Embracing Marketing Mistakes
Welcome to Embracing Marketing Mistakes, the essential top-ten podcast for senior marketers determined to grow their brands all by learning from real-world screw ups.
Each week, join hosts Chris Norton and Will Ockenden, seasoned PR professionals with over 45 years of combined experience, as they candidly explore the marketing failures most marketers would rather forget. Featuring insightful conversations with industry-leading marketing experts and compelling solo episodes, the podcast uncovers valuable lessons from genuine marketing disasters and, crucially, the hacks you need to avoid them.
Chris and Will bring practical wisdom from founding the award-winning PR agency Prohibition PR, where they have successfully guided top brands to significant growth through PR strategy, social media, media relations, content marketing, and strategic brand-building.
Tune in to to turn fuck ups into progress, mistakes into mastery, and challenges into real-life competitive advantages. Well we hope so anyway.
Episodes
72 episodes
How a Family Cleaning Brand 'Swept Up' the Competition, with Howard Moss
Yep, Astonish cleaning products really started out in a shed in Leeds… In this episode, we go behind the scenes of cleaning brand, Astonish, with owner and CEO Howard Moss, to learn about the one-man business that has transformed o...
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1:04:00
Crisis Control 2025: What to Do When It All Goes Wrong
It’s easy to feel like things are quickly spiraling out of control when a crisis hits. Our latest episode takes a look at exactly what needs to be done when the heat is high, the pressure is on, and it feels like your back’s against the wall be...
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1:01:38
Why Comms Teams Are Wasting £10K a Month (And How to Fix It)
AI is transforming PR, but is it actually replacing PR professionals? In this episode, we sit down with Jono Matusky, founder of Newsprint AI. Jono has built AI tools that automate media monitoring, press release writing, and executive briefing...
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54:19
The Powerful Role of Psychology in Business and Marketing with Abby Dixon
Abigail Dixon, the brilliant mind behind the Whole Marketer, shares her inspiring journey from working at Burger King to hosting a podcast with over 130 episodes. Have you ever wondered how aligning personal values like connection, growth, and ...
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53:53
How to Avoid the Dirty Tricks from the Media with Helen Nugent
Award-winning journalist Helen Nugent, renowned for her 27-year career across multiple media channels, joins us to breakdown the world of journalism and media training. Discover how seasoned journalists carve out the perfect soundbite and why m...
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51:29
Why Your PR ROI is Failing – And How to Fix It
Are you measuring PR ROI all wrong? If you’re relying on outdated metrics like AVEs or vanity impressions, you could be missing the real value of your PR efforts—and losing budget because of it. In this episode, we break down the biggest...
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55:53
It’s Better to Belong: The Art of Building Customer Loyalty in Competitive Markets
Nikki Dixon, Director of Brand & Marketing @ Leeds Building Society, shares her journey from retail to finance, highlighting the critical importance of authenticity and community in successful marketing. This episode explores her strategies...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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59:11
The £400 Billboard That Made Headlines: Mark Rofe’s Love-Seeking PR Stunt
What does a £400 billboard, 1,400 unsold England flags, and a taxi website have in common? For digital PR expert Mark Rofe, they’re all part of a journey filled with creative risks, quirky mistakes, and invaluable marketing lessons. In t...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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48:37
From Zero to 110K Downloads: Master Podcasting in 2025 to Transform Your Brand
Explore the power of podcasting, we discuss why it has become essential in today's marketing world for brands to maximise engagement and ROI. With practical insights and case studies, we reveal how to expose common challenges while crafting a s...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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1:01:51
How Gap Leveraged TikTok Trends for a Bold Fashion Move
What happens when a legacy brand like Gap teams up with a TikTok star to redefine fashion trends? Senior account manager Sinead Morrissey joins us to share how Julia Huynh's quest for the ultimate "hoodie that hoodies" sparked a groundbreaking ...
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21:21
Failing Forward: Brian Keane’s Road From Broke to Bestseller
In this episode of Embracing Marketing Mistakes, we sit down with Brian Keane, bestselling author of The Fitness Mindset and Rewire Your Mindset. Brian opens up about his journey from struggling as a personal trainer ...
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54:11
The Report That Scared CMOs: AI, Backlash, and Budget Squeezes
Robin Smith, Head of Corporate at Censuswide, joins us in unravelling the complexities of modern marketing in our latest episode as we look at a brand new comprehensive report on CMOs.We invited Robin onto the show so you could gain rea...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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54:06
Unlocking 40% Profit Margins: The Secret to Agency Pricing Success
Unlock the secrets to charging what your agency is truly worth with insights from Crispin Manners, CEO of Onvert and former chairman of the PRCA. We explore how agencies can move beyond outdated pricing models by embracing value-based strategie...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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57:49
Why 80% of New Grocery Products Fail: Lessons from the Food & Beverage Sectors
Unlock the secrets to marketing success in the food and beverage industry in this episode of Embracing Marketing Mistakes, where we dissect both the challenges and triumphs brands experience in this cutthroat arena. Featuring insights from indu...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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48:15
450K Emails in One Hour?! How a HubSpot Blunder Turned into a Nightmare
Ever wondered how rejection can fuel innovation? Zohe Mustafa, the visionary founder and head of marketing at Growth Hakka, shares his inspiring journey from being turned away by advertising agencies to pioneering AI-driven marketing strategies...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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39:32
How to Build a Premium Brand: Insights from Lexus - Mat Thomas
World-renowned brand strategist Mat Thomas shares his fascinating journey from finance to marketing, offering insights on how his diverse experiences have shaped his approach in the competitive world of automotive branding. With a background in...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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41:43
£15M and 37 Downloads: Inside the Kylie Minogue Campaign That Went Horribly Wrong - Tom Goodwin
Can you imagine a world where the relentless march of technology isn't as swift as we perceive it to be? Join us as we explore this intriguing possibility with futurist and digital transformation expert, Tom Goodwin. In a thought-provoking conv...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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34:04
How Can You Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking? Jayne Constantinis
In this episode, we’re joined by Jayne Constantinis, an esteemed trainer and presenter whose career spans the high-pressure world of BBC broadcasting, corporate PR, and TEDx stages. Jayne shares her captivating journey from navigating live TV t...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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56:54
Why My Generosity Flopped: The Reciprocity Lesson Marketers Need - Phill Agnew Nudge
What if understanding consumer behaviour could transform your marketing efforts? Join us for an insightful conversation with Phill Agnew, the mastermind behind the Nudge Podcast, as we uncover the secrets of behavioural science in marketing. Fr...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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53:34
Is Guaranteed Coverage Really Just Paid Media in Disguise? Chris Pharo Explains
If you’ve ever wanted “guaranteed media coverage,” this episode is a must-listen. We’ve all been there — clients expecting front-page headlines and PR teams doing their best to secure that all-important killer piece. However, many in the PR ind...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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57:56
How Top Marketers Avoid Vanity Metrics and Focus on Real Growth
Want to know how to truly resonate with your audience and craft marketing strategies that hit the mark? Listen to our conversation with Alex Myers, head of marketing at the SEO Works, as we break down the essence of market orientation and how u...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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56:58
How to Master Strategic Copywriting and Boost Freelance Success with Sarah Townsend
Ever wondered how to transform your business through the power of words? Join us as we chat with the incredible Sarah Townsend, a leading freelance copywriter and author who shares her remarkable journey from the corporate world to freelance su...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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52:26
Falling Over, Failed Funnels, and Facebook Ad Fiascos: 50 Episodes of Mistakes
Ever wondered how booking events in different cities on the same dates could turn into a hilarious marketing lesson? Or what it’s like to fall over during a high-stakes pitch? Join Chris Norton and Will Ockenden, as we celebrate our 50th episod...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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47:56
How Class Diversity Can Be the Secret to Your Marketing Strategy with Lisa Thompson
Unlock the secrets to more inclusive and effective marketing strategies with our special guest, Lisa Thompson, strategy lead at Wavemaker and founder of Common People. We delve into Lisa's experiences and insights, revealing how balancing data ...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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57:20
Can a Government Campaign Change the World? Lessons from COVID and COP26 - Anil Manji
Ever wondered how marketing strategies are crafted amidst the chaos of a global crisis? Join us on as we sit down with Anil Manji, a communications consultant with a remarkable journey from Grey London’s iconic campaigns to high-stakes governme...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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46:38