a exploration of digital evolution  and a reminder that in every wave of innovation, the real opportunity lies in understanding how humans connect.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:25</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/3075abc8-1deb-445b-926d-cc4e652b4621/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #153 with Alex Nicholson </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #155 with Per Christiansen ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon hosts Per Christiansen, Consultant - Brand, Marketing &amp; Media at Advisory. </p><p>From agency strategist to global marketing leader at KAYAK, Per shares what it really takes to scale travel brands at speed. He walks us through the high-stakes growth journey of Momondo — scaling fast, entering new markets in weeks and treating marketing like an investment portfolio, not an ad department. </p><p>The conversation dives into experimentation at scale, why marketers must “throw the textbooks out the window,” and how even hard-to-measure channels like Premier League sponsorships can be turned into measurable growth engines.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, challenger thinking and staying objective in a world where every channel eventually peaks.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-155-with-Per-Christiansen-e3fuh08</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5cacb65e-f912-4ce0-b263-caa05f84aaec</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:14:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d9f62ece8b455c8d5a2b88ccb73afc4aad537eb071745e2e0338b44578fdb348/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3YjU2ZTlkNS00NmJkLTRmNDItYWUyNS02ZDZmN2VkYmM1ZDciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvN2I1NmU5ZDUtNDZiZC00ZjQyLWFlMjUtNmQ2ZjdlZGJjNWQ3L2QwMzczYmI1LTVjYTItZmMwMy01MmMwLWZkOGEwNDAyYjU4OS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20314527" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts Per Christiansen, Consultant - Brand, Marketing &amp;amp; Media at Advisory. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From agency strategist to global marketing leader at KAYAK, Per shares what it really takes to scale travel brands at speed. He walks us through the high-stakes growth journey of Momondo — scaling fast, entering new markets in weeks and treating marketing like an investment portfolio, not an ad department. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation dives into experimentation at scale, why marketers must “throw the textbooks out the window,” and how even hard-to-measure channels like Premier League sponsorships can be turned into measurable growth engines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, challenger thinking and staying objective in a world where every channel eventually peaks.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:52</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/7b56e9d5-46bd-4f42-ae25-6d6f7edbc5d7/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #155 with Per Christiansen </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #157 with Anja Spielmann]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with <strong>Anja Spielmann</strong>, VP Global Brand Strategy &amp; Growth at Mars’ Royal Canin, about building brands with long-term thinking.<br />From starting as a marketing assistant at Ferrero to leading global brand transformations at Mars, Anja shares lessons on courage, leadership, and why choosing the right manager matters more than choosing the right job.</p><p>They explore the power of family-owned companies, what marketers can learn from category dynamics, how she helped transform Ben’s Original and why the future of marketing will be radically reshaped by AI.</p><p>Tune in to find out why choosing the right manager matters more than choosing the right job. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-157-with-Anja-Spielmann-e3g66mb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">41a29682-bdd6-4e9b-9874-e938c23a3292</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:17:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/544da6c042d1a186e50455842f4dc0490b1be7ccb9d9f6a6735b331e9d42ad05/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmZTZiZGI3NC0xZDk3LTQ1MWMtYWFjMC03MGJjNjUyZGEzZTUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZmU2YmRiNzQtMWQ5Ny00NTFjLWFhYzAtNzBiYzY1MmRhM2U1L2RjZDJkZGNjLWZmMzYtMTUzOC1mNDgyLTE0ZmE4MzJiZmJiMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="26719356" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Anja Spielmann&lt;/strong&gt;, VP Global Brand Strategy &amp;amp; Growth at Mars’ Royal Canin, about building brands with long-term thinking.&lt;br /&gt;From starting as a marketing assistant at Ferrero to leading global brand transformations at Mars, Anja shares lessons on courage, leadership, and why choosing the right manager matters more than choosing the right job.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore the power of family-owned companies, what marketers can learn from category dynamics, how she helped transform Ben’s Original and why the future of marketing will be radically reshaped by AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out why choosing the right manager matters more than choosing the right job. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:34:56</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/fe6bdb74-1d97-451c-aac0-70bc652da3e5/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #157 with Anja Spielmann</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #150 with Ginevra Adamoli-Kalbli]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Sandra speaks with Ginevra Adamoli-Kalbli, Director of Marketing Intelligence and Digital Analytics at Marriott International.</p><p>From academia and early social media research to agency life at Epsilon and global hospitality, Ginevra shares how her love of culture, diversity, and understanding people shaped a non-linear and powerful career in analytics.</p><p>They explore the evolution of “big data,” the challenge of connecting fragmented customer journeys, and why AI isn’t optional anymore — it’s about how creatively you use it.</p><p>Tune in for a sharp conversation about insight, innovation, and the future of marketing intelligence.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-150-with-Ginevra-Adamoli-Kalbli-e3f7lu9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6bd24f73-d9f2-451d-a4b7-1c0dd9aadb21</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:25:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4c265603f55a9963dd69e7d1ff152d50b40d41e1376e5eea3782566236dfb3d7/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNjkxYWEwZS02Zjk5LTQ4OTktYTczZi1mMDZlZmU5Nzg4NmIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzY5MWFhMGUtNmY5OS00ODk5LWE3M2YtZjA2ZWZlOTc4ODZiLzQxODI4NzQzOS00NDEwMC0yLTZhOWI3Mzc5ZWM2OWYubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="16226797" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Sandra speaks with Ginevra Adamoli-Kalbli, Director of Marketing Intelligence and Digital Analytics at Marriott International.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From academia and early social media research to agency life at Epsilon and global hospitality, Ginevra shares how her love of culture, diversity, and understanding people shaped a non-linear and powerful career in analytics.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore the evolution of “big data,” the challenge of connecting fragmented customer journeys, and why AI isn’t optional anymore — it’s about how creatively you use it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a sharp conversation about insight, innovation, and the future of marketing intelligence.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:16:43</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/3691aa0e-6f99-4899-a73f-f06efe97886b/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #150 with Ginevra Adamoli-Kalbli</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #154 with Omer Waysman ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with Omer Waysman, VP Marketing B2C North America at Michelin, who shares a powerful journey across industries — from Microsoft to Danone — and across continents, from Paris to the American South.<br />What unfolds is more than a marketing career. It’s a masterclass in resilience, brand building, and servant leadership. Omer opens up about failing spectacularly during a live demo, why selling a product you <em>don’t</em> love can make you a better marketer and how winter tires can create an emotional experience of trust. Most of all, he reveals why the real KPI that excites him isn’t market share — it’s people growth.</p><p>Tune in for insights about culture, confidence and what it really means to build brands that matter.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-154-with-Omer-Waysman-e3fugts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">9b191331-612f-4559-857a-f67c3aa3ebc8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:12:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/9f9056cfc30370e5f800d38bc04bbad178a0bc1a110006f3322a78b4c12532ee/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxYTgxNmUxMy0wMmU1LTQ2NTYtYjRmOS0zZDMxNmUxZjMwNDAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMWE4MTZlMTMtMDJlNS00NjU2LWI0ZjktM2QzMTZlMWYzMDQwLzFkNDM2NzhkLWRhYWItMGY4Yi1mMjVhLTIzNzgwODk3MzRhYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="30869519" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with Omer Waysman, VP Marketing B2C North America at Michelin, who shares a powerful journey across industries — from Microsoft to Danone — and across continents, from Paris to the American South.&lt;br /&gt;What unfolds is more than a marketing career. It’s a masterclass in resilience, brand building, and servant leadership. Omer opens up about failing spectacularly during a live demo, why selling a product you &lt;em&gt;don’t&lt;/em&gt; love can make you a better marketer and how winter tires can create an emotional experience of trust. Most of all, he reveals why the real KPI that excites him isn’t market share — it’s people growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights about culture, confidence and what it really means to build brands that matter.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:39:59</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1a816e13-02e5-4656-b4f9-3d316e1f3040/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #154 with Omer Waysman </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #152 with Katie Fernands ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Katie Fernands, former Marketing Director at Prudential Financial and former VP Growth Marketing Manager at U.S. Bank, to explore the deeply human side of money. From personal loss and becoming a primary caregiver to shaping ultra-high-net-worth strategies, Katie shares how her lived experiences transformed her understanding of financial stability. She reveals how curiosity drew her into the industry, why “simplicity is a superpower,” and how AI should free us for deeper human connection—not replace it. </p><p>Tune in for a future-facing conversation on emotional money and why the most rational decisions often begin with understanding what we feel.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-152-with-Katie-Fernands-e3fjgn1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">09035556-317d-4823-a793-7637fb991411</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:28:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8319ae87bf439850a14be98791f8d9ab597ac78dd3cc94ed677c1480dc7b056b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMDFmNzAzOC1iMzU5LTQ1N2MtOWY2NS1jOWFmZDU5YWFiNmMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDAxZjcwMzgtYjM1OS00NTdjLTlmNjUtYzlhZmQ1OWFhYjZjLzVjNDBlMWNiLTY3NjEtNjU5Ni00Mzg5LWMyMmQyMzU0NGU4Yy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19062495" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Katie Fernands, former Marketing Director at Prudential Financial and former VP Growth Marketing Manager at U.S. Bank, to explore the deeply human side of money. From personal loss and becoming a primary caregiver to shaping ultra-high-net-worth strategies, Katie shares how her lived experiences transformed her understanding of financial stability. She reveals how curiosity drew her into the industry, why “simplicity is a superpower,” and how AI should free us for deeper human connection—not replace it. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a future-facing conversation on emotional money and why the most rational decisions often begin with understanding what we feel.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:23</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/001f7038-b359-457c-9f65-c9afd59aab6c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #152 with Katie Fernands </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #172 with Mélanie Brinbaum ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Mélanie Brinbaum Head of Marketing <br />&amp; Consumer Communications Europe at Nestlé, shares her unconventional journey through some of the world’s most iconic brands—revealing why passion, curiosity, and authenticity matter more than any carefully crafted career plan. <br />From leading global marketing at scale to pursuing a PhD while raising a family, Mélanie opens up about the reality of juggling ambition with meaning. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the personal experiences that redefined her purpose and why she believes marketing’s future is more human in the age of AI.</p><p>Tune in for a reminder that growth comes from stretching yourself, staying curious and having the courage to be unapologetically you.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-172-with-Mlanie-Brinbaum-e3hulr2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">f9776824-8e2e-4868-b9c8-96f0ec1ea213</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:54:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/229f3e3ec4a3c5ca98fe49d9ee36983d71c7bdbe72568aff024f3cc39502e2af/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyNzM0ZTdjOS0wN2FhLTQ1NDItYmZhZi1iYjJkNTZjNzVhYWQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjczNGU3YzktMDdhYS00NTQyLWJmYWYtYmIyZDU2Yzc1YWFkLzhmZmE4ODJjLTM2OTItOTc1My1iY2JhLWI4YzIwYjAyM2M4Yy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16854344" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Mélanie Brinbaum Head of Marketing &lt;br /&gt;&amp;amp; Consumer Communications Europe at Nestlé, shares her unconventional journey through some of the world’s most iconic brands—revealing why passion, curiosity, and authenticity matter more than any carefully crafted career plan. &lt;br /&gt;From leading global marketing at scale to pursuing a PhD while raising a family, Mélanie opens up about the reality of juggling ambition with meaning. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the personal experiences that redefined her purpose and why she believes marketing’s future is more human in the age of AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a reminder that growth comes from stretching yourself, staying curious and having the courage to be unapologetically you.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:58</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/2734e7c9-07aa-4542-bfaf-bb2d56c75aad/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #172 with Mélanie Brinbaum </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #146 with Lea Drusio ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this epsiode, Gordon speaks with Lea Drusio, Marketing Director at Nespresso Germany. She shares her non-linear journey from startups and agencies to global brands. From learning performance marketing in the early Rocket Internet days to leading highly emotional categories like pet care and coffee, Lea reflects on trust-based leadership, the courage to say no, and why corporate environments can be powerful platforms for real impact. </p><p>Tune in for insights about brand consistency, human connection in a tech-driven world, and what truly excites marketers looking ahead.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-146-with-Lea-Drusio-e3ehrk3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">eddb712c-ee3c-474a-bbed-1374958382f5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:36:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e5c07edc837828c702ba6edb7ec6cbed7b9d26143a51505000f49b6948582a5e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyM2U2NGE5ZS1hMmU0LTQwZWMtYjA4Ni00ZDAzZjRlN2JkOTMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjNlNjRhOWUtYTJlNC00MGVjLWIwODYtNGQwM2Y0ZTdiZDkzLzI0OWUyMjA1LTIwOWMtMjY2Mi02MjM1LTBkZTJmNzJmYjkxMS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20494453" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this epsiode, Gordon speaks with Lea Drusio, Marketing Director at Nespresso Germany. She shares her non-linear journey from startups and agencies to global brands. From learning performance marketing in the early Rocket Internet days to leading highly emotional categories like pet care and coffee, Lea reflects on trust-based leadership, the courage to say no, and why corporate environments can be powerful platforms for real impact. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights about brand consistency, human connection in a tech-driven world, and what truly excites marketers looking ahead.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:40</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/23e64a9e-a2e4-40ec-b086-4d03f4e7bd93/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #146 with Lea Drusio </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #38 with Karl Isaac & Valerie Carlson]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Karl Isaac and Valerie Carlson—two creative powerhouses with distinct career paths that have led them to the top of the industry. Karl, a former global brand leader at eBay and Adobe, has shaped the way brands tell their stories, while Valerie has made her mark as a top agency executive, driving creativity at scale.</p><p>They discuss the dynamics of working in the same industry but from different angles, the power of nonlinear thinking in brand transformation, and why teaching and mentorship are at the core of their approach. From pushing creative boundaries to navigating the evolving role of AI in marketing, Karl and Valerie share their insights on what it takes to build brands that truly connect with culture.</p><p>Tune in for an engaging conversation about leadership, innovation, and the future of brands in a rapidly shifting digital world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-38-with-Karl-Isaac--Valerie-Carlson-e2vvfl0</link><guid isPermaLink="false">9f7f4904-a570-48c7-a270-d5c0df7c7156</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:27:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1dce7ec1f28daf90662746fce7f84addc35f022ec74838f9ffb475bab7a4ab79/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwZDI2NTQwYi1kMjQ2LTQ1M2YtYjYxNi0wMmJjZDZlYTVjNmQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGQyNjU0MGItZDI0Ni00NTNmLWI2MTYtMDJiY2Q2ZWE1YzZkLzFjMDNlOGM3LTY0NDItY2I1Mi0yNjM1LWI3YzNiMWNlYWEzMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22691826" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Karl Isaac and Valerie Carlson—two creative powerhouses with distinct career paths that have led them to the top of the industry. Karl, a former global brand leader at eBay and Adobe, has shaped the way brands tell their stories, while Valerie has made her mark as a top agency executive, driving creativity at scale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss the dynamics of working in the same industry but from different angles, the power of nonlinear thinking in brand transformation, and why teaching and mentorship are at the core of their approach. From pushing creative boundaries to navigating the evolving role of AI in marketing, Karl and Valerie share their insights on what it takes to build brands that truly connect with culture.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an engaging conversation about leadership, innovation, and the future of brands in a rapidly shifting digital world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:57</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0d26540b-d246-453f-b616-02bcd6ea5c6d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #38 with Karl Isaac &amp; Valerie Carlson</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #28 with Tim Alexander (Deutsch)]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In dieser deutschen Special-Folge des Spikes Excitement Talks, spricht Host Gordon mit Tim Alexander. Tim ist CMO bei der Deutschen Bank und hat eine gemeinsame Vergangenheit mit Gordon bei der Agentur Grey. Die beiden sprechen über Tims Karriereweg zu seiner aktuellen Position und den aktuellen Brand-Turnaround bei der Deutschen Bank.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-28-with-Tim-Alexander-Deutsch-e2u4ott</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d6cb5e28-0872-457d-8d04-cff1b99f52b0</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:01:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7dec079c4f1eb76f6e12c0228008457f5c75559dd649d67caaf65fe7e4052e7d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhZDMyNmU4ZC0yOTVmLTQ2MzMtYTFhOC1kM2IzZTM3ZjQzMTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYWQzMjZlOGQtMjk1Zi00NjMzLWExYTgtZDNiM2UzN2Y0MzExLzFkODg4OWFmLWJkYjYtY2MwMS1jZDNkLWU5ZjkzZTdlMDZkMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21152043" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In dieser deutschen Special-Folge des Spikes Excitement Talks, spricht Host Gordon mit Tim Alexander. Tim ist CMO bei der Deutschen Bank und hat eine gemeinsame Vergangenheit mit Gordon bei der Agentur Grey. Die beiden sprechen über Tims Karriereweg zu seiner aktuellen Position und den aktuellen Brand-Turnaround bei der Deutschen Bank.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:35</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ad326e8d-295f-4633-a1a8-d3b3e37f4311/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #28 with Tim Alexander (Deutsch)</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #14 with Gillian Rightford]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes</em> <em>Excitement Talk</em>, we chat with Gillian Rightford, Managing Director of Adtherapy Consulting and Founder of School of Thought. Gillian shares her journey from dismissing the marketing industry in university to becoming a leader in strategic marketing. She discusses her early disillusionment with corporate strategy and her shift to a hands-on, results-driven approach. The conversation offers insights into the challenges and rewards of implementing strategies and the importance of creativity in business. Tune in for an inspiring and engaging discussion on career growth and leadership.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-14-with-Gillian-Rightford-e2nh3e0</link><guid isPermaLink="false">07120750-a894-4758-bf5d-bdfb30432002</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 23 Aug 2024 07:42:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1cf449ee5f430cbfd69d5bc410aa15fb231cb8c9d709f2c33e5c9afe71ce5981/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNDRlNzU1Mi1mMzk2LTQ0MzItOGVkMC04YmVjNWIwNDFjZGEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzQ0ZTc1NTItZjM5Ni00NDMyLThlZDAtOGJlYzViMDQxY2RhLzg2NGYyM2IzLWZiYWMtZDNkYi0yZmU2LTg5OWY2ZDJiNTkwMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24337576" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talk&lt;/em&gt;, we chat with Gillian Rightford, Managing Director of Adtherapy Consulting and Founder of School of Thought. Gillian shares her journey from dismissing the marketing industry in university to becoming a leader in strategic marketing. She discusses her early disillusionment with corporate strategy and her shift to a hands-on, results-driven approach. The conversation offers insights into the challenges and rewards of implementing strategies and the importance of creativity in business. Tune in for an inspiring and engaging discussion on career growth and leadership.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:25</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/344e7552-f396-4432-8ed0-8bec5b041cda/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #14 with Gillian Rightford</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #23 with Michael Schuld (Deutsch)]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In dieser deutschen Special-Folge des Spikes Excitement Talks, spricht Host Gordon mit Michael Schuld. Michael ist CMO bei MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group und hat eine gemeinsame Vergangenheit mit Gordon bei der Telekom. Die beiden sprechen über Michaels Karriereweg zu seiner aktuellen Position und was Ihn in seinem Leben begeistert.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-23-with-Michael-Schuld-Deutsch-e2r6r5r</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d58e0013-c496-48e2-899a-2044690d06a3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 30 Nov 2024 11:54:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/fae2f5d2c47d04d073455624904630d80ab2aff40834613cd95f29cf15b6c55f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhZGMxMmI2Ni1kNWNjLTRhYjgtYjQzYS05ODNjMGIzZDI5YjAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYWRjMTJiNjYtZDVjYy00YWI4LWI0M2EtOTgzYzBiM2QyOWIwL2Y0M2Q2MWQ2LWI5NGMtZWRlMi1jY2MzLWM5NzQyZDllYmZmMS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25094458" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In dieser deutschen Special-Folge des Spikes Excitement Talks, spricht Host Gordon mit Michael Schuld. Michael ist CMO bei MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group und hat eine gemeinsame Vergangenheit mit Gordon bei der Telekom. Die beiden sprechen über Michaels Karriereweg zu seiner aktuellen Position und was Ihn in seinem Leben begeistert.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:32</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/adc12b66-d5cc-4ab8-b43a-983c0b3d29b0/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #23 with Michael Schuld (Deutsch)</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #20 with Armin Haery]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon dives into a fascinating conversation with Armin Haery, Global Brand Director at Kao for John Frieda. Armin shares his journey from a budding interest in advertising to a 19-year career at Kao, revealing the company’s unique culture of respect and harmony. They discuss the art of building brands, the challenges of standing out in competitive markets, and the transformative power of bold, creative marketing. Tune in to discover how Armin is on a mission to shake up the hair care industry and bring excitement back to this deeply emotional category.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-20-with-Armin-Haery-e2pclc9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3de29630-d199-4f74-8e1d-59ff1520e456</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:01:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/05cb1163820cc32032f41300e2e669fe2b047aea01bde21bfb6c51d75fb36a64/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhYzBlMTkzMy0wYzQ5LTQ0MmQtYmY1Yy1iODYzZTk1MDJlNmMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYWMwZTE5MzMtMGM0OS00NDJkLWJmNWMtYjg2M2U5NTAyZTZjLzE2ZTM2YzIxLTczYzQtNGFkNi01NmFkLTM0ZmI0Y2M2ZmFiMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19771557" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon dives into a fascinating conversation with Armin Haery, Global Brand Director at Kao for John Frieda. Armin shares his journey from a budding interest in advertising to a 19-year career at Kao, revealing the company’s unique culture of respect and harmony. They discuss the art of building brands, the challenges of standing out in competitive markets, and the transformative power of bold, creative marketing. Tune in to discover how Armin is on a mission to shake up the hair care industry and bring excitement back to this deeply emotional category.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:00</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ac0e1933-0c49-442d-bf5c-b863e9502e6c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #20 with Armin Haery</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #25 with Jae Goodman]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Jae Goodman, CEO and Founder of Super Connector Studio and former Chief Creative Officer of CAA Marketing. With a career spanning iconic agencies like Wieden+Kennedy and creative ventures at CAA, Jae shares his insights into the evolution of advertising, branded entertainment, and the art of creating content that attracts rather than interrupts audiences.</p>
<p>From his groundbreaking work on campaigns for Chipotle and Nike to spearheading initiatives like the Effies-Can Lions merger, Jae reflects on the people and principles that have shaped his approach to marketing and creativity. They discuss the challenges of blending creativity with measurable effectiveness, the importance of fostering diversity in the industry, and Jae's vision for the future of brand entertainment.</p>
<p>Tune in for a masterclass on innovation, collaboration, and the enduring power of storytelling in marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-25-with-Jae-Goodman-e2sd008</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3567f100-4f4b-4c36-8c28-0534b41c9994</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:42:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/85873ec7bc3e0f184d6124090c8be96949d9f74c26d6995dc15f7e4451e7dddb/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1NDc3N2ZlOC1kMTY4LTQzNGYtODUzMS01ZmJmYjBjMjE1NTIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNTQ3NzdmZTgtZDE2OC00MzRmLTg1MzEtNWZiZmIwYzIxNTUyLzhjYTY0ZGViLThmZTEtY2UxMS01MGI3LTY0NDg5MTRkZDMwNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="37126234" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Jae Goodman, CEO and Founder of Super Connector Studio and former Chief Creative Officer of CAA Marketing. With a career spanning iconic agencies like Wieden+Kennedy and creative ventures at CAA, Jae shares his insights into the evolution of advertising, branded entertainment, and the art of creating content that attracts rather than interrupts audiences.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;From his groundbreaking work on campaigns for Chipotle and Nike to spearheading initiatives like the Effies-Can Lions merger, Jae reflects on the people and principles that have shaped his approach to marketing and creativity. They discuss the challenges of blending creativity with measurable effectiveness, the importance of fostering diversity in the industry, and Jae&apos;s vision for the future of brand entertainment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a masterclass on innovation, collaboration, and the enduring power of storytelling in marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:47:25</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/54777fe8-d168-434f-8531-5fbfb0c21552/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #25 with Jae Goodman</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #210 with Inez Fun ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>What does it take to stay ahead when technology reshapes marketing every day? </strong></p><p>In this episode, Gordon hosts <strong>Inez Fun, Global Digital Director for Beauty &amp; Wellbeing at Unilever</strong>. </p><p>She shares why the ability to <em>learn and unlearn</em> has defined her career, from agencies and Yahoo to leading global AI transformation. Furthermore she discusses building AI-powered marketing at scale, simplifying complexity, leading through change and why curiosity remains the ultimate competitive advantage.</p><p>Tune in to discover why the future belongs to those who can learn faster, unlearn boldly and simplify complexity into action.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-210-with-Inez-Fun-e3m11mh</link><guid isPermaLink="false">649eb923-3f14-4c23-b161-5b94f455f34e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:57:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/bbd5ca5ab59495efd232898f30051cefce0c0345d48dc0a82420bde6f83df360/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkZDNlZGMyMC1lMGI5LTQ2ZTAtYjE5YS0yOTVkNjg0NTU2M2UiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZGQzZWRjMjAtZTBiOS00NmUwLWIxOWEtMjk1ZDY4NDU1NjNlL2NmMjNlNmFhLWE0YjktOGYwYS1mOTI1LTUyZWVkNDg4MDk3Ny5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="14119953" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What does it take to stay ahead when technology reshapes marketing every day? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts &lt;strong&gt;Inez Fun, Global Digital Director for Beauty &amp;amp; Wellbeing at Unilever&lt;/strong&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She shares why the ability to &lt;em&gt;learn and unlearn&lt;/em&gt; has defined her career, from agencies and Yahoo to leading global AI transformation. Furthermore she discusses building AI-powered marketing at scale, simplifying complexity, leading through change and why curiosity remains the ultimate competitive advantage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to discover why the future belongs to those who can learn faster, unlearn boldly and simplify complexity into action.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:26</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/dd3edc20-e0b9-46e0-b19a-295d6845563e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #210 with Inez Fun </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #113 with Patrick Krul]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Patrick Krul, former Global Head of Marketing Technology at Danone, to explore the intersection of marketing, technology, and capability-building.</p><p>From his key roles at Unilever, DPG Media, and Danone, Patrick shares a career shaped by curiosity, a deep passion for consumer-centric marketing, and a strong belief in the power of data consciousness. He discusses what it really means to build scalable marketing capabilities, the challenges of leading transformation across 40 markets, and how connecting marketing and sales technology can elevate impact.</p><p>Moreover why capability, not just technology, is the key to modern marketing success, a behind-the-scenes look at transforming Danone’s global martech stack and the importance of cross-functional collaboration—from IT to legal to HR. Patrick also reflects on the people who shaped his career, the value of curiosity, and why being data conscious is the future of impactful marketing.</p><p>Listen in to learn how data, tech, and people come together to drive meaningful growth.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-113-with-Patrick-Krul-e39f1m8</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ed46a47d-49fa-4461-827c-3c5f3870f01b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:07:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/037cfe05e955d09bef1870b5bb7635361896b3b6f316d2ff0f5ebd1669b0d78f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3NzI4NmU3OC1hMDMyLTRhNzctOGIyNS1jYzMwNTY5MzdlNGQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNzcyODZlNzgtYTAzMi00YTc3LThiMjUtY2MzMDU2OTM3ZTRkLzBjNzMwNjExLTNjMzMtMzg1ZS0zNDUyLTg2YjA0Mzk5ZTJkZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19648746" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Patrick Krul, former Global Head of Marketing Technology at Danone, to explore the intersection of marketing, technology, and capability-building.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his key roles at Unilever, DPG Media, and Danone, Patrick shares a career shaped by curiosity, a deep passion for consumer-centric marketing, and a strong belief in the power of data consciousness. He discusses what it really means to build scalable marketing capabilities, the challenges of leading transformation across 40 markets, and how connecting marketing and sales technology can elevate impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Moreover why capability, not just technology, is the key to modern marketing success, a behind-the-scenes look at transforming Danone’s global martech stack and the importance of cross-functional collaboration—from IT to legal to HR. Patrick also reflects on the people who shaped his career, the value of curiosity, and why being data conscious is the future of impactful marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen in to learn how data, tech, and people come together to drive meaningful growth.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:45</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/77286e78-a032-4a77-8b25-cc3056937e4d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #113 with Patrick Krul</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #124 with Cristian Grajales]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with <strong>Cristian Grajales</strong>—a marketing leader with an extraordinary journey spanning more than 15 years at Audi, global roles across continents, a leap into autonomous-driving tech, and now CMO at Germany’s long-established homebuilding company, Viebrockhaus.</p><p>What connects selling sports cars and selling homes? As Cristian reveals: <em>a car takes you from A to B—but a home brings you home.</em> </p><p>Together, they explore the deep emotional power behind buying a house, the German one-time-in-a-lifetime homeownership mindset, and how these insights shaped Viebrock’s new campaign “Einmal im Leben”.</p><p>The conversation addresses how early hardship shaped Cristian’s work ethic and global mindset, the creative giants and empathetic leaders who shaped his career, navigating the scale and speed of a global automotive brand and why the future of marketing belongs to <em>human</em> creativity amid exponential tech and AI.</p><p>Tune in for an insightful conversation about career, creativity, and the places we choose to call home.</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-124-with-Cristian-Grajales-e3b6ild</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0fe57076-4437-4826-a687-ba6469c001b5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:51:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/76cd18240a1b26ece7068be6eb13d4ed074f2bfbca94a3867e5e2134a20f3e12/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhMmUxMzk0ZC0wYjdiLTQ1M2YtYjIyMS00MTE1YmNhMzJmOWQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTJlMTM5NGQtMGI3Yi00NTNmLWIyMjEtNDExNWJjYTMyZjlkLzBlYmNmYjE4LTU1MDAtY2VmNy0wZmM2LWE1OGFkZmY1Zjk3Yy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17917181" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Cristian Grajales&lt;/strong&gt;—a marketing leader with an extraordinary journey spanning more than 15 years at Audi, global roles across continents, a leap into autonomous-driving tech, and now CMO at Germany’s long-established homebuilding company, Viebrockhaus.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What connects selling sports cars and selling homes? As Cristian reveals: &lt;em&gt;a car takes you from A to B—but a home brings you home.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, they explore the deep emotional power behind buying a house, the German one-time-in-a-lifetime homeownership mindset, and how these insights shaped Viebrock’s new campaign “Einmal im Leben”.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation addresses how early hardship shaped Cristian’s work ethic and global mindset, the creative giants and empathetic leaders who shaped his career, navigating the scale and speed of a global automotive brand and why the future of marketing belongs to &lt;em&gt;human&lt;/em&gt; creativity amid exponential tech and AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an insightful conversation about career, creativity, and the places we choose to call home.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a2e1394d-0b7b-453f-b221-4115bca32f9d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #124 with Cristian Grajales</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #97 with Ajinkya Joglekar ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Excitement Talk, Dave Cobban sits down with Ajinkya  Joglekar, a seasoned marketing and product leader with over two decades of experience scaling iconic brands like Comcast, JP Morgan, Dish, and Sling TV. But his journey didn’t start in a boardroom — it began in the world of jazz and physics. </p><p>Ajinkya shares how his unique blend of creativity and analytical thinking led him from music theory to leading high-growth marketing teams and ultimately founding Growth Stack Commerce.  The conversation explores why embracing small tasks with tenacity can lead to big opportunities, what it was like building digital marketing from scratch in the early 2000s, the parallels between the rise of digital and today’s AI transformation, how brands can use AI without losing their emotional and creative edge.</p><p>Tune in for a  conversation that bridges past, present and future in the ever-evolving world of marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-97-with-Ajinkya-Joglekar-e37mp9b</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d363c89d-0800-4ed7-908f-51c4e0626a25</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:36:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/fbbd957a0913ffa301835fd973ac7b0ecf4bc3ce8838d7f02ea6f2f11df02196/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkOTQ0ODI4Yy1lZGFkLTQyMTEtODM5Mi1kMTljYjc0NDY4YjMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZDk0NDgyOGMtZWRhZC00MjExLTgzOTItZDE5Y2I3NDQ2OGIzLzQxMzQ0ZGY2LWJhYjItNDcxZC1kMGUxLWZhNjE0ZjBkMWI5Yi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24232534" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Excitement Talk, Dave Cobban sits down with Ajinkya  Joglekar, a seasoned marketing and product leader with over two decades of experience scaling iconic brands like Comcast, JP Morgan, Dish, and Sling TV. But his journey didn’t start in a boardroom — it began in the world of jazz and physics. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ajinkya shares how his unique blend of creativity and analytical thinking led him from music theory to leading high-growth marketing teams and ultimately founding Growth Stack Commerce.  The conversation explores why embracing small tasks with tenacity can lead to big opportunities, what it was like building digital marketing from scratch in the early 2000s, the parallels between the rise of digital and today’s AI transformation, how brands can use AI without losing their emotional and creative edge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a  conversation that bridges past, present and future in the ever-evolving world of marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:56</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/d944828c-edad-4211-8392-d19cb74468b3/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #97 with Ajinkya Joglekar </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #123 with Steffen Zeller ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Steffen Zeller</strong>, CMO of <strong>Rügenwalder Mühle</strong> – the German food pioneer that taught an entire nation to love veggie meat. Steffen shares his unusual journey from physics student to FMCG marketer, shaped by mentors, challenges, and a love for food discovered on the beaches of La Rochelle.</p><p>He talks about reviving iconic brands, launching innovations with tiny budgets, bringing the Captain back from sea, and what it’s like to run marketing in a company that produces both meat <em>and</em> plant-based alternatives under one roof.</p><p>Steffen also gives a rare inside look at how his team blends marketing fundamentals with entrepreneurial test-balloons, how agencies become one team instead of suppliers, and why consistency beats pressure.</p><p>And in the end, he shares what really excites him about the future: not just the next campaign, but the responsibility—and opportunity to transform how we eat.</p><p>Tune in to get inspired to do things differently.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-123-with-Steffen-Zeller-e3b6ij1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">953a6d8c-bd1b-4c75-a8ee-265de2fe1e08</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:48:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f7cfb845a574dbc5d26b9ef4253a9bac7074db1e79e632731106275614745bd3/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0MDBiYTViMS03MGUwLTQyMGUtOGJlNi1jOWVlYTI1NDFhYjkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDAwYmE1YjEtNzBlMC00MjBlLThiZTYtYzllZWEyNTQxYWI5LzA4ZDU5M2E5LTVhODktMjY1My05ZGRiLWMxZmE2M2Q5OWQ2MC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="28495571" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Steffen Zeller&lt;/strong&gt;, CMO of &lt;strong&gt;Rügenwalder Mühle&lt;/strong&gt; – the German food pioneer that taught an entire nation to love veggie meat. Steffen shares his unusual journey from physics student to FMCG marketer, shaped by mentors, challenges, and a love for food discovered on the beaches of La Rochelle.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He talks about reviving iconic brands, launching innovations with tiny budgets, bringing the Captain back from sea, and what it’s like to run marketing in a company that produces both meat &lt;em&gt;and&lt;/em&gt; plant-based alternatives under one roof.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Steffen also gives a rare inside look at how his team blends marketing fundamentals with entrepreneurial test-balloons, how agencies become one team instead of suppliers, and why consistency beats pressure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And in the end, he shares what really excites him about the future: not just the next campaign, but the responsibility—and opportunity to transform how we eat.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get inspired to do things differently.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:37:39</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/400ba5b1-70e0-420e-8be6-c9eea2541ab9/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #123 with Steffen Zeller </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #107 with Allie Sparr ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Alexandra (Allie) Sparr, Global Head of Branded Marketing at Envoyage,  joining from the other side of the world, Allie shares her global marketing journey, from early days in New Orleans tourism to spearheading a brand that's redefining the B2B travel space.</p><p>The conversation explores the entrepreneurial roots of Flight Centre—and how that spirit still drives Envoyage today, building a globally distributed marketing team—and why it’s a superpower, not a compromise and why brand storytelling, cultural nuance, and travel excitement are at the core of what makes great marketing.</p><p>Allie also reflects on the people and principles that have shaped her leadership style—and how her intentional path into marketing came down to one surprising decision at university.</p><p>Tune in for insights on brand building of a dynamic travel brand. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-107-with-Allie-Sparr-e38lkif</link><guid isPermaLink="false">c5364710-76c0-4c74-a2d7-ef9790731840</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:46:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4618f200281c9762ec49fc23a5836da0ec87745842f1c78fd0654383d7634a0f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2MTRjZjU3MS00ZDYwLTRmOWEtYjlmOC00MmNlY2Y4ZDIxNTkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNjE0Y2Y1NzEtNGQ2MC00ZjlhLWI5ZjgtNDJjZWNmOGQyMTU5LzAzZjY1ZTI1LTkwM2QtOGRjNy0xZTg5LTQ0YzA0MDUwN2RmYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19792121" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Alexandra (Allie) Sparr, Global Head of Branded Marketing at Envoyage,  joining from the other side of the world, Allie shares her global marketing journey, from early days in New Orleans tourism to spearheading a brand that&apos;s redefining the B2B travel space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores the entrepreneurial roots of Flight Centre—and how that spirit still drives Envoyage today, building a globally distributed marketing team—and why it’s a superpower, not a compromise and why brand storytelling, cultural nuance, and travel excitement are at the core of what makes great marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allie also reflects on the people and principles that have shaped her leadership style—and how her intentional path into marketing came down to one surprising decision at university.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on brand building of a dynamic travel brand. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:09</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/614cf571-4d60-4f9a-b9f8-42cecf8d2159/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #107 with Allie Sparr </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #98 with Frida Elisson ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon is joined by Frida  Elisson to talk about her journey across sectors and continents—from Lidl to Unilever, Google to eBay, and now as CMO of Kleinanzeigen. <br />From the ballet studio to the boardroom, Frida’s career is anything but linear—and all the more inspiring because of it.</p><p>They explore what it means to shape iconic brands through times of transformation, the power of curiosity and adaptability and why making big leaps can be the key to staying excited about your career.<br />The conversation explores what it really meant to bring classical brand thinking into Google Germany, steering Kleinanzeigen’s shift from “second-hand” to “sustainable” and why impact, not just output, defines great marketing.</p><p>Tune in  to get inspired – whether you're in FMCG, tech or just trying to navigate your own next leap.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-98-with-Frida-Elisson-e37mr80</link><guid isPermaLink="false">14fda58b-2367-4d47-b439-32502b13eab7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:16:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e2ca7d69edfc7d67247f8a2c14946d322bb99a75d438f0289e44327695269c2a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0OWRjZDYxZi1lNjFhLTRjZTYtODc5Zi00YmJiNjZkNjc5ODUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDlkY2Q2MWYtZTYxYS00Y2U2LTg3OWYtNGJiYjY2ZDY3OTg1LzAyZmRiMzdhLWExMjUtYzRjOC0wNmRiLTkyOTdmNjE1ZmZkMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19354578" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon is joined by Frida  Elisson to talk about her journey across sectors and continents—from Lidl to Unilever, Google to eBay, and now as CMO of Kleinanzeigen. &lt;br /&gt;From the ballet studio to the boardroom, Frida’s career is anything but linear—and all the more inspiring because of it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore what it means to shape iconic brands through times of transformation, the power of curiosity and adaptability and why making big leaps can be the key to staying excited about your career.&lt;br /&gt;The conversation explores what it really meant to bring classical brand thinking into Google Germany, steering Kleinanzeigen’s shift from “second-hand” to “sustainable” and why impact, not just output, defines great marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in  to get inspired – whether you&apos;re in FMCG, tech or just trying to navigate your own next leap.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:37</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/49dcd61f-e61a-4ce6-879f-4bbb66d67985/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #98 with Frida Elisson </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #87 with Wolfgang Ufer]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Wolfgang Ufer, CEO of smart Deutschland, for a candid and inspiring conversation about transforming a legacy brand into a future-forward mobility company. From his early days at Mercedes-Benz to leading smart through its bold evolution into an electric-only, direct-to-consumer startup, Wolfgang shares how he built a car company from scratch and why getting closer to the customer has always been his North Star.</p><p>We dive into smart’s radical journey: navigating the electric mobility transition, scaling innovation with startup urgency, launching the game-changing Smart #5 and embracing a leadership style shaped by openness, accountability and customer proximity.</p><p>Tune in to hear why Wolfgang believes there’s “no place to hide” in direct-to-consumer and why that’s exactly where he wants to be.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-87-with-Wolfgang-Ufer-e36h8li</link><guid isPermaLink="false">aa741fd2-2a08-437e-a1a5-73450615c7aa</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:22:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/98437ac921cfcd0aec3f3b709d072a24dc5f4c60add3019155899941edbce5e0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhZTM2ZGZiOC1jZjg2LTQ3ZjQtYWI1Zi05MGIyOGMxZGFmMmYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYWUzNmRmYjgtY2Y4Ni00N2Y0LWFiNWYtOTBiMjhjMWRhZjJmLzJjNWQ2ZmY0LWUwZjgtNTI2OC0yNTM2LTdlZjkwN2YzM2ZmZi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16094319" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Wolfgang Ufer, CEO of smart Deutschland, for a candid and inspiring conversation about transforming a legacy brand into a future-forward mobility company. From his early days at Mercedes-Benz to leading smart through its bold evolution into an electric-only, direct-to-consumer startup, Wolfgang shares how he built a car company from scratch and why getting closer to the customer has always been his North Star.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We dive into smart’s radical journey: navigating the electric mobility transition, scaling innovation with startup urgency, launching the game-changing Smart #5 and embracing a leadership style shaped by openness, accountability and customer proximity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why Wolfgang believes there’s “no place to hide” in direct-to-consumer and why that’s exactly where he wants to be.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:04</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ae36dfb8-cf86-47f4-ab5f-90b28c1daf2f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #87 with Wolfgang Ufer</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #102 with Adam Ross]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this post-holiday return episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon is joined by Adam Ross, Senior Director of Creative Strategy at Coca-Cola. </p><p>Adam’s journey from agency life in London to leading creative strategy for one of the most iconic global brands is filled with insightful stories, bold career moves (including a spontaneous relocation to Australia) and a deeply human take on creativity and leadership. </p><p>The episode explores the steep learning curve of joining a brand like Coca-Cola, creative work that goes beyond ads — from crime prevention campaigns to TV show concepts, what it's really like working in-house on brand strategy.</p><p>Moreover the value of staying an “outsider” inside big organizations and why not knowing can be your greatest superpower.</p><p>Tune in for a reminder that behind every great campaign is a person bringing their full, curious self to the table.</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-102-with-Adam-Ross-e380fij</link><guid isPermaLink="false">028d726a-a5a8-431b-a4a4-67f1f15a6e32</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:44:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ec9e56fa2b257c1c452ba7b209596f702ac8ac0f53a91cecff83786f6f642cff/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxNWJmMDk2Ni1kZmVkLTQwODktYWY4My0wNzNiNzUyYjRlZTMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMTViZjA5NjYtZGZlZC00MDg5LWFmODMtMDczYjc1MmI0ZWUzLzBjNTI5OTFiLWJjYzYtM2ZiNy1kNmNjLWJjNjFlZThiOGJjMC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22485017" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this post-holiday return episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon is joined by Adam Ross, Senior Director of Creative Strategy at Coca-Cola. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Adam’s journey from agency life in London to leading creative strategy for one of the most iconic global brands is filled with insightful stories, bold career moves (including a spontaneous relocation to Australia) and a deeply human take on creativity and leadership. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The episode explores the steep learning curve of joining a brand like Coca-Cola, creative work that goes beyond ads — from crime prevention campaigns to TV show concepts, what it&apos;s really like working in-house on brand strategy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Moreover the value of staying an “outsider” inside big organizations and why not knowing can be your greatest superpower.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a reminder that behind every great campaign is a person bringing their full, curious self to the table.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/15bf0966-dfed-4089-af83-073b752b4ee3/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #102 with Adam Ross</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #94 with Rachel Exton ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with Rachel Exton, VP of Global Brand at Pearson, to explore a career that spans everything from high-end beauty and disinfectant to cutting-edge education and AI.</p><p>Rachel shares her remarkable journey through brands like Unilever, John Frieda and Dyson and how each role taught her something new about people, purpose and pivoting. She opens up about navigating career challenges, including returning from maternity leave and re-entering the workplace on her own terms.<br />Together, Sandra and Rachel unpack why every product — even bricks and disinfectant can be emotionally meaningful, the importance of purpose in today’s marketing landscape, how brand marketing can drive transformation in education and what excites Rachel most about AI and the future of lifelong learning</p><p>Tune in and get inspired to follow curiosity and go back for what you really want.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-94-with-Rachel-Exton-e37bf35</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5821edf1-0489-4be2-a9df-a523d3dfabeb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:21:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/0581fe3718b0c26b8ef6ddc42ef02c91ffd47d9b003b501a3d11640600bc604b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmNWNmMDMzMy1hNDg3LTQyNGUtODA0NS1jNzg0MDc0ODZhNDMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjVjZjAzMzMtYTQ4Ny00MjRlLTgwNDUtYzc4NDA3NDg2YTQzLzUwYWZmNjNjLTQxODctYjhhZi01NTMyLTU2MjUwYjJkMWE5YS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22228627" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with Rachel Exton, VP of Global Brand at Pearson, to explore a career that spans everything from high-end beauty and disinfectant to cutting-edge education and AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rachel shares her remarkable journey through brands like Unilever, John Frieda and Dyson and how each role taught her something new about people, purpose and pivoting. She opens up about navigating career challenges, including returning from maternity leave and re-entering the workplace on her own terms.&lt;br /&gt;Together, Sandra and Rachel unpack why every product — even bricks and disinfectant can be emotionally meaningful, the importance of purpose in today’s marketing landscape, how brand marketing can drive transformation in education and what excites Rachel most about AI and the future of lifelong learning&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in and get inspired to follow curiosity and go back for what you really want.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:46</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f5cf0333-a487-424e-8045-c78407486a43/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #94 with Rachel Exton </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #49 with Janice Pollard]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes <em>Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon is joined by Janice Pollard — Fractional CMO and a powerhouse in the world of brand storytelling and marketing Janice has shaped narratives for some of America’s most iconic brands. <br />They dive into Janice’s early fascination with advertising sparked by a 60 Minutes feature, her first steps in the agency world, and the bold moves that propelled her into creative leadership. Along the way, she shares the lessons learned from fearless mentors, the thrill of riding the wave from traditional to digital marketing, and why data — paired with gut instinct — is the secret weapon in today’s boardroom.</p><p>They also explore what it takes to truly move people with marketing, the power of emotional storytelling, and why some brands still manage to hit us right in the feels. And of course, Janice shares her take on where the industry is heading — from the rise of AI to the growing need for strategic, human-centered leadership.</p><p>Tune in to hear why the future of marketing may be powered by machines, but still belongs to bold, curious storytellers.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-49-with-Janice-Pollard-e31jsj8</link><guid isPermaLink="false">e43d55d5-884c-427d-8ed7-edcef31c802d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:16:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f982c0d53ba26831083af84faf8fddadc7e5cb2b0fde44b98e2e30f0ac6e8903/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3YmQ1NjU2Ni00MzVkLTRhYTctYjUxNC05N2QyZDA2YWE4OTYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvN2JkNTY1NjYtNDM1ZC00YWE3LWI1MTQtOTdkMmQwNmFhODk2LzMwOGUwZjM4LTQ2NTQtNDVlZS00N2Q2LWVlMjM1NTRkNWJmNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15457477" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon is joined by Janice Pollard — Fractional CMO and a powerhouse in the world of brand storytelling and marketing Janice has shaped narratives for some of America’s most iconic brands. &lt;br /&gt;They dive into Janice’s early fascination with advertising sparked by a 60 Minutes feature, her first steps in the agency world, and the bold moves that propelled her into creative leadership. Along the way, she shares the lessons learned from fearless mentors, the thrill of riding the wave from traditional to digital marketing, and why data — paired with gut instinct — is the secret weapon in today’s boardroom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore what it takes to truly move people with marketing, the power of emotional storytelling, and why some brands still manage to hit us right in the feels. And of course, Janice shares her take on where the industry is heading — from the rise of AI to the growing need for strategic, human-centered leadership.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why the future of marketing may be powered by machines, but still belongs to bold, curious storytellers.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:31</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/7bd56566-435d-4aa7-b514-97d2d06aa896/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #49 with Janice Pollard</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #80 with Corina Kurscheid ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon hosts Corina Kurscheid, Global Associate VP Growth and Impact at Nivea – the iconic “big blue” brand that has shaped skincare worldwide. </p><p>After 18 years at Nivea, Corina shares her journey from agency life into a global marketing and product development career, diving deep into how innovation, consumer insights and culture shape one of the world’s most beloved brands.Corina takes us through the challenges and excitement of working internationally, the intersection of sustainability and social impact and the creation of new roles and teams to meet tomorrow’s brand needs.</p><p>The conversation also explores the magic of creativity with a look at iconic brands like IKEA and LEGO, how they keep millions engaged, spark imagination across generations and foster connection in unexpected ways. Plus, a heartfelt glimpse into how technology, especially AI, is opening new doors for people to create, learn and positively impact the world.</p><p>Tune in if you’re curious about FMCG, product innovation or global marketing, this episode reveals why Nivea continues to stay blue, fresh and relevant in a fast-changing world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-80-with-Corina-Kurscheid-e35tsq5</link><guid isPermaLink="false">fc690b08-44f3-46fb-a1f2-0ec883b4dd8c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:11:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7654a9f00c5e424fa4b09c7f0022ec85e2d18435d22a1158e3e10581230ee514/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNzk0NTM1My0yZGY0LTQ3MmYtYmRiMi02OTg2YjE1OGYxOWEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzc5NDUzNTMtMmRmNC00NzJmLWJkYjItNjk4NmIxNThmMTlhL2IzMTZhMzg1LTI5ODYtNGFmZi0wN2IyLTU3MmE3Nzc1MTY4Yy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22646057" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts Corina Kurscheid, Global Associate VP Growth and Impact at Nivea – the iconic “big blue” brand that has shaped skincare worldwide. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After 18 years at Nivea, Corina shares her journey from agency life into a global marketing and product development career, diving deep into how innovation, consumer insights and culture shape one of the world’s most beloved brands.Corina takes us through the challenges and excitement of working internationally, the intersection of sustainability and social impact and the creation of new roles and teams to meet tomorrow’s brand needs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation also explores the magic of creativity with a look at iconic brands like IKEA and LEGO, how they keep millions engaged, spark imagination across generations and foster connection in unexpected ways. Plus, a heartfelt glimpse into how technology, especially AI, is opening new doors for people to create, learn and positively impact the world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you’re curious about FMCG, product innovation or global marketing, this episode reveals why Nivea continues to stay blue, fresh and relevant in a fast-changing world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:33</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/37945353-2df4-472f-bdb2-6986b158f19a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #80 with Corina Kurscheid </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #193 with Virginie Berçot]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Virginie Berçot, Global Brand Director at AXA, shares her journey from leading strategic and creative work at some of the world's most respected agencies to shaping one of the most ambitious brand transformations in business today.</p><p>Virginie discusses why she believes creativity is a powerful force for positive change, how brands can connect business, society and customers and why the future belongs to organizations willing to challenge conventions. She also reflects on AXA's path to being named Cannes Lions Creative Brand of the Year and explains how purpose, consistency and long-term commitment can turn brand strategy into real-world impact.</p><p>Tune in for insights about ambition, creativity, courage and the evolving role of brands in society.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-193-with-Virginie-Berot-e3k99kt</link><guid isPermaLink="false">46c6bae5-3ab1-4180-97cc-95095db74d13</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:24:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f65f3d008453b21990333d3b08ccb201a90cccd27e0935990fc1f363764a1562/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxODgwN2Y0ZC0yZjkyLTRiMGMtODhlZS02NjdmZmQyYjAwMGQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMTg4MDdmNGQtMmY5Mi00YjBjLTg4ZWUtNjY3ZmZkMmIwMDBkLzE4ZDFhODM0LTA0MDEtODJiNy02MzBlLTE0ZDhlYzdkMWM3YS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22384002" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Virginie Berçot, Global Brand Director at AXA, shares her journey from leading strategic and creative work at some of the world&apos;s most respected agencies to shaping one of the most ambitious brand transformations in business today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Virginie discusses why she believes creativity is a powerful force for positive change, how brands can connect business, society and customers and why the future belongs to organizations willing to challenge conventions. She also reflects on AXA&apos;s path to being named Cannes Lions Creative Brand of the Year and explains how purpose, consistency and long-term commitment can turn brand strategy into real-world impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights about ambition, creativity, courage and the evolving role of brands in society.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:29</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/18807f4d-2f92-4b0c-88ee-667ffd2b000d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #193 with Virginie Berçot</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #185 with Julie Jackson-Jones]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Julie Jackson-Jones is Director of Marketing CRM Loyalty &amp; Analytics at EssilorLuxottica, where she works across more than 25 brands shaping customer experience, loyalty and patient journeys. Before that, she built her career across industries including luxury fashion, music, logistics and retail with roles at Bulgari, Robert Graham Designs and more. Her unconventional path — from selling subscriptions door-to-door in New York during the financial crisis to leading CRM strategy for global luxury brands — has given her a uniquely human lens on marketing, leadership and customer behaviour.<br />Julie shares why loyalty is ultimately about belonging, how shame and desire shape consumer behaviour and why the future belongs to marketers who deeply understand human psychology. The conversation moves from career setbacks and imposter syndrome to vulnerability in leadership, emotional intelligence in CRM and embracing uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.</p><p>Tune in for a deep dive into customer psychology, career reinvention and why the strongest brands are built one human interaction at a time.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-185-with-Julie-Jackson-Jones-e3j8mei</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5e0a9213-4384-4af7-9df7-73c69fec995b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 11:38:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/eb802dfbeb6fb1fea4d3ec20534b6d830f1dd43df1e74994f5293799c841399b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1ODk1NWRjYi1hZDJhLTQ4YTUtYTNjMS0yMmY5NjY1MzYwNDciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNTg5NTVkY2ItYWQyYS00OGE1LWEzYzEtMjJmOTY2NTM2MDQ3LzQyMGEzM2RmLThlODctN2NjYS04ZGUyLThkYzdjMGQ4YmQyOS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22106599" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Julie Jackson-Jones is Director of Marketing CRM Loyalty &amp;amp; Analytics at EssilorLuxottica, where she works across more than 25 brands shaping customer experience, loyalty and patient journeys. Before that, she built her career across industries including luxury fashion, music, logistics and retail with roles at Bulgari, Robert Graham Designs and more. Her unconventional path — from selling subscriptions door-to-door in New York during the financial crisis to leading CRM strategy for global luxury brands — has given her a uniquely human lens on marketing, leadership and customer behaviour.&lt;br /&gt;Julie shares why loyalty is ultimately about belonging, how shame and desire shape consumer behaviour and why the future belongs to marketers who deeply understand human psychology. The conversation moves from career setbacks and imposter syndrome to vulnerability in leadership, emotional intelligence in CRM and embracing uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a deep dive into customer psychology, career reinvention and why the strongest brands are built one human interaction at a time.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:07</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/58955dcb-ad2a-48a5-a3c1-22f966536047/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #185 with Julie Jackson-Jones</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #184 with Tara King]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this epsiode, Tara King, Senior Director of North America Brand &amp; Portfolio Strategy for Bombay Sapphire at Bacardi, talks about the course of her career and how she has helped shape globally recognised beverage brands across Diageo, Vita Coco and Richmond Marketing — building brands through cultural relevance, emotional resonance and instinct-led strategy. Originally from Ireland and now based in the US, Tara brings a uniquely human perspective to modern marketing: one rooted less in noise and more in meaning.</p><p>She explores how brands can earn relevance not through louder messaging but through culture, moments and human insight. From moving to New York with no job and no visa, to shaping award-winning campaigns in the spirits industry, she shares her perspective on leadership, creativity, AI and the future of brand building.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about instinct, cultural fluency, emotional relevance and why the future of marketing belongs to brands that create meaning.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-184-with-Tara-King-e3j8mdd</link><guid isPermaLink="false">973b2be2-b768-46ae-8d9d-d3b590d89b7f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 11:34:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b52377630ddd4a527f2c4a0420c3826ab3e26c9fd0656c92b21ba7282e64b9b9/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkMzUxNmM2Yi0zYzdkLTQzYzgtYjNhOS00OTA0MzEyNWVhOWEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZDM1MTZjNmItM2M3ZC00M2M4LWIzYTktNDkwNDMxMjVlYTlhL2I5ZjJhNjc3LTE5ZDItNDI1Ni0yMDUxLTJkOTNmZTk0OGJmNy5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="15139055" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this epsiode, Tara King, Senior Director of North America Brand &amp;amp; Portfolio Strategy for Bombay Sapphire at Bacardi, talks about the course of her career and how she has helped shape globally recognised beverage brands across Diageo, Vita Coco and Richmond Marketing — building brands through cultural relevance, emotional resonance and instinct-led strategy. Originally from Ireland and now based in the US, Tara brings a uniquely human perspective to modern marketing: one rooted less in noise and more in meaning.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She explores how brands can earn relevance not through louder messaging but through culture, moments and human insight. From moving to New York with no job and no visa, to shaping award-winning campaigns in the spirits industry, she shares her perspective on leadership, creativity, AI and the future of brand building.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about instinct, cultural fluency, emotional relevance and why the future of marketing belongs to brands that create meaning.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:15:46</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/d3516c6b-3c7d-43c8-b3a9-49043125ea9a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #184 with Tara King</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #187 with Dicla Veliz Salce]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Dicla Veliz Salce, Global Brand Director for IO Women’s Cancer at AstraZeneca, joins Gordon for a deeply thoughtful conversation about purpose, oncology, behavioral science and why innovation only matters when it changes real lives.</p><p>From starting in pharma sales “by accident” in Mexico to shaping global oncology strategy, Dicla shares how understanding human behavior has become just as important as understanding science. </p><p>Tune in for a conversation that explores the future of cancer care, the meaning of well-being and why marketing must move beyond products to truly understand human experience.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-187-with-Dicla-Veliz-Salce-e3jl2p4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">cca750b0-55c7-41c1-8b79-b656db1843d7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 12:44:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5aa42fabb19a8deb068921a5dcceefc5ef6957ef4c334b2b377e1105a606339a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0YjVjNjhhOS1lOGRkLTRiZDctYTg4Yi1mNDAzZTdlMzBlOGYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNGI1YzY4YTktZThkZC00YmQ3LWE4OGItZjQwM2U3ZTMwZThmLzgzMTgyYzBiLTYxNGYtNTA5MS1iYmU3LTAwZGEyMjhlYzgwNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17201238" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Dicla Veliz Salce, Global Brand Director for IO Women’s Cancer at AstraZeneca, joins Gordon for a deeply thoughtful conversation about purpose, oncology, behavioral science and why innovation only matters when it changes real lives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From starting in pharma sales “by accident” in Mexico to shaping global oncology strategy, Dicla shares how understanding human behavior has become just as important as understanding science. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation that explores the future of cancer care, the meaning of well-being and why marketing must move beyond products to truly understand human experience.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:19</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/4b5c68a9-e8dd-4bd7-a88b-f403e7e30e8f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #187 with Dicla Veliz Salce</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #174 with Chris Fiorillo]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Chris Fiorillo, Global Head of Marketing at Zurich Resilience Solutions, shares how he’s building a marketing engine from the ground up embedded within Zurich Insurance. With a career spanning Infosys, Mondelez and The Adecco Group, Chris brings a unique perspective on creating brands, driving digital transformation and navigating complex corporate environments while thinking like a startup.</p><p>From his early roots in journalism to leading global marketing strategies, Chris explains why storytelling, strong communication and trust across leadership teams are still the foundations of great marketing. He also reflects on the importance of curiosity, continuous learning and embracing AI—not as a buzzword, but as a real shift that marketers must lead, not follow.<br /></p><p>Tune in to find out what it takes to stay relevant as AI reshapes everything and much more. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-174-with-Chris-Fiorillo-e3i8gto</link><guid isPermaLink="false">76abfe60-41ab-4e21-8970-2296f9539293</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:02:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4f02362ba7d73ba93a232ff2e8cdd6263e65d0db34cfb338a7bb75c6dcf0cdd4/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlYjJhNThlOC02MzcwLTQ1MmQtYjI5MS05NjUxNGFmYTY1YWEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWIyYTU4ZTgtNjM3MC00NTJkLWIyOTEtOTY1MTRhZmE2NWFhLzJiYjdiMjhlLTFkMWQtMjY3My04YTFhLWEwOTY3NDBhNThhMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18112531" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Chris Fiorillo, Global Head of Marketing at Zurich Resilience Solutions, shares how he’s building a marketing engine from the ground up embedded within Zurich Insurance. With a career spanning Infosys, Mondelez and The Adecco Group, Chris brings a unique perspective on creating brands, driving digital transformation and navigating complex corporate environments while thinking like a startup.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his early roots in journalism to leading global marketing strategies, Chris explains why storytelling, strong communication and trust across leadership teams are still the foundations of great marketing. He also reflects on the importance of curiosity, continuous learning and embracing AI—not as a buzzword, but as a real shift that marketers must lead, not follow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out what it takes to stay relevant as AI reshapes everything and much more. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:35</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/eb2a58e8-6370-452d-b291-96514afa65aa/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #174 with Chris Fiorillo</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #176 with Mahabir Panigrahi]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Mahabir Panigrahi, Director of Global Marketing, Consumer &amp; Commercial Analytics Intelligence at The Coca-Cola Company, shares his journey from a self-described “numbers guy” to shaping analytics at global scale.</p><p>Having worked with Coca-Cola for years as a consultant before joining full-time, Mahabir brings a rare end-to-end perspective on how data, marketing and technology intersect. He explains how analytics has evolved and why the real challenge today isn’t access to data, but turning it into fast, actionable insights that drive business decisions.<br />Mahabir dives into the impact of large language models, not as hype, but as practical tools that accelerate workflows, enhance storytelling and democratize analytics across teams. For him, AI isn’t a disruption to fear—it’s a powerful enabler that expands what’s possible, if used with the right mindset.</p><p>Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s biggest brands is adapting to rapid technological change.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-176-with-Mahabir-Panigrahi-e3i8h3e</link><guid isPermaLink="false">04d71bbd-ca95-4a5c-a92c-032e217c1e8b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:07:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c8a3052b04df13dc7acf4c88349e56ea619af5ccbb1f7ee9c96c3f16573d339b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2NGNhN2YyMS02NTE5LTRkYzItOWViMS1lNjMwYjM1OTQ2ZDAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNjRjYTdmMjEtNjUxOS00ZGMyLTllYjEtZTYzMGIzNTk0NmQwL2YwOTdkMGYwLTk5MzktMWM1YS00MTRhLTc5YWE0MWJmYmQ2OC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17672129" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Mahabir Panigrahi, Director of Global Marketing, Consumer &amp;amp; Commercial Analytics Intelligence at The Coca-Cola Company, shares his journey from a self-described “numbers guy” to shaping analytics at global scale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Having worked with Coca-Cola for years as a consultant before joining full-time, Mahabir brings a rare end-to-end perspective on how data, marketing and technology intersect. He explains how analytics has evolved and why the real challenge today isn’t access to data, but turning it into fast, actionable insights that drive business decisions.&lt;br /&gt;Mahabir dives into the impact of large language models, not as hype, but as practical tools that accelerate workflows, enhance storytelling and democratize analytics across teams. For him, AI isn’t a disruption to fear—it’s a powerful enabler that expands what’s possible, if used with the right mindset.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s biggest brands is adapting to rapid technological change.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:22</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/64ca7f21-6519-4dc2-9eb1-e630b35946d0/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #176 with Mahabir Panigrahi</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #178 with Eugene Lee]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Maik Hofmann sits down with Eugene Lee, Vice President, CMO APAC at CHAGEE, to explore a marketing career shaped by music, emotion and real human connection. From growing up in Malaysia with dreams of becoming a rockstar to leading campaigns for global brands like McDonald’s, Eugene shares how creativity, culture and customer obsession define his approach.</p><p>This conversation dives deep into the power of emotional marketing—from a little girl’s reaction to a pink Coke glass to building challenger campaigns that disrupt entire categories. Eugene also reflects on leadership, humility and the art of scaling personal connections in a global business.</p><p><br />Tune in to find out why the most powerful marketing doesn’t just inform, it creates emotional moments people never forget.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-178-with-Eugene-Lee-e3iheid</link><guid isPermaLink="false">bbf06d79-b3c5-4a20-bd81-c6fc4b434891</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:16:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6e6a19c31423023d25a5e86a68c9728d9cf005c7735239fddc8b20f0166ae599/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4NTY2YzQyOS01NjcxLTRkNDctYWIzOC01NTNlYWNiYTQ2YWYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvODU2NmM0MjktNTY3MS00ZDQ3LWFiMzgtNTUzZWFjYmE0NmFmL2NiNmE2MjZiLWRmOTEtMmJlMC0xMGVhLWNkOTU1YmNkMDUzZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="27489994" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Maik Hofmann sits down with Eugene Lee, Vice President, CMO APAC at CHAGEE, to explore a marketing career shaped by music, emotion and real human connection. From growing up in Malaysia with dreams of becoming a rockstar to leading campaigns for global brands like McDonald’s, Eugene shares how creativity, culture and customer obsession define his approach.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This conversation dives deep into the power of emotional marketing—from a little girl’s reaction to a pink Coke glass to building challenger campaigns that disrupt entire categories. Eugene also reflects on leadership, humility and the art of scaling personal connections in a global business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tune in to find out why the most powerful marketing doesn’t just inform, it creates emotional moments people never forget.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:35:41</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/8566c429-5671-4d47-ab38-553eacba46af/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #178 with Eugene Lee</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #42 with Lisa Steinhauer ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Lisa Steinhauer, Head of Customer Experience and Digitalization at BMW, to explore how digital transformation is reshaping one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. Lisa shares why India is the most exciting market on the horizon, how working across diverse regions—from Chennai to Cape Town—offers a new lens on customer behavior, and what Germans often misunderstand about global markets.</p><p>They dive into the shift from bespoke car buying to digital-first platforms, why platform simplicity is a thrill rather than a constraint, and how BMW is driving transformation as a united team across continents. If you're a German professional looking to build an international career, Lisa’s insights on navigating global complexity with local sensitivity are a must-hear.</p><p>Tune in for an energizing conversation about innovation, culture, and what it really takes to create meaningful customer experiences in a rapidly evolving world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-42-with-Lisa-Steinhauer-e30mqdi</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0c719923-88fe-4fc1-882c-b3697f014088</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:18:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a804f19e55278a0f8e32a23703047ba3ef677c8945fbbfbc630103a7670fd256/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxYjIxYTExMC1kZWVkLTQwY2MtOWE4Zi01ZjE3OGY0MWFkMjgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMWIyMWExMTAtZGVlZC00MGNjLTlhOGYtNWYxNzhmNDFhZDI4L2U1Mjg3MzBjLWY4ZDYtZGM2OC1lNTRhLTNjNzg1MGZiYzc2OS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16463428" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Lisa Steinhauer, Head of Customer Experience and Digitalization at BMW, to explore how digital transformation is reshaping one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. Lisa shares why India is the most exciting market on the horizon, how working across diverse regions—from Chennai to Cape Town—offers a new lens on customer behavior, and what Germans often misunderstand about global markets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into the shift from bespoke car buying to digital-first platforms, why platform simplicity is a thrill rather than a constraint, and how BMW is driving transformation as a united team across continents. If you&apos;re a German professional looking to build an international career, Lisa’s insights on navigating global complexity with local sensitivity are a must-hear.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an energizing conversation about innovation, culture, and what it really takes to create meaningful customer experiences in a rapidly evolving world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:45</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1b21a110-deed-40cc-9a8f-5f178f41ad28/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #42 with Lisa Steinhauer </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #175 with Andrés Ruiz ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Andrés Ruiz, Head of Digital and Consumer Experience Middle East at Pernod Ricard, shares his journey from Colombia to Madrid to Dubai and what it takes to lead digital transformation in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. With nearly 15 years of experience across brands like Nestlé and agency work on global accounts, Andrés unpacks the realities behind “the glamorous side” of marketing—where strategy, sales alignment and consumer insight matter far more than just ads and social posts.</p><p>Andrés also reflects on leadership, the importance of soft skills in a tech-driven world and why curiosity and trust from mentors shaped his career. </p><p>Tune in to get insights on launching disruptive products with global icons to navigating the AI revolution.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-175-with-Andrs-Ruiz-e3i8h0k</link><guid isPermaLink="false">771961b8-3ad6-41c1-ab7d-4885b0316486</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:04:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c59c691ce872448286d482c846baae684ef65a024ac2115784242a90eba07910/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5NjRkZjE2YS00NjI5LTQ3ZmMtYWE5YS05ZGFjMDFjMTU0N2EiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTY0ZGYxNmEtNDYyOS00N2ZjLWFhOWEtOWRhYzAxYzE1NDdhLzhmNzFjZWRkLTFlZDAtMDE4Ni00YzA5LWI1ZmY5Mjg4YWYwMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23372743" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Andrés Ruiz, Head of Digital and Consumer Experience Middle East at Pernod Ricard, shares his journey from Colombia to Madrid to Dubai and what it takes to lead digital transformation in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. With nearly 15 years of experience across brands like Nestlé and agency work on global accounts, Andrés unpacks the realities behind “the glamorous side” of marketing—where strategy, sales alignment and consumer insight matter far more than just ads and social posts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Andrés also reflects on leadership, the importance of soft skills in a tech-driven world and why curiosity and trust from mentors shaped his career. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get insights on launching disruptive products with global icons to navigating the AI revolution.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:44</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/964df16a-4629-47fc-aa9a-9dac01c1547a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #175 with Andrés Ruiz </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #39 with John Constantinou]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with John Constantinou, Head of Brand at Tesco, whose career has spanned some of the most iconic brands—from PlayStation and Electronic Arts to Orange and Tesco. With a passion for customer-centric marketing, John shares his journey from shaping global sponsorship strategies to leading one of the UK’s biggest supermarket brands.</p><p>They discuss the evolution of brand marketing, the power of curiosity in understanding customers, and how AI and personalization are transforming the industry. John also reflects on his time at EA and PlayStation, the lessons he learned from launching global sponsorship deals like the Champions League partnership, and why he made the move from gaming and telecoms to retail.</p><p>Tune in for a deep dive into the future of brand-building, the intersection of data and creativity, and why great marketing always starts with knowing your customer.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-39-with-John-Constantinou-e2vvfp0</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5ac4f7ed-1c52-42c2-99ba-312f4a1e537d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:30:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/464397086b05c730cc1a3bea96c534ff837a2b5b4b34874d7b27dd700f9fcf28/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlYjMzODkwMy1iYjk2LTQwYWMtYjBhMy04NmJkYzk1NTE1MDEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWIzMzg5MDMtYmI5Ni00MGFjLWIwYTMtODZiZGM5NTUxNTAxLzg5YjhlODg0LWY0NjMtMDQ2Ni04MDFiLTRjNDkyM2YzMjM4Ni5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25240492" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with John Constantinou, Head of Brand at Tesco, whose career has spanned some of the most iconic brands—from PlayStation and Electronic Arts to Orange and Tesco. With a passion for customer-centric marketing, John shares his journey from shaping global sponsorship strategies to leading one of the UK’s biggest supermarket brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss the evolution of brand marketing, the power of curiosity in understanding customers, and how AI and personalization are transforming the industry. John also reflects on his time at EA and PlayStation, the lessons he learned from launching global sponsorship deals like the Champions League partnership, and why he made the move from gaming and telecoms to retail.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a deep dive into the future of brand-building, the intersection of data and creativity, and why great marketing always starts with knowing your customer.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:55</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/eb338903-bb96-40ac-b0a3-86bdc9551501/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #39 with John Constantinou</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #32 with Dan Cunningham]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Dan Cunningham, Global Head of Brand Marketing at Berghaus, to discuss reviving iconic brands, navigating the intersection of performance and lifestyle, and the future of creativity in an evolving digital landscape.</p><p>Dan shares his journey from agency roles at Saatchi &amp; Saatchi, Adam&amp;EveDDB, and Dark Horses to leading the brand transformation at Berghaus—a brand with over 50 years of heritage in the outdoor industry. They explore how Berghaus lost relevance over time, the strategic pillars behind its comeback, and why credibility, culture, and inclusivity are central to its resurgence. From redefining outdoor gear for women to collaborating with Liam Gallagher and expanding the Berghaus Adapts initiative, Dan explains how the brand is not just selling gear but shaping outdoor experiences for a broader audience.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation on the power of staying true to brand DNA, the evolving role of marketing beyond advertising, and how AI and digital transformation are redefining creative industries.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-32-with-Dan-Cunningham-e2v05ns</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8e717026-f38e-4b33-9814-89b8c404dc52</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:07:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/be84e58aa3180dd5bcc4ab80038bff56741aa63282bb9e1ce52fb4df982c4130/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0MTFlYzAwYi0xMThlLTQ4MjgtOWUzYy0xYTdhMTJlNDVkYzEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDExZWMwMGItMTE4ZS00ODI4LTllM2MtMWE3YTEyZTQ1ZGMxLzFmZjdhMGFjLWVjOTQtYzE2ZS0wMjIzLWM3Yzc4NDljZmE5Yi5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="50117735" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Dan Cunningham, Global Head of Brand Marketing at Berghaus, to discuss reviving iconic brands, navigating the intersection of performance and lifestyle, and the future of creativity in an evolving digital landscape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dan shares his journey from agency roles at Saatchi &amp;amp; Saatchi, Adam&amp;amp;EveDDB, and Dark Horses to leading the brand transformation at Berghaus—a brand with over 50 years of heritage in the outdoor industry. They explore how Berghaus lost relevance over time, the strategic pillars behind its comeback, and why credibility, culture, and inclusivity are central to its resurgence. From redefining outdoor gear for women to collaborating with Liam Gallagher and expanding the Berghaus Adapts initiative, Dan explains how the brand is not just selling gear but shaping outdoor experiences for a broader audience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation on the power of staying true to brand DNA, the evolving role of marketing beyond advertising, and how AI and digital transformation are redefining creative industries.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:56</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/411ec00b-118e-4828-9e3c-1a7a12e45dc1/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #32 with Dan Cunningham</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #15 with Alina Kessel]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes</em> <em>Excitement Talks</em>, host Gordon welcomes Alina Kessel Global Client Leader at WPP, a seasoned marketing professional and one of his early career mentors. The conversation delves into Alina's journey into the marketing industry, her passion for creativity, and her involvement with various charitable organizations. Alina shares valuable insights on the interconnectedness of her roles, the importance of creativity in business, and offers advice for those considering a career in marketing. This engaging discussion highlights the excitement and fulfillment that comes with a dynamic career in marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-15-with-Alina-Kessel-e2nuenp</link><guid isPermaLink="false">cdaf11d3-75f7-4e01-a4e4-851f16e5c6cf</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 Sep 2024 06:24:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b3461e705325b019aa16ef1ac6e9c662956dda0c169f81f29252a50a5bbbe805/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlYTY2YjM2Ny01ZmU2LTQwZjctYTgzYy0xMjNkNDA4YmI2ZTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWE2NmIzNjctNWZlNi00MGY3LWE4M2MtMTIzZDQwOGJiNmUxLzgyYzQ2MGM5LTQyMjgtYjY5Mi1lZDVmLTc1ZThlMDIxYmFjNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="13883801" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, host Gordon welcomes Alina Kessel Global Client Leader at WPP, a seasoned marketing professional and one of his early career mentors. The conversation delves into Alina&apos;s journey into the marketing industry, her passion for creativity, and her involvement with various charitable organizations. Alina shares valuable insights on the interconnectedness of her roles, the importance of creativity in business, and offers advice for those considering a career in marketing. This engaging discussion highlights the excitement and fulfillment that comes with a dynamic career in marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ea66b367-5fe6-40f7-a83c-123d408bb6e1/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #15 with Alina Kessel</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #13 with Joe Prota]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of the Excitement Talk Series, we are thrilled to welcome Joe Prota, a global brand leader at IBM, to discuss the real-world applications of AI at one of the world's most influential companies. Joe brings invaluable insights into how AI is transforming industries, sharing his experiences of working at the forefront of AI technology. We dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with it. Joe also reflects on the innovative ways AI is being integrated into our daily lives, using the Olympics as a prime example of how technology is revolutionizing the way we consume content. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about the future of AI, this episode is packed with inspiring ideas and practical knowledge. Join us for a fascinating conversation with someone who isn’t just talking about AI but actively shaping its future.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-13-with-Joe-Prota-e2n7ccb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">c800bca5-a2ac-440f-9bc0-41a1ba41b044</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:16:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/90d7da1c45360bd83e4edea595dc56e51b31005bda6b6785dc7b23de47767f2a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2Y2E1MTM2ZC04Y2U0LTQ5ZTItODkxYy02NjFjN2Y5M2U3YzkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNmNhNTEzNmQtOGNlNC00OWUyLTg5MWMtNjYxYzdmOTNlN2M5L2U3YjY0ZTIwLWUwOTktNWJkNC1kNGFmLWJhYzA4NmI0MmFiZi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19248047" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of the Excitement Talk Series, we are thrilled to welcome Joe Prota, a global brand leader at IBM, to discuss the real-world applications of AI at one of the world&apos;s most influential companies. Joe brings invaluable insights into how AI is transforming industries, sharing his experiences of working at the forefront of AI technology. We dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with it. Joe also reflects on the innovative ways AI is being integrated into our daily lives, using the Olympics as a prime example of how technology is revolutionizing the way we consume content. Whether you&apos;re a tech enthusiast or just curious about the future of AI, this episode is packed with inspiring ideas and practical knowledge. Join us for a fascinating conversation with someone who isn’t just talking about AI but actively shaping its future.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:24</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/6ca5136d-8ce4-49e2-891c-661c7f93e7c9/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #13 with Joe Prota</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #19 with Iskra Velichkova]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In Excitement Talks #19, Gordon chats with Iskra Velichkova, Head of Brand at Kleinanzeigen. They explore Iskra's journey from journalism in Bulgaria to her current role, where she led the exciting rebranding of Kleinanzeigen after its separation from eBay. Iskra shares her insights on the evolution of marketing, the unique culture at Kleinanzeigen, and how marketing can drive societal change, using examples like the shift towards sustainability at Burger King. Join them for an engaging conversation on creativity, brand transformation, and the future of marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-19-with-Iskra-Velichkova-e2pckvb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">9d60bcea-743b-4d7b-b474-3fd3b6163710</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 11:54:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/27e8e0af9c5fcb445e41a92e6690c3db2d40a8ca3ecdc36c5b006b58ec3189bc/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5NjVjZjllZi05MDNiLTRmYzItODE4NC03YzRiZDVmMDMzY2IiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTY1Y2Y5ZWYtOTAzYi00ZmMyLTgxODQtN2M0YmQ1ZjAzM2NiLzlmM2YwOTM1LTc3M2EtMWYyOC04MTc4LTk2MWNjMDViYzZmMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25712071" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In Excitement Talks #19, Gordon chats with Iskra Velichkova, Head of Brand at Kleinanzeigen. They explore Iskra&apos;s journey from journalism in Bulgaria to her current role, where she led the exciting rebranding of Kleinanzeigen after its separation from eBay. Iskra shares her insights on the evolution of marketing, the unique culture at Kleinanzeigen, and how marketing can drive societal change, using examples like the shift towards sustainability at Burger King. Join them for an engaging conversation on creativity, brand transformation, and the future of marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:35</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/965cf9ef-903b-4fc2-8184-7c4bd5f033cb/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #19 with Iskra Velichkova</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #205 with Dirk Schuelgen]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon is joined by <strong>Dirk Schuelgen</strong>, <strong>Marketing Expert</strong> and <strong>former Managing Director Marketing International at ALDI Nord</strong>.<br />From helping build Electronic Arts during the gaming boom to leading marketing at Nike and ALDI Nord, Dirk has spent his career embracing new industries, new challenges and new perspectives. He shares why growth comes from stepping into the unknown, why customer obsession beats assumptions, and how the best leaders combine empathy with ambition.</p><p><br /></p><p>Tune in to hear why curiosity, courage and customer obsession have guided one of Europe's most accomplished marketing leaders across some of the world's most iconic brands.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-205-with-Dirk-Schuelgen-e3lfnmv</link><guid isPermaLink="false">fcff6af6-0465-4cd0-8dd1-aa3516a4bff7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:46:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/3b70ecf41b3bef849a61080c46da3a194f45adcdbddb773a566f0f1a4e5d496c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmMjYyZTllYy0zNTEwLTQ2YzgtYjRjZS0xZjI1MjQ2YTg3NTAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjI2MmU5ZWMtMzUxMC00NmM4LWI0Y2UtMWYyNTI0NmE4NzUwLzg1YjkzMjhlLTE4ZDgtZmEwYi01MGEyLTIxYTczMjdiZThkNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18187536" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon is joined by &lt;strong&gt;Dirk Schuelgen&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Marketing Expert&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;former Managing Director Marketing International at ALDI Nord&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;From helping build Electronic Arts during the gaming boom to leading marketing at Nike and ALDI Nord, Dirk has spent his career embracing new industries, new challenges and new perspectives. He shares why growth comes from stepping into the unknown, why customer obsession beats assumptions, and how the best leaders combine empathy with ambition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why curiosity, courage and customer obsession have guided one of Europe&apos;s most accomplished marketing leaders across some of the world&apos;s most iconic brands.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:39</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f262e9ec-3510-46c8-b4ce-1f25246a8750/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #205 with Dirk Schuelgen</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #208 with Steve Greig ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with Steve Greig, SVP Marketing, Communications &amp; PR at Redwood Credit Union. He has built brands across beer, payments, fintech and financial services, from Heineken and Visa to Redwood Credit Union. Steve reflects on navigating career pivots, building global marketing programs, finding great mentors and why AI is making creativity more valuable, not less.</p><p>Tune in to hear why growth and comfort never coexist, how global brands succeed across cultures and why the future of marketing belongs to storytellers who embrace change.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-208-with-Steve-Greig-e3lp5rm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">b6f78ca0-3017-4f41-8b59-282e3ff56f5f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:14:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e84f390b20a03cc4cc5371f9ef6e0c9777b341e7893de9865ad41f149cd73399/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwYmY0MzYyNy04OWY1LTQxYTQtOWRjMS1kMWNkNjk0MmZiOTYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGJmNDM2MjctODlmNS00MWE0LTlkYzEtZDFjZDY5NDJmYjk2L2Q1ZGVmZTNjLWViNGItMWE5Zi01MDA0LWNhNDY0NjBiMDA3Yy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21059288" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with Steve Greig, SVP Marketing, Communications &amp;amp; PR at Redwood Credit Union. He has built brands across beer, payments, fintech and financial services, from Heineken and Visa to Redwood Credit Union. Steve reflects on navigating career pivots, building global marketing programs, finding great mentors and why AI is making creativity more valuable, not less.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why growth and comfort never coexist, how global brands succeed across cultures and why the future of marketing belongs to storytellers who embrace change.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:47</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0bf43627-89f5-41a4-9dc1-d1cd6942fb96/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #208 with Steve Greig </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #203 with Fabio Kadow]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with Fabio Kadow, Global Media Director at Puma. Fabio shares his journey from journalism and Vogue Brazil to leading global media strategy for one of the world's most recognized sports brands.</p><p>The conversation explores the challenge of aligning global campaigns across more than 30 markets, building influence without command-and-control structures and why sports remain one of the most powerful platforms for brands in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.</p><p>Fabio also reflects on his move from Brazil to Puma’s global headquarters, the lessons he learned working with legendary athletes and entrepreneurs, and why authentic human experiences may become even more valuable in an AI-powered world.</p><p>Tune in for a discussion on sports, media, sponsorship, consumer behavior and the delicate balance between digital innovation and authentic human connection.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-203-with-Fabio-Kadow-e3l966t</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ed81f9c7-50ec-429b-9f25-6073ea36765d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:52:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/39442080baec65f246fe78391c83a3a8df989588c0b0874806042853c1948534/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzOGE5MTk3NC02YzQ0LTQ0ZWQtODFhNS0xYjMwNGVjNjg4ODYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzhhOTE5NzQtNmM0NC00NGVkLTgxYTUtMWIzMDRlYzY4ODg2LzRiY2NkYWViLWQxZGUtYjM4Yy1hNTk0LWQ4MDU2ZWMxYmFkMC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20875402" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with Fabio Kadow, Global Media Director at Puma. Fabio shares his journey from journalism and Vogue Brazil to leading global media strategy for one of the world&apos;s most recognized sports brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores the challenge of aligning global campaigns across more than 30 markets, building influence without command-and-control structures and why sports remain one of the most powerful platforms for brands in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Fabio also reflects on his move from Brazil to Puma’s global headquarters, the lessons he learned working with legendary athletes and entrepreneurs, and why authentic human experiences may become even more valuable in an AI-powered world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a discussion on sports, media, sponsorship, consumer behavior and the delicate balance between digital innovation and authentic human connection.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:36</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/38a91974-6c44-44ed-81a5-1b304ec68886/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #203 with Fabio Kadow</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #214 with Vera Cvetkovic]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler talks with <strong>Vera Cvetkovic</strong>, <strong>Head of Marketing Business Operations &amp; Analytics at Canada Post</strong>. With a career spanning engineering, marketing technology, global consulting, and enterprise transformation, Vera shares how she navigated decades of technological change from the early days of email marketing and Google's acquisition of DoubleClick to leading AI adoption and digital modernization today. The conversation explores balancing innovation with business value, the importance of mentorship, career resilience, and why success is built through curiosity, patience and purpose rather than shortcuts.</p><p>Tune in to hear why lasting careers are built one opportunity at a time and how staying true to your values matter more than chasing the latest technology.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-214-with-Vera-Cvetkovic-e3mbkbs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">50abd528-fa14-462e-9507-d4ab87bb9e07</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:13:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8754aa3ed71f4ad12dba79489dfad950e5f38614b9c388a03547cf9a00b9dad3/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyNjdmZGZiMS1mZDA3LTQ1OTctYmE0YS0zYTA1ZGM2MzcyZmEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjY3ZmRmYjEtZmQwNy00NTk3LWJhNGEtM2EwNWRjNjM3MmZhLzE5NzhkZTUyLTNmNTYtMTk0Yi1hM2M2LWVjOTk2YTFhODIyNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19920715" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler talks with &lt;strong&gt;Vera Cvetkovic&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Head of Marketing Business Operations &amp;amp; Analytics at Canada Post&lt;/strong&gt;. With a career spanning engineering, marketing technology, global consulting, and enterprise transformation, Vera shares how she navigated decades of technological change from the early days of email marketing and Google&apos;s acquisition of DoubleClick to leading AI adoption and digital modernization today. The conversation explores balancing innovation with business value, the importance of mentorship, career resilience, and why success is built through curiosity, patience and purpose rather than shortcuts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why lasting careers are built one opportunity at a time and how staying true to your values matter more than chasing the latest technology.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:50</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/267fdfb1-fd07-4597-ba4a-3a05dc6372fa/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #214 with Vera Cvetkovic</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #219 with Jessika Link]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>What happens when a career that starts with chemical engineering takes an unexpected turn into finance, sports, beauty, digital transformation and leadership?</em></p><p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with <strong>Jessika Link</strong>, Marketing Executive &amp; <strong>former Head of Marketing and Digital Channel Germany at Avon</strong>, who shares her journey that took her from studying chemical and biological engineering to joining PUMA through a chance conversation over coffee and cake and eventually spending almost nine years at Avon, rising from intern to Head of Marketing and Digital Channel Germany.</p><p>Jessika talks about why she was drawn to the beauty industry, how she built a career by embracing opportunities before she had all the answers and what she learned from leading teams and transformation across markets.<br />Looking ahead, she explores what excites her most about AI, agentic commerce and the future of marketing and why, despite all the technology, the human factor will matter more than ever.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about embracing the unknown and building your career through bold moves.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-219-with-Jessika-Link-e3n8lkn</link><guid isPermaLink="false">fe78ed7f-88d2-49a5-88b2-21dffdb61bd8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:55:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/292eeb402ff5a3bf591c122c1e2a61f1dc5463a4de7c772b499855f84b80c635/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiOWEzNzFkZi1kN2QxLTRhYTUtOTdkNS00YjM4MjQ0NzBlZjUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjlhMzcxZGYtZDdkMS00YWE1LTk3ZDUtNGIzODI0NDcwZWY1L2RkM2I0MzI5LTljMjQtMDMzYy01NTM2LWIxZmM0ODhmZjUxMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="14386328" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;What happens when a career that starts with chemical engineering takes an unexpected turn into finance, sports, beauty, digital transformation and leadership?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Jessika Link&lt;/strong&gt;, Marketing Executive &amp;amp; &lt;strong&gt;former Head of Marketing and Digital Channel Germany at Avon&lt;/strong&gt;, who shares her journey that took her from studying chemical and biological engineering to joining PUMA through a chance conversation over coffee and cake and eventually spending almost nine years at Avon, rising from intern to Head of Marketing and Digital Channel Germany.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jessika talks about why she was drawn to the beauty industry, how she built a career by embracing opportunities before she had all the answers and what she learned from leading teams and transformation across markets.&lt;br /&gt;Looking ahead, she explores what excites her most about AI, agentic commerce and the future of marketing and why, despite all the technology, the human factor will matter more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about embracing the unknown and building your career through bold moves.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:40</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b9a371df-d7d1-4aa5-97d5-4b3824470ef5/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #219 with Jessika Link</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #26 with Dave Cobban]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Dave Cobban, former General Manager of the Nike Adventure Club and now a partner at Spikes in the U.S. Dave reflects on his remarkable journey from working as an auditor at KPMG to a leadership role at Nike, where he spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in sustainability, marketing, and entrepreneurship.</p>
<p>They dive into Dave’s transition from marketing to building innovative subscription services, his passion for blending logic and creativity, and how he helped create a culture of innovation at Nike. Along the way, Dave shares fascinating insights into consumer behavior, the future of loyalty-driven businesses, and the power of small acts of generosity in building meaningful relationships.</p>
<p>Tune in to hear Dave’s thoughts on the evolving relationship between technology and humanity, why asking the right questions matters, and what excites him most about the future of marketing and innovation.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-26-with-Dave-Cobban-e2te3vf</link><guid isPermaLink="false">2b5e9a2a-5c87-4daa-8257-d8c2681b7380</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 18:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5089744adfda03a14d904b109b67b7b1a792e4cc56fd36478d18ca2a1d511d65/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3ZDU4MGQ3NS1iZjhiLTQyNjYtYjNjZS04YmU5YzczNTcxNWIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvN2Q1ODBkNzUtYmY4Yi00MjY2LWIzY2UtOGJlOWM3MzU3MTViL2M4MmZmOTk0LTEwMzQtZTRjMy0xMmI2LWRlM2Y0ZDFjMjk5MC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25012664" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Dave Cobban, former General Manager of the Nike Adventure Club and now a partner at Spikes in the U.S. Dave reflects on his remarkable journey from working as an auditor at KPMG to a leadership role at Nike, where he spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in sustainability, marketing, and entrepreneurship.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They dive into Dave’s transition from marketing to building innovative subscription services, his passion for blending logic and creativity, and how he helped create a culture of innovation at Nike. Along the way, Dave shares fascinating insights into consumer behavior, the future of loyalty-driven businesses, and the power of small acts of generosity in building meaningful relationships.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear Dave’s thoughts on the evolving relationship between technology and humanity, why asking the right questions matters, and what excites him most about the future of marketing and innovation.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:30</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/7d580d75-bf8b-4266-b3ce-8be9c735715b/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #26 with Dave Cobban</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #99 with Gianluca Toccafondi ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Gianluca Toccafondi, a self-proclaimed IKEA “lifer” and current Head of Global Marketing at Inter IKEA Systems, to explore how purpose, passion and people come together to create not just a career—but a calling. The question is what keeps someone excited about work after 20+ years at the same company?</p><p>From his early days in Tuscany to leading marketing on a global stage, Gianluca shares why marketing is still a science in a world of AI and disruption, how values can fuel long-term engagement, what it means to “do marketing without saying we’re doing marketing”.</p><p>Tune in for a episode about sustained excitement, human leadership and staying curious.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-99-with-Gianluca-Toccafondi-e37ms4p</link><guid isPermaLink="false">dfa84bfa-f1bd-45a8-b4cb-32b0a88faf0b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:37:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/62aeba4dac8a00ea5f37755003f088146b7e357ae74164129bb03047aea84573/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3MjVlODZmZS05ODBmLTQzZDctYjhjMS02ZTRlZTMzYjFhYWQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNzI1ZTg2ZmUtOTgwZi00M2Q3LWI4YzEtNmU0ZWUzM2IxYWFkL2Y0ZjNlMjM0LTM0YzctODliNS03NzQyLWQ3NzFlOWEzYzMzNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18604608" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Gianluca Toccafondi, a self-proclaimed IKEA “lifer” and current Head of Global Marketing at Inter IKEA Systems, to explore how purpose, passion and people come together to create not just a career—but a calling. The question is what keeps someone excited about work after 20+ years at the same company?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his early days in Tuscany to leading marketing on a global stage, Gianluca shares why marketing is still a science in a world of AI and disruption, how values can fuel long-term engagement, what it means to “do marketing without saying we’re doing marketing”.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a episode about sustained excitement, human leadership and staying curious.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:28</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/725e86fe-980f-43d7-b8c1-6e4ee33b1aad/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #99 with Gianluca Toccafondi </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #75 with Shubhranshu Singh]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this special episode, Gordon is joined by one of India’s most respected marketing leaders, <strong>Shubhranshu Singh</strong>, Chief Marketing Officer at <strong>Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles</strong> and recognized among <strong>Forbes' Top 50 CMOs</strong>.</p><p>Together, they explore the <strong>unique dynamics of the Indian market</strong>, from its rapid digital transformation and explosive growth in e-commerce to the deep cultural nuances that shape consumer behavior. Shubhranshu shares how Tata is leading the way by combining <strong>digital innovation, influencer ecosystems and local insights</strong> to engage India’s vast and diverse customer base, from rural villages to urban centers.</p><p>They also discuss how <strong>brands in India are evolving beyond products</strong> to become cultural symbols of trust, aspiration and participation in a fast-changing society and why curiosity and adaptability are the future superpowers of marketers.</p><p>Tune in for insights on how marketing, technology and culture intersect in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-75-with-Shubhranshu-Singh-e35j2tn</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ae4c40f5-a4b2-46e3-8946-261db1d23246</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 12:55:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ef9fa74e4181f8a0e3152525ca50eb03e704311e91fcd43eb01747cb0dfa5452/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhOWExZTUyMy02NjViLTRjOTUtOTJlNy1iNmVlMTgzMDQwYjIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTlhMWU1MjMtNjY1Yi00Yzk1LTkyZTctYjZlZTE4MzA0MGIyLzYyNmMxNTIwLTE2N2EtMzJiOC0zZTRkLTQ3Mjc3OTY3MGRkNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21027372" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this special episode, Gordon is joined by one of India’s most respected marketing leaders, &lt;strong&gt;Shubhranshu Singh&lt;/strong&gt;, Chief Marketing Officer at &lt;strong&gt;Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles&lt;/strong&gt; and recognized among &lt;strong&gt;Forbes&apos; Top 50 CMOs&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, they explore the &lt;strong&gt;unique dynamics of the Indian market&lt;/strong&gt;, from its rapid digital transformation and explosive growth in e-commerce to the deep cultural nuances that shape consumer behavior. Shubhranshu shares how Tata is leading the way by combining &lt;strong&gt;digital innovation, influencer ecosystems and local insights&lt;/strong&gt; to engage India’s vast and diverse customer base, from rural villages to urban centers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also discuss how &lt;strong&gt;brands in India are evolving beyond products&lt;/strong&gt; to become cultural symbols of trust, aspiration and participation in a fast-changing society and why curiosity and adaptability are the future superpowers of marketers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on how marketing, technology and culture intersect in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:23</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a9a1e523-665b-4c95-92e7-b6ee183040b2/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #75 with Shubhranshu Singh</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #211 with Derek Zoeger]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>What does it take to build an iconic brand in a market where it's still just getting started? </strong></p><p>In this episode, Gordon is joined by <strong>Derek Zoeger, Head of Customer Marketing, Continental Europe at The Hershey Company</strong>. He shares his journey from Peru to Germany, why a career in sales changed his perspective forever and what it's like to combine the agility of a startup with the backing of one of the world's most recognized confectionery companies. </p><p>Tune in for a conversation about people, leadership, cultural curiosity and the excitement of building something that lasts.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-211-with-Derek-Zoeger-e3m11on</link><guid isPermaLink="false">9c7aa4ad-624d-4fb7-9d7e-69d1b0294ca5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:59:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b228980e9d4bd4f2f8d648297dc42fcdfba8fc0bd98d8e9a6e00d167a430844a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2NDQ4M2ZiMi0xNjZkLTQyNmItYWQwNi1iNDhkNmQwOTQ4MGYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNjQ0ODNmYjItMTY2ZC00MjZiLWFkMDYtYjQ4ZDZkMDk0ODBmL2NlN2ZlZDE2LTQ1YzEtNzE3YS1lNzc1LTU1MmJjMWM2MzExNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21177415" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What does it take to build an iconic brand in a market where it&apos;s still just getting started? &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon is joined by &lt;strong&gt;Derek Zoeger, Head of Customer Marketing, Continental Europe at The Hershey Company&lt;/strong&gt;. He shares his journey from Peru to Germany, why a career in sales changed his perspective forever and what it&apos;s like to combine the agility of a startup with the backing of one of the world&apos;s most recognized confectionery companies. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about people, leadership, cultural curiosity and the excitement of building something that lasts.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:58</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/64483fb2-166d-426b-ad06-b48d6d09480f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #211 with Derek Zoeger</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #116 with Nicola Villa ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Excitement Talk</em>, Gordon Euchler sits down with Nicola Villa, Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth at Mastercard, to explore the intersections of technology, public<strong> </strong>policy, and economic transformation across three decades of innovation.</p><p>From his beginnings in industrial economics to his early days at Cisco’s European call center, Nicola shares an extraordinary career journey that took him from pioneering B2B e-commerce to global smart city initiatives, and now to AI-driven public sector solutions at Mastercard. Nicola shares why trust, not tech, is the real driver of innovation, how a tiny Finnish city near the Arctic Circle became a global reference point for innovation, the critical role of language and cultural translation between sectors, why copy-pasting Silicon Valley doesn’t work—and what to do instead. Moreover the four pillars Nicola believes every successful public-private partnership needs: leadership, governance, competencies, and technology.</p><p>Tune in to find out how to create real societal change at scale and get insights about the future of global innovation.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-116-with-Nicola-Villa-e39tltj</link><guid isPermaLink="false">e346d464-8ac3-4a54-b050-d5d414a7f91b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:34:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/efd0cc04c3023e58f5d2e6f8fab5bcf06f0dd08c03f52cb7463301a3a51bbf7c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0MWY1YWEwYS0yOTA1LTQ0NWQtODg4OS1lZTk2ZGQyNmI3ODYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDFmNWFhMGEtMjkwNS00NDVkLTg4ODktZWU5NmRkMjZiNzg2LzNmNjRhMThjLWVhN2UtODczNS1hNDVlLTFlMGU5YTNmZGY1Yi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="31801265" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talk&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon Euchler sits down with Nicola Villa, Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth at Mastercard, to explore the intersections of technology, public&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;policy, and economic transformation across three decades of innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his beginnings in industrial economics to his early days at Cisco’s European call center, Nicola shares an extraordinary career journey that took him from pioneering B2B e-commerce to global smart city initiatives, and now to AI-driven public sector solutions at Mastercard. Nicola shares why trust, not tech, is the real driver of innovation, how a tiny Finnish city near the Arctic Circle became a global reference point for innovation, the critical role of language and cultural translation between sectors, why copy-pasting Silicon Valley doesn’t work—and what to do instead. Moreover the four pillars Nicola believes every successful public-private partnership needs: leadership, governance, competencies, and technology.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out how to create real societal change at scale and get insights about the future of global innovation.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:42:26</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/41f5aa0a-2905-445d-8889-ee96dd26b786/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #116 with Nicola Villa </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #112 with Pete Markey ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Sandra sits down with Pete Markey—renowned marketing leader and former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots—for a deep dive into what truly excites him about the industry, and the lessons he's picked up along his hjourney. <br />Pete shares the origin of his love for marketing, from childhood inspiration watching <em>Star Wars</em> to building bold, award-winning campaigns like <em>More Than Freeman</em>. He reflects on the emotional power of storytelling in brand-building, how to create truly customer-centric experiences, and why authenticity is non-negotiable in today’s landscape.</p><p>We also hear his thoughts on what financial services get wrong and how to fix it, Leading through inspiration, not control, why AI is now his personal assistant and how it’s reshaping marketing and the importance of getting out of your team’s way.</p><p>Tune in now to hear why Pete believes there's never been a more exciting time to be in the industry.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-112-with-Pete-Markey-e39bsar</link><guid isPermaLink="false">360ef7c0-30fe-4124-bbf8-535eab0d436f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:07:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/aa263e7ae84ad4eb33b3feabe0015a66ae885975d8adee385f7409a43e45d825/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhMzBmYWQxYS1mNzk0LTQwZjAtOWM4NC1mMWEwYTliYmEwMzIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTMwZmFkMWEtZjc5NC00MGYwLTljODQtZjFhMGE5YmJhMDMyLzQwOTAyMjk1MS00NDEwMC0yLTA3OTJlZGM5NzU2Y2MubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="18663829" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Sandra sits down with Pete Markey—renowned marketing leader and former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots—for a deep dive into what truly excites him about the industry, and the lessons he&apos;s picked up along his hjourney. &lt;br /&gt;Pete shares the origin of his love for marketing, from childhood inspiration watching &lt;em&gt;Star Wars&lt;/em&gt; to building bold, award-winning campaigns like &lt;em&gt;More Than Freeman&lt;/em&gt;. He reflects on the emotional power of storytelling in brand-building, how to create truly customer-centric experiences, and why authenticity is non-negotiable in today’s landscape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also hear his thoughts on what financial services get wrong and how to fix it, Leading through inspiration, not control, why AI is now his personal assistant and how it’s reshaping marketing and the importance of getting out of your team’s way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in now to hear why Pete believes there&apos;s never been a more exciting time to be in the industry.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:19:13</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a30fad1a-f794-40f0-9c84-f1a0a9bba032/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #112 with Pete Markey </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #115 with Catherine Niebuhr ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Moritz Wehr sits down with Catherine Niebuhr, CMO NIVEA for Germany &amp; Switzerland at Beiersdorf.Catherine shares her unique career journey — a rare example in today's marketing world of someone who has spent 23 years with a single company. She opens up about what’s kept her energized at Beiersdorf for over two decades: constant opportunities for growth, a flexible and inclusive work culture, and a deep personal connection to both the brand and the people she works with.</p><p>Together, Moritz and Catherine explore the dynamics of job-sharing in executive roles, lessons from working under strong female leadership and the evolution of NIVEA and marketing in a fast-changing digital-first world. Moreover how traditional brands can stay relevant amid rising influencer and personality-led beauty brands and why culture, flexibility, and purpose-driven branding matter more than ever.</p><p>Tune in for insights about making career choices with heart, adapting to change, and building a sustainable, meaningful path in leadership.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-115-with-Catherine-Niebuhr-e39tlpa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">103e46aa-c952-4005-a48a-d94694200c0c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 20:31:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2c48b0ea8e0e063060d91bd419f149732723710bbfc984e3fd1ea71821476da2/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjMmJkODhmNi1hZDhhLTRhYTQtOWEzZC03MGJlNGQwMzY4NjgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzJiZDg4ZjYtYWQ4YS00YWE0LTlhM2QtNzBiZTRkMDM2ODY4LzQ3YjAwMDNjLWY2ZGMtMWNlYy04ZmUwLTY3MDc5YzM0OTMwMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="14119081" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Moritz Wehr sits down with Catherine Niebuhr, CMO NIVEA for Germany &amp;amp; Switzerland at Beiersdorf.Catherine shares her unique career journey — a rare example in today&apos;s marketing world of someone who has spent 23 years with a single company. She opens up about what’s kept her energized at Beiersdorf for over two decades: constant opportunities for growth, a flexible and inclusive work culture, and a deep personal connection to both the brand and the people she works with.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, Moritz and Catherine explore the dynamics of job-sharing in executive roles, lessons from working under strong female leadership and the evolution of NIVEA and marketing in a fast-changing digital-first world. Moreover how traditional brands can stay relevant amid rising influencer and personality-led beauty brands and why culture, flexibility, and purpose-driven branding matter more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights about making career choices with heart, adapting to change, and building a sustainable, meaningful path in leadership.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:08</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c2bd88f6-ad8a-4aa4-9a3d-70be4d036868/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #115 with Catherine Niebuhr </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #125 with Matteo Giarrizzo ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Matteo Giarrizzo, Head of Media &amp; Digital at Opella (Sanofi), about his journey from media agencies to major global brands like Samsung, Vodafone, L’Oréal, and Henkel—leading up to his current role in the fast-evolving consumer health sector.</p><p>Matteo shares how media has always been the engine of change, why FMCG mindsets are reshaping healthcare, and how AI is transforming the relationship between content, audiences, and brands. He reflects on global transformation projects, the mentors who pushed him beyond his comfort zone, and why the future of marketing is exciting precisely because it’s unpredictable.</p><p>Tune in for a concise conversation about change, curiosity, and building the future of media.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-125-with-Matteo-Giarrizzo-e3bkpi7</link><guid isPermaLink="false">17e7053d-34f5-48ab-bdbe-98f82bfc9494</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 29 Nov 2025 13:04:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/826426f90b826e32c2bf8266930c5a11294087a521b4403e7b3921efe04e8a33/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjMGEyODZhOC1kMzFkLTQ5ZjUtYTdlNi1mMjkzZDQ4ZGJlYzYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzBhMjg2YTgtZDMxZC00OWY1LWE3ZTYtZjI5M2Q0OGRiZWM2LzlmMDczM2YzLTVmNTEtNzQ2MC04ODM0LTg5NjQzMGE0ZjU0NS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15454363" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Matteo Giarrizzo, Head of Media &amp;amp; Digital at Opella (Sanofi), about his journey from media agencies to major global brands like Samsung, Vodafone, L’Oréal, and Henkel—leading up to his current role in the fast-evolving consumer health sector.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Matteo shares how media has always been the engine of change, why FMCG mindsets are reshaping healthcare, and how AI is transforming the relationship between content, audiences, and brands. He reflects on global transformation projects, the mentors who pushed him beyond his comfort zone, and why the future of marketing is exciting precisely because it’s unpredictable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a concise conversation about change, curiosity, and building the future of media.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:06</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c0a286a8-d31d-49f5-a7e6-f293d48dbec6/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #125 with Matteo Giarrizzo </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #95 with Matthias Hanschke ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Matthias Hanschke, the Global Head of Marketing Transformation at Henkel and Advisory CMO at Spotify. Together, they dive deep into the rapid evolution of the FMCG sector and explore the challenges and opportunities in marketing, particularly as AI and new technologies reshape the landscape.</p><p>Matthias shares his unique insights on balancing visionary strategies with practical execution in a world that’s evolving faster than ever. From navigating the complexities of brand transformation to fostering a culture of innovation and embracing failure, they unpack the key decisions that shape successful businesses today.</p><p>Plus, they discuss the power of collaboration, the importance of learning from others and the evolving role of leadership in guiding brands through periods of change. </p><p>Tune in for an honest talk about marketing evolution, strategic decision-making and the future of global brands.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-95-with-Matthias-Hanschke-e37bg0d</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ec15fcde-5eba-4fb6-8fe3-17ceb456d7a9</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:42:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f128f0e1e6926a1952843967405b5eddc46f682b304a4e5940fc2d5f7e1e8c73/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjMzhlOTNmNy0wNzY0LTRkNzQtYWE2Yi0wODgxOTRhYzdjMmQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzM4ZTkzZjctMDc2NC00ZDc0LWFhNmItMDg4MTk0YWM3YzJkL2JmYmJkZTdhLTlkYmItYWQzZC05MTNjLTJlMWE3MmU5NGY2OC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21270317" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Matthias Hanschke, the Global Head of Marketing Transformation at Henkel and Advisory CMO at Spotify. Together, they dive deep into the rapid evolution of the FMCG sector and explore the challenges and opportunities in marketing, particularly as AI and new technologies reshape the landscape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Matthias shares his unique insights on balancing visionary strategies with practical execution in a world that’s evolving faster than ever. From navigating the complexities of brand transformation to fostering a culture of innovation and embracing failure, they unpack the key decisions that shape successful businesses today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus, they discuss the power of collaboration, the importance of learning from others and the evolving role of leadership in guiding brands through periods of change. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an honest talk about marketing evolution, strategic decision-making and the future of global brands.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:13</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c38e93f7-0764-4d74-aa6b-088194ac7c2d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #95 with Matthias Hanschke </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #103 with Anna Hale]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with Anna Hale, Chief Marketing Officer at Karo Healthcare, to explore her "excitement journey" through the world of brand building, transformation and purposeful marketing.</p><p>From early beginnings at Reckitt to a 15-year career with GSK (now Haleon), Anna shares the pivotal moments that shaped her marketing philosophy—balancing emotional resonance with functional efficacy.  Now at Karo Healthcare, Anna discusses how the company is redefining modern brand-building in consumer health, from digitally-led strategies to AI-enhanced content creation. She talks about competing with scale by being smarter—not louder—and how Karo is helping people take ownership of their health in areas like women’s intimate care and eczema treatment.</p><p>The conversation explores how to build performance through people, the emotional power of “low involvement” brands, why purpose in consumer health is not optional—it's inherent and of course the evolving role of AI in marketing, from insight to execution.</p><p>Tune in and get excited about the future of healthcare marketing and much more. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-103-with-Anna-Hale-e38bet6</link><guid isPermaLink="false">bec53aed-e1e6-4fe1-a63a-5ffb9e92d76c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:03:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/bb3e42e02bd0d1d8249fe97323580c5581ab8e4f750f466d78b6bac424dcf865/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMjIyZTg3My0xZDJiLTQ0M2ItYjVhOS1hYTY4MjA5YmFlMTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDIyMmU4NzMtMWQyYi00NDNiLWI1YTktYWE2ODIwOWJhZTExLzQwNzY0NTAzMy00NDEwMC0yLTZmZDU0NTNlNWYwMzUubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="19068335" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Sandra Peat sits down with Anna Hale, Chief Marketing Officer at Karo Healthcare, to explore her &quot;excitement journey&quot; through the world of brand building, transformation and purposeful marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From early beginnings at Reckitt to a 15-year career with GSK (now Haleon), Anna shares the pivotal moments that shaped her marketing philosophy—balancing emotional resonance with functional efficacy.  Now at Karo Healthcare, Anna discusses how the company is redefining modern brand-building in consumer health, from digitally-led strategies to AI-enhanced content creation. She talks about competing with scale by being smarter—not louder—and how Karo is helping people take ownership of their health in areas like women’s intimate care and eczema treatment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores how to build performance through people, the emotional power of “low involvement” brands, why purpose in consumer health is not optional—it&apos;s inherent and of course the evolving role of AI in marketing, from insight to execution.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in and get excited about the future of healthcare marketing and much more. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:19:38</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0222e873-1d2b-443b-b5a9-aa68209bae11/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #103 with Anna Hale</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #92 with Antoine Genot]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Antoine Genot</strong>, whose career spans Nestlé, Procter &amp; Gamble, BCG and now <strong>Pernod Ricard</strong>, where he leads global marketing performance.  Antoine shares how marketing has evolved from the classic <em>4Ps</em> to a fast-paced, data-driven, AI-empowered discipline.</p><p>The conversation explores how to do more with less, why collaboration across creatives, data scientists and tech experts is the new core skill of marketing and how AI unlocks both the <em>art and science</em> of marketing.</p><p>Antoine also shares the strategic brand choices he admires—from Jameson’s consistent storytelling to Lego’s licensing pivot and Red Bull’s discipline in SKU strategy. He reflects on the future of marketing leadership, where agility, humility and critical judgment matter as much as innovation.</p><p>Tune in for a  clear-eyed look at what it takes to win in modern marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-92-with-Antoine-Genot-e371rnp</link><guid isPermaLink="false">e6cdbc72-cd09-4d64-b6e1-1fc498c239f8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:25:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a1245c4755e1ff95fea0bd33996159fd95a23b15231dca7dc48b77bdd5ed529b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiMjQ5YzU4NS1kZTM5LTQyZTEtODNiMS02ZTE4YTU5ZGViY2MiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjI0OWM1ODUtZGUzOS00MmUxLTgzYjEtNmUxOGE1OWRlYmNjLzU3MjVmMzU1LTE1YmUtY2QyZS0xNTRlLWM5OWE5NzY0MTEwNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21487903" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Antoine Genot&lt;/strong&gt;, whose career spans Nestlé, Procter &amp;amp; Gamble, BCG and now &lt;strong&gt;Pernod Ricard&lt;/strong&gt;, where he leads global marketing performance.  Antoine shares how marketing has evolved from the classic &lt;em&gt;4Ps&lt;/em&gt; to a fast-paced, data-driven, AI-empowered discipline.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores how to do more with less, why collaboration across creatives, data scientists and tech experts is the new core skill of marketing and how AI unlocks both the &lt;em&gt;art and science&lt;/em&gt; of marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Antoine also shares the strategic brand choices he admires—from Jameson’s consistent storytelling to Lego’s licensing pivot and Red Bull’s discipline in SKU strategy. He reflects on the future of marketing leadership, where agility, humility and critical judgment matter as much as innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a  clear-eyed look at what it takes to win in modern marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:59</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b249c585-de39-42e1-83b1-6e18a59debcc/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #92 with Antoine Genot</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #90 with Martin Doens]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Martin Doens</strong>, Global Director of Digital Experiences (Europe) at Mondelēz International, to explore the sweet spot where heritage brands meet cutting-edge technology. <br />The conversation explores Martin’s global career journey—from Accenture in Amsterdam, Melbourne, and Silicon Valley to leadership roles at Heineken, ECCO Shoes, JDE Peet’s, and now Mondelēz. He shares how a background in telecom and high tech shaped his approach to FMCG digital transformation, why empathy at scale matters and how data-driven campaigns can deepen brand love.</p><p>Along the way, Martin reflects on brands he admires, the importance of staying true to heritage while embracing innovation and what keeps him excited about the road ahead—whether it’s chocolate, quantum computing or the next big disruption.</p><p>Tune in if you’ve ever wondered how global consumer brands blend tradition with tech, or how to lead change across cultures and industries.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-90-with-Martin-Doens-e36p0rs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">47194694-0470-455c-be2f-ab9e0aac592a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:07:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6b7828b7fc1881d42e2dee81189977aba1aee92f066bc6ee10ea0f2ce2d927f4/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMGY4MTcxOC0wYjA1LTRlMjQtODlhOS0yZTMwOTMwNTI5NmEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDBmODE3MTgtMGIwNS00ZTI0LTg5YTktMmUzMDkzMDUyOTZhLzUxNmM3ODhiLWY4OTgtMmY5Yi1lYmQxLWZiMmNmOTczMjlhNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18279794" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Martin Doens&lt;/strong&gt;, Global Director of Digital Experiences (Europe) at Mondelēz International, to explore the sweet spot where heritage brands meet cutting-edge technology. &lt;br /&gt;The conversation explores Martin’s global career journey—from Accenture in Amsterdam, Melbourne, and Silicon Valley to leadership roles at Heineken, ECCO Shoes, JDE Peet’s, and now Mondelēz. He shares how a background in telecom and high tech shaped his approach to FMCG digital transformation, why empathy at scale matters and how data-driven campaigns can deepen brand love.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Along the way, Martin reflects on brands he admires, the importance of staying true to heritage while embracing innovation and what keeps him excited about the road ahead—whether it’s chocolate, quantum computing or the next big disruption.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you’ve ever wondered how global consumer brands blend tradition with tech, or how to lead change across cultures and industries.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:38</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/00f81718-0b05-4e24-89a9-2e309305296a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #90 with Martin Doens</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #45 with Luke Forshaw]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Luke Forshaw, Head of Brand Marketing UK at Back Market. </p><p>Luke shares his journey through the world of marketing, from early aspirations of becoming a writer to working with some of the most iconic brands, including Apple, Beats, and Universal Music.</p><p>They explore the evolution of consumer behavior—how buying second-hand went from niche to mainstream, and how refurbished tech strikes the perfect balance between affordability, sustainability, and quality assurance. Moreover Luke reflects on his time working with Apple, a brand that redefined innovation and marketing, and how his current role at Back Market is about challenging the status quo in a positive way.</p><p>Furthermore they are discussing the future of marketing, the role of creativity in an industry often driven by data, and why brands need to foster genuine connections with their audiences in an increasingly cluttered digital world. </p><p>Tune in for an insightful conversation about sustainability, branding, and the ever-changing landscape of consumer expectations.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-45-with-Luke-Forshaw-e3129mg</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3e851772-ff98-4ad7-b7a4-0d948bd9f2f5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:37:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/25057fc4f52a81015df08af50811c5fb45cd09666b55e3704ed1396e8dab717e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3MzA0M2MyOC0wZmJlLTQyMDgtYjBkMC1iNDljYzVmOTIyM2EiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNzMwNDNjMjgtMGZiZS00MjA4LWIwZDAtYjQ5Y2M1ZjkyMjNhLzgzNjM2MmFlLWIwNTktMTRkNy1iYjI5LWI1ODc2OGQ1MDU1OC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19761564" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Luke Forshaw, Head of Brand Marketing UK at Back Market. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Luke shares his journey through the world of marketing, from early aspirations of becoming a writer to working with some of the most iconic brands, including Apple, Beats, and Universal Music.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore the evolution of consumer behavior—how buying second-hand went from niche to mainstream, and how refurbished tech strikes the perfect balance between affordability, sustainability, and quality assurance. Moreover Luke reflects on his time working with Apple, a brand that redefined innovation and marketing, and how his current role at Back Market is about challenging the status quo in a positive way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Furthermore they are discussing the future of marketing, the role of creativity in an industry often driven by data, and why brands need to foster genuine connections with their audiences in an increasingly cluttered digital world. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an insightful conversation about sustainability, branding, and the ever-changing landscape of consumer expectations.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:25</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/73043c28-0fbe-4208-b0d0-b49cc5f9223a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #45 with Luke Forshaw</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #108 with David Beer]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with David Beer, Director of EMEA Sales at MasterCard, to explore the future of subscription management, financial transparency, and the power of purpose-led innovation in fintech.</p><p>From his roots in New Zealand and a career that spans engineering, startups, The Guardian, NatWest, and now MasterCard, David shares a refreshingly human perspective on how technology can make financial services more intuitive, inclusive, and aligned with people’s values.</p><p>They discuss the rise of subscriptions and how banks can help manage them better and MasterCard’s evolving role beyond payments. </p><p>Moreover David’s lessons from launching products across the world, why purpose isn’t just PR — it has to be in a company’s DNA and the future of hyper-personalized financial experiences.</p><p>Listen in for an interesting point of view of fintech and purpose-driven business.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-108-with-David-Beer-e38lkok</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ce6c0ae8-83df-4c3d-87f1-2583b8bc4fc1</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:49:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4f9a10dbadcdf0902b308423843bc3914109b9cc40c6fb779c946429a76435bf/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiZDZmNjQzZS1kNzU5LTRhNTctYTdiMy1kNjU2OGRiYzI2MTQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYmQ2ZjY0M2UtZDc1OS00YTU3LWE3YjMtZDY1NjhkYmMyNjE0LzlhZTAyZTM4LTY4ZmItNmJjNy1hMWVjLWUyMTQyYzRhMDQ5Ny5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20046900" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with David Beer, Director of EMEA Sales at MasterCard, to explore the future of subscription management, financial transparency, and the power of purpose-led innovation in fintech.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his roots in New Zealand and a career that spans engineering, startups, The Guardian, NatWest, and now MasterCard, David shares a refreshingly human perspective on how technology can make financial services more intuitive, inclusive, and aligned with people’s values.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss the rise of subscriptions and how banks can help manage them better and MasterCard’s evolving role beyond payments. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Moreover David’s lessons from launching products across the world, why purpose isn’t just PR — it has to be in a company’s DNA and the future of hyper-personalized financial experiences.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen in for an interesting point of view of fintech and purpose-driven business.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:12</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/bd6f643e-d759-4a57-a7b3-d6568dbc2614/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #108 with David Beer</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #201 with Jakob Edman ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode Gordon sits down with Jakob Edman, Head of Brand at WASA, part of the Barilla Group. From producing shows at MTV to shaping global brands at Red Bull, agencies and now WASA, Jakob shares a refreshingly honest view on career twists, creativity and modern marketing.</p><p>They discuss why storytelling remains at the heart of great brands, what it takes to make a 100-year-old crispbread brand relevant for Gen Z and why the best marketers aren't always the ones who perfect ideas but the ones who dare to challenge them.</p><p>Tune in to explore leadership, agency-versus-client life, the coming transformation of the food industry and Jakob's surprisingly ambitious personal goal: becoming a space tourist someday.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-201-with-Jakob-Edman-e3l961k</link><guid isPermaLink="false">46762867-2aaa-4428-b56c-ff471c8f0931</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:49:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7882e4b02008f0fdb34b26a1d14bd5829b1bb9132c947bd35d94a90228386d67/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4YzFlYTc1Ni1lMDBjLTQxZjMtOGZiZC02MGY5Y2NhZTg5MmEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOGMxZWE3NTYtZTAwYy00MWYzLThmYmQtNjBmOWNjYWU4OTJhLzIzYTRjZTc2LTY4MDgtNGMxNy0wYmRmLTNkYWFlZTA1YzdkOC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18032075" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode Gordon sits down with Jakob Edman, Head of Brand at WASA, part of the Barilla Group. From producing shows at MTV to shaping global brands at Red Bull, agencies and now WASA, Jakob shares a refreshingly honest view on career twists, creativity and modern marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss why storytelling remains at the heart of great brands, what it takes to make a 100-year-old crispbread brand relevant for Gen Z and why the best marketers aren&apos;t always the ones who perfect ideas but the ones who dare to challenge them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to explore leadership, agency-versus-client life, the coming transformation of the food industry and Jakob&apos;s surprisingly ambitious personal goal: becoming a space tourist someday.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:38</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/8c1ea756-e00c-41f3-8fbd-60f9ccae892a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #201 with Jakob Edman </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #69 with Janina Jahns]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Janina Jahns, Brands &amp; Culture Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at Diageo, to explore her dynamic journey from studying Middle Eastern Studies and dreaming of a diplomatic career to leading groundbreaking cultural partnerships at one of the world’s biggest beverage companies. Janina shares behind-the-scenes stories about the fast-paced hustle of activating global brands across diverse cultures. <br />They dive into the power of overcommunication, the importance of local insights and why building cultural relevance is a data-driven, team-powered challenge. She also opens up about her long-standing fascination with the luxury industry, her transformative experience studying luxury communication at Harvard and how breaking traditional marketing rules can create lasting impact. Janina also talks about the opportunities she sees in integrating AI into marketing, not as a threat but as a chance to unlock more space for creativity, personalization and meaningful consumer connections.</p><p>Tune in for an inspiring conversation about ambition, curiosity and shaping the future of marketing across continents.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-69-with-Janina-Jahns-e34nitm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6c93a153-efa8-4c65-b321-d5422eaf192c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:24:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/afa3fa09d2fe723ac2f49f9103ffee321e3f3558b9b29d5f5d129dc881924f64/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3Yzg1NjYyYi01ZGMxLTQyMzQtOTIyNy1lN2ZjOWExYThlZjIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvN2M4NTY2MmItNWRjMS00MjM0LTkyMjctZTdmYzlhMWE4ZWYyL2EwMGZjZGQ1LWQzOGItNDU4OS0yZjA2LWZlZDM3ZGNiMDVlNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18668158" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Janina Jahns, Brands &amp;amp; Culture Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at Diageo, to explore her dynamic journey from studying Middle Eastern Studies and dreaming of a diplomatic career to leading groundbreaking cultural partnerships at one of the world’s biggest beverage companies. Janina shares behind-the-scenes stories about the fast-paced hustle of activating global brands across diverse cultures. &lt;br /&gt;They dive into the power of overcommunication, the importance of local insights and why building cultural relevance is a data-driven, team-powered challenge. She also opens up about her long-standing fascination with the luxury industry, her transformative experience studying luxury communication at Harvard and how breaking traditional marketing rules can create lasting impact. Janina also talks about the opportunities she sees in integrating AI into marketing, not as a threat but as a chance to unlock more space for creativity, personalization and meaningful consumer connections.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an inspiring conversation about ambition, curiosity and shaping the future of marketing across continents.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:16</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/7c85662b-5dc1-4234-9227-e7fc9a1a8ef2/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #69 with Janina Jahns</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #86 with Katarzyna Zawodzińska]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Katarzyna Zawodszińska</strong>,  Former Marketing Director at Lipton Teas and Infusions, Warsaw — and uniquely, a practicing <strong>psychotherapist</strong>.</p><p>With nearly two decades at Unilever, Katarzyna shares her deep experience across product categories, countries and roles from sales and business development to leading brand transformations. She reflects on how Unilever acted as a true <em>"marketing university"</em>, shaping her philosophy of brand building, insight-driven strategy and cross-functional leadership.</p><p>But what makes this conversation truly stand out is how Katarzyna bridges <strong>marketing and psychotherapy</strong>, uncovering the shared essence in both: <em>the human connection</em>. They talk about why Lipton’s global relaunch is more than just a packaging update, how living in the Baltics and working across diverse categories shaped her brand instincts and how young talent, modesty and the power of asking the <em>right questions</em> drive meaningful innovation.</p><p>Tune in to get excited about what marketing can be.</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-86-with-Katarzyna-Zawodziska-e36h608</link><guid isPermaLink="false">dfb40742-f1fb-4e14-ad97-11a3411c5e78</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:27:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/611031d5fa91a66e56721d1f27f56f16edecae07b538ce9f0692822d18fd9486/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzN2FmM2QwZS0zZGE1LTRlYTAtYTNjMy1kZmZmMDM5MDRkMDIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzdhZjNkMGUtM2RhNS00ZWEwLWEzYzMtZGZmZjAzOTA0ZDAyLzk0MTYxYTVkLTlhNWItOTAwNy02MzEyLTcyZWMxNDMxMjQyNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22256949" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Katarzyna Zawodszińska&lt;/strong&gt;,  Former Marketing Director at Lipton Teas and Infusions, Warsaw — and uniquely, a practicing &lt;strong&gt;psychotherapist&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With nearly two decades at Unilever, Katarzyna shares her deep experience across product categories, countries and roles from sales and business development to leading brand transformations. She reflects on how Unilever acted as a true &lt;em&gt;&quot;marketing university&quot;&lt;/em&gt;, shaping her philosophy of brand building, insight-driven strategy and cross-functional leadership.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But what makes this conversation truly stand out is how Katarzyna bridges &lt;strong&gt;marketing and psychotherapy&lt;/strong&gt;, uncovering the shared essence in both: &lt;em&gt;the human connection&lt;/em&gt;. They talk about why Lipton’s global relaunch is more than just a packaging update, how living in the Baltics and working across diverse categories shaped her brand instincts and how young talent, modesty and the power of asking the &lt;em&gt;right questions&lt;/em&gt; drive meaningful innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get excited about what marketing can be.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:30</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/37af3d0e-3da5-4ea0-a3c3-dfff03904d02/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #86 with Katarzyna Zawodzińska</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #194 with Aidan Beanland]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Aidan Beanland, a search industry veteran with nearly three decades of experience spanning the pre-Google era, Yahoo, Silicon Valley and now Optus, explores one of the biggest shifts in digital discovery since the birth of the internet.</p><p>As search evolves into AI-powered answer engines, Aidan shares his perspective on the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the challenges of measuring visibility in a world of AI-generated answers and why the fundamentals of trust, authority and originality matter more than ever.</p><p>Tune in to know more about the excitement and uncertainty of today's AI revolution and a compelling argument for doubling down on human experience in an increasingly automated world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-194-with-Aidan-Beanland-e3k99n2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">f198b5e0-bb0d-47e7-b813-d332b1f7f141</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:26:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6d6ba9a0bf614dc598c4e40ab75f62030b75eb3938342fb879ad37f7e26274d2/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjYjEzMWFlMS01Zjc4LTRjN2QtODk1My1hNjIyZjkzNTM4N2QiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvY2IxMzFhZTEtNWY3OC00YzdkLTg5NTMtYTYyMmY5MzUzODdkLzYwNTM3ZjUwLTM4YTItNjYxMC0yYjk0LWEwNTU4OWQzNGFiOC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22130516" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Aidan Beanland, a search industry veteran with nearly three decades of experience spanning the pre-Google era, Yahoo, Silicon Valley and now Optus, explores one of the biggest shifts in digital discovery since the birth of the internet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As search evolves into AI-powered answer engines, Aidan shares his perspective on the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the challenges of measuring visibility in a world of AI-generated answers and why the fundamentals of trust, authority and originality matter more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to know more about the excitement and uncertainty of today&apos;s AI revolution and a compelling argument for doubling down on human experience in an increasingly automated world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:50</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/cb131ae1-5f78-4c7d-8953-a622f935387d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #194 with Aidan Beanland</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #84 with Patrick Swientek ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon is joined by Patrick Swientek, Director of Integrated Brand &amp; Communication at Danone for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. </p><p>With a career spanning digital marketing, live entertainment, Nestlé and now Danone, Patrick brings a deep and practical perspective on how modern brands can create value beyond the campaign.</p><p>They dive into what demand generation really means across categories from yogurt to medical nutrition, how to build brand ecosystems that go far beyond traditional media, why retail media is becoming a game changer in the DACH region and the evolving role of advertisers. Patrick furthermore shares what brands like Nike taught him about longevity, relevance and emotional connection. </p><p>Tune in if you want to know more about where brand strategy, ecosystem thinking and platform evolution intersect. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-84-with-Patrick-Swientek-e36fmeo</link><guid isPermaLink="false">97e21cba-2399-4e91-9a85-1c934a5ff3d4</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:57:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a80cd00dac5d78eb11209085a6af1599abb9a026ece950cd80694e96accc11e7/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlMzRjODhmNS00MDE3LTQ2YzMtYWZjNi02ZjJmYWI2ODE3NjkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTM0Yzg4ZjUtNDAxNy00NmMzLWFmYzYtNmYyZmFiNjgxNzY5L2Y4YWE2NDY1LTBhNzQtODUzMy1jMDAwLTUwYjMzM2FlN2JhZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21020953" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon is joined by Patrick Swientek, Director of Integrated Brand &amp;amp; Communication at Danone for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With a career spanning digital marketing, live entertainment, Nestlé and now Danone, Patrick brings a deep and practical perspective on how modern brands can create value beyond the campaign.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into what demand generation really means across categories from yogurt to medical nutrition, how to build brand ecosystems that go far beyond traditional media, why retail media is becoming a game changer in the DACH region and the evolving role of advertisers. Patrick furthermore shares what brands like Nike taught him about longevity, relevance and emotional connection. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you want to know more about where brand strategy, ecosystem thinking and platform evolution intersect. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:07</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e34c88f5-4017-46c3-afc6-6f2fab681769/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #84 with Patrick Swientek </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #204 with Paolo Narag ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon welcomes <strong>Paolo Narag</strong>, <strong>Global Brand Director Sheba at Mars</strong>, who shares why the future of marketing won't belong to those with the most data, but to those who understand people best.</p><p>At just 29, Paolo Narag has already built an impressive career, leading global brands at both Procter &amp; Gamble and Mars. From the importance of mentors and courageous career decisions to building trust, creativity and truly human brands, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone passionate about brand building.</p><p><br /></p><p>Tune in to discover why the marketers who thrive in the AI era will be those who never lose sight of the human behind the data.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-204-with-Paolo-Narag-e3lfnkq</link><guid isPermaLink="false">82423cab-8393-4ff1-8e9b-609590d992ae</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:44:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1207b55a128447bb9d23da9791f154ea3b56f6ac5f49508f4cd35df36d9b958e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwZGE3OWE5YS01ZTZjLTQ2NGUtOGYyZC1iMjQ3YTczMjI1MzEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGRhNzlhOWEtNWU2Yy00NjRlLThmMmQtYjI0N2E3MzIyNTMxLzIzMzk4MzkxLTY3NmQtOTZlMS1lZmZjLTQzMzZjOGJjZWFkOC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17741548" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon welcomes &lt;strong&gt;Paolo Narag&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Global Brand Director Sheba at Mars&lt;/strong&gt;, who shares why the future of marketing won&apos;t belong to those with the most data, but to those who understand people best.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;At just 29, Paolo Narag has already built an impressive career, leading global brands at both Procter &amp;amp; Gamble and Mars. From the importance of mentors and courageous career decisions to building trust, creativity and truly human brands, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone passionate about brand building.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to discover why the marketers who thrive in the AI era will be those who never lose sight of the human behind the data.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:24</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0da79a9a-5e6c-464e-8f2d-b247a7322531/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #204 with Paolo Narag </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #117 with Akshay Sardesai ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Akshay Sardesai, Vice President of Marketing at Reckitt, to explore how curiosity, adaptability, and humility fuel long-term success in a fast-changing business world. Akshay shares his journey from starting out at Procter &amp; Gamble in India to leading Reckitt’s Enfamil brand in the United States — reflecting on the lessons from each chapter and the people who helped shape his path.</p><p>The conversation dives into, the art of <em>unlearning</em> old habits to stay agile in new markets, how to balance global brand consistency with local relevance, the role of family and personal choices in an international career. Moreover what iconic brands like Heinz, Apple, and Dettol teach us about reinvention and why AI and technology are set to transform the very core of marketing. </p><p>Tune in for a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the future of marketing in the age of AI.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-117-with-Akshay-Sardesai-e3a8s1k</link><guid isPermaLink="false">36151e6b-811d-454f-be91-4995b934428a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:38:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6f04aa201e0f8efe04afa03d834533e27cc0cfe63fcfd8fc55af56d50aa2fb3a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxYzU0YjViYS0wYjE0LTRkOGQtOWU0ZS0xOThjZmIzM2I2NTgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMWM1NGI1YmEtMGIxNC00ZDhkLTllNGUtMTk4Y2ZiMzNiNjU4LzVhNzRhNGYwLTQzNTktYWNmMC1jNDFlLTFkNTI4M2E5MjU3Ni5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23042388" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Akshay Sardesai, Vice President of Marketing at Reckitt, to explore how curiosity, adaptability, and humility fuel long-term success in a fast-changing business world. Akshay shares his journey from starting out at Procter &amp;amp; Gamble in India to leading Reckitt’s Enfamil brand in the United States — reflecting on the lessons from each chapter and the people who helped shape his path.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation dives into, the art of &lt;em&gt;unlearning&lt;/em&gt; old habits to stay agile in new markets, how to balance global brand consistency with local relevance, the role of family and personal choices in an international career. Moreover what iconic brands like Heinz, Apple, and Dettol teach us about reinvention and why AI and technology are set to transform the very core of marketing. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the future of marketing in the age of AI.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:47</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1c54b5ba-0b14-4d8d-9e4e-198cfb33b658/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #117 with Akshay Sardesai </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #61 with Anja Urlichs]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Anja Urlichs, former Senior Director of SMB Marketing for International Markets at PayPal, to explore her two-decade journey through fintech, strategy, and brand transformation. From a grounding in classical banking and strategy consulting to finding her spark at a mobile payments startup, Anja’s story is one of intentional pivots, global perspective, and bold creativity.</p><p>They talk about her leap from banking to fintech and the electric energy of startup life 20 years at PayPal—from a team of 30 in a startup-style office to shaping global brand trust campaigns that broke through with humor, local flavor, and real heart.</p><p>They explore how marketers can cut through the noise—not by blindly jumping on the next big thing, but by aligning trends with the unique needs of their brand and, most importantly, their customers.</p><p>Together, they unpack marketing’s evolving role in driving growth, building cross-functional understanding, and earning a strategic seat at the table—particularly with CFOs and other decision-makers.</p><p>The conversation ends on a powerful note about collaboration: how working in silos is the default, and breaking through requires both intentional effort and simple, human connection. Because while collaboration takes work, it's often as easy as walking across the hall and starting a conversation.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about brand-building to cross-functional collaboration, the power of alignment, curiosity, and stepping out of silos.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-61-with-Anja-Urlichs-e33c7k6</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d214527f-a5fa-4738-b088-427e1078f0d8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2025 07:30:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b3e2cfb27448b40894bd5e6a67a64c986a5673139b327b34720ad4b8646599ec/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4ZWIyMDU1Ni1kYmJjLTRkODQtYmQyYS02N2NkYjgwNDZiZWIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOGViMjA1NTYtZGJiYy00ZDg0LWJkMmEtNjdjZGI4MDQ2YmViL2JhNDFkMDMxLTNhZGMtZjI2MS00NjIwLTk1OWQ1ZTM0ZDI2YS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18970345" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Anja Urlichs, former Senior Director of SMB Marketing for International Markets at PayPal, to explore her two-decade journey through fintech, strategy, and brand transformation. From a grounding in classical banking and strategy consulting to finding her spark at a mobile payments startup, Anja’s story is one of intentional pivots, global perspective, and bold creativity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They talk about her leap from banking to fintech and the electric energy of startup life 20 years at PayPal—from a team of 30 in a startup-style office to shaping global brand trust campaigns that broke through with humor, local flavor, and real heart.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore how marketers can cut through the noise—not by blindly jumping on the next big thing, but by aligning trends with the unique needs of their brand and, most importantly, their customers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, they unpack marketing’s evolving role in driving growth, building cross-functional understanding, and earning a strategic seat at the table—particularly with CFOs and other decision-makers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation ends on a powerful note about collaboration: how working in silos is the default, and breaking through requires both intentional effort and simple, human connection. Because while collaboration takes work, it&apos;s often as easy as walking across the hall and starting a conversation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about brand-building to cross-functional collaboration, the power of alignment, curiosity, and stepping out of silos.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:43</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/8eb20556-dbbc-4d84-bd2a-67cdb8046beb/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #61 with Anja Urlichs</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #59 with Benjamin Lickfett]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Benjamin Lickfett, Global VP of Breakthrough Innovation &amp; Digital Inventions at Diageo — the dream job for anyone passionate about where tech meets culture.<br />From whiskey to Guinness to emerging tech, Benjamin’s career is anything but linear. He shares his journey from international relations at Tufts to startup founder, consultant, and now innovation leader for one of the world’s most iconic brand portfolios.</p><p>They dive into how Benjamin keeps heritage brands relevant in a fast-changing world, why digital detox moments matter in bar culture, and how his team created <em>FlavourPrint</em> — a personalized taste-matching platform now scaling across 40+ countries. Plus, the highs and lows of innovation, building with resilience, and the art of shaping progress that sticks.<br />The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, the power of open organizational cultures, and the role of leadership styles in shaping careers. Benny reflects on the impact of early brand visionaries like David Aaker, and how truly great leaders share what they know to elevate others.</p><p>From navigating cultural differences in a globally distributed team to tackling the future of emerging technologies, Benjamin shares what keeps him inspired: the ability to learn, adapt, and create meaningful innovation. They also dive into the idea of <em>urgent optimism</em>—the belief in a better future, paired with the drive to make it happen now.</p><p>Tune in if you're curious about what it takes to lead innovation on a global scale—and how to stay grounded while doing it.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-59-with-Benjamin-Lickfett-e335lgs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">35fb6ec7-b541-467f-b7f4-0e39bb404576</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2025 15:19:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7804a40087189b65a78c39f502706681428a8eb051b2127e46624664e8ca3b6c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMzI5MjFkNC1mMjc0LTRiOGItYmFhNS1kYzBlODlkMzY0NzEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDMyOTIxZDQtZjI3NC00YjhiLWJhYTUtZGMwZTg5ZDM2NDcxLzUzYWQzMDBkLTZkNjUtMTVmZC1kMTFkLWJlOGEyYTJhMTgzZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19905746" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Benjamin Lickfett, Global VP of Breakthrough Innovation &amp;amp; Digital Inventions at Diageo — the dream job for anyone passionate about where tech meets culture.&lt;br /&gt;From whiskey to Guinness to emerging tech, Benjamin’s career is anything but linear. He shares his journey from international relations at Tufts to startup founder, consultant, and now innovation leader for one of the world’s most iconic brand portfolios.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into how Benjamin keeps heritage brands relevant in a fast-changing world, why digital detox moments matter in bar culture, and how his team created &lt;em&gt;FlavourPrint&lt;/em&gt; — a personalized taste-matching platform now scaling across 40+ countries. Plus, the highs and lows of innovation, building with resilience, and the art of shaping progress that sticks.&lt;br /&gt;The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, the power of open organizational cultures, and the role of leadership styles in shaping careers. Benny reflects on the impact of early brand visionaries like David Aaker, and how truly great leaders share what they know to elevate others.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From navigating cultural differences in a globally distributed team to tackling the future of emerging technologies, Benjamin shares what keeps him inspired: the ability to learn, adapt, and create meaningful innovation. They also dive into the idea of &lt;em&gt;urgent optimism&lt;/em&gt;—the belief in a better future, paired with the drive to make it happen now.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you&apos;re curious about what it takes to lead innovation on a global scale—and how to stay grounded while doing it.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/032921d4-f274-4b8b-baa5-dc0e89d36471/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #59 with Benjamin Lickfett</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #55 with David Jacobson]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>David Jacobson</strong>, Global Senior Director of Segmentation and Culture Insights at <em>The Coca-Cola Company</em>. From his early days handing out flyers for a Portland bar to helping shape the cultural footprint of one of the world’s most iconic brands, David shares a fascinating journey through storytelling, innovation, and insight.</p><p>An expansive conversation on how advertising has shifted from placing ads to crafting experiences. David shares insights from his time at Publicis Sapient, Chiat\Day, and Coca-Cola, reflecting on the industry’s transformation from standardized campaigns to platform-specific storytelling and cultural engagement. </p><p>They dive into the evolution of experiential marketing, the rise of influencer collaboration, and why creating content <em>fit for platform</em> and <em>fit for audience</em> is more crucial than ever. David also discusses the importance of loosening brand control to allow authentic, creator-driven narratives to emerge—without losing sight of values and strategic guardrails.</p><p>From early digital campaigns to the future of AI-powered personal assistants, this episode unpacks what it means to stay relevant in a world where behavior, technology, and media consumption are constantly shifting. Plus, hear how mentors and creative leaders like Lee Clow, Adam Morgan and Darren McCall shaped David’s thinking around brand, storytelling, and strategy.</p><p>Tune in for a refreshingly human take on marketing in the age of machines.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-55-with-David-Jacobson-e32plms</link><guid isPermaLink="false">aefe3aec-f476-47a3-b7c0-02a049b2435b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2025 15:57:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/207aa79eea7aadd7d063c0e9e338c78f12aada8666f430e5e72134bdbf363c90/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhYTRkZThiMC0zMDgzLTRlNGEtYmYzMC0wOWZkNWU2NjIxYmYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYWE0ZGU4YjAtMzA4My00ZTRhLWJmMzAtMDlmZDVlNjYyMWJmL2FkZTIxODcyLWExMjEtZDVlOS1mZTZlLTY5OTE5YWY0YjUyMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="29823826" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;David Jacobson&lt;/strong&gt;, Global Senior Director of Segmentation and Culture Insights at &lt;em&gt;The Coca-Cola Company&lt;/em&gt;. From his early days handing out flyers for a Portland bar to helping shape the cultural footprint of one of the world’s most iconic brands, David shares a fascinating journey through storytelling, innovation, and insight.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;An expansive conversation on how advertising has shifted from placing ads to crafting experiences. David shares insights from his time at Publicis Sapient, Chiat\Day, and Coca-Cola, reflecting on the industry’s transformation from standardized campaigns to platform-specific storytelling and cultural engagement. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into the evolution of experiential marketing, the rise of influencer collaboration, and why creating content &lt;em&gt;fit for platform&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;fit for audience&lt;/em&gt; is more crucial than ever. David also discusses the importance of loosening brand control to allow authentic, creator-driven narratives to emerge—without losing sight of values and strategic guardrails.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From early digital campaigns to the future of AI-powered personal assistants, this episode unpacks what it means to stay relevant in a world where behavior, technology, and media consumption are constantly shifting. Plus, hear how mentors and creative leaders like Lee Clow, Adam Morgan and Darren McCall shaped David’s thinking around brand, storytelling, and strategy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a refreshingly human take on marketing in the age of machines.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:39:16</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/aa4de8b0-3083-4e4a-bf30-09fd5e6621bf/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #55 with David Jacobson</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #46 with Elena Ohannessian ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon chats with Elena  Taraskina Ohannessian, Head of Brand &amp; Communication at Octopus Energy France. From Unilever to L'Oréal to co-founding her own branding agency, Elena’s journey is full of bold moves, emotional marketing, and plenty of unexpected turns. <br />She shares what it was like to go from being the “Queen of Meatballs” at Unilever—where consumer-centricity and rationality ruled—to the emotional universe of L’Oréal, where choosing the right flower for a product label could mean endless rounds of creative debate. Eventually, she left the world of cosmetics after six years of brainstorming new ways to say <em>wrinkle</em> without actually saying <em>wrinkle</em>.</p><p>That led to launching a branding agency with a former colleague—without a business plan, without pricing strategies, but with a whole lot of passion. From swimwear to caviar to price comparison platforms in the US, Russia, France, and the UAE, she threw herself into it all. One highlight? A three-day inspiration sprint with Future London Academy, learning from Duolingo, Monzo, and Pentagram—where a session on “coding in branding” turned out to be the most mind-blowing of all.</p><p>Elena also reflects on what makes Octopus Energy truly unique—from a culture where <em>everyone</em> does customer service to a bold brand identity featuring a pink octopus that customers genuinely love. It's where her past experience with consumer insight, emotional storytelling, and detail-obsession all come together.</p><p>She explains how true brand magic happens when consumer centricity meets the unexpected. And when asked about the future—what excites her most? Her answer: <strong>“The unknown.”</strong> </p><p>Tune in for a conversation full of insight, humour, and inspiration—from beauty aisles to tech-powered energy, with a whole lot of heart in between.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-46-with-Elena-Ohannessian-e317fcc</link><guid isPermaLink="false">4e43e86b-3b48-4d3d-9414-9551ccd497c1</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:27:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4ef2036d299b04d2f5275c96b0b9c7afeda9e596763bc2f7f64a48a83a3b69c3/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlOWE1ZWNjZC00YWEwLTQ5YWItYWE3My1hOGJmMDg1NGM4OWUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTlhNWVjY2QtNGFhMC00OWFiLWFhNzMtYThiZjA4NTRjODllL2ZkZTg0ZTdiLTU3MjktYjU0Ni03MzI2LThjNzkxNGRiYmNmNi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22609799" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon chats with Elena  Taraskina Ohannessian, Head of Brand &amp;amp; Communication at Octopus Energy France. From Unilever to L&apos;Oréal to co-founding her own branding agency, Elena’s journey is full of bold moves, emotional marketing, and plenty of unexpected turns. &lt;br /&gt;She shares what it was like to go from being the “Queen of Meatballs” at Unilever—where consumer-centricity and rationality ruled—to the emotional universe of L’Oréal, where choosing the right flower for a product label could mean endless rounds of creative debate. Eventually, she left the world of cosmetics after six years of brainstorming new ways to say &lt;em&gt;wrinkle&lt;/em&gt; without actually saying &lt;em&gt;wrinkle&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;That led to launching a branding agency with a former colleague—without a business plan, without pricing strategies, but with a whole lot of passion. From swimwear to caviar to price comparison platforms in the US, Russia, France, and the UAE, she threw herself into it all. One highlight? A three-day inspiration sprint with Future London Academy, learning from Duolingo, Monzo, and Pentagram—where a session on “coding in branding” turned out to be the most mind-blowing of all.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Elena also reflects on what makes Octopus Energy truly unique—from a culture where &lt;em&gt;everyone&lt;/em&gt; does customer service to a bold brand identity featuring a pink octopus that customers genuinely love. It&apos;s where her past experience with consumer insight, emotional storytelling, and detail-obsession all come together.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She explains how true brand magic happens when consumer centricity meets the unexpected. And when asked about the future—what excites her most? Her answer: &lt;strong&gt;“The unknown.”&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation full of insight, humour, and inspiration—from beauty aisles to tech-powered energy, with a whole lot of heart in between.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:50</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e9a5eccd-4aa0-49ab-aa73-a8bf0854c89e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #46 with Elena Ohannessian </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #40 with Rob Bagot]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Rob Bagot, founder of Story Machine and former Global Chief Creative Officer at McCann. With a career spanning some of the most legendary agencies—including Goodby Silverstein &amp; Partners, Ogilvy, and Hill Holliday—Rob shares his incredible journey through the world of advertising, from writing for Apple at BBDO to leading creative for global brands.</p><p>They discuss the power of curiosity, the lessons Rob learned from working with industry icons like Jeff Goodby, and why great advertising starts with getting inside people’s heads. Rob also reflects on the changing role of creativity, the future of AI-driven storytelling, and why he believes advertising should be a humanist profession that adds meaning to people’s lives.</p><p>Tune in for an unfiltered, insightful conversation about the craft of advertising, the evolution of brand storytelling, and why staying curious is the secret to staying great.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-40-with-Rob-Bagot-e309922</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d9e2510e-d59c-4b9c-8681-34a5445f8875</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:22:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c63a10ece8396226d9fec28e17dd3b767e3b5c24ae593f76c10faf841a5c17d5/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlYmIzMjFjOC01YjhkLTRlZmQtOThjYi1hMzM3ZmEyMDBjZTMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWJiMzIxYzgtNWI4ZC00ZWZkLTk4Y2ItYTMzN2ZhMjAwY2UzL2I2N2RlNjI3LTM3MjktMzU3NC05NDMzLWEyNGNjYmM0OTZhNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22418212" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Rob Bagot, founder of Story Machine and former Global Chief Creative Officer at McCann. With a career spanning some of the most legendary agencies—including Goodby Silverstein &amp;amp; Partners, Ogilvy, and Hill Holliday—Rob shares his incredible journey through the world of advertising, from writing for Apple at BBDO to leading creative for global brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss the power of curiosity, the lessons Rob learned from working with industry icons like Jeff Goodby, and why great advertising starts with getting inside people’s heads. Rob also reflects on the changing role of creativity, the future of AI-driven storytelling, and why he believes advertising should be a humanist profession that adds meaning to people’s lives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an unfiltered, insightful conversation about the craft of advertising, the evolution of brand storytelling, and why staying curious is the secret to staying great.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:31</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ebb321c8-5b8d-4efd-98cb-a337fa200ce3/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #40 with Rob Bagot</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #213 with Heana Thakur]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with <strong>Heana Thakur</strong>, Head of Marketing for Argos Marketplace at Sainsbury's. </p><p>Heana shares her unconventional career journey from discovering her passion for data-driven marketing in agency life to leading one of Sainsbury's largest transformation projects. Together, they explore career-defining decisions, the importance of great managers and company culture, what makes marketing genuinely valuable to customers, and why curiosity and critical thinking matter more than ever in the age of AI.</p><p><br />Tune in to hear how Heana built a career by embracing uncertainty, following the data, and staying relentlessly customer-focused—from agency life to leading one of retail's most exciting transformation projects.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-213-with-Heana-Thakur-e3mbk7l</link><guid isPermaLink="false">f22d61bf-13aa-425a-b53e-42f8d6154597</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:11:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6b61fbf4cea2dd9eb492315ff36effca1e1729d2c78ae38ec7abf0051e1b88a4/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1OTI2N2Q1Yy1iYTM5LTRkMzItODc3Ny02ZmUzM2RkNzA2MjAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNTkyNjdkNWMtYmEzOS00ZDMyLTg3NzctNmZlMzNkZDcwNjIwLzRlNThmZjYzLTQ2NmEtNDQyNC0wOWNmLTU1ZWZlNzIxODg5OS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21596083" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Heana Thakur&lt;/strong&gt;, Head of Marketing for Argos Marketplace at Sainsbury&apos;s. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Heana shares her unconventional career journey from discovering her passion for data-driven marketing in agency life to leading one of Sainsbury&apos;s largest transformation projects. Together, they explore career-defining decisions, the importance of great managers and company culture, what makes marketing genuinely valuable to customers, and why curiosity and critical thinking matter more than ever in the age of AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tune in to hear how Heana built a career by embracing uncertainty, following the data, and staying relentlessly customer-focused—from agency life to leading one of retail&apos;s most exciting transformation projects.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/59267d5c-ba39-4d32-8777-6fe33dd70620/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #213 with Heana Thakur</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #41 with Florian Scheiblbrandner]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Florian Scheiblbrandner, Head of Insights &amp; Creation at Allianz. With a career spanning photography, brand strategy, and creative leadership—across industries as diverse as lingerie and insurance—Florian shares his unconventional journey through the world of marketing and innovation.</p><p>They explore the intersection of creativity and data, the power of capturing moments rather than controlling outcomes, and why the best marketing goes beyond KPIs to create true impact. Florian also reflects on his inspirations, from Oliviero Toscani’s bold storytelling to the craftsmanship of Leica, and why he believes the future of marketing lies in breaking free from over-engineered content.</p><p>Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on curiosity, creativity, and the evolving role of brands in an unpredictable world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-41-with-Florian-Scheiblbrandner-e3099b9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">45804c8e-5a4f-485b-afc8-7bda0c448f4c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:23:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/86faf21a9499e95d3d90427270a2e95310f26712074eb1970394cf7dda67fe9f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwYWIyN2NjZS0xMTQ1LTQwMWYtYjUzMy1hMjY2MTJkYWJiZjAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGFiMjdjY2UtMTE0NS00MDFmLWI1MzMtYTI2NjEyZGFiYmYwLzAzNTc1ZTEzLTI3MWUtNTMzYy0yM2FkLTEyNWFiYzdmNTExZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20704048" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Florian Scheiblbrandner, Head of Insights &amp;amp; Creation at Allianz. With a career spanning photography, brand strategy, and creative leadership—across industries as diverse as lingerie and insurance—Florian shares his unconventional journey through the world of marketing and innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore the intersection of creativity and data, the power of capturing moments rather than controlling outcomes, and why the best marketing goes beyond KPIs to create true impact. Florian also reflects on his inspirations, from Oliviero Toscani’s bold storytelling to the craftsmanship of Leica, and why he believes the future of marketing lies in breaking free from over-engineered content.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on curiosity, creativity, and the evolving role of brands in an unpredictable world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:20</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0ab27cce-1145-401f-b533-a26612dabbf0/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #41 with Florian Scheiblbrandner</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #66 with Serge Raffard ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon welcomes Serge Raffard, Managing Director of Personal Lines at Allianz UK. With a remarkable global journey that spans strategy, finance and marketing, Serge brings deep insights from his leadership roles at McKinsey, MetLife and at Allianz Group.</p><p>They talk about his career path from engineering and corporate finance into the world of marketing and why the shift from <em>push to pull</em> in insurance is both a strategic and cultural transformation. <br />Serge shares what it means to build one of the world’s strongest insurance brands, the role of data-led marketing and how even in a complex, highly regulated, and price-driven market like the UK, brands can still create value, loyalty, and trust. Furthermore the conversation  explores why the UK is currently one of the most dynamic markets for innovation in insurance and finance.</p><p>Tune in for thoughts on scaling impact, innovation at scale and the balancing act of regulation. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-66-with-Serge-Raffard-e3455a5</link><guid isPermaLink="false">7eafe108-c02f-4710-bbf6-b60b4e64949c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:33:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/46101f0df28847b45c327cb7df8195e7657b30fbc02ba3896e1af7ad12ec3874/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1MjUzNjExZS1mNWRlLTRjNjQtYTMwZS1iZTkwOGY1ODJhM2YiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNTI1MzYxMWUtZjVkZS00YzY0LWEzMGUtYmU5MDhmNTgyYTNmLzBmMjg4MTU5LTQyNjctZTFkZS1lNjRkLTcxOGM2NjA4MWE1MC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17439628" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon welcomes Serge Raffard, Managing Director of Personal Lines at Allianz UK. With a remarkable global journey that spans strategy, finance and marketing, Serge brings deep insights from his leadership roles at McKinsey, MetLife and at Allianz Group.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They talk about his career path from engineering and corporate finance into the world of marketing and why the shift from &lt;em&gt;push to pull&lt;/em&gt; in insurance is both a strategic and cultural transformation. &lt;br /&gt;Serge shares what it means to build one of the world’s strongest insurance brands, the role of data-led marketing and how even in a complex, highly regulated, and price-driven market like the UK, brands can still create value, loyalty, and trust. Furthermore the conversation  explores why the UK is currently one of the most dynamic markets for innovation in insurance and finance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for thoughts on scaling impact, innovation at scale and the balancing act of regulation. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:18</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/5253611e-f5de-4c64-a30e-be908f582a3f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #66 with Serge Raffard </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #58 with Tapas Sharma]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with <strong>Tapas Sharma</strong>, Vice President, Marketing and Brand Design Lead at <strong>JP Morgan Chase</strong> in London. Tapas shares his fascinating journey from a television actor in India to becoming a driving force in brand design across multiple industries. Tapas shares how design is more than aesthetics, it’s a tool to build trust, evoke emotion, and break industry biases.</p><p>They explore Tapas’s early days designing Subway posters at Pink Papaya Productions, his evolution through agencies like Ogilvy and Chime, and his in-house leadership roles at Nutmeg and WorldRemit. Tapas reflects on the design-led rebrand and repositioning of Nutmeg that helped pave the way for its acquisition by JP Morgan Chase and what it means to shape a brand within a financial giant while retaining startup spirit.</p><p>He talks about the emotional power of design, the thrill of pulling off the “magic trick” of visual storytelling, and how brand psychology influences consumer behavior – the emotion in brand connection, the impact of micro-moments like a smile or a nod, and why experiences, before, during, and after are the future of marketing.</p><p>From telecoms to fintech, across continents and cultures, Tapas opens up about what makes brand work meaningful and how curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for deeper symbolism have shaped his path. Whether you're into branding, creative strategy, or global career pivots, this episode is full of insights and inspiration.</p><p>Tune in and hear why great design is more than decoration: it’s transformation.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-58-with-Tapas-Sharma-e331j0k</link><guid isPermaLink="false">9052f2a2-2008-4196-ab39-22c67fd287b2</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2025 07:25:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b2e8c4adba1c774a7bfb0ed5e9bf23af94fe9c5207f65650e9420a5d08aebff1/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjOTI5YWZmMS0zODdhLTQxMzgtYjRlNS1mNDIxMjhiNzFlNzgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzkyOWFmZjEtMzg3YS00MTM4LWI0ZTUtZjQyMTI4YjcxZTc4L2MxZTc0NDY3LTUwNWUtMzdlZS05ZDlhLWQ0MjQwMTViZGExNi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20441025" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Tapas Sharma&lt;/strong&gt;, Vice President, Marketing and Brand Design Lead at &lt;strong&gt;JP Morgan Chase&lt;/strong&gt; in London. Tapas shares his fascinating journey from a television actor in India to becoming a driving force in brand design across multiple industries. Tapas shares how design is more than aesthetics, it’s a tool to build trust, evoke emotion, and break industry biases.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore Tapas’s early days designing Subway posters at Pink Papaya Productions, his evolution through agencies like Ogilvy and Chime, and his in-house leadership roles at Nutmeg and WorldRemit. Tapas reflects on the design-led rebrand and repositioning of Nutmeg that helped pave the way for its acquisition by JP Morgan Chase and what it means to shape a brand within a financial giant while retaining startup spirit.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He talks about the emotional power of design, the thrill of pulling off the “magic trick” of visual storytelling, and how brand psychology influences consumer behavior – the emotion in brand connection, the impact of micro-moments like a smile or a nod, and why experiences, before, during, and after are the future of marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From telecoms to fintech, across continents and cultures, Tapas opens up about what makes brand work meaningful and how curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for deeper symbolism have shaped his path. Whether you&apos;re into branding, creative strategy, or global career pivots, this episode is full of insights and inspiration.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in and hear why great design is more than decoration: it’s transformation.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:40</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c929aff1-387a-4138-b4e5-f42128b71e78/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #58 with Tapas Sharma</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #161 with Gaurav Datta]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon hosts Gaurav Datta, Global VP Personal Care at Unilever who shares how he balances legacy, innovation and consumer obsession across billion-dollar brands. </p><p>So what does it take to lead some of the world’s most iconic brands into the future—without losing what made them iconic in the first place? From leadership lessons to the end of “lazy marketing,” this is a deep dive into what modern brand building really demands.</p><p>Tune in to learn how to grow legacy brands, lead through complexity, and win attention in a world where just stopping the scroll is already a victory.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-161-with-Gaurav-Datta-e3gkk9v</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d1575db8-9be4-408c-b676-62dc2c639aa7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:01:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/802e6c0d9fb1ae9fec3a1072b0207ed807a7da0695265afe854f7c538dff0c37/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxYTY4MDRjNi04MGMxLTQ3N2EtYjVjOC05NDdjN2Q5M2VlNWQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMWE2ODA0YzYtODBjMS00NzdhLWI1YzgtOTQ3YzdkOTNlZTVkLzkzOTlhMGU4LTU5NzktODQ3OC00YmE2LWRjYzI0N2E2YzFiMS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18811737" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts Gaurav Datta, Global VP Personal Care at Unilever who shares how he balances legacy, innovation and consumer obsession across billion-dollar brands. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So what does it take to lead some of the world’s most iconic brands into the future—without losing what made them iconic in the first place? From leadership lessons to the end of “lazy marketing,” this is a deep dive into what modern brand building really demands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to learn how to grow legacy brands, lead through complexity, and win attention in a world where just stopping the scroll is already a victory.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:39</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1a6804c6-80c1-477a-b5c8-947c7d93ee5d/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #161 with Gaurav Datta</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #230 with Graham Addison ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>What happens when AI, pharma, marketing and human curiosity collide?</em></p><p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Graham Addison</strong>, <strong>Senior Director, Global Launch &amp; Marketing Excellence at </strong><em><strong>AstraZeneca</strong></em>, for a wide-ranging conversation about AI, innovation, career pivots, leadership, and what it means to stay excited about your work.</p><p>Graham shares how an unexpected start in pharmaceutical sales eventually led him into marketing and global strategic roles, why the people around us can have an outsized influence on our careers, and how a passion for snowboarding taught him something about ambition, goals and getting your “mojo” back.</p><p>The conversation quickly moves to the future — Graham explores how AI is changing the way pharmaceutical companies operate, from strategic planning and customer engagement to content, market research, forecasting and scenario planning. He also reflects on why experimentation matters, why organizations need to rethink established processes, and why the next few years could represent a genuine inflection point for the industry.</p><p>Tune in to know more about the future of pharma and discover why Graham believes we’re entering a significant new chapter in how organizations work.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-230-with-Graham-Addison-e3p5u0c</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8515a135-42d9-4817-acb4-b86d3a81b421</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:29:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4a4bdde5f8b84199c38012f5c81614c45715652db98909174ea202238e37eb67/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxMDg3YTA2ZS0xMTc1LTQ4NjMtYTA1MC1jM2VjODE2NDRmMzUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMTA4N2EwNmUtMTE3NS00ODYzLWEwNTAtYzNlYzgxNjQ0ZjM1LzQzNzk2NDgwLTQxMjMtMTk5Mi0zNTVlLWI0YWM4ZTI3NzI4NC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20294264" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;What happens when AI, pharma, marketing and human curiosity collide?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Graham Addison&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Senior Director, Global Launch &amp;amp; Marketing Excellence at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;AstraZeneca&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, for a wide-ranging conversation about AI, innovation, career pivots, leadership, and what it means to stay excited about your work.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Graham shares how an unexpected start in pharmaceutical sales eventually led him into marketing and global strategic roles, why the people around us can have an outsized influence on our careers, and how a passion for snowboarding taught him something about ambition, goals and getting your “mojo” back.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation quickly moves to the future — Graham explores how AI is changing the way pharmaceutical companies operate, from strategic planning and customer engagement to content, market research, forecasting and scenario planning. He also reflects on why experimentation matters, why organizations need to rethink established processes, and why the next few years could represent a genuine inflection point for the industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to know more about the future of pharma and discover why Graham believes we’re entering a significant new chapter in how organizations work.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:10</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1087a06e-1175-4863-a050-c3ec81644f35/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #230 with Graham Addison </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #81 with Sébastien Deneux ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Sébastien Deneux, a strategic business development leader at Unilever, specializing in the ice cream category across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. <br />Sébastien shares with us his unique career journey—from consulting on Dutch flower exports to embracing a sales role at Unilever that challenged and shaped his understanding of customer and consumer needs. They explore the idea of learning from “people a bit like me, but better”—a humble, powerful framework for growth and mentorship. </p><p>From archetypes and lover brands to the evolving role of digital, UGC and community-led storytelling, this episode is rich with real examples—from Magnum and Ben &amp; Jerry’s to McDonald’s and beyond.</p><p>Sébastien also reveals how his external board roles keep his perspective fresh, feeding back into his work at Unilever and why he believes the “triple win” of consumer, customer and company success is key to sustainable business growth.</p><p>Tune in for insights on career growth, the magic of ice cream innovation and the power of curiosity and fun in building a meaningful and impactful career.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-81-with-Sbastien-Deneux-e35tsk2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">bfcd5c77-89be-4c44-b96e-e867baa56218</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:57:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/009420ed01980a9bf48854aba149701d5fab6c8e2d88d999b1549c20e0c04d02/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwZDIyNzQyOS1kMmJlLTRlYTQtOTZhNy1kNWViYTEyNThkOTYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGQyMjc0MjktZDJiZS00ZWE0LTk2YTctZDVlYmExMjU4ZDk2LzQ0ZGUyZGRhLTFkZTUtMTYxMC1hMTAyLTgxZDNlYjhhZGRjNi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24887158" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Sébastien Deneux, a strategic business development leader at Unilever, specializing in the ice cream category across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. &lt;br /&gt;Sébastien shares with us his unique career journey—from consulting on Dutch flower exports to embracing a sales role at Unilever that challenged and shaped his understanding of customer and consumer needs. They explore the idea of learning from “people a bit like me, but better”—a humble, powerful framework for growth and mentorship. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From archetypes and lover brands to the evolving role of digital, UGC and community-led storytelling, this episode is rich with real examples—from Magnum and Ben &amp;amp; Jerry’s to McDonald’s and beyond.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sébastien also reveals how his external board roles keep his perspective fresh, feeding back into his work at Unilever and why he believes the “triple win” of consumer, customer and company success is key to sustainable business growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on career growth, the magic of ice cream innovation and the power of curiosity and fun in building a meaningful and impactful career.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:48</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0d227429-d2be-4ea4-96a7-d5eba1258d96/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #81 with Sébastien Deneux </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #122 with Nuno Alexandre]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Nuno Alexandre, Global Condiments Head of Category &amp; Commercial Strategy at Unilever, to explore what truly drives excitement in modern marketing — from building category growth to evolving heritage brands for a changing world.</p><p>Nuno shares his journey — from KPMG to Coca-Cola and now Unilever — reflecting on what it means to bridge brand ambition with commercial reality. He discusses how great marketing starts with a deep understanding of shoppers and customers, and how that understanding fuels growth not just for companies, but for entire categories.</p><p>Together, they unpack how Unilever builds category growth that benefits both brand and retailer, the art of translating brand strategy into commercial activation, the balance between global consistency and local relevance, why AI and personalization are reshaping the future of food and shopper behavior and what makes truly great brands feel “human” — and why we invite them to our dinner tables.</p><p>Nuno also reflects on leadership lessons from inspiring managers, how to lead from behind, and why empathy and simplicity remain timeless in business.</p><p>Listen now to discover why the future of marketing lies at the intersection of purpose, personalization, and people.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-122-with-Nuno-Alexandre-e3aoipq</link><guid isPermaLink="false">37ffc817-2abc-494d-b1ea-7c29d174357f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:06:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/da40ad75986b40df744ac9ca41a82603e170f7068481950ea1f50f3d738ed0f8/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkM2E2M2I0NS1mOTg1LTQxYTItODAyZS0xOGE0ZWQzNTQxM2YiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZDNhNjNiNDUtZjk4NS00MWEyLTgwMmUtMThhNGVkMzU0MTNmL2NjZDEwMzI0LWJmNWUtOGE2Zi1iNjFiLTVkODQ4YzAyNGZhMC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18566887" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Nuno Alexandre, Global Condiments Head of Category &amp;amp; Commercial Strategy at Unilever, to explore what truly drives excitement in modern marketing — from building category growth to evolving heritage brands for a changing world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Nuno shares his journey — from KPMG to Coca-Cola and now Unilever — reflecting on what it means to bridge brand ambition with commercial reality. He discusses how great marketing starts with a deep understanding of shoppers and customers, and how that understanding fuels growth not just for companies, but for entire categories.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, they unpack how Unilever builds category growth that benefits both brand and retailer, the art of translating brand strategy into commercial activation, the balance between global consistency and local relevance, why AI and personalization are reshaping the future of food and shopper behavior and what makes truly great brands feel “human” — and why we invite them to our dinner tables.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Nuno also reflects on leadership lessons from inspiring managers, how to lead from behind, and why empathy and simplicity remain timeless in business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen now to discover why the future of marketing lies at the intersection of purpose, personalization, and people.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:08</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/d3a63b45-f985-41a2-802e-18a4ed35413f/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #122 with Nuno Alexandre</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #223 with Amedeo Aragona]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>What does it take to build a marketing career across Italy, France, Luxembourg, India and China and still stay curious about every new culture and consumer?</p><p>In this episode, Alessandro Panella sits down with <strong>Amedeo Aragona</strong>, <strong>Marketing Director for </strong><em><strong>Kinder</strong></em><strong> in China at </strong><em><strong>Ferrero</strong></em>, for a conversation about global marketing, cultural adaptation, leadership and the fast-changing world of consumer behaviour.</p><p>Amedeo shares the journey that took him from <em>Confindustria</em> in Rome to an MBA in Milan and eventually to Ferrero, where he has spent more than 14 years working across markets and brands. He reflects on what attracted him to Ferrero, why the company's values have remained so important through its growth, and how a strong culture can create an environment where people genuinely want to help each other.</p><p>The conversation gets particularly insightful when Amedeo compares his experiences in India and China. From understanding how differently people communicate to adapting marketing strategies to radically different media habits, he explains why being a "guest" in another culture means learning to adapt rather than expecting others to adapt to you.</p><p>He also dives into the evolution of brands like <em>Kinder Joy</em> and <em>Kinder Bueno</em>, the challenge of engaging Gen Z, China's extraordinary digital consumption, and why marketers need to be ready for whatever comes next.</p><p>Tune in for Amedeo's insights on building a global career, marketing across cultures, learning from people, and turning uncertainty into one of the most exciting parts of the journey.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-223-with-Amedeo-Aragona-e3nsa2b</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3bfcad96-62bf-4024-a1e0-b4727de17c8d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:57:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/709e121be389b8ad21c00d67992ef264fa810bfd3837900e74725d4944d6861d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5MjJlMjM5Ni1kZjk0LTQyZjItODVmOC03ODZjODE1NTUwYzAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTIyZTIzOTYtZGY5NC00MmYyLTg1ZjgtNzg2YzgxNTU1MGMwLzczOGE5OGI1LTIyZjMtMTVjNC00NjU3LWE1ZjkxNWZjNWM1OS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21937160" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;What does it take to build a marketing career across Italy, France, Luxembourg, India and China and still stay curious about every new culture and consumer?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Alessandro Panella sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Amedeo Aragona&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Marketing Director for &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kinder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; in China at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ferrero&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, for a conversation about global marketing, cultural adaptation, leadership and the fast-changing world of consumer behaviour.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Amedeo shares the journey that took him from &lt;em&gt;Confindustria&lt;/em&gt; in Rome to an MBA in Milan and eventually to Ferrero, where he has spent more than 14 years working across markets and brands. He reflects on what attracted him to Ferrero, why the company&apos;s values have remained so important through its growth, and how a strong culture can create an environment where people genuinely want to help each other.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation gets particularly insightful when Amedeo compares his experiences in India and China. From understanding how differently people communicate to adapting marketing strategies to radically different media habits, he explains why being a &quot;guest&quot; in another culture means learning to adapt rather than expecting others to adapt to you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He also dives into the evolution of brands like &lt;em&gt;Kinder Joy&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Kinder Bueno&lt;/em&gt;, the challenge of engaging Gen Z, China&apos;s extraordinary digital consumption, and why marketers need to be ready for whatever comes next.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for Amedeo&apos;s insights on building a global career, marketing across cultures, learning from people, and turning uncertainty into one of the most exciting parts of the journey.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:23</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/922e2396-df94-42f2-85f8-786c815550c0/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #223 with Amedeo Aragona</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #224 with David Krampe ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>What happens when marketing stops being the “decoration at the end of the value chain” and becomes a genuine lens into the market?</em></p><p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler talks with <strong>David Krampe, Head of Marketing &amp; Sales Enablement Europe North at </strong><em><strong>Michelin</strong></em>, about connecting the things organizations too often keep apart: technology and customers, data and human behavior, strategy and execution, and marketing and sales.</p><p>David shares how his career in a highly technical, engineering-driven environment taught him to translate technology into tangible customer value  and why marketing needs to earn its place at the table early in the process.</p><p>Rather than asking whether AI will replace people, David argues for a more useful question: <em>How can AI help people focus on what humans do best?</em> From sharper customer insights to better coaching and less friction in sales and marketing, the opportunity is not simply greater efficiency but more human connection. They also explore what companies can learn from the explosive growth of AI businesses, the organizational chaos that can accompany hypergrowth, and why curiosity and adaptability may matter more than ever.</p><p>Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about making technology work for people and using AI not to make commercial organizations less human, but more human.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-224-with-David-Krampe-e3o6maj</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68583c58-b5c9-4d92-b750-a8b9514b20c3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 17:01:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/0fe0ba9eebd2d94464eeb8d4bb69b9c72d6004f51657838d3868625e12e57b9b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyY2VlMGEzOS00NGNlLTQyNTgtYjI5OS1hNGZmZmY0OTI3YjYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMmNlZTBhMzktNDRjZS00MjU4LWIyOTktYTRmZmZmNDkyN2I2L2ExZGY1MTMwLWExN2YtYzY5My1jZWRkLWFmODQ5YjdhNzU5Mi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18928033" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;What happens when marketing stops being the “decoration at the end of the value chain” and becomes a genuine lens into the market?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler talks with &lt;strong&gt;David Krampe, Head of Marketing &amp;amp; Sales Enablement Europe North at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Michelin&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, about connecting the things organizations too often keep apart: technology and customers, data and human behavior, strategy and execution, and marketing and sales.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;David shares how his career in a highly technical, engineering-driven environment taught him to translate technology into tangible customer value  and why marketing needs to earn its place at the table early in the process.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rather than asking whether AI will replace people, David argues for a more useful question: &lt;em&gt;How can AI help people focus on what humans do best?&lt;/em&gt; From sharper customer insights to better coaching and less friction in sales and marketing, the opportunity is not simply greater efficiency but more human connection. They also explore what companies can learn from the explosive growth of AI businesses, the organizational chaos that can accompany hypergrowth, and why curiosity and adaptability may matter more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about making technology work for people and using AI not to make commercial organizations less human, but more human.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:48</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/2cee0a39-44ce-4258-b299-a4ffff4927b6/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #224 with David Krampe </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #64 with Jesse Unger ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Jesse Unger, Co-founder of Significant and former strategist at some of the most iconic creative agencies in the world: Energy BBDO, TBWA\Chiat\Day, and Mother. Jesse shares her nonlinear path to strategy — from ghostwriting for a lawyer and designing Facebook apps to founding an influence lab and eventually launching her own company.</p><p>They talk about how strategy found her, the human psychology behind trends and influence and why studying people as networks, not individuals matters, what it takes to break into legendary agencies and why ads aren’t always the answer.</p><p> Jesse shares what it's like to start an agency with no blueprint but a clear philosophy: real creativity solves real problems and it doesn't matter who gets the credit. She reflects on the magic of deceptively simple solutions like a chatbot that finally makes sense, why creative strategy deserves more respect and how the true job of a strategist is to create conviction, not just alignment.</p><p>Tune in to understand that meaningful change doesn’t always start with a brief, sometimes it starts with asking better questions.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-64-with-Jesse-Unger-e33o432</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0289be78-f9ad-424b-837b-7721ed14dbe2</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:15:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/74c4af9aee855f83e45962712cbd2d4f205f4fe8c3a053cbea4c06cddeb37d70/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3ZWY1ZjU0MC1jNjk4LTRhYzktODYwMy00YWMzOGIxMTI0M2EiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvN2VmNWY1NDAtYzY5OC00YWM5LTg2MDMtNGFjMzhiMTEyNDNhLzc3MTQ3NjU3LTczZTgtNjJmZC03N2ViLTZlYzNkNDhjZDg2ZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24397851" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Jesse Unger, Co-founder of Significant and former strategist at some of the most iconic creative agencies in the world: Energy BBDO, TBWA\Chiat\Day, and Mother. Jesse shares her nonlinear path to strategy — from ghostwriting for a lawyer and designing Facebook apps to founding an influence lab and eventually launching her own company.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They talk about how strategy found her, the human psychology behind trends and influence and why studying people as networks, not individuals matters, what it takes to break into legendary agencies and why ads aren’t always the answer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Jesse shares what it&apos;s like to start an agency with no blueprint but a clear philosophy: real creativity solves real problems and it doesn&apos;t matter who gets the credit. She reflects on the magic of deceptively simple solutions like a chatbot that finally makes sense, why creative strategy deserves more respect and how the true job of a strategist is to create conviction, not just alignment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to understand that meaningful change doesn’t always start with a brief, sometimes it starts with asking better questions.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/7ef5f540-c698-4ac9-8603-4ac38b11243a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #64 with Jesse Unger </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #72 with Efrain Rosario]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Efrain Rosario, Global Head of Retail Marketing and Insights at Diageo. <br />They explore how brands can show up brilliantly at the "moment of choice," why emotional engagement is scientifically critical in retail and how occasion-based insights shape consumer behavior. He also reflects on career-shaping lessons from his time at Coca-Cola, including the power of simplicity in communication and the importance of understanding whether you sell or help people sell.<br />Moreover the conversation dives into Efrain's passion for teaching, his love for continuous learning and the balance between rational and emotional drivers in global brand-building. Along the way, he shares some of his most admired retail strategies from other brands and offers thoughtful reflections on how social moments shape our purchasing decisions.</p><p>Efrain unpacks what excites him most about the future of retail, including radical personalization, the convergence of online convenience with in-store experience and the potential of AI-powered virtual shopping assistants.</p><p>Tune in for an insight-packed conversation on retail, brand-building and the future of shopper marketing.</p><p><br /></p><p>*Sandra Peat, Spikes Partner UK is also joining the conversation. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-72-with-Efrain-Rosario-e351347</link><guid isPermaLink="false">617d4b99-c0fd-41d0-832f-36b370ccdcfb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:50:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1cd2da0af0501d93b8c989c2a5a57ff0bf6a4ab6c4f67ef3d6e184774b482e5f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlYjg5ZTY0YS04NjgxLTQ4NDctYjhkYi1jZjVkZWI2ODI5MjEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWI4OWU2NGEtODY4MS00ODQ3LWI4ZGItY2Y1ZGViNjgyOTIxLzI4ZWQyZWMwLTU5ZjYtYzkzOS1jMmMzLThhNDFkMzBlMDVhOC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24024643" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Efrain Rosario, Global Head of Retail Marketing and Insights at Diageo. &lt;br /&gt;They explore how brands can show up brilliantly at the &quot;moment of choice,&quot; why emotional engagement is scientifically critical in retail and how occasion-based insights shape consumer behavior. He also reflects on career-shaping lessons from his time at Coca-Cola, including the power of simplicity in communication and the importance of understanding whether you sell or help people sell.&lt;br /&gt;Moreover the conversation dives into Efrain&apos;s passion for teaching, his love for continuous learning and the balance between rational and emotional drivers in global brand-building. Along the way, he shares some of his most admired retail strategies from other brands and offers thoughtful reflections on how social moments shape our purchasing decisions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Efrain unpacks what excites him most about the future of retail, including radical personalization, the convergence of online convenience with in-store experience and the potential of AI-powered virtual shopping assistants.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an insight-packed conversation on retail, brand-building and the future of shopper marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;*Sandra Peat, Spikes Partner UK is also joining the conversation. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:31</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/eb89e64a-8681-4847-b8db-cf5deb682921/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #72 with Efrain Rosario</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #52 with Ewelina Kawnik]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon welcomes Ewelina Kawnik, Regional Marketing Director for North Region at EssilorLuxottica – the powerhouse behind iconic brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada Eyewear, and more. </p><p>With an impressive career spanning nearly two decades in giants like Unilever and Heineken, Ewelina shares what it’s like to pivot into a completely new industry — from global beer campaigns to high-fashion eyewear and vision innovation.</p><p>Ewelina opens up about what drew her to marketing in the first place: the unique blend of logic and intuition, psychology and creativity, empathy and business acumen. </p><p>They talk about the difference between B2C and B2B marketing, the importance of cross-functional collaboration, and how marketing can truly improve lives — especially when it’s about helping people see better.</p><p>Ewelina’s journey is driven by relentless curiosity and a passion for meaningful impact. She also shares the brands she admires most, what she’s learned from working in both sales and marketing, and why empathy might just be the secret superpower of great marketers.</p><p>They wrap up by looking ahead: the future of marketing in an AI-powered world, the role of personalization, and how emerging technologies will reshape how brands connect with people.</p><p>Tune in for an interesting conversation about  brand building, creativity, and the energy that comes from trying something new.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-52-with-Ewelina-Kawnik-e325d1q</link><guid isPermaLink="false">4dc2eb8b-98a8-4b2e-a551-9e4b443d4dd8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/603d16030b3c8e7feafb9cb95faaee820b086482acf8a687138d74e766776f11/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0MzdiMDZlNS02ZWMyLTQxODgtYWYzMi0yNTg3YmFiMTUwMDciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDM3YjA2ZTUtNmVjMi00MTg4LWFmMzItMjU4N2JhYjE1MDA3LzQ2NmVmMzM4LTczMTUtYTM3NC02MDcxLTFjZGRjMTc0ZjlkNy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17610957" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon welcomes Ewelina Kawnik, Regional Marketing Director for North Region at EssilorLuxottica – the powerhouse behind iconic brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada Eyewear, and more. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With an impressive career spanning nearly two decades in giants like Unilever and Heineken, Ewelina shares what it’s like to pivot into a completely new industry — from global beer campaigns to high-fashion eyewear and vision innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ewelina opens up about what drew her to marketing in the first place: the unique blend of logic and intuition, psychology and creativity, empathy and business acumen. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They talk about the difference between B2C and B2B marketing, the importance of cross-functional collaboration, and how marketing can truly improve lives — especially when it’s about helping people see better.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ewelina’s journey is driven by relentless curiosity and a passion for meaningful impact. She also shares the brands she admires most, what she’s learned from working in both sales and marketing, and why empathy might just be the secret superpower of great marketers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They wrap up by looking ahead: the future of marketing in an AI-powered world, the role of personalization, and how emerging technologies will reshape how brands connect with people.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an interesting conversation about  brand building, creativity, and the energy that comes from trying something new.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:05</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/437b06e5-6ec2-4188-af32-2587bab15007/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #52 with Ewelina Kawnik</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #53 with Donata Peksa]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with <strong>Donata Peksa</strong>, Head of Brand Experience at HSBC, one of the world’s most recognized banks. With over 15 years at HSBC and a rich background that spans economics, marketing, and international roles, Donata brings a unique perspective on navigating brand leadership through organizational transformation.</p><p>They talk about her journey from a PhD in economics to building global brand campaigns, why airport ads first drew her to HSBC, and how brand work thrives in times of change. Donata also reflects on the mentors and thought leaders who shaped her path and shares how a "squiggly career" became a source of strength rather than doubt.</p><p>Furthermore they dive into real-world examples of how humor, authenticity, and empathy drive connection.</p><p>Donata also reflects on brand envy and admiration—from the consistent values-driven work of Dove to the multi-sensory genius of MasterCard. The conversation ends up with a powerful look into the future of marketing: creator culture, digital fatigue, and the rising need for brands to offer not just innovation, but reassurance and optimism in an overstimulated world.</p><p>Tune in for insights on challenger mindsets, brand storytelling in uncertain times, and the value of embracing nonlinear growth.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-53-with-Donata-Peksa-e32iaj6</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8bc19452-59fa-4583-978e-a0c461fdfc56</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 10:26:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/56334196a0fee9d7ba3dc26a59f12303699ac4181e95215cf101e8564188b120/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5MTBmNTU0YS01NmM2LTQxZTktYjVkMy0zZTk4N2M5MjBmNGEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTEwZjU1NGEtNTZjNi00MWU5LWI1ZDMtM2U5ODdjOTIwZjRhLzNlMTdkMzFmLWU1MWMtODhiZC0xYTdjLWU2MzU0M2QyMDU3YS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25152232" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Donata Peksa&lt;/strong&gt;, Head of Brand Experience at HSBC, one of the world’s most recognized banks. With over 15 years at HSBC and a rich background that spans economics, marketing, and international roles, Donata brings a unique perspective on navigating brand leadership through organizational transformation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They talk about her journey from a PhD in economics to building global brand campaigns, why airport ads first drew her to HSBC, and how brand work thrives in times of change. Donata also reflects on the mentors and thought leaders who shaped her path and shares how a &quot;squiggly career&quot; became a source of strength rather than doubt.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Furthermore they dive into real-world examples of how humor, authenticity, and empathy drive connection.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Donata also reflects on brand envy and admiration—from the consistent values-driven work of Dove to the multi-sensory genius of MasterCard. The conversation ends up with a powerful look into the future of marketing: creator culture, digital fatigue, and the rising need for brands to offer not just innovation, but reassurance and optimism in an overstimulated world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on challenger mindsets, brand storytelling in uncertain times, and the value of embracing nonlinear growth.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:59</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/910f554a-56c6-41e9-b5d3-3e987c920f4a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #53 with Donata Peksa</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #188 with Marketa Kristlova]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Marketa Kristlova, Marketing Manager for Healthy Biscuits at Mondelēz International, joins Sandra Peat for a conversation about creativity, ambiguity, agility and what it really takes to build relevant brands today.</p><p>From discovering marketing “by accident” to leading major brand turnarounds at Mondelēz and Müller UK &amp; Ireland, Marketa shares why she’s most energized by undefined challenges, future thinking and creating work that delivers a win for brands, business and society alike.</p><p>Tune in for insights on career pivots, inclusive innovation, creativity inside large corporations and to find out why marketers need space to think, not just sprint.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-188-with-Marketa-Kristlova-e3jl2ua</link><guid isPermaLink="false">cca5ccea-af98-4cb1-9962-a74ffe492c18</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 12:47:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ffafb3ba89816ae65d36cfce8f65281dc7dcaf30706a9e0b0ec1480af05950da/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwNzUyNjMwZi1lYzc3LTRjNjYtOWJhNi1jNzlmMDY4YjdhODAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDc1MjYzMGYtZWM3Ny00YzY2LTliYTYtYzc5ZjA2OGI3YTgwLzQyNDUzNzg4OC00NDEwMC0yLWNlMmU2N2M2MGE4OTIubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="17187004" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Marketa Kristlova, Marketing Manager for Healthy Biscuits at Mondelēz International, joins Sandra Peat for a conversation about creativity, ambiguity, agility and what it really takes to build relevant brands today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From discovering marketing “by accident” to leading major brand turnarounds at Mondelēz and Müller UK &amp;amp; Ireland, Marketa shares why she’s most energized by undefined challenges, future thinking and creating work that delivers a win for brands, business and society alike.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on career pivots, inclusive innovation, creativity inside large corporations and to find out why marketers need space to think, not just sprint.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:17:42</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0752630f-ec77-4c66-9ba6-c79f068b7a80/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #188 with Marketa Kristlova</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #48 with Ard Bossema]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Ard Bossema,  CMO, Director of Marketing &amp; Strategy at Asahi Europe &amp; International. <br />Ard brings a wealth of experience from the world of beer, brand building, and international marketing—alongside stories from Unilever, SAB Miller, and personal aha moments.</p><p>They dive into the “good old school” of marketing at Unilever and how beer brands help shape real memories, what great marketing has in common with old Italian grandmas and why brands, people and execution – in that order – really matter.</p><p>Ard also opens up about the balancing act between long-term brand building and short-term performance. He reflects on lessons from a numbers-driven mentor and how performance ultimately enables creative freedom. They discuss how marketing isn’t just about sales or brand—it’s about understanding the full journey from shopper to drinker, and why aligning across functions matters more than ever.</p><p>Looking ahead, Ard shares his excitement for the future of marketing—from AI and data making us sharper and more accountable, to the evolving world of beverages and non-alcoholic trends as well as exploring the marketing potential in the renewable energy space.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about strategy, creativity, evolution and find out why even alcohol-free beer can taste like a win. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-48-with-Ard-Bossema-e31i842</link><guid isPermaLink="false">bda2e907-6591-4854-b370-f891684f842f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:01:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/9bd0efb91ec12ab9ace9e5a9f123f8f7f89d518a4f3e0cf716b4a0b0429bce28/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiM2ZkMDU3YS03MGE3LTRlNDItYWU4Yi1kODNiZDUyNjgyNzMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjNmZDA1N2EtNzBhNy00ZTQyLWFlOGItZDgzYmQ1MjY4MjczLzNlYjM4M2I5LWI4OTktNmJjZi0yNTU3LTQ1ZjFkMDRiZTdjOC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21165094" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Ard Bossema,  CMO, Director of Marketing &amp;amp; Strategy at Asahi Europe &amp;amp; International. &lt;br /&gt;Ard brings a wealth of experience from the world of beer, brand building, and international marketing—alongside stories from Unilever, SAB Miller, and personal aha moments.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into the “good old school” of marketing at Unilever and how beer brands help shape real memories, what great marketing has in common with old Italian grandmas and why brands, people and execution – in that order – really matter.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ard also opens up about the balancing act between long-term brand building and short-term performance. He reflects on lessons from a numbers-driven mentor and how performance ultimately enables creative freedom. They discuss how marketing isn’t just about sales or brand—it’s about understanding the full journey from shopper to drinker, and why aligning across functions matters more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking ahead, Ard shares his excitement for the future of marketing—from AI and data making us sharper and more accountable, to the evolving world of beverages and non-alcoholic trends as well as exploring the marketing potential in the renewable energy space.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about strategy, creativity, evolution and find out why even alcohol-free beer can taste like a win. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:40</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b3fd057a-70a7-4e42-ae8b-d83bd5268273/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #48 with Ard Bossema</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #31 with James Lancaster]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with James Lancaster, Brand and Marketing Review Leader at IKEA, to discuss global brand consistency, cultural contrasts, and the evolving role of branding in today’s world. With a career spanning agency roles at Brandhouse and CBA, global brand leadership at Reckitt, and now IKEA, James shares his perspective on navigating the balance between strategic alignment and local market adaptation across IKEA’s diverse global footprint.</p><p>They explore how IKEA maintains its unmistakable Swedish identity worldwide, the company’s first-ever major global brand alignment initiative, and the importance of amplifying what makes a brand truly memorable. James also reflects on the contrast between fast-moving, competitive corporate environments and IKEA’s values-driven, consensus-oriented culture, and what it takes to balance psychological safety with performance-driven ambition.</p><p>Tune in for an insightful discussion on branding as a force for positive change, the role of empathy in business, and why staying true to a brand’s purpose is more important than ever in an increasingly complex world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-31-with-James-Lancaster-e2uocob</link><guid isPermaLink="false">b3b5b9ba-e962-44ab-a60c-67750f6e8a7b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:12:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/690b39456452c36451453d4d8e0f3d518d898f3de127bbf02056875a546f818b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0ZTczMzk3Ny02ZjA3LTQ3M2UtYTlhZS02YzQyYmI3OThiMjgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNGU3MzM5NzctNmYwNy00NzNlLWE5YWUtNmM0MmJiNzk4YjI4LzNkNWVhM2E3LWYwZjgtMTVhNC0yNmJmLTc0OTg4ZTQ5MzUzYS5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="64416250" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with James Lancaster, Brand and Marketing Review Leader at IKEA, to discuss global brand consistency, cultural contrasts, and the evolving role of branding in today’s world. With a career spanning agency roles at Brandhouse and CBA, global brand leadership at Reckitt, and now IKEA, James shares his perspective on navigating the balance between strategic alignment and local market adaptation across IKEA’s diverse global footprint.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore how IKEA maintains its unmistakable Swedish identity worldwide, the company’s first-ever major global brand alignment initiative, and the importance of amplifying what makes a brand truly memorable. James also reflects on the contrast between fast-moving, competitive corporate environments and IKEA’s values-driven, consensus-oriented culture, and what it takes to balance psychological safety with performance-driven ambition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an insightful discussion on branding as a force for positive change, the role of empathy in business, and why staying true to a brand’s purpose is more important than ever in an increasingly complex world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:18</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/4e733977-6f07-473e-a9ae-6c42bb798b28/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #31 with James Lancaster</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talks #22 with Nina Mack]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Nina Mack, Head of B2C Brand Communications at Magenta Telekom in Austria, for an engaging conversation on the art and science of brand communication. Nina shares her journey from working at Red Bull and top agencies to leading teams in the telecom industry, revealing how her background in media studies and a passion for big brands have shaped her career. They discuss the challenges of controlling brand narratives, the evolving role of collaboration in marketing, and the balance between creativity and simplicity. Tune in to hear Nina’s thoughts on the future of marketing, the power of curiosity, and why she believes in finding the “golden nuggets” in every campaign.</p>
<p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talks-22-with-Nina-Mack-e2rk7cv</link><guid isPermaLink="false">df6c013d-0392-4cff-90ae-54b20db2ee1b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 Nov 2024 11:53:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4113ab108fc1905746026677fd5bbc19210abcaf67d1d30f1361d2ed874f2a1d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2OTgyNWYzZi02NzRkLTRlNTYtYmQ3Zi03YzVjNTA1NmRmNjgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNjk4MjVmM2YtNjc0ZC00ZTU2LWJkN2YtN2M1YzUwNTZkZjY4L2MzNzZkNWUyLTY5YjAtM2YzNy00MzE2LWE0MjNkNzg1MzQ4Ni5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23309147" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Nina Mack, Head of B2C Brand Communications at Magenta Telekom in Austria, for an engaging conversation on the art and science of brand communication. Nina shares her journey from working at Red Bull and top agencies to leading teams in the telecom industry, revealing how her background in media studies and a passion for big brands have shaped her career. They discuss the challenges of controlling brand narratives, the evolving role of collaboration in marketing, and the balance between creativity and simplicity. Tune in to hear Nina’s thoughts on the future of marketing, the power of curiosity, and why she believes in finding the “golden nuggets” in every campaign.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:28</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/69825f3f-674d-4e56-bd7f-7c5c5056df68/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talks #22 with Nina Mack</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #209 with Prashant SUkhwani ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon hosts Prashant SUkhwani, former VP Marketing at Burger King and now leading the next chapter of his career as Managing Partner, Publicis Digital Experience (PDX), at Publicis Groupe. From selling products in remote villages across India to leading marketing for Burger King India, Prashant has built his career by understanding people, culture and what truly captures attention. During the conversation he shares the stories behind Burger King's bold campaigns, why marketers must stay humble and how the rules of marketing are changing in the age of data and AI.</p><p>Tune in for stories from the front lines of modern marketing, where memes, cricket, Bollywood and consumer psychology all become part of the creative playbook.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-209-with-Prashant-SUkhwani-e3lp5tv</link><guid isPermaLink="false">87bf8b3a-9711-4aa7-91cf-969ef1a4b2f5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:15:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/3772dd074be9cf4f966881256e66d6b8c4efeb5ccde7aa05fe6c90558dda5a6d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmNzJjNzdlMi1jNGJmLTQ2MzUtODM3OS01NmE3ZmFhMzg1MWEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjcyYzc3ZTItYzRiZi00NjM1LTgzNzktNTZhN2ZhYTM4NTFhLzMwODM3Y2Y5LTNjYzEtMDYyZS0xYzIxLTllYzM2YzNmOWEzYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19313364" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts Prashant SUkhwani, former VP Marketing at Burger King and now leading the next chapter of his career as Managing Partner, Publicis Digital Experience (PDX), at Publicis Groupe. From selling products in remote villages across India to leading marketing for Burger King India, Prashant has built his career by understanding people, culture and what truly captures attention. During the conversation he shares the stories behind Burger King&apos;s bold campaigns, why marketers must stay humble and how the rules of marketing are changing in the age of data and AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for stories from the front lines of modern marketing, where memes, cricket, Bollywood and consumer psychology all become part of the creative playbook.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:16</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f72c77e2-c4bf-4635-8379-56a7faa3851a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #209 with Prashant SUkhwani </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #202 with Olaf Geuer]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon speaks with Olaf Geuer, Group Head of Brand at Swisscom. With a career spanning the BBC, Channel 4, digital innovation, academia and more than 16 years at one of Europe's most respected telecom brands, Olaf brings a unique perspective on the intersection of trust, technology and creativity.</p><p>The conversation explores how brands can embrace AI without losing authenticity, why trust may become the most valuable asset in an age of accelerating innovation and what it takes to guide a heritage brand into the future. Olaf also reflects on lessons learned from London's creative scene, the digital transformation of the BBC and the enduring power of brands that stay true to their purpose while constantly evolving.</p><p>Tune in to find out how great brands balance stability and change and why trust remains a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-202-with-Olaf-Geuer-e3l964l</link><guid isPermaLink="false">f4e7f2c3-73ba-468d-bbe6-660714938206</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:50:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/3e8b4c12862f345c19fa954694b7592559e6b1dd968d2dd8d5ed769efefa320c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmYmNiYmY3NS04ZDlmLTQ2ZWUtYmIxYy0wYTA5ZDA4MTU3NDAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZmJjYmJmNzUtOGQ5Zi00NmVlLWJiMWMtMGEwOWQwODE1NzQwL2Q0MDgzZThjLWMyNjEtODYyMy00MmNjLTExOWQyYzNhYThkMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17831769" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon speaks with Olaf Geuer, Group Head of Brand at Swisscom. With a career spanning the BBC, Channel 4, digital innovation, academia and more than 16 years at one of Europe&apos;s most respected telecom brands, Olaf brings a unique perspective on the intersection of trust, technology and creativity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores how brands can embrace AI without losing authenticity, why trust may become the most valuable asset in an age of accelerating innovation and what it takes to guide a heritage brand into the future. Olaf also reflects on lessons learned from London&apos;s creative scene, the digital transformation of the BBC and the enduring power of brands that stay true to their purpose while constantly evolving.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out how great brands balance stability and change and why trust remains a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:27</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/fbcbbf75-8d9f-46ee-bb1c-0a09d0815740/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #202 with Olaf Geuer</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #217 with Vasu Read]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Vasu Read</strong>,<strong> European Marketing Communication Lead at Nestlé</strong>, who has worked with some of the world's best-known brands like <em>Nescafé</em>, <em>KitKat</em> and <em>Maggi </em>to <em>Starbucks</em> and <em>Nespresso</em> . Vasu shares her journey into marketing, reflects on leading purpose-driven initiatives such as Nespresso's recycling programme and discusses why today's marketing landscape, despite AI, fragmentation and constant change, is the most exciting it has ever been. <br />They explore why brands need to earn legitimacy, how AI should be seen as an enabler rather than the destination and why going back to the fundamentals of brand building is the key to future growth.</p><p>Tune in to find out what it takes to lead some of the world's most iconic brands in the age of AI.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-217-with-Vasu-Read-e3mv5ip</link><guid isPermaLink="false">90bab7c3-6713-426a-b61e-5135738317cb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:09:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e2eaf3280604e5c0ec3cc0de303461710c76113c6e6c3dc97cec591b3a6f688e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwOWQ5ZjM4Ni02MjZkLTQ2MWEtYTdmNi05ZTY2MTc1Njc5NmEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDlkOWYzODYtNjI2ZC00NjFhLWE3ZjYtOWU2NjE3NTY3OTZhLzE3OGE5Y2VmLTI1ZWUtM2U0Zi1iM2QzLTQzZDc4NGQwNzQzNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20451711" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Vasu Read&lt;/strong&gt;,&lt;strong&gt; European Marketing Communication Lead at Nestlé&lt;/strong&gt;, who has worked with some of the world&apos;s best-known brands like &lt;em&gt;Nescafé&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;KitKat&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Maggi &lt;/em&gt;to &lt;em&gt;Starbucks&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Nespresso&lt;/em&gt; . Vasu shares her journey into marketing, reflects on leading purpose-driven initiatives such as Nespresso&apos;s recycling programme and discusses why today&apos;s marketing landscape, despite AI, fragmentation and constant change, is the most exciting it has ever been. &lt;br /&gt;They explore why brands need to earn legitimacy, how AI should be seen as an enabler rather than the destination and why going back to the fundamentals of brand building is the key to future growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out what it takes to lead some of the world&apos;s most iconic brands in the age of AI.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:43</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/09d9f386-626d-461a-a7f6-9e661756796a/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #217 with Vasu Read</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #186 with Matthew Leppanen ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Matthew Leppanen, Director of Marketing Enablement &amp; Partnerships at Bell, joins Gordon for a conversation about AI, transformation, leadership and why the biggest career opportunities often live in the undefined spaces.</p><p>From the rise of mobile internet to today’s AI boom, Matthew shares what makes this technological shift different  and why leaders should actively “fill the gaps” instead of waiting for permission. </p><p>Tune in to know more about mentorship, career growth, risk-taking and the lasting impact of leadership.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-186-with-Matthew-Leppanen-e3jl2nn</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67b13a83-596c-4843-9157-3b3a8644cc6d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 12:41:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b5b3a131d3a0a8d6009018a59602e394bcc03d6969ca0128d7565f836cd7b169/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMzUwNzdmNC01MWE4LTRjMTctOGJlZC1kMzcwY2RlYmMyYzAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDM1MDc3ZjQtNTFhOC00YzE3LThiZWQtZDM3MGNkZWJjMmMwL2Q4YTJhNWY4LTEwZmQtYmZlYy0xM2U0LWEwZTgzYzViZDQ4NS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16175185" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Matthew Leppanen, Director of Marketing Enablement &amp;amp; Partnerships at Bell, joins Gordon for a conversation about AI, transformation, leadership and why the biggest career opportunities often live in the undefined spaces.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From the rise of mobile internet to today’s AI boom, Matthew shares what makes this technological shift different  and why leaders should actively “fill the gaps” instead of waiting for permission. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to know more about mentorship, career growth, risk-taking and the lasting impact of leadership.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:02</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/035077f4-51a8-4c17-8bed-d370cdebc2c0/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #186 with Matthew Leppanen </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #221 with Patrick Müller]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>What can a decade at Amazon teach you about building a sports brand for the next ten years? </p><p>In this episode, Gordon talks to <strong>Patrick Müller</strong>, <strong>Chief Digital Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at </strong><em><strong>Decathlon Germany </strong></em><em>&amp;</em><em><strong> </strong></em><strong>Founder of </strong><em><strong>Primatheltics, </strong></em>about leadership, e-commerce, brand building, and why he believes Decathlon has a “no-brainer winning story” ahead.</p><p>Patrick shares the unexpected start to his career, from initially wanting to join the police to discovering his passion for business and marketing at <em>Staedtler</em>. He reflects on the intensity of his years at <em>Amazon</em>, the leaders who shaped his leadership style, and what ultimately pulled him toward sports, coaching and Decathlon.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation explores how <em>Decathlon</em> combines the scale of a global corporation with the energy of a startup, why product expertise and human-centric leadership matter, and what brands like <em>Red Bull</em> can teach us about creating experiences that go far beyond the product itself.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-221-with-Patrick-Mller-e3njn67</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d5e74186-06b0-4b05-9074-28b398637170</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:40:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/944a1fcf4cadc9faca74726f71b2fc1b36c5657c3665a84c2814246086e07e22/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0ZmUxZjI0Zi04YzhjLTRhY2YtYTlkMS0xN2NlOGY2Zjk4ZDQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNGZlMWYyNGYtOGM4Yy00YWNmLWE5ZDEtMTdjZThmNmY5OGQ0LzIyNTg5N2E4LTJmNzYtMjY4My1mZDFiLTRlMzZiYTczN2M0NC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="14756353" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;What can a decade at Amazon teach you about building a sports brand for the next ten years? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon talks to &lt;strong&gt;Patrick Müller&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Chief Digital Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Decathlon Germany &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&amp;amp;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Founder of &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Primatheltics, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;about leadership, e-commerce, brand building, and why he believes Decathlon has a “no-brainer winning story” ahead.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Patrick shares the unexpected start to his career, from initially wanting to join the police to discovering his passion for business and marketing at &lt;em&gt;Staedtler&lt;/em&gt;. He reflects on the intensity of his years at &lt;em&gt;Amazon&lt;/em&gt;, the leaders who shaped his leadership style, and what ultimately pulled him toward sports, coaching and Decathlon.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation explores how &lt;em&gt;Decathlon&lt;/em&gt; combines the scale of a global corporation with the energy of a startup, why product expertise and human-centric leadership matter, and what brands like &lt;em&gt;Red Bull&lt;/em&gt; can teach us about creating experiences that go far beyond the product itself.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:19:18</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/4fe1f24f-8c8c-4acf-a9d1-17ce8f6f98d4/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #221 with Patrick Müller</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes excitement talk #10 with James Miller]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Join us for an engaging episode with James Miller EVP, Head of Strategy (Mars) and Head of Strategy (BBDO Europe)! We discuss the evolving landscape of advertising, the challenges of capturing attention in the digital age, and the impact of short attention spans. James shares insights on standout digital content, brand salience, and the misconception that tech giants don't invest in traditional advertising. Tune in for industry insights, personal anecdotes, and a fresh perspective on the future of advertising. Don't miss it!</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-excitement-talk-10-with-James-Miller-e2lc5mu</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d0c4f5e0-1831-4a63-b39c-80a0c00d3fa7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 27 Jun 2024 07:49:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7e13a1d2473e19ee155a4717f3dd5dd9e57dd1ab17873e6d7603f41066bc521d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmMjYxZmU1OS01ZDEwLTQ4YWUtYjhjNy1iZDE0MTYyMThkYjMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjI2MWZlNTktNWQxMC00OGFlLWI4YzctYmQxNDE2MjE4ZGIzL2E1NGJiMGI4LWJmOGItY2U4NC05ZjNlLTBlZTc5NWUyOWZmZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="26792390" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Join us for an engaging episode with James Miller EVP, Head of Strategy (Mars) and Head of Strategy (BBDO Europe)! We discuss the evolving landscape of advertising, the challenges of capturing attention in the digital age, and the impact of short attention spans. James shares insights on standout digital content, brand salience, and the misconception that tech giants don&apos;t invest in traditional advertising. Tune in for industry insights, personal anecdotes, and a fresh perspective on the future of advertising. Don&apos;t miss it!&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f261fe59-5d10-48ae-b8c7-bd1416218db3/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes excitement talk #10 with James Miller</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #229 with Colin McQuay]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>What does it take to succeed when the rules of the game are changing? </em></p><p>In this episode, Gordon hosts <strong>Colin McQuay, Senior Director and Head of Strategic Revenue Management at Nestlé</strong>, who shares his perspective on the future of work, data science, AI, leadership and the evolving CPG landscape.</p><p>From combining analytics with human understanding to building careers across different disciplines, Colin explores why the playbook that got companies to 2025 won’t necessarily get them to 2050. He also discusses the rapid evolution of AI, why empathy and context will become even more important, and what it means to help people grow beyond what they thought was possible.</p><p>Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about rewriting the rules, making data useful, embracing AI, and helping people build the skills for what comes next.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-229-with-Colin-McQuay-e3p3b1u</link><guid isPermaLink="false">dfe3366a-9f14-4455-85ef-a25b76f6772b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2026 10:44:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/af6f2a87e4015ad2471fefc000ce2e3d85eb664b3881690aa91cd57e4323acd4/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlNTVjMzNkNi1mMGI4LTRlMmYtODFkNy03MzcwOGZjNjNmMGMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTU1YzMzZDYtZjBiOC00ZTJmLTgxZDctNzM3MDhmYzYzZjBjLzJlOTk2YzgzLWQyMjktMmI5Zi05OGU0LTIyOTFjYTQ0NDQwYS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="14387537" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;What does it take to succeed when the rules of the game are changing? &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts &lt;strong&gt;Colin McQuay, Senior Director and Head of Strategic Revenue Management at Nestlé&lt;/strong&gt;, who shares his perspective on the future of work, data science, AI, leadership and the evolving CPG landscape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From combining analytics with human understanding to building careers across different disciplines, Colin explores why the playbook that got companies to 2025 won’t necessarily get them to 2050. He also discusses the rapid evolution of AI, why empathy and context will become even more important, and what it means to help people grow beyond what they thought was possible.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about rewriting the rules, making data useful, embracing AI, and helping people build the skills for what comes next.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:54</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e55c33d6-f0b8-4e2f-81d7-73708fc63f0c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #229 with Colin McQuay</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #191 with Tatiana Schoch]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Tatiana Schoch, Head of Marketing Life &amp; Health Re at Swiss Re, shares her journey from academia and brand management to global B2B marketing in the reinsurance industry. From Hong Kong to Zurich, Tatiana reflects on cultural differences in consumer behavior, the power of storytelling in complex industries and how insurance is evolving from reactive protection to proactive resilience. The conversation explores AI, mentorship and why meaningful communication still depends on human insight and strong copywriting.</p><p>Tune in to know more about storytelling in B2B marketing, cultural insights across global markets and why the future of insurance must become more human, preventive and trusted.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-191-with-Tatiana-Schoch-e3k0vh3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">cac1fe77-b997-4f7a-99e6-76188bf26a19</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 12:31:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e433002b0585722cb1f6d2ac660c5a02dc47b0e6cabfdb8ea8420663fe41f594/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhOTgxYTljNS1hZGNlLTQ5NzUtODhiNy01ODQ4MWZhNDVjZmIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTk4MWE5YzUtYWRjZS00OTc1LTg4YjctNTg0ODFmYTQ1Y2ZiLzFjYmE4NGU3LTUyYzktMTUxYy0yNzhkLWEzMzc1MjYzMzljNi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24069350" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Tatiana Schoch, Head of Marketing Life &amp;amp; Health Re at Swiss Re, shares her journey from academia and brand management to global B2B marketing in the reinsurance industry. From Hong Kong to Zurich, Tatiana reflects on cultural differences in consumer behavior, the power of storytelling in complex industries and how insurance is evolving from reactive protection to proactive resilience. The conversation explores AI, mentorship and why meaningful communication still depends on human insight and strong copywriting.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to know more about storytelling in B2B marketing, cultural insights across global markets and why the future of insurance must become more human, preventive and trusted.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:32:17</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a981a9c5-adce-4975-88b7-58481fa45cfb/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #191 with Tatiana Schoch</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #37 with Christophe Poirier]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Christophe Poirier, Chief New Concept Officer at KFC, whose career spans leadership roles across Publicis, McCann, AIG, and Yum! Brands. With a track record of reinvention and bold decision-making, Christophe shares his journey from advertising to shaping the future of global brands.</p><p>They dive into the mindset of disruptors, the power of saying <em>yes</em> in a world of corporate <em>no’s</em>, and why embracing risk is key to making real impact. Christophe reflects on the importance of learning from failure, surrounding yourself with courageous people, and why brand-building is ultimately about creating excitement, not just hitting targets.</p><p>Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and why a billion souls matter more than a billion dollars.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-37-with-Christophe-Poirier-e2vha2c</link><guid isPermaLink="false">07819df1-4091-4f00-a815-de438ead2473</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 28 Feb 2025 17:35:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/76e961b66a2ac70feb0342871a7557333c30778c3e457e68bed6b71c1986744e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiYmJiZWQ1Zi03ZWZmLTRiOWUtOTZhNy1kYTI0OGY0YjVmNGUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYmJiYmVkNWYtN2VmZi00YjllLTk2YTctZGEyNDhmNGI1ZjRlLzMwYzY3NjcxLTkxMjAtMmFiNy1mMDgyLTM3ZmVjNjU5Mzc4ZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24320547" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Christophe Poirier, Chief New Concept Officer at KFC, whose career spans leadership roles across Publicis, McCann, AIG, and Yum! Brands. With a track record of reinvention and bold decision-making, Christophe shares his journey from advertising to shaping the future of global brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into the mindset of disruptors, the power of saying &lt;em&gt;yes&lt;/em&gt; in a world of corporate &lt;em&gt;no’s&lt;/em&gt;, and why embracing risk is key to making real impact. Christophe reflects on the importance of learning from failure, surrounding yourself with courageous people, and why brand-building is ultimately about creating excitement, not just hitting targets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and why a billion souls matter more than a billion dollars.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:29</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/bbbbed5f-7eff-4b9e-96a7-da248f4b5f4e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #37 with Christophe Poirier</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #165 with Nikos Bartzoulianos]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>From the Greek special forces to McKinsey, P&amp;G, Samsung, and until recently CMO at Electrolux—Nikos Bartzoulianos shares a powerful perspective on what it takes to build brands and careers that stand out.</p><p>This episode dives into the importance of bold choices, authenticity and emotional connection in a world overloaded with options. Nikos explains why great brands don’t just compete on features, but on meaning and why being different beats being better.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about discipline, storytelling, cultural intelligence and the human edge in marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-165-with-Nikos-Bartzoulianos-e3h9enh</link><guid isPermaLink="false">a9c553a3-2326-4af8-8571-99c7bdfb1595</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:10:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1483157222931a4cdc62b108714da17449eda4cf153a697e5b1fc9233c47b0d8/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxYjgxMmNjYy04Y2JkLTRhMjktYmQ2Yi0wYTFkNWY0YWJkZDQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMWI4MTJjY2MtOGNiZC00YTI5LWJkNmItMGExZDVmNGFiZGQ0LzM5YjIzMjU5LTBjNWMtYzFkNi03YTVlLWVlNTBkNGMyYmM5Yy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18594821" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;From the Greek special forces to McKinsey, P&amp;amp;G, Samsung, and until recently CMO at Electrolux—Nikos Bartzoulianos shares a powerful perspective on what it takes to build brands and careers that stand out.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode dives into the importance of bold choices, authenticity and emotional connection in a world overloaded with options. Nikos explains why great brands don’t just compete on features, but on meaning and why being different beats being better.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about discipline, storytelling, cultural intelligence and the human edge in marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:33</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1b812ccc-8cbd-4a29-bd6b-0a1d5f4abdd4/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #165 with Nikos Bartzoulianos</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #56 with Gina Roughan]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Gina Roughan, Head of Branded Social at Compare the Market—home of the legendary Meerkat campaign. </p><p>Originally from Durban, South Africa, Gina shares her journey from growing up around journalism to building standout brand content in the UK.</p><p>Gina reflects on her early career as a music editor in post-apartheid South Africa, her transition into advertising, and her deep-rooted love for storytelling—whether in long-form journalism or sharp, impactful short-form social content. They explore her formative roles at Weight Watchers, Channel 4 Food, and Tesco, and how food, emotion, and culture shaped her creative approach.</p><p>Plus: Gina shares her personal career highlight — a donut collab featuring Sergey the meerkat — and makes the case for a future where storytelling, silliness, and smart tech coexist.</p><p> From the thrill of innovation to the dangers of robotic storytelling, Gina brings a sharp, thoughtful lens to the rapid changes shaping marketing today.</p><p>Tune in, if you’re excited or even a little nervous about where AI is taking creativity.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-56-with-Gina-Roughan-e32plrb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">665fd717-acf4-484c-a17d-4d7e82f4bd01</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2025 09:05:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/18e8d611f1e01f4f080a96a36a814be8cdae057ce3b02d58bf50cb7d251ebc97/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjMjdhOGRlMS03YmY3LTQ4MDYtOGE5My0yZTk0YTRiOTRjYTciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzI3YThkZTEtN2JmNy00ODA2LThhOTMtMmU5NGE0Yjk0Y2E3LzE0ZDdkMWI3LTg2MjEtMjBjOS0yOGM4LWFhMjJmYmZkNDQ3Ny5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21037214" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Gina Roughan, Head of Branded Social at Compare the Market—home of the legendary Meerkat campaign. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Originally from Durban, South Africa, Gina shares her journey from growing up around journalism to building standout brand content in the UK.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Gina reflects on her early career as a music editor in post-apartheid South Africa, her transition into advertising, and her deep-rooted love for storytelling—whether in long-form journalism or sharp, impactful short-form social content. They explore her formative roles at Weight Watchers, Channel 4 Food, and Tesco, and how food, emotion, and culture shaped her creative approach.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus: Gina shares her personal career highlight — a donut collab featuring Sergey the meerkat — and makes the case for a future where storytelling, silliness, and smart tech coexist.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; From the thrill of innovation to the dangers of robotic storytelling, Gina brings a sharp, thoughtful lens to the rapid changes shaping marketing today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in, if you’re excited or even a little nervous about where AI is taking creativity.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:25</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c27a8de1-7bf7-4806-8a93-2e94a4b94ca7/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #56 with Gina Roughan</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #118 with Sonja Messerschmidt ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>*German episode*</p><p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler welcomes Sonja Messerschmidt, Head of Marketing and Communications at ÖRAG Rechtsschutzversicherung, for a chat about the evolution of marketing — from classic communication to a discipline centered around <em>solutions</em> and <em>customer empowerment</em>.</p><p>Sonja shares insights from her career path, which began in advertising and led her through many years at Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf before taking on her current leadership role at ÖRAG. Together, she and Gordon explore how marketing can help customers not just buy, but <em>solve</em> and why this mindset is transforming the role of brands today.</p><p>The topics include why Sonja believes in a “driver’s license for AI” to guide responsible use inside companies, the importance of trust and curiosity in leadership and career growth and why today’s strongest brands don’t just communicate — they deliver real solutions.</p><p>Tune in to find out how solution-oriented marketing keeps business and people moving forward.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-118-with-Sonja-Messerschmidt-e3a8vd5</link><guid isPermaLink="false">7f7260af-fdf2-49a4-aeae-e8b5b5b74579</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:43:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ac0850cdb84b8fbfc287e10b5df8e59f79f968f37092f16afa007af370fb88c3/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1ZTMwNWY2ZS03MmJlLTQ5MGQtYTZkMS1lZjhkNDM2ZTg1MjUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNWUzMDVmNmUtNzJiZS00OTBkLWE2ZDEtZWY4ZDQzNmU4NTI1L2VhYzUwY2UwLThiNzQtZTc4Mi1iNDJjLTAzMmMxZWIzODJjMS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19978506" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;*German episode*&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler welcomes Sonja Messerschmidt, Head of Marketing and Communications at ÖRAG Rechtsschutzversicherung, for a chat about the evolution of marketing — from classic communication to a discipline centered around &lt;em&gt;solutions&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;customer empowerment&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sonja shares insights from her career path, which began in advertising and led her through many years at Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf before taking on her current leadership role at ÖRAG. Together, she and Gordon explore how marketing can help customers not just buy, but &lt;em&gt;solve&lt;/em&gt; and why this mindset is transforming the role of brands today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The topics include why Sonja believes in a “driver’s license for AI” to guide responsible use inside companies, the importance of trust and curiosity in leadership and career growth and why today’s strongest brands don’t just communicate — they deliver real solutions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out how solution-oriented marketing keeps business and people moving forward.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:22</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/5e305f6e-72be-490d-a6d1-ef8d436e8525/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #118 with Sonja Messerschmidt </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #121 with Mohamed Aboelfotouh]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Mohamed Aboelfotouh, Senior Marketing Director for Content &amp; Digital Innovation at PepsiCo, to trace a career journey that redefines what it means to embrace change and chase excitement.</p><p>From computer science lecturer in Cairo to leading global digital transformation at one of the world’s biggest food and beverage companies, Mohamed shares how curiosity, courage, and creativity fueled every step of his path — and how taking smart leaps into the unknown can spark real growth.</p><p>Together they explore how a computer science background became the perfect foundation for digital marketing leadership, the bold leap from academia to Nestlé — and how one coffee mug changed everything, what it takes to scale digital and content innovation across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia and the art of influence over authority in global roles.</p><p>Listen now to hear how one marketer’s leap from code to content became a masterclass in reinvention and growth.</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-121-with-Mohamed-Aboelfotouh-e3aoilk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0774f3e7-5817-49a7-a788-e174ba53ab69</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:02:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/51bac014bae257361c2b8857ac290b4abb864d64a56b8b39492bbeccaaffdc4a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0NjNmNjA5Ni05MmEwLTRlZDYtYTBjOS0yMWE3NDJiM2Y5MjQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDYzZjYwOTYtOTJhMC00ZWQ2LWEwYzktMjFhNzQyYjNmOTI0L2FjZjlhOTY5LTQ3MmYtYjg2NC1hOTZjLTNlYzU1NTEzMjRjZi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="30419089" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Mohamed Aboelfotouh, Senior Marketing Director for Content &amp;amp; Digital Innovation at PepsiCo, to trace a career journey that redefines what it means to embrace change and chase excitement.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From computer science lecturer in Cairo to leading global digital transformation at one of the world’s biggest food and beverage companies, Mohamed shares how curiosity, courage, and creativity fueled every step of his path — and how taking smart leaps into the unknown can spark real growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together they explore how a computer science background became the perfect foundation for digital marketing leadership, the bold leap from academia to Nestlé — and how one coffee mug changed everything, what it takes to scale digital and content innovation across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia and the art of influence over authority in global roles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen now to hear how one marketer’s leap from code to content became a masterclass in reinvention and growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:39:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/463f6096-92a0-4ed6-a0c9-21a742b3f924/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #121 with Mohamed Aboelfotouh</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #120 with Jo Royce ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this  episode, host Gordon welcomes an old friend, colleague, and former boss — Jo Royce, whose remarkable career spans Glue, Sapient, Google, Unilever, and Kimberly-Clark.</p><p>Together, they explore the evolution and implosion  of the creative and marketing industries in an era of AI disruption, automation, and shifting business models. </p><p>They dive deep into the changing landscape of advertising and marketing, why the industry struggles to attract diverse new talent, the impact of AI on creativity and employment, leadership, learning, and staying “connected to the do” and inding purpose and humanity in fast-changing systems</p><p>Along the way, Jo shares candid stories from her path — from building agencies to mentoring through WACL and Brixton Finishing School — and offers hope and honesty for anyone navigating change.</p><p>Tune in to get refreshing insights!<br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-120-with-Jo-Royce-e3afngd</link><guid isPermaLink="false">13af47e2-56a0-422f-b9af-e0162ac3de46</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:53:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/22dc0b83747b96fbb82a002dc91baf8f9f6590e005792445e42beb84c4568d4d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1YmNkYTRjYi05ZWU2LTQxYzAtYTE2Ni05MmJjYTMwYWJhMjUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNWJjZGE0Y2ItOWVlNi00MWMwLWExNjYtOTJiY2EzMGFiYTI1LzNiYmU2ZGE4LTAzMzItNWZkZi1lOTA2LTMwMDA2MWU1YTE0Ni5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20831229" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this  episode, host Gordon welcomes an old friend, colleague, and former boss — Jo Royce, whose remarkable career spans Glue, Sapient, Google, Unilever, and Kimberly-Clark.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, they explore the evolution and implosion  of the creative and marketing industries in an era of AI disruption, automation, and shifting business models. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive deep into the changing landscape of advertising and marketing, why the industry struggles to attract diverse new talent, the impact of AI on creativity and employment, leadership, learning, and staying “connected to the do” and inding purpose and humanity in fast-changing systems&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Along the way, Jo shares candid stories from her path — from building agencies to mentoring through WACL and Brixton Finishing School — and offers hope and honesty for anyone navigating change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get refreshing insights!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:19</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/5bcda4cb-9ee6-41c0-a166-92bca30aba25/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #120 with Jo Royce </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #96 with Sharalyn Orr ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon welcomes  Sharalyn Orr, Executive Director of Global Marketing Innovation at The Estée Lauder Companies, for a powerful conversation about beauty, purpose and transformation.</p><p>Sharalyn shares her unique, non-linear journey from media and research to luxury beauty and how her six-year pursuit of the right role ultimately led her to Estée Lauder.Now leading a Center of Excellence focused on women 45+ across Western markets, she discusses the shifting consumer mindset, the business case for inclusivity and the mission-driven work behind campaigns like “Because of My Age.”</p><p>They also explore how brands like Nike and Under Armour have successfully tapped into universal human truths — and how the beauty industry is evolving with greater diversity, accessibility and authenticity. From VR tools for the visually impaired to the rise of indie and inclusive brands, Sharalyn offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of beauty and why it matters.</p><p>Tune in for insights on campaign storytelling that actually resonates. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-96-with-Sharalyn-Orr-e37bgje</link><guid isPermaLink="false">f182ae3d-02a5-4afa-b280-f8d5da09be76</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:54:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d07d5cd896290d13b1a82ada2c33532154f488a9459b171b5ff126fb6047f04d/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2YTM1OGRkMC1hOTQ3LTQwMmYtOTYxMC1mOGVjNjkxNGNjZGEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNmEzNThkZDAtYTk0Ny00MDJmLTk2MTAtZjhlYzY5MTRjY2RhLzYzNTUxZWU3LWQ3MWEtMmExMS0zZWRiLWQwNjRkMzQ4ZDFhOC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16404556" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon welcomes  Sharalyn Orr, Executive Director of Global Marketing Innovation at The Estée Lauder Companies, for a powerful conversation about beauty, purpose and transformation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sharalyn shares her unique, non-linear journey from media and research to luxury beauty and how her six-year pursuit of the right role ultimately led her to Estée Lauder.Now leading a Center of Excellence focused on women 45+ across Western markets, she discusses the shifting consumer mindset, the business case for inclusivity and the mission-driven work behind campaigns like “Because of My Age.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore how brands like Nike and Under Armour have successfully tapped into universal human truths — and how the beauty industry is evolving with greater diversity, accessibility and authenticity. From VR tools for the visually impaired to the rise of indie and inclusive brands, Sharalyn offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of beauty and why it matters.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on campaign storytelling that actually resonates. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:21</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/6a358dd0-a947-402f-9610-f8ec6914ccda/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #96 with Sharalyn Orr </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #79 with Ian Bertrand ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Excitement Talks</em>, Spikes US Partner Dave Cobban sits down with Ian Bertrand, former VP of Commercial Marketing at Canada Goose and longtime Nike marketing leader for a powerful conversation about evolving brand strategy, the future of retail and building deep consumer connection through experience.</p><p>From his early days in Nike retail to major global roles in running, retail experience and Olympic campaigns, Ian reflects on lessons learned across continents and categories. He talks about building inclusive teams, the power of consumer insight and how immersive retail experiences can create real community. You’ll hear insider stories from the Nike matrix, insights into the iconic “Breaking2” campaign and how retail became more than just selling, it became storytelling. <br />Plus, as a lifelong hockey lover and coach, Ian reflects on how sport continues to inspire his leadership style pens up about his next chapter: a future that includes coaching, mentoring and continuing to solve meaningful brand and consumer challenges.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation that’s packed with insight, humility and the kind of excitement that only comes from someone who's truly lived the brand.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-79-with-Ian-Bertrand-e35tsbp</link><guid isPermaLink="false">b1906359-ed18-4010-830d-0c8304f0dc2b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:00:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/cfc97217a266da3c7bc9209baf0625c2d271c7ef7eed4bfe5275c854e2006550/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhNmQ3YjZlMy1iOWI4LTRhMzAtODlmMy0xOGQyMjQwYjZmZGIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTZkN2I2ZTMtYjliOC00YTMwLTg5ZjMtMThkMjI0MGI2ZmRiLzUxNjA4ZjE5LThlZTgtYjBiZi1lMDlmLWE1YWYyOTU3MjkwMy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25651979" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Spikes US Partner Dave Cobban sits down with Ian Bertrand, former VP of Commercial Marketing at Canada Goose and longtime Nike marketing leader for a powerful conversation about evolving brand strategy, the future of retail and building deep consumer connection through experience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his early days in Nike retail to major global roles in running, retail experience and Olympic campaigns, Ian reflects on lessons learned across continents and categories. He talks about building inclusive teams, the power of consumer insight and how immersive retail experiences can create real community. You’ll hear insider stories from the Nike matrix, insights into the iconic “Breaking2” campaign and how retail became more than just selling, it became storytelling. &lt;br /&gt;Plus, as a lifelong hockey lover and coach, Ian reflects on how sport continues to inspire his leadership style pens up about his next chapter: a future that includes coaching, mentoring and continuing to solve meaningful brand and consumer challenges.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation that’s packed with insight, humility and the kind of excitement that only comes from someone who&apos;s truly lived the brand.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:01</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a6d7b6e3-b9b8-4a30-89f3-18d2240b6fdb/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #79 with Ian Bertrand </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #228 with Linde Scheers ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>What happens when you stop following a perfectly planned career path and start saying yes to new opportunities?</em></p><p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Linde Scheers, Head of Marketing &amp; Communications at </strong><em><strong>ING Germany</strong></em>, to talk about an unconventional career journey spanning Google, N26, eBay and now ING. Linde describes herself as an “accidental marketer” — but her story is anything but accidental.</p><p>From learning the fundamentals of sales at <em>Google</em> and spending a decade in an environment built around ambition and continuous learning, to deliberately stepping outside her comfort zone and experiencing the chaos of a fast-growing fintech, Linde shares what each chapter taught her about growth, leadership and making an impact.</p><p>They also explore why financial services can be made genuinely exciting, the power of having a personal “board of mentors,” and why the rapid rise of AI is creating a new kind of excitement for marketers.</p><p>Tune in to find out why disruption might actually be something to look forward to.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-228-with-Linde-Scheers-e3oslq0</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5e5b0bea-d13e-4eb8-b235-7d107edade0b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:25:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/dcfdb435fb10c5586d298014ac276bd6da8a1f85bbfceda35090533116c733b9/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjZTFmMDFiZS05MDZkLTQ0ZmQtOTJlMy0yYmZmOGFhZDY5MWMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvY2UxZjAxYmUtOTA2ZC00NGZkLTkyZTMtMmJmZjhhYWQ2OTFjLzI3M2M1NzBkLTZjMTUtNDdjOC00M2RkLTM1MWJhZTRhNjNlNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18738164" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;What happens when you stop following a perfectly planned career path and start saying yes to new opportunities?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Linde Scheers, Head of Marketing &amp;amp; Communications at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ING Germany&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, to talk about an unconventional career journey spanning Google, N26, eBay and now ING. Linde describes herself as an “accidental marketer” — but her story is anything but accidental.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From learning the fundamentals of sales at &lt;em&gt;Google&lt;/em&gt; and spending a decade in an environment built around ambition and continuous learning, to deliberately stepping outside her comfort zone and experiencing the chaos of a fast-growing fintech, Linde shares what each chapter taught her about growth, leadership and making an impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore why financial services can be made genuinely exciting, the power of having a personal “board of mentors,” and why the rapid rise of AI is creating a new kind of excitement for marketers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out why disruption might actually be something to look forward to.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:31</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ce1f01be-906d-44fd-92e3-2bff8aad691c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #228 with Linde Scheers </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #77 with Dipesh Patel ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with <strong>Dipesh Patel</strong>, Chief Digital Officer for Beauty &amp; Wellbeing at Unilever Europe, Middle East, Turkey, Australia &amp; New Zealand. </p><p>From his early days as a math graduate aiming for a career in banking to navigating management consulting and finally landing in the world of FMCG, Dipesh shares an honest and insightful look at how career paths are rarely linear and how embracing ambiguity and change has been central to his growth.</p><p>Dipesh talks about  how his upbringing in a family of first-generation immigrants and entrepreneurs instilled a curiosity for business and problem-solving from a young age, a mindset that continues to drive his work today.</p><p>They discuss how brands like LEGO have mastered the art of evolving while staying true to their purpose and why the next frontier for marketers lies in navigating the opportunities and challenges brought by AI. Dipesh reflects on how brands can remain authentic, creative and relevant in a world soon to be flooded with AI-generated mediocrity.</p><p>Tune in if  you're curious about the intersection of technology, creativity and consumer behavior and what it really takes to innovate inside or outside of a startup.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-77-with-Dipesh-Patel-e35jekn</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3c50c13b-d85c-48c7-b277-54cddd8045a3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:31:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c098e624876a876e4d4508eb64e618cedd675bda09223cad95c698b1a1760690/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjODc1NTg2Ny05ZmMxLTRlOTctOWFkOS1mZmExYzgzZjcwOWIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYzg3NTU4NjctOWZjMS00ZTk3LTlhZDktZmZhMWM4M2Y3MDliLzVjMzliNDE5LTQ5NDEtZDA0ZS1iMTY0LTM2ZGJjMjhhYzc5Yi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23666155" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Dipesh Patel&lt;/strong&gt;, Chief Digital Officer for Beauty &amp;amp; Wellbeing at Unilever Europe, Middle East, Turkey, Australia &amp;amp; New Zealand. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From his early days as a math graduate aiming for a career in banking to navigating management consulting and finally landing in the world of FMCG, Dipesh shares an honest and insightful look at how career paths are rarely linear and how embracing ambiguity and change has been central to his growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dipesh talks about  how his upbringing in a family of first-generation immigrants and entrepreneurs instilled a curiosity for business and problem-solving from a young age, a mindset that continues to drive his work today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss how brands like LEGO have mastered the art of evolving while staying true to their purpose and why the next frontier for marketers lies in navigating the opportunities and challenges brought by AI. Dipesh reflects on how brands can remain authentic, creative and relevant in a world soon to be flooded with AI-generated mediocrity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if  you&apos;re curious about the intersection of technology, creativity and consumer behavior and what it really takes to innovate inside or outside of a startup.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/c8755867-9fc1-4e97-9ad9-ffa1c83f709b/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #77 with Dipesh Patel </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #76 with Lucas Levy ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler welcomes Lucas Levy, Senior Director of Marketing Southeast Asia at Mondelez International. Lucas shares his remarkable career journey — from flipping burgers at McDonald's in Argentina, through a nearly two-decade rise at Unilever, to now shaping the future of iconic snacking brands at Mondelez in Singapore.</p><p>Along the way he became a seasoned marketer with experience across some of the world’s most beloved FMCG brands, including Dove, Axe, and Cadbury. </p><p>They discuss what makes brands meaningful, how curiosity fuels a career, and why the best brands aim to make life just a little bit better — whether through confidence, connection or joy.</p><p>Lucas shares insights from his journey, reflecting on the power of mentorship, the complexity of global marketing and the constant need to adapt and learn in a world shaped by data and AI. From Brazil to Singapore to the U.S., his story is one of openness to change, appreciation for cultural nuance and a passion for brands that enrich everyday life.</p><p>Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, learning and the future of marketing  and why having fun along the way still matters most.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-76-with-Lucas-Levy-e35jej8</link><guid isPermaLink="false">7e890a6b-e4d3-4815-9264-ed68ecb6f6c5</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:29:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ba307734a2e2c5bb92dc1ee4cd4c9428c7a9fe197fc643e794384c4ccd90c1e9/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1OGRjNTI2NC1kY2U4LTQwNDgtYWMxZS0wMjAwYTdkYTRmYjYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNThkYzUyNjQtZGNlOC00MDQ4LWFjMWUtMDIwMGE3ZGE0ZmI2LzNlMDcxZWY5LWMyZjQtZGI2My04MGRlLWU1NTYxYjlhNzNlOS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23263504" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler welcomes Lucas Levy, Senior Director of Marketing Southeast Asia at Mondelez International. Lucas shares his remarkable career journey — from flipping burgers at McDonald&apos;s in Argentina, through a nearly two-decade rise at Unilever, to now shaping the future of iconic snacking brands at Mondelez in Singapore.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Along the way he became a seasoned marketer with experience across some of the world’s most beloved FMCG brands, including Dove, Axe, and Cadbury. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They discuss what makes brands meaningful, how curiosity fuels a career, and why the best brands aim to make life just a little bit better — whether through confidence, connection or joy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lucas shares insights from his journey, reflecting on the power of mentorship, the complexity of global marketing and the constant need to adapt and learn in a world shaped by data and AI. From Brazil to Singapore to the U.S., his story is one of openness to change, appreciation for cultural nuance and a passion for brands that enrich everyday life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, learning and the future of marketing  and why having fun along the way still matters most.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:13</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/58dc5264-dce8-4048-ac1e-0200a7da4fb6/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #76 with Lucas Levy </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #74 with Erik Liebe]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon Euchler sits down with Erik Liebe, Head of Global Digital Commerce for Beauty &amp; Wellbeing at Unilever. Erik shares his unique perspective on what it means to build a long, fulfilling career within a single company and why that choice has paid off. <br />From consumer research in people’s homes to shaping social commerce strategies on platforms like TikTok, Erik unpacks what truly drives effective marketing: solving real consumer problems and creating meaningful moments. <br />The conversation explores how the lines between media, shopping and influence are blurring, why shortening the path from inspiration to purchase matters. Furthermore what it takes to stay relevant in a world of constant digital change.</p><p>They explore the power of positive, ambitious teams, the influence of inspiring leaders and the importance of truly understanding what makes people happy, even in the smallest, everyday moments.Erik also shares why he’s inspired by Rituals founder Raymond Cloosterman, who built a brand from a personal belief into a global empire.</p><p>Tune in for stories about shifting consumer habits, the beauty of learning curves and why sometimes, washing laundry isn’t about dirt at all.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-74-with-Erik-Liebe-e35763a</link><guid isPermaLink="false">19904081-f36f-4323-bcab-83c9bff4a672</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:10:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/362ab2da14980464595ace8abfca567b344040e3921f29b541006fae5ba7c19b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3N2UyOTdmNi0zZWY0LTQzMDUtOTkyZS01NzM3MDhlZmNkOWMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNzdlMjk3ZjYtM2VmNC00MzA1LTk5MmUtNTczNzA4ZWZjZDljLzhhNzU1ZDI4LWJmNDgtNzFiOC03MDhkLWJhMGY0Y2ZjMmE1ZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20497799" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon Euchler sits down with Erik Liebe, Head of Global Digital Commerce for Beauty &amp;amp; Wellbeing at Unilever. Erik shares his unique perspective on what it means to build a long, fulfilling career within a single company and why that choice has paid off. &lt;br /&gt;From consumer research in people’s homes to shaping social commerce strategies on platforms like TikTok, Erik unpacks what truly drives effective marketing: solving real consumer problems and creating meaningful moments. &lt;br /&gt;The conversation explores how the lines between media, shopping and influence are blurring, why shortening the path from inspiration to purchase matters. Furthermore what it takes to stay relevant in a world of constant digital change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore the power of positive, ambitious teams, the influence of inspiring leaders and the importance of truly understanding what makes people happy, even in the smallest, everyday moments.Erik also shares why he’s inspired by Rituals founder Raymond Cloosterman, who built a brand from a personal belief into a global empire.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for stories about shifting consumer habits, the beauty of learning curves and why sometimes, washing laundry isn’t about dirt at all.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:17</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/77e297f6-3ef4-4305-992e-573708efcd9c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #74 with Erik Liebe</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #225 with Dom Heinrich ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>What if AI isn’t the story but the relationship between humans and machines is?</strong></p><p>In this unusual airport episode, <strong>Dom Heinrich</strong> joins Maik Hofmann for a fast-moving conversation about creativity, technology, design and the future of our industry. Dom brings more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of creativity and technology, from his early days as an art director and creative technologist to his work in AI, design intelligence and innovation.</p><p>Today, as <strong>Co-Founder of </strong><em><strong>Creative AI Academy</strong></em><strong>, Global Head of Design Intelligence at </strong><em><strong>The Coca-Cola Company</strong></em><strong> and Professor for AI Design at </strong><em><strong>Pratt</strong></em>, Dom has a front-row seat to the transformation taking place around AI. But his perspective is refreshingly different from the usual AI conversation, he argues that we are still thinking too linearly about the technology  and that the real opportunity lies in understanding AI as a new kind of collaborator. Rather than trying to make machines more like humans, we need to understand what makes humans uniquely valuable.</p><p>Tune in for a inspiring chat about AI, creativity and the future of human-machine collaboration.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-225-with-Dom-Heinrich-e3o9sja</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ab8723a9-2841-4812-b20e-6cc193f4a25d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:49:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8b99b8b2b9715f9442a9d3cf221cade51db4822c92054af13f57244a766a5443/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4YThkYWI3MC1lOTcxLTQ3NGYtYTk3Ny03M2I1ZDllMzk0NDEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOGE4ZGFiNzAtZTk3MS00NzRmLWE5NzctNzNiNWQ5ZTM5NDQxLzc2M2IwMjZjLWMyNzItNmU3NS0xMDcxLTlkZDJmYTc1Y2I3Mi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17669950" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What if AI isn’t the story but the relationship between humans and machines is?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this unusual airport episode, &lt;strong&gt;Dom Heinrich&lt;/strong&gt; joins Maik Hofmann for a fast-moving conversation about creativity, technology, design and the future of our industry. Dom brings more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of creativity and technology, from his early days as an art director and creative technologist to his work in AI, design intelligence and innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today, as &lt;strong&gt;Co-Founder of &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Creative AI Academy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;, Global Head of Design Intelligence at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Coca-Cola Company&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; and Professor for AI Design at &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pratt&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, Dom has a front-row seat to the transformation taking place around AI. But his perspective is refreshingly different from the usual AI conversation, he argues that we are still thinking too linearly about the technology  and that the real opportunity lies in understanding AI as a new kind of collaborator. Rather than trying to make machines more like humans, we need to understand what makes humans uniquely valuable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a inspiring chat about AI, creativity and the future of human-machine collaboration.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:10</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/8a8dab70-e971-474f-a977-73b5d9e39441/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #225 with Dom Heinrich </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #226 with David Katz ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>What if plastic waste could become currency for clean water, education, healthcare, connectivity—and a pathway out of poverty?</strong></p><p>In this episode, Maik Hofmann sits down with <strong>David Katz</strong>, <strong>founder of </strong><em><strong>Plastic Bank</strong></em>, to explore a radically different approach to business, marketing and social impact. David shares how <em>Plastic Bank</em> turns discarded plastic into a resource that helps people in impoverished communities access essential services while creating a circular supply chain for global brands.</p><p>But this conversation goes far beyond plastic. David talks about entrepreneurship, leadership, self-actualization, purpose and what it means to create the conditions for other people to change the world. He challenges the traditional idea of success and explains why, for him, business is ultimately about service, aliveness and creating prosperity for everyone involved.</p><p>Tune in for a powerful conversation about turning waste into opportunity, purpose into action, and business into a force for meaningful change.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-226-with-David-Katz-e3o9snb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3f51b03c-af8e-4d5b-b024-705c214cbf03</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:51:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2c9ced2c0f5b775bfe4e4736f216cbeb5b43f071ce37c0976cc327b0222e7c4e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4YTlkMDA2ZC1jN2QwLTRiYmItYTY0Ni1lZjcyODU0ZWEwNmMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOGE5ZDAwNmQtYzdkMC00YmJiLWE2NDYtZWY3Mjg1NGVhMDZjLzI5ZTIxNjgxLWMzNmItNDJiMC1hNzQ5LTZlODY4ZDFkZDFiNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21431607" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What if plastic waste could become currency for clean water, education, healthcare, connectivity—and a pathway out of poverty?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Maik Hofmann sits down with &lt;strong&gt;David Katz&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;founder of &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Plastic Bank&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, to explore a radically different approach to business, marketing and social impact. David shares how &lt;em&gt;Plastic Bank&lt;/em&gt; turns discarded plastic into a resource that helps people in impoverished communities access essential services while creating a circular supply chain for global brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But this conversation goes far beyond plastic. David talks about entrepreneurship, leadership, self-actualization, purpose and what it means to create the conditions for other people to change the world. He challenges the traditional idea of success and explains why, for him, business is ultimately about service, aliveness and creating prosperity for everyone involved.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a powerful conversation about turning waste into opportunity, purpose into action, and business into a force for meaningful change.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:22</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/8a9d006d-c7d0-4bbb-a646-ef72854ea06c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #226 with David Katz </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #218 with Jim Real]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon hosts <strong>Jim Real, Founder &amp; Chief Creative Officer at Jim Real Creative, Real Thinking Consultancy</strong>. After shaping creative work for <em>Disney</em>, <em>Pixar</em>, <em>Marvel</em>, <em>Lucasfilm</em> and Disney Parks around the world, Jim has embarked on a new journey: helping organizations harness the power of storytelling to solve real business challenges and create lasting emotional connections.During the conversation he reflects on his years at Disney, the lessons he learned from some of advertising's greatest creative leaders and why the best ideas are never „sold“ but built together through partnership, insight and trust. He explains why every touchpoint is part of the story, why experiences matter more than ever in an AI-driven world and why the most exciting work starts with what he calls <em>good trouble</em>: doing something with positive intent that hasn't been done before.</p><p>Tune in for a masterclass in creativity, leadership and the art of turning human truths into unforgettable brand experiences.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-218-with-Jim-Real-e3mv5l8</link><guid isPermaLink="false">237fdd60-ac31-4bb5-8735-73b36fab51e1</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:13:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/0b2ef8f7c32679ac941bf7cd6dec05fed2582626ff3d6a217fa57b1b94739c84/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwOTdmNTIwYy00MmExLTQxMjEtOTE1MS0wNTdlZjEwNzMxMzYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDk3ZjUyMGMtNDJhMS00MTIxLTkxNTEtMDU3ZWYxMDczMTM2L2I5Mzk3ZjI1LWJlZmMtMmE0Zi1jYTUwLTgxODExMGE5YjgzNC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16167169" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon hosts &lt;strong&gt;Jim Real, Founder &amp;amp; Chief Creative Officer at Jim Real Creative, Real Thinking Consultancy&lt;/strong&gt;. After shaping creative work for &lt;em&gt;Disney&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Pixar&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Marvel&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Lucasfilm&lt;/em&gt; and Disney Parks around the world, Jim has embarked on a new journey: helping organizations harness the power of storytelling to solve real business challenges and create lasting emotional connections.During the conversation he reflects on his years at Disney, the lessons he learned from some of advertising&apos;s greatest creative leaders and why the best ideas are never „sold“ but built together through partnership, insight and trust. He explains why every touchpoint is part of the story, why experiences matter more than ever in an AI-driven world and why the most exciting work starts with what he calls &lt;em&gt;good trouble&lt;/em&gt;: doing something with positive intent that hasn&apos;t been done before.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a masterclass in creativity, leadership and the art of turning human truths into unforgettable brand experiences.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:21:09</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/097f520c-42a1-4121-9151-057ef1073136/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #218 with Jim Real</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #190 with Yuri Ezhkov]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Yuri Ezhkov, VP Creative Centre of Excellence at The Estée Lauder Companies, shares his journey from design intern and agency founder to leading global creative transformation. Yuri reflects on the rapid evolution of AI, the importance of prompt engineering and why creativity is still deeply human. From building communities through coffee shops and cosmetics to creating global brand cultures across Asia and beyond, this conversation explores what makes brands truly memorable. Moreover why consistency, emotion and commitment are the real differentiators.</p><p>Tune in for insights on creativity in the age of AI, building meaningful brands and why human connection still matters more than ever.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-190-with-Yuri-Ezhkov-e3k0vf9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">31b76b8e-33d4-4793-bf78-37588d194ac4</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 12:30:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b8edcc37c728baeeb720b384758bb9ac0158451265ea7e3f64bbdd243fb3c177/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlYzU4MmE4OC01ZDY5LTQxNjEtYWNlMy02YTg4YTUyNjUzMzciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWM1ODJhODgtNWQ2OS00MTYxLWFjZTMtNmE4OGE1MjY1MzM3LzQwYjYxYjI4LWZlMGItYjZlOC03OTk1LTAwODM0Y2Q0YTNjZi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17991120" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Yuri Ezhkov, VP Creative Centre of Excellence at The Estée Lauder Companies, shares his journey from design intern and agency founder to leading global creative transformation. Yuri reflects on the rapid evolution of AI, the importance of prompt engineering and why creativity is still deeply human. From building communities through coffee shops and cosmetics to creating global brand cultures across Asia and beyond, this conversation explores what makes brands truly memorable. Moreover why consistency, emotion and commitment are the real differentiators.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on creativity in the age of AI, building meaningful brands and why human connection still matters more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:23:53</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ec582a88-5d69-4161-ace3-6a88a5265337/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #190 with Yuri Ezhkov</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #73 with Tommaso Calzolari]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Tommaso Calzolari, Head of Global Brand Marketing for Motorsports at Adidas, for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of modern marketing, the role of social media and the challenges brands face in creating meaningful connections. <br />They explore what it’s like to build an entire category from the ground up inside one of the world’s most iconic brands. Furthermore Tommaso shares his journey from agency life in Italy to leading Adidas’ Formula 1 efforts, creating something entirely new while staying true to the brand's DNA.</p><p>They dive into why motorsport is more than just the driver, it’s a story of teams, performance, empathy and the power of human connection. Tommaso reveals how he and his team are reimagining how Adidas shows up in motorsport, what makes the Formula 1 ecosystem so culturally relevant today and why it’s critical to always start with how the product connects with the consumer at the point of sale.</p><p>Tommaso also reflects on the people who shaped his leadership style and shares personal stories about learning to make tough decisions under pressure. His advice? Get back to basics, build agile teams and never rely on a one-size-fits-all recipe for success.</p><p>Tune in for an honest and insightful look at what it takes to lead brands into the future. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-73-with-Tommaso-Calzolari-e35761q</link><guid isPermaLink="false">fe107bfb-b3f5-43d1-ac3e-e39469ce31a9</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2025 12:09:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/48745850d39d1cd3262034f7f07f2575de8e78a74b4e4191acacef1e5b395065/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwZTlmYmY1My0xNDY5LTQ3NWItOGYyZi0xYWVmNWNlNjM1N2UiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGU5ZmJmNTMtMTQ2OS00NzViLThmMmYtMWFlZjVjZTYzNTdlLzI4OWI5MjExLTA4N2UtZmE5My05ZGEzLTFmZTc2ODYwMzBlYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21782655" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Tommaso Calzolari, Head of Global Brand Marketing for Motorsports at Adidas, for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of modern marketing, the role of social media and the challenges brands face in creating meaningful connections. &lt;br /&gt;They explore what it’s like to build an entire category from the ground up inside one of the world’s most iconic brands. Furthermore Tommaso shares his journey from agency life in Italy to leading Adidas’ Formula 1 efforts, creating something entirely new while staying true to the brand&apos;s DNA.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into why motorsport is more than just the driver, it’s a story of teams, performance, empathy and the power of human connection. Tommaso reveals how he and his team are reimagining how Adidas shows up in motorsport, what makes the Formula 1 ecosystem so culturally relevant today and why it’s critical to always start with how the product connects with the consumer at the point of sale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tommaso also reflects on the people who shaped his leadership style and shares personal stories about learning to make tough decisions under pressure. His advice? Get back to basics, build agile teams and never rely on a one-size-fits-all recipe for success.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an honest and insightful look at what it takes to lead brands into the future. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:20</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0e9fbf53-1469-475b-8f2f-1aef5ce6357e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #73 with Tommaso Calzolari</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #70 with Jon Halvorson]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Jon Halvorson, Global SVP of Consumer Experience at Mondelēz International. <br />Jon shares his unique journey across the global marketing landscape, from shaping video strategies at Twitter to driving media transformation at General Motors and now leading global centers of excellence at Mondelēz, spanning media, digital, creative partnerships, commerce and generative AI.</p><p>They dive deep into the evolving landscape of generative AI and its profound implications for brands, marketing, and creativity. Moreover about Jon's passion for AI, not as a buzzword, but as a transformational tool that reimagines marketing from the ground up. He talks about the power of AI to inspire personal creativity, the role of marketers as change leaders and offers shout-outs to the cross-functional teams and visionary leaders who are making it all possible, reminding us that AI is the ultimate team sport.</p><p>Tune in for insights about how AI is reshaping marketing, leadership and even personal growth.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-70-with-Jon-Halvorson-e34nj10</link><guid isPermaLink="false">aead61fe-7631-4025-84a1-3ab61a7f2449</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:03:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/661803becdfb4f2ab17df9ffa8ee001a4c161491b06d7a52bcb94109906f5e92/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhZGMwNTAzNC0xNTlmLTQ3OWUtYTdjMy1lZjFlZjRhYzJkMmIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYWRjMDUwMzQtMTU5Zi00NzllLWE3YzMtZWYxZWY0YWMyZDJiLzUyODMwMWZhLTFhNDUtMTgzZS1hMmNmLTVhMjA5M2Y3NGQ1ZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="23550554" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Jon Halvorson, Global SVP of Consumer Experience at Mondelēz International. &lt;br /&gt;Jon shares his unique journey across the global marketing landscape, from shaping video strategies at Twitter to driving media transformation at General Motors and now leading global centers of excellence at Mondelēz, spanning media, digital, creative partnerships, commerce and generative AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive deep into the evolving landscape of generative AI and its profound implications for brands, marketing, and creativity. Moreover about Jon&apos;s passion for AI, not as a buzzword, but as a transformational tool that reimagines marketing from the ground up. He talks about the power of AI to inspire personal creativity, the role of marketers as change leaders and offers shout-outs to the cross-functional teams and visionary leaders who are making it all possible, reminding us that AI is the ultimate team sport.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights about how AI is reshaping marketing, leadership and even personal growth.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:30:43</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/adc05034-159f-479e-a7c3-ef1ef4ac2d2b/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #70 with Jon Halvorson</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #156 with Robyn Parks ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with <strong>Robyn Parks</strong>, Vice President and National Head of Marketing Strategy &amp; Growth at Verizon.</p><p>Robyn shares the unconventional path that took her from engineering studies to HR, and eventually into marketing leadership—building a two-decade career inside one company. She talks about the power of mentorship, why breadth of experience early in a career can matter more than rapid promotions, and how some of the biggest professional lessons come from parenting.They also explore leadership during the COVID era and why chasing impact matters more than chasing titles.</p><p>Tune in to understand why the future of marketing will be shaped where technology, humanity and business meet.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-156-with-Robyn-Parks-e3g66ji</link><guid isPermaLink="false">51842356-44cf-47c8-a32d-05ef90fe8d80</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:11:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/3760118536be4e1ceed11e6bffa6fafc18c321e3904b3e4a92abd067b2a4bc81/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmZTNhM2VmMi0wNzUwLTQxY2ItYmY2MC1mOTgzOTA1ZTFkNjgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZmUzYTNlZjItMDc1MC00MWNiLWJmNjAtZjk4MzkwNWUxZDY4L2I0MmJlZmJjLTQ2N2UtMzk2Ny02MzYzLTdhNWQ4OWVhNTkwZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="21631221" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with &lt;strong&gt;Robyn Parks&lt;/strong&gt;, Vice President and National Head of Marketing Strategy &amp;amp; Growth at Verizon.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Robyn shares the unconventional path that took her from engineering studies to HR, and eventually into marketing leadership—building a two-decade career inside one company. She talks about the power of mentorship, why breadth of experience early in a career can matter more than rapid promotions, and how some of the biggest professional lessons come from parenting.They also explore leadership during the COVID era and why chasing impact matters more than chasing titles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to understand why the future of marketing will be shaped where technology, humanity and business meet.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:11</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/fe3a3ef2-0750-41cb-bf60-f983905e1d68/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #156 with Robyn Parks </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #33 with Christof Baer]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Christof Baer, Head of Performance Marketing at Kimberly-Clark, to discuss the evolution of media, the power of marketing effectiveness, and the future of connected brand experiences.</p><p>With over two decades at Kimberly-Clark and a career that started at Unilever’s prestigious trainee program, Christof shares his insights on building strong brands, breaking down silos in marketing, and why the fundamentals of consumer behavior remain unchanged despite the digital revolution. From leading media strategies for iconic brands like Kleenex and Andrex to navigating the complexities of modern advertising, Christof reflects on the intersection of creativity, data, and behavioral science.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation on the shift from traditional to digital-first marketing, the role of integration in driving brand success, and why the future of marketing lies in better connections—not just better data.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-33-with-Christof-Baer-e2v060i</link><guid isPermaLink="false">cf431f37-7a43-457a-b6b4-0e52bda97e40</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2025 17:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/d45f0ec5db6566398d74f16caa7ba4110c3e3f2b0551ba2167c8899f98da8f1c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0Njg4OTNkMC0xNTYzLTRjMmQtOTQzOS0xMWViYWE5MmM5ODYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDY4ODkzZDAtMTU2My00YzJkLTk0MzktMTFlYmFhOTJjOTg2L2JhMDBmYjI1LTgxNWEtOWRiYy01M2JjLTk2OWIwZDhiNjY2Yy5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="50625171" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Christof Baer, Head of Performance Marketing at Kimberly-Clark, to discuss the evolution of media, the power of marketing effectiveness, and the future of connected brand experiences.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With over two decades at Kimberly-Clark and a career that started at Unilever’s prestigious trainee program, Christof shares his insights on building strong brands, breaking down silos in marketing, and why the fundamentals of consumer behavior remain unchanged despite the digital revolution. From leading media strategies for iconic brands like Kleenex and Andrex to navigating the complexities of modern advertising, Christof reflects on the intersection of creativity, data, and behavioral science.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation on the shift from traditional to digital-first marketing, the role of integration in driving brand success, and why the future of marketing lies in better connections—not just better data.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:18</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/468893d0-1563-4c2d-9439-11ebaa92c986/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #33 with Christof Baer</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #60 with Daniel Ryback]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Daniel Ryback</strong>, Senior Global Innovation Lead for Customer Experience at <strong>McDonald’s</strong>, to explore how one of the world’s most iconic brands approaches innovation at scale. Daniel walks us through the three core pillars of his work: building a global innovation framework, tackling high-value customer challenges across markets, and enabling innovation through infrastructure like McDonald’s Speedy Labs.</p><p>From launching an internal startup culture at <strong>Leo Burnett</strong> to early conversations with <strong>OpenAI</strong> long before ChatGPT made headlines, Danny shares how design thinking, experimentation, and scrappy prototyping have shaped his journey. They talk about creating alignment across global teams, the balance between local and global innovation, and the power of giving teams room to play—responsibly.</p><p>Whether you’re interested in brand innovation, global strategy, or how to future-proof customer experience, this episode is a must-listen.</p><p>Daniel shares knowledge on building innovation governance across 100+ markets, enabling cross-functional teams with design thinking, creating physical spaces that accelerate innovation, spotting emerging technologies before they go mainstream and the importance of curiosity, mentorship, and scrappiness</p><p>Tune in for an inspiring conversation about brand innovation, global strategy, or how to future-proof customer experience.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-60-with-Daniel-Ryback-e33fkcv</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d77c5262-7f51-4b1c-a683-6b3b44d48525</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 11:55:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/1d1307a2f171bc06d6cecff3b34e5ea2e28068a45f11c14156d263ddad72c56a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhOTM2M2I5MS1lZjVlLTQ3MTAtYThmMC0xOTgyMTljZmI1NzciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTkzNjNiOTEtZWY1ZS00NzEwLWE4ZjAtMTk4MjE5Y2ZiNTc3LzFkOTc3YWI4LWU4ZTUtMTgxNy0zOWE2LWQ0MjJhZTkxMjkyZC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18255495" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Daniel Ryback&lt;/strong&gt;, Senior Global Innovation Lead for Customer Experience at &lt;strong&gt;McDonald’s&lt;/strong&gt;, to explore how one of the world’s most iconic brands approaches innovation at scale. Daniel walks us through the three core pillars of his work: building a global innovation framework, tackling high-value customer challenges across markets, and enabling innovation through infrastructure like McDonald’s Speedy Labs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From launching an internal startup culture at &lt;strong&gt;Leo Burnett&lt;/strong&gt; to early conversations with &lt;strong&gt;OpenAI&lt;/strong&gt; long before ChatGPT made headlines, Danny shares how design thinking, experimentation, and scrappy prototyping have shaped his journey. They talk about creating alignment across global teams, the balance between local and global innovation, and the power of giving teams room to play—responsibly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re interested in brand innovation, global strategy, or how to future-proof customer experience, this episode is a must-listen.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Daniel shares knowledge on building innovation governance across 100+ markets, enabling cross-functional teams with design thinking, creating physical spaces that accelerate innovation, spotting emerging technologies before they go mainstream and the importance of curiosity, mentorship, and scrappiness&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an inspiring conversation about brand innovation, global strategy, or how to future-proof customer experience.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a9363b91-ef5e-4710-a8f0-198219cfb577/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #60 with Daniel Ryback</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #57 with Scott Redick]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon welcomes Scott Redick, Managing Director of Retail Acquisition Strategy and Integration at Charles Schwab. Scott shares how his career—spanning top creative agencies like Heat (now part of Deloitte), Isobar, DDB, and beyond evolved from journalism and PR into a unique strategy role at one of America’s most trusted financial institutions.</p><p>They explore how Scott’s nonlinear path—from early influencer marketing to brand strategy shaped his creative thinking.</p><p>What it means to answer the question: "What will we be talking about in six months?" and how that differs inside a brand vs. agency world.</p><p>His role in orchestrating Schwab’s cross-channel messaging and his work on internal creativity initiatives and nontraditional activations.</p><p>Scott reflects on building a career that blends curiosity, creativity, and strategic foresight and quietly crafting what might just be his dream job.</p><p>They also dive into the rise of experience-driven marketing with brands like Alamo Drafthouse, where watching <em>a movie </em>with surprise scuba divers becomes a brand story you never forget.</p><p>It also gets personal: Scott shares how a sci-fi comic book project came to life with the help of AI as a “thought partner,” why the future of creativity might be more collaborative than we expect, and what we can learn from drum machines and the drummers who embraced them.</p><p>Tune in for an honest and insightful conversation about planning, innovation, and the human side of brand strategy.</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-57-with-Scott-Redick-e32qvll</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ac427f78-9bb7-49e4-b152-d373ace585d6</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2025 09:09:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/f9ddb34665041200bfe8b0e3112396c37162dfe7557fda607d8f2fdc88407ab4/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwZGFmZDJkZS02M2ZmLTRiODItODhhNS02OWMxNzE3NDI1ZTQiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMGRhZmQyZGUtNjNmZi00YjgyLTg4YTUtNjljMTcxNzQyNWU0LzhmMDk4MzNmLTFmM2ItYWRjYy0zODc4LTU5OTg5ZWM4YWIxMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18875631" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon welcomes Scott Redick, Managing Director of Retail Acquisition Strategy and Integration at Charles Schwab. Scott shares how his career—spanning top creative agencies like Heat (now part of Deloitte), Isobar, DDB, and beyond evolved from journalism and PR into a unique strategy role at one of America’s most trusted financial institutions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They explore how Scott’s nonlinear path—from early influencer marketing to brand strategy shaped his creative thinking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What it means to answer the question: &quot;What will we be talking about in six months?&quot; and how that differs inside a brand vs. agency world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;His role in orchestrating Schwab’s cross-channel messaging and his work on internal creativity initiatives and nontraditional activations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Scott reflects on building a career that blends curiosity, creativity, and strategic foresight and quietly crafting what might just be his dream job.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also dive into the rise of experience-driven marketing with brands like Alamo Drafthouse, where watching &lt;em&gt;a movie &lt;/em&gt;with surprise scuba divers becomes a brand story you never forget.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It also gets personal: Scott shares how a sci-fi comic book project came to life with the help of AI as a “thought partner,” why the future of creativity might be more collaborative than we expect, and what we can learn from drum machines and the drummers who embraced them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an honest and insightful conversation about planning, innovation, and the human side of brand strategy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:34</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/0dafd2de-63ff-4b82-88a5-69c1717425e4/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #57 with Scott Redick</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #51 with Terry Seitz]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon sits down with Terry Seitz, whose career spans two decades across top agencies like IPG, Grey Group, PhD, and a transformative 12-year run at Visa as Vice President of North America Marketing. <br />Terry shares his journey from aspiring artist to marketing leader, weaving through agency life, multicultural marketing, media strategy, and business school. <br />They explore how marketing has evolved from pure creativity to a "mad scientist's" search for truth, blending creativity with data and behavioral science. </p><p>Terry reflects on key lessons learned from inspiring mentors, the importance of freedom paired with accountability, and how the discipline continues to change in thrilling ways. </p><p>Looking ahead, Terry shares what excites him most about the future: embracing the endless curiosity of the "mad scientist" mindset, thoughtfully navigating the promises and pitfalls of AI in marketing, and rebalancing the perceived divide between brand building and performance marketing into a more holistic, integrated approach.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation full of energy, wisdom, and inspiration for anyone passionate about the art and science of marketing.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-51-with-Terry-Seitz-e323jsb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">b8de180e-61d7-49eb-90da-8ff4b67333b8</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:18:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/25da731eee9cd4608fb44bceb28be9252347a60f7f054278e131bb0efcc5e8fb/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIxMjkyZmZkYi0yMTU2LTQ5ODAtYmIwZS0wOTQyZDIyZmIxN2IiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMTI5MmZmZGItMjE1Ni00OTgwLWJiMGUtMDk0MmQyMmZiMTdiLzY4MjM3ODU2LWNhNTEtNGE4MS0yYzU4LWIyYzk2YjFkMDg5OS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19503982" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Excitement Talk, Gordon sits down with Terry Seitz, whose career spans two decades across top agencies like IPG, Grey Group, PhD, and a transformative 12-year run at Visa as Vice President of North America Marketing. &lt;br /&gt;Terry shares his journey from aspiring artist to marketing leader, weaving through agency life, multicultural marketing, media strategy, and business school. &lt;br /&gt;They explore how marketing has evolved from pure creativity to a &quot;mad scientist&apos;s&quot; search for truth, blending creativity with data and behavioral science. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Terry reflects on key lessons learned from inspiring mentors, the importance of freedom paired with accountability, and how the discipline continues to change in thrilling ways. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Looking ahead, Terry shares what excites him most about the future: embracing the endless curiosity of the &quot;mad scientist&quot; mindset, thoughtfully navigating the promises and pitfalls of AI in marketing, and rebalancing the perceived divide between brand building and performance marketing into a more holistic, integrated approach.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation full of energy, wisdom, and inspiration for anyone passionate about the art and science of marketing.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:51</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/1292ffdb-2156-4980-bb0e-0942d22fb17b/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #51 with Terry Seitz</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #50 with David Rosenberg]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p> In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with David Rosenberg — CMO / CXO, a brand builder and innovation strategist whose career spans from the golden era of ad agencies to the cutting edge of Amazon Health, currently leading the product management.</p><p>David’s journey is anything but conventional: from early days at JWT and LBI to launching a startup in the wild west of digital advertising, to redefining fan engagement in the gaming world and managing the brand identities of pro athletes. </p><p>They unpack the throughlines in David’s path — a relentless curiosity, a love for systems (and breaking them), and a deep belief in the power of stories to shape both products and perception. </p><p>David shares why gaming was his creative playground long before it became mainstream marketing, what it means to work in ecosystems instead of silos, and how he’s now bringing product and brand together in the health space. </p><p>They also explore the emotional craft of marketing, the importance of being “multi-lingual” across culture, tech, and storytelling — and what happens when you stop playing by the old rules and start building your own game. </p><p> Tune in to hear, how brand lives inside products and why the most powerful moves in marketing often start with a simple question: What if?</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-50-with-David-Rosenberg-e31rnp6</link><guid isPermaLink="false">94286705-a484-496d-8a11-ed661f801898</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:51:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e529eb1ce5e2d9bc3606cd1856f50f734a4742edada13dd4f22553f9be7203d9/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlMDc1NjRhMS01OGYxLTQzYTQtYWFmNy1iNzQyZmMwZTBjYTAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZTA3NTY0YTEtNThmMS00M2E0LWFhZjctYjc0MmZjMGUwY2EwL2JmZGQ1MjI2LTdkZDUtOTcyZC1mZTg4LTZmODMxNGIxY2RjNi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25621247" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt; In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with David Rosenberg — CMO / CXO, a brand builder and innovation strategist whose career spans from the golden era of ad agencies to the cutting edge of Amazon Health, currently leading the product management.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;David’s journey is anything but conventional: from early days at JWT and LBI to launching a startup in the wild west of digital advertising, to redefining fan engagement in the gaming world and managing the brand identities of pro athletes. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They unpack the throughlines in David’s path — a relentless curiosity, a love for systems (and breaking them), and a deep belief in the power of stories to shape both products and perception. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;David shares why gaming was his creative playground long before it became mainstream marketing, what it means to work in ecosystems instead of silos, and how he’s now bringing product and brand together in the health space. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore the emotional craft of marketing, the importance of being “multi-lingual” across culture, tech, and storytelling — and what happens when you stop playing by the old rules and start building your own game. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Tune in to hear, how brand lives inside products and why the most powerful moves in marketing often start with a simple question: What if?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:41</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/e07564a1-58f1-43a4-aaf7-b742fc0e0ca0/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #50 with David Rosenberg</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #148 with Therese Bork ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode Gordon hosts Therese Bork, Director Marketing, Head of Brand and Partnerships, Nordics &amp; Baltics for Visa. </p><p>She shares an honest story about ambition, joy and choosing a career path that feels right—even when it doesn’t look linear on paper. From fashion and design to the Stockholm School of Economics, from Mondelez to Amazon, and now leading branded partnerships for Visa across the Nordics and Baltics, Therese has always followed one guiding principle: spark joy. </p><p>She reflects on the courage it takes to leave great roles behind and discovering that loyalty itself can be a superpower. </p><p>Tune in for a conversation about self-belief, growth and embracing the scenic route—professionally and personally.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-148-with-Therese-Bork-e3ebsup</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ed2c5c7c-f625-4c4c-92dd-1e94c3759f98</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:54:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/69ec1866dfa24ca16a43ffeb07145c7686c9834bc0fe1fce91bf27873ef9bc02/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0YmVhYzQxNy0xMjFlLTRiMjYtYWJiZC1mMjEzNDcwZDZlOTEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNGJlYWM0MTctMTIxZS00YjI2LWFiYmQtZjIxMzQ3MGQ2ZTkxL2Y4ZjFiZjQ1LTg5ODItYmVmNC02YWMyLWQ5NmQ3YzAyZDFiNi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="16921831" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode Gordon hosts Therese Bork, Director Marketing, Head of Brand and Partnerships, Nordics &amp;amp; Baltics for Visa. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She shares an honest story about ambition, joy and choosing a career path that feels right—even when it doesn’t look linear on paper. From fashion and design to the Stockholm School of Economics, from Mondelez to Amazon, and now leading branded partnerships for Visa across the Nordics and Baltics, Therese has always followed one guiding principle: spark joy. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She reflects on the courage it takes to leave great roles behind and discovering that loyalty itself can be a superpower. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about self-belief, growth and embracing the scenic route—professionally and personally.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:15</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/4beac417-121e-4b26-abbd-f213470d6e91/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #148 with Therese Bork </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #47 with Simon Walter ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon and Simon Walter, Chief Strategy Officer at Project A Ventures, dive deep into the concept that innovation is the only solution we have. Simon emphasizes that innovation doesn’t just happen within companies, but within ecosystems, where diverse players like startups, universities, investors, and consultancies come together to drive change.</p><p>Simon shares his journey from the world of advertising to working with early-stage founders, highlighting that his fascination lies in<strong> </strong>working with people who have different backgrounds, and how this diversity fuels creativity and growth. He reflects on his own decision to leave big brands, despite having worked on iconic campaigns for companies like Apple, Mars, and Adidas—because he realized that if you are a strategist, you don’t have to stop where advertising ends. This shift led him to explore how strategy and creativity can intertwine in the business world beyond traditional marketing.</p><p>They also discuss how working with early-stage founders is a particularly exciting challenge—for Simon, it’s about shaping the business and its values before even thinking about the branding.</p><p>Tune in for an engaging conversation on how innovation thrives in ecosystems and why the future of marketing is about creating more than just campaigns—it’s about reshaping industries through collaboration, creativity, and curiosity.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-47-with-Simon-Walter-e317hp8</link><guid isPermaLink="false">b025083e-9b80-46a8-aa3e-c9fcf5d52cad</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/233d28811b253b778c0b83e5b29bed5fc581e4466d9962ff45dca5a87dec2a16/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3MzJiZDAxYS00YTRkLTQwMDYtODZkOC01MWJlYzQ4YWZjNTIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNzMyYmQwMWEtNGE0ZC00MDA2LTg2ZDgtNTFiZWM0OGFmYzUyLzZlN2ExOTYwLTkyODUtMTI3OS1iY2M5LTIwYjBmZTkxYWI2NS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24305046" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon and Simon Walter, Chief Strategy Officer at Project A Ventures, dive deep into the concept that innovation is the only solution we have. Simon emphasizes that innovation doesn’t just happen within companies, but within ecosystems, where diverse players like startups, universities, investors, and consultancies come together to drive change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Simon shares his journey from the world of advertising to working with early-stage founders, highlighting that his fascination lies in&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;working with people who have different backgrounds, and how this diversity fuels creativity and growth. He reflects on his own decision to leave big brands, despite having worked on iconic campaigns for companies like Apple, Mars, and Adidas—because he realized that if you are a strategist, you don’t have to stop where advertising ends. This shift led him to explore how strategy and creativity can intertwine in the business world beyond traditional marketing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also discuss how working with early-stage founders is a particularly exciting challenge—for Simon, it’s about shaping the business and its values before even thinking about the branding.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an engaging conversation on how innovation thrives in ecosystems and why the future of marketing is about creating more than just campaigns—it’s about reshaping industries through collaboration, creativity, and curiosity.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:30</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/732bd01a-4a4d-4006-86d8-51bec48afc52/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #47 with Simon Walter </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #135 with Richard De Villa]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Sandra Peat is joined by <strong>Richard De Villa</strong>, <strong>Marketing Director for the UK, Ireland and Nordics at Club Med</strong>. Richard shares his journey through the travel industry—from destination marketing at the Philippines Embassy to airlines, and finally to leading one of the world’s most iconic holiday brands.<br />Together they explore the power of storytelling, what makes Club Med’s all-inclusive experience truly distinctive, and how technology and AI are reshaping the future of travel. </p><p>Tune in for insights about customer experience, innovation, and why travel remains one of the most exciting industries to work in.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-135-with-Richard-De-Villa-e3d6i8t</link><guid isPermaLink="false">ae7db608-41ec-479e-9cf4-df35e0562b87</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 07:02:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/2b971d2f631b3809e29978e6624c1e8a7616863c709fc6cc15a9998708c5cc19/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiMDY5NDE5YS0yZjAxLTRiYzUtYmY3ZC01YWRhZmUxNDc1YjciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYjA2OTQxOWEtMmYwMS00YmM1LWJmN2QtNWFkYWZlMTQ3NWI3LzQxNTUwMDk3My00NDEwMC0yLWY0MzBiMzI5OTc0MjUubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="18166785" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Sandra Peat is joined by &lt;strong&gt;Richard De Villa&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Marketing Director for the UK, Ireland and Nordics at Club Med&lt;/strong&gt;. Richard shares his journey through the travel industry—from destination marketing at the Philippines Embassy to airlines, and finally to leading one of the world’s most iconic holiday brands.&lt;br /&gt;Together they explore the power of storytelling, what makes Club Med’s all-inclusive experience truly distinctive, and how technology and AI are reshaping the future of travel. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights about customer experience, innovation, and why travel remains one of the most exciting industries to work in.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:43</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/b069419a-2f01-4bc5-bf7d-5adafe1475b7/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #135 with Richard De Villa</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #30 with Dr. Juliane Apel]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Dr. Juliane Apel, Head of Brand Marketing and Market Research at Yellow, the German energy provider known for shaking up a traditionally conservative industry. With a background spanning 15 years in agencies before making the leap to the client side, Juliane shares her unique perspective on bridging strategy and creativity.</p>
<p>They explore her journey from studying media design to leading brand transformation, her philosophy on connecting brand strategy to execution, and how Yellow has maintained its distinct creative edge even in a complex industry. Juliane also reflects on her experience navigating the energy crisis, why 80% of strategies fail in execution, and the lessons she's learned from both agency and corporate environments.</p>
<p>Tune in for insights on brand differentiation, the evolving role of agencies, and the future of marketing in an AI and social-first world—as well as Juliane’s personal inspirations, from Sony’s iconic campaigns to the role of next-generation consumers in reshaping brand communication.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-30-with-Dr--Juliane-Apel-e2uhsmf</link><guid isPermaLink="false">a46e8104-2784-453e-bad4-68ce9b045767</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 07 Feb 2025 09:27:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/81efc4515921c98109ffe84d373530378053a94bf22a29f125777c40cc454ace/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNjE2NDNlYS1mMWI0LTQ1MzgtYTYzZi1kMzUyMzJhM2FiYTIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzYxNjQzZWEtZjFiNC00NTM4LWE2M2YtZDM1MjMyYTNhYmEyL2U1NjIzMjZhLWM2OTAtMDJiNC00MWY0LWNjMWVmNThmNzE4OC5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="48941926" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Dr. Juliane Apel, Head of Brand Marketing and Market Research at Yellow, the German energy provider known for shaking up a traditionally conservative industry. With a background spanning 15 years in agencies before making the leap to the client side, Juliane shares her unique perspective on bridging strategy and creativity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They explore her journey from studying media design to leading brand transformation, her philosophy on connecting brand strategy to execution, and how Yellow has maintained its distinct creative edge even in a complex industry. Juliane also reflects on her experience navigating the energy crisis, why 80% of strategies fail in execution, and the lessons she&apos;s learned from both agency and corporate environments.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on brand differentiation, the evolving role of agencies, and the future of marketing in an AI and social-first world—as well as Juliane’s personal inspirations, from Sony’s iconic campaigns to the role of next-generation consumers in reshaping brand communication.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:22</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/361643ea-f1b4-4538-a63f-d35232a3aba2/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #30 with Dr. Juliane Apel</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #16 with Laurence Green]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Excitement Talks</em>, host Gordon is joined by Laurence Green, a legendary figure in advertising. Lawrence, co-founder and chairman of Fallon London, reflects on iconic campaigns like Sony Bravia's "Balls," which inspired Gordon's career. They discuss the power of creativity in advertising, the importance of making lasting impressions, and the evolving challenges in the industry. Laurence shares insights from his current role as Director of Effectiveness at the IPA, while they both celebrate the enduring impact of great campaigns. The conversation is a blend of nostalgia and optimism about the future of advertising.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-16-with-Laurence-Green-e2o000d</link><guid isPermaLink="false">05a23aff-9de7-4f84-a66f-141f24f6c422</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2024 09:11:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7b973ca261cf07a93fe269a38c2bf7965bea13c45ed358215b7429f5cbb794a0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5YTY4NDZlNy02NWE4LTQ3N2QtOGI5ZS01Y2Q5N2I1ZjY1ZjgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOWE2ODQ2ZTctNjVhOC00NzdkLThiOWUtNWNkOTdiNWY2NWY4LzA4YzZkNmJmLTc1ZGEtNDRlMC0yZjNmLTMyNzYwYjc5NGVlYi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="33796352" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, host Gordon is joined by Laurence Green, a legendary figure in advertising. Lawrence, co-founder and chairman of Fallon London, reflects on iconic campaigns like Sony Bravia&apos;s &quot;Balls,&quot; which inspired Gordon&apos;s career. They discuss the power of creativity in advertising, the importance of making lasting impressions, and the evolving challenges in the industry. Laurence shares insights from his current role as Director of Effectiveness at the IPA, while they both celebrate the enduring impact of great campaigns. The conversation is a blend of nostalgia and optimism about the future of advertising.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:45:26</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/9a6846e7-65a8-477d-8b9e-5cd97b5f65f8/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #16 with Laurence Green</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #220 with Peter Grant]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>What happens when 20 years of media fragmentation meets AI? </em></p><p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Peter Grant</strong>, <strong>Interim Media Director at Boots</strong>, who reflects on his journey from asking customers at Woolworths why they bought what they bought to navigating the rapidly changing world of AI, agentic search and media. He argues that AI’s greatest opportunity may not be creating something entirely new, but pulling together the vast amounts of intelligence and knowledge we already have.</p><p>The conversation explores the danger of atomisation, why marketers need to resist drowning in metrics and why the hardest question is often the simplest: <em>“Is what we’re doing actually worth it?”</em></p><p>Peter also shares his ambition to create the “perfect campaign”, inspired by Formula 1 legend Alain Prost’s pursuit of the perfect lap, and explains why having an ideal is not about achieving perfection, but about having the clarity and focus to know what you are aiming for.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation about AI, marketing, media, focus and why the future may belong to those who can finally bring it all together.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-220-with-Peter-Grant-e3n8lmp</link><guid isPermaLink="false">e92c92e0-0185-490f-841c-e284686a5e4c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:58:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ccacba196e2b2e661138f04a07927366186d6f93469614b4e77deaee4e6b3da6/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkNjNkNDViNS1iOTQ2LTRjMzQtYTRjZS0yY2M3NGE3M2E5MzIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZDYzZDQ1YjUtYjk0Ni00YzM0LWE0Y2UtMmNjNzRhNzNhOTMyLzM2MTliZjhmLTA2YzEtODczMS02OWYwLTBlZTFlNmRmYTcwZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="14728714" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;What happens when 20 years of media fragmentation meets AI? &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Peter Grant&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Interim Media Director at Boots&lt;/strong&gt;, who reflects on his journey from asking customers at Woolworths why they bought what they bought to navigating the rapidly changing world of AI, agentic search and media. He argues that AI’s greatest opportunity may not be creating something entirely new, but pulling together the vast amounts of intelligence and knowledge we already have.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores the danger of atomisation, why marketers need to resist drowning in metrics and why the hardest question is often the simplest: &lt;em&gt;“Is what we’re doing actually worth it?”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Peter also shares his ambition to create the “perfect campaign”, inspired by Formula 1 legend Alain Prost’s pursuit of the perfect lap, and explains why having an ideal is not about achieving perfection, but about having the clarity and focus to know what you are aiming for.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation about AI, marketing, media, focus and why the future may belong to those who can finally bring it all together.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:19:08</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/d63d45b5-b946-4c34-a4ce-2cc74a73a932/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #220 with Peter Grant</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #100 with Aseem Puri ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this milestone 100th episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon Euchler sits down with Aseem Puri, Digital CEO of Unilever International, for a truly global conversation on modern marketing, bold leadership and building brands that resonate across 200 markets.</p><p>After five scheduling attempts it finally happened—and it was worth the wait:</p><p>The conversation explores why Unilever International is "95% social-first"—and what that means for the future of brand building. How Aseem’s team leapfrogs traditional marketing to reach underserved markets in Africa, Latin America &amp; the Pacific.</p><p>Moreover the shift from big-budget ads to daily content creation and experimentation, how social trends spread globally—within days, not months.</p><p>Also Aseem’s inspiring career journey: from rural sales in India to leading digital transformation at Unilever and the mentors and mindsets that shaped his leadership style all around the motto that the future of marketing lies in data-led empathy: </p><p><em>“Make things people want. Don’t make people want things.”</em></p><p>Tune in for insights from a future leader navigating the ever-changing global landscape.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-100-with-Aseem-Puri-e380eac</link><guid isPermaLink="false">acb03a65-094c-497f-85af-40be8f66834d</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:17:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b38202a3c1d8c85f9f309c7c7a7d7d9dd214309e1c0de2669d65ba8dfd66c5d7/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJlZjBmOWEzNi02OGNjLTRmZTMtYjEwOC1mOTdlMGYwMWZmZTciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZWYwZjlhMzYtNjhjYy00ZmUzLWIxMDgtZjk3ZTBmMDFmZmU3LzY1ZTcyYjU4LWRkM2EtMGYwMy0xOTczLTM3NzUwN2NkZjIzMC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="14354324" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this milestone 100th episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon Euchler sits down with Aseem Puri, Digital CEO of Unilever International, for a truly global conversation on modern marketing, bold leadership and building brands that resonate across 200 markets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After five scheduling attempts it finally happened—and it was worth the wait:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores why Unilever International is &quot;95% social-first&quot;—and what that means for the future of brand building. How Aseem’s team leapfrogs traditional marketing to reach underserved markets in Africa, Latin America &amp;amp; the Pacific.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Moreover the shift from big-budget ads to daily content creation and experimentation, how social trends spread globally—within days, not months.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also Aseem’s inspiring career journey: from rural sales in India to leading digital transformation at Unilever and the mentors and mindsets that shaped his leadership style all around the motto that the future of marketing lies in data-led empathy: &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;“Make things people want. Don’t make people want things.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights from a future leader navigating the ever-changing global landscape.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:18:40</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ef0f9a36-68cc-4fe3-b108-f97e0f01ffe7/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #100 with Aseem Puri </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #101 with Richard Le Moult]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Richard Le Moult, CMO of Latin America at Pernod Ricard, for a conversation about the realities of modern marketing leadership. From his early days at Danone, Kraft and Philip Morris to now leading marketing across one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Richard shares what it <em>really</em> means to be a marketer today—and why he finds the complexity exhilarating.</p><p>The conversation explores  Richard’s international journey—from France to Mexico to Brazil and why LATAM is a region full of big opportunities. Furthermore why managing conflicting expectations isn’t a problem, but <em>the job</em>. He also reflects on not being afraid to embrace the messiness of it all why he sees himself as a midfield player, connecting defense and attack — a perfect analogy for the CMO role today.Ending on the future of marketing: hyper-personalization, scalable big ideas and redefining experience.</p><p>Tune in to get insights on how big brands navigate complex markets. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-101-with-Richard-Le-Moult-e380en5</link><guid isPermaLink="false">e05f65e6-7c9e-4aaf-9fc6-e9321e58a6bc</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:23:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/cdb67f29b1a29b7fcc41120d2a45812f3ca3fabf03dbc8786bd53644c5a80c10/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0NmY0ZGVlNi1mZGUzLTQ0NWQtYmZlMi1lYmM2ZmNlYmU3ZjciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNDZmNGRlZTYtZmRlMy00NDVkLWJmZTItZWJjNmZjZWJlN2Y3LzE5NjhhNjMwLTliYzQtZWQ0ZS05N2Q3LWEwYWFjYjk0ZjQ4MS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="24918784" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Richard Le Moult, CMO of Latin America at Pernod Ricard, for a conversation about the realities of modern marketing leadership. From his early days at Danone, Kraft and Philip Morris to now leading marketing across one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Richard shares what it &lt;em&gt;really&lt;/em&gt; means to be a marketer today—and why he finds the complexity exhilarating.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores  Richard’s international journey—from France to Mexico to Brazil and why LATAM is a region full of big opportunities. Furthermore why managing conflicting expectations isn’t a problem, but &lt;em&gt;the job&lt;/em&gt;. He also reflects on not being afraid to embrace the messiness of it all why he sees himself as a midfield player, connecting defense and attack — a perfect analogy for the CMO role today.Ending on the future of marketing: hyper-personalization, scalable big ideas and redefining experience.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get insights on how big brands navigate complex markets. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:47</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/46f4dee6-fde3-445d-bfe2-ebc6fcebe7f7/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #101 with Richard Le Moult</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #109 with Krinio Christaras ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon welcomes Krinio Christaras, Head of Consumer Experience for the MENA region at Mondelēz International, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation on marketing, transformation, and the human side of innovation.</p><p>From her early career in Australian media agencies to leading consumer experience across a complex and diverse region, Krinio shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path—including a bold decision to leave without a plan and how that leap led to her most transformative professional chapter in the UAE.<br />They discuss how curiosity and a passion for human behavior fueled her career, the Oreo dunking ritual and how consumer behavior becomes brand storytelling.</p><p>Also why empathy and cultural nuance are the superpowers of regional marketing and the role of AI in shaping utility-driven brand experiences. Krinio offers a grounded, insightful perspective on how brands can stop shouting and start truly connecting. </p><p>Listen in to hear why the future belongs to brands that blend innovation with empathy—and how you can design, not just react to, what’s next.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-109-with-Krinio-Christaras-e390cmp</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6c646bbb-ab74-4ae8-88c9-e7548d426be3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:33:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4f52c948cc684874c34960ede386c4c931b30af8913cfffac674f1cf8cabce33/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjZjE3ZDQ1MS0yN2JmLTQ3YjMtOTVlNi00MGIxOTQ5MTEwMDEiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvY2YxN2Q0NTEtMjdiZi00N2IzLTk1ZTYtNDBiMTk0OTExMDAxLzQyZmQwMzgyLTk3MjUtOGNjYy1iMjkwLTFiZjhlYjgwYjRlMC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19333595" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon welcomes Krinio Christaras, Head of Consumer Experience for the MENA region at Mondelēz International, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation on marketing, transformation, and the human side of innovation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From her early career in Australian media agencies to leading consumer experience across a complex and diverse region, Krinio shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path—including a bold decision to leave without a plan and how that leap led to her most transformative professional chapter in the UAE.&lt;br /&gt;They discuss how curiosity and a passion for human behavior fueled her career, the Oreo dunking ritual and how consumer behavior becomes brand storytelling.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also why empathy and cultural nuance are the superpowers of regional marketing and the role of AI in shaping utility-driven brand experiences. Krinio offers a grounded, insightful perspective on how brands can stop shouting and start truly connecting. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen in to hear why the future belongs to brands that blend innovation with empathy—and how you can design, not just react to, what’s next.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:28</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/cf17d451-27bf-47b3-95e6-40b194911001/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #109 with Krinio Christaras </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #200 with Catherine Beriere]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>What do Japan, customer centricity, aviation, food innovation and AI have in common?</p><p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Catherine Beriere, Head of Insight broad experience from Billion dollar brands to digital first scale-ups and currently Global Insight Lead for Animal and Pet at ADM, to discuss a career built on curiosity, cultural bridges and human-centric growth. From uncovering unmet consumer needs in Japan to transforming businesses at Nestlé and improving passenger experiences in aviation, Catherine shares why understanding people remains the ultimate competitive advantage.</p><p>The conversation also explores leadership, innovation, the future of AI in business and why technology works best when combined with genuine human insight.</p><p>Tune in for a conversation on growth, curiosity, leadership and the power of putting people at the center of business.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-200-with-Catherine-Beriere-e3l0ht1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">8b9b0dbe-6fe6-4667-9b9a-eae2d9cbab8b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:05:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b8ccfab5f3a3cfb33f1f3658dd645c77fa4e4bbb3b2fa21b4994d2c4334e168c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5MTQ3Y2E0ZS1iMzRlLTQ4NzEtOTA1OC0xMmE3ZDk0Yjk4MWMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTE0N2NhNGUtYjM0ZS00ODcxLTkwNTgtMTJhN2Q5NGI5ODFjL2IyZGQzMzI0LTU2MzUtMGFiZC1lZmQyLTAyMzlhMzBjMmI2My5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15192566" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;What do Japan, customer centricity, aviation, food innovation and AI have in common?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Catherine Beriere, Head of Insight broad experience from Billion dollar brands to digital first scale-ups and currently Global Insight Lead for Animal and Pet at ADM, to discuss a career built on curiosity, cultural bridges and human-centric growth. From uncovering unmet consumer needs in Japan to transforming businesses at Nestlé and improving passenger experiences in aviation, Catherine shares why understanding people remains the ultimate competitive advantage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation also explores leadership, innovation, the future of AI in business and why technology works best when combined with genuine human insight.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a conversation on growth, curiosity, leadership and the power of putting people at the center of business.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:01</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/9147ca4e-b34e-4871-9058-12a7d94b981c/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #200 with Catherine Beriere</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #29 with Suzanne Powers]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Suzanne Powers, Founder and CEO of Powers Creativity and former Global Chief Strategy Officer and President at McCann Worldgroup. With a career that has shaped some of the most iconic agencies—including TBWA, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, and McCann—Suzanne shares her journey through the world of brand strategy, creative transformation, and what it truly takes to power creativity.</p>
<p>They explore the impact of disruption as a strategic tool, the importance of embedding creativity at every level of an organization, and how brands can create culturally resonant work. Suzanne also reflects on the evolving creative landscape, why the best strategies are never built in isolation, and how bold thinking can drive meaningful change.</p>
<p>Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the future of creativity, leadership, and why starting a “selfish company” might just be the best career move.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-29-with-Suzanne-Powers-e2ubdlq</link><guid isPermaLink="false">7174da06-07b6-4f36-ae9e-0f7d5ce76c03</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:21:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/52a99e719ba4d759e3e9f6098b81ed03c1771ecb1fdc01760f974a8f8dedd955/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI3MzQ4ZGFjOS1lYTgzLTRlNmYtYmVhYy02ZjFkMjg5ZWJmY2EiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNzM0OGRhYzktZWE4My00ZTZmLWJlYWMtNmYxZDI4OWViZmNhL2Q0MDYyYzE3LWEyYmYtOTg0ZC1iODM2LWEwM2Q5Mzg0Zjg1My5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20644199" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Suzanne Powers, Founder and CEO of Powers Creativity and former Global Chief Strategy Officer and President at McCann Worldgroup. With a career that has shaped some of the most iconic agencies—including TBWA, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, and McCann—Suzanne shares her journey through the world of brand strategy, creative transformation, and what it truly takes to power creativity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They explore the impact of disruption as a strategic tool, the importance of embedding creativity at every level of an organization, and how brands can create culturally resonant work. Suzanne also reflects on the evolving creative landscape, why the best strategies are never built in isolation, and how bold thinking can drive meaningful change.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the future of creativity, leadership, and why starting a “selfish company” might just be the best career move.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:30</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/7348dac9-ea83-4e6f-beac-6f1d289ebfca/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #29 with Suzanne Powers</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #43 with Lucy Jameson]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with the brilliant Lucy Jameson—strategist, agency founder, and one of the most respected voices in the industry. Lucy shares how she stumbled into advertising simply because it started with an “A” in the Oxford career guide, and how that serendipitous choice turned into a lifelong passion and career.</p><p>From her early days at the legendary BMP (later DDB), learning under industry greats to becoming Head of Planning at an unusually young age, Lucy reflects on what it means to truly care about the work—and how that mindset led her all the way to Global CSO at DDB.</p><p>She opens up about the highs and lows of leadership, the art of winning pitches, and why she believes great strategy is about building brands that deserve to exist.</p><p>Lucy also shares how her creative partnership with Nils Leonard sparked a bold leap: founding Uncommon London to do exactly that—create brands people genuinely care about.</p><p>From econometrics to emotion, from spray-on safety paint to brand purpose, this is a conversation packed with insight, wit, and rare honesty about what it really takes to shape work that matters.</p><p>Tune in for an inspiring journey through creativity, resilience, and the power of building things that matter.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-43-with-Lucy-Jameson-e30o3ge</link><guid isPermaLink="false">02fe58a7-3e30-476e-88ee-e99554e3dad3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 30 Mar 2025 09:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4eb255cade383959b2445828b8f5ca9f73b5f10693159fefcf33fe6cebc6bb60/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4MzRjNjdkYy1iMDllLTQxMjctOGExMS0zZDU3NTQ2OTJkN2UiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvODM0YzY3ZGMtYjA5ZS00MTI3LThhMTEtM2Q1NzU0NjkyZDdlL2U1ZDc5NzM1LWMzNTEtY2ZkNS1hOTYwLWU2MTRjYjM0ODNmYi5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="54304592" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with the brilliant Lucy Jameson—strategist, agency founder, and one of the most respected voices in the industry. Lucy shares how she stumbled into advertising simply because it started with an “A” in the Oxford career guide, and how that serendipitous choice turned into a lifelong passion and career.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From her early days at the legendary BMP (later DDB), learning under industry greats to becoming Head of Planning at an unusually young age, Lucy reflects on what it means to truly care about the work—and how that mindset led her all the way to Global CSO at DDB.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;She opens up about the highs and lows of leadership, the art of winning pitches, and why she believes great strategy is about building brands that deserve to exist.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lucy also shares how her creative partnership with Nils Leonard sparked a bold leap: founding Uncommon London to do exactly that—create brands people genuinely care about.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From econometrics to emotion, from spray-on safety paint to brand purpose, this is a conversation packed with insight, wit, and rare honesty about what it really takes to shape work that matters.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for an inspiring journey through creativity, resilience, and the power of building things that matter.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:28:02</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/834c67dc-b09e-4127-8a11-3d5754692d7e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #43 with Lucy Jameson</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #27 with Alexander Ewig]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon sits down with Alexander Ewig, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at AIDA Cruises. With a career spanning from founding a digital agency in the early days of the internet to leading marketing and sales at major brands like MediaMarkt-Saturn, Alexander shares his unique journey into the industry and how it shaped his innovative approach to brand leadership.</p>
<p>They discuss the synergy between marketing and sales, the complexities of the cruise industry, and the joy of working in a business that sells happiness—helping people enjoy the best time of the year. Alexander also delves into the exciting potential of AI, from revolutionizing customer service to transforming creative production, while reflecting on the enduring importance of human connection in shaping memorable experiences.</p>
<p>Tune in to hear Alexander’s insights into navigating the challenges of modern marketing, the brands he admires, and what excites him most about the future of the industry.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-27-with-Alexander-Ewig-e2tsi0o</link><guid isPermaLink="false">d6189a89-8262-42c6-aadb-71a62a30fa7c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:25:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/9d458d8d6b89d14d49bf83538278fd59afa0612f1302a61298a398c005d00378/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmNWZmNDgwYS0yY2QyLTQ5MTMtOTZkNS04NDVlZTQ2ZDYxNGUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvZjVmZjQ4MGEtMmNkMi00OTEzLTk2ZDUtODQ1ZWU0NmQ2MTRlLzk3MjY2MmFiLThkYjItNWUyMy05NjFhLWFkNTM1NzVhNDNhMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19423207" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon sits down with Alexander Ewig, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at AIDA Cruises. With a career spanning from founding a digital agency in the early days of the internet to leading marketing and sales at major brands like MediaMarkt-Saturn, Alexander shares his unique journey into the industry and how it shaped his innovative approach to brand leadership.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They discuss the synergy between marketing and sales, the complexities of the cruise industry, and the joy of working in a business that sells happiness—helping people enjoy the best time of the year. Alexander also delves into the exciting potential of AI, from revolutionizing customer service to transforming creative production, while reflecting on the enduring importance of human connection in shaping memorable experiences.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear Alexander’s insights into navigating the challenges of modern marketing, the brands he admires, and what excites him most about the future of the industry.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:22</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/f5ff480a-2cd2-4913-96d5-845ee46d614e/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #27 with Alexander Ewig</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #9 with Dirk Herbert]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>This is our ninth excitement talk with Dirk Herbert. Dirk ist CSO of Dentsu for the Americas. Over the decades he worked at many big agency and started out his career working on global marketing strategy at Apple.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-9-with-Dirk-Herbert-e2kb112</link><guid isPermaLink="false">75000181-b200-4761-99ce-88d8d71fca4a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 31 May 2024 09:06:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/dda75675591d5ae37dc36630c014fbe114bba9fb06d5f62a7646bb4ae03a90c1/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0ZDUzMzdhZC0zZTk5LTQzNDctODZmMi1hYzM3NDQzNDMyZWYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNGQ1MzM3YWQtM2U5OS00MzQ3LTg2ZjItYWMzNzQ0MzQzMmVmL2E1ZTU1MDIwLWVjNWItMTk4Ny04MjBlLWU4NGQ1MTNmMmNhNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25200472" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;This is our ninth excitement talk with Dirk Herbert. Dirk ist CSO of Dentsu for the Americas. Over the decades he worked at many big agency and started out his career working on global marketing strategy at Apple.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:23</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/4d5337ad-3e99-4347-86f2-ac37443432ef/41343304-1717146379012-fb7ca316948b7.jpg"/><itunes:episode>9</itunes:episode><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #9 with Dirk Herbert</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #78 with Namita Mediratta ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon Euchler is joined by <strong>Namita Mediratta</strong>, Global Head of Insights for Deodorants at <strong>Unilever</strong>, whose career spans decades across India, Indonesia, Singapore and London, covering iconic brands like Dove and Magnum.</p><p>Namita shares how a background in engineering unexpectedly led her to fall in love with the "cerebral side of marketing"—the art and science of understanding what makes people tick. She reflects on her journey from selling detergent in Himalayan villages to transforming beauty insights in Europe and beyond. She also reflects on the impact of inspiring leaders throughout her career — those who taught her the value of trust, intellectual range and people-first leadership.</p><p>Together they explore how technology is reshaping the world of insights, the power of social listening and why <strong>AI doesn’t replace curiosity, it fuels it</strong>. Namita’s perspective bridges the worlds of creativity, technology and cultural nuance, offering an inspiring take on how brands can stay human in an era of data abundance. </p><p>Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on how curiosity, courage and trust can unlock transformative possibilities for brands and people alike.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-78-with-Namita-Mediratta-e35pgov</link><guid isPermaLink="false">3826cc69-4fe0-48b4-b8f4-83f681781022</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2025 13:53:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8154da6cd952af521b7dff760c57adef751a3922436788b534ce2d3730f18d67/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNjBkYzAxYi0zMDkwLTRkMjMtODEzYS02NjBjZGIyOTJlY2MiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMzYwZGMwMWItMzA5MC00ZDIzLTgxM2EtNjYwY2RiMjkyZWNjLzgwZTMwYjJlLTg4NjgtZGVkMy1hZGI3LTJmMTc0YzA1NDRmYy5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22422304" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon Euchler is joined by &lt;strong&gt;Namita Mediratta&lt;/strong&gt;, Global Head of Insights for Deodorants at &lt;strong&gt;Unilever&lt;/strong&gt;, whose career spans decades across India, Indonesia, Singapore and London, covering iconic brands like Dove and Magnum.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Namita shares how a background in engineering unexpectedly led her to fall in love with the &quot;cerebral side of marketing&quot;—the art and science of understanding what makes people tick. She reflects on her journey from selling detergent in Himalayan villages to transforming beauty insights in Europe and beyond. She also reflects on the impact of inspiring leaders throughout her career — those who taught her the value of trust, intellectual range and people-first leadership.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together they explore how technology is reshaping the world of insights, the power of social listening and why &lt;strong&gt;AI doesn’t replace curiosity, it fuels it&lt;/strong&gt;. Namita’s perspective bridges the worlds of creativity, technology and cultural nuance, offering an inspiring take on how brands can stay human in an era of data abundance. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on how curiosity, courage and trust can unlock transformative possibilities for brands and people alike.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:53</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/360dc01b-3090-4d23-813a-660cdb292ecc/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #78 with Namita Mediratta </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #71 with Daniele Tundo]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits down with Daniele Tundo, Global Digital Content Lead at Nestlé, whose marketing journey spans some of the world’s most iconic companies, including AB InBev, Procter &amp; Gamble and Vodafone. Daniele shares how curiosity and a passion for cultural exploration have shaped his career, from launching beauty products in the Middle East to creating beer campaigns across Europe. <br />They talk about the art and science of marketing, what it really takes to build global brands and why stepping into unfamiliar territories can be the best way to learn. </p><p>Daniele shares how connection, credibility and humility have shaped his path. He also reflects on the importance of learning from everyone and how that curiosity keeps him inspired in an ever-evolving industry. It’s not about chasing the next big thing. It’s about people, building with them, and bringing them along on the journey.</p><p>Tune in for a thoughtful, energizing conversation about modern marketing, leadership and lifelong learning.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-71-with-Daniele-Tundo-e35116t</link><guid isPermaLink="false">527311b1-c9ff-42f0-930c-a10ad5f1fc3c</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:09:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/13160c47b4df030ddce61b2be47f7edd730ec2652c52a39a945eba59e8498f5e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIwMWRkNDI0YS1lYjljLTRlY2MtYmUzOC00ZDAyYzRkMzc5NDMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMDFkZDQyNGEtZWI5Yy00ZWNjLWJlMzgtNGQwMmM0ZDM3OTQzLzdiNTc2M2Y5LWJkMjQtNmMzZC0zZmNhLTNjZDVmZDgxOWYxZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20811283" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits down with Daniele Tundo, Global Digital Content Lead at Nestlé, whose marketing journey spans some of the world’s most iconic companies, including AB InBev, Procter &amp;amp; Gamble and Vodafone. Daniele shares how curiosity and a passion for cultural exploration have shaped his career, from launching beauty products in the Middle East to creating beer campaigns across Europe. &lt;br /&gt;They talk about the art and science of marketing, what it really takes to build global brands and why stepping into unfamiliar territories can be the best way to learn. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Daniele shares how connection, credibility and humility have shaped his path. He also reflects on the importance of learning from everyone and how that curiosity keeps him inspired in an ever-evolving industry. It’s not about chasing the next big thing. It’s about people, building with them, and bringing them along on the journey.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a thoughtful, energizing conversation about modern marketing, leadership and lifelong learning.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:27:31</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/01dd424a-eb9c-4ecc-be38-4d02c4d37943/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #71 with Daniele Tundo</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #227 with Bastian Gierull]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><em>What does it take to disrupt one of the world’s oldest industries?</em></p><p>In this episode, Maik Hofmann sits down with <strong>Bastian Gierull, CEO of </strong><em><strong>Octopus Energy Germany</strong></em>, for a conversation about startups, innovation, leadership, climate change and the mindset needed to transform an entire market.</p><p>Bastian shares the journey that took him from marketing and e-commerce through telecommunications and a series of startups to the energy industry and explains why he was drawn to <em>Octopus Energy’s</em> ambition to challenge an established market.</p><p>From growing <em>Octopus Germany</em> from just a few thousand customers to one million, to building technology that is now used by other energy companies, Bastian talks openly about what excites him most: freedom, responsibility, non-conformity and the willingness to fail, learn and try again.</p><p>The conversation also explores why Bastian believes the energy transition can no longer wait, how technology can accelerate change, and why <em>Octopus</em> sees itself not simply as an energy supplier, but as an energy tech company. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: the future isn't something we should keep talking about. It is something we need to build now.</p><p>Tune in to hear why the energy transition needs action today, why failure is essential to innovation, and how challenging the status quo can create better outcomes for customers, businesses and the planet.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-227-with-Bastian-Gierull-e3ooshb</link><guid isPermaLink="false">4adbb569-8a23-4f0d-8208-d9665a11a5fa</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 19:19:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/381bccc50d981beb08085b61b46ad8bdaedcbe9e4df69b4c388c0bbbbd862c92/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI4ODlkYzljZC0zMzM3LTQ1ZjctODlkNS0xZTQ1MWU5MDExZTUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvODg5ZGM5Y2QtMzMzNy00NWY3LTg5ZDUtMWU0NTFlOTAxMWU1LzhlNjk3MDA5LTk4MmEtZDQwMi03YzM2LTg2NzlhYzc4MmM1MS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25719892" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;What does it take to disrupt one of the world’s oldest industries?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Maik Hofmann sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Bastian Gierull, CEO of &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Octopus Energy Germany&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;, for a conversation about startups, innovation, leadership, climate change and the mindset needed to transform an entire market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bastian shares the journey that took him from marketing and e-commerce through telecommunications and a series of startups to the energy industry and explains why he was drawn to &lt;em&gt;Octopus Energy’s&lt;/em&gt; ambition to challenge an established market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From growing &lt;em&gt;Octopus Germany&lt;/em&gt; from just a few thousand customers to one million, to building technology that is now used by other energy companies, Bastian talks openly about what excites him most: freedom, responsibility, non-conformity and the willingness to fail, learn and try again.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation also explores why Bastian believes the energy transition can no longer wait, how technology can accelerate change, and why &lt;em&gt;Octopus&lt;/em&gt; sees itself not simply as an energy supplier, but as an energy tech company. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: the future isn&apos;t something we should keep talking about. It is something we need to build now.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear why the energy transition needs action today, why failure is essential to innovation, and how challenging the status quo can create better outcomes for customers, businesses and the planet.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:20</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/889dc9cd-3337-45f7-89d5-1e451e9011e5/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #227 with Bastian Gierull</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #65 with Joseph Delhommer]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon sits sit down with <strong>Joseph Delhommer</strong>, Head of the U.S. CPG Brand Innovation Lab at <strong>Amazon</strong>, for a conversation that spans continents, creative disciplines, and career philosophies. <br />From his early beginnings in the Dominican Republic's ad scene to leading brand innovation at one of the world’s most influential companies, Joseph shares how art direction, hard work and a relentless curiosity shaped his nonlinear path.</p><p>They talk about growing up in a creative household and discovering advertising through career tests and family influence, navigating the transition from Latin American to U.S. advertising culture, lessons from working at R/GA, FCB, Y&amp;R, and Havas, the mental shift from agency to in-house innovation at Amazon and learning to balance ambition and burnout as a creative leader.</p><p>Joseph reflects on mentorship, cultural nuance, and the importance of identifying "the one worthwhile assignment" among the noise. Moreover about the responsibility of brands to actually benefit their customers, not just pay lip service to purpose. </p><p>Tune in to find out why being a "recovering workaholic" might be the secret to sustainable creativity.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-65-with-Joseph-Delhommer-e345597</link><guid isPermaLink="false">fee43d29-5558-49b1-aed9-2be0d4d4a381</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:31:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/33f04cdae14d7bdc0c82dc6e1f6bc87a56abb619372e408d660476f50cccdb41/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5NWY4NDYyNS0wNjlkLTQ1MDYtYTIwYy0xMmU0ZjdiMDk1NGIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTVmODQ2MjUtMDY5ZC00NTA2LWEyMGMtMTJlNGY3YjA5NTRiLzljN2UxMWNlLTI2ODItNDRiNS0wMDM2LTdlNjcxY2NjYjMyOS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="20463106" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon sits sit down with &lt;strong&gt;Joseph Delhommer&lt;/strong&gt;, Head of the U.S. CPG Brand Innovation Lab at &lt;strong&gt;Amazon&lt;/strong&gt;, for a conversation that spans continents, creative disciplines, and career philosophies. &lt;br /&gt;From his early beginnings in the Dominican Republic&apos;s ad scene to leading brand innovation at one of the world’s most influential companies, Joseph shares how art direction, hard work and a relentless curiosity shaped his nonlinear path.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They talk about growing up in a creative household and discovering advertising through career tests and family influence, navigating the transition from Latin American to U.S. advertising culture, lessons from working at R/GA, FCB, Y&amp;amp;R, and Havas, the mental shift from agency to in-house innovation at Amazon and learning to balance ambition and burnout as a creative leader.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joseph reflects on mentorship, cultural nuance, and the importance of identifying &quot;the one worthwhile assignment&quot; among the noise. Moreover about the responsibility of brands to actually benefit their customers, not just pay lip service to purpose. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to find out why being a &quot;recovering workaholic&quot; might be the secret to sustainable creativity.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:26:54</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/95f84625-069d-4506-a20c-12e4f7b0954b/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #65 with Joseph Delhommer</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #63 with Jordan Liebman ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talk, Gordon sits down with Jordan Liebman.Jordan is a powerhouse in marketing with a career that spans top creative agencies like Publicis, BBDO, and McGarryBowen, and executive leadership roles at Verizon and Konica Minolta. He’s also the voice behind a viral LinkedIn post about the New York Knicks that sparked our connection.</p><p>During the talk Jordan shares how a love for storytelling at the age of 15 turned into a calling. He unpacks the shift from campaign-building to company-building, why the most impactful marketing today is rooted in creativity, empathy, and meaning. Furthermore how early mentors and agency experiences shaped his leadership journey. From winning his first Cannes Lion to moving in-house at Verizon, Jordan opens up about servant leadership, building brands with purpose and learning from some of the best minds in the business.</p><p>The conversation explores how marketing is becoming the connective tissue of modern organization and why the best CMOs are no longer just brand stewards but growth architects. Jordan unpacks the shift from campaign-building to company-building, and why the most impactful marketing today is rooted in creativity, empathy, and meaning.<br />Tune in to get inspired by Jordan’s passion for the craft and commitment to transformation.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-63-with-Jordan-Liebman-e33o3tt</link><guid isPermaLink="false">fb5f8b54-f935-437a-aa3e-862a81f8b8cb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:14:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/c37dba8b90e0279d4cd736e3875721b0294c4e66479cfb2c0aa4a1b8955b6f4f/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5MDI3MmE4Ni00Mzk0LTRhYTgtYjVhZi0zNmQ2YTdkNWViODMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvOTAyNzJhODYtNDM5NC00YWE4LWI1YWYtMzZkNmE3ZDVlYjgzLzZjY2NhMmZkLWJmNTctMDIwNi01ZDFjLWRjNDY5MmI1ZmM4MC5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="19135065" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talk, Gordon sits down with Jordan Liebman.Jordan is a powerhouse in marketing with a career that spans top creative agencies like Publicis, BBDO, and McGarryBowen, and executive leadership roles at Verizon and Konica Minolta. He’s also the voice behind a viral LinkedIn post about the New York Knicks that sparked our connection.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During the talk Jordan shares how a love for storytelling at the age of 15 turned into a calling. He unpacks the shift from campaign-building to company-building, why the most impactful marketing today is rooted in creativity, empathy, and meaning. Furthermore how early mentors and agency experiences shaped his leadership journey. From winning his first Cannes Lion to moving in-house at Verizon, Jordan opens up about servant leadership, building brands with purpose and learning from some of the best minds in the business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores how marketing is becoming the connective tissue of modern organization and why the best CMOs are no longer just brand stewards but growth architects. Jordan unpacks the shift from campaign-building to company-building, and why the most impactful marketing today is rooted in creativity, empathy, and meaning.&lt;br /&gt;Tune in to get inspired by Jordan’s passion for the craft and commitment to transformation.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:25:19</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/90272a86-4394-4aa8-b5af-36d6a7d5eb83/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #63 with Jordan Liebman </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #62 with Shipra Bhatt]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this energizing episode, Gordon sits down with <strong>Shipra Bhatt</strong>, whose career has taken her from uncovering deep human truths at Quantum Consumer Solutions to spearheading marketing innovation for <strong>KFC (India). </strong></p><p>What happens when a passionate consumer researcher crosses over to the brand side? Shipra shares her journey from interpreting trends to actually shaping them—moving from insight to execution, from advising clients to launching iconic products like the <em>Chizza</em>. <br />They explore how insights evolve into actionable strategy, what it really takes to develop new products in the QSR space, and why brand-building is anything but a linear process.</p><p>You'll hear how Shipra stumbled into consumer insights—and fell in love with it, her favorite “a-ha” moments from fieldwork with everyone from CXOs to rural women and truck drivers, the untold story behind the <em>Chizza</em> and what it teaches about innovatio and  surprising challenges of executing cultural relevance across global markets</p><p><strong>Tune in to hear how Shipra connects data, empathy, and creativity to build bold brand experiences.</strong></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-62-with-Shipra-Bhatt-e33ch3n</link><guid isPermaLink="false">4aba46e6-7cd4-4c86-9bbe-2b4352bfbb45</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2025 08:17:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/35951157eb36b0660a7c974ba69ff0c0c1d9c5c813b33e63a02bfd260c1de8a4/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhNjQ1ZTZhZC04ZjEzLTRlZjgtOTU5ZC02YzA4ZDg2MDJjMzgiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvYTY0NWU2YWQtOGYxMy00ZWY4LTk1OWQtNmMwOGQ4NjAyYzM4LzM0YTYyZmQ0LTQyYmMtMTJiMy1mMTc5LTdlZTU2NGUxYmUyMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="15524358" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this energizing episode, Gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Shipra Bhatt&lt;/strong&gt;, whose career has taken her from uncovering deep human truths at Quantum Consumer Solutions to spearheading marketing innovation for &lt;strong&gt;KFC (India). &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What happens when a passionate consumer researcher crosses over to the brand side? Shipra shares her journey from interpreting trends to actually shaping them—moving from insight to execution, from advising clients to launching iconic products like the &lt;em&gt;Chizza&lt;/em&gt;. &lt;br /&gt;They explore how insights evolve into actionable strategy, what it really takes to develop new products in the QSR space, and why brand-building is anything but a linear process.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You&apos;ll hear how Shipra stumbled into consumer insights—and fell in love with it, her favorite “a-ha” moments from fieldwork with everyone from CXOs to rural women and truck drivers, the untold story behind the &lt;em&gt;Chizza&lt;/em&gt; and what it teaches about innovatio and  surprising challenges of executing cultural relevance across global markets&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tune in to hear how Shipra connects data, empathy, and creativity to build bold brand experiences.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:20:25</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/a645e6ad-8f13-4ef8-959d-6c08d8602c38/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #62 with Shipra Bhatt</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #68 with Stan Sthanunathan]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of <em>Spikes Excitement Talks</em>, Gordon welcomes a true legend in the world of insights and innovation: <strong>Stan Sthanunathan</strong>. Formerly EVP of Consumer and Market Insights at Unilever and Coca-Cola, Stan is now the founder of i-Genie<strong>.ai </strong>, a company revolutionizing the research industry.</p><p>This conversation dives deep into Stan’s provocative approach to AI-powered, survey-free research. From analyzing search data and social media to redefining what consumer understanding looks like in an age of augmented intelligence, Stan shares how his company replaces traditional market research with faster, more authentic and often more emotional insights.</p><p>From corporate corridors to dusty streets, they explore why true empathy—not sympathy is the currency of meaningful brand-building and why elite boardrooms often miss the mark. Candid reflections on the importance of living like your consumer, the hard truths of scaling a business rooted in a new idea and the enduring power of human contact in an increasingly remote world. They also dive into the mentors and managers who shaped Stan’s leadership journey. Each teaching a different facet of what it means to lead with integrity, humility and impact.</p><p>Tune in if you’re wondering how to build something real without losing what makes them human.</p><p><br /></p><p>*Dave Cobban from the Spikes Advisory Board is also joining this episode. </p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-68-with-Stan-Sthanunathan-e34dpr9</link><guid isPermaLink="false">9fead235-9db6-4a7e-984f-ee38007e60fb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:13:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/5034abc202d3ca816d4f7bf879f9c76f7915535931b742fab8723f43a1408f71/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyNGM0YmVjNS0wZGVlLTQ0NjAtODVlNy1lYmI5YjIyYWNlYzYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjRjNGJlYzUtMGRlZS00NDYwLTg1ZTctZWJiOWIyMmFjZWM2LzU5MmU4ZDc5LWRkZjctNTEyZi00NDM4LThmNTQ5OWE1MzZkNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="25330362" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Spikes Excitement Talks&lt;/em&gt;, Gordon welcomes a true legend in the world of insights and innovation: &lt;strong&gt;Stan Sthanunathan&lt;/strong&gt;. Formerly EVP of Consumer and Market Insights at Unilever and Coca-Cola, Stan is now the founder of i-Genie&lt;strong&gt;.ai &lt;/strong&gt;, a company revolutionizing the research industry.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This conversation dives deep into Stan’s provocative approach to AI-powered, survey-free research. From analyzing search data and social media to redefining what consumer understanding looks like in an age of augmented intelligence, Stan shares how his company replaces traditional market research with faster, more authentic and often more emotional insights.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From corporate corridors to dusty streets, they explore why true empathy—not sympathy is the currency of meaningful brand-building and why elite boardrooms often miss the mark. Candid reflections on the importance of living like your consumer, the hard truths of scaling a business rooted in a new idea and the enduring power of human contact in an increasingly remote world. They also dive into the mentors and managers who shaped Stan’s leadership journey. Each teaching a different facet of what it means to lead with integrity, humility and impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in if you’re wondering how to build something real without losing what makes them human.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;*Dave Cobban from the Spikes Advisory Board is also joining this episode. &lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:33:03</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/24c4bec5-0dee-4460-85e7-ebb9b22acec6/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #68 with Stan Sthanunathan</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #67 with Lisa Novak ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode gordon sits down with <strong>Lisa Novak</strong>, Head of Digital Media and Customer Engagement at <strong>McDonald’s Österreich</strong>, whose career spans iconic marketing institutions from <strong>Innocent</strong> to <strong>Unilever</strong>, <strong>Mondelez</strong>, and now the golden arches.<br />Lisa shares how she and her team craft McDonald’s Österreich digital customer experience from app activations and loyalty programs to Happy Meals and nail polish collections inspired by dipping sauces. </p><p>They dive into how creative passion, grounded leadership and a touch of ketchup-in-the-veins spirit fuel one of the world’s most famous brands.</p><p>Lisa opens up about her accidental entry into marketing, her love for FMCG, and the contagious energy of working with people who challenge and inspire and why sometimes the best marketing isn’t just about "pretty pictures" but measurable business impact. Moreover why brand consistency is no longer about staying the same, but about evolving with purpose. Lisa unpacks what it means for a brand to stay authentic while collaborating with unexpected partners from nail polish to Austria’s biggest rapper and why fan-first thinking is the golden rule of modern branding.</p><p>Tune in for insights on how McDonald’s builds consistency <em>and</em> personality across digital touchpoints and how to keep excitement alive in a job that never stands still.</p><p><br /></p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-67-with-Lisa-Novak-e34dp1m</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0222c883-eb77-4edb-8f59-38016db308f6</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:05:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/0390e1abbd10e65b1141f11b62efc2b1dae427a771e9ef7a5af889e20ea1d61c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjZTFiN2U0Ny00MTUwLTRkNWMtYTIyYy03YmQzYWUxZmEyNGIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvY2UxYjdlNDctNDE1MC00ZDVjLWEyMmMtN2JkM2FlMWZhMjRiLzg5ZmQ4M2MyLWViMjMtM2M3ZS03ZjcyLTE1ZDg0MDFhZmYxMi5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="18612583" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode gordon sits down with &lt;strong&gt;Lisa Novak&lt;/strong&gt;, Head of Digital Media and Customer Engagement at &lt;strong&gt;McDonald’s Österreich&lt;/strong&gt;, whose career spans iconic marketing institutions from &lt;strong&gt;Innocent&lt;/strong&gt; to &lt;strong&gt;Unilever&lt;/strong&gt;, &lt;strong&gt;Mondelez&lt;/strong&gt;, and now the golden arches.&lt;br /&gt;Lisa shares how she and her team craft McDonald’s Österreich digital customer experience from app activations and loyalty programs to Happy Meals and nail polish collections inspired by dipping sauces. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They dive into how creative passion, grounded leadership and a touch of ketchup-in-the-veins spirit fuel one of the world’s most famous brands.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lisa opens up about her accidental entry into marketing, her love for FMCG, and the contagious energy of working with people who challenge and inspire and why sometimes the best marketing isn’t just about &quot;pretty pictures&quot; but measurable business impact. Moreover why brand consistency is no longer about staying the same, but about evolving with purpose. Lisa unpacks what it means for a brand to stay authentic while collaborating with unexpected partners from nail polish to Austria’s biggest rapper and why fan-first thinking is the golden rule of modern branding.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on how McDonald’s builds consistency &lt;em&gt;and&lt;/em&gt; personality across digital touchpoints and how to keep excitement alive in a job that never stands still.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:24:15</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/ce1b7e47-4150-4d5c-a22c-7bd3ae1fa24b/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #67 with Lisa Novak </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #173 with Ciaran McCarthy ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Ciaran McCarthy, VP Brand &amp; Advertising at Microsoft, shares his path from art school in Dublin to his current position at Microsoft. What started with a blunt rejection from a professor became the catalyst for a career spanning agencies, global campaigns, gaming and now the frontlines of AI.</p><p>Ciaran takes us behind the scenes of creative life and reflects on the pivotal shift from agency to client side, where creativity meets business impact  and what it really means to become a “creative business leader.”Now at Microsoft, Ciaran is at the heart of one of the most transformative moments in technology. He shares how AI is reshaping not just the outputs of marketing, but the entire creative process—from idea generation to prototyping and brand building. </p><p>Tune in for a deep dive into curiosity, resilience, and what it takes to create meaningful work in an era where the rules are being rewritten in real time.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-173-with-Ciaran-McCarthy-e3hulsh</link><guid isPermaLink="false">7b10d56f-65c2-4eb2-a88f-a65622e4e98a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:57:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ecc181b215f734dee723430dc197cedf39d8b4188b52399f909ab94edbfa743a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1ZmQ3YzA0Yy04ZjYxLTRiNzctYmJkNy00MWFmYjc5YTFlYTMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNWZkN2MwNGMtOGY2MS00Yjc3LWJiZDctNDFhZmI3OWExZWEzLzQyMjExOTE1Mi00NDEwMC0yLTVlMjgwMjZiMzJlZjYubTRhIn0=.m4a" length="30481185" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Ciaran McCarthy, VP Brand &amp;amp; Advertising at Microsoft, shares his path from art school in Dublin to his current position at Microsoft. What started with a blunt rejection from a professor became the catalyst for a career spanning agencies, global campaigns, gaming and now the frontlines of AI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ciaran takes us behind the scenes of creative life and reflects on the pivotal shift from agency to client side, where creativity meets business impact  and what it really means to become a “creative business leader.”Now at Microsoft, Ciaran is at the heart of one of the most transformative moments in technology. He shares how AI is reshaping not just the outputs of marketing, but the entire creative process—from idea generation to prototyping and brand building. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for a deep dive into curiosity, resilience, and what it takes to create meaningful work in an era where the rules are being rewritten in real time.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:31:24</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/5fd7c04c-8f61-4b77-bbd7-41afb79a1ea3/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #173 with Ciaran McCarthy </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #149 with Mareike Bell ]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Mareike Bell, CSR &amp; Sustainability Director for L’Oréal Consumer Products Division in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Mareike reflects on her 18-year journey in the beauty industry—from category management at Henkel to leadership roles at L’Oréal—and shares how sustainability, refills and cultural change have become her personal mission. </p><p>Tune in for insights on learning outside your comfort zone, leading with vulnerability and why optimism is a critical skill when driving real transformation.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-149-with-Mareike-Bell-e3ernkc</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0cacb577-09d2-4903-b598-e7c2a5016b44</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:06:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/bb4fd7bf6856ad3f5d993212cd5e5edf75aeb3140104db932c3c209e1dcc2bd0/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIyN2FmMzNhYy1hMDZkLTQ1OWMtOWRkOC1iY2EwN2VhN2RhNzUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvMjdhZjMzYWMtYTA2ZC00NTljLTlkZDgtYmNhMDdlYTdkYTc1LzVkOTI0YTEwLTcyMTQtMmM0Zi1lMTNlLTA5NWIyMjk5NGFiNS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="22780227" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Mareike Bell, CSR &amp;amp; Sustainability Director for L’Oréal Consumer Products Division in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Mareike reflects on her 18-year journey in the beauty industry—from category management at Henkel to leadership roles at L’Oréal—and shares how sustainability, refills and cultural change have become her personal mission. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in for insights on learning outside your comfort zone, leading with vulnerability and why optimism is a critical skill when driving real transformation.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:29:50</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/27af33ac-a06d-459c-9dd8-bca07ea7da75/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #149 with Mareike Bell </itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spikes Excitement Talk #143 with Guido Gennari]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Dave Cobban sits down with Guido Gennari, Executive Director Product Management at JP Morgan Chase. From Buenos Aires to New York, Dallas and now JP Morgan Chase, Guido’s career is a masterclass in embracing change. He shares how strong analytical foundations, customer obsession, and curiosity shaped his journey from KPMG to leading product management for nearly 300,000 employees worldwide.</p><p>The conversation dives into the balance between data and human insight, the power of killing your ego, building memorable customer experience cultures and why AI isn’t here to replace us—but to help us go faster and think bigger. </p><p>Tune in to get insights about growth, leadership and designing experiences that truly work.</p>
]]></description><link>https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-spikes/episodes/Spikes-Excitement-Talk-143-with-Guido-Gennari-e3ebsqm</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65a1bbbe-1452-48b6-870a-868d17601899</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[The Spikes]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:37:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/02cf31c7cc528da506079b7730cdb8a13b6c91c1c2bfd11aa7fbfd7d25f5a35b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2YjUxNGRhMS1mNmVhLTRkMjUtYWE0Yy0wZDljNGM3OTUxODIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJjOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2YWI2NGU4YTc1OGE1YjVhM2VmOWMwYTMiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvaW1wb3J0cy9wb2RjYXN0cy9jOWZjZTI2MC1jZTc4LTRmYmQtYWVkOC1iNmJiZGUxZGIxOWUvZXBpc29kZXMvNmI1MTRkYTEtZjZlYS00ZDI1LWFhNGMtMGQ5YzRjNzk1MTgyLzc4MzBlOGQyLWZhZDctMzQyMC0zNGFmLWQ4MmQxMTVmYmNmZS5tNGEifQ==.m4a" length="17398233" type="audio/x-m4a"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Dave Cobban sits down with Guido Gennari, Executive Director Product Management at JP Morgan Chase. From Buenos Aires to New York, Dallas and now JP Morgan Chase, Guido’s career is a masterclass in embracing change. He shares how strong analytical foundations, customer obsession, and curiosity shaped his journey from KPMG to leading product management for nearly 300,000 employees worldwide.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation dives into the balance between data and human insight, the power of killing your ego, building memorable customer experience cultures and why AI isn’t here to replace us—but to help us go faster and think bigger. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Tune in to get insights about growth, leadership and designing experiences that truly work.&lt;/p&gt;
</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:22:38</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/imports/podcasts/c9fce260-ce78-4fbd-aed8-b6bbde1db19e/episodes/6b514da1-f6ea-4d25-aa4c-0d9c4c795182/41343304-1717146280659-cb5e04665bbb3.jpg"/><itunes:title>Spikes Excitement Talk #143 with Guido Gennari</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>