Embracing Marketing Mistakes
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© 2026 Embracing Marketing Mistakes
Description
Welcome to Embracing Marketing Mistakes, the world’s leading irreverent podcast for senior marketers who are tired of the polished corporate b*llshit.
Join Chris Norton and Will Ockenden, founders of the award-winning Prohibition PR, as they sit down with industry leaders to dissect the career-ending f*ck-ups they’d rather forget. The show moves past any pretty vanity metrics to uncover the brutal, honest truths behind marketing disasters, from £30,000 SEO black holes and completely failed companies, to social media crises that went globally viral for all the wrong reasons.
We don't just celebrate the f*ck-ups; we extract the tactical blueprints you need to avoid them yourself. If you are a business owner, or a CMO looking for a competitive advantage that only comes from real-world experience, this is your weekly masterclass in resilience and strategy.
- Listen for: Raw stories from top brands, ex-McKinsey strategists, and industry disruptors.
- Learn from: The errors that cost thousands and the recoveries that saved careers.
- Get ahead by: Turning other people's nasty disasters into your unfair market advantage.
If you have a story to tell and would like to appear on the show, tell us your biggest marketing mistake and drop us a line.
151 Episodes
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It’s easy to feel like things are quickly spiraling out of control when a crisis hits. Our latest episode takes a look at exactly what needs to be done when the heat is high, the pressure is on, and it feels like your back’s against the wall because of one type of disaster or another. We discuss the types of crises businesses can face, from data breaches to PR disasters, and unpack real examples and the lessons learned – like Boeing’s operational blunders and Bud Light’s marketing miss...
AI is transforming PR, but is it actually replacing PR professionals? In this episode, we sit down with Jono Matusky, founder of Newsprint AI. Jono has built AI tools that automate media monitoring, press release writing, and executive briefings. But does that mean the role of PR professionals is at risk? We look into how AI is being used to save time, improve efficiency, and even uncover insights that us marketing professionals might miss. Jono shares the smartest ways to integrate AI into P...
Abigail Dixon, the brilliant mind behind the Whole Marketer, shares her inspiring journey from working at Burger King to hosting a podcast with over 130 episodes. Have you ever wondered how aligning personal values like connection, growth, and generosity with your career could transform your professional life? Abigail reveals her passion for psychology and business and how these elements fuelled her career and podcast during the pandemic, aiming to show diverse perspectives into her work. Fe...
Award-winning journalist Helen Nugent, renowned for her 27-year career across multiple media channels, joins us to breakdown the world of journalism and media training. Discover how seasoned journalists carve out the perfect soundbite and why media training is essential for brand representatives. Helen shares captivating stories from her time at The Times and her interactions with high-profile figures like Richard Branson, offering a unique glimpse into the personalities behind the headlines....
Are you measuring PR ROI all wrong? If you’re relying on outdated metrics like AVEs or vanity impressions, you could be missing the real value of your PR efforts—and losing budget because of it. In this episode, we break down the biggest mistakes brands make when tracking PR success, why traditional measurement methods fail, and what smarter marketers are doing instead. Learn how to prove PR’s impact in a way that actually matters to decision-makers, secure more budget, and align your efforts...
Nikki Dixon, Director of Brand & Marketing @ Leeds Building Society, shares her journey from retail to finance, highlighting the critical importance of authenticity and community in successful marketing. This episode explores her strategies for rebranding Leeds Building Society and building trust in a competitive and regulated environment. • Discussion on Nikki's career transitions across industries • Insights on effective branding and community engagement • The importance of authenticit...
What does a £400 billboard, 1,400 unsold England flags, and a taxi website have in common? For digital PR expert Mark Rofe, they’re all part of a journey filled with creative risks, quirky mistakes, and invaluable marketing lessons. In this episode of Embracing Marketing Mistakes, Mark shares the story of his viral billboard campaign that turned a bold idea into global headlines. With appearances on BBC, This Morning, and even Jimmy Fallon, Mark explains how he used humour, creativity, and a ...
Explore the power of podcasting, we discuss why it has become essential in today's marketing world for brands to maximise engagement and ROI. With practical insights and case studies, we reveal how to expose common challenges while crafting a successful podcast. • Understanding the importance of podcasting for modern marketing • Crafting a podcast that resonates with your audience • Effective storytelling and production quality as key components • The three-stage process: s...
Robin Smith, Head of Corporate at Censuswide, joins us in unravelling the complexities of modern marketing in our latest episode as we look at a brand new comprehensive report on CMOs. We invited Robin onto the show so you could gain real insight from their inaugural "Voice of the CMO Report" which questioned more than 500 CMOs. The report looks at tackling AI's role in crafting hyper-personalised campaigns while maintaining authenticity. With a keen focus on the challenges of managing brand...
Unlock the secrets to charging what your agency is truly worth with insights from Crispin Manners, CEO of Onvert and former chairman of the PRCA. We explore how agencies can move beyond outdated pricing models by embracing value-based strategies. Crispin shares his journey and experiences, from pioneering roles in the PR industry to growing Kaizo, a tech-focused PR agency that thrived during the tech boom. Discover how focusing on outcomes rather than outputs can elevate your agency's perceiv...
Unlock the secrets to marketing success in the food and beverage industry in this episode of Embracing Marketing Mistakes, where we dissect both the challenges and triumphs brands experience in this cutthroat arena. Featuring insights from industry experts like Tristan O'Hara of Pub & Bar and James Beeson from The Grocer, we promise you'll walk away understanding the nuances of securing product listings amidst pressures like shrinkflation and misleading labelling. Dive into stories of suc...
Ever wondered how rejection can fuel innovation? Zohe Mustafa, the visionary founder and head of marketing at Growth Hakka, shares his inspiring journey from being turned away by advertising agencies to pioneering AI-driven marketing strategies. Learn how Zohe has transformed obstacles into opportunities, including a noteworthy mishap with HubSpot that resulted in an email debacle. His experiences with industry titans like QVC, Virgin Media, and Nokia provide insightful lessons about resilien...
World-renowned brand strategist Mat Thomas shares his fascinating journey from finance to marketing, offering insights on how his diverse experiences have shaped his approach in the competitive world of automotive branding. With a background in handling powerhouse brands like Unilever and Bayer, Mat reveals the nuances of transitioning into the automotive sector with Lexus UK. From his strategic rebranding success with Rennie to navigating the complexities of marketing for Toyota and Lexus, M...
Can you imagine a world where the relentless march of technology isn't as swift as we perceive it to be? Join us as we explore this intriguing possibility with futurist and digital transformation expert, Tom Goodwin. In a thought-provoking conversation, Tom shares his insights on "Digital Darwinism" and the importance of maintaining a human-centred approach in the face of technological change. Tom provides invaluable lessons on how making mistakes can lead to smarter, more creative stra...
In this episode, we’re joined by Jayne Constantinis, an esteemed trainer and presenter whose career spans the high-pressure world of BBC broadcasting, corporate PR, and TEDx stages. Jayne shares her captivating journey from navigating live TV to empowering others with the tools to communicate confidently and authentically in any setting. Drawing on her rich experiences across industries, Jayne reveals the key strategies behind effective communication—from conquering the fear of public speakin...
What if understanding consumer behaviour could transform your marketing efforts? Join us for an insightful conversation with Phill Agnew, the mastermind behind the Nudge Podcast, as we uncover the secrets of behavioural science in marketing. From his early days as a marketing student to becoming a leading voice in the industry, Phill shares his journey and the pivotal moments that led him to embrace behavioural science. We'll explore the immense impact of these principles on marketing success...
If you’ve ever wanted “guaranteed media coverage,” this episode is a must-listen. We’ve all been there — clients expecting front-page headlines and PR teams doing their best to secure that all-important killer piece. However, many in the PR industry have asked how anyone can guarantee coverage and whether it is just paid content in disguise. In this episode, we were grateful to sit down with Chris Pharo, CEO of 72 Point, to peel back the layers of this contentious issue. We explore why “guara...
Want to know how to truly resonate with your audience and craft marketing strategies that hit the mark? Listen to our conversation with Alex Myers, head of marketing at the SEO Works, as we break down the essence of market orientation and how understanding your audience isn't just about sharing job titles but stepping into their shoes. From navigating the unique challenges of marketing to marketers to adapting strategies across different sectors, Alex shares invaluable insights that will tran...
Ever wondered how to transform your business through the power of words? Join us as we chat with the incredible Sarah Townsend, a leading freelance copywriter and author who shares her remarkable journey from the corporate world to freelance success. Learn how clarity, simplicity, and human-centric writing can revolutionise your messaging and respect your audience's time. Discover why it's essential to write for your readers' needs and avoid the pitfalls of academic conventions that can obscu...
Ever wondered how booking events in different cities on the same dates could turn into a hilarious marketing lesson? Or what it’s like to fall over during a high-stakes pitch? Join Chris Norton and Will Ockenden, as we celebrate our 50th episode of Embracing Marketing Mistakes. We kick off with Lisa Thompson’s side-splitting stories that highlight the importance of attention to detail and keeping a good sense of humour. Imagine launching a design-focused pet store right in the middle of the ...
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Well done guys. I was gutted I couldn't make this pod but sounds like you did a great job.
It was great to hear Andy's particular take on brainstorms.
so excited to get these out in the big world. I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts.