Brand Masters

In this episode of Brand Masters, presented by the AANA and B&T, we sit down with Laura Halbert, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Allianz Australia.   With over 25 years in financial services, Laura has led marketing and brand transformations across CBA, ANZ, ING and Zurich. At Allianz, she’s spearheaded the launch of the bold new brand platform Care You Can Count On and the emotive campaign The Flight of the Finch.   Laura shares how she uncovered Allianz’s true brand soul of care, the insights that shaped the campaign, and what it takes to stand out in a crowded, often “low-interest” category like insurance. She also talks leadership lessons, building genuine agency partnerships, and why marketers should never forget their training. In this episode you’ll learn:   Why distinctiveness matters more than awareness in insurance marketing How Allianz built a brand platform grounded in care and customer truth The process of turning an eagle into a distinctive brand cod Laura’s perspective on leadership, transparency, and energising teams. The role of emotion in creating resonance and trust This episode is the last from series one. Stayed tuned for series two.

In this episode, we’re joined by Anthony Dean, Marketing Director at Mars Pet Nutrition ANZ and the creative force behind Pedigree’s Cannes Lion-winning Adoptable campaign. Anthony shares the story of how his team and agency partners asked a bold question: Can AI help solve dog homelessness? You’ll hear: How Pedigree’s brand purpose drove innovation that found homes for hundreds of shelter dogs The behind-the-scenes journey of creating AI-powered dog adoption ads in under six months Why “purpose powers innovation” became the golden thread of the campaign The real-world impact — shelters experiencing six times their normal foot traffic Anthony’s advice for marketers exploring AI: start with the business problem, not the tech This episode was recorded live at AANA’s RESET for Growth Conference. A powerful reminder that when brands stay true to their purpose, technology becomes a tool for real-world impact.

Futurist Dr Catherine Ball joins the Brand Masters podcast live from AANA’s Reset for Growth, bringing her unique perspective on the future of innovation and brand leadership.

In this episode of Brand Masters, recorded at AANA’s annual RESET for Growth conference, we sit down with Sherilyn Shackell, the powerhouse behind The Marketing Academy.   From launching what began as a passion project on the “back of a fag packet” to building one of the most respected leadership programs in the industry, Sherilyn shares how her mission evolved from headhunting CMOs to building them. We unpack the difference between good and great leadership (hint: it’s about how many other leaders you grow), the importance of self-awareness, and why emotional intelligence defines the most impactful marketing leaders of tomorrow. Plus, Sherilyn reveals the inner mechanics of The Marketing Academy’s life-changing programs.

Joe Brumm is the creator of the hit children's TV show Bluey. In his quintessentially Australian style, Brumm tells AANA head of marketing Nicolette Briscoe and B&T editor Tom Fogden about the show's runaway success and is building an enduring brand.

What happens when you treat marketing as the heartbeat of your business? In our latest Brand Masters podcast, Steven Marks, Founder and Co-CEO of Guzman y Gomez, shares how GYG scaled from a single store to a global QSR powerhouse — and why brand, culture and clean food are at the core of everything they do.   “Marketing is revenue. And if you don’t see that, you’re in trouble.” — Steven Marks   Recorded live at AANA’s RESET for Growth in May, this episode is a must-listen for any marketer looking to scale with purpose, energy and impact.

In her two-and-a-bit years at the helm of NRMA Insurance brand, Michelle Klein took the brand on a whirlwind journey repositioning, rethinking and reshaping. During that time, she spearheaded a significant shift in NRMA Insurance's approach to its brand, landing on 'A Help Company' as its all-encompassing tagline and North Star. To get eyeballs on the work, NRMA Insurance undertook a significant blitz, leveraging powerful cultural moments to cut-through and stand out. And it's generated some big results, as you'll read. But marketing, like New York, never sleeps and this podcast was recorded prior to Klein announcing her departure in June.

From "Tonight I’ll Be Eating" to "Get Almost, Almost Anything", Andy Morley has helped shape one of the world’s most awarded brand platforms. In this episode, the Uber APAC marketing lead shares the stories behind their biggest celebrity campaigns, reveals what it’s really like working with Cher and David Beckham, and explains why coaching - not spotlight-stealing- is his leadership superpower.

In this inspiring episode, Brand Masters hosts Nicolette Briscoe (AANA) and Tom Fogden (B&T) speak with Florencia Aimo, Vice President of Marketing at MasterCard for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. From McLaren F1 and the Australian Open to inclusive technology and evolving a 30-year brand platform, Flor shares how MasterCard balances innovation, emotional resonance, and global consistency.