"How do you keep up with digital marketing and social media when everything's moving at lightning speed?" Welcome to Marketing Masters – The Art and Science of Modern Marketing. In this episode, host Zania Guy sits down with Ciarán Norris, Global Agency Lead for Omnicom at Meta. Join us as we delve into Ciarán's fascinating journey—from his early days in SEO and social media to leading global agency relationships at Meta. Discover how he navigates the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, the importance of sticking to marketing fundamentals, and why creativity and human insight remain crucial in a world increasingly leaning into AI. In this episode, you'll learn: Ciarán's career journey: From SEO Director to Global Agency Lead at Meta. The evolution of social media: Why Ciarán believes Meta is more than just a social media company. Staying ahead in digital marketing: The importance of understanding marketing fundamentals and staying curious. Balancing paid and organic strategies: Why paid advertising might be more effective for businesses than relying solely on organic social media. The role of AI and creativity: How AI tools can assist in production, but human insight remains key in crafting compelling campaigns. Testing and measurement: The significance of testing, multi-cell testing, and measuring incrementality in campaigns. Top tips for businesses: Ciarán's advice on focusing on marketing strategy and not neglecting the basics. We also discuss how Mark Ritson's teachings have influenced modern marketing strategies (and no, this isn't sponsored by him!). Additional Resources Mentioned: Ciarán's Radio Shows: If you're not bored of the sound of his voice, check out his radio shows on Mixcloud: ⁠https://www.mixcloud.com/mixlifecrisis/⁠ Ciarán's Spotify Profile: Get the music without the chat on his Spotify profile: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/user/ciaran⁠ Kantar & Oxford University Study: "Building Brand Equity – Is There a Recipe for Media Effectiveness?" Read it here: ⁠https://upg-cd-ncus.kantar.com/uki/inspiration/advertising-media/building-brand-equity-is-there-a-recipe-for-media-effectiveness⁠ Kantar – Attention & Media Effectiveness: "How Attention Impacts Media and Creative Effectiveness" Read it here: ⁠https://www.kantar.com/inspiration/advertising-media/how-attention-impacts-media-and-creative-effectiveness⁠ SMS vs WhatsApp: "WhatsApp Sails Past SMS" by Benedict Evans: ⁠https://www.ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2015/1/11/whatsapp-sails-past-sms-but-where-does-messaging-go-next⁠ Mix Life Crisis: Ciarán's Radio Show on Mixcloud: ⁠https://www.mixcloud.com/mixlifecrisis/⁠ Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can transform your approach to marketing. Visit Our Website: Zania Guy's Website: ⁠https://www.zaniaguy.com/⁠