TMC Presents: The Marketing Clubhouse

In this episode of The Marketing Clubhouse, we're joined by Aleisha McCall, founder of Ultimate Edge Communications, media strategist, and host of The Black Box of Media podcast.

After representing Australia and New Zealand at four World Synchronised Ice Skating Championships, Aleisha made the leap into broadcasting before building her own agency from the ground up. Today, she helps high-growth brands navigate paid media, AI, and the rapidly changing digital landscape, with one bold belief at the centre of her thinking: in today's world, the algorithm has become one of your most important customers.

Together, we explore how AI is reshaping marketing, whether traditional customer personas still have a place, and how brands can optimise for algorithms without losing the authenticity that makes people want to follow them.

This is a forward-thinking conversation for marketers who want to stay ahead of industry change while continuing to build brands that people genuinely connect with.

What we cover in this episode
Why algorithms are becoming one of marketing's most important audiences
Whether traditional customer personas still work in an AI-driven world
Finding the balance between algorithmic optimisation and brand authenticity
How owned and paid media work together in modern marketing
Practical ways marketers can use AI to strengthen their strategy
Why clarity - not hope - is one of the most valuable leadership skills
Lessons from elite sport that translate into building a successful business
How to navigate uncertainty when the industry is constantly evolving
What today's marketing teams should stop measuring
Aleisha's advice for marketers starting their careers in 2026

You should listen if...
You're trying to understand how AI and algorithms are changing marketing
You want to build content that performs without sacrificing your brand
You're responsible for paid media, digital strategy, or brand growth
You're leading a marketing team through rapid change
You want practical advice on staying relevant in an AI-first industry

This episode will help you rethink how modern marketing works, understand the growing influence of algorithms, and build strategies that resonate with both technology and the humans on the other side of the screen.
Become part of a community built for career progression, industry connections, real-world learning and all the marketing vibes!

Our members get access to educational events, social networking events, dinner club events, webinars, exclusive perks, and a private Slack network of marketers across Australia & New Zealand.

Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-marketing-club-au-nz
Follow us on Instagram: @themarketingclub_aunz

Find your membership options and subscribe to our newsletter at www.themarketingclub.com or get in touch at contact@themarketingclub.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Marketing Clubhouse, we're joined by Dan Xu, CEO and Co-founder of ElementX, AI engineer, entrepreneur, and one of New Zealand's leading experts in helping organisations implement artificial intelligence safely and at scale.

With a PhD in Bioengineering, a background in mechatronics engineering, and experience developing products like UVLens, Dan sits at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and commercial application. Today, he helps organisations move beyond AI experimentation and build practical solutions that are secure, scalable, and genuinely valuable.

Together, we explore how marketers can work more effectively with engineering teams, avoid common AI pitfalls, and build customer experiences that leverage artificial intelligence without compromising trust.

This is a practical conversation for marketers, business leaders, and innovators looking to move beyond AI hype and build a competitive advantage through responsible adoption.

What we cover in this episode
How marketers should approach AI adoption without compromising customer trust
The balance between quick AI wins and building long-term AI capability
Common security, privacy, and ethical mistakes businesses make with AI
How technical innovation becomes products customers actually use
Building stronger collaboration between marketing and engineering teams
Asking better questions when evaluating AI tools and vendors
Why storytelling is essential when introducing new technology
Practical habits marketers can adopt to stay ahead as AI evolves
The future of AI in marketing over the next three to five years
How businesses can implement AI responsibly while maintaining brand integrity

You should listen if...
You're leading AI initiatives within your marketing team
You want to understand AI beyond content generation tools
You're working alongside product, engineering, or data teams
You're responsible for customer experience, innovation, or digital transformation
You want practical guidance on implementing AI safely and strategically

This episode will help you separate AI hype from reality, build stronger collaboration between marketing and technology teams, and adopt artificial intelligence in a way that creates lasting value for both your business and your customers.
Become part of a community built for career progression, industry connections, real-world learning and all the marketing vibes!

Our members get access to educational events, social networking events, dinner club events, webinars, exclusive perks, and a private Slack network of marketers across Australia & New Zealand.

Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-marketing-club-au-nz
Follow us on Instagram: @themarketingclub_aunz

Find your membership options and subscribe to our newsletter at www.themarketingclub.com or get in touch at contact@themarketingclub.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Marketing Clubhouse, we're joined by Connon Bray, Managing Partner at New+Improved Ventures and one of New Zealand's most experienced venture builders.

From helping shape businesses like Tracksuit, Ideally, Aether, and Drumbeat, Connon has spent his career identifying opportunities before they become obvious. Today, he works alongside founders to uncover meaningful problems, validate ideas quickly, and build the next generation of technology and marketing businesses.

Together, we unpack why great companies rarely begin with great ideas alone, the role customer insight plays in building successful products, and what founders and marketers can learn from the startup world about innovation, experimentation, and growth.

This is an insightful conversation for founders, marketers, product teams, and anyone interested in turning ideas into businesses that customers genuinely want.

What we cover in this episode
The common traits shared by startups that successfully gain traction
Why execution matters far more than simply having a great idea
How to identify problems that are actually worth solving
The biggest mistakes founders make when validating new products
Why product-market fit is often misunderstood
The role customer research and insight play in building better businesses
How AI is changing the speed and economics of launching startups
The founder habits that matter most—and the ones that don't
Opportunities marketers are overlooking in today's market
Connon's approach to building a business from scratch in today's environment

You should listen if...
You're building a startup or thinking about launching one
You want to better understand product-market fit and customer validation
You're a marketer looking to think more like a founder
You're interested in innovation, venture building, or emerging technology
You want practical advice on turning ideas into businesses that scale

This episode will help you think differently about innovation, avoid some of the biggest startup mistakes, and build products and businesses around problems customers genuinely care about.
Become part of a community built for career progression, industry connections, real-world learning and all the marketing vibes!

Our members get access to educational events, social networking events, dinner club events, webinars, exclusive perks, and a private Slack network of marketers across Australia & New Zealand.

Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-marketing-club-au-nz
Follow us on Instagram: @themarketingclub_aunz

Find your membership options and subscribe to our newsletter at www.themarketingclub.com or get in touch at contact@themarketingclub.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Marketing Clubhouse, we're joined by Dave Hayward, founder of Europa and one of the leading voices rethinking what modern marketing consulting should look like.

As businesses tighten budgets and AI reshapes the way marketing gets done, Dave believes the traditional consulting model is due for an overhaul. Rather than delivering strategy decks and walking away, he's built Europa around Marketing-as-a-Service - a model that combines strategy, execution, operations, and AI to help businesses achieve real outcomes.

Together, we explore what it takes to become the consultant clients keep during uncertain times, how AI is changing the consulting landscape, and why operating leverage- not just expertise - will define the next generation of marketing advisors.

This is an essential conversation for consultants, fractional CMOs, freelancers, and senior marketers looking to future-proof their careers in an AI-driven world.

What we cover in this episode
Why strategy without execution is no longer enough
What makes a marketing consultant truly indispensable to a business
How consultants can survive and thrive during economic uncertainty
What Marketing-as-a-Service looks like in practice
Why AI won't replace great consultants—but will replace outdated ways of working
How to use AI as operating leverage rather than a content generation tool
The biggest opportunities for consultants in an AI-first world
How to evolve from selling advice to delivering measurable business outcomes
What consulting could look like over the next three years as AI becomes standard
Practical ways to remain valuable as technology continues to evolve

You should listen if...
You're a marketing consultant, freelancer, or fractional CMO
You're wondering how AI will impact consulting and advisory work
You're looking for ways to deliver more value to clients
You're rethinking your consulting business or service offering
You want to future-proof your career in a rapidly changing industry

This episode will challenge the traditional consulting model, help you think differently about the value you deliver, and show you how to build a consulting business that's designed to thrive in the age of AI.
Become part of a community built for career progression, industry connections, real-world learning and all the marketing vibes!

Our members get access to educational events, social networking events, dinner club events, webinars, exclusive perks, and a private Slack network of marketers across Australia & New Zealand.

Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-marketing-club-au-nz
Follow us on Instagram: @themarketingclub_aunz

Find your membership options and subscribe to our newsletter at www.themarketingclub.com or get in touch at contact@themarketingclub.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Marketing Clubhouse, we're joined by Cass Barker, Director of Gybe Consulting and one of Australia's leading specialist marketing recruiters.

With more than 16 years of experience helping marketers land jobs, build careers, and navigate an increasingly competitive hiring market, Cass has interviewed thousands of candidates and worked alongside some of Australia's biggest brands. She knows exactly what gets marketers shortlisted, what gets them overlooked, and what hiring managers are really looking for in 2026.

Together, we unpack what today's job market actually looks like, how AI is changing recruitment, and the practical steps marketers can take to stand out from the crowd.

This is an essential conversation for anyone thinking about their next career move, whether you're actively job hunting, preparing for future opportunities, or simply wanting to build a stronger personal brand.

What we cover in this episode
The biggest mistakes marketers make before they even reach the interview stage
What recruiters immediately look for when reviewing CVs and LinkedIn profiles
How the marketing job market has changed and what candidates need to know in 2026
What separates great interviewees from everyone else
The interview questions marketers should always be prepared for
How to confidently talk about your achievements without overselling yourself
Using AI to improve your job applications while still sounding authentic
When and how to negotiate salary effectively
Whether you should apply for roles if you don't meet every requirement
Practical advice for marketers navigating redundancy or a difficult job search

You should listen if you're applying for marketing roles in today's competitive market, you're updating your CV or LinkedIn profile, you want to interview with more confidence, you're unsure how AI fits into the job application process or you're looking to grow your marketing career or secure your next opportunity

This episode will help you understand what recruiters are really looking for, avoid common job search mistakes, and give you practical strategies to stand out in one of the most competitive hiring markets marketers have faced in years.
Become part of a community built for career progression, industry connections, real-world learning and all the marketing vibes!

Our members get access to educational events, social networking events, dinner club events, webinars, exclusive perks, and a private Slack network of marketers across Australia & New Zealand.

Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-marketing-club-au-nz
Follow us on Instagram: @themarketingclub_aunz

Find your membership options and subscribe to our newsletter at www.themarketingclub.com or get in touch at contact@themarketingclub.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.