Collaborative Customer Growth

John Goh, Medibank's Head of Martech, joins us in this episode to discuss the changing function of marketing technology across the market. John talks about his professional trajectory from web publishing to spearheading significant transformation initiatives. He provides insights into the paradox of Martech adoption, the unspoken consequences of leadership debt, and the importance of culture and trust, in addition to technology. In addition to the growing significance of privacy-first leadership, we talk about adaptability, curiosity, and the significance of bringing Martech teams closer to the consumer. A discussion about how Martech executives can use technology, people, and trust to negotiate complexity and spur growth

In this episode, we sit down with Charles Weiser to explore what it really means to design customer-centric organisations in today’s data-driven world. From his early career at British Airways to leading CX across banking, telco, and beyond, Charles shares insights on loyalty, the silent dissatisfied majority, and why experience must be viewed holistically. We discuss the tension between regulation and innovation, how AI is reshaping boardroom conversations, and why trust, both in people and systems, remains critical. A thought-provoking look at how empathy, governance, and data intersect to shape the future of customer experience.

Danny Tyrrell and Michael Bridgeman sit down for a one-on-one debrief of the Q1 2025 Market Insights, fresh from the team at DataCo Labs. From global uncertainty to shifting consumer behaviours, they dive into what’s really happening in Aussie retail, and why the story isn’t all rosy. They unpack how financial transaction data, segmentation tools, and broader market indicators are helping businesses cut through the noise and make smarter decisions. And while the headlines scream downturn, they explore how smart operators are finding growth in unexpected places. The numbers reveal surprising resilience (and a few flatlines) that prompt deeper questions about who’s winning, who’s stalling, and why. This update is a window into what the data says about the year so far, and what to watch for next.

In this episode of Data Conversations, we’re joined by Dr. Jason Pallant. Affectionately known as 'The MarTech Doctor', Jason operates at the intersection of academia and practical marketing. A Senior Lecturer in Marketing Technology at RMIT University and one of the region’s leading voices on customer-centric innovation, he’s spent over 25 years helping businesses and students alike understand how technology is transforming the way we engage with customers. He’s also the architect behind Asia-Pacific’s first undergraduate major in marketing technology, shaping the next generation of marketers to think data-first and future-ready. Together, we explore the evolving role of MarTech in business strategy, how education is adapting to keep pace with rapid innovation, and why curiosity and experimentation are key traits for today’s marketers.

In this episode of Data Conversations, we’re joined by Adam Posner, founder and CEO of The Point of Loyalty, and the data-driven loyalty strategist behind some of Australia’s most recognisable brands. Over his 31-year career in direct marketing, Adam has helped shape customer strategies for brands like Accor Hotels, Bupa, Westpac, Mastercard, Bakers Delight and Blue Bungalow. He’s also the founder and brain behind For Love or Money — the definitive consumer research study on customer loyalty in Australia and New Zealand, running annually since 2013.  Adam unpacks the findings from the freshly released 2025 For Love or Money study, now in its 13th Australian edition. We explore how loyalty program preferences are shifting across Australia, why emotional connection still matters, and what businesses can do to create programs that are not just profitable but truly meaningful.

What does it really take to build lasting customer value? In this episode, we sit down with Anna Samkova, digital strategist, transformation leader and consultant to some of Australia’s biggest retail brands. With two decades of experience in CRM, loyalty, and omnichannel growth, Anna shares the hard-won insights that separate short-term wins from long-term impact. She unpacks the client growth framework she uses to help brands harness data to deliver smarter, more human engagement across every touchpoint. This chat is packed with sharp takes on what’s working in retail today and where leaders are still missing the mark.

In this episode of Data Conversations, hosts Danny and Michael dive into fresh market insights from the first quarter of 2025. With big names like Mosaic Brands and Ally Fashion collapsing and consumer spending shifting in unexpected ways, the duo unpacks what the data is really telling us about Australia’s retail landscape. From household appliances to fashion and furnishings, they explore which segments are feeling the pinch, who’s still E30 Retail Shake Ups, Consumer Shifts and Market Insights from Q1'25 with Danny and Michaelspending and why market share gains now could pay off later. Plus, they reveal how external data and customer segmentation can guide smarter decisions in uncertain times. Tune in for an in-depth look at the state of play — and what’s on the horizon for Q2.

In this episode, we sit down with Monica Ly, co-founder of EdgeRed, a boutique Australian consultancy specialising in data analytics and AI solutions. Monica shares her journey from roles at a few of the big 4’s to establishing EdgeRed in 2018. She shares how her strong foundation in mathematics has been pivotal in leading large-scale data projects, including platform migrations and the implementation of data governance frameworks. We discuss the importance of fostering a transparent and collaborative culture, the strategic advantage of investing in young talent, and the evolving landscape of data consulting. She also highlights EdgeRed's pragmatic approach to delivering actionable insights, emphasising services like data engineering, visualisation, governance, and strategy consulting. Grab a coffee and take a listen to discover how EdgeRed empowers organisations of all sizes to make faster, smarter decisions through data and AI excellence.

Today we sat down with techno-optimist Con Frantzeskos, a visionary strategist and business leader who has helped global brands like Emirates, Xero, Hilton and Toyota achieve remarkable growth through data-driven innovation. Con has advised C-suite executives worldwide, to solve complex challenges at the intersection of marketing, technology, and customer experience. Now an active investor and advisor in the startup space, he’s passionate about leveraging AI and emerging technologies to transform customer experiences and redefine business success. Tune in as we explore our evolving digital landscape and how businesses can stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. You can connect with Con on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/confrantzeskos/ Or via his personal site: https://thefrant.com/

Join Michael, Danny, and returning guest Olly Rees as they explore the rise of a collaborative customer growth ecosystem powered by financial data. Discover how data-driven partnerships can unlock new value, enhance customer experiences, and drive strategic growth in a privacy-conscious world.

Kick off 2025 with an inspiring conversation featuring Rami Mukhtar, a trailblazing entrepreneur in the Australian data and AI landscape. Rami’s career began in telecommunications as an embedded software engineer, but a chance conversation about machine learning in the late 2000s sparked his passion for data-driven innovation. From co-founding startups like DataCo and Emergent Labs to shaping ANZ's corporate venture fund, 1835i, Rami has been at the forefront of leveraging AI and data analytics to drive business transformation. Tune in for his unique insights on innovation, analytics and the future of AI.

 In this end-of-year recap and wrap-up, hosts Danny and Michael revisit an incredible year of data conversations. From the evolution of AI and automation to major shifts in privacy frameworks and the growing impact of retail media, we countdown the top 5 most-listened-to episodes of 2024, unpacking some of 2024’s biggest trends in big data. Featuring thought leaders like Kendra Vant, Greg Bernarda, Chris Brinkworth, Mark Hookey and Hugh Cameron, we spotlight standout moments that shaped the year and explore the actionable insights driving industries forward. Tune in for highlights, takeaways and a look ahead to what’s in store for 2025.

Host Michael Bridgeman is joined by guest co-host Dave Pountney,  featured in episode 20 of Data Conversations, as he chats to acclaimed thought leader and global strategy innovator, Greg Bernarda. An alumnus of the World Economic Forum and shortlisted in the Thinkers50 strategy shortlist, Greg is the mastermind behind the concept of ‘up-ruption’ — a framework for redesigning business ecosystems to drive societal progress. Co-author of Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want, the sequel to the best-selling handbook Business Model Generation, Greg shares his insights into reshaping industries and fostering systemic change.

In this episode of Data Conversations, we sit down with Mark Hookey, CEO and founder of DemystData, to explore how financial institutions can unlock the power of external data to drive growth, mitigate risk and automate processes. With over a decade of experience in data tech and product development, including leadership roles at LexisNexis and Optimal Decisions Group, Mark shares his journey from leading global teams across New York, Europe and Asia, to building one of the leading platforms for scalable data access and analytics. Tune in to learn more about the future of data-driven decision-making and how external data is reshaping the financial industry.

In this episode, we’re joined by Hugh Cameron, Chief Platform Officer at Zitcha, a leading unified retail media platform. With over 15 years of experience in the MarTech space, Hugh shares how he and his team are harnessing data to reshape retail media, making Zitcha a trusted partner for retailers looking to thrive in today’s digital landscape. From optimising brand integration to navigating the complexities of data-driven marketing, Hugh’s insights reveal how to create value and relevance in a fast-evolving industry. Tune in to learn how Zitcha is redefining the future of retail media. 

Welcome to the second in-studio episode of Data Conversations. Today we welcome Cam Strachan, a seasoned technologist and the head of Data and Analytics at Southern Cross Austereo. With over two decades of experience in the MarTech and AdTech sectors and serving as an IAB Data Council Member, Cam is a driving force behind data-centric strategies that enhance content creation, distribution and audience engagement across the LiSTNR ecosystem. This ecosystem streams radio from the great Triple M and Hit networks, original LiSTNR produced podcasts and other audio partner networks.

In their first-ever in-studio episode, hosts Danny and Michael sit down with Dave Pountney, a visionary leader with 20 years of experience in driving growth and transformations. As the Founder and Partner of Vibrance, Dave is on a mission to empower organisations across Australia and New Zealand to be bold and innovative so they can unlock the full potential of their people. With a rich history as a former partner at McKinsey, where he expanded the firm’s digital, analytics and marketing capabilities across Asia-Pacific, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding innovation systems, organic and inorganic growth strategies and how to pave the way towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.

In this episode, hosts Danny and Michael recap recent episodes and delve into big industry trends. They discuss the wave of generative AI, emphasising the importance of incremental testing and learning of these technologies, highlighting that true organisational transformation hinges on the human element—changing processes, structures and skill sets to empower workforces for an AI-powered future. Join Danny and Michael in exploring the importance of responsible testing and data collaboration across industries to avoid past mistakes, uncover new opportunities and ultimately make the world a better place.

Joining us today is Anita Sood, an accomplished business leader with two decades of international experience driving customer and partner transformation, leading high-performing teams, and shaping markets. With a distinguished career at Microsoft, Cisco, and now AWS, Anita has built powerful partnerships and nurtured vibrant communities. Currently leading the Asia Scale Partner team at AWS, she shares her insights on the transformative power of AI and the critical need for organisations to engage deeply in data collaboration, data security, and regulatory compliance.

Today's episode features Kendra Vant, a mastermind in building products, teams and companies that leverage AI and machine learning. Renowned for her ability to transform innovative ideas into profitable products, Kendra is currently fascinated by energy, agritech and health, seeing these as areas with extraordinary potential for deeper use of data and AI and economic and social imperative for rapid change. With a PhD from MIT, Kendra has spearheaded transformative initiatives at corporate giants like Seek, Telstra, Deloitte and Xero. She is now influencing the future of AI through a number of advisory roles with AI Industry Forum and the National Data Advisory Council, as well as serving as the Operating Advisor at Venture capital firm Airtree. 

Join us as we explore the past, present, and future of digital advertising with Moritz von Sanden, a distinguished AdTech specialist and Head of Sales at Audience360. Moritz shares his digital marketing journey, highlighting significant changes and challenges, the industry's current state, the importance of transparency, and the evolving nature of data usage. He also addresses the impact of privacy changes and the shift from hyper-personalization to a holistic view of audience engagement. This must-listen episode offers exciting insights into the future of digital marketing.

In today's episode of Data Conversations, we welcome Anita Abogast, a seasoned executive with two decades of international expertise in banking and higher education. Anita's impressive career includes pivotal roles at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, GE Capital, MIT Sloan School of Management and Melbourne Business School. As the current Executive Director at the Melbourne Business School Centre for Business Analytics, Anita is passionate about advancing digital and data analytics capabilities among Industry Partners. Join us as we explore education's crucial role in shaping future data leaders. As a special offer for our listeners, sign up for the Melbourne Business Analytics Conference using this link and receive a 10% discount on the ticket price: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/868723704987/?discount=DC10 or use code “DC10” at checkout.

Join hosts Danny and Michael in this introspective episode as they delve into the evolving role of data in business and society. Reflecting on conversations with past guests, exploring cross-industry themes and offering fresh insights into our vibrant data landscape. Looking ahead, they examine how data collaboration transcends traditional boundaries to drive growth in multiple business domains. They discuss the importance of data as a strategic driver and data’s emerging identity as a first-class citizen in everyday business operations.

Join us in conversation with Dr. Kerstin Oberprieler, an award-winning designer, researcher and speaker specialising in the intersection of behaviour change and gamification. With a PhD in design thinking, complex systems and behavioural change through gamification, she has worked with government, private businesses, multinationals, non-for-profits and educational institutions across Australia, the US, South Africa, Singapore, Germany and Italy. Founder of PentaQuest, a SAAS startup focused on bringing practical gamification to the workplace, Dr. Oberprieler believes by leveraging game mechanics we can transform the way we think about engagement, innovation and drive effective change.

In this episode, we delve into the challenges of steering large-scale digital transformations while maintaining a keen focus on privacy and ecosystem health. Distinguished guest, Maddy Oldfield, is an interdisciplinary change and transformation leader, with over two decades of experience across multiple domains, including the public sector, banking and finance, telecommunications, energy, media and broader digital industries. Currently leading Privacy Chrome and web partnerships for Google in Australia and NZ, Maddy is dedicated to fostering partnerships and technological innovations that prioritise privacy and contribute to a thriving digital web. Join us as Maddy provides unique insights on shaping transformation programs and introducing privacy-enhancing technologies to support and sustain healthy digital ecosystems.

Join us as we welcome H N, a dynamic professional whose career journey has taken her from general practice to corporate law, and ultimately to senior commercial and partnerships roles, with deep domain expertise in the property data ecosystem. With her deep-rooted passion for client service, Hannah has committed her career to empowering businesses with data-driven strategies for growth. In today's discussion, she shares her insights on finding the optimal balance between mitigating risk and achieving ambitious commercial goals, all through the lens of ethical and effective Data Collaboration. Discover how Hannah's approach to customer-centric solutions is shaping the future of business growth.

We welcome Chris Blok whose expertise comes from a diverse 20-year career in digital advertising, SaaS, ecommerce and retail media. Chris leads the partnerships team at Flybuys, Australia's most popular loyalty program. Today, he shares his insights into the evolution of media consumption and the latest trends in data activation, retail media networks, and the growing importance of loyalty programs in data-rich marketing strategies. Listen in for his expert insights and forecasts on intelligent, data-driven brand innovation.

Today we're diving into the world of privacy-enhancing technologies with Adhiraj Saxena. Leading the charge at Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IDMA), he has dedicated over a decade to propelling the city state's digital economy. From his early days witnessing the birth of Singapore's digital identity to his journey into the AI world, Adhiraj’s current focus is on bridging the gap between data safety and AI innovation by working as a conduit between local regulators and large enterprise.. Adhiraj and his team are at the forefront of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), putting Singapore on the PETs map and paving the way to a stronger global, data-driven economy.

In this episode, we take the opportunity for a more exploratory discussion on the potential of data collaboration within sectors such as NDIS, Superannuation, and Financial Services. Our guest, Sean Cooper, is a data analytics and marketing veteran with over 30 years in the field. Sean’s journey began in the UK, where he rose through the ranks before moving into leadership roles in Hong Kong at OgilvyOne and Rapp Collins Worldwide. Following this, he joined Torque Data as Chief Commercial Officer and was instrumental in its acquisition by Velocity Frequent Flyer. In 2022, Sean joined Audience Group as Director of Analytics and has recently launched a new business, Data Intelligence, to help organisations make their marketing work harder through the intelligent use of data and technology.

In this episode, we take a moment to reflect on the valuable insights shared by our guests to date. We explore various topics, such as strategies to enhance enterprise value, navigating changes in privacy regulations within the ad tech and martech sectors, and leveraging banking data to benefit clients and communities. Additionally, we delve into the implementation of data-driven approaches across different industries and examine the landscape of media and advertising data. Join us as we discuss recent industry acquisitions, market trends, and predictions for 2024, all while emphasizing the importance of collaboration and technology in managing data effectively.

We chat with seasoned banking executive, turned data innovator, Emmanuel Alfieris. Manny is a highly experienced executive in the Banking and Financial Services industry, with a rich background that includes significant roles at Westpac and Commonwealth Bank across Trade, Transactional Banking, Corporate Advisory, Relationship Management, e-Commerce and Markets Trading. Recently, Manny has shifted his focus towards the data and analytics domain, where he supports organizations in unlocking new value from their data through collaboration and privacy compliant insights monetisation.

Join us in conversation with Chris Brinkworth, renowned executive and international thought leader at the nexus of privacy and global MarTech and AdTech trends. With over 20 years of digital expertise, Chris has been instrumental in shaping the New York and Australian SaaS, MarTech, and AdTech scene. As the Managing Director of Civic Data, one of Australia's premier data privacy and governance advisory firms, he is dedicated to ensuring safe digital experiences for the next generation, while empowering Australian businesses to thrive in the digital economy.

Meet special guest, Lorraine Donnelly, Data Strategy Lead at Yahoo. With an impressive 15-year career in the media and advertising industry, Lorraine has spent the last 9 years mastering digital ad products and demand side platforms, bringing actionable solutions to the forefront. With a knack for demystifying technical jargon and navigating legislative changes in the data landscape, Lorraine is a trusted advisor to brands and agencies. Get ready to dive deep into the evolving world of data and advertising with one of the industry's leading minds.

In this episode, we welcome Adam Coward, a hands-on leader with a background in marketing and business growth across multiple industries. From leading roles at MUVAL, Youfoodz and Racing Queensland, to global marketing endeavours at Tourism Northern Territory, Adam shares his insights on utilising data-driven approaches and customer-centric strategies for marketing and business transformation. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a seasoned leader about turning data into exceptional customer experiences. 

This episode, we chat with Oliver Rees, a pioneer of Australia's data and analytics landscape. Founder of Torque Data and former Chief and Analytics Officer at Velocity Frequent Flyer, Olly shares his experience leveraging big data for greater customer value. With a passion for utilising collaborative analytical platforms to drive enterprise value, Olly believes a customer-centric focus that is underpinned by diverse data, is key to gaining a competitive edge.

Welcome to the debut episode of 'Data Conversations' with your hosts Danny Tyrrell and Michael Bridgeman. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of data, discussing its responsible use in driving innovation and impact within society. In this episode, we reflect on pivotal moments within the data space across 2023 and make predictions about the exciting possibilities of 2024.