Untrended Podcast

Business confidence is at record lows, but what does that actually mean, and who (or what) is really responsible? In this episode of UnTrended, Nicole Jones is joined by Publicis Pro’s Jon Lonsdale, Billy Hamilton-Stent, and Jamie Fewery to unpack why so many business leaders feel uncertain right now and what confidence really looks like in practice. From the psychology of leadership and decision-making under pressure to the role of culture, storytelling, and momentum inside organisations, the panel explores how confidence is built (and lost) at an individual level, not just a macroeconomic one. The conversation also digs into the impact of AI disruption, the LinkedIn “doom loop,” and why long-form thinking may be the antidote to perpetual crisis thinking. Later, world-class performance coach and psychologist Jamil Qureshi joins Nicole to break down the science of confidence, purpose-driven leadership, and how organisations can mobilise belief at scale, even in times of uncertainty. If you’ve ever wondered how leaders are supposed to stay confident when the world feels like it’s constantly shifting, this episode is for you. Subscribe to The UnTrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode. Chapter Markers: (03:00) What Does “Business Confidence” Even Mean? Is confidence a measurable business metric or something far more human? (10:30) Innovation, AI, and the Pace-of-Change Paradox When everything is moving fast and nothing feels controllable. (19:00) Personal Confidence Rituals for Leaders What the panel actually does to stay confident when things feel wobbly. (26:00) Long-Form Thinking as an Antidote Why depth, context, and perspective matter more than hot takes. (32:00) Purpose vs Targets Why focusing on what you can be matters more than what you can have. (42:00) One Thing Leaders Can Do Tomorrow A practical mindset shift for staying confident amid uncertainty. Useful Links: Get to know Jamil Qureshi on LinkedIn Follow Nicole Jones on LinkedIn Touch base with Jon Lonsdale on LinkedIn Connect with Billy Hamilton-Stent Learn more from Jamie Fewery For more information visit the Publicis Pro Website

How will B2B buyers find, evaluate, and trust brands in a world shaped by AI? In this special bonus episode of UnTrended, Billy Hamilton Stent, Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Pro, sits down with Mimi Turner, Head of Marketplace Innovation at LinkedIn, to explore one of the biggest shifts facing B2B marketing right now: AI-driven discovery and generative engine optimisation (GEO) The conversation goes beyond technology, touching on culture, behaviour, and confidence and what it really takes for organisations to change when the future no longer resembles the past. As Mimi puts it, this may be an epoch-changing moment, one that forces brands to grow up, get clearer on who they are, and build credibility in ways that both humans and machines recognise. If you work in B2B marketing, strategy, growth, or leadership, this episode offers a grounded, human perspective on where AI discovery is heading and how brands can respond without chasing hype or fear. This is less about tactics, and more about how trust, relevance, and authority will define success in 2026 and beyond. Subscribe to The UnTrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode. Chapter Markers (01:55) — Looking ahead to 2026: what’s really changing Mimi shares the two major shifts she sees shaping B2B marketing strategy over the next few years. (05:45) — Why AI search rewards human qualities Expertise, authority, trust, and relevance and how these human traits align with how LLMs prioritise content. (09:50) — Why events — not ideas — drive real change The cultural and organisational challenge of adapting when the future no longer looks like the past. (13:10) — A more optimistic view of AI’s impact How AI could lead to richer customer experiences, better marketing, and new roles. (14:00) — A possible renaissance of trust and value Mimi’s closing reflection on whether AI could usher in a more human era of business. Useful Links Get to know Mimi Turner on LinkedIn Connect with Billy Hamilton-Stent For more information visit the Publicis Pro Website

From Formula 1 to football, B2B brands are spending big on sports sponsorships, but what’s the real return? Is it about audience reach, storytelling, or simply the glamour of the hospitality suite? In this episode of UnTrended, Nicole Jones is joined by Jamie Fewery and Billy Hamilton-Stent to explore B2B’s growing fascination with sports sponsorship and why so many brands are racing to the pitch, track, and beyond. Plus, Jamie sits down with Joel Seymour-Hyde, Head of Partnership Management at Formula 1, for an insider’s look at what makes a smart sponsorship work (and why sticking your logo on a car isn’t enough anymore). From the logistics of moving F1 around the world to the cultural resonance of Sharp’s 90s Man United kit, the team uncovers the strategy, storytelling, and spectacle behind today’s biggest brand plays. Subscribe to the UnTrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode. Chapter Markers: (01:10) Inside the World of Formula 1 Jamie interviews Joel Seymour-Hyde, Head of Partnership Management at F1, about the evolution of sponsorships, global brand partnerships, and how B2B brands fit into the sport’s ecosystem. (09:00) The Hallmarks of a Great Partnership How successful B2B sponsors connect their business objectives with the right platform and why clarity of purpose is everything. (18:00) Passion vs. Pragmatism Joel reveals why being a fan of a sport can actually make sponsorship decisions worse and why objectivity wins every time. (21:00) Panel Chat: The Rise of the B2B Fanboy Nicole, Jamie, and Billy dig into why B2B brands are flooding into sports, from the power of pre-made audiences to the pull of data-driven fanbases. (28:00) The Value of Activation Why the best sports partnerships are now multi-channel, creative, and experiential, not just a logo on a shirt. (35:00) From Cigarettes to CRM How sports sponsorship has evolved from nostalgia to nuance and what modern brands can learn from iconic partnerships like Marlboro McLaren and IBM Wimbledon. (39:00) Cultural Resonance in Sport The team explores how great sponsorships transcend marketing and become part of cultural memory, from Sharp and Man United to Rolex and golf. Useful Links: Get to know Joel Seymour-Hyde on LinkedIn Follow Nicole Jones on LinkedIn Connect with Billy Hamilton-Stent Learn more from Jamie Fewery For more information visit the Publicis Pro Website

Feedback — two syllables that can make even the toughest marketer squirm. In today’s episode of UnTrended, host Nicole Jones sits down with Jon Lonsdale (CEO), Louise Brooks (Senior Copywriter), and Lottie Hutchins (Senior Account Director) from Publicis Pro to dive deep into the messy world of feedback: how we give it, how we take it, and how it’s evolving in modern workplaces. From why Gen Z lawyers are apparently running to HR when told they're wrong to why agency creatives dread the words “make it punchy,” this episode strips back the layers on a topic that’s often sugar-coated — or worse, ignored. Plus, we hear some of the most memorable (and brutally honest) pieces of feedback our team has ever received—from law professors with sharp pens to pitch rooms that ended in standing ovations. Stick around to the end for our mailbag segment, where we tackle how early-career agency folks can figure out when to push back versus when to pick their battles. Subscribe to The Untrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Chapter Markers: (01:42) Gen Z, Gentle Parenting & Taking Criticism From law firms hiring support workers for young staff to how upbringing shapes feedback tolerance. (07:08) Have We Gotten Too Nice? Is modern working culture too polite to be clear — and what’s the hidden cost? (14:49) The Case for Course Correction Are we heading for a swing back to tougher, more direct feedback cultures? (19:44) Why Client Feedback Is So Hard Pressure, feedback committees, and why clients often can’t articulate what they want. (23:08) Beyond Track Changes Why Jon hates markup, Lottie loves voice notes, and how to keep feedback human. (24:58) Helping Clients Help Us Why creatives should meet clients early, ask better questions, and build trust. (26:39) The Most Memorable Feedback We’ve Ever Gotten From university essays marked “learn to plagiarise better” to standing ovations in a pitch. (30:52) Mailbag: Push Back or Pick Your Battles? Advice for early-career marketers on when to stand firm and when to let it go. Useful Links: Follow Nicole Jones on LinkedIn Connect with Jon Lonsdale Learn more from Louise Brooks Touch base with Lottie Hutchins on LinkedIn For more information, visit the Publicis Pro Website

Social media platforms have evolved into more than just communication tools —they’re now global power players shaping public discourse and influencing elections. So where does that leave brands, especially B2B brands, when it comes to placing ads or building communities on platforms with complicated reputations? In this episode of UnTrended, Nicole Jones is joined by Publicis Pro’s Billy Hamilton-Stent, Jamie Fewery, and Zoe Hadsley for a lively and nuanced conversation on platform politics, advertising ethics, and whether brands should (or even can) be truly principled in their platform choices. From Elon Musk’s X to Meta’s Threads, from the rise of absurdist “s**tposting” to the realities of brand risk in B2B marketing — it’s all on the table. Subscribe to The Untrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Chapter Markers: (04:39) Platform Vibes: Is X Still Worth It? The team reflects on the user experience, bot takeovers, and whether engagement is dead on Elon’s watch. (08:39) Are Platforms the New Nation States? If social platforms have more power than governments, should we expect more from them — or just log off? (14:40) Ethics vs. Exposure Zoe breaks down brand safety, platform choices, and what it really means to be “responsible” in digital advertising. (19:06) Why B2B Brands Don’t Like Risk B2B companies love strategy but fear chaos — so how do they handle platforms that are unpredictable by design? (23:41) Rethinking Social in B2B Is it time to build social-first strategies instead of treating social like a dumping ground for campaign leftovers? (24:32) S**tposting 101 What it is, why it works, and how it’s changing the way B2B voices show up on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok. (29:54) Mailbag: Do Brands Need to Be Good? Do consumers really care about ethics — or just say they do in surveys? Useful Links: Follow Nicole Jones on LinkedIn Connect with Billy Hamilton-Stent Learn more from Jamie Fewery Touch base with Zoe Hadsley on LinkedIn For more information visit the Publicis Pro Website

Welcome to The Untrended Podcast, where we lift the lid on extraordinary ideas about business and culture. In this episode, we tackle a familiar struggle for creative professionals: Why don’t our parents understand what we do? From job titles that defy explanation to the way work shapes our identity, we explore the challenges of defining creative careers in a way that makes sense—both to family and the wider world. The team also dives into the role of humor in B2B marketing, breaking down the Workbooks No BS CRM campaign. Is shock value the key to standing out, or is there a fine line between bold and too far? Packed with witty observations, relatable struggles, and real-world examples, this episode explores the complexities of creative careers—why they’re so hard to explain, how they shape our identity, and what it really means to push boundaries in marketing. Subscribe to The Untrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Have a question or an idea for us to explore? Use the link in the episode description to send it our way. Chapter Markers: (01:09) Trend or Trash: Is Social Media Essential for Career Success? The team debates the necessity of personal branding on platforms like LinkedIn. (10:02) Why Don’t Our Parents Understand What We Do? The challenge of explaining creative jobs to family and friends. (17:37) The Definition of a Creative How the word “creative” has evolved and its different interpretations. (18:57) The ‘Mad Men’ Comparison Is marketing today anything like the world of Don Draper? (20:19) Work, Identity & Purpose The team discusses work-life balance and personal fulfillment. (26:51) Mailbag: The No BS CRM Campaign A listener question sparks a discussion on how far is too far in B2B marketing. Useful Links: Nicole Jones Billy Hamilton-Stent Alastair Kirk Carly Auletta Publicis Pro Website

Tired of business podcasts that promise silver bullets and spoon-feed you cookie-cutter advice? Well, this isn’t one of them. Welcome to the Untrended Podcast, where we uncover extraordinary stories about business and culture. Brought to you by Publicis Pro, this show isn’t about “growth hacks” or corporate fluff. It’s about raw, honest, and sometimes ridiculous tales from the world of marketing and business. From unexpected challenges to out-of-the-box ideas, we’re here to talk about the truths you won’t find in a handbook—the ones that truly shape creativity, strategy, and success. Be sure to tune into episode one, where we sit down with Nicole Jones, Billy Hamilton-Stent, Jamie Fewery, and Shiri Wolff to explore the all-important question of what AI is doing to our brains. The Untrended Podcast. Real stories. Real laughs. Nothing held back. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.