Commical

What does it take to go from journo to digital marketing heavyweight?  John Kerrison started his career in TV newsrooms before shifting gears into government communications. Today he’s Director of Digital Content & Creative at the NSW Department of Customer Service, leading teams across social, web, video and brand.  In this episode, we talk about: • The surprising skills journalism gave him for digital comms • Why trust and transparency are non-negotiable for brands in the AI era • How curiosity (and the odd chocolate croissant) fuels career growth • The story behind a Sky News panel and some very quick-thinking producers  From broadcast to government, John’s story is all about reinvention, resilience and finding your voice in unexpected places. 

How do you take a local cookie brand from a Byron Bay market stall to Qantas flights and Oscar gift bags?  In this episode, we explore the magic behind building brands that last, without losing what made them lovable in the first place. Emilie shares how her small but mighty marketing team gets big results, and the surprising role comedy and improv play in her creative process. From supermarket shelves to stand-up stages, this episode leaves no crumbs. 

What difference can a business make to Reconciliation in Australia?  Hint: It’s not just an Acknowledgment of Country on the footer of your website.  It's about real action - creating jobs, supporting Indigenous businesses, and ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a seat at the table. This is where a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAPs) comes in.  We spoke with Adrian Cheatham, from Reconciliation Australia to learn more about the power of RAPs and the tangible benefits of having one in place. We’ve even committed to starting on ourselves.    In this episode, hear why:  Why over 3,300 organisations have committed to a RAP  The real impact RAPs are having in workplaces across Australia   The uncomfortable truth about businesses that choose to do nothing 

80% of working parents are now in the workforce, and the juggle is real. It’s pushing brilliant people out of fast-paced industries like media and marketing.  In this episode, we hear from media gun Lauren Thornborough, co-founder of The Village, a community built to support, connect and advocate for working parents in the media industry.  Lauren shares why she launched the movement and what needs to change if we want to keep great talent in the game.  We talk flexibility, mental load, and building cultures that work with people’s lives, not against them. 

Are you ready to move beyond ticking boxes and truly connect with Aboriginal culture?  Fear of saying or doing the wrong thing often keeps people stuck in their comfort zones, creating barriers to genuine connection with culture and Country. But cultural confidence isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention, action, and authenticity.  In this episode of Commical, we’re joined by Aboriginal educator and cultural desensitivity expert, Rhys Paddick, who shares four simple steps to ditch fear, embrace curiosity, and find your own way to connect with Aboriginal culture. Rhys explains why small, meaningful actions matter and how marketing companies, individuals, and organizations alike can create connections that go well beyond words.  🎧 Tune in and take your first steps toward a deeper, more impactful connection with culture and Country 

Elise Hedley-Dale has been shaking up the media world since the 90’s (exact year, not to be disclosed!). With nearly three decades of experience, she’s gone from media planner to business owner. Elise is the Founder of Media Words, a company born from the request of a loyal client – Ocean Spray.   This episode discusses how media consumption has transformed over the years from traditional TV spots and glossy magazines to the wild (and rapidly evolving) world of digital media. While some brands are quick to chase the next big thing and jump on the latest trends, it doesn’t mean you should throw out the playbook and follow suit. Elise emphasises that knowing your audience like the back of your hand is the key to creating a successful campaign. Elise reminds us of the fundamentals —understanding who your audience is, where they are, and how they want to be spoken to.  Elise and Marie discuss the power of adding a touch of humour and creativity into campaigns, from the viral ‘poo at work’ campaign (yes, you read that correctly) by Queensland Health to the clever ‘Love a Duck campaign. Elise stresses the power of simplicity and wit in creative messaging, and how a well placed billboard can still pack a punch.  

A critically important and infinitely insightful episode that will show you how simple recruitment processes we all follow are leaving people out and businesses behind.  Our guest? Sabrina Maddock, CEO, Avanti Search. And how’s this for a bio. Sabrina competed on The Apprentice, was Miss World Australia (placing third overall at Miss World 2006). Co-authored a book that landed on Malcolm Turnbull's prime ministerial reading list. She is a diversity & inclusion consultant. She’s also a member of Mensa.  Find us someone better suited to talk about inclusive and diverse recruitment practices.   See? Impossible.  

Hallyu, the Korean Wave, is something two of the Chasing Albert team are riding obsessively. Marie El Daghl, Managing Director and Alex McGee, Graphic Designer may have 20 years between them but they share a love for all things Korean Culture, albeit with different tastes.  They’ve come together to give you the gift of the Top 10 K-Dramas to start your journey. It includes a wide range of genres, everything you need to know before you watch and even tips on how to watch it for the best experience.   Silly season has well and truly begun, but be warned, K Dramas are no joke. Addiction awaits you.  You’re welcome!  Email hello@chasingalbert.com to get a set of our Chasing Albert stickers featuring some of our K-faves. 

What does the future of the workplace hold? Robots might not be taking over (yet), but virtual work sure is.   With over 40% of Australians working from home in some capacity, it’s clear the way we work is changing. And with this, what we expect of our workplace is too.   But is the office truly dead, or do we just need to rethink what it looks like?  In this episode of Commical, we’re joined by Angela Ferguson, leading workplace strategist, and Co-founder of Future X Collective, a leading Australian workplace design consultant. She provides insight into the workplace of the future and what it needs to look like to be successful.   Spoiler alert – it’s more than a fake green wall and a fridge full of wine. Got feedback?    Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com   Commical by Chasing Albert.  Chasing Albert is an Australian marketing communications agency. Check out the website or connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn.  Loved this episode?    Leave a review below and let us know.  

Commical by Chasing Albert takes a look at the funny side of business and uncovers some nuggets of gold along the way. From bite sized piss takes to in depth conversations – this podcast is light business entertainment, not to be taken lightly.   In this episode… How to create real change at a government level. Many large organisations have the resources to appoint professionals to act on their behalf. Others start at the grass roots and do it all themselves.   We explore both sides with Australia’s leading Government Relations and Public Affairs expert, Alistair Nicholas and Dany Elachi from The Heads Up Alliance, a small community organisation made up purely of parents concerned about the harmful effects of smartphones on children. They are currently lobbying for the NSW Government to restrict the use of mobile phones in schools.   A restriction on mobile phone use only during school hours seems like a no brainer. But is it?   Got feedback?    Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com   Commical by Chasing Albert.  Chasing Albert is an Australian marketing communications agency. Check out the website or connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn.  Loved this episode?    Leave a review below and let us know.    

How would a marketing expert approach marketing their own business? That’s what I want to know when I speak with Tim Burrowes. He has long been a leading voice in marketing and media. With extensive experience as an editor and as a marketing journalist, he set up Mumbrella in 2010, one of the leading B2B publications of its time. And it sold in under 9 years. How did he build the brand? What marketing did he employ? Where did he use agencies? He shares all this and more. And more importantly, Tim shares his vision for Unmade, his latest B2B publishing venture for the marketing and media industry. The business is not yet 1, already boasts thousands of subscribers and delivers the smart, insightful and witty stories Tim is well known for. Their first event is coming up (it’s a corker!) and  with many more to follow, Unmade is already making a mark. Here’s what we cover: Pleasantries and a bit of ass kissing (on my part anyway) The evolution of Mumbrella Building a brand The role of values and the impact on output The vision for unmade His experience with branding, PR and SEO Why people shouldn’t take themselves so seriously As promised in the episode, here are the links to: That hilarious ‘About’ pic: https://www.unmade.media/about Tickets to the ‘ marketing in a cost of living crisis: https://events.humanitix.com/unmade-marketing-in-a-cost-of-living-crisis This is Unmade’s first event, and it will take place at Forrester’s in Surry Hills on May 24 at 5pm. It’s a critical topic discussed at every level across the country – including households. Tim will be moderating a panel featuring Optus CMO Melissa Hopkins, GroupM CEO Aimee Buchanan, Macquarie University’s Professor Jana Bowden, a leader in marketing research, and one of his favourite strategists, Shapeshifter founder Al Crawford. Buy the book - Media Unmade: https://www.booktopia.com.au/media-unmade-tim-burrowes/book/9781743797303.html Subscribe to Unmade: https://www.unmade.media/ Hit us up on socials @marieeldaghl on insta, linkedin & FB. Shameless plug This podcast is produced by Chasing Albert. An integrated marketing agency chasing strategies, ideas and results that are nothing short of brilliant. Check out more of our work at chasingalbert.com Loved this episode?   Leave a review and let us know.

Social media superstar, chart topping artist, and Gladys Berejiklian’s hottest personal assistant – Carla from Bankstown needs no introduction. But do you know the face behind this iconic persona? And how he got there? Introducing Ben James, the person behind the persona – Carla from Bankstown. Taking Australia by storm with his unique sense of humour and drag style, Ben has built a loyal following over the past couple of years. He has captured the hearts and imagination of Australia, and more recently the attention of National TV stations, iconic brands, and local favourites. And can you believe it all started at a local Maccas with SWAT cars? In this episode of Commical, both Carla and Ben sit down with Chasing Albert’s very own Bankstown OG Marie. They talk all things creativity, comedy, and collaboration. Plus, how this iconic personality is breaking down Western Sydney stereotypes and dealing with the haters along the way. Got feedback?   Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com  Let’s connect!  Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn for communication news, views, and tips.  Loved this episode?   Leave a review below and let us know.

1 in 5 Australians will experience mental ill-health within a 12-month period. While mental ill-health can be difficult to talk about, it’s clear that we need to. In recent years, there’s been a positive change in the way we discuss mental health and wellbeing. However, there’s still a long way to go. Negative stereotypes, myths and stigma continue to underpin conversations about mental ill-health. A shift towards safe reporting, portrayal and communication is critical to de-stigmatising mental ill-health and encouraging help-seeking behaviour. Tune in to this episode with Dr. Elizabeth Paton, Project Lead on Everymind’s Mindframe program, and learn about improving communication skills around mental ill-health, and the importance of safe reporting and portrayal.  Got feedback?   Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com  Let’s connect!  Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn for communication news, views, and tips. You can find Mindframe on Twitter @mindframemedia and Everymind @EverymindAU Loved this episode?   Leave a review below and let us know. 

Language is a powerful tool that can make or break organisations, leaders, and teams. When used well, words can amount to great outcomes. When used poorly, they can have severe consequences.   In 2015, American Cargo Ship, SS El Faro sailed into the middle of Hurricane Joaquin. In a series of tragic events, the ship sadly went down with all 33 mariners on board. It left behind a voyage data recorder documenting final conversations, and a lesson we all need to learn; words matter. Tune in to this fascinating episode of Commical with L. David Marquet, retired Navy captain and best-selling author of Leadership is Language. Gain insight into the critical role of language in leadership, teamwork, and decision making. Got feedback?   Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com  Let’s connect!  Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn for communication news, views, and tips. You can also connect with David on LinkedIn. Loved this episode?   Leave a review below and let us know. 

Bad news is well, bad. But there’s nothing worse than breaking bad news, badly. In the workplace, performance management discussions and redundancies are common occurrences. When approached without the right care and planning, they can have severe implications on the company and individuals. So how do you break bad news well? In this episode of Commical, we’re joined by Kris Grant, CEO of ASPL Group. She provides invaluable knowledge and proven strategies on breaking bad news in the best way possible. Whether you’re familiar with delivering bad news or completely stressed out by the thought, this episode is sure to give you some great insight to consider when preparing for your next difficult conversation. Got feedback?   Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com  Let’s connect!  Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn for communication news, views and tips. You can also connect with Kris on LinkedIn. Loved this episode?   Leave a review below and let us know. 

If a picture alone is worth a thousand words, the communication capabilities of an entire space can only be imagined! Retail design is a real game-changer for businesses, and can have a profound impact on customers, sales, staff and community.   In this episode of Commical, Marie is joined by Jason Pollard, Co-founder and Director of Retail Strategy at Public Design Group. He delves into how purpose led design in retail and office environments can elevate your business and relationships.   Jason explains that the physical environment is more than just space. It’s an avenue for endless opportunities to connect with consumers and staff in unique and meaningful ways. This is where the power of retail design comes into play.  Through a range of personal experiences and real-life examples, Jason brings invaluable insight into retail design and its role in communication and relationship building.  Got feedback?    Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com  Let’s connect!   Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn or Instagram for communication news, views and tips. You can also connect with Jason on LinkedIn.  Loved this episode?    Leave a review below and let us know.  

Acknowledgment of Country; we’ve heard this introduction hundreds of times at schools, meetings, events and more. But how many of us truly understand why it’s important and how to get it right? Put aside everything you think you know about doing an Acknowledgment of Country and get ready to re-consider your approach. In this episode of Commical, Marie is joined by Aboriginal educator, Rhys Paddick. He provides a fresh new perspective on how we can use Acknowledgment of Country to authentically express our respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and land. After the episode, Marie put her writing skills to the test. Check out her attempt at writing a personal Acknowledgment of Country and see Rhys’ feedback here. Got feedback? Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com Let’s connect! Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn or Instagram for communication news, views and tips. You can also connect with Rhys on Instagram. Loved this episode? Leave a review below and let us know.

Whether you’re looking for a photographer to take the perfect shot, or an influencer to reach the masses – finding the right talent is not easy. Host Marie El Daghl speaks with Taryn Williams about visual storytelling, finding the best creatives, and the importance of inclusivity. Taryn Williams is the founder and CEO of theright.fit – an online marketplace helping professionals find the right talent for advertising and marketing. Got feedback? Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com Let's connect! Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn or Instagram for communication news, views and tips.

Unless you are working for a major government body or multinational corporation with deep pockets, you probably have never given multicultural communication much thought. If you have given it thought, it’s likely you haven’t given it any budget, or activity beyond translating existing documents. With Australia being such a diverse, multicultural society – surely, we are missing a trick. On this episode of Commical, Marie El Daghl speaks with Adrienne Meakin, a respected leader and multicultural comms expert from the Melbourne based LOTE Agency. Adrienne lays bare the reasons why multicultural comms is important and starts with two simple facts. Australia’s population has recently hit 25M, due in no small part to immigration. About 1 in 4 Australian residents were born overseas, and a great proportion originated from non-English speaking backgrounds. We discuss campaigns that have tapped into different ethnic groups and the reasons why doing so is not just good for business, but good for society in general. About Adrienne Meakin  Adrienne is the Managing Director of LOTE Agency, which is based in Melbourne. Responsible for the ultimate leadership and performance of LOTE, Adrienne is passionate about bringing a unique perspective to the multicultural communications space. She believes that diversity and inclusion in the modern landscape means breaking down barriers and misconceptions about how we ‘should’ communicate with diverse audiences. Private enterprise and the public sector have sometimes struggled to meet the challenge of communicating with these diverse groups of communities – which is where Adrienne and her business, LOTE Agency, come in. Since 1999, LOTE Marketing has been assisting organisations across Australia from the private and public sector to bridge the gap in communications with their core constituents from non-English speaking backgrounds. The LOTE philosophy is that effective multicultural communication is not just about translating the literal word - it’s about conveying the message. In addition to specialised staff, LOTE’s in-house audio production and desktop publishing facilities mean they can provide efficient and effective marketing services – from basic translation to complex awareness campaigns. Their specialities including Multicultural Marketing, Community Engagement, Marketing to Diverse Groups, Ethnic Marketing and Translation. Got feedback? Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com Let's connect! Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn or Instagram for communication news, views and tips.

Brand, reputation and culture can be impacted by bad processes just as much as they can by a good marketing campaign. They are three topics that are linked, and critical to business be it large or small. Karl Treacher is the CEO at The Brand Institute and an adjunct associate professor at Griffith Business School. His research into the relationship between brand, reputation, and culture has led to 60 published articles along with speaking engagements at TEDx and The Committee for Economic Development in Australia (CEDA). On this episode of Commical, he shares insights that every business - large and small - can benefit from. Learn more about The Brand Institute or catch Karl on his weekly podcast Tuesday@10. Got feedback? Share your feedback or guest suggestions via email: commicalpodcast@gmail.com Let's connect! Connect with Marie El Daghl on LinkedIn or Instagram for communication news, views and tips.