Untrended Podcast

<p>Business confidence is at record lows, but what does that actually mean, and who (or what) is really responsible? In this episode of UnTrended, Nicole Jones is joined by Publicis Pro’s Jon Lonsdale, Billy Hamilton-Stent, and Jamie Fewery to unpack why so many business leaders feel uncertain right now and what confidence really looks like in practice.</p> <p>From the psychology of leadership and decision-making under pressure to the role of culture, storytelling, and momentum inside organisations, the panel explores how confidence is built (and lost) at an individual level, not just a macroeconomic one. The conversation also digs into the impact of AI disruption, the LinkedIn “doom loop,” and why long-form thinking may be the antidote to perpetual crisis thinking.</p> <p>Later, world-class performance coach and psychologist Jamil Qureshi joins Nicole to break down the science of confidence, purpose-driven leadership, and how organisations can mobilise belief at scale, even in times of uncertainty.</p> <p>If you’ve ever wondered how leaders are supposed to stay confident when the world feels like it’s constantly shifting, this episode is for you.</p> <p>Subscribe to The UnTrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode.</p> <p><b>Chapter Markers:</b></p> <p><b>(03:00) What Does “Business Confidence” Even Mean?</b></p> <p>Is confidence a measurable business metric or something far more human?</p> <p><b>(10:30) Innovation, AI, and the Pace-of-Change Paradox</b></p> <p>When everything is moving fast and nothing feels controllable.</p> <p><b>(19:00) Personal Confidence Rituals for Leaders</b></p> <p>What the panel actually does to stay confident when things feel wobbly.</p> <p><b>(26:00) Long-Form Thinking as an Antidote</b></p> <p>Why depth, context, and perspective matter more than hot takes.</p> <p><b>(32:00) Purpose vs Targets</b></p> <p>Why focusing on what you can be matters more than what you can have.</p> <p><b>(42:00) One Thing Leaders Can Do Tomorrow</b></p> <p>A practical mindset shift for staying confident amid uncertainty.</p> <p><b>Useful Links:</b></p> <p>Get to know Jamil Qureshi on <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jamil-qureshi-494661a" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Follow Nicole Jones on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-jones-447b1547/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Touch base with Jon Lonsdale on <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jonlon" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-hamilton-stent-6226a/" target="_blank">Billy Hamilton-Stent</a></p> <p>Learn more from <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiefewery/" target="_blank">Jamie Fewery</a></p> <p>For more information visit the <a href="https://publicispro.com/" target="_blank">Publicis Pro Website</a></p>

<p>What does it really mean to be a working parent today?</p> <p>In this episode of UnTrended, Nicole Jones is joined by Jamie Fewery, Jon Lonsdale, Billy Hamilton-Stent and a host of parents from across Pub Pro, for an open, funny, and deeply honest conversation about working parenthood.</p> <p>Recorded with Nicole on the brink of becoming a parent herself, this episode explores the realities of balancing demanding careers with childcare, exhaustion, guilt, ambition, and identity; from newborn trenches to teenage years, and everything in between</p> <p>Later in the episode, Nicole is joined by Katie Pospischill, Managing Partner at Pub Pro and working mum of two, who shares a powerful perspective on leadership, burnout, self-kindness, and what workplaces really need to understand about supporting parents.</p> <p>This episode goes beyond tips and tricks. It looks at identity, ambition, and the cultural expectations placed on working parents, particularly women, in demanding industries like advertising and marketing.</p> <p>It’s about accepting that you can’t have everything, all at once and that good enough really is good enough.</p> <p>Whether you’re a parent, about to become one, thinking about it, or simply managing work alongside life’s bigger responsibilities, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and solidarity.</p> <p>Subscribe to UnTrended for more conversations on work, culture, leadership, and life</p> <p><b>Chapter Markers</b></p> <p><b>(01:10) — Why working parenthood feels harder than ever</b></p> <p>The changing realities of dual-income households, stress, and modern parenting.</p> <p><b>(05:00) — “Everything is a phase” (even the brutal bits)</b></p> <p>Why remembering this matters most for new parents.</p> <p><b>(10:20) — Paternity leave and why it matters</b></p> <p>How time off for dads changes outcomes for families and careers.</p> <p><b>(16:10) — Kids in pubs, soft play, and cultural shifts</b></p> <p>How parenting reshapes social life (and your tolerance levels).</p> <p><b>(20:30) — Fear of losing professional identity</b></p> <p>Why stepping away from work can feel scarier than parenting itself.</p> <p><b>(28:40) — Burnout, boundaries, and being kinder to yourself</b></p> <p>Why “just set boundaries” isn’t realistic for client-service roles.</p> <p><b>(35:40) — Letting go of guilt and perfection</b></p> <p>Why “good enough” really is enough.</p> <p><b>(38:00) — Final reflections: you can’t have it all, all the time</b></p> <p>Closing thoughts on balance, expectations, and shared experience.</p> <p><b>Useful Links</b></p> <p>Get to know Katie Pospischill on <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/katie-pospischil-13809217" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Follow Nicole Jones on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-jones-447b1547/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-hamilton-stent-6226a/" target="_blank">Billy Hamilton-Stent</a></p> <p>Learn more from <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiefewery/" target="_blank">Jamie Fewery</a></p> <p>Touch base with Jon Lonsdale on <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jonlon" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>For more information visit the <a href="https://publicispro.com/" target="_blank">Publicis Pro Website</a></p>

<p>How will B2B buyers find, evaluate, and trust brands in a world shaped by AI?</p> <p>In this special bonus episode of UnTrended, Billy Hamilton Stent, Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Pro, sits down with Mimi Turner, Head of Marketplace Innovation at LinkedIn, to explore one of the biggest shifts facing B2B marketing right now: AI-driven discovery and generative engine optimisation (GEO)</p> <p>The conversation goes beyond technology, touching on culture, behaviour, and confidence and what it really takes for organisations to change when the future no longer resembles the past.</p> <p>As Mimi puts it, this may be an epoch-changing moment, one that forces brands to grow up, get clearer on who they are, and build credibility in ways that both humans and machines recognise.</p> <p>If you work in B2B marketing, strategy, growth, or leadership, this episode offers a grounded, human perspective on where AI discovery is heading and how brands can respond without chasing hype or fear.</p> <p>This is less about tactics, and more about how trust, relevance, and authority will define success in 2026 and beyond.</p> <p>Subscribe to The UnTrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode.</p> <p><b>Chapter Markers</b></p> <p>(<b>01:55) — Looking ahead to 2026: what’s really changing</b></p> <p>Mimi shares the two major shifts she sees shaping B2B marketing strategy over the next few years.</p> <p><b>(05:45) — Why AI search rewards human qualities</b></p> <p>Expertise, authority, trust, and relevance and how these human traits align with how LLMs prioritise content.</p> <p><b>(09:50) — Why events — not ideas — drive real change</b></p> <p>The cultural and organisational challenge of adapting when the future no longer looks like the past.</p> <p><b>(13:10) — A more optimistic view of AI’s impact</b></p> <p>How AI could lead to richer customer experiences, better marketing, and new roles.</p> <p><b>(14:00) — A possible renaissance of trust and value</b></p> <p>Mimi’s closing reflection on whether AI could usher in a more human era of business.</p> <p><b>Useful Links</b></p> <p>Get to know Mimi Turner on <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mimi-turner" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-hamilton-stent-6226a/" target="_blank">Billy Hamilton-Stent</a></p> <p>For more information visit the <a href="https://publicispro.com/" target="_blank">Publicis Pro Website</a></p>

<p>From John Lewis to Coca-Cola, Christmas ads have become a cultural event—part entertainment, part national sport, and occasionally the trigger for a heated debate about the true meaning of festive storytelling.</p> <p>In this special holiday episode of UnTrended, Nicole Jones is joined by Jamie Fewery, Louise Brooks, and Billy Hamilton-Stent to unwrap the history, nostalgia, and creative madness behind Christmas advertising, including the ones that make us cry, the ones that make us cringe, and the ones that make us immediately donate £50 to charity.</p> <p>The team also sits down with Franki Goodwin, Chief Creative Officer at Saatchi &amp; Saatchi, to talk about taking the reins on the iconic John Lewis Christmas advert, the pressure that comes with it, and how you build a festive film that becomes not just a campaign but a cultural moment.</p> <p>Plus: stuffing discourse, office party confessions, Christmas jumper controversies, and the eternal question… will B2B brands ever make a truly great Christmas ad?</p> <p>Subscribe to The UnTrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode.</p> <p><b>Chapter Markers:</b></p> <p><b>(01:00) How Christmas Ads Became a Cultural Phenomenon</b></p> <p>A whistle-stop tour from Coca-Cola Santa to John Lewis’ “The Shadow” and the birth of the Christmas ad as an annual national event.</p> <p><b>(09:00) This Year’s Standout Christmas Ads</b></p> <p>Shelter’s hard-hitting realism. Tesco’s painfully relatable family vignettes. Morrisons’ behind-the-scenes take on working Christmas. What lands and what doesn’t?</p> <p><b>(13:30) The Shift in Christmas Storytelling</b></p> <p>Why brands are moving from sweeping universal emotion to more specific, lived-in stories and why that might be the smartest path forward.</p> <p><b>(19:00) Will B2B Ever Make a Christmas Ad?</b></p> <p>The team explores seasonality, budget realities, category constraints, and whether a B2B brand will eventually take the leap. (Spoiler: it’s “inevitable” according to Jamie.)</p> <p><b>(22:00) If We Could Make One: Our B2B Christmas Ad Pitches</b></p> <p>Twilio emotional storytelling. Aviation rom-coms. Santa supply chain logistics. Red-and-white Caterpillar diggers. Genuinely good ideas? You decide.</p> <p><b>(31:00) What We’re Looking Forward to This Christmas</b></p> <p>Family reunions, young kids’ excitement, Boxing Day bubble &amp; squeak, home cooking, and a rare chance to do absolutely nothing.</p> <p><b>(32:00) Making the John Lewis Christmas Ad</b></p> <p>Franki reveals how the team builds the brief, the early inspiration, and how music shaped this year’s story.</p> <p><b>(36:00) How the Process Really Works</b></p> <p>From open briefs to agency-wide idea generation and why everyone wants to work on the John Lewis Christmas ad.</p> <p><b>(44:00) Story First, Product Second</b></p> <p>Why John Lewis will always lead with emotion, not product, and how that shapes the creative process.</p> <p><b>Useful Links</b></p> <p>Get to know Franki Goodwin on <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/franki-goodwin-a9314b13" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Follow Nicole Jones on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-jones-447b1547/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Touch base with Louise Brooks on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-brooks-aa788079/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-hamilton-stent-6226a/" target="_blank">Billy Hamilton-Stent</a></p> <p>Learn more from <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiefewery/" target="_blank">Jamie Fewery</a></p> <p>For more information visit the <a href="https://publicispro.com/" target="_blank">Publicis Pro Website</a></p>

<p>From Formula 1 to football, B2B brands are spending big on sports sponsorships, but what’s the real return?</p> <p>Is it about audience reach, storytelling, or simply the glamour of the hospitality suite?</p> <p>In this episode of UnTrended, Nicole Jones is joined by Jamie Fewery and Billy Hamilton-Stent to explore B2B’s growing fascination with sports sponsorship and why so many brands are racing to the pitch, track, and beyond.</p> <p>Plus, Jamie sits down with Joel Seymour-Hyde, Head of Partnership Management at Formula 1, for an insider’s look at what makes a smart sponsorship work (and why sticking your logo on a car isn’t enough anymore).</p> <p>From the logistics of moving F1 around the world to the cultural resonance of Sharp’s 90s Man United kit, the team uncovers the strategy, storytelling, and spectacle behind today’s biggest brand plays.</p> <p>Subscribe to the UnTrended Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode.</p> <p><b>Chapter Markers:</b></p> <p><b>(01:10) Inside the World of Formula 1</b></p> <p>Jamie interviews Joel Seymour-Hyde, Head of Partnership Management at F1, about the evolution of sponsorships, global brand partnerships, and how B2B brands fit into the sport’s ecosystem.</p> <p><b>(09:00) The Hallmarks of a Great Partnership</b></p> <p>How successful B2B sponsors connect their business objectives with the right platform and why clarity of purpose is everything.</p> <p><b>(18:00) Passion vs. Pragmatism</b></p> <p>Joel reveals why being a fan of a sport can actually make sponsorship decisions worse and why objectivity wins every time.</p> <p><b>(21:00) Panel Chat: The Rise of the B2B Fanboy</b></p> <p>Nicole, Jamie, and Billy dig into why B2B brands are flooding into sports, from the power of pre-made audiences to the pull of data-driven fanbases.</p> <p><b>(28:00) The Value of Activation</b></p> <p>Why the best sports partnerships are now multi-channel, creative, and experiential, not just a logo on a shirt.</p> <p><b>(35:00) From Cigarettes to CRM</b></p> <p>How sports sponsorship has evolved from nostalgia to nuance and what modern brands can learn from iconic partnerships like Marlboro McLaren and IBM Wimbledon.</p> <p><b>(39:00) Cultural Resonance in Sport</b></p> <p>The team explores how great sponsorships transcend marketing and become part of cultural memory, from Sharp and Man United to Rolex and golf.</p> <p><b>Useful Links:</b></p> <p>Get to know Joel Seymour-Hyde on <a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/joelseymourhyde" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Follow Nicole Jones on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-jones-447b1547/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-hamilton-stent-6226a/" target="_blank">Billy Hamilton-Stent</a></p> <p>Learn more from <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiefewery/" target="_blank">Jamie Fewery</a></p> <p>For more information visit the <a href="https://publicispro.com/" target="_blank">Publicis Pro Website</a></p>