Spikes Excitement Talks

In this epsiode, Tara King, Senior Director of North America Brand & Portfolio Strategy for Bombay Sapphire at Bacardi, talks about the course of her career and how she has helped shape globally recognised beverage brands across Diageo, Vita Coco and Richmond Marketing — building brands through cultural relevance, emotional resonance and instinct-led strategy. Originally from Ireland and now b...

In this episode Ralitza Iordanova, Global VP, Brand Marketing at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, reflects on what luxury really means today, why hospitality is ultimately about human emotion, and how the future of brands may shift from aspiration to restoration. From leading iconic hotel transformations across cultures to designing experiences that help people regulate their nervous systems, this c...

In this episode, Saurav Mohanty, Head of Digital Products & Technology at Yum! Brands Europe, shares a remarkable journey from growing up in rural India to leading digital innovation across global brands. He reflects on how curiosity sparked his path into technology, why product thinking sits at the intersection of business and engineering and what it takes to stay grounded in a fast-moving di...

In this episode, Billy Cheng, Head of Consumer Data Activation & CRM at L’Oréal, shares how global experience across Asia, Europe and the US has shaped his approach to consumer data and brand relationships. With experience spanning companies like AS Watson and Reckitt, he has built deep expertise in managing large-scale consumer databases, designing CRM strategies and driving innovation across...

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Linda Bethea, Senior marketing executive and former Chief Marketing Officer at Danone with leadership experience at companies like Diageo and PepsiCo. Linda has spent her career building and transforming major consumer brands, combining deep consumer insight with sharp business acumen. Beyond her corporate roles, she also serves as a board director for Make-A...

In this episode of Excitement Talks, Sandra Peat speaks with Burcu Sahin, Director of Global Marketing for Portfolio Strategic Initiatives at Mars, about a career driven by curiosity, culture and a deep understanding of people. From starting out in investment banking to discovering her passion for behavioural economics and strategic planning, Burcu shares how a non-linear path led her to global br...

In this episode, Maik Hofmann sits down with Eugene Lee, Vice President, CMO APAC at CHAGEE, to explore a marketing career shaped by music, emotion and real human connection. From growing up in Malaysia with dreams of becoming a rockstar to leading campaigns for global brands like McDonald’s, Eugene shares how creativity, culture and customer obsession define his approach. This conversation dives...

In this episode, Gordon Euchler sits down with Florent Bondoux, Global Head of Digital, E-Commerce, Data & Analytics at Nestlé Health Science, to explore how AI is transforming health, commerce and the way we make decisions. From building a multi-billion health science business inside a global corporation to experimenting with AI-driven habit coaching and personalized wellness, Florent shares...

In this episode, Mahabir Panigrahi, Director of Global Marketing, Consumer & Commercial Analytics Intelligence at The Coca-Cola Company, shares his journey from a self-described “numbers guy” to shaping analytics at global scale. Having worked with Coca-Cola for years as a consultant before joining full-time, Mahabir brings a rare end-to-end perspective on how data, marketing and technology in...

In this episode, Andrés Ruiz, Head of Digital and Consumer Experience Middle East at Pernod Ricard, shares his journey from Colombia to Madrid to Dubai and what it takes to lead digital transformation in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. With nearly 15 years of experience across brands like Nestlé and agency work on global accounts, Andrés unpacks the realities behind “the glamorous side” o...

In this episode, Chris Fiorillo, Global Head of Marketing at Zurich Resilience Solutions, shares how he’s building a marketing engine from the ground up embedded within Zurich Insurance. With a career spanning Infosys, Mondelez and The Adecco Group, Chris brings a unique perspective on creating brands, driving digital transformation and navigating complex corporate environments while thinking like...

In this episode, Ciaran McCarthy, VP Brand & Advertising at Microsoft, shares his path from art school in Dublin to his current position at Microsoft. What started with a blunt rejection from a professor became the catalyst for a career spanning agencies, global campaigns, gaming and now the frontlines of AI. Ciaran takes us behind the scenes of creative life and reflects on the pivotal shift...

In this episode, Mélanie Brinbaum Head of Marketing & Consumer Communications Europe at Nestlé, shares her unconventional journey through some of the world’s most iconic brands—revealing why passion, curiosity, and authenticity matter more than any carefully crafted career plan. From leading global marketing at scale to pursuing a PhD while raising a family, Mélanie opens up about the reality...

In this episode, Silke Mennenga Vishab, Co-Head of Design, Brand at JPMorgan Chase, shares her remarkable journey from a small town in Germany to co-leading design for one of the world’s largest financial institutions. With roots in agency life and global beauty brands, Silke reveals how early lessons in resilience, craftsmanship, and attention to detail shaped her creative philosophy. She takes u...

In this episode, Miriam Garcke, Marketing Lead NIVEA Face & Skin Care Germany at Beiersdorf, reflects on a two-decade career shaped by iconic brands like Nivea and Eucerin. From launching products seen in millions of households to creating meaningful impact for people with real skin concerns, she shares how her motivation evolved from visibility to purpose. Miriam also talks about the power of...

Luke Paxton, VP of New Product Exploration & Incubation at Fidelity Investments, takes us on a journey from architecture and 3D design to the forefront of AI innovation. With a career shaped by reinvention—from startups to skateboards to cutting-edge tech—Luke shares how user experience has been the common thread throughout. The conversation explores how AI is transforming the way we build, le...

In this episode, Gordon is joined by Shruti Bose, Head of Global Campaigns at Roche and former VP at APACD, shares her journey across continents and industries—shaped less by planning and more by embracing opportunity. From “planned happenstance” to her philosophy of “bloom anywhere,” she reflects on building a meaningful career in healthcare communications. The episode explores the shift from tre...

In this episode, Greg Lombardo VP Global Marketing at Tupperware, shares how great brands don’t just grow—they evolve. From reinventing Transformers into a storytelling powerhouse to redefining Play-Doh and rediscovering the emotional core of Tupperware, Greg breaks down what it really takes to unlock a brand’s full potential. Tune in for a deep dive into creativity, strategy and the art of stayin...

In this episode, Leonora Scarpa, VP at Procter & Gamble, shares what it really takes to build brands in a world where commerce, technology and human behavior are constantly evolving. From a 20+ year journey across innovation, digital commerce and brand building, Leonora reveals why true growth starts with curiosity and why the future of marketing depends on staying deeply connected to real hum...

From the Greek special forces to McKinsey, P&G, Samsung, and until recently CMO at Electrolux—Nikos Bartzoulianos shares a powerful perspective on what it takes to build brands and careers that stand out. This episode dives into the importance of bold choices, authenticity and emotional connection in a world overloaded with options. Nikos explains why great brands don’t just compete on feature...

In this episode, David Dowgiello, Director Global Social Media at Adidas, shares his journey from aspiring sports journalist to shaping global brand conversations at one of the world’s most iconic companies. From early days in digital advertising to pivotal roles at Twitter and TikTok, David reflects on building a career at the intersection of culture, technology and sport. He also opens up about...

In this episode, Gordon hosts Jason Holzman, former Senior Vice President, Creative & Production at Macy’s. He shares his unconventional journey from studying literature at Harvard University to leading creative strategy at global brands like NBCUniversal and Macy's. Jason unpacks how storytelling sits at the heart of marketing, why learning “on the job” can be your greatest advantage, and...

In this episode, Valda Coryat, VP Marketing Consumer Products & Branded  Food Service at McCormick & Company, shares her journey from an MBA at Columbia University to leading marketing across global giants like Colgate-Palmolive, Heineken and now McCormick & Company. Valda dives into the power of mentorship, the transition from functional to emotional branding, and why trust is the rea...

In this episode, Gordon hosts Gaurav Datta, Global VP Personal Care at Unilever who shares how he balances legacy, innovation and consumer obsession across billion-dollar brands.  So what does it take to lead some of the world’s most iconic brands into the future—without losing what made them iconic in the first place? From leadership lessons to the end of “lazy marketing,” this is a deep dive int...

In this episode, Gordon Euchler speaks with Thomas Ullram, Global Marketing Director for Taste & Wellbeing at Givaudan. With more than 25 years in the food and beverage industry—from Kraft Foods to flavour houses—Thomas shares how curiosity, consumer insight, and bold marketing shape the future of what we eat and drink. They explore the fast-changing world of flavours, the power of provocative...