How Top CMOs Think in 2026 (AI, Leadership & Marketing Strategy)

How Top CMOs Think in 2026 (AI, Leadership & Marketing Strategy)

Marketing is changing faster than ever. AI is reshaping the industry, customer behavior is evolving, and marketers are being asked to do more with less. So what does it actually take to lead marketing in 2026? In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Fuller, Chief Marketing Officer at The AA, whose career spans some of the UK’s most iconic brands including Procter & Gamble, Nando’s, British Airways, John Lewis, and more. Sarah shares practical lessons on leading high-performing marketing teams, building brands that customers genuinely trust, using AI without losing creativity, and why curiosity remains the most valuable skill any marketer can develop. Whether you’re a CMO, marketing leader, founder, agency owner, or aspiring marketer, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Why Most Marketers Will Struggle with AI (And How to Stay Ahead) | Tamara Rogers

This week, we’re joined by Tamara Rogers, former Chief Marketing Officer at Haleon and former Unilever marketing leader, for a masterclass on modern marketing, leadership, AI, consumer insights and building billion-dollar brands. After spending 25 years at Unilever and helping build Haleon into one of the world’s largest consumer health companies, Tamara shares what it really takes to build brands that consumers trust, how global marketing is evolving, why critical thinking matters more than ever in the AI era, and the leadership principles behind high-performing teams. Whether you’re a marketer, founder, business leader or simply curious about the future of branding, this episode is packed with practical insights.

How to get your dream job

In this episode, we sit down with Kate Gandhi, VP of Marketing at Bally’s Interactive, to unpack the twists, setbacks, and pivotal moments that shaped her career. From being rejected by her dream graduate scheme at Diageo to building an international career across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, startups, and global brands, Kate shares the lessons she’s learned about leadership, confidence, career growth, and navigating uncertainty.

Why Great Brands Win (And Weak Brands Get Exposed by AI) | Nick Emmel

What happens when AI stops listening to what brands say… and starts revealing what they actually are? In this episode, we sit down with Nick Emmel, Founder of Mr. President, one of the UK’s most distinctive creative agencies, to unpack why most brands are built backwards and what it really takes to create brands people believe in. From Ryanair and Apple to Vodafone and Metro Bank, Nick shares why brand isn’t advertising, identity or a campaign, it’s the total experience.

She Applied to 200 Jobs Before Landing EasyJet - Jessica Houston

From sending 200 job applications to leading Marketing Strategy & Operations across EMEA at EasyJet, Jessica Houston’s career journey is a masterclass in resilience, networking, growth and building a career with intention. In this episode, Jess opens up about: - Breaking into consumer marketing - Building relationships that create opportunities - Navigating restructures and uncertainty - Why marketing operations deserves more attention - How AI is changing the future of work - Burnout, boundaries and redefining success - Mentoring, leadership and continuous learning