Rocket Fuel: Youth Marketing
Rocket
A series of conversations at the intersection of Commerce, Culture and Creativity with a focus on youth and marketing.Each week, our host James Erskine (CEO of Rocket, Podcaster and Entrepreneur) will be joined by guests such as Rory Sutherland (Behavioural Economist), Paul Samuels (Vice President of AEG) and Emma Sayle (CEO of Killing Kittens).He'll be finding out a bit about them, what their role encompasses and about the businesses they work for. Asking them what really motivates, mobilises and fuels young people to take action.This is Rocket Fuel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Safer Internet Day w/ Media Smart's Rachel Barber-Mack
2 months in and aren't you so lucky to have 3 whole episodes of the best podcast about youth marketing, audience and culture! We do like to treat you. This episode is a special episode as today is Safer Internet Day. An international day to get together and spread the festive cheer about one of the most important things in modern history, the topic how we navigate and create a safe environment for young people on the internet. So who better to talk to than Rachel Barber Mack! She is works for Me
The Toy Fair 2025
We love a trip out here at Rocket! Nothing better then having an excuse for a change of scenery and a coffee with clients old and new and talking shop. So thats why we LOVE The Toy Fair. This year we headed out to Olympia in West London to see what happening in the world of toys! This year we spoke with the amazing people at Precise TV all about the latest trends in marketing via gaming and their big investment. We speak with Wilton Bradley who own the brand you may know called Xootz about what
Rocket Fuel 2025 Predictions
Hello! How was your winter break? We are back! Yes your favourite podcast about youth marketing, audience and culture has returned! We even have some good news for your 2025. We are gonna be in your feeds EVERY SINGLE MONTH! Yep at least 1 episode each month for the entire year of 2025. We will still be speaking to leaders and shakers in the youth marketing audience and culture spaces but we will also be doing some extra episodes like this one. This episode we decided what better way to kick 202
James Brown - Author & Journalist
Don't be sad. I know it's hard to hear but this is our final episode of this season. But do not worry as we have a hell of an episode. James Erskine (the host) gets his once a season treat of interviewing someone where it gets rather nerdy. James Brown is a journalist, author, music reviewer, cultural observer and visionary genius that kickstarted the world of "lad mags" with his magazine Loaded. James talks to James (don't worry its not that confusing in the podcast) about it all. His roots bac
Emily Horgan - Kids Media Specialist
In the penultimate episode for this season we talk to someone who really knows what kids are watching today. Emily Horgan is a kids media specialist and consultant who previously worked for Disney, Jetix and even The Wrestling Channel who now runs a podcast called The Kids Media Club all about what the youth of today are watching, what they will be watching, and what are brands and media empires doing it engage with your children. We chat about all that including the rise of YouTube dominance on
Xandrina Allday - Dear Social Media Manager
Hello again! We are glad you have returned! Welcome back to the Rocket Fuel podcast. Where James (your host) talks with an interesting guest from the world of youth marketing, culture and audience. Today your guest is social media manager superstar Xandrina Allday. She is amazing! She has a new book out that she has authored featuring letters from the current gen social media manager to the next gen social media manager. James even has his own letter in the book where he takes a lesson from the
JD Donovan & Scott Green - Lounges TV
Good news! You are still on the right feed. Today we talk with potentially the future answer to the creator economy in terms of getting creators paid for their content within a timely manner and making sure they feel supported in their content. JD and Scott have been helping to building the tech and business behind this idea and they even have acquired the support of none other than Simon Cowell! Lounges tv hopes to be the next big platform where creators new and established will want to host th
Ali Suleman - Dumb Money Podcast
You found us again. And today we are sticking to what we know best, talking about youth audience with a young person. Ali Suleman is one of those young people that you meet, have a small conversation with and walk away thinking "that guy is gonna rule the world". In university he started a podcast with his friends from his class to help other people like him at university navigate the world of finance and hopefully land them a job. The podcast has become a HIT and now Ali walks into networking e
Nicholas Brookes - Guinness World Records
WE ARE SO BACK! That is right your favourite podcast about youth culture, youth audience and youth marketing is back on your feeds! In the 1st episode of season 6 we talk to maybe one of the biggest household names there has been in the world of publishing. Guinness World Records is a company that in 2025 will be celebrating its 70th year and we are talking to Nicholas Brookes who is the Marketing Director behind the brand. We talk with him about his journey and how he ended up marketing a book
Retro: James O'Malley: The Tech Journalist Shaking Up Politics and Media
In our 1st of something a bit new we are launching a yearly bonus episode between seasons. This is what we are calling Retro Rocket Fuel! It will feature an episode from the back long followed by James's take on how thing may or may not have changed in the world since then and if the our guests rocket fuel stands the test of time or not.In our retro episode we take you back to 2019/20 just before the world changed dramatically. James (the host) Erskine spoke to James (the guest) O'Malley!James O
International Womens Day 2024. The Year of Inspiring Inclusion
In this special bonus episode of Rocket Fuel James is taking a back seat and we have the amazing Managing Partner of Rocket Sophie Thirwell hitting the mic and being our host for this International Womens Day special. Sophie will be talking with 3 members of the Rocket Team about their experiences in their specialist fields. 1st we will have Chelsea Baldwin who is one of our Campaign Managers who also works in making content too. She will be talking you through how audiences today view IWD and h
George Butler on Kids Radio, Parents Finding Child Safe Spaces In A Digital World And How Commercial Radio Fits In A Modern Family Landscape
In our final episode James get to be the radio geek we know him for with our guest George Butler who is not just a radio presenter on Fun Kids Radio breakfast show which is a station serving not just the latest tunes to an audience of 8-15 year olds but is ALSO the Head of Commercial Marketing at Bauer Media Group! James and George discuss his history of radio industry and where its going. They also chat about how commercial radio and the BBC compliment and provide together a fantastic audio eco
Reisa Schwartzman on STEM, Play, and The Importance Fun Education
On this penultimate (I know so sad) episode for this season of rocket fuel we chat with the Chief Fun Officer over at Griddly Kids… Yes that is their official title! James chats all things Griddly… who are they… where did they come from and why they think its so important to have education be fun for children! They also chat about STEM and how implementing activities in the category of can help children have a head start on learning with out realising that they are. Then we talk Reisa’s all impo
Uju Asika on Children's Books for a Better world and Parenting Content of Today!
Uju Asika is a writer, blogger and creative consultant. She is the author of Raising Boys Who Do Better: A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation (DK/Penguin Random House), Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World (Yellow Kite/Hachette UK) and the delightful picture book A World for Me and You, illustrated by Jennie Poh (Hachette Children's Group). She is also our latest guest on the rocket fuel podcast! James and Uju chat all things kids, parents, parenting and all things n
Nathaniel Hunter on AI, The Future of Interactive Play in Family and How Technology will Benefit the Next Generation
Nathaniel Hunter is someone who is taking play into the future. His company D1srupt1ve (no the 1’s are supposed to be there) partnered up with the toy giants Mego to bring back a classic some of our listeners may recognise. The 2-XL robot. It has had many forms over the years but this time its pushing the world just a little bit further with the thanks to AI. We talk with Nathaniel about AI ethics and the future of it. How it works in a family setting to improve mental health in a semi-screen fr
The Toy Fair 2024, Precise TV, Casdon, Craft Buddy, Xootz
We are on location! Yes how exciting we were at one of the most interesting events in the calendar year The Toy Fair in London. We went along and were very kindly guests of the kind people at Precise TV and we got chatting with them about what they do and how they help their clients reach audiences more effectively in a growing digital world. We then hit the floor and met up with Casdon the people behind your child's favourite real world role play activity be it Henry Vacuums, Dyson, DeLonghi es
Annie McCosker and Izzie Fernandes on Gen Z Entrepreneurs, Community Organisations and Youth Voices in Culture
Annie McCosker and Izzie Fernandes from the Community Youth Organisation FLAARE talk with James this week about how brands can connect with Gen Z audiences by including their voices to influence not just the marketing but the products and even the brands its self. How their Community Youth Organisation is making the entrepreneurs of the future where the talented young individuals can start creating their next business today. And then they also chatted about how brand and business can get involve
Harriet McCulley on Authenticity, Student Demographics and Gen Z Trends
In this new season and latest episode of Rocket Fuel, B2B Marketing Manager at Student Beans, Harriet McCulley, shares insights into her professional journey, the dynamics of marketing to the Gen Z audience, and the importance of authentic brand communication. Harriet discusses her transition from journalism to digital marketing, her drive to become a T-shaped marketer, and her entrepreneurial endeavors. Speaking about her role at Student Beans, she highlights the emphasis on events marketing, s
Print Media For Youth Audience (Richard Clare)
This week James talks to Richard Clare from Immediate Media and more specifically all the LEGO Magazines & MEGA where he is the editorWe take a deep dive into who is and why he LOVES magazines getting into the nitty gritty of how the magazine has developed and why somethings make look familiar to an older audience of the original MATCH magazine. We talk about how in a digital age what will the future of magazine be? Can they keep up? Is there a universal positive of magazines over screen tim
Traditional Media vs New Media (Jamie East)
A small word of warning this episode has some quite frank language and the occasional word bomb may be dropped.This week James talks to Jamie East the presenter, broadcaster, punk singer and journalist. Who paved his way almost accidentally by being someone who was willing to look at what was there and tell them where they needed to go.We take a deep dive into who is Jamie East and what makes him tick. We talk about the days Big Brother's Bit On The Side and what was Holy Moly and how did it cre
Using Tech To Transform The School Run (Rachel Beech)
Welcome back to Rocket Fuel!This week James sits down with Rachel Beech. She and James go way back and catch up with Rachel's newest and best venture yet... We Are Fetch. An amazing app and network system revolutionising the way we all do the school run and more.We talk to her about where she got started and why being a tech head helped her get ahead of the game and why working with todays younger humans is rewarding in multiple ways.We also discuss We Are Fetch, why was it needed, how it works
Audio in a Visual World (James Gilmore)
Welcome back to Rocket Fuel!This week James sits down with James Gilmore. A fascinating individual who is the Founder & Managing Director of leading teen media company W!ZARD Radio Media.We talk to him about how and why this all started back 11 years ago from his bedroom as a kid.We also discuss W!ZARD Radio Media what its is and what the future holds for it as they expand into the world of talent management and record labels and the challenges of having 2 brands that work side by side but w
The rise of the "influencer" (Ian Shepherd)
Welcome back to Rocket Fuel!This week James sits down with Ian Shepherd, founder of The Social Store and co-founder of Electrify Video Partners.Ian has 20 years experience in the industry, working in commercial roles for companies including Disney, Universal Music, WarnerMedia and BT. Ian is a leader in the influencer marketing space, working with some of the world's most popular social media creators.Ian and James talk early vision in the creator industry, commercialisation and growth. How far
Creators Know More Than You Do! (Hannah Witton)
Welcome back to Rocket Fuel! This week James sits down with Hannah Witton. An extraordinary podcaster, author, YouTuber and writer who has been creating content for more than 10 years.We talk to her about her views on the being an "influencer" and how this has changed over the years. We also discuss her work habits and practises she adopts day to day. We ramble around the topic of new wave creators and perspective on how agencies and brands should be implementing their influencer marketing.Our H
China Youth Marketing: WeChat to TikTok (Alicia Liu)
This week we are with Alicia Liu. Alicia is from Spring Grass which serves as the bridge between the west and China in terms of Youth Marketing.We hear her insight on youth and parent audiences in China, recent behavioural trends and what they are looking for from brands. We chat about technology and development and uncover similarities between the west and China. Using this insight, we also ramble around the topic of what it means for brands looking to enter the Chinese market.Sophie, Head of B
TikTok's Boom (Chris Stokel-Walker)
WE ARE BACK!And we are back with a boom... specifically TikTok's Boom with the guy who literally wrote the book on it! Chris Stokel-Walker.He is back for his 2nd appearance on the show and we get straight into it.We talk about his book TikTok Boom (Available now in all good places where books are sold)We chat with him about why the move of focus from YouTube to TikTok and what this means for creatorsThen we ramble around the topic of what this means for China on the world stageWe will be back fo
Re: The Publishing Industry (Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller)
Charlotte Eyre is the The Children’s Editor at The Bookseller.The Bookseller is the UK’s premier business magazine for the publishing industry, and has been for over a century. Debuting in 1858, The Bookseller provide news and analysis on the industry, all the while running conferences, award ceremonies, and community spaces.Charlotte Eyre’s career began rather peculiarly. After studying French and Linguistics at Oxford University, she travelled to France one weekend to give out 75 CVs by hand.
Screen Time and Technology: Finding the Balance (Becca Caddy, Tech Journalist & Author)
Becca Caddy is a technology and science journalist, and author of the book ‘Screen Time: How to make peace with your devices and find your techquilibrium.’If lockdown has taught us one thing it’s that, for many of us, our relationships with screens are more essential to our daily lives than our relationships with our friends and family. Online, the topic of technology is polarising. We either hear from tech evangelicals or the tech reluctant; those guilt-ridden by how much of their daily line of
The Myths of Leadership (Chris Hirst, Havas CEO & Author)
Chris Hirst is the Global CEO of Havas Creative, a global advertising agency.At once an engineering graduate and glass factory worker, Chris Hirst is now the CEO of one of the biggest advertising agencies in the world. He’s also the writer of ‘No Bullsh*t Leadership: Why the World Needs More Everyday Leaders and Why That Leader Is You,’ an award winning book aiming to streamline and demythologise the idea of leadership.Topics of discussion include: leadership, workplace culture, the archetypal “
Retro Rocket Fuel: Our Favourite Episodes
Welcome to Rocket Fuel: Retro Edition. This week we're throwing it back to previous instalments of Rocket Fuel, starring some of team Rocket's favourite guests.Introducing Rory Sutherland is Daniel Collins, the Strategy Director here at Rocket. Rory Sutherland is the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, a columnist for the Spectator Magazine, and author of the Alchemy series. Coming from a behavioural psychology background, Rory deliberately dispenses with the idea that humans are innately rational, but rat
Re: Rory Sutherland (Author, and Vice Chairman of Ogilvy)
Rory Sutherland is the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, a columnist for the Spectator Magazine, and author of the Alchemy series.In ’88, Rory was but another graduate looking to work for any ad agency that would have him. Which, unbeknownst to him at the time, was none of them. Except one: Ogilvy & Mather Direct. Fortunately, Rory's circumstance of limitation birthed his best possible outcome as a visionary, even if some of his peers at the time joked that he was ‘the worst graduate they ever hired.
The Ultimate Guide to Influencer Marketing (Unsah Malik, Author of Slashed It)
Unsah Malik is the author of Slashed It.Unsah is the author of the best-selling ebook “Slashed It” - a prolific, comprehensive guide for marketers, brands and influencers to help them crack the world of social media. As a trained journalist, Unsah is at the cutting edge of documenting how the world of social media is evolving, and she brings her audience along with her; periodically updating her book with sharp and novel insights.Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to: Unsah’s back
The Woman Who Gave Zero F**** (Amy Kean, Sociologist, Author & Business Woman)
Amy Charlotte Kean is a woman with a thousand roles. To some, she is a sociologist, to others the author of the book ‘The Little Girl Who Gave Zero F*****,’ and a trail blazer of a business woman to the rest. Amy is the co-founder of of DICE (Diversity & Inclusion at Conferences and Events), she’s the Cultures Editor at Shots Creative, and her most recent venture is Six Things Impossible, founded just last year; an initiative dedicated to improving company culture.Topics of discussion includ
The Publishing Industry (Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller)
Charlotte Eyre is the The Children’s Editor at The Bookseller.The Bookseller is the UK’s premier business magazine for the publishing industry, and has been for over a century. Debuting in 1858, The Bookseller provide news and analysis on the industry, all the while running conferences, award ceremonies, and community spaces.Charlotte Eyre’s career began rather peculiarly. After studying French and Linguistics at Oxford University, she travelled to France one weekend to give out 75 CVs by hand.
Making a Horrible Situation Better (Helen & Douglas House, Amy Botalli & Emma Jordan)
Helen & Douglas House is a UK-based children’s hospice.Founded in 1982 by Sister Frances Dominica, Helen & Douglas House is the world’s first hospice dedicated to children and young adults. They provide end-of-life care and bereavement support for children and their families, by creating a warm, colourful, nurturing environment so that ‘every life leaves happy memories.’Amy Botalli is the project manager at Helen & Douglas House. She is responsible for their corporate partnerships; m
Representing the Unrepresented (gal-dem, Mariel Richards)
Mariel Richards is Head of Strategy & Brand Partnerships at gal-dem.Gal-dem are an award-winning online and print publication ‘committed to sharing the perspectives of women and non-binary people of colour.’ Through the mediums of essay, music, politics and lifestyle content, they give a voice to the oft voiceless, and are now one of the most prestigious, well respected publishers for doing so.Already privy to illustration and editing, Mariel got her start at MindShare International; working
Reproductive Health and Abortion Stigma (Jennifer Gassner, Marie Stopes International)
Jennifer Gassner is the Marketing Director of Marie Stopes International.Starting her career rather eclectically, Jennifer studied to be a diplomat, before migrating to China to work in sales. During her mid-twenties, however, she became uninspired; disenchanted at the prospect of working for mere profit alone. She began to reflect and retool; undertaking a master’s degree in Public Health before taking up an internship with MSI.Marie Stopes International, founded in 1976, is a reproductive heal
Streaming, Community and Digital Experiences (Adam Harris, Twitch)
Adam Harris is the Global Head of Brand Partnership Studio at Twitch.Despite, self admittedly, not knowing what to do by the time of university, Adam Harris has recently cemented himself as one of Twitch’s most in-expendable leaders. Though he started out working with his dad and grafting through university working at M&S, Adam has since gone on to work for the likes of ITV and Metro, winning numerous awards along the way.Adam’s newest venture, Twitch, is a live-streaming platform recently p
Speaking the Language of Youth - Future Gazing into 2021
In our most recent 'Speaking the Language of Youth' panel event, we discussed marketing to youth and parent audiences as we move into 2021. James was joined by a panel of industry experts including: Fran Scudder, Senior Partnerships Manager at Warner Media; Hannah Snow, an Online Content Creator; Kat McKenna, a youth marketing specialist;and Joseph Nwosu, Marketing and Social Innovation at Experian.You can hear insight on authentic content, the need for audience res
Andi Peters: Presenter, Producer and Treasure
Andi Peters is a beloved television presenter and producer.With no intention of working in television, Andi was propositioned to audition for ITV after being heard on the in-store radio of Oxford Circus’ TopShop. And from there the rest is history, as Anti enjoyed, and continues to enjoy, a career both presenting and producing, for the UK’s biggest channels and programming. Many will know Andi from The Broom Cupboard, others Live & Kicking, The O-Zone, Top of The Pops, Shipwrecked, or simply
Generation Snowflake, China and Free Speech (Author, Uli Baer)
Ulrich “Uli” Baer is a professor at New York University and the author of the book “What Snowflakes Get Right.”Born in Germany when it was still divided, Ulrich Baer made a last ditch effort to live out his days in the U.S, and succeeded. After throwing away his return ticket, Uli worked odd jobs before spending 3 years at Berkeley University, acquiring a BA from Harvard, then a PhD from Yale. Most recently, he authored the book “What Snowflakes Get Right”; challenging ideas surrounding free spe
Informing the Youth: Challenges, Tone and Precision (Anna Bassi, The Week Junior)
Anna Bassi is the Editor-in-Chief of The Week Junior: a digestible current affairs magazine for children published by Dennis Publishing.Having gained a weekly readership of 93,000 despite launching a mere five years ago, The Week Junior has quickly become ‘Britain’s fastest growing children’s magazine,’ Junior’s aim is to empower children to be more informed, curious and engaged through their curation of safe and accessibly presented facts, information and stories. This year, The Week Junior lau
Reimagining Schools for Creativity (Jonty Archibald, Global Academy)
Jonty Archibald is the principal of the Global Academy: a university technical college designed to equip young people for a career in the media and entertainment industries.Though still in its infancy, the Global Academy has already redefined what a school is and can be. Global provides 14-19 year olds accessibility to study oft reserved for university subjects, such as computer science, digital media, art and drama, within a learning environment that is state of the art and believes that the ed
The Evolution of Gaming (Lee Kirton, Bandai Namco Entertainment)
Lee Kirton is the Marketing and PR Director for Bandai Namco Enterainment, UK & Ireland.The technologies powering video games aren’t the only facets of the industry constantly on the precipice of evolution. Indeed, as the medium developed as a resource for learning, problem-solving and interactivity, so did its appeal for more compelling and captivating marketing..Lee Kirton has been on the cutting edge of this upward trend, having provided PR and marketing services for game developers for o
The Future of Social Platforms (Louise Richardson, Pinterest)
Louise Richardson is the Director of Marketing, Europe at Pinterest.Once an “idiot 21-year-old rocking up to London” - her words, not ours - Louise Richardson has cemented herself as an inexpendable asset, and unabashedly raging fan, of Pinterest. With her formative years being spent at the likes of Mindshare and Snap Inc, Louise brings a razor sharp knowledge of the social media landscape with her to Pinterest, and this week’s discussion.Rather than being a space for highlight reels; what
A Refreshing Take on Health and Branding (Kara Goldin, Hint Inc.)
Kara Goldin is the founder and CEO of Hint Inc: a US-based healthy lifestyle company specialising in beverages.Unbeknownst to her at the time, Kara Goldin began developing the blueprint to Hint’s success after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Needing a healthy alternative to sugary juices and sodas, she began experimenting with her very own DIY beverages from her kitchen. Today, Kara heads a team of 200, and incorporates a direct-to-consumer model of distribution, fundamentally disrupt
Darren Moorcroft, The Woodland Trust
Darren Moorcroft is the CEO of The Woodland Trust: a conservation charity dedicated to maintaining and populating forestry.The Woodland Trust is the UK’s biggest woods conservation charity. They stand up for woods and trees by harnessing the power of big data; creating woodlands that last for generations to come. Last year alone, with the help of schools, youth organisations and families, the TWT planted a sheer 750,000 treesDarren Moorcroft is a Doctor of Conservation and the Chief Executive Of
KFC's Branding Recipe (Josh Benge, KFC)
Josh Benge is the Brand Engagement Manager for KFC, managing social media, gaming and partnerships.Needing no introduction, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is one of the biggest quick service restaurants in the world. KFC is located in 150 countries, and has over 900 restaurants in the UK and Ireland alone. Over the course of 5 years, Josh Benge has carved out a niche for himself at KFC, attaining a role that, self admittedly, is a bit of a mouthful. Dubbed ‘Brand Engagement Manager - Social M
The #1 YouTube Convention: Social in the City (Tom Burns, SiTC)
Tom Burns is the co-creator of SiTC: the biggest YouTube convention in the UK.At a point in time that now seems so long ago, “Summer in the City” was but the makeshift name given to a gathering of 300 YouTube enthusiasts, meeting in a field, playing ukulele and eating cake. Now rebranded, and accommodating Winter in the City, SiTC (Social in the City) is the biggest YouTube convention in the UK. Boasting an incredible 11,000 attendees year upon year, the convention delivers a myriad of pane
Influencing Influencers (Lucy Loveridge, GLEAM Futures)
Lucy Loveridge is the Global Head of Talent at GLEAM Futures.GLEAM Futures is the most prolific digital-first talent agency in the UK, representing some of the biggest influencers and online personalities the space has to offer. Talent includes the likes of Zoella (Zoe Sugg), Grace Beverley, Louise Pentland, Marcus Butler and winner of Love Island 2020: Paige Turley. Since its conception in 2010, GLEAM has gone on to collaborate with the likes of Disney, Apple, Amazon, Coca-Cola and the BBC
A Digital Star is Born | YouTube, TikTok and Journalism (Chris Stokel-Walker, Journalist)
Chris Stokel-Walker is a tech and internet culture journalist.Last year, Chris published his seminal book “YouTubers: How YouTube Shook Up TV and Created a New Generation of Stars," discussing the history of the platform and the effects it has had on society. He joins us this week to expand upon the title, as well as discuss the rise of TikTok, emerging platforms, and the role of tech during quarantine.Chris has written for the likes of Wired, The BBC, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Newsweek and
A Convergence of Wellbeing and Tech (Kim Palmer, Clementine)
Kim Palmer is an entrepreneur and the founder of Clementine: an app designed by women for women.Until founding Clementine, Kiwi Kim Palmer had a self-professed non-linear career; working for Lloyds Bank, Tesco, and a handful of startups. She was hardworking and creative - data-focused before data and algorithms were the norm - but her journey became disrupted by severe anxiety and panic attacks. After learning that so many other women shared a similar experience, Kim quit her job to start her ow
The Reality of Reality TV (Nazleen Karim, Monkey Kingdom)
Nazleen Karim is a television producer for Monkey Kingdom.After graduating from Durham University, Nazleen pivoted away from academia to begin a role with The BBC. Though initially entailing sterile admin work, it catalysed a career within the entertainment industry, allowing Naz to work on household name shows such as Celebrity Big Brother, Gogglebox, Strictly Com Dancing and Made In Chelsea.Monkey Kingdom is am award-winning British television production company that produces programming for t
Drew McIntyre, WWE Champion
Drew McIntyre is a WWE Superstar and the current WWE Champion.Beginning his journey to world renowned wrestler at just age 15, Drew was initially signed to WWE at the precocious age of 21 and welcomed by legendary WWE Chairman Vince McMahon as “future world champion”. Mr McMahon was right, of course, but not before Drew was sensationally fired for, as he confesses, a big ego and not pulling his weight. An inspiring case of life imitates art followed, as McIntyre worked hard to get back into the
The Future of Radio (David Lloyd, Broadcast Consultant)
David Lloyd is radio consultant, archivist and enthusiast.Having dedicated 35 years to the platform he fell in love with at just six-years-old, David Lloyd shares the lessons he’s learned from working with various commercial and public radio networks. Topics of discussion include: the media landscape, the similarities between radio and podcasts, BBC radio, the future of radio, today's youth habits, working with LBC, BBC and Virgin Radio.This is David Lloyd's Rocket Fuel.———————Follow James
Dating During The Coronavirus! (Natasha Briefel, Badoo)
Badoo is a chat and dating app that implores its users to "date honestly." It has over 460 million users across 190 countries.Natasha Briefel is the UK Brand Marketing Director at Badoo. Fascinated with marketing from a young age, pitching to the likes of Nokia and Ribena at just age 16, she now finds herself managing the brand of one of the world’s biggest dating apps.Topics of discussion include: dating during a pandemic, technology and creativity, virtual dating, market research, singledom, c
LOCKDOWN SPECIAL: Online dating, influencers and marketing amidst COVID19
Welcome to Rocket Fuel: Lockdown Special.This week on the podcast we assess how the media and marketing industries have been affected by the coronavirus, gaining insights from the likes of:Natasha Briefel, the UK Brand Marketing Director at Badoo, illustrating how the pandemic has affected online dating.Lucy Loveridge, the Global Head of Talent at GLEAM, talks how talent are adapting amid the pandemic.Beckii Flint, influencer and co-founder of Pepper Studios, highlights the new media landscape a
Adam Boita - Marketing Director, NCS
Adam Boita is the Marketing Director for NCS (National Citizen Service): a summer development programme for young adults in the UK.NCS is a programme that provides the opportunity for 16-17 year olds to flourish at a myriad of group-based activities and events designed to develop personal and interpersonal skills. The programme concludes with the participants devising and actioning a community project of their choice.Seeking to re-energise its brand, NCS recruited Adam Boita as its marketing dir
Rebecca Smith - Executive Director, COPA90
Formerly an international footballer, ‘Bex Smith is now the executive director of women's game at COPA90, ‘the world’s largest independent football media business.’Kiwi by blood, American by birth, Rebecca Smith began her eclectic career as New Zealand’s national team captain. She enjoyed a varied career as a professional footballer for numerous teams, even competing in the ’08 Olympics, before transitioning into a management role at FIFA. Now, at COPA90, Bex’ transforms the face of women’s foot
Jo Ruxton - Founder, Plastic Oceans UK
Jo Ruxton is the founder and director of Plastic Oceans UK; a non-profit dedicated to educating people on the perils of a plastic polluted ocean. A Plastic Ocean is an iTunes and Netflix chart-topping documentary designed to make the public more ocean literate. Though it was released four years ago, it continues to make waves in the environment debate.Jo produced the film as a result of seeing, first hand, how plastics and pollutants damage the ocean, and in turn damage us. She started the
Mark Walker & James Hancock - Co-founders, Free Focus
Free focus is one of the UK’s biggest digital talent agencies.Co-founded by Mark Walker and James Hancock just 4 years ago, Free Focus has quickly become one of the most prolific talent agencies in the UK. Built on an ethos of trust, transparency and hard work, they have developed a roster of talent including best-selling authors, presenters, musicians, and online personalities.James began his management career more traditionally, working in TV, radio and sports management, whereas Mark’s began
Ruth Wright - Editor-in-Chief, AMV & Extinction Rebellion Volunteer
Ruth Wright is the former editor in chief at creative agency Abbott Mead Vickers (AMV), an Extinction Rebellion volunteer, and has recently joined VSO: a charity dedicated to eradicating poverty.Informed by her extensive career in media and marketing, Ruth Wright brings an eclectic toolkit to fighting the climate crisis. She is a speaker, activist and spokesperson who believes that we should “act first, [and] ask for permission later.”Extinction Rebellion is a movement dedicated to overhauling g
Mark Stevenson - Reluctant Futurist
Futurist Mark Stevenson advises corporations on how they can get the most out of the future.Using his eclectic background in theatre, stand-up comedy and information technology, Mark instigates positive change for social justice issues and the climate. He realises that, whilst we are all individuals, we are also nodes in a network, which is why we have more power than we often realise - not just as consumers, but as citizens.In this episode, we discuss: social justice and climate, making ideas a
Ally Owen - Founder, Brixton Finishing School
Ally Owen is the founder of Brixton Finishing School, an organisation dedicated to helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds into the creative industries.From its inception in 2017, Brixton Finishing School set out to be a disruptor to the creative industries; challenging issues of diversity by being more inclusive to those of BAME heritage and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. BFS provide successful applicants with a free 12-week course, which includes masterclasses from business profe
Ben Ebbrell - Co-founder, SORTED Food
Ben Ebbrell is the founder of SORTED, an award-winning YouTube channel dedicated to food.Co-founded by school friends Ben Ebbrell, Mike Huttlestone, Jamie Stafford and Barry Taylor ten years ago, the collective destabilised what it meant to a player in the food industry, and continue to be pioneers in the digital space to this day. The now sixteen person team creates highly produced videos for their 2M+ YouTube community, develops apps, and publishes cook books to a global audience.Ben Ebbrell i
Nick Telson - Co-founder, DesignMyNight
Nick Telson is the co-founder of DesignMyNight.Amassing eight million unique users a month, DesignMyNight is one of the UK’s most popular nightlife discovery platforms. As a B2C, DMN connects consumers and suppliers alike - providing a menu of nightlife experience for punters, and a robust booking system for venues. Having aspired to build a business together since their time at university, Nick Telson and partner Andrew Webster began the blueprint for DMN in 2019, after being blown aw
Adnan Ebrahim - CEO, Car Throttle
Adnan Ebrahim is the founder and CEO of Car Throttle, a motoring brand that distributes content online.Dubbed “Top Gear for the Facebook generation,” Adnan founded Car Throttle a decade ago, when he was still a student living with his parents. Since then, the brand has gone on to work with the likes of McLaren, Nisan, Mercedes and Red Bull, and has recently been acquired by Dennis Publishing.Having built websites and online communities from just 15-years-old - selling his first website before hi
James O'Malley - Technology Journalist
James O’Malley is a technology and politics freelance journalist.“The problem with being a technology journalist is, these days, you’re basically an everything journalist.”Technology has become so ubiquitous throughout modern society that it now pervades every nook and cranny of our lives. Of course it has afforded us amazing benefits, but luxuries are not without their costs; we use technology, but it, in turn, uses us. As such, James O’Malley has made it his mission to report and document on h
Brandon Relph - Youth Specialist
Brandon Relph is a youth specialist, speaker and consultant.At just 13-years-old, Brandon founded a company that used the video-game Minecraft to generate content for marketing and educational purposes. And though “the computer had to be off by nine,” he expanded his enterprise to a team consisting of forty employees spanning multiple countries.Now, six years later, Brandon routinely provides data-driven consultancy for advertising agencies, as well as companies working in technology, fashi
Matt Deegan - Creative Director, Folder Media
Matt Deegan is the creative director of Folder Media and the station manager at Fun Kids Radio.Since starting in student radio at the Royal Holloway, University of London, Matt’s expertise have grown exponentially; now living a double life managing presenters and staff at Fun Kids Radio, whilst pioneering content for Folder Media.Fun Kids is the UK’s biggest children’s radio station, and Folder Media is an audio and radio content creation agency. Most notably, Folder pioneered the Love Island po
Alison Jackson - Artist
Alison Jackson is an artist known for her subversive political art.Having shied away from higher education until age 30, Alison began taking night classes for art after realising her life as a receptionist wasn’t fulfilling her.With her passion for art ignited, she later enrolled in BA and MA university programmes, and even produced a BAFTA award-winning television series for the BBC, all whilst being a student. Since then, she has gone on to collaborate with the likes of Channel 4 and Coca-Cola
Stephen Green - EVP Kids, ITV
Stephen Green is the EVP for ITV Kids, and is responsible for the maintenance of the Thunderbirds brand.Joining the entertainment industry during the turn of the millennium, Stephen has since experienced an eclectic career in brand management. Beginning with licensing for Hasbro, Stephen has since worked with brands such as Pokémon and Mr. Men, and even became the CEO of a Chinese content creation company. Now, he oversees and maintains the brand of 'Thunderbirds Are Go,' an animated T
Sonja Graham - Managing Partner of Global Action Plan
Sonja Graham is the Managing Partner for the environmental charity Global Action Plan.Once an employee for one of the biggest oil companies in the world, Sonja is now a pioneer for environmental change at GAP. Her trajectory was catalysed during her time at the University of Edinburgh, where she became increasingly aware of how human activity harms the planet.Global Action Plan is a charity dedicated to encouraging people to live sustainably; for the betterment of the planet, humanity, and its g
Rory Sutherland - Vice Chairman of Ogilvy
Rory Sutherland is the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, a columnist for the Spectator Magazine, and author of the Alchemy series.In ’88, Rory was but another graduate looking to work for any ad agency that would have him. Which, unbeknownst to him at the time, was none of them. Except one: Ogilvy & Mather Direct. Fortunately, Rory's circumstance of limitation birthed his best possible outcome as a visionary, even if some of his peers at the time joked that he was ‘the worst graduate they ever hired.
Rocket Fuel Events: Speaking the Language of Youth
Rocket is hosting a panel on the 28th of November at Soho House, and we would love to see you there!You can register at eventbrite.co.uk/e/speaking-the-language-of-youth-the-trouble-with-teens-tickets-72952267195?aff=ebdssbdestsearchThe panel is based around marketing and communicating effectively with young people aged between 13-18.Guests include: the Chief Strategy Officer of a leading student network, a Tik Tok creator, the editor of a leading youth publication and an agency campai
Ed Couchman - GM of Snap Inc. UK
Ed Couchman, the UK General Manager for Snap Inc, joins us to talk about Snapchat, Spectacles and the future of augmented reality.Having made his first splash in the world of B2B magazines, Ed Couchman now lives in the world of the digital; having worked at Facebook for half a decade, to recently become the “the face of the business” at Snap. He explains that, not only is Snapchat not dying: it is thriving, and in a way that is entirely unique from other platforms.This, as Ed explains, is b
Louise Kettle - Editor of Shout Magazine
Louise Kettle is the editor for, ‘the mag that’s got your back,’ Shout Magazine.From an admirer in her youth, to a writer as an adult, Louise Kettle worked her way up the magazine industry in a rather unorthodox fashion. At the end of her teenage years, Louise decided that she wasn’t ready for university, and so entered the world of fashion retail. She later became a sub-editor for DC Thomson’s Evening Telegraph, before landing her dream position at SHOUT.Shout Magazine is unashamedly a “girly g
Ella Robertson - MD of One Young World
"You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”Ella Robertson is Managing Director for the youth focused conference One Young World. She is also one of Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35, and co-author of the book 'How to Make a Difference.’Unenthused by the prospect of becoming a lawyer, Ella dropped out of one of the UK’s top 5 law firms so she could make real change. Alongside her mother, she decided that the best way to achieve this was by starting a charity aimed at empowering youth
Paul Samuels - Executive Vice President at AEG
Famously known for reinvigorating the O2 Arena; breathing new life into the Millennium Dome, Paul Samuels shares his Rocket Fuel.Paul Samuels is the Executive Vice President at AEG, the company responsible for accommodating sports, music and entertainment events across the globe. This includes the world renowned festival Coachella, as well as the management of 150 venues.Together, we discuss: branding, the “hardware” and “software” of events, and generational changes in youth culture.This is Pau
Andy Roberts - Former Group Programme Director KISS Radio
Veteran of radio, Andy Roberts, is the former group programme director of the UK radio station KISS. We recorded this episode just before Andy left Bauer. Going against the grain from a young age, Andy diverted form the status-quo of attending university and instead took up an offer to work in radio. Now, after enjoying two decades in the Bauer/Kiss Radio space, Andy has resigned from his position, but is here with us to share his expertise and insights.Together, we explore: relationships with t
Emma Sayle - CEO of Killing Kittens
Emma Sayle is the founder of Killing Kittens, an empowerment brand dedicated to sexually liberating women around the world since 2005. Having spent her early years in the Middle-East, and under the tyranny of her overbearing father, Emma found herself suffocated and stifled. After attending an all girls’ boarding school in the UK, however, this began to change. She was introduced to “novel” ideas of liberation and female independence; that she could ’rule the world and go out and be wh
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Rocket Fuel is the podcast at the intersection of youth marketing, youth culture, technology and creativity. Each episode sees someone from youth marketing or youth culture asked questions about them, their journey, their role and the brand they work for. We conclude by asking for their 'rocket fuel', things gleaned from their years of experience, actionable insights that our audience can apply to their daily working lives.Rory Sutherland, Emma Sayle, Andy Roberts, Paul Samuels and more! Hosted
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Rocket Fuel is the podcast at the intersection of youth marketing, youth culture, technology and creativity. Each episode sees someone from youth marketing or youth culture asked questions about them, their journey, their role and the brand they work for. We conclude by asking for their 'rocket fuel', things gleaned from their years of experience, actionable insights that our audience can apply to their daily working lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.