Marketing in the Madness

We’re kicking off a brand new Marketing in the Madness series recorded live at Shoptalk Luxe Abu Dhabi. Picture this: a podcast studio on the beach at Emirates Palace, sunshine and some of the sharpest minds in luxury retail talking candidly about AI, loyalty programmes, omnichannel and what the future of commerce actually looks like. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing short, sharp, insight-packed conversations with senior leaders from brands including eBay, Monica Vinader, Hilton and more - basically, the people genuinely shaping what’s next across luxury, retail and tech. And we’re starting strong. In our first episode of this series, Katie Street sits down with Amit Keswani Manghnani, Chief Omnichannel & AI Officer at Chalhoub Group, a 70+ year luxury powerhouse operating across the GCC, Europe and beyond. Here’s what they cover: 00:00 - Welcome to Shoptalk Luxe Abu Dhabi 01:12 - Introducing the new Marketing in the Madness series 02:05 - Meet Amit Kawani & the scale of Chalhoub Group 04:30 - What it really takes to make AI work in retail 08:15 - Building predictive models & “next best action” strategies 11:40 - AI in action: Meet Layla, the beauty chatbot driving 2x basket uplift 15:20 - Loyalty, payments & creating stickier customer relationships 19:10 - Why seamless omnichannel is now table stakes 22:45 - The future of commerce over the next 3–5 years And because this series is part of our partnership with Shoptalk Luxe, if conversations like this one spark ideas, you’ll definitely want to be in the room next time!  Shoptalk Europe 2026 is already shaping up to be HUGE. If retail, tech and innovation sit anywhere in your world, now’s the time to get your ticket and get it in the diary here:  https://europe.shoptalk.com/home?utm_source=mediapartner&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=marketing-in-the-madness-podcast   Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of the series.   Connect with us: Amit Keswani Manghnani https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitkeswanim/ Katie Street  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

White ponytail, black sunglasses and fingerless gloves.  You immediately think of Karl Lagerfeld. That's the power of a strong personal brand. Mirjam Schuele, SVP of Marketing at Karl Lagerfeld and our host Katie Street explore how one of fashion’s most iconic personal brands became a global house built on accessibility, authenticity and cultural relevance. From reinventing Chanel and Fendi to launching his own label, Karl built more than collections - he built a recognisable identity and a world people wanted to be part of. Here’s what we cover: Karl Lagerfeld: The man who became the brand Why he chose to build his own label after Chanel & Fendi “Masstige”: Making luxury more accessible without losing prestige The H&M collaboration that changed fashion forever Authenticity, provocation and why people gravitated to Karl Building a personal brand before building a business What happened after Karl passed away Protecting a legacy while evolving for a new generation Why community and emotional connection now matter more than polish This conversation explores how luxury can be inclusive without losing its edge and what today’s brands can learn from a man (and legend) who understood identity, accessibility and cultural timing long before they became marketing buzzwords. If you’re interested in brand building, personal branding at scale, luxury marketing, or community-driven growth then this conversation is for you. Enjoyed the episode? Click subscribe so you never miss the conversations shaping the future of marketing, tech and brand growth. Subscribe to the podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2UUIgMdZ6FdSCrux5BY7PI?si=c48bdbecb5be4a6e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-in-the-madness/id1688996981 Connect with us: Mirjam Schuele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirjam-schuele-6b405054/ Katie Street  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Karl Lagerfeld didn’t just design fashion, he was the brand. Katie Street sits down with Mirjam Schuele, SVP of Marketing at Karl Lagerfeld, live from the brand’s Amsterdam headquarters, to unpack how Karl built one of the most iconic personal brands in history, long before “personal branding” was even a concept. Together, they explore: How Karl Lagerfeld deliberately built an unmistakable personal brand Why accessibility and “masstige” were central to his vision How the brand has evolved since Karl’s passing and how his legacy lives on What modern marketers can learn from Karl’s fearless authenticity The role of people, culture and community in marketing today Why authenticity will matter even more in an AI-driven future As Karl himself famously said: “Embrace the present and invent the future.” Listen now and learn how one man became larger than life and how you can apply those lessons to your own brand. Connect with us: Mirjam Schuele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirjam-schuele-6b405054/ Katie Street LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

Some of the most effective marketing in history didn’t come from chasing attention, but from understanding people.  In this mini episode, Katie Street sits down with behavioural scientist (still one of the best job titles out there) and author Richard Shotton to unpack why that Guinness decision worked so well, and what it reveals about how people really make decisions. Setup of the Guinness story: brand heritage, long period without advertising, and why their marketing became interesting Introduction of “Good things come to those who wait” and the idea of leaning into a product flaw (waiting for a pint) Explanation of the pratfall effect, including Elliot Aronson’s 1966 experiment and why admitting flaws increases appeal. Discussion of the stolen thunder effect and how admitting weaknesses builds trust and persuasion.  Enjoyed the episode? Click subscribe so you never miss the conversations shaping the future of marketing, tech and brand growth. Connect with us: Richard Shotton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-shotton/ Katie Street  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Richard Shotton, bestselling author of The Choice Factory and Hacking the Human Mind, joins Marketing in the Madness podcast to unpack how behavioural science actually works in modern marketing. Richard shares practical, evidence-based insights from 130+ years of behavioural research, breaking down why people make the decisions they do and how marketers can work with human psychology rather than against it. In this episode, we cover: - Why behavioural science is essential for marketers today - How brands like Guinness used psychological biases to drive growth - The Pratfall Effect and why admitting flaws builds trust - Why abstract marketing language fails (and what works instead) - How AI and ChatGPT change marketing decisions and where humans still matter - The most important behavioural biases every marketer should understand - How to remove friction and increase conversion without more persuasion Enjoyed the episode? Click subscribe so you never miss the conversations shaping the future of marketing, tech and brand growth. Subscribe to the podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2UUIgMdZ6FdSCrux5BY7PI?si=c48bdbecb5be4a6e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-in-the-madness/id1688996981 Connect with us: Richard Shotton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-shotton/ Katie Street  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

What happens when you have someone’s full attention for minutes at a time? In this special Marketing in the Madness episode, recorded on stage at our event, Marketing in the Madness Live at The Drum Labs, we hear from Paul Wright at Uber as he breaks down how Uber has quietly built one of the most powerful attention environments in modern advertising. This session goes deep into what attention actually looks like inside the Uber and Uber Eats apps, why “non-interruptive” advertising matters more than ever, and how brands can drive real commercial impact by showing up in the right moments, not just shouting louder. Paul shares:  How Uber thinks about “attention on the go” • Why the average Uber journey creates minutes (not seconds) of visible ad time • What eye-tracking research revealed about attentive seconds and recall • Why Uber users are more likely to engage with brands • How journey ads drive lifts in recall, consideration, and sales • Real campaign examples from Pizza Hut, Boots, Armani, Unilever and DAZN • Why creativity matters even more inside functional, utility-led platforms From gamified ads that generate direct revenue, to brand experiences that fit seamlessly into everyday behaviour, this episode is a masterclass in attention-led marketing and all backed by data. If you’re a marketer, brand leader, or media planner trying to cut through distraction, this is one to watch. Paul Wright https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulwright66/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ Marketing in the Madness https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/  

Is TV really losing relevance or are we just looking at it the wrong way? Recorded live on stage at Marketing in the Madness LIVE, this episode features Jason Trout, Global CMO at Crimtan, breaking down how television has evolved over the last decade and why it still plays a powerful role in modern media strategies. From the shift away from linear schedules to the rapid growth of Connected TV, streaming, and programmatic buying, Jason shares a clear, data-led view of how people actually watch TV today and what that means for advertisers trying to keep up. In this episode, you’ll hear about: - How CTV and streaming are reshaping TV advertising - Why eyeballs haven’t disappeared, they’ve just moved - The role of programmatic in making TV more accessible - What YouTube’s growth on TV screens means for advertisers - Why creative quality still matters more than the tech behind it - What the future of TV, relevance, and shared viewing really looks like This is a must-watch for marketers, media planners, brand leaders, and anyone navigating the changing relationship between technology, advertising, and culture. Subscribe to Marketing in the Madness for more honest conversations where marketing meets technology. Want to join us in person at the next LIVE event in March 2026? Connect with Katie Street on LinkedIn and follow Marketing in the Madness Live for VIP invites. Jason Trout https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-trout/ Crimtan https://crimtan.com/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ Marketing in the Madness https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/

Welcome to Marketing in the Madness, and what better way to kick off our first podcast episode of 2026 than with a live panel diving into the future of retail! Hosted by Katie Street, this episode brings together senior leaders from some of the UK’s most influential retail brands to unpack how AI, data, customer experience and loyalty are reshaping how people discover, shop and engage with brands. Featuring expert insights from: Simon Pakenham-Walsh, CIO at River Island Lynn Ritson, Global Digital Director at Dr. Martens Fabrice Khullar, Director of Product & Technology at Boots From beauty and fashion discovery on Instagram, to shopping directly inside AI platforms, to the evolving role of loyalty in a TikTok-first world, this is an honest, unfiltered conversation about what’s actually happening inside retail businesses right now. In this episode, they cover: - How AI and LLMs are changing the way consumers discover and buy products - Why designing customer journeys has become more complex (and less linear) than ever - The reality of brand loyalty in 2026 plus what’s changing and what still matters - How retailers are adapting their data, content and digital infrastructure for AI-led discovery - The importance of humanising AI experiences, from chatbots to personalised content - What brands should be prioritising as they plan for the year ahead Whether you work in marketing, ecommerce, digital, retail, brand, CRM or strategy, this episode is packed with practical insight and future-focused thinking (without the hype). If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of our Marketing in the Madness Live series. Want to join us in person at the next event in March 2026? Connect with Katie Street on LinkedIn and follow Marketing in the Madness Live for VIP invites. Connect with us: Simon Pakenham-Walsh https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-pakenham-walsh/ Fabrice Khullar https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabrice-khullar-4309153/ Lynn Ritson https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnritson/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

Fashion retail is under pressure, shrinking margins, rising costs, volatile demand, and no real volume growth. In this episode of Marketing in the Madness, retail and data expert Sarah McVittie breaks down what’s actually happening behind the scenes and what separates the brands that are winning from those stuck in the middle. Recorded live on stage at our event, Marketing in the Madness Live, this session dives into six years of data from 113 of the world’s most successful fashion retailers across the UK, Europe, and the US. Sarah reveals the operating models, brand strategies, and data-driven decisions that are driving profitability in an increasingly competitive market. You’ll learn: - Why fashion retail is now a share-gain market, not a growth market - How brand power is becoming more important again after years of performance marketing dominance - What resale, second-hand, and value perception mean for future growth - What fashion brands can learn from players like Hermès, Zara, Uniqlo, Shein, and Vinted - Where data and AI genuinely help and where they don’t replace creativity or brand thinking - And much more! Sarah also shares why operational discipline often beats channel mix, how omnichannel really works today, and what brands must do to stay relevant in an increasingly commoditised market. This episode was recorded live on stage at Marketing in the Madness Live in London. Sarah McVittie https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mcvittie-61884a7/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

In this festive episode of Marketing in the Madness, Katie Street is joined by Jason Trout former colleague, long-time industry leader, and Managing Director at Crimtan to explore how advertising has evolved over the past two decades and where it’s heading next. The conversation reflects on the golden era of traditional advertising, examines why Christmas campaigns from brands such as John Lewis and Waitrose continue to capture national attention, and unpacks the psychology behind creative that truly resonates.  Jason shares his perspective on the rise of Connected TV, the shift toward advertiser-funded content, and why relevance has become increasingly important in a household viewing environment. The episode also explores the impact of AI on media planning, creativity, and targeting, alongside the growing influence of independent agencies. Together, they discuss what brands need to do to build trust, stay human, and cut through in an increasingly fragmented advertising landscape. Whether you’re running an agency, leading a brand, or simply interested in the intersection of advertising, technology, and culture, this episode offers practical insight and thoughtful perspective. Enjoyed the episode? Click subscribe so you never miss the conversations shaping the future of marketing, tech and brand growth. Connect with us: Jason Trout https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-trout/ Katie Street  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/

The word community gets thrown around constantly but very few brands or creators are actually building one. In this live episode of Marketing in the Madness, recorded at our sold-out event in London, moderated by Sedge Beswick, founder of NXT LVL featuring PerfectTed’s Romilly Bodington and InterTalent’s Alex Segal break down what genuine community really looks like in 2025 and how the smartest brands are building it. What you’ll learn: • Why follower count tells you nothing about community: Most brands confuse reach with belonging. Romi and Alex explain why community is built through connection, not numbers. • How PerfectTed turned storytelling into explosive growth: From packaging to social content, they show how vulnerability and relatability made the brand stick. • The new rules of creator partnerships: Creators are younger, smarter and more intentional and they won’t work with brands who lack authenticity. • Why IRL ‘temples’ matter more than ever: From cafés to run clubs, in-person spaces are becoming the real backbone of modern brand communities. • How to actually measure community success: Impressions aren’t it. Learn what qualitative signals matter and how to spot real engagement. • The rise of niche and micro-creators: Smaller creators are driving higher trust, deeper engagement and better long-term value than ever before. Community is becoming the most defensible moat in brand building yet most teams still chase metrics that don’t matter. This episode gives you the frameworks, examples and mindset shifts needed to build something people choose to be part of. Don't forget to follow our channels for more episodes like this!  Connect with us: Sedge Beswick https://www.linkedin.com/in/sedge-beswick/ Romilly Bodington https://www.linkedin.com/in/romillybodington/ Alex Segal https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsegal30/ Katie Street  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/  

Struggling to keep up with fast-moving consumer trends? Unsure how to use AI and real-time data to make better decisions in retail or marketing? In this episode of Marketing in the Madness, Katie Street sits down with Ian Davis, CPO at Quid, to reveal how leading brands are using AI-powered consumer and market intelligence to understand what customers want right now and what they’ll want next. You’ll learn: - How retailers can use AI to predict trends for 2026 and adjust merchandising in days - How to turn social data into real customer insight, not just mentions or sentiment - Why most brands still get AI wrong, and the simple way to avoid bad or outdated data - The biggest consumer behaviour shifts emerging for 2026, from “blind gifting” to “Ralph Lauren Christmas” - And much more! Enjoying the episode? Click subscribe so you never miss the conversations shaping the future of marketing, tech and brand growth. Connect with us: Ian Davis https://www.linkedin.com/in/iandavisuk/ Katie Street  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/

AI was meant to transform marketing… so why are so many teams still struggling? In this Marketing in the Madness episode, Charlie Bell from Contentful breaks down the real state of AI in marketing - from broken tech stacks and “platform purgatory” to AI hallucinations, stealth integrations and why human judgment still matters more than ever. Recorded live on stage at our Marketing in the Madness Live anti-conference, Charlie shares fresh insights from Contentful’s major report with The Atlantic, based on 425 marketing leaders, revealing what’s actually working, what isn’t, and how AI is reshaping content, creativity and workflow in 2025. What else? 1. Marketing teams don’t trust AI to run without humans: When Charlie asked the entire room if anyone trusted AI to ideate, check its own work and publish content with no human involvement, not a single hand went up. And it’s no wonder - with AI hallucinating everything from fake facts to Google’s early version telling people to “add glue to pizza,” humans are still essential for judgment, truth, and brand safety.  2. Most teams are stuck in “platform purgatory”: Charlie explains how companies are trapped with old, clunky systems. The very platforms slowing them down are also the ones they’re relying on to “fix” their processes. Vendors keep promising that AI will magically solve everything, but as Charlie puts it: putting AI on a failing system is like “putting a £500 exhaust on a £1,000 car.” It looks shiny… but nothing really changes. 3. Stack sprawl is killing content velocity: Marketing teams are drowning in tools: multiple CMSs, disconnected platforms, endless workflows. Some brands Charlie speaks to are using seven or eight CMS systems at once, meaning a simple landing page can take two weeks to publish. The problem isn’t creativity but execution. Too many tools, not enough connection. And AI can’t fix chaos. Enjoyed the episode? Follow us for more real conversations about the future of marketing, content and technology. Want exclusive access to Marketing in the Madness 2026? Connect with Katie Street on LinkedIn and follow the MITM Live page (links below). Connect with us: Charles Bell https://www.linkedin.com/in/crbuk/ Contentful's Report Katie Street  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/

At our Marketing in the Madness Live anti-conference, George Sullivan, Founder of The Sole Supplier, takes the stage to deliver a powerful and energetic talk about human connection in the era of AI.  With social media reach declining, AI content flooding every feed, and trust becoming harder to earn, George cuts through the noise with a message every marketer needs to hear: 👉 People buy from people. 👉 Human feeling beats AI quantity. 👉 Your face, your story, your passion = your competitive advantage. George shares: - How The Sole Supplier grew from his bedroom to 4.5M monthly users - Why being the face of the brand changed everything - What AI “slop” means for marketers (and how to rise above it) - The truth about authenticity, trust, and the future of content - How brands like Nike, Apple, and LinkedIn master emotional connection Why you need to think deeply again - not outsource everything to ChatGPT The three pillars that make brands memorable: Educate, Entertain, Inspire This talk is packed with insights, honesty, humour, and actionable takeaways for anyone working in marketing, brand, or content right now. If you're a marketer, founder, content creator, or brand builder then this episode will hit home. Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to Marketing in the Madness LIVE 01:20 – George Sullivan takes the stage 02:10 – The power of building a brand through people 03:25 – George’s origin story 04:35 – “People buy from people” 06:05 – Reclaiming your thinking in the age of AI 07:55 – Trust vs. AI-generated content 10:14 – AI’s impact on brand trust 12:00 – Nike and human connection 13:45 – Rising above AI “slop” 15:05 – Loving the brand you work for This is only the beginning. Over the next few weeks, we’re releasing more incredible talks from Marketing in the Madness Live - including sessions with some of the world’s biggest brands and thought-leaders like Richard Shotton, author of Hacking the Human Mind. George Sullivan https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-sullivan-tss/ The Sole Supplier https://thesolesupplier.co.uk/ Katie Street  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness  https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/

Most B2B marketers are missing their biggest growth opportunity and it’s hiding in plain sight. At our Marketing in the Madness Live anti-conference, Jennifer Shaw-Sweet, EMEA Lead at LinkedIn’s B2B Institute, breaks down the “Hidden Buyer Gap” - why 40–60% of deals never close, how to reach the decision-makers you’ve been ignoring, and why brand fame still wins in a world obsessed with clicks. From the psychology of The Bachelor to the “Circles of Doom” that show how marketing and sales fall out of sync, this talk is a masterclass in how to think differently, act smarter, and make marketing the true engine of growth in your business Follow us for upcoming talks from the world’s biggest brands and boldest thinkers. Jennifer Shaw-Sweet https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-shaw-sweet-7134a56/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ Marketing in the Madness https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/

The next evolution of commerce has arrived and it’s powered by AI. In this episode of Marketing in the Madness, Jason Cottrell, Founder & CEO of Orium and incoming President of the MACH Alliance, joins live from the MACH X Conference in London to explore how agentic commerce and composable technology are transforming the way brands build, sell, and connect. From in-chat shopping on ChatGPT to the launch of new agentic protocols backed by OpenAI, Google, and Stripe, Jason breaks down how these technologies are reshaping the foundations of modern business. What you’ll learn: How AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini & Perplexity are changing customer journeys. Why the new ACP standard could redefine how we buy online. The growing impact of agentic ecosystems and interoperable AI agents. How composability enables faster innovation across global brands. And much more! Marketing in the Madness is the straight-talking podcast for marketing and digital leaders who want more - more growth, more clarity, and more impact. Hosted by Katie Street, it brings together bold brands, sharp thinkers, and next-gen voices from across the industry — from Estée Lauder to Vodafone, Contentful, Jägermeister, and beyond. Each episode cuts through the noise with real stories, honest insights, and ideas you can actually use. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the shifts in AI, marketing, and tech - subscribe now!  

Retail is changing fast and River Island is already running ahead of the curve. In this episode of Marketing in the Madness, we dig into how the brand is building smarter systems, faster teams, and better customer experiences using AI. From automated code generation to an internal AI platform called Delta, River Island’s tech team is turning innovation into a daily habit. We talk about what’s next for the brand, how AI is transforming retail operations, and why now’s the moment to plug in and start experimenting. What you’ll learn: - How River Island is building AI into its day-to-day operations - Why “test and learn” cultures are reshaping the retail playbook - The power of modular tools like Delta - What’s next for customer experience across web and stores Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit that notification bell to stay ahead of the madness. Chapters 00:00 – AI is now driving 50% of online traffic 00:24 – The rise of test-and-learn cultures 01:18 – How AI models are reshaping search 02:28 – Inside River Island’s AI engine: Delta 05:26 – The power (and risk) of new AI tools 06:39 – AI’s future: scary or exciting? 06:52 – River Island’s next chapter in innovation 07:53 – Building smarter stores and better systems Simon Pakenham-Walsh https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-pakenham-walsh/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

In this mini episode of Marketing in the Madness, River Island’s CIO Simon Pakenham-Walsh reveals how one of the UK’s biggest fashion retailers is reinventing the customer experience through technology - both online and in-store. After a “summer of reset,” the brand is doubling down on innovation, data, and seamless shopping journeys. What you’ll hear: - From RFID-powered “dump bucket” self-checkouts to smart fitting rooms that recommend your next size — River Island is redefining frictionless retail. - How Simon’s team is uniting website, app, and store tech into one connected system where customers can browse, buy, and return anywhere. - Why River Island’s focus on data, agility, and micro-experiments is shaping the future of retail innovation and customer experience design. This isn’t just a tech upgrade, it’s a retail revolution built for the next generation of shoppers. Subscribe to this channel for more raw, real conversations with the people shaping the future of marketing, tech, and creativity. Simon Pakenham-Walsh https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-pakenham-walsh/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

The future of shopping isn’t about selling, it’s about experience. Simon Pakenham-Walsh, CIO at River Island, breaks down how technology, AI and data are transforming retail — from smart stores and RFID checkouts to seamless online journeys that actually feel connected. With a career spanning Sweaty Betty, Sainsbury’s and Arcadia, Simon’s seen how brands win (and lose) when they get transformation wrong. Now he’s revealing how River Island is rethinking its tech, people, and mindset to rebuild what shopping means in 2025. This one’s for the marketers, retail leaders and founders trying to make digital transformation actually work - without losing the human touch. We talk: The future of retail and technology Why AI and data are rewriting how we shop How to transform a brand without breaking it Why tech isn’t the problem - mindset is If you care about the future of eCommerce, AI in retail, or the next generation of in-store experiences, this episode will change how you think about shopping forever.

Forget glossy influencer campaigns, the real power in e-commerce right now?  Your own people. In this mini episode of Marketing in the Madness, we uncover how Marks & Spencer, of all brands, quietly became the new Zara, by handing the camera to their employees. Our guest breaks down: - How employee-generated content (EGC) is flipping social commerce on its head - Why shoppers trust real staff more than influencers - The secret behind 2x higher order values and 3x more site visits from live shopping - Why authenticity beats polish - and how that’s changing the future of e-commerce From live shopping to shoppable stories and social proofing, this convo dives into what happens when brands let their people become the stars. If you care about e-commerce, social commerce, or brand authenticity, this one’s a must-watch LiSA https://www.hello-lisa.com/ Sophie Freres https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-fr%C3%A8res-n%C3%A9e-spethmann-3316548/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/   Marketing in the Madness https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast