The Brief

AI is one of the fastest evolving technological advancements, and its impact is being felt across multiple touchpoints, including search. Both frontend and backend, AI is changing the game when it comes to SEO and PPC, but what are the big challenges and opportunities? In this episode, we’re joined by Tracey Pilon, Commercial Director at Microsoft, and UM Birmingham’s Katherine Ray, Business Director and Tom Williams, Senior SEO Director, to break through the jargon and uncover the current state of AI in search, what it means for marketers and brands, and what the future of search might look like. What we cover in the episode The evolution of the SEO landscapeHow Microsoft is harnessing the power of AIWill fragmentation in search increase?The potential rise of zero-click searches (and why this might not be a bad thing)Why marketers need to consider the full funnelUsing Copilot for creativity About the speakers Tracey Pilon is Commercial Director at Microsoft. With over 18 years of experience with one of the world leaders in technology, Tracey is an experienced leader in the digital industry. Katherine Ray is Business Director at UM Birmingham, part of McCann Central. Kat has significant experience in Paid Search across a range of industries. Tom Williams is Senior SEO Director at UM Birmingham, part of McCann Central. Tom is a passionate SEO Specialist with more than 13 years of experience, both agency side and in house.

In 2021, washable rug brand Ruggable launched in the UK after steadily growing in the US. With a big focus on filling the social feeds of millennials, the brand is looking to grow its audiences through new channels all whilst building trust. Expanding your audience can feel like a challenge at the best of times, but as a relatively young brand operating on a global scale, there’s a lot to navigate. For this episode, Ellis Bird is joined by Charlotte Ford, European Senior Marketing Director at Ruggable, and Sarah Warewinter, Managing Partner, Strategy, at McCann Bristol. During the conversation, they discuss the journey to expanding audiences, the importance of data, finding the right channels, and getting internal buy-in. What we cover in the episode Ruggable’s journey so farHow do you know when it’s time to start expanding your audience?Finding like-minded audiencesWhy you shouldn’t change your brand to suit a new audienceHow challenger brands can find connectionFinding local relevance on a global scale (without being precious about your brand)How testing has shaped Ruggable’s strategyBuilding (and maintaining) trust as a D2C online brand About the speakers Charlotte Ford is European Senior Marketing Director at Ruggable. With extensive experience across some of the biggest consumer brands including Heycar, Treatwell and Amazon, Charlotte is a specialist in brand and customer engagement. Passionate about brand building and solving complicated strategic challenges, she joined Ruggable in early 2024 and has since led the way on growing audiences and channels.   Sarah Warewinter is Managing Partner, Strategy, at McCann Bristol. With a traditional planning background, Sarah is well versed in customer insight, research, brand management, creative and business strategy; and believes that brands need to be built on strong strategic foundations to develop amazing creative marketing. Her experience is channel agnostic, and she is passionate about making sure that brands use all available resources in the right way to connect with their customers.

In 2022, the Elections Act introduced a huge change for in-person voting – voters would now be required to present eligible photo ID at polling stations or face being turned away. The Electoral Commission had to find a way to clearly communicate the new ID requirements to the nation across a vast array of demographics, without impacting the public’s motivation to vote.   The solution? Giant sticky notes. For this episode, we’re joined by Susan Crown, Flick Duncan, and Kayley Almond to uncover the challenges the new law presented, the story behind the campaign, how they shifted behaviours, how they got the first ad out within 24 hours of the General Election being announced, and the incredible results the campaign has generated. What we cover in this episode Where do you begin when trying to change the behaviour of so many demographics?Going down wormholes and the importance of segmentationOvercoming apathy and understanding barriers The importance of research and accessibility How the sticky notes stood out amongst 12 optionsWhy the team were operating at severe risk early onThe pressure of overcoming negative public opinions and getting the tonality rightFinding longevity in the creativeHow the team go the first assets out within 48 hours of the general election being announced  Bringing the ‘warm and fuzzy’ to life-adminFinding the human touch (including hand written sticky notes)Key lessons in accessibility and inclusionWhy post-campaign analysis is a mustConnecting with key audiencesThe incredible results generated by the campaigns Watch the ads Voter ID: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDU6_ZW-mRw Voter registration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHb8lrjRPIY  About the speakers  Susan Crown is Head of Campaigns and Corporate Identity at The Electoral Commission and is passionate about encouraging participation in democracy. An expert in marketing, press, strategic, internal, and corporate communications, Susan as extensive experience in developing behavioural change campaigns. Flick Duncan is Managing Partner at McCann Demand, leading on some of the biggest household names. With a belief in building trusted, open and collaborative partnerships, she is dedicated to achieving ambitious, world-first creativity and growing industry-leading client servicing teams. Kayley Almond is a seasoned Strategy Director at McCann Demand, celebrated for her innovative thinking and passion for igniting creative sparks that help businesses meet their growth potential. With over a decade of experience shaping impactful campaigns for esteemed brands like Hargreaves Lansdown, Lancome, and the Electoral Commission, Kayley approaches her work with humility and a desire to connect with real people.

Somewhere along the way, travel got more about getting from A to B than recognising the role it plays in our bigger journeys. Determined to put the human touch back into train travel, the team behind Britain’s most extensive train network got to work building a new brand platform and launching an emotional film. But what have they learnt from it, what was the impact, and what’s next for CrossCountry? For this episode, we’re joined by Colette Casey, Customer and Commercial Director, and David Mullins, Head of Brand Communications and Digital Strategy at CrossCountry, along with Vince McSweeney, Chief Creative Officer, and Haydn Russell, Associate Director at McCann Central. What we cover in this episode The story behind the brand platform, ‘Take Us On Your Journey’The importance of bringing the human touch to railHow the platform was brought to life creativelyNavigating industry challenges whilst launching a new brand platformThe importance and impact of fluency and distinctivenessWhy an advertising agency helped design a new look for trainsWhat’s next for CrossCountry About the speakers Colette Casey is Customer and Commercial Director at CrossCountry. With extensive experience in marketing, sales, quality management and commercial roles, Colette has been central to the development of the brand as a long-distance operator over the last three years. As CrossCountry’s Head of Brand Communications and Digital Strategy, David Mullins leads the marketing department of Britain’s most extensive network. Since joining two years ago, David has shaped CrossCountry’s brand communications, customer data intelligence solutions and digital strategy. Originally from Melbourne, Vince McSweeney moved to the UK with his family in 2010, and in the blink of an eye, now finds himself quite a bit older and Chief Creative Officer at McCann Central. With brand experience in all sectors and disciplines, creative leadership for Qatar Airways, and a long list of national and international client wins to his name, Vince has also seen his work recognised at all major international award shows. Including Gold at Cannes for Mastercard and Dexcom With 13 years of experience in category, brand, and communications research, Haydn Russell develops research programs and leads strategic insights for global and local clients at McCann. He supports the CrossCountry team in audience understanding, communications development, emotive positioning, and brand health measurement, collaborating closely with both internal and client teams to achieve impactful results.

A few years ago, advertising got pretty serious, and for good reason. But now the industry is rediscovering its funny bone as brands look to create laughter, joy and connection with audiences. There’s even a new humour category at Cannes this year. But why is it making a return and how do you ensure your work is ‘laugh with’ rather than ‘laugh at’? For this episode, we’re joined by Zane Radcliffe, Executive Creative Director at McCann Bristol, and Will Studd, Director of Animation at Aardman, to discuss the impact of humour, the stories behind the work, and how to get those authentic laughs. What we cover in this episode Looking back on the humour-fuelled 90s and why purpose took overWhy humour is making a comebackHow humour informs Will and Zane’s workThe story behind the latest ad for VOOM NutritionWhy big belly laughs aren’t the only goalFinding the right funny for your sector (and knowing when to be serious)Will and Zane’s favourite humorous ads About the speakers Will Studd is an award-winning Animation Director at Aardman. He has worked on projects for some of the worlds largest brands including Nike, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, Heinz, BBC, GlaxoSmithKline and many more. Will also holds the Guinness World Records for smallest and largest stop motion films created, and a whole host of other awards including Cannes Lions, BAA, British Arrows Craft Award, Kinsale Shark, and RTS awards. Zane Radcliffe is a multi award-winning Executive Creative Director and writer with nearly 30 years experience creating campaigns for national and international brands. His work at McCann Bristol for clients like Refuge, Waterstones and Motability has won 5 Cannes Lions, 12 Creative Circle awards and pencils at D&AD and One Show. His work is often imbued with humour, including famous campaigns for Tango, Pot Noodle and John West. Zane is the author of three novels published by Black Swan. His debut won the WHSmith 'People's Choice' Award. About Aardman: Aardman is an independent, multi Academy Award® winning studio, based in Bristol.  For over 40 years, Aardman has entertained the world, creating much loved characters such as Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. From feature films and series, to advertising, games and interactive entertainment, all Aardman’s content is built on four pillars: bold comedic ideas, relatable stories with global appeal, characters with heart, and a passion for craft.

The UK has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, and the uncertainty is set to continue. It may feel all doom and gloom, but there’s more in the marketer’s control than you might think. So, how can you begin to build your futureproof strategy? In this episode, Ellis Bird is joined by our media team’s Nicola Daniel, Managing Partner Strategy, and Sarah Clarke, Senior Data & Strategy Director, to understand how consumers are behaving, what this means for media budgets, and diving into the three-step framework that will help brands maintain traction with their target audience. What we cover in this episode How consumer confidence has changedWhy recent learnings show we’re in unchartered territoryWhat are the shifts in consumer behaviour and where do they stem from?The rise in comparative searchesWhy brands need to consider how consumer journeys may have changed and how to lean into itHow to make the most of your media budget and protect it for next yearWhy staying present in difficult times can pay off in the long-termWhy marketers need to lean into dataThe three-step framework to help you get startedWhy brands need to ‘keep their pants up’ Read the white paper here About the speakers  Sarah Clarke is Senior Data & Strategy Director at UM Birmingham, part of McCann Birmingham. Passionate about the “why” behind human behaviour, Sarah uses behavioural science combined with data and insights to craft strategic business solutions that drive growth, both for now and in the future. This ensures that the right businesses connect with the right people to solve consumer problems and drive commercial impact.  Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn. Nicola is Managing Partner, Strategy, at UM Birmingham. A highly accomplished, collaborative, and curious media and comms practitioner, she believes business growth and effectiveness comes from blending the art and science of marketing to unlock the magic that fuels unforgettable comms.  Connect with Nicola on LinkedIn.

Did somebody say…. Yep, we can probably all finish that line (although maybe not in tune). What if we said “Kevin!” The nation’s favourite carrot likely springs to mind (along with the line, “that’s huge, Willy!”) Brand assets have the power to promote quick association and build brand recall. But how do you get started with creating them? What’s the secret formula to building brand assets that are truly distinctive? How do they impact effectiveness? For this episode, we’re welcoming Jon Evans, Chief Customer Officer at System1, alongside McCann’s Jamie Peate, Global Head of Effectiveness and Retail, and Kayley Almond, Strategy Director, to uncover the stories and strategies behind the biggest brand assets. What we cover in this episode Defining brand assetsThe impact on effectiveness and why fame mattersThe importance of having “a thing of it”How and why Kevin the Carrot came to beBeing in the business of light entertainmentThe journey to creating assets that achieve fame, fluency and feelingSustaining brand assetsThe impact of cultural moments and seasonalityAvoiding ‘vision vampires’ and the role of celebrity in brandsThe power of nostalgia and bringing back distinctive assetsBrands can change, but they need an anchorWho’s doing distinctive assets well About the speakers Jon Evans, Chief Customer Officer at System1, is an experienced commercial leader with a track record of delivering substantial growth across a large number of brands. His previous experience includes a short stint as CMO for Brewdog, Marketing Director at Suntory leading some of the UK's most iconic brands, on the Board of Purity Soft Drinks, a private equity-backed soft drink business, and working for Britvic Soft Drinks running a 'Seed Brand Unit' in conjunction with Pepsi. Jon also hosts the ‘The Uncensored CMO’ podcast. Jamie Peate, Global Head of Effectiveness and Retail at McCann, has helped to drive a culture at local, regional and global levels that holds creativity and effectiveness central to all of the agency’s output. His strategic approach to the Aldi account exemplifies his approach – long running campaigns such as Like Brands and Kevin the Carrot have reaped benefits for the client and helped redefine the grocery sector.  A proud northerner and champion of creativity in Manchester, Jamie got his first taste of retail at his parent's shop near Blackpool. He first joined McCann Manchester as a recent graduate before forming his own insight and innovation agency Blue Banana in the early 1990s. When the agency became part of McCann Manchester 20 years later, Jamie returned as Director of Strategy and Insight. Kayley Almond is a seasoned Strategy Director at McCann, celebrated for her innovative thinking and passion for igniting creative sparks that help businesses meet their growth potential. With over a decade of experience shaping impactful campaigns for esteemed brands like Hargreaves Lansdown, Lancome, and the Electoral Commission, Kayley approaches her work with humility and a desire to connect with real people.

The ever-changing tides of B2B have left brands siloed, board rooms nervous, and marketers struggling to balance the short and long term. However, amongst the challenges lay plenty of opportunity for change. In this episode, Ellis Bird is joined by Greg Aris and Colin Gray for an honest conversation on the priorities and pitfalls of B2B marketing. From closing the historical sales and marketing gap, to building reputation and breaking down siloes and everything in between. What we cover in this episode: What shifts have we seen in the world of B2B?Why customer experience is overtaking purposeBuilding a culture of reinventionThe importance of balance and connecting the dotsSurviving the immediate storm whilst building a foundation for future growth  Why it’s time for B2B marketers to stop the ‘rinse and repeat’What’s your story and is it breaking down or creating siloes?The emergence of the B2B ecosystemThe role of reputation About the speakers: Greg Aris, managing partner, heads up the B2B practice within McCann Central, where he is currently working with clients on a range of projects from redefining product architecture, creating business model propositions and reputation rebuilds for a range of clients. Follow Greg on LinkedIn Colin Gray, Managing Partner Strategy, is a hugely experienced strategic marketing professional and LinkedIn Top Voice. He has diverse experience spanning client-side, creative and media agency roles, which enables joined-up thinking and means B2B decision makers are firmly at the heart of the solution. Follow Colin on LinkedIn Find out more about McCann Birmingham here or follow us on LinkedIn.

Love it or hate it, data can drive commercial, creative and customer value when done well, or it can make life a lot more difficult when done badly. What was once a step in the process to deliver communications is now a product in its own right, but let's be honest - it can feel like a dark art shrouded in mystery. Luckily, Morag Glaister and Kevin Murphy are on hand to simplify the complex and bust the data myths holding you back. From breaking down the different types of data, right through to quick wins that can unlock hidden value, this episode of The Brief is the perfect introduction to taking control of your data.

2023 was quite the year for social. From Twitter’s rebrand and the launch of Threads, to CGI content and a plethora of new trends. But what are the key lessons from the past 12 months that marketers should be taking into 2024? Ellis Bird is joined by Joe Cronin and Charlotte Spafford for a conversation on all things social, and even a dash of JLo, Bebo and Big Ben.

Are brands more disconnected from Gen Z than they think? Why should marketers be paying attention to Gen Z anyway? Can brands get away with saying “bruv”? Join Ellis Taylor, Kyri Christou, Leonna Taylor and Jason Davis for an honest conversation as they challenge perceptions of the most connected generation and uncover the importance of getting in the room with the voices you want to reach.

Is pop culture dead? How have the shifting sands of the media landscape changed the way we think about reaching audiences at scale? Join Ruepal Aujla, Lisa Barrett and Nicola Daniel as they chat about everything from the nostalgia of mass media’s glory days, to digital diversification and the newfound potency of social media’s cosy niches.

Join us for a special live episode as we get to know Abbie Reilly, the Birmingham illustrator behind the new design on the front of McCann Birmingham's office. From the opportunities AI brings to creativity, to the creative process and the story behind the building, we dive into the local creative community. Hosted by Ellis Taylor, Marketing Manager, and joined by Alex Acosta, Managing Partner Creative, this conversation was recorded as part of a live event.

Is TikTok right for your brand? How do you get started? What should marketers be thinking about before posting? And how did Kim Kardashian help Chupa Chups get so many views? Join Ellis Taylor, Joe Cronin and Patsi Walton for a short but packed conversation on all things TikTok.

Join McCann Central as we look to answer one of the biggest questions marketers are facing - how do you build a household brand?