Your Future in Sales & Marketing

Send us Fan Mail We’re back with a powerful new episode featuring Brad Madigan , Managing Director at Brown-Forman ANZPI , whose career journey is as rich and layered as the brands he’s led. From his early days at Unilever - to transformative leadership roles at Campari, Diageo, and SONY, Brad shares how aligning personal values with company culture has shaped every step of his path. His 15-year t...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what an NBM role really looks like inside a fast-moving, brand-led business like Bobby? In this episode, we sit down with James Powers, National Business Manager at Bobby, to unpack the role in all its depth - far beyond the job title. James takes us behind the scenes of what it really means to be a commercial leader in today’s competitive FMCG landscape, where strat...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Amy Darvill, Marketing Director ANZ at Vinarchy, joins us to share her thoughts on how to navigate a successful career in marketing. She gives insight into some of her own career highlights thus far, including going through the merging of two well established businesses in the wine industry.  Amy teaches the importance of the marketing function being included in busines...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Foley, Chief Customer Officer ANZ, at The Arnott's Group. Having spent an impressive 21 years developing her far-reaching career within a single organisation, Michelle delivers a masterclass in adaptability, curiosity, and resilience. When it comes to succeeding in FMCG, we explore the importance of developing a deep understanding of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sarah Quinn, Head of Independents at Campari, talks us through some of her career-defining moments and how saying “yes” to opportunities, even when it has felt uncomfortable, has allowed her to build such a far-reaching and fulfilling career. Sarah’s advice: lead with curiosity, back yourself, and never stop seeking further development. On navigating her career da...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Supriya Singh, Australia and New Zealand Managing Director at Blackmores, joins us to share the principles that have shaped her purpose-led career across global markets and iconic health and wellness brands. Supriya reflects on the importance of choosing organisations whose mission you believe in, and how connecting with a brand’s purpose can fuel both personal an...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Ben Slocombe, Head of Marketing at Liquor Marketing Group and former Business Unit Director at Coca-Cola Amatil, joins Ben Carnegie to explore the key lessons and leadership qualities that have shaped his dynamic career across the FMCG and retail sectors. Reflecting on his journey from global beverage giants to leading marketing for a member-owned retai...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Eddie Balemian, ANZ General Manager at Perrigo Company, joins Mike to share the story behind his rise in the global consumer health industry. With a career spanning major FMCG players and now leading Perrigo’s growth across Australia and New Zealand, Eddie unpacks the leadership principles that have shaped his journey — including his open-door approach,...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Toby Hilliam, CEO of Appetise, joins Andrew to share the journey behind his entrepreneurial career in Australia’s tech and food delivery space. Toby’s path includes founding two businesses, Mutu and now Appetise - where he’s learned first hand what it takes to solve meaningful problems and create something customers truly need. He shares his experience...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, Samantha Hutson, General Manager at Nudie Foods, sits down with Mike to share the journey behind her impressive career in Australian & UK FMCG.   Samantha’s career seen her develop her tier 1 FMCG skills in the UK and Australia and apply them in a fast growth Aussie FMCG market leader with Nudie, first as Head of Sales and now as GM.   She shares ins...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful chat, Tom Press, Sales Director for Key Pharmaceuticals (previously Sales Director for Microsoft ANZ) sat down with Mike to chat about his career and life and about all the serendipitous cross-overs in between.  Tom shares his insights about his long-standing career in the FMCG industry, why he then made the (successful) transition into the world of tech in a hi...

Send us Fan Mail In the latest episode of the Your Future in Sales & Marketing podcast, Mike Dickson sat down with Graham Fairbairn, Head of Sales & Marketing for Mutti pasta sauces to talk all things career, life and travels!  Graham talks about being a global citizen, having lived and worked in over 10 different countries; his diverse FMCG career, the concept of the ‘imposter syndrome,’...

Send us Fan Mail In this amazing crossover episode, Mike Dickson is joined by not one, but two FMCG powerhouses, Dan Bitti, APAC Marketing Director for Jack Link's & Justin O'Sullivan, Sales Director for Jack Link's to share their career insights, the journey and ambition of Jack Link’s and ask the big question: What is the difference between Jerky and Biltong? Key highlights in...

Send us Fan Mail We’re back with our first senior leader on the pod for 2025, Kerry (Kez) Appathurai, National Sales Director at Lion – and what a story she has to tell!  In this insightful chat, Kez sat down with Mike Dickson to share her journey to becoming a sales director, what it’s like working in the consumer beverages space, paving the way for women in leadership, her role in the formation...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of the podcast, [axr] Sales & Marketing recruiters, Andrew Cannock and Ben Carnegie sat down to talk all this jobs, market trends, skills in demand and more! It's packed full of insights, as they talk through:  Trends we saw emerging in 2024 and how that impacted marketing, sales and category jobs.  What we can expect to see in 2025.  How candidate...

Send us Fan Mail Back by popular demand - our review of the [axr] 2025 Salary Guide!  In this episode, Andrew Cannock & Ben Carnegie give you a deep dive into our latest salary guide, including:  What to expect from Sales, Marketing & Category roles in 2025  Market trends and industry insights  What the numbers mean What we are looking for as recruiters when recruiting these roles and how...

Send us Fan Mail In the latest epsiode of [axr]'s 'How To' career series Amanda Dinte, Zara Church and Amelia Kettle sat down to share their top tips for resigning effectively. Highlights include:  The main reasons why someone leaves a role, including: access to opportunities they are not getting in their current role, lifestyle factors, along with company culture and issues with ma...

Send us Fan Mail In the latest epsiode of [axr]'s 'How To' career series, Nick Constain, Andrew Cannock and Kunal Gupta sat down to discuss what you can do to get yourself interview ready! Highlights include:  First impressions matter  Demonstrate your interest in the business – do your research  Be authentic about who you are as a person, and your career history The best way to app...

Send us Fan Mail In the latest epsiode of [axr]'s 'How To' career series, Nick Constain, Amanda Dinte and Zara Church sat down to discuss the elements that make up a good resume and what will get you noticed. Highlights include:  Keep it simple - don't overly complicate the message  Treat your first page as your elevator pitch  Context is important  The value add to your resume...

Send us Fan Mail To celebrate our milestone 100th episode of the Your Future in Sales & Marketing podcast, we held a live event with all past guests, and turned the tables on podcast host Mike Dickson - this time, the interviewer got interviewed!!  With Trish Pegorer, MD for Mutti Australia at the helm firing off the questions, Mike shared his insights on:  His own career journey from Brand Ma...

Send us Fan Mail As we edge towards episode 100 of the pod, Mike Dickson sat down with Clare Darroch, Global Director of Sales for Vida Glow to talk about her varied and diverse career. Full of amazing insights, she shares her thoughts on:  Falling into sales after originally wanting to go into marketing, and how it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to her, career-wise.   The concept of manife...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode of Your Future in Sales and Marketing, Mike Dickson sat down with Kurt Hegvold, VP Commercial Area Head and Managing Director ANZ , Electrolux to talk all things career, life and leadership! Kurt talks:  Favourite brands, including Patagonia and their success with being purpose-led. How he started out in psychology and ended up in FMCG by chance.  Why he has alway...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of our Future Leader Series, Andrew Cannock and Amelia Kettle sat down with Samantha Corrigan, Customer Marketing Manager for SC Johnson to talk all things career, life and hobbies!     In this episode, Samantha shared her thoughts on:  Her varied and interesting career journey and how it's always been a combination of "intention and circumstan...

Send us Fan Mail In this latest episode of our Future Leader Series, Andrew Cannock and Amelia Kettle sat down with Matthew May, Head of Sales, Woolworths for Inghams to talk all things FMCG, career aspirations, what it takes to be a good leader and advice for his younger self!  It's a great listen - tune in now!  

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the podcast, Mike Dickson sat down with loyalty powerhouses, Sue Temple, Founder & General Manager of L-Founders and Hollie Fenning, Head of Customer Planning & Continuity for the Coles Group to talk all things loyalty, customer brand and data in retail. Between them, they have had some amazing career experiences, working in loyalty, customer, brand and...