On this episode Paul Spain speaks to Ryan "The Lion" Ashton, founder of AQFY –A Few Quiet Yarns. Ryan is a networker and sales and marketing extraordinaire. Ryan shares his journey from award winning art director to hospitality among London’s top Clubs, Restaurants and Pubs, running successful campaigns for Computerworld and IDG and more recently being Chef Yarner at AQFY, helping businesses to grow through community and relationships.

Ainsley Palairet is the owner of FixHR. Since returning to New Zealand, Ainsley discovered a natural bent towards selling, and has met and pitched to thousands of small business owners in Auckland and Northland. 

On this Episode Paul Spain talks with Emily Rutherford - Co-Owner and Marketing Director of Kiwi Water Park. Emily shares her story from studying Business at Otago University, running an international entertainment business from England to launching Kiwi Water Park, and how social media and TikTok in particular, has helped with Kiwi Water Park's success.

Paul Spain speaks to Clodagh Hall, National Brand and Marketing Director for New Zealand's Sotheby's International Realty. Clodagh shares from her wealth of experience working on renowned global marketing campaigns, and the importance of building relationships between the brand and the customer.

On this episode Paul Spain talks with Jon Randles - Business Advisor and Co-Founder of Mosh Social media. Jon shares how authentic communication with customers has been his point of difference when it comes to successful marketing.

On this episode Paul Spain talks with Bruce Fowler - brand manager of Polestar NZ. Bruce shares from his extensive experience in the Telecommunications world and his recent success in establishing Electric Vehicle brand Polestar in New Zealand, selling beyond all expectations, despite supply chain challenges.

Stephen Phillips, Snyk Senior Account Executive Paul Spain speaks to https://www.linkedin.com/in/caniwisteve/?originalSubdomain=nz (Stephen Phillips), Senior Account Executive at Snyk and leader in world of technology and cyber security.

Inclusion, integrity and inspiration. In his final show as host, Ben talks to Vanessa Sorenson, Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand. Vanessa candidly shares her amazing story of how being a learn-it-all, not a know-it-all enabled her to come from challenging beginnings and end up in arguably the biggest role in New Zealand tech. Hear her stories of grit, resilience, aspiration, and growth and you are guaranteed to come away inspired, or your money back!

From shiny shoes to problem solving. Ben catches up with salesman, coach and author Ian Cartwright. Ian breaks down the fundamentals of successful sales mindset, culture, and tactics. This one’s packed with advice you won’t want to miss.

No Door is one-way: Ron Cooke, Braze Country Manager Ben speaks to https://nz.linkedin.com/in/cookerob (Rob Cooke), Country Manager at Braze. Rob shares what he’s learned about Sales and Marketing through a storied global career working with brands including themarket.co.nz, Nissan, Wrangler, Evian, Firestone, and Yellow.

Partnering, pitching and positioning: Simon Lendrum, Commercial Communications Council CEO. Ben speaks to Simon Lendrum, Chief Executive of the Commercial Communications Council, industry body representing New Zealand marketing agencies. Simon shares tips on how to foster successful client-agency relationships, thoughts on best practice when it comes to selecting an agency partner as well as a few stories from an ad agency career spanning both hemispheres which listeners will enjoy.

Getting social: Wendy Thompson, founder of Socialites. Ben catches up with Wendy Thompson, founder of award-winning social media agency Socialites. Wendy shares learnings from their journey, and thoughts around the crucial role social media can play in enabling dialogue between brands and the communities that grow around them.

Spin Class: catching up with Kelly Bennett Ben speaks to One Plus One founder and industry veteran Kelly Bennett about the dark arts of PR. Kelly shares many of the insights he's learned through a storied international career helping shape the communications narrative for organisations large and small, through a massive number of crises, opportunities and news cycles.

Nuts about FMCG. Ben speaks to Shyr and Brent Godfrey, the founders of https://www.fortythieves.co.nz/ (Forty Thieves nut butters). They share their story so far and delve into just how they brought the brand to life, how they managed to get - and stay - listed in supermarkets nationwide, and what being an FMCG business is like from the inside. https://www.fortythieves.co.nz/ (https://www.fortythieves.co.nz/)

Getting behind great ideas: Madeline Saxton-BeerBen speaks to comms and community manager Madeline Saxton-Beer. Madeline talks about her journey from publishing to marketing, from FMCG brand Lewis Road Creamery to prestigious jewelery retailer Patridge Jewellers. She shares what she's learned about the power of brand in general, and especially of a clearly articulated brand voice. Most importantly, she talks about the difference that can be made by supporting great ideas.

Ben speaks to adman turned marketer, Philip O'Neill. Philip shares insights from a career featuring creative agency account service, media and design. He also tells how the team he now leads as Chief Marketing Officer at Financial Services institution Forsyth Barr put those insights to powerful use.

Ben speaks to marketing icon Peter Cullinane. Hear from the global advertising veteran, founder of Assignment Group, Antipodes Water and Lewis Road Creamery on how he's created and nurtured some of the best known brands and businesses and how sales and marketing are really the same thing.

In this first episode for 2022, Ben speaks to Nick O'Neill, Chief Revenue Officer and co-founder at digital agency Hype & Dexter. Hear what Nick's learned from a career in sales and sales leadership across a wide range of categories.

Ben speaks to former Deputy Prime Minister and now Director, Strategic Advisory at Bayleys Commercial. Hear about Paula's experiences and advice on influencing others and working in sales when you're selling ideas... and yourself!

Ben speaks to NZ Marketing Association CEO John Miles on what marketing is, why it's so pivotal to business success and why marketers have the best job in the world!

Ben talks to Angela about what makes a media salesperson tick, how to build great client relationships and the power of listening.

Ben talks to Luke about how to get the best results out of your creative partners, the pivotal role of creativity in creating work that works, and what he's learned working for some of New Zealand's biggest local and global brands.

Ben talks to media industry leader Alex Radford, co-founder of agency D3, on how to drive the very best results through media, both directly and with agencies.

Ben speaks to Sir Ray Avery, the podcast's first Knight Grand Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit, scientist, inventor, philanthropist and raconteur. Listen as Sir Ray reflects on his experiences and why he sees himself as a salesman.