Marketing in the Madness

• Why Retail Tech Is Failing (And How River Island Are Fixing It)

  The future of shopping isn’t about selling, it’s about experience. Simon Pakenham-Walsh, CIO at River Island, breaks down how technology, AI and data are transforming retail — from smart stores and RFID checkouts to seamless online journeys that actually feel connected. With a career spanning Sweaty Betty, Sainsbury’s and Arcadia, Simon’s seen how brands win (and lose) when they get transformation wrong. Now he’s revealing how River Island is rethinking its tech, people, and mindset to rebuild what shopping means in 2025. This one’s for the marketers, retail leaders and founders trying to make digital transformation actually work - without losing the human touch. We talk: The future of retail and technology Why AI and data are rewriting how we shop How to transform a brand without breaking it Why tech isn’t the problem - mindset is If you care about the future of eCommerce, AI in retail, or the next generation of in-store experiences, this episode will change how you think about shopping forever.

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• Why Employee-Generated Content Is Transforming Online Shopping

  Forget glossy influencer campaigns, the real power in e-commerce right now?  Your own people. In this mini episode of Marketing in the Madness, we uncover how Marks & Spencer, of all brands, quietly became the new Zara, by handing the camera to their employees. Our guest breaks down: - How employee-generated content (EGC) is flipping social commerce on its head - Why shoppers trust real staff more than influencers - The secret behind 2x higher order values and 3x more site visits from live shopping - Why authenticity beats polish - and how that’s changing the future of e-commerce From live shopping to shoppable stories and social proofing, this convo dives into what happens when brands let their people become the stars. If you care about e-commerce, social commerce, or brand authenticity, this one’s a must-watch LiSA https://www.hello-lisa.com/ Sophie Freres https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-fr%C3%A8res-n%C3%A9e-spethmann-3316548/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/   Marketing in the Madness https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast    

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• How Luxury Brands Like L’Oréal Luxe Are Using AI To Redefine Beauty

  The future of luxury is being rewritten and it’s happening faster than anyone expected! In this episode, Katie Street sits down with Ekaterina Golovanova, Digital Director of Luxe at L’Oréal, to uncover how some of the world’s most iconic beauty brands are reinventing themselves in the age of AI, social selling, and shifting consumer expectations. They cover everything:  How AI is transforming skincare diagnostics and personalisation Why Gen Z is changing luxury forever The rise of TikTok Shop and the new wave of social commerce How luxury brands can stay exclusive while building inclusive communities The future of product discovery in a world of LLMs and AI agents Ekaterina has worked with powerhouse brands like Lancôme, Armani, YSL, and Kiehl’s so this conversation goes deep into what luxury means today and what it will look like tomorrow. If you care about AI, beauty, luxury, retail, or the future of marketing, this one is for you. Don’t forget to follow for more unfiltered conversations with leaders reshaping the world of marketing and digital. Ekaterina Golovanova https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterinagolovanov042/   Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/   Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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• How the 95/5 Rule Could Save Your Business with LinkedIn B2B Institute

  95% of your market isn’t buying today. So why are you still selling like they are? This mini episode of Marketing in the Madness drops the honest truth about the 95/5 Rule and why long-term brand fame beats short-term sales hype every single time! In this cut from our full conversation, we get into: 👉 Why showing up consistently matters more than pushing harder 👉 How to stay in front of the 95% who’ll buy later 👉 The unfair advantage of brand fame in B2B This is street-level strategy for marketers who actually want to play the long game and win. Jennifer Shaw-Sweet https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-shaw-sweet-7134a56/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

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• From Snickers to Pedigree: How Mars Uses AI to Transform Brands

  AI is everywhere right now, but how are the world’s biggest brands actually using it to create growth, innovation, and personalisation that truly matters? In this episode of Marketing in the Madness, Katie Street sits down with Balki Subramanian, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Mars Food & Nutrition, to uncover how Mars is approaching AI across household brands like Ben’s Original, Dolmio, Seeds of Change, Snickers, and Pedigree. Balki shares real examples of AI in action. From a José Mourinho Snickers campaign to Pedigree Adoptables, an award-winning AI project helping shelter dogs find forever homes. He also opens up about the frameworks Mars uses to make sure AI is ethical, responsible, and always tied to solving real business problems. What you’ll learn in this episode: - The difference between AI buzzwords (data science, automation, generative AI) - How to build an AI strategy that delivers results (without chasing falling for shiny tools) - Why responsible AI governance is critical for global brands - The most innovative AI campaigns from Mars - Practical advice for retail, CPG, and digital leaders starting their AI journey If you’re interested in AI in retail, CPG marketing, or digital transformation, this episode is packed with insights you can apply in your business right now! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with bold marketing and digital leaders (this helps us a lot). Join us at ShopTalk Luxe in Abu Dhabi, 27–29 January 2026, to connect with global retail leaders that are breaking through the noise and explore the future of brand, creativity, and commerce. Get your ticket now: https://luxe.shoptalk.com/ Balakrishnan Subramanian https://www.linkedin.com/in/balakrishnancs/ Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/ Marketing in the Madness https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

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