Rocket Fuel: Youth Marketing

You are not mistaken we are in your feeds again as promised with the 2nd part of our annual work trip out to The London Toy Fair!In this series of interesting convos we kick off with industry giants in the world of board games and TCG Asmodee who has some fantastic advice not just for The Toy Fair but also for life. Then Jake goes and chats with Froghall Games who is an independent games publisher about what it takes to be indy in a room of giants. James then returns for our final 2 conversations of this episode with new to the halls of The Toy Fair London Motordayz who are more than just RC Cars and The Puppet Company 10 year veterans of the show and a cross generational brand.If you enjoyed this why not give us a 5 star review and share it with someone who will also get something out of this too.———————Follow James @JamesErskine https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.socialFollow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ instagram.com/wearerockethqFollow James on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket/wearerocket.co.uk/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are so back! That is right rocket fuel the podcast about youth, parent marketing and culture has slid back into your podcatcher feeds with what is turning into a bit of a yearly tradition for us here at Rocket HQ. Yes we are back on the ground at The London Toy Fair and this year we spoke to so many interesting people we have actually had to split it in to 2 part!But who did we talk too, I hear you cry! Well cry no more as we kick off this 1st episode with 3rd time on the pod but this time with a new name, friends Precisify who give us a fantastic overview of current trends being echoed throughout the halls and where the world of youth marketing is going with laws internationally hitting the internet and more. Then our reporters on the ground Sam and Jake talk to Halilit & Jura Toys who are both child development toy brands stepping in to the world of influencer marketing and what that means for their brands who are talking to an audience of saturated advice. We wrap up this part with Jake and Sophie talking to MV Sports & Lip Smacker who are 2 brands that are traversing the world of IP and how they leverage those to sell products.Next episode we are still at The Toy Fair and we talk with industry giants and 1st timers at the convention. If you enjoyed this why not give us a 5 star review and share it with someone who will also get something out of this too.———————Follow James @JamesErskine https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.socialFollow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ instagram.com/wearerockethqFollow James on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket/wearerocket.co.uk/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonjour! Hola! How are you doing today? Welcome to this episode of Rocket Fuel. A podcast that talks with interesting people who intersect that middle point between youth marketing and youth culture.Today we aren't just showing off our ability to Google how to say hello in two other languages. We are talking to two language experts who are at the forefront of getting young people to learn a second language from an early age in both the school and at home. We're having a chat with Francesca and Paolo Pini of Nubridge Publishing. They have two products. The first one is Language Angles. This is a programme and course of interactive curriculum-led lessons for primary school lessons. Developed by Francesca whilst she was a teacher herself. The second, a gamified app designed not just to be fun but to complement the lessons kids are learning at school, be that with the Language Angles structure or not. This app is called Glurbs and kids love it and adults are seeing their kids engaged in learning a second language with results.We talk to Paolo and Francesca Pini about why learning a second language is so important. How being a teacher really defined Language Angles and its ability to support teachers best. How Glurbs came to be and how it keeps kids engaged with positive screen time. And then, as we always do, we ask Paolo and Francesca Pini for their rocket fuel.———————Follow James @JamesErskine https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.socialFollow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ instagram.com/wearerockethqFollow James on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket/wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Paolo on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolo-pini-8804602aa/Contact Franceca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-pini-3961a02b6/https://nubridgepublishing.com/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Magazines. Do you remember those? If you are like the majority of people you probably thought that they were majoritively over in society... that tiny bit of your local corner shop or supermarket you walk past and not even had a gander at. Well in the world of the children's market they are thriving! Children's magazines are filling that gap that the modern parent are screaming for!So we had a chat with Story House Egmont. More importantly we spoke with Jaime Smith who is the Creative Director at Story House Egmont. Jaime and James talk a bit about where Jaime got his start in the boom of gaming mags of the 90s early 00's and how the audience of magazines has or has not changed. We talk about giving children and also importantly parents back a "Me Time Moment", what that means and why magazines fill that gap. And we even talk about where magazines fit in to the world of making education fun for children of all ages. Then as we always do we ask Jaime Smith, Creative Director of Story House Egmont for his... Rocket fuel!If you know someone or your self want to be on the podcast reach out below. Or if you wanna know more about the what the Small Agency of The Year can do for you and your brand why not check us out on our socials and website! We would love to have a coffee with you!———————Follow James @JamesErskine https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.socialFollow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ instagram.com/wearerockethqFollow James on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket/wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Jaime on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jaimesmithcreativehttps://www.storyhouseegmont.co.uk/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team atthe award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money money money, must be funny, in the world of the fin-fluencer. Yes, Finfluencers (financial influencers) and their rise in the last 5 years has been a fascinating watch. It is a newer area of the influencer niche world growing in the mainstream fast and financial institutions have seen this and jumped on board. From banks to credit companies to money saving schemes they all now have influencer budget to try and convince the people like me and you to use their latest products and services. With this though comes its own challenges as regulations around money and financial services are hard to navigate let alone adding in the world of marketing regulations too.So this is where our guest comes in. Meet Sage Franch. She is the CEO of PromoComply a business that figured out a way to make this easier not just for the financial sector but also for the marketing sector too when it comes to each others regulations and making sure everyone is above board. So we talk to Sage about the world of fintech and finfluencer. What have been the challenges of past and what are the challenges of the future of the industry? How does PromoComply fit in this world and provide intelligent and thoughtful use of AI to the finical markets? and then we ask Sage Franch, CEO of PromoComply, for her, rocket fuel. And if you think you would be a great guest on the show or wanna get in touch with us about the work we do here at Rocket (we just won the International CMA for best small agency of the year 2024 award) then get in touch with us and drop us a line. [email protected]———————Follow James @JamesErskine (https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.social)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Sage on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/sagefranch)https://www.promocomply.com/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stand Up To Cancer is one of those charities you have probably heard of. If you are in the UK you would have seen their massive campaigns they do every year with Channel 4's programming schedule. And in the US you would have seen their massive campaigns integrating sports and celebrities from MLB all the way to Dolly Parton. But did you know that their is a world of philanthropic content creators who, through out the year, raise a absolutely massive amount of money for the cause.So we spoke with Andy who is the influencers & Gaming Community Director at Stand Up To Cancer. He also use to be a reality TV producer with credits such as Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. He gives us the lowdown on celebs vs creators. He lets us into the world of creators for good. He chats to us about the UpToUs campaign the yearly influencer charity drive every August and also a bit about his love for retro video games! Oh, and of course we ask Andy, for his, rocket fuel!And if you think you would be a great guest on the show or wanna get in touch with us about the work we do here at Rocket (we just won the International CMA for best small agency of the year 2024 award) then get in touch with us and drop us a line. [email protected]———————Follow James @JamesErskine (https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.social)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Andy on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andysteig/)Stand Up To Cancer: https://standuptocancer.org/SU2C Creator Programs: https://su2cstreamteam.org/Up2Us Event Page: https://su2cstreamteam.org/up2us/Personal handle across platforms: @LoveRetroBTWRocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Going live in the days of television was a once in a year event. It was the thing that if you missed you were out of the loop of a cultural moment. These days going live is as easy as whipping out the super computer in your pocket and pressing a couple of buttons. So we went out and found an expert in the live streaming space, someone who has been live streaming on Twitch (the current market leader for live streaming content creators) before the platform was even called Twitch.We found Amor. He has a podcast called Crossing The Streams where he interviews other live stream content creators, big and small, and all in various niches that honestly we didn't know were even making this kind of content until we found him. We find out about Amor's history as a live streamer, we talk about his podcast and what he has learned along the way, we find out how brands get it wrong and get it right when it comes to working with these kind of creators, and, most importantly we ask Amor, for his, rocket fuel.And if you think you would be a great guest on the show or wanna get in touch with us about the work we do here at Rocket (we just won the International CMA for best small agency of the year 2024 award) then get in touch with us and drop us a line. [email protected]———————Follow James @JamesErskine (https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.social)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Amor on Twitch (twitch.tv/moreamor)And you can find his podcast Crossing The Streams on all good pod-catchers and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJw0df3EK9k&list=PLSGuPZ0MYKvd1O9TryAI_XnFBCr7r8-Yn)Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's better in this world than toys? Not a lot... and. we think so too. That is why we spoke this month with Rory Edwards and Richard Sutcliffe, they work for Goliath one of the best toy brands out there! You may remember them as being the makers of the Thunderbirds toy range or you may have amongst all your board games a couple of theirs that the kids just keep begging to play!So we spoke with them all about what it is like to work in a toy company. The safety that goes in to a Goliath product and even try to find out how they come up with their next best toy!We also spoke with them about their epic 600km cycle ride from their office in Reading to the head office the Netherlands! We even sponsored them and will be on their cycle jerseys the whole way!We think its such a good cause you should sponsor them too and you can here https://www.justgiving.com/page/vivid-goliath-group-1732698383177?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CLAnd if you think you would be a great guest on the show or wanna get in touch with us about the work we do here at Rocket (we just won the International CMA for best small agency of the year 2024 award) then get in touch with us and drop us a line. [email protected]———————Follow James @JamesErskine (https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.social)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Rory on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-edwards-35a42639/Contact Richard on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sutcliffe-02792842/Here is the link to the fundraiser again https://www.justgiving.com/page/vivid-goliath-group-1732698383177?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CLRocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean in the modern day to be a content creator? Well we have gone a long way from the idea of someone in their bedroom with camcorder and a ukulele... They are the future of entertainment empires and Brian Saviano a.k.a Bricks'o'Brian is not an exception to that. BrIan has been building his brand over the years and a community that follows which has evolved in to one of his brightest ideas known as the Pro Gamers Guide. A series of children's books to inspire kids who want to be the next influencer, professional gamer, streamer or content creator to do so, but to do so with the ideas of healthy work life balance and habits.We talk to Brian about his 1st 2 self published books, his history of being a content creator and the healthy habits he has picked up along the way. We ramble around his plans for the future of the brand and where he wants to take it. Then as we always do we find out what Brian knows about youth audiences and of course we ask him for his rocket fuel.And if you think you would be a great guest on the show or wanna get in touch with us about the work we do here at Rocket (we just won the International CMA for best small agency of the year 2024 award) then get in touch with us and drop us a line. [email protected]'t forget to support Brian's new book here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bricksobrian/pro-gamers-guide-to-defeating-trolls Launching on the 26th of April 2025———————Follow James @JamesErskine (https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.social)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Brian on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansaviano/)https://www.progamersguide.com/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(read in a historically inaccurate news seller of the victorian era) Hear all about it! Hear all about it! The Rocket Fuel podcast has Newsworks on show to talk about their latest research!Yes that is right! We are back with the latest episode of Rocket Fuel. This month we have Heather Dansie join us for a chinwag about Newsworks and their latest research all about how young people engage with the news. It is super interesting and fascinating what they have found about the news habits of Gen Z. Do they engage with it? Do they go to traditional sources such as news sites or newspapers or are they seeking out alternative places? Do these alternative places serve the right news in the right way and responsibly? All of these questions and more are answered in this episode. With the way the world looks currently, news is very very important. Let us know your thoughts and if you think you would be a great guest on the show or wanna get in touch with us about the work we do here at Rocket (we just won the International CMA for best small agency of the year 2024 award) then get in touch with us and drop us a line. [email protected]———————Follow James @JamesErskine (https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.social)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Rachel on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-dansie-997a2922/)https://newsworks.org.uk/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Media Smart, Executive Director of Media Smart a non-profit education programme and who's mission is to ensure that every child aged 7 – 16, can confidently navigate the media they consume. It is funded by the advertising industry and it has a really important place in the ecosystem of making sure what children see they are set up with the tools to know what they are looking at.So sit back.. crack on with those important emails... do the washing up... make sure you catch that change over on your commute and get caught up on all things internet safety and why its so important.And if you think you would be a great guest on the show or wanna get in touch with us about the work we do here at Rocket (we just won the International CMA for best small agency of the year 2024 award) then get in touch with us and drop us a line. [email protected]———————Follow James @JamesErskine (https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.social)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Rachel on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/racheljbarber)https://mediasmart.uk.com/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 makes them tick and what how they have found success in the last 12 months by switching up a strategy. EDX Education is someone we met at The Toy Fair 2025 who have a unique balanced approach to online and offline habits of children with a tactic of taking online play offline and a new IP relationship with The Hungry Caterpillar. Then at the end of the show we speak with Casdon, who are a company you may not recognise by name but you 100% know their products and we find out how they are expanding in to new markets for the 1st time in 80 years!So join us on our excursion away from the desks, to the land of toys and games for a little bit and get nerdy with us about what it takes to get listeners like you to buy the toys that kids are gonna be begging for this year!And if you think you would be a great guest on the show or wanna get in touch with us about the work we do here at Rocket (we just won the International CMA for best small agency of the year 2024 award) then get in touch with us and drop us a line. [email protected]———————Follow James @JamesErskine (https://bsky.app/profile/jameserskine.bsky.social)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 2025 in to gear and make you start thinking about what you should be doing to engage young people today than some 2025 predictions from the team here at Rocket! So we got the team to send in voice notes and to give us their hot takes and now they are in your ear holes creating a brain worm of thought.Want to chat more about those? Then reach out to us! WE LOVE TO TALK! Especially over an oat flat white or two (just saying). email us at [email protected] and lets start that convo!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (x.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearerocket)wearerocket.co.uk/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 back in the day of the underworld culture of zines. His days at NME and GQ UK. How Loaded came to be and how it started the cultural phenomenon of the "ladmag". He also talks about the stories with some of the music icons he met back in the day and where he is going next. Then of course James asks James for his rocket fuel!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (x.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact James Brown on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/james-brown-050a99175)https://linktr.ee/jamesjamesbrownRocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the medium screen, how brands are engaging youth and should they even be creating content not just sponsoring the content, and we even have a chat about where brands are going next and if kids attentions spans are in fact getting shorter... then at the end as we always do we ask Emily Horgan for her rocket fuel!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (x.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Emily on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emohorgan)The Kids Media Club Podcast (https://pod.link/1573404550)Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 past and how it can be relevant today and for the future. As well as talking about the book we talk about all kinds of aspects of being a social media manager. We chat around what her views of platforms such as X aka Twitter are. We find out what makes a good social media manager. And then at the end as we always do, we ask Xandrina Allday, social media manager, for her rocket fuel!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (x.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Xandrina on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/socialmediatips)Buy a copy of her book here https://www.waterstones.com/book/dear-social-media-manager/xandrina-allday//9798328637374 or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Social-Media-Manager-Xandrina-Allday/dp/B0D7D5DVYKRocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 their content and live streams. So we chat about that and what their plans are to make that happen. We talk about the future of whats big and next for the platform and we find out more about how Scott and JD got to this point. Then at the end as we always do we ask Scott and JD for their rocket fuels. ———————Follow James @JamesErskine (x.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact JD on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jddonovan)Contact Scott on LinkedIn (llinkedin.com/in/scott-green-23596314)https://lounges.tv/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 events at some of the biggest companies in the world and they are starting to know who he and his friends are. We talk to him about the journey of the show. Where could it go. Why it is even called Dumb Money and then at the end we do what we always love to do is we as Ali Suleman of the Dumb Money Podcast for his rocket fuel.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (x.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Ali on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ali-suleman)https://linktr.ee/thedumbmoneyshowRocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 about some of the craziest things that happen around the world. We talk about the history of the brand and where it is going. And then most importantly James asks Nicholas Brookes for his rocket fuel!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (x.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (instagram.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Nicholas on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/nicholasbrookes)https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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’Malley is a technology and politics freelance journalist.At the time of broadcast this is what we wrote about James and the episode:“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 how technology catalyses change in the world.Having been the editor for Gizmodo UK for two years, as well as having written for publications such as WIRED and The Spectator, James has become an expert at discussing technology and culture. He has reported on how TfL breaches privacy, the horrors of China’s social credit system, and even coded a free-to-use Trump notification bot.Our discussion includes: how technology and politics affect our society, the importance of data, healthy skepticism, and TikTok confusion.This is James O’Malley’s Rocket Fuel.Don't for get to stick around after to hear thoughts from James (the host) as he reflects on his discussion with James (the guest) and what can we learn and still apply to today.Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact James O'Malley on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/james-o-malley-5a83164)James's Substack https://takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio and the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing ExpertsIt is Hosted and Produced by James ErskineProduced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 how brands are reacting to the conversation. Next we are chatting with Olwyn our Paid Media Specialist. She will be telling us all about herself and her 10 year long experience in the industry whilst also being a mother and how this has influenced her thoughts on how we should be talking to women in campaigns. Then we go to one of our latest hires here at Rocket, Denise Louise Barzey Riley who is one of our Senior Campaign Managers and heads up our Publishing clients. She will be talking about her experiences as a self professed people manager and how the talk of diversity has changed in industries that talk to a female audience. We will be back with Season 6 of Rocket Fuel later in the year! Don't forget if you liked this to give it a review and a rating on your podcatcher of choice it really does make a difference. And if you would like to be a guest reach out———————Follow Sophie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiethirlwell/)Follow Chelsea on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseabaldwin58/)Follow Olwyn on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/olwynwalsh/)Follow Denise on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-louise-barzey-riley-a85b99b1/)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq) Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot) wearerocket.co.uk/Rocket Fuel is the industry podcast bought to you by Rocket Audio the team at the award winning Rocket Youth & Parent Marketing Experts.It is Hosted and Produced by James Erskine (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameserskine/)And Produced and Edited by Jake Aspey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeaspey/)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 system. They then get into how children today want to be talked too and why its important to makes sure you do. Then for the final time this season we here George’s rocket fuel!Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow George @GeorgeCButler https://twitter.com/georgecbutlerContact George on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/georgecbutlerHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 important rocket fuel! ———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Reisa on Linkedin (linkedin.com/in/reisa-schwartzman-883059a) Check out Griddly Kids at https://griddlykids.ca/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 needed for being a modern parent content creator. We also chat the landscape of responsible content and her journey into being a successful author. Then talk about raising children and if dads are as good as mums or are they just a bit pants and why? Then we hear Uju give us their all important rocket fuel!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Uju @babesabouttown (https://twitter.com/babesabouttown)Uju's books are available at Bookshop.org, Amazon, Waterstones and other good bookshops.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 free way to blend in to every part of a day from brushing your teeth to telling a joke. We talk about Mego and its history of pushing out innovative toys and always betting on the future of play. 2-XL even chimes in to have a chat with James as they go on a little adventure and James tries to see what the limits are… all in the name of research and children's safety. Then Nathaniel gives us their rocket fuel for todays episode.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Nathaniel on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahunter/)https://d1srupt1ve.wpenginepowered.com/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 espresso machines all made for children to learn about the world around them via play. We also met up with Craft Buddy a brand that is getting kids off screens and making art instead... more specifically crystal art and we learn about how they are talking to children today. Then in our final section of this incredibly special episode we talk with Xootz who are the people behind the kids getting out and about on all kinds of ride on toys from skateboards, scooters, electric vehicles and more and they along with all our other guests this episode of course give us their incredible insights and more importantly their rocket fuels!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Check out Precise TV https://www.precise.tv/Check out Casdon https://www.casdon.com/Check out Craft Buddy https://www.craftbuddyshop.com/Check out Xootz https://www.xootz.co.uk/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 involved with their Organisation and start making a difference to youth culture and being 1 step ahead of their competition by doing so. At the end we then hear Annie and Izzie give us their individual rocket fuel to show how well they work together———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Annie on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-mccosker-b0a80216a/)Contact Izzie on Linkedin (linkedin.com/in/isabellefernandes1)https://www.flaare.org.uk/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, social media, and a demand-generation approach. Harriet shines a light on important Gen Z trends like inclusivity, sustainability, and the desire for real-life experiences, highlighting the need for brands to stay authentic and relevant to the changing student demographic. Then for the 1st time this season we hear a rocket fuel by Harriet.Bad Pepsi advert mentioned https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwvAgDCOdU4———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Contact Harriet on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/harriet-mcculley)https://www.studentbeans.com/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 time? And most importantly what is gonna happen to the gifts? Then we chitchat around his Rocket Fuel his one bit of advice he thinks he can offer to the wider world of youth marketing and also why he wants more farts in magazines.This is the last episode of season 4 of Rocket Fuel. We will be back soon for season 5 and as normal better than ever. Thanks for all your support this season!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Richard on Twitter (https://twitter.com/rich_clare)Follow Richard on Instagram (instagram.com/fetchingrach/)Contact Richard on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-clare/)https://www.immediate.co.uk/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 create its place in a world where others were stuck in more "old media" tendencies. We also have a rather frank conversation about influencers and how they compare to celebrities past.We chitchat around Jamie's podcast Smart 7 and why he decided to go full into podcasting over We will be back fortnightly (that’s every 2 weeks) on Thursdays. We can’t wait for you to listen in.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Jamie on Twitter (twitter.com/fetchingrach)Follow Jamie on Instagram (instagram.com/fetchingrach/)Contact Jamie on LinkedIn (inkedin.com/in/james-gilmore)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 and ways its being used right now to make not only the school run and play dates easier to organise for parents and schools but also that more important part safer.And then we ramble around the topic of parents as an audience to brands and how some but not all may not be reaching the full potential of a youth audience by just talking to the ones with the money. And then we move on to our headlining question of Rachel's Rocket Fuel where she has some amazing advice.We will be back fortnightly (that’s every 2 weeks) on Thursdays. We can’t wait for you to listen in.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Rachel on Twitter (twitter.com/fetchingrach)Follow Rachel on Instagram (instagram.com/fetchingrach/)Contact Rachel on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/rachelbeech)https://www.wearefetching.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 with different things that are needed on a day to day to keep both ships running.And then we ramble around the topic of radio and podcasts in an ever growing visual market world of the likes of social media and advertising.We will be back fortnightly (that’s every 2 weeks) on Thursdays. We can’t wait for you to listen in.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow James on Twitter (twitter.com/thejamesgilmore)Follow James on Instagram (instagram.com/thejamesgilmore)Contact James on LinkedIn (inkedin.com/in/james-gilmore)https://www.wizardradio.com/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 have we come, and what is next for the business of creators?———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Ian on Twitter (twitter.com/ishepherd)Contact Ian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ishepherd)https://www.thesocialstore.co/https://www.electrify.video/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Head of Publishing at Rocket Georgia also joins to share her insight on influencer marketing as we move towards 2023.We will be back fortnightly (that’s every 2 weeks) on Thursdays. We can’t wait for you to listen in.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Hannah on YouTube (youtube.com/hannahwitton)Follow Hannah on Twitter (twitter.com/hannahwitton)Follow Hannah on Instagram (instagram.com/hannahwitton/)Contact Hannah on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/hannahwitton)hannahwitton.com/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Brands & Development from Rocket, also joins us to give you lucky listener her insights too.We will be back fortnightly (that's every 2 weeks) on Thursdays, we can't wait for you to listen in!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Alicia on Twitter (twitter.com/alicialiu)Contact Alicia on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/alicia-liu)singinggrass.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 fortnightly (thats every 2 weeks) on Thursdays we can not wait for you to listen in!———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Chris on Twitter (twitter.com/stokel)Follow Chris on TikTok (tiktok.com/@st0kel)Follow Chris on Instagram (instagram.com/cstokelwalker)Contact Chris on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/stokel)Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. With her spontaneity paying off, she was invited into to the industry, where she trained as a journalist at The French Music Expert Office. Now, her career continues at The Bookseller, in her latest role as their Children’s Editor.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)Get in touch with James ([email protected])wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/charlotte-eyre-7a66a320)Follow Charlotte on Twitter (twitter.com/charlotteleyre)thebookseller.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 sight centres around a screen. To cut through the drama and hyperbole, we invited Becca Caddy onto the podcast, a tech enthusiast and writer, aiming to help us live harmoniously with technology, rather than be consumed by it.Once but a local paper writer, two degrees later, and an eclectic catalogue of copywriting gigs here and column writing there, Becca Caddy is now a freelance technology writer, journalist, and author. Join us this week as she chats through her new book, her career, and the future of technology.This is Becca Caddy’s Rocket Fuel.Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Becca on Twitter (twitter.com/beccacaddy)Follow Becca on Instagram (instagram.com/beccacaddy)Connect with Becca on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/beccacaddy)beccacaddy.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 “agency person,” authentic co-workers, nurturing environments, agency values, diversity and social change.This is Christ Hirst’s Rocket Fuel.Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Chris on Twitter (twitter.com/chrishirst)Connect with Chris on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/chrishirst)Buy No Bullsh*t Leadership: amazon.co.uk/No-Bullsh-Leadership-Everyday-Leaders/dp/1788162528 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 rather that we are subject and vulnerable to our needs and desires as biological creatures.Introducing Paul Samuels is Sophie Thirlwell, the Brand Manager at Rocket. 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.And, finally, introducing Mariel Richards is Georgia Henry, Campaign Executive at Rocket. Mariel got her start at MindShare International; working with the likes of HSBC and Facebook. Now, she works for Gal-dem, an award-winning online and print publication ‘committed to sharing the perspectives of women and non-binary people of colour.’Welcome to Retro Rocket Fuel.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Team RocketConnect with Daniel on LinkedIn: inkedin.com/in/danieljohncollinsConnect with Sophie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sophiethirlwellConnect with Georgia on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/georgia-henry-61955318aRory Sutherlandtwitter.com/rorysutherland)linkedin.com/in/rorysutherlandPaul Samuelslinkedin.com/in/paul-samuels-7164834/Mariel RichardsLinkedIn linkedin.com/in/marielno/twitter.com/galdemzineinstagram.com/galdemzinegal-dem.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.’Since then, Rory has made a name for himself by disrupting ideas generated by “normal thinking.” Coming from a behavioural psychology background, Rory deliberately dispenses with the idea that humans are innately rational, but rather that we are subject and vulnerable to our needs and desires as biological creatures.Topics include: technology and the future of flexible work, the limitations of marketing and research, young audiences, and the state of UK politics.This is Rory Sutherland’s Rocket Fuel.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Rory on Twitter (twitter.com/rorysutherland)Connect with Rory on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/rorysutherland/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 background, the budding of social media marketing, influencer skillsets, how influencer budgets are decided, metrics for growth, TikTok, and Gen-Z.Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Unsah on Twitter (twitter.com/unsahmalik)Follow Unsah on Instagram (instagram.com/unsahmalik/)Connect with Unsah on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/unsahmalik)unsah.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 include, but are not limited to: Amy’s career attitude, agency tropes, diversity, authenticity, mental health, young people trends, TikTok, “Slacktivism,” and appealing to the youth———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Amy on Twitter (twitter.com/keano81)Connect with Amy on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/amycharlottekean)Follow Amy on Instagram (instagram.com/acekeano)amycharlottekean.co.uk/sixthingsimpossible Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. With her spontaneity paying off, she was invited into to the industry, where she trained as a journalist at The French Music Expert Office. Now, her career continues at The Bookseller, in her latest role as their Children’s Editor.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/charlotte-eyre-7a66a320)Follow Charlotte on Twitter (twitter.com/charlotteleyre)thebookseller.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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; meaning she communicates between brands and H&D, so they can enjoy a symbiotically beneficial experience.Accompanying Amy is Emma Jordan, a Youth and Transition worker. Emma is responsible for caring for children at the end of their lives, as well as aiding families with the loss of their loved one.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Connect with Amy Botalli on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/amy-bottali-062b578a)Support Helen & Douglas House helenanddouglas.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 with the likes of HSBC and Facebook. Though she initially joined gal-dem as a side hustle just 5 months after it was initially founded by Liv Little, it has now blossomed into her full-time, very rewarding, influential role.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Connect with Mariel on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/marielno)gal-dem.com/twitter.com/galdemzineinstagram.com/galdemzine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 health non-profit that believes in “a world in which every birth is wanted.” MSI currently run programmes in 37 countries; serving populations by offering contraception, safe abortions, advice and community outreach.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jennifer-gassner-a4bba356)Follow Jennifer @JenniferGassne5 (twitter.com/jennifergassne5) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 purchased by Amazon. Twitch’s niche in the media landscape is gaming, predominantly; with viewers tuning in in the millions to watch their favourite streamers and eSports (online competitive video gaming). Having launched in 2011, Twitch has outcompeted numerous rivals and is currently bigger than it’s ever been;———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Connect with Adam on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/adsharris)twitch.tv/p/en/about/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 research and what can we expect from youth marketing in 2021! Speaking the Language of Youth: Future Gazing into 2021. Follow Rocket on Twitter - (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn - (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 as “the bloke that gives away money on This Morning.” For over 30 years, Andi has enjoyed an eclectic and highly influential career, in-front and behind the camera, and is with us today - for the final episode of season 3 - to share his Rocket Fuel.———————Follow James @JamesErskine (twitter.com/jameserskine)Connect with James on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jameserskine)Follow Rocket @WeAreRocketHQ (twitter.com/wearerockethq)Follow Rocket on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/thebigshot)wearerocket.co.uk/Follow Andi on Instagram instagram.com/andipeters/Follow Andi on Twitter twitter.com/andipeters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.