Rory Sutherland has spent decades at the heart of creativity and behavioural insight as Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, and as one of the most distinctive voices to appear on stages like TED. But in this conversation, we go far deeper than his well-known ideas on psychology and perception. In this episode of Mentor, Rory opens up about the role of serendipity in his career — how chance encounters, unexpected missteps and playful curiosity shaped his path more than any strategic masterplan ever could. We also explore why he believes neurodiversity is a feature, not a bug. Rory argues that organisations thrive when they embrace unusual thinkers, outliers and people whose minds don’t follow the standard linear route — because that’s where originality actually lives. And in a classic Rory provocation, he proposes that every company should run with two boards: one focused on cost, systems and operations… and another focused entirely on customers, opportunity and growth. It’s a bold idea that reframes how organisations make decisions — and who they listen to. This is a conversation about creativity, chance, misfits, and the surprising forces that shape a meaningful career. It’s wise, funny, challenging, and full of Rory at his most candid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bruce Daisley LIVE! — one of the UK’s most influential voices on fixing work — joins us on stage in front of 200 people for the first MENTOR Live at Adwanted Future of Media event. Recognised by LinkedIn as one of the world’s top 10 voices on the future of work, Bruce has led Twitter and YouTube across Europe, written the Financial Times-acclaimed book Fortitude, and hosts the #1 Apple business podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat. We dive into the myth of resilience, how workplaces can rebuild real connection, and why joy, trust, and laughter are the true foundations of strong teams. A bold, essential conversation about how work broke — and how we can fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, hosts Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Forde are joined by Leigh Thomas, a dynamic leader whose career spans top creative agencies and some of the world’s most influential tech platforms. Now serving as Vice President EMEA at Intuit (Mailchimp, Quickbooks etc). We dive into leadership, creativity, transformation, and the evolving role of technology in business — all through the lens of someone who has led at the highest levels of both agency and tech. Before stepping into the fintech space, Leigh spent more than 20 years shaping the creative industry. She held senior leadership roles at renowned agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, where she served as Managing Director, and Dare, where as CEO she guided the agency through a strategic transformation and acquisition. Her ability to bridge creativity, digital innovation and commercial impact later led her to Meta, where she worked as Director of Global Client Partnerships across EMEA, supporting major brands navigating the rapidly shifting world of digital and social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In today’s episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Stephen Miron, one of the most respected and well-liked figures in British media — the long-time CEO, and soon-to-be Chairman, of Global, the powerhouse behind Capital, Heart, LBC, Classic FM, DAX, and one of Europe’s largest outdoor networks. Over 16 years, Stephen has helped transform Global from a £200 million radio group into a billion-pound, multi-platform media organisation. His leadership has shaped how millions of us consume audio and media every single day. For me, there was something incredibly powerful in what Stephen shared — the idea that you have to know when to exit stage left. It’s about trust, timing, and the courage to let others lead. Marco put it brilliantly: “Disrupt yourself before someone else does.” It’s not just a business mantra — it’s a life philosophy. Stay tuned for a conversation full of wisdom on leadership, disruption, evolution, and knowing when to pass the baton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
From Ogilvy to Publicis to Accenture Song, Dame Annette King has led some of the biggest transformations in the marketing world — fusing creativity, technology and commercial impact. In this episode of MENTOR, she reflects on a career defined by reinvention, resilience and relentless drive. Annette shares how she built high-performing teams obsessed with winning pitches, learned to balance ambition with wellbeing after decades at the top, and why true leadership is about staying human through constant change. She opens up about navigating a career in motion, mentoring the next generation, and leading with clarity and compassion, even when the pressure’s on. This is a candid, energising conversation about success, sustainability, and finding meaning beyond the metrics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Bruce Daisley — one of the UK’s most influential voices on fixing work — joins us to unpack what that really means. Recognised by LinkedIn as one of the world’s top 10 voices on the future of work, Bruce has led Twitter and YouTube across Europe, written the Financial Times-acclaimed book Fortitude, and hosts the #1 Apple business podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat. We dive into the myth of resilience, how workplaces can rebuild real connection, and why joy, trust, and laughter are the true foundations of strong teams. A bold, essential conversation about how work broke — and how we can fix it. PDF about how to launch a book : http://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/bestseller The Joy of Work : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Joy-Work-Business-Bestseller-Culture/dp/1847942393 Fortitude : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fortitude-Unlocking-Secrets-Inner-Strength/dp/B09MJJ2T4X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nick Beighton (ex-CEO of ASOS) drops a leadership masterclass: why culture really does eat strategy, how “purpose drives profit,” and the experimental mindset that helped scale ASOS from £223M to nearly £4B. Rachel and Marco dig into decision frameworks, data-driven experimentation (down to the Add-to-Bag button), buying Topshop, progressive people policies, and the “Magpie Moment” that shaped ASOS’s purpose: giving people the confidence to be whoever they want to be. Plus: learning to pivot, managing imposter syndrome, and the decade-by-decade career roadmap (learn, experiment, double-down, give back). If you enjoy Mentor, follow and share with someone navigating their own leadership path. For exec search & consulting: visit https://thezoo.london/ Chapters: 0:00 - Welcome & why Mentor (hard-earned wisdom)4:04 - Guest intro: Nick Beaton’s path to ASOS & beyond5:28 - Career snapshot & early lessons14:23 - Retail wake-up: live in the numbers, think like the customer15:15 - Making failure safe: ASOS’s annual “f***-up” list20:49 - Decision model: customer, people, brand → then finance27:09 - The Topshop acquisition: full-circle strategy44:00 - The Magpie Moment: purpose = “confidence to be whoever you want to be”51:54 - Advice to 25-year-old self: back yourself, pivot, pursue purpose A Viral Tribe Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kathleen Saxton (psychotherapist, ex-Global CMO, and author) joins Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Forde for a masterclass in mentorship and leadership. From “don’t be a passenger” to building “the board you can’t afford,” Kathleen shares battle-tested tactics from 30+ years across agencies, media owners, entrepreneurship and psychotherapy. They cover asking senior leaders for time (and getting a yes), getting in the right rooms, avoiding performative vulnerability, recovering from career missteps, trusting your gut in hiring, and her new books on narcissism, recovery and modern leadership. If you enjoyed this, follow Mentor on Apple & Spotify, subscribe on YouTube, and tell us your best mentor advice in the comments! Recorded at Viral Tribe Studios in Soho Buy Kathleen’s book, here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Advertising legend Sir John Hegarty (co-founder of BBH) joins hosts Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Forde for a masterclass in creativity, brand building and brave decision-making. From getting fired at 21 to launching BBH and shaping culture with Levi’s, BA and more, Sir John Hegarty shares why irreverence matters, how to build movements (not ads), and why, yes, even in the age of AI, the people closest to the idea will win! Follow/subscribe for more Mentor wisdom every week. Recorded at Viral Tribe Studios in Soho. Chapters 0:00 — Welcome & why Hegarty matters (plus teaser) 3:01 — Sir John’s bio & early years in advertising 5:31 — Career in 60 seconds 7:09 — Fired young: conviction over comfort 16:25 — Irreverence & the Black Sheep philosophy 25:09 — Brands as culture: trust, authenticity & “stop stalking” 28:10 — Building The Business of Creativity & the Whalar deal 34:29 — AI: stay closest to the idea (real advice for creatives & CMOs) 47:50 — Founding BBH: no-spec pitches, principles & brand lessons 1:05:44 — Mentorship, no regrets & “Timing is everything” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Karen Blackett CBE joins Rachel Ford and Marco Bertozzi for a masterclass in modern leadership. From “learn, earn, serve” to “two ears, one mouth,” Karen breaks down the habits that build winning, heads-up teams. We get real on mentors vs sponsors, a pitch lost to bias (and how to let it go), inclusion that drives performance, and what it’s like to lead 13,000 people at WPP. Karen also shares how she managed leaving, grief and all, plus sport, parenting, and the global mindset she wishes she’d adopted sooner. Recorded at Viral Tribe Studios in Soho Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & show setup 00:28 – Karen Blackett: bio & mantra 03:30 – Career in 60 seconds 11:21 – “Two ears, one mouth” 13:30 – Belonging & finding your tribe 20:37 – Mentors vs sponsors 24:46 – The pitch lost to bias 29:47 – Inclusion that drives growth 38:38 – Change: on/off/at the bus stop 43:17 – Leaving WPP & advice at 25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Media titan Sir Martin Sorrell joins Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi (founders of TheZoo.London) for a look into advertising’s past, present and AI-powered future. From the real origin of WPP (“Wire & Plastic Products”) to the strategy behind S4 Capital / MediaMonks, Martin breaks down holding company models, the VML/JWT debate, why US scale still wins, and how AI will compress creative & production costs while rewarding brains over brawn. Mentor is recorded at Viral Tribe Studios in Soho Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & Introducing Sir Martin Sorrell 03:13 – The Story Behind S4 Capital’s Name (Family & Heritage) 06:02 – How WPP Really Began: Wire & Plastic Products 08:08 – “Wrong Strategy, Wrong Structure”: Sorrell’s WPP Critique 12:46 – Leaving WPP & Launching S4: Reinvention at 73 22:09 – Why He Still Works: Purpose Over Retirement 27:47 – Global Growth Markets: US, LATAM, Middle East, APAC 39:05 – S4’s Four Principles: Digital-Only, Data-Driven, Faster-Better-Cheaper 49:26 – The Six Giants of Advertising: Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, TikTok, Alibaba & Tencent 1:01:34 – Biggest Mistake: Financing the Ogilvy Deal During the 1991 Recession Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Season Two of Mentor is here! Join hosts Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Forde, founders of TheZoo.London, as they sit down with world-class leaders to uncover the people, stories, and experiences that shaped them. From Sir Martin Sorrell and Sir John Hegarty to Karen Blackett, Stephen Myron, and Bruce Daisley. Expect career wisdom you won’t find in any business book, but can use in real life. Season Two launches Wednesday 1st October on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Lindsay Pattison, former Chief People Officer at WPP and past President of WACL, joins Rachel and Marco to reflect on a career defined by bold leadership, relentless energy, and championing inclusion. From pitches gone wrong to the power of sponsorship, Lindsay shares unfiltered wisdom on mentorship, confidence, taking leaps—and why she’s choosing to pause now. Plus, we go behind the scenes of her work with the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Chapters: 02:33 – Lindsay’s Career in 60 Seconds (Sort of!) 06:45 – From CEO to Chief People Officer: Career Milestones 08:36 – The Power of the Pause: Why Lindsay Stepped Down 11:08 – Behind the Scenes of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 13:36 – Mentorship vs Sponsorship: What's the Difference? 21:02 – Biggest Career Mistakes and What They Taught Her 29:11 – Return to Office & Bridging the Generational Gap 33:00 – Advice for Team Leaders: Building Culture & Connection 40:14 – Women, Confidence & Championing DEI 44:55 – Public Speaking Tips & Pitching Advice 46:15 – The Best Life Advice Lindsay Ever Received 47:47 – Building Your Ally Network & Taking the Leap Follow The Zoo on TikTok and Instagram Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Steve King’s career reads like a playbook for leadership, longevity and bold decision-making. Marco and Rachel chat to the former Publicis COO, to learn about the pivotal moments, mistakes and mentors that shaped his four-decade journey through media and advertising. From selling earrings in Italy to managing 90,000 staff globally, Steve reflects on imposter syndrome, protecting time for family, and what it's really like working under Maurice Lévy. Plus, the one afternoon in his diary he never gave up — no matter what! https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Episode Chapters 01:24 Journalism vs AI: Make It Fair Campaign Explained 05:53 Introducing Steve King – A Masterclass in Leadership 08:48 From Donuts to Media – The Start of Steve’s Journey 13:29 Moving to America: Career Defining Moment 14:51 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome at the Top 20:44 Creating Zenith’s Global Identity – The ROI Agency 24:49 US vs UK vs French Leadership Styles 30:10 Building Publicis Media: Trust, Talent, Transformation 34:08 The Pandemic Years: Shingles, Solitude, and Publicis Survival 41:23 Why US Experience is Crucial for Future Leaders 43:19 What Steve Learned from Maurice Lévy and Arthur Sadoun 46:30 Balancing Work, Life and Rugby – Steve’s True Priorities 49:27 Magpie Advice: Simplify, Listen, Hire Smart Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What happens when a seasoned media exec switches lanes after 20 years, and nearly walks out after just one week? Rachel and Marco sit down with Dom Williams, Chief Revenue Officer at Mail Metro Media, to unpack the highs, lows, and truths of making bold career moves. From battling self-doubt to rebuilding confidence, transforming culture, and mentoring high-performance teams, Dom shares the lessons behind his rise and reinvention. Follow us: https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters: 00:00 Welcome & Intro to Dom Williams 02:18 Expanding Mail Metro Media in the US 05:06 20 Years at Dentsu – Why He Stayed So Long 08:24 The Leap from Agency to Sales – And Why He Almost Quit 10:57 Mentorship, Confidence & Rebuilding After a Tough Start 13:31 How Dom Leads High-Performing Teams Through Pressure 17:38 Culture First, Cash Second – Transforming Mail Metro 23:55 Learning from Mistakes: The Booking That Nearly Got Him Fired 32:13 Magpie Moments – Lessons Stolen From the Best 39:38 Best Advice Dom’s Ever Received & Reverse Mentoring Wins Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week on Mentor, Rachel and Marco sit down with Jon O’Donnell, former MD of ESI Media, and founder of Viral Tribe Entertainment. From rave MC to running major newspapers to building a creative powerhouse in podcasting, Jon shares what he's learned about reinvention, decision-making, and rediscovering creative purpose later in life. Follow us: https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters: 02:00 – Jon’s 60-second life story 04:30 – Why starting Viral Tribe wasn’t the brave move 08:00 – Coming full circle back to creativity 13:30 – Big decisions at the Evening Standard & The Independent 17:45 – The biggest career mistake he ever made 22:00 – The importance of mentors (and surprising sources of inspiration) 38:00 – Athletic mindset meets business: hacks, habits & high performance Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rachel and Marco sit down with Kathryn Jacob OBE – CEO of Pearl & Dean, co-author of three best-selling books, and one of the most thoughtful voices in British media. From her early career chaos with Chris Evans to her OBE-worthy work on inclusion, Kathryn shares honest, funny and insightful lessons on leadership, resilience, and knowing when to change your shoes (yes, literally and metaphorically). Follow us: https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters:05:30 – Kathryn'ss Career in 60 seconds: Virgin Media, cinema, and more08:00 – Getting an OBE (and nearly mistaking it for a tax demand)10:00 – Creating cultures of inclusion and true belonging12:00 – The power of mentorship and finding your “hand at your back”18:00 – Biggest career fuck-up: wearing the wrong ‘shoes’22:30 – Why “fitting in” isn’t the same as “belonging”24:00 – Behind the books: The Glass Wall, Belonging, and Creativity28:00 – Creativity, elitism, and letting go of the gatekeepers31:00 – What real leadership looks like (hint: it’s not ego)34:30 – Magpie moments: learning from others36:50 – Final advice: if it doesn’t feel right, it might not be you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Colin Gottlieb has shaped the media world for decades – but he’s not done yet. From building agencies to transforming LADbible, to collaborating with the Muhammad Ali Center and exploring AI’s future, Colin shares stories and career-defining advice with Marco and Rachel. Follow us: https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters: 02:20 – Meet Colin Gottlieb: Media icon and restless innovator 03:30 – Career in 60 Seconds (ish): From TBS to the top 09:00 – The origin story of Manning Gottlieb Media 13:00 – Taking the leap: Conviction, courage, and starting an agency 17:00 – The Omnicom acquisition & the power of staying focused 21:00 – Why change is opportunity (and how to spot it) 23:30 – The Muhammad Ali Center & Colin’s spiritual side 25:30 – Transforming LADbible & embracing the future 30:00 – Collaboration, creativity, and client-first thinking 33:20 – AI agents, future tools, and creating efficiency 36:30 – What to do when you get ghosted (and how to stay relevant) 39:30 – Colin’s advice to those considering the leap 42:30 – Colin’s biggest f***-up (and what he learned) Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What makes a great leader, and how do you recover from a truly career-defining mistake? In this episode, Marco and Rachel sit down with Karen Stacey, CEO of Digital Cinema Media and President of WACL, for a conversation on leadership, learning the hard way, and the surprising power of optimism. Karen shares her journey from skipping university to landing one of the most coveted roles in media, what she learned when a crucial contract went unsigned, and why leaders should be “the sunshine” in the room. Follow us: https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Chapters 0:00 – Intro: Meet Karen Stacey 1:30 – How Do You Fit It All In? 4:00 – Leadership as the Weather 5:25 – What Makes a Great Leader? 10:00 – No Degree? No Problem 17:00 – The Channel 4 Breakthrough 20:00 – Holding Your Nerve 25:15 – The Power of Positivity in Teams 27:00 – CEO 101: Leading Without Burning Out 30:00 – Get to Know Your P&L - Why financial fluency is essential 32:00 – Karen’s Biggest F*Up - The unsigned contract that taught her a lifelong lesson about detail and delegation. 36:00 – Magpie Moments: Karen’s philosophy of listening more than speaking 38:00 – Imposter Syndrome Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode of Mentor, Rachel and Marco sit down with media legend and ITV exec Simon Daglish – or Dags, as he’s known across the industry. From raising £1 million for charity, to going bankrupt, Dags shares the raw truth about resilience, leadership, failure, and finding purpose in adversity. Chapters 00:00 – Meet Dags: Media Legend, Charity Founder, Polar Explorer 05:36 – From Millionaire to Bankrupt: The Hardest Lesson 12:00 – Leading with Trust: Why You Shouldn't Do It All 17:30 – Run Towards Adversity: The Story Behind Walking With the Wounded 20:40 – Yes, That’s Prince Harry… and a Muff 23:15 – Degrees Don’t Matter: What Really Makes You Employable 30:00 – Project 84: Turning a Statistic Into a Movement 33:55 – The Power of Real Conversations and TV Storytelling 38:30 – Listen to the Little Guy: Staying Connected as a Leader 42:15 – Feed Them, Entertain Them: The Morrisons Moment 48:00 – Regrets, Resilience, and Radiators vs. Drains 50:00 – Final Advice from Richard Curtis (and Dags) Follow The Zoo on TikTok and Instagram Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices