The Cambridge Marketing Podcast

In this episode, Christina Spaulding, Founder and CEO of Manzanita Marketing, discusses the shift from traditional SEO to "organic performance" driven by AI. She highlights why deep cultural research and meticulous localisation are critical for international marketing success, warning businesses to carefully adapt client profiles and legal compliance for each unique regional market.

This week we discuss Marketing Myopia, Mintzberg, Maslow and Marshal McLuhan on the Marketers' Toolkit for M.

In this episode Chris Lukehurst, Director of Research at The Marketing Clinic, explains why traditional market research often misses what really drives buying decisions. He explores the emotional journey behind products, how sensory experiences shape consumer behaviour, and why brands should focus less on what people say they want and more on how products make consumers feel.

In this episode, we cover key accounts, KPIs, lifecycles, and learning curves.

Fashion has become more accessible than ever, but at what cost? Lou Rogers, founder of Trendlistr and fashion communication lecturer at Northumbria University, explores how social media, influencers and second-hand fashion have reshaped the industry. From sustainability to storytelling, discover why great fashion marketing is about more than the latest trends.

In this episode Nick Tyldsley, Managing Director of Superfly Marketing, shares the realities of growing a digital marketing agency over 14 years. From cashflow challenges and recruitment decisions to client relationships and company culture, he explains why long-term thinking is essential for success. The conversation also explores apprenticeships, AI in marketing, leadership lessons and balancing...

In this episode, Rachel Sterling from Identity Digital joins us to explore how search is changing in the age of AI. We discuss the shift from SEO to AEO and GEO, what marketers can do to make sure AI surfaces their content, and why building trust online matters more than ever.

This week, Kiran Kapur and Charles Nixon discuss Junk Mail, Just-in-Time, and Joint Ventures in our Marketers' Toolkit.

ESG is often talked about but rarely explained. Rachel Hales, founder of Get Synergised, joins me to discuss Environmental, Social and Governance, with a particular focus on the social element. We explore how businesses and charities can build meaningful partnerships, why community engagement should be part of everyday business, and the benefits of taking a more purposeful, long-term approach.

Madingley Hall in Cambridge hosted our Tutor Conference 2026.  A great opportunity to speak with some of our tutors to find out what's exciting them about marketing at the moment.

What makes a marketing campaign actually fail? Most importantly, how do you fix it? In this episode, Skip Wilson, founder of DRAFT Media Partners, shares his “draft mentality” approach to marketing.  The idea is that campaigns are never finished, only improved. A practical conversation on testing, data, remarketing, landing pages, and fixing what’s actually not working.

This week on the Marketers' Toolkit it's everything from Instagram to Infographics.

In this episode, Martin Watters from Brief Media joins us to explore what makes video content actually work. From audience retention and storytelling to video strategy, data and social media performance, we discuss how brands can use video to build trust, drive action and stand out in an increasingly crowded digital world.

In this episode, Si Elliott joins us to explore the psychology behind great customer experience; from behavioural science and customer journeys to friction, trust and loyalty. We discuss how brands can better understand human behaviour to create meaningful interactions that keep customers coming back. Featuring insights from Si’s book Customer Experience Thinking.

This week we cover Heuristics, Hypothesis Testing and the Gartner Hype Cycle on the Marketers Toolkit. (Further reading on the Hype Cycle' can be found here https://www.gartner.com/en/research/methodologies/gartner-hype-cycle ) 

In this episode of the Marketers' Toolkit we discuss Gamification, Geodemographics and much more.

You might think dynamic pricing is a new phenomenon. You’d be wrong. This week’s guest, Marco Bertini, kicks things off by reminding us it’s been around almost as long as commerce itself. We explore why businesses use it, how it affects customers, and when it actually works best. Marco is Professor of Marketing at Esade, a global business school based in Barcelona.

Funnels, Freemium, Forecasting and more.  In this episode we cover all things F in the Marketers Toolkit.

Communications coach Jon Torrens discusses how introverts and neurodivergent people can build real speaking confidence. Jon believes that confidence is developed through practice, preparation, and experience, not personality type. The episode covers handling inner critics, using pauses effectively, improving meeting participation, and the importance of strong openings and endings. Practical tips f...

Part two of “E” in The Marketers Toolkit looks at ESG and economic forces shaping modern marketing. From sustainability and governance to GDP, inflation and consumer confidence, this episode explains how external pressures influence strategy, decision-making and long-term business success. (Episode 1 of "E" can be found here. https://LightBlueMedia.podbean.com/e/the-marketers-toolkit-e-episode-1/...

In this episode, Kiran Kapur chats with Richard Leyland from Cambridge Consultants about the challenge of marketing innovation. They explore selling complex, high-risk ideas, overcoming client hesitation, and proving value. The conversation also covers thought leadership, cross-industry marketing, and how AI is reshaping content, strategy, and the future of professional services marketing.

This episode of The Marketers’ Toolkit focuses on “E”, covering End Users, Ethics, and Eye Tracking. It highlights the importance of understanding who uses products, making responsible marketing decisions, and using behavioural insights like eye tracking to improve engagement, design effectiveness, and overall marketing performance.   (Episode 2 of "E" can be found here https://LightBlueMedia.podb...

With Easter weekend upon us, our Opinionated Marketers discuss two chocolate related stories from the world of marketing - including The Great KitKat Heist!

This episode of the Cambridge Marketing Podcast focuses on how to market an investment crowdfunding campaign. Jason Fishman explains how to attract investors using ads, content and email, why testing different audiences matters, and how retargeting builds trust over time. It highlights the importance of social proof, clear messaging and a strong plan to turn interest into actual investment.      

This week, our Opinionated Marketers discuss how marketing intersects with social and economic change. We look at the government’s new apprenticeship incentives, volunteering, and Marks & Spencer’s latest hire!