The New Abnormal

Series One Steve Lacey has a reputation for being a genuine outsider, in an industry where being 'inside the bubble' is the 24/7 reality for the vast majority of its workforce.  (Hence him founding 'The Outsiders: an international network of misfits and experts').  He understands diversity and prides himself on conducting research outside the margins, delivering social insight...

Series One  In this early episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed Simon Armstrong, who has the incredibly enviable job of being the book buyer for The Tate.  He's a fascinating individual, with a background across an array of leading-edge cultural positions.  In this interview, he describes his journey from a working-class background in the North East, to running what many consider to be th...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal podcast, I interview the features journalist, trend analyst and data storyteller Sabrina Faramarzi, who's particularly fascinated by internet culture and online communities.  She's written for The Guardian, Wired, Vice and Culture Trip, and is the international newsrooms & content lead for Opinary in Berlin, and the Contributing Data Edit...

Series One  In this early episode of the series, I talked with John Grant, who spent his early career at JWT and BMP-DDB, before becoming co-founder and Head of Strategy for the revolutionary St Luke's .  (As you'll hear, it narrowly missed being named after...well listen and find out).  John has since become a highly sought-after consultant, and somehow managed to write several excellen...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview Raja Habre.  He's Executive Director of the LFA, a highly influential business organisation based in Beirut, comprising a mixture of those from top Lebanese and international brands.  He's also responsible for the innovative economic congresses #BIFF and #BIFEX events, that promote the Lebanese economy.  A widely travelled and de...

Series One The launch of Sony Playstation was one of the most successful (and in a marketing context - anarchic) launches of all time.  In this episode I interview the brains behind that activity, Geoff Glendenning. He's a renowned brand strategist and integrated marketing expert, who's also worked with iconic brands including Greenpeace, Microsoft, Vans, Coca-Cola, MTV,  Olympus, Ben &a...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview Neil Boorman, Head of Creative Lab Europe at TikTok.  He builds and leads their in-house creative service, dedicated to producing best in class work on the platform. Prior to TikTok, he was the Content Director at agencies including Wieden + Kennedy, Mother, Grey, and VCCP, before which he was a Content Strategist/Producer at Amnesty Inter...

Series One In this episode of 'The New Abnormal' I talk with the inspirational Andy Middleton. He's the Chief Exploration Officer of the adventure pioneers TYF, who introduced the world to coasteering and are at the forefront of low-impact adventures and experiential learning.  In addition to supporting TYF, Andy's role is to enable leaders to deliver radical and transformation...

Series One In this early episode of 'The New Abnormal' I spoke with the founder of the world's first "Movement" marketing / transformation / advertising and design company: the famous Strawberry Frog.  Prior to this, I'd last spoken with Scott Goodson, the agency's founder/CEO, just after they'd won the coveted 'Best Marketing Agency of the Year' a...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview Jens Laugesen, the Danish Fashion Design Practitioner / Advisor / Educator / Video Artist, who is known for a conceptual approach to creative design thinking. He's recently launched an innovative Global Graduate Design Showcase in partnership with the art & design portfolio platform ARTSTHREAD and i-D Magazine.  Jens is very inter...

Series One In this episode of my podcast, I interview William Higham.  He's had a fascinating career that's taken him from working with some of the most iconic cultural figures of our time (Lydon / Strummer / McLaren) during his years in the music industry; before setting up his strategic consultancy 'The Next Big Thing' which looks into social & cultural trends and their i...

Series One This episode of 'The New Abnormal' features Tom Morton, a member of the leadership team at R/GA, one of the world's most creative and innovative companies, where he's the Global Chief Strategy Officer.  R/GA advise brands on what they should stand for and how they should behave and innovate in order to thrive in the connected world.  Tom's work extends into medi...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview Khalil Zafar, who is a renowned HR & Strategy Consultant in the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. He's also travelled widely around the world, teaching and consulting about human resources and leadership. An ex-journalist, who still writes for a range of international magazines and newspapers, he's also the author of the rec...

Series One This episode of #TheNewAbnormal features the multiple award-winning magazine editor and brand consultant Steve Beale, who's observed / written about / been part of leading-edge subcultures for many years.  The ex-editor of the legendary Sleaze Nation, he then went on to write for an array of titles, including being Editor at Large of The Face and Senior Editor of Arena...before mak...

Series One This episode of #TheNewAbnormal features Jussi Solja -  'one of the beasts' at the Finland-based ' Sexy Beast' who are an 'anti-agency for startups and bold brands'.  Nicely put!   Jussi has many years of global experience in marketing strategy, digital marketing, service and user experience design to branding, content strategy and beyond.  Over the years h...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal I interviewed Carl Ratcliff,  just after he’d set-up his consultancy 'This is the Day'.  Prior to that, he was Chief Strategy Officer at DDB Group Australia, whilst other previous roles included being CEO of One Green Bean in Sydney, CEO of Naked Communications and MD of BWM Dentsu in Melbourne.  Back in the day, he was Exec Planning Director...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed Ole Petter Nyhaug, who  is a high-profile trend researcher from Oslo, who conducts research across Scandinavia and, further afield, in numerous countries around the world.  He's the Global Head of Research for Opinion AS, and works with clients such as Coca-Cola, IKEA, Unilever, Audi and Vodafone.  I first met him years ago, when we...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interview the writer, educator and consultant, Nilgin Yusuf.  The ex-Creative Director of the School of Communication at London College of Fashion and a graduate of Central St Martins. She's also been a journalist of over 30 years, including being Fashion Editor of the Sunday Times.  Nilgin is currently working on her third fashion book and stu...

Series Two In this episode of The New Abnormal, I interviewed the Creative Director & Editorial Consultant, Navaz Batliwalla.  A fashion journalist and stylist regularly contributing to international publications, Navaz is the author of 'The New Garconne' (which identified a new tribe of 'considered consumers'), the publisher of the renowned blog #Disneyrollergirl and co-fo...

Series One In this episode of 'The New Abnormal' I interviewed the futurist and serious big-thinker Leon Kreitzman.  He's the author of 'The 24 Hour Society' which took an incredibly prescient look at the world today, when it was published back in the 1990's.  Leon also co-wrote the superb 'Rhythms of Life' and 'Seasons of Life' with Professor Russ...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed Teresa Havvas, an award-winning creative communication consultant and educator (inc UCA Business School, Westminster, University of the Arts London, Conde Nast College and the British School of Fashion) regarding her blend of brand expertise, design sensibility and applicable theory.  Teresa is also the founder of 'The Advisory &amp...

Series One In this early episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed the incredibly dynamic Will Skeaping, an activist and strategist with Extinction Rebellion.  He's co-editor of the best-selling XR handbook 'This is not a Drill', and is currently challenging the advertising industry and art world to act now on the climate & ecological crisis.  When he's not haunting meeting...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed John Shaw, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Superunion 'a next-generation agency built on a spirit of creative optimism'.  (His past roles inc being Chief Strategy Officer of WPP Team Red, Strategy & Planning Partner at Rapier, Regional Planning Director EAME / Joint Worldwide Planning Director at Ogilvy, and Plan...

Series One In this episode of #TheNewAbnormal, I interviewed the fashion educator, writer and consultant Harriet Posner. She's the BA Programme Director at Conde Nast College of Fashion Design.  Harriet has spent her working life designing, teaching, writing about and generally immersing herself in the world of fashion and design; and specialises in the sector's branding, marketing, prom...

Series One In this episode, I interview the leading-edge artist Chemical X.  We start by discussing his latest work in Los Angeles, that led to him appearing on America's TV screens in the world's most surreal car chase c/o the LAPD; due to a series of 'provocative artistic statements' that saw the homeless community juxtaposed with the world of luxury brands.  I last saw him a...