CIM Marketing Podcast

Why are 40% of marketers not expecting ROI from AI until 2030, and what does that reveal about the AI strategy gap in marketing?
In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, host Ben Walker is joined by Jemma Conner, Associate Director at YouGov, Jamie Credland, CEO of World Media Group, and James Delves, Head of PR and External Affairs at CIM to unpack new CIM research on AI in marketing. 
Together, they explore why larger organisations are racing ahead with AI, why SMEs are struggling to see returns, and why Gen Z is actually the most sceptical generation when it comes to AI-generated content.
The panel examine the trust penalty of poor AI use, the risks of over-automation and job cuts, and what an AI‑fluent, future-ready marketing team should look like over the next 18 months. You’ll also hear why AI is supercharging back-office efficiency but creating real anxiety in front-office, customer-facing work. 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to balance innovation with risk, from governance frameworks to choosing the right tools (not just the biggest LLMs)
Why the public wants much tighter regulation of AI-driven advertising, and what that means for marketers
How to use AI to enhance human creativity, not replace it, and build a team that works more like a high-performing newsroom than a content factory
If you’re a marketing leader, strategist, or practitioner trying to use AI without losing creativity, trust, or differentiation, this episode gives you research-backed insight and practical direction on what to do next.
CIM members will get exclusive early access to the full AI report at the end of the month. 
Want to know more? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.
 
Thanks for listening to this episode. You can share your thoughts and feedback in our survey now, or contact us at podcast@cim.co.uk

Why are 40% of marketers not expecting ROI from AI until 2030, and what does that reveal about the AI strategy gap in marketing?
In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, host Ben Walker is joined by Jemma Conner, Associate Director at YouGov, Jamie Credland, CEO of World Media Group, and James Delves, Head of PR and External Affairs at CIM to unpack new CIM research on AI in marketing. 
Together, they explore why larger organisations are racing ahead with AI, why SMEs are struggling to see returns, and why Gen Z is actually the most sceptical generation when it comes to AI-generated content.
Can’t wait for the full episode on Thursday? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.

How can marketing leaders drive real social change, not just publish another glossy purpose statement?
 
In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, host Ben Walker is joined by Caroline Taylor OBE, former IBM CMO, and now Chair of Oasis Community Learning, and Jack Lowman, Chief Social Change Officer at disability charity Sense, Founder of Hack Yourself and CIM Course Director. 
 
Together, they unpack how marketers can move beyond “purpose washing” and use marketing skills to deliver genuine social impact, whether you’re in a big corporate, an agency, or the nonprofit sector.
 
Caroline shares her journey from global tech marketing at IBM to leading a multi-academy trust, and why enlightened self-interest is the most sustainable way for brands to contribute to society. 
 
Jack explains what it really means to run a social change team, why delivering “the plan” isn’t the same as delivering change, and how data, storytelling, and theory of change come together to shift systems, not just sell products.
 
In this episode, you will learn:
· How to find the sweet spot where commercial goals and social impact reinforce each other
· Why storytelling and data is the most powerful combination for shifting beliefs and behaviour
· What will distinguish the next generation of marketing and social change leaders
 
If you’re a marketer wondering how to make your work more meaningful, without losing sight of commercial reality, this episode is for you.
 
Want to know more? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.
 
Thanks for listening to this episode. You can share your thoughts and feedback in our survey now, or contact us at podcast@cim.co.uk

How can marketing leaders drive real social change, not just publish another glossy purpose statement?
 
In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, host Ben Walker is joined by Caroline Taylor OBE, Chair of Oasis Community Learning, and Jack Lowman, Chief Social Change Officer at Sense.
 
Together, they unpack how marketers can move beyond “purpose washing” and use marketing skills to deliver genuine social impact, whether you’re in a big corporate, an agency, or the nonprofit sector.
 
Can’t wait for the full episode on Thursday? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.

Is human authenticity still a competitive advantage in an AI-driven, metric-obsessed marketing world? 
 
In this episode of the CIM Marketing Podcast, host Ben Walker is joined by award-winning marketing leader and author Visha Kudhail (ex-Google, YouTube, Pinterest, Square UK) to unpack what authentic marketing really looks like in practice. Together, they go far beyond buzzwords, TikTok trends, and vanity metrics.
 
Drawing on insights from her new book, “Authentic Marketing”, Visha explores how brands can use AI without outsourcing their soul, and why audience-first, intent-driven strategies are the real differentiator in a sea of sameness. She also shares powerful lessons from big tech leadership, building marketing functions from scratch, and a decade of championing women in leadership positions.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What authenticity actually means in marketing, and why most brands get it wrong
How to align values, leadership, product, and marketing so your brand truly matches its beliefs
How to build and lead high-performing marketing teams in complex, global organisations

If you’re a marketer, comms leader, or aspiring CMO wondering how to stay relevant in the AI era, this episode is for you.
 
Check out Visha’s book Authentic Marketing here: https://www.vishakudhail.com/authentic-marketing
 
Want to know more? Check out the CIM Content hub now for all things marketing.
 
Thanks for listening to this episode. You can share your thoughts and feedback in our survey now, or contact us at podcast@cim.co.uk