Uncensored CMO

Recent Episodes

1. Why this brand can't afford to be boring - Rebecca Darley, Vodafone Australia

   Aug 5, 2026

   Bec Darley, CMO of Vodafone Australia, discusses how the brand competes as a challenger number three player against entrenched market leaders Telstra and Optus. She explains Vodafone's strategy of embracing its disadvantages, partnering with comedian Ali Wong for bold creative campaigns, and building internal organizational strength before aggressive market expansion. Darley emphasizes the importance of marketing leaders understanding finance, legal, unit economics, and organizational change to drive business impact beyond traditional marketing functions.

2. 20 years of challenger brand lessons with Auto & General CMO, Jonathan Kerr

   Jul 29, 2026

   Jonathan Kerr, Chief Growth Officer at Auto & General/Budget Direct, discusses his 20-year journey building a challenger brand in Australia's insurance duopoly. Starting from a small direct mail business, he grew Budget Direct to 14% market share by focusing on operational excellence, precision pricing, and long-term brand building through consistent creative campaigns like Captain Risky and Sarge. The episode explores how challenger brands break through duopolies with limited budgets through strategic marketing fundamentals, mental availability, and unwavering commitment to core principles.

3. How YouTube built the creator economy and how brands are still missing out - Pedro Pina, YouTube

   Jul 22, 2026

   Pedro Pina, Head of YouTube for Europe, discusses how YouTube built the creator economy and the disconnect between CMO strategy and actual consumer behavior. The episode covers the evolution of Cannes Lions from celebrating creative agencies to recognizing creators as the new power players, YouTube's $100B creator payouts, and why 82% of senior marketers prioritize YouTube yet only 4% feel confident in their strategy. Pina emphasizes authenticity, audience understanding, and the critical mistakes brands make when over-controlling creator content.

4. The creative revolution inside the worlds most dull category - Novartis CMO

   Jul 20, 2026

   Gail Semaan, CMO of Novartis, discusses the pharmaceutical company's creative transformation that resulted in two Grand Prix awards at Cannes Lions for integrated campaigns. The episode explores how Novartis broke through the "dullest category" in advertising through surprise-driven campaigns—including two Super Bowl spots on prostate and breast cancer screening—while maintaining regulatory compliance and authentic partnerships with advocacy groups. The conversation covers creative effectiveness, organizational change, AI's role in marketing systems, and leadership principles.

5. Why creativity matters more than ever in the age of AI - Adobe CMO, Lara Balazs

   Jul 15, 2026

6. OpenAI on what every CMO needs to know about AI with BCG

   Jul 13, 2026

7. Byron Sharp vs Mark Ritson - 5 big marketing truths we agree on

   Jul 8, 2026

8. The Google approach to marketing in the age of AI (with Google and BCG)

   Jul 6, 2026

9. The Startling Power of Surprise with Adam Morgan

   Jul 1, 2026

10. The real 4 P's of the CMO with Susan O'Brien (Just Eat)

    Jun 24, 2026