Spikes Excitement Talks

In this episode, Miriam Garcke, Marketing Lead NIVEA Face & 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.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.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.

Luke Paxton, VP of New Product Exploration & 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.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. 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.

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.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.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.

In this episode, Greg Lombardo VP Global Marketing at Tupperware, shares how great brands don’t just grow—they evolve. From reinventing Transformers into a storytelling powerhouse to redefining Play-Doh and rediscovering the emotional core of Tupperware, Greg breaks down what it really takes to unlock a brand’s full potential.Tune in for a deep dive into creativity, strategy and the art of staying true to your brand while thinking bigger than your category.

In this episode, Leonora Scarpa, VP at Procter & Gamble, shares what it really takes to build brands in a world where commerce, technology and human behavior are constantly evolving.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.A conversation on leadership, mentorship, purpose and how to integrate creativity, data and commerce without losing the human at the center.

From the Greek special forces to McKinsey, P&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.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.Tune in for a conversation about discipline, storytelling, cultural intelligence and the human edge in marketing.

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.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.Tune in for a energetic conversation about risk, resilience and doing work that genuinely excites you.

In this episode, Gordon hosts Jason Holzman, former Senior Vice President, Creative & Production at Macy’s.He shares his unconventional journey from studying literature at Harvard University to leading creative strategy at global brands like NBCUniversal and Macy's.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.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.

In this episode, Valda Coryat, VP Marketing Consumer Products & Branded  Food Service at McCormick & Company, shares her journey from an MBA at Columbia University to leading marketing across global giants like Colgate-Palmolive, Heineken and now McCormick & Company.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. 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.

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. 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.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.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Thomas Ullram, Global Marketing Director for Taste & 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.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.

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.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.

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. 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.Tune in to get how curiosity, purpose and adaptability fuel long-term growth.

In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Anja Spielmann, VP Global Brand Strategy & Growth at Mars’ Royal Canin, about building brands with long-term thinking.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.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.Tune in to find out why choosing the right manager matters more than choosing the right job. 

In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Robyn Parks, Vice President and National Head of Marketing Strategy & Growth at Verizon.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.Tune in to understand why the future of marketing will be shaped where technology, humanity and business meet.

In this episode, Gordon hosts Per Christiansen, Consultant - Brand, Marketing & Media at Advisory. 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. 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.Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, challenger thinking and staying objective in a world where every channel eventually peaks.

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.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 don’t 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.Tune in for insights about culture, confidence and what it really means to build brands that matter.

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.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. 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.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.

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. Tune in for a future-facing conversation on emotional money and why the most rational decisions often begin with understanding what we feel.

In this episode, Gordon speaks with Bhavna Satyanarayan, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Positioning at BASF.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. 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.Tune in for a conversation about curiosity, courage, and crafting brands that truly stand for something.