

Future Fuzz - The Digital Marketing Podcast
Justin Campbell
Experts from the industry speaking about B2B Marketing and Digital Marketing, giving you the listener insights into the best marketing technology to use, new insights and brilliant strategic ideas. Industry experts give insights on how to best run your marketing campaigns and a few laughs on the way!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 2, 2025 • 24min
Ep. 109 - Mid-Funnel Magic: Vanessa Confessore Unpacks It
In this episode of Future Fuzz, Vanessa Confessore, VP at Nativo, explores the evolution of leadership, workplace dynamics, and customer engagement in the post-pandemic era. She shares how modern leaders can bridge the gap between strategy and execution, the role of curated experiences in B2B success, and the increasing importance of video and mid-funnel content in digital marketing. Vanessa also offers heartfelt insights on balancing parenting with a demanding career and how generational shifts are influencing digital habits and brand connection.Guest BioVanessa Confessore is a Senior Executive at Nativo, an ad tech company pioneering content-driven advertising with a network of over 7,000 premium publishers. With extensive leadership experience across marketing and digital strategy, Vanessa combines hands-on operational insight with C-suite collaboration to drive team performance and brand success. Her expertise spans experiential marketing, brand safety, and media innovation, making her a key voice on the future of human-centric B2B engagement.TakeawaysStrong leadership bridges strategy with day-to-day team empowerment.Remote work demands intentional connection through curated experiences.Human connection is the fabric between industry tentpole events.Video content is now a must-have in B2B marketing.Mid-funnel content is where brand affinity and decision-making happen.Clean supply and brand-safe environments are crucial in ad tech.Gen Alpha will likely consume less and value physical presence more.Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Vanessa 01:08 Leadership in the Age of Remote Work 03:28 The Rise of In-Person Connection 05:45 Experiential Marketing Beyond Industry Events 07:44 Are Tentpole Events Still Valuable? 10:27 Rise of B2B Video Content Across Platforms 13:34 Why Mid-Funnel Content Matters 16:24 Nativo’s Clean Supply and Publisher Vetting 18:07 The Legacy of Resellers and Budget Waste 19:06 What’s Next for Content Marketing? 20:14 Digital Out-of-Home is Back 21:18 Generation Alpha and the Shift Away from Screens 24:33 Final Words on Empathy and LeadershipLinkedInFollow Vanessa Confessore on LinkedInFollow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn

Jun 25, 2025 • 24min
Ep. 108 - Behind the Curtain at Veed.io - Samuel Beek
In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Samuel Beek, Chief Product Officer at Veed.io, to discuss how product-led growth, a culture of rapid iteration, and accessible AI tools are reshaping the video creation landscape. From building with speed to scaling a global video editing platform, Sam dives into Veed’s mission to make high-quality video content creation effortless for everyone - from beginners to power users.Sam also shares candid insights about the realities of building in public, the rising trend of vertical and ultra-short videos, and the trade-offs of integrating generative AI tools for scaling personalization and efficiency.Guest BioSam Beek is the Chief Product Officer at Veed.io, a fast-scaling video creation platform trusted by creators, marketers, and businesses around the world. With a background in engineering and product development, Sam brings a practical and passionate approach to building intuitive, accessible tools for video production.His journey spans failed startups, a stint at Sean Parker’s Airtime, and ultimately leading Veed's product team through rapid growth and technical innovation. Sam is known for his candid product storytelling on LinkedIn and his commitment to democratizing video creation through AI and user-friendly design.TakeawaysBuild Fast, Share Often: Sam emphasizes the power of transparency and feedback by shipping quickly - even if imperfect - and iterating in public.AI Drives Monetization and Access: Advanced AI features often serve as premium unlocks but are designed to make high-end tools accessible to non-tech users.Authenticity > Polish: Users respond more to honest, spontaneous content than to overly produced videos.Short, Vertical, Fast: Social video trends lean heavily toward short-form, vertical formats optimized for mobile attention spans.AI + Human = Future of Content: Purely AI-generated content still lacks emotional resonance, but blended approaches show promise.Lip Sync Editing Is Here: Veed’s new AI Rephrase tool allows subtle word replacements in video without full reshoots.Chapters 00:00 - Welcome to Future Fuzz 01:20 - Intro: Sam Beek and Veed.io 03:05 - Getting Recognized from LinkedIn Videos 04:30 - Product People Creating Content 05:12 - Transparency and Building in Public 06:29 - AI Features and Access for Free vs Paid Users 07:26 - Sam’s Journey from Engineering to Product 09:00 - Working with Sean Parker at Airtime 10:29 - Why Sam Took the Risk to Join Veed 10:57 - Philosophy Behind Veed’s Product 12:40 - Asking the Right Product Questions 13:43 - Trends: Shorter, Vertical, Reused Content 15:39 - Will Video Consumption Reverse to Long-form? 17:13 - Fully AI-Generated Videos: Future or Fad? 19:26 - The Power of Spontaneity in Video 20:24 - AI Use Cases: L&D and Scaling Content 21:41 - What’s Coming Next at Veed 24:25 - AI Rephrase and Lip Sync Editing 25:42 - Monthly Product Launches & Live Q&A 26:22 - Wrap-up and Where to Follow SamLinkedInFollow Sam Beek on LinkedIn hereFollow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn here

Jun 18, 2025 • 31min
Ep. 107 - Automate, Don’t Replace, Your Spreadsheets - Hannah Recker
In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Hannah Recker, Head of Growth Marketing at Coefficient, to explore how one of the most common workplace tools - spreadsheets - can be transformed into live, automated dashboards without writing code or relying on data teams. Hannah shares how Coefficient grew from 40 to 600,000 users in just two and a half years, why they're betting big on spreadsheet-native workflows, and what it takes to build a product-led, community-driven brand in today’s noisy AI era. From embedding real-time analytics into HubSpot to creating long-tail SEO from Slack communities, Hannah offers a hands-on masterclass in growth, automation, and user obsession.Guest BioHannah Recker is the Head of Growth Marketing at Coefficient, a SaaS platform that transforms ordinary spreadsheets into live data command centers. With over a decade of experience across high-growth startups and B2B tech firms, Hannah has led marketing at the intersection of operations, automation, and community building. She's a former growth leader at Agorapulse and has worked with iconic brands like Fender, Spotify, Klaviyo, and Miro. A passionate builder, Hannah is known for her no-fluff approach to GTM strategy, her early-mover instincts in automation, and her deep understanding of the operational marketer.TakeawaysCoefficient connects spreadsheets to any data source - no data team required.Spreadsheets remain the most flexible reporting tools - don’t try to replace them, empower them.Fractional CFOs became a surprise power-user group for Coefficient.60%+ of users are self-serve, and Coefficient sees high virality from product-led growth.AI adoption must be user-first, not investor-driven - start by solving real user pain.Their Slack community isn't just about Coefficient - it’s a peer-learning space for ops teams.Using Slack’s API to extract community insights can power long-tail SEO content.Leaders need to get their hands dirty with AI to truly understand its value and hire well.The automation boom was about tools—this AI wave is about intentional use and value.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Intro to Hannah Recker01:39 The Real Problem Coefficient Solves02:33 From 40 to 600K Users—How They Did It04:25 Blending Data Sources Inside Spreadsheets06:00 Embedding Google Sheets in HubSpot—A Hidden Gem07:05 Supporting Big Brands Like Spotify and Fender08:21 Freemium to Enterprise: Their GTM Flywheel11:14 Comparing the Automation Boom to the AI Wave13:39 AI, Hype, and the Need for Hands-On Leadership16:55 The Consumer Pushback Against Pointless AI18:17 Suno and Summer Playlists—Using AI for Fun20:06 Why Coefficient Waited to Build AI Features22:23 When to Build a Product Community24:06 Community as a Catalyst for Feature Discovery26:19 Slack vs. Circle: Meeting Users Where They Are28:35 Pulling SEO Value From Slack API29:59 Why Long-Tail Content Is Winning Right Now30:40 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find HannahLinkedInFollow Hannah Recker on LinkedIn hereFollow Justin on LinkedIn here

Jun 11, 2025 • 25min
Ep. 106 - Poke the bear....carefully. How to nail your reply rates with Margaret & Jakub - Woodpecker
In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin welcomes Margaret Sikora, CEO of Woodpecker, and Jakub, Customer Success Manager, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of cold email outreach. Together, they unpack why infrastructure is now a critical factor in successful campaigns, how outdated practices like "spray and pray" are sabotaging sender reputations, and why personalization without true market-fit is a waste of effort - even in the AI age. They also critique outreach tactics, explore the “poke the bear” strategy, and share real-world examples of reply rates as high as 95%.TakeawaysCold email infrastructure matters more than ever; diversify your domains and ESPs.Never send from your main domain - burning it could wreck your business reputation.AI can’t fix poor product-market fit; it will just “multiply by zero.”Subject lines work best when they’re short, casual, and human.Reply rates can soar with strong targeting and thoughtful strategy (even up to 95%)."Poking the bear" can be effective - but only if you can back it up.Don’t test campaigns too narrowly; large samples yield better data.Outreach is about value and relevance, not gimmicks or over-promising.Chapters00:00 Welcome to Future Fuzz00:45 Meet Margaret and Jake from Woodpecker01:42 Why Email Infrastructure is Critical in 202504:05 The Role of Backup Domains and Mailboxes06:29 Tools for Planning Cold Outreach Infrastructure07:22 Average Reply Rates & What Influences Them08:23 AI is Not a Fix for Bad Fit09:48 Casual, Value-Focused Subject Lines10:06 Campaigns with 95% Reply Rates - How?11:34 Why Spray-and-Pray Tactics Are Dying12:05 What is “Poking the Bear” in Sales?13:09 Why Testing Strategy Beats Guesswork14:22 Scaling Tests Without Losing Insight16:13 Cold Email Techniques Rated Rapid-Fire20:43 The ROI of Knowing Your Audience23:38 Where to Connect with Margaret and JakeLinkedInFollow Margaret on LinkedIn Follow Woodpecker on LinkedlnFollow Justin on LinkedIn

Jun 4, 2025 • 27min
Ep. 105 - Cancel a Missile, Make an Ad - Neil Davidson
In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin speaks with Neil Davidson, CEO of London-based creative agency HeyHuman. They dive deep into the future of creativity in advertising, exploring how generative AI is reshaping agency roles, what the future of content creation looks like, and how smaller, nimble teams might outmaneuver larger agencies. Neil also shares his personal journey of repositioning HeyHuman, integrating behavioral science into strategy, and how neuroscience has influenced their creative development process. The conversation is rich with honest insights about leadership, industry change, and what brave, human-first advertising can look like in the age of AI.Guest BioNeil Davidson is the CEO of HeyHuman, an award-winning creative agency recognized as one of the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work in 2024. With a background in agency leadership across the UK and Europe, Neil combines commercial acumen with academic depth - holding an MBA, an MA in Creative Writing, and currently pursuing doctoral research into generative AI’s impact on agency creativity. At HeyHuman, he has spearheaded the integration of behavioral science and neuroscience into campaign development, creating bold, effective advertising grounded in human understanding.TakeawaysGenerative AI will push creative agencies to polarize: big agencies leveraging scale, and small “creative curators” thriving with tools.Repetitive creative tasks like social media content are increasingly automatable - only human-authentic brands may resist this shift.Great content isn’t necessarily increasing, even if content volume is. Generic work risks becoming the norm.Clients still crave transformative creative work, but organizational risk aversion hinders bold decision-making.HeyHuman’s behavioral science framework centers on three deceptively powerful questions about audience behavior and decision-making.Effective ads balance the unusual with the familiar - “unusual everyday” content sticks.Bravery and trust between agencies and clients remain central to outstanding creative work.Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Neil Davidson 01:11 The AI Threat vs. Creative Reality 03:20 Big vs. Small Agencies in the AI Age 04:33 Is Social Content Toast? 06:04 Are We Losing Creative Greats? 08:38 Behind the Scenes: A Royal Navy Campaign Disaster 10:25 Client Risk Appetite and Creative Bravery 13:11 The Repositioning of Heyhuman 15:40 Reflection on Leadership and Taking Stock 18:34 Behavioral Science in Practice 21:06 The Three-Question Behavioral Framework 23:42 Unusual Everyday: Neuroscience and Advertising 26:03 When Packaging Beats Advertising 26:50 Wrap-up and Final ThoughtsWhite PapersSee our HeyHuman White Papers14 Brand RelationshipsLinkedInFollow Neil on LinkedIn hereFollow Justin on LinkedIn here

May 28, 2025 • 29min
Ep. 104 - Why Sales Thinks Marketing is Useless - and How to Fix It - Will Williamson
In this episode, Justin speaks with Will Williamson, Director and Founding Member of JDR Group, a top-tier UK-based digital marketing agency and elite HubSpot partner. Drawing on over two decades of experience transforming sales and marketing strategies, Will unpacks the persistent disconnect between sales and marketing, and how his proprietary six-step system helps align both functions to drive measurable growth. From myths around sales-readiness to the future of video content and AI’s role in marketing, this is a masterclass in B2B strategy for SMEs.Guest BioWill Williamson is the Director and Founding Member of JDR Group, a digital marketing agency based in Derby, UK. JDR Group is a leading HubSpot partner and has helped over 250 businesses optimize their digital sales and marketing over the past 20 years. Originally starting out in business coaching, Will pivoted the company toward digital marketing, developing a proprietary six-step system that is currently used long-term by over 60 businesses. His deep understanding of B2B challenges, especially within SMEs, makes him a trusted voice in marketing transformation.TakeawaysSales vs. Marketing: Many companies mistakenly expect marketing to deliver ready-to-buy leads; real growth requires synchronized sales and marketing efforts.Strategic Planning: Too many SMEs operate without clear long-term plans - planning and execution are both essential.The Six-Step Marketing System: Strategy, content, digital distribution, website, lead conversion, and CRM/sales integration.KPIs that Matter: Focus on touchpoints like visitors, leads, MQLs, SQLs, opportunities, and closed deals.Video is King: It’s the most effective content format right now but also the hardest for companies to commit to.AI and the Future: AI isn’t replacing genuine marketing yet but offers exciting potential for automation and insight.Chapters00:00 Intro to Will & JDR Group 02:00 The Sales vs. Marketing Disconnect 04:30 Origins in Business Coaching 06:00 The Myth of Sales-Ready Leads 08:15 Building a Sales-Marketing Machine 10:00 Weekly Syncs & HubSpot Integration 12:30 Why Most SMEs Don’t Plan Ahead 15:00 The Six-Step Marketing System Explained 18:00 Favourite Client Success Stories 19:15 The Power & Challenge of Video Content 22:30 AI’s Current Limitations & Future Promise 27:00 Final Thoughts & Where to Find WillFollow Will on LinkedIn hereFollow Justin on LinkedIn here

May 21, 2025 • 28min
Ep. 103 - Jobs To Be Done - Jim Kalbach
Justin is joined by Jim Kalbach - author, speaker, and leading voice in strategy and innovation - to demystify Jobs to Be Done (JTBD), a powerful framework that's still underutilized in the marketing world. Jim explains how JTBD moves beyond traditional product thinking by focusing on the core outcomes customers seek to achieve, whether in daily life or professional settings. He shares actionable ways JTBD can drive innovation, align cross-functional teams, and sharpen customer focus.Whether you're in marketing, product, or leadership, this conversation will help you rethink how your organization defines value - from the customer’s perspective.Guest BioJim Kalbach is a noted author, speaker, and instructor in innovation, design, and the future of work. He is currently Chief Evangelist at Mural, the leading online whiteboard.Jim is the author of several books: Designing Web Navigation (O’Reilly, 2007), Mapping Experiences, 2nd Ed. (O’Reilly, 2020), and The Jobs To Be Done Playbook (Rosenfeld, 2020). In 2023 he co-authored Collaborative Intelligence (Wiley, 2023) with Mariano Battan. Jim is also the Co-founder and Principal at the JTBD Toolkit, an online resource with learning, training, and content.TakeawaysJTBD helps organizations uncover what customers really want to achieve - not just what products do.Success lies in separating your solution from the customer’s actual goal.Understanding unmet needs can create more resonant marketing and better product-market fit.JTBD can foster cross-functional alignment with a shared language across product, marketing, and sales.The core "job" customers want to complete remains timeless, even as technology changes.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Jim Kalbach 01:04 What is Jobs To Be Done? 02:07 The Drill vs. the Hole Analogy 03:45 Why Focusing on Jobs Unlocks Innovation 05:52 The Role of Time in B2B Buyer Behavior 08:00 Timeless Nature of Customer Jobs 09:51 Fixing the Agency Pitch Problem with JTBD 11:20 The Power of Diagnosing Unmet Needs 13:25 Creating Cross-Team Alignment Through Shared Language 16:04 Building JTBD as an Organizational Muscle 17:28 Jim’s Writing Process and Book Journey 21:18 Collaborating with Practitioners and the JTBD Toolkit 24:32 Why Teaching Sharpened Jim’s Expertise 26:00 Where to Learn More: JTBD Toolkit & LinkedIn 27:14 Closing Thoughts and Sign-offFollow Jim on LinkedIn hereFollow Justin on LinkedIn here

May 14, 2025 • 33min
Ep. 102 - From Designer to Dealmaker - Karl Loudon
In this inspiring episode of Future Fuzz, host Justin Campbell speaks with Karl Loudon, a former designer turned serial entrepreneur and now a commercial leader at Rise at Seven. Karl recounts his remarkable journey from running a boutique design studio to leading successful exits from three agencies and helping generate over £20 million in annual revenue. He reflects on embracing failure, finding his strength in client relationships, and the value of mentorship.Karl introduces the concept of "Selling with Soul" - a human, values-driven approach to B2B sales - and shares how soulful, intentional selling can shape entire buyer experiences. He and Justin also dive into the evolution of CRMs, the power of commercial culture, and the overlooked importance of creating video content to stay top-of-mind. This episode is a must-listen for agency founders, sales professionals, and creatives interested in balancing growth with authenticity.Guest BioKarl Loudon is a serial founder, commercial leader, and passionate advocate for soulful selling. With a background in design and a career spanning over 15 years in creative and media agencies, Karl has helped build and exit three companies, most notably contributing to the growth and acquisition of Moobaloo by IPG. He has worked with enterprise clients and helped scale teams from 5 to 500+ people. Now at Rise at Seven, he champions authentic commercial growth and content marketing. A TEDx speaker and DJ in a past life, Karl brings creativity, strategy, and soul into everything he does.TakeawaysSelling with soul means prioritizing genuine human connections over transactional tactics.Failure often serves as a catalyst for personal growth and professional success.Strong mentorship and feedback can unlock new career paths.Thoughtful, soulful experiences throughout the sales funnel are as vital as UX or CX.CRMs and sales infrastructure must serve the team, not burden them.Creating content - especially video - builds credibility and keeps agencies top-of-mind.Commercial culture thrives when revenue goals are shared and celebrated collectively.Chapters00:00 - Welcome to Future Fuzz and Introduction to Karl Loudon01:16 - From Design to Entrepreneurship: Karl’s Origin Story03:48 - Lessons from Failing Early and Learning Sales05:19 - TED Talk on Failure and Embracing Change06:18 - Realizations from Mentors and Growing with Moobaloo10:52 - What "Selling with Soul" Really Means14:20 - The Sales Experience: SX and Soulful Journey Design19:35 - Hustle to Infrastructure: Lessons in Scaling Agencies22:56 - CRMs and Revenue Operations in Modern Agencies25:35 - Building Commercial Culture Through Shared Goals27:19 - The Power of Content and Video in Demand Generation30:29 - Consistency Beats Perfection in Content Creation32:26 - Embracing Individuality: Culture and Confidence in ContenttFollow Karl on LinkedIn hereFollow Justin on LinkedIn here

May 7, 2025 • 33min
Ep. 101 - Communication Isn’t About the Trend - Julian Walker
In this episode Justin speaks to Julian Walker, the dynamic Group Managing Partner at Instinctif Partners, a firm at the forefront of insight-led communications. With a passion for unlocking potential, Julian’s leadership fuels transformation, not just within his incredibly talented teams at Instinctif and Truth Consulting, but across the clients and brands they serve. His work is defined by a strategic blend of external communications, social engagement, and leadership that drives meaningful, sustainable impact.Beyond the boardroom, Julian is an adventurer at heart, having navigated jungles, deserts, and remote seas, sometimes with unintended detours. In addition to his communications activities, he writes on travel and humour, chaired a fund designed to empower and develop young people’s true potential.TakeawaysJulian Walker emphasizes the importance of audience-centric communication.AI is often overhyped as a solution for communication challenges.Understanding where your audience is is crucial for effective messaging.The rush to automate can negatively impact employee development.Creativity thrives on collaboration and in-person interactions.The evolution of marketing communications has shifted from one-way to interactive.Investor communication must adapt to digital channels and audience needs.Management's control over a company's destiny is key to investor confidence.The UK market has potential for growth despite current challenges.Julian's books reflect his experiences and insights in travel and humor.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Julian Walker and Instinctif Partners02:50 Julian's Journey into Communications and Agency Life05:55 The Importance of Audience-Centric Communication09:00 Navigating the AI Hype in Communications11:51 Creativity in a Remote Work Environment15:01 The Evolution of Marketing Communications18:03 Investor Communication in the Digital Age20:49 Market Forces and Corporate Communication24:04 Optimism for the UK Market26:47 Julian's Books and Final ThoughtsLinkedInFollow Julian on LinkedIn hereFollow Justin on LinkedIn here

Apr 30, 2025 • 33min
Ep. 100 - Why so many brands are boring - Marcus Foley
Book a call with Justin on how to get into business video podcasting In this episode, Marcus, Co-Founder of Tommy, shares how his global digital studio helps leading brands like Netflix, TikTok, and Amazon Prime stand out in crowded markets through the power of distinctiveness. He explains why true distinctiveness goes beyond being different, how emotional connections drive brand memorability, and how cognitive neuroscience is changing the way marketers think about building lasting brands.Marcus also unpacks the mistakes brands make by following category playbooks, the rise of fearless emerging brands, and why consistent, committed behaviors—not one-off stunts—build long-term brand loyalty. A must-listen for anyone serious about creating standout, future-proof brands.Guest BioMarcus is the Co-Founder of Tommy, a digital creative studio that partners with some of the world’s leading brands, including Netflix, TikTok, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Paramount Pictures, Google, and Tottenham Hotspur. With offices in London, Los Angeles, and Singapore, Marcus leads a team that specializes in building distinctive, memorable brand experiences across global markets.Drawing on over 15 years of experience navigating Hollywood’s fast-evolving marketing landscape, Marcus has become a recognized expert in brand distinctiveness. Under his leadership, Tommy developed the industry’s first distinctiveness framework—rooted in cognitive neuroscience research—to scientifically measure how advertising impacts memory and emotional engagement. Today, Marcus helps brands cut through the noise, build lasting emotional connections, and drive true brand differentiation.TakeawaysDistinctiveness, not just difference, is key to brand success.Emotional connections make brands more memorable.Neuroscience shows how distinctiveness drives memory and action.Brands must commit to distinctiveness beyond one-off stunts.Consistency builds recognition and loyalty.Emerging brands win by being fearless; established brands by storytelling.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Marcus from Tommy01:16 Founding Tommy and Early Challenges03:48 How Streaming Services Changed the Studio Marketing Game04:49 Distinctiveness vs. Differentiation in Branding06:37 Real-World Examples: Beauty and Whiskey Industry's Lack of Distinctiveness11:53 Building Standout Brands: Lessons from Engine Gin and Trip Drinks14:03 The Role of Neuroscience in Brand Memorability19:04 How Emerging Brands Can Rock the Market23:30 Disrupting the Travel Category: Lujo Hotel Case Study24:01 Mistakes Brands Make by Following Social Playbooks26:02 Why Brands Must Commit to Distinctive Behavior28:58 Closing: Where to Find Marcus and TommyLinkedInFollow Marcus on LinkedIn hereFollow Justin on LinkedIn here


