Episodes

  • How ASOS Went From £223M to £4B: Culture, Customers & Courage with Nick Beighton

    How ASOS Went From £223M to £4B: Culture, Customers & Courage with Nick Beighton
    Oct 29 2025
    Nick Beighton (ex-CEO of ASOS) drops a leadership masterclass: why culture really does eat strategy, how “purpose drives profit,” and the experimental mindset that helped scale ASOS from £223M to nearly £4B. Rachel and Marco dig into decision frameworks, data-driven experimentation (down to the Add-to-Bag button), buying Topshop, progressive people policies, and the “Magpie Moment” that shaped ASOS’s purpose: giving people the confidence to be whoever they want to be. Plus: learning to pivot, managing imposter syndrome, and the decade-by-decade career roadmap (learn, experiment, double-down, give back). If you enjoy Mentor, follow and share with someone navigating their own leadership path. For exec search & consulting: visit https://thezoo.london/ Chapters: 0:00 - Welcome & why Mentor (hard-earned wisdom)4:04 - Guest intro: Nick Beaton’s path to ASOS & beyond5:28 - Career snapshot & early lessons14:23 - Retail wake-up: live in the numbers, think like the customer15:15 - Making failure safe: ASOS’s annual “f***-up” list20:49 - Decision model: customer, people, brand → then finance27:09 - The Topshop acquisition: full-circle strategy44:00 - The Magpie Moment: purpose = “confidence to be whoever you want to be”51:54 - Advice to 25-year-old self: back yourself, pivot, pursue purpose A Viral Tribe Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Is There a Market in the Gap? Kathleen Saxton’s Business Test

    Is There a Market in the Gap? Kathleen Saxton’s Business Test
    Oct 21 2025
    Kathleen Saxton (psychotherapist, ex-Global CMO, and author) joins Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Forde for a masterclass in mentorship and leadership. From “don’t be a passenger” to building “the board you can’t afford,” Kathleen shares battle-tested tactics from 30+ years across agencies, media owners, entrepreneurship and psychotherapy. They cover asking senior leaders for time (and getting a yes), getting in the right rooms, avoiding performative vulnerability, recovering from career missteps, trusting your gut in hiring, and her new books on narcissism, recovery and modern leadership. If you enjoyed this, follow Mentor on Apple & Spotify, subscribe on YouTube, and tell us your best mentor advice in the comments! Recorded at Viral Tribe Studios in Soho Buy Kathleen’s book, here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • “Stay Close to the Idea”: Sir John Hegarty on AI, Brands & Creative Courage

    “Stay Close to the Idea”: Sir John Hegarty on AI, Brands & Creative Courage
    Oct 14 2025
    Advertising legend Sir John Hegarty (co-founder of BBH) joins hosts Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Forde for a masterclass in creativity, brand building and brave decision-making. From getting fired at 21 to launching BBH and shaping culture with Levi’s, BA and more, Sir John Hegarty shares why irreverence matters, how to build movements (not ads), and why, yes, even in the age of AI, the people closest to the idea will win! Follow/subscribe for more Mentor wisdom every week. Recorded at Viral Tribe Studios in Soho. Chapters 0:00 — Welcome & why Hegarty matters (plus teaser) 3:01 — Sir John’s bio & early years in advertising 5:31 — Career in 60 seconds 7:09 — Fired young: conviction over comfort 16:25 — Irreverence & the Black Sheep philosophy 25:09 — Brands as culture: trust, authenticity & “stop stalking” 28:10 — Building The Business of Creativity & the Whalar deal 34:29 — AI: stay closest to the idea (real advice for creatives & CMOs) 47:50 — Founding BBH: no-spec pitches, principles & brand lessons 1:05:44 — Mentorship, no regrets & “Timing is everything” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Two Ears, One Mouth: Karen Blackett’s #1 Rule for Winning at Work

    Two Ears, One Mouth: Karen Blackett’s #1 Rule for Winning at Work
    Oct 7 2025
    Karen Blackett CBE joins Rachel Ford and Marco Bertozzi for a masterclass in modern leadership. From “learn, earn, serve” to “two ears, one mouth,” Karen breaks down the habits that build winning, heads-up teams. We get real on mentors vs sponsors, a pitch lost to bias (and how to let it go), inclusion that drives performance, and what it’s like to lead 13,000 people at WPP. Karen also shares how she managed leaving, grief and all, plus sport, parenting, and the global mindset she wishes she’d adopted sooner. Recorded at Viral Tribe Studios in Soho Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & show setup 00:28 – Karen Blackett: bio & mantra 03:30 – Career in 60 seconds 11:21 – “Two ears, one mouth” 13:30 – Belonging & finding your tribe 20:37 – Mentors vs sponsors 24:46 – The pitch lost to bias 29:47 – Inclusion that drives growth 38:38 – Change: on/off/at the bus stop 43:17 – Leaving WPP & advice at 25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Sir Martin Sorrell: “AI Will Crush Costs! Here’s How Agencies Survive”

    Sir Martin Sorrell: “AI Will Crush Costs! Here’s How Agencies Survive”
    Sep 30 2025
    Media titan Sir Martin Sorrell joins Rachel Forde and Marco Bertozzi (founders of TheZoo.London) for a look into advertising’s past, present and AI-powered future. From the real origin of WPP (“Wire & Plastic Products”) to the strategy behind S4 Capital / MediaMonks, Martin breaks down holding company models, the VML/JWT debate, why US scale still wins, and how AI will compress creative & production costs while rewarding brains over brawn. Mentor is recorded at Viral Tribe Studios in Soho Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome & Introducing Sir Martin Sorrell 03:13 – The Story Behind S4 Capital’s Name (Family & Heritage) 06:02 – How WPP Really Began: Wire & Plastic Products 08:08 – “Wrong Strategy, Wrong Structure”: Sorrell’s WPP Critique 12:46 – Leaving WPP & Launching S4: Reinvention at 73 22:09 – Why He Still Works: Purpose Over Retirement 27:47 – Global Growth Markets: US, LATAM, Middle East, APAC 39:05 – S4’s Four Principles: Digital-Only, Data-Driven, Faster-Better-Cheaper 49:26 – The Six Giants of Advertising: Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, TikTok, Alibaba & Tencent 1:01:34 – Biggest Mistake: Financing the Ogilvy Deal During the 1991 Recession Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Season Two - Launches 1st October!

    Season Two - Launches 1st October!
    Sep 29 2025
    Season Two of Mentor is here! Join hosts Marco Bertozzi and Rachel Forde, founders of TheZoo.London, as they sit down with world-class leaders to uncover the people, stories, and experiences that shaped them. From Sir Martin Sorrell and Sir John Hegarty to Karen Blackett, Stephen Myron, and Bruce Daisley. Expect career wisdom you won’t find in any business book, but can use in real life. Season Two launches Wednesday 1st October on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    3 mins
  • Why You’re Probably Undervaluing Yourself – Lessons from Top CEO Lindsay Pattison

    Why You’re Probably Undervaluing Yourself – Lessons from Top CEO Lindsay Pattison
    Sep 15 2025
    Lindsay Pattison, former Chief People Officer at WPP and past President of WACL, joins Rachel and Marco to reflect on a career defined by bold leadership, relentless energy, and championing inclusion. From pitches gone wrong to the power of sponsorship, Lindsay shares unfiltered wisdom on mentorship, confidence, taking leaps—and why she’s choosing to pause now. Plus, we go behind the scenes of her work with the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Chapters: 02:33 – Lindsay’s Career in 60 Seconds (Sort of!) 06:45 – From CEO to Chief People Officer: Career Milestones 08:36 – The Power of the Pause: Why Lindsay Stepped Down 11:08 – Behind the Scenes of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 13:36 – Mentorship vs Sponsorship: What's the Difference? 21:02 – Biggest Career Mistakes and What They Taught Her 29:11 – Return to Office & Bridging the Generational Gap 33:00 – Advice for Team Leaders: Building Culture & Connection 40:14 – Women, Confidence & Championing DEI 44:55 – Public Speaking Tips & Pitching Advice 46:15 – The Best Life Advice Lindsay Ever Received 47:47 – Building Your Ally Network & Taking the Leap Follow The Zoo on TikTok and Instagram Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Why Steve King Thinks You Should Quit Your Job After 4 Years

    Why Steve King Thinks You Should Quit Your Job After 4 Years
    Sep 15 2025
    Steve King’s career reads like a playbook for leadership, longevity and bold decision-making. Marco and Rachel chat to the former Publicis COO, to learn about the pivotal moments, mistakes and mentors that shaped his four-decade journey through media and advertising. From selling earrings in Italy to managing 90,000 staff globally, Steve reflects on imposter syndrome, protecting time for family, and what it's really like working under Maurice Lévy. Plus, the one afternoon in his diary he never gave up — no matter what! https://www.tiktok.com/@thezoo.london https://www.instagram.com/thezoo.london/ https://thezoo.london Episode Chapters 01:24 Journalism vs AI: Make It Fair Campaign Explained 05:53 Introducing Steve King – A Masterclass in Leadership 08:48 From Donuts to Media – The Start of Steve’s Journey 13:29 Moving to America: Career Defining Moment 14:51 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome at the Top 20:44 Creating Zenith’s Global Identity – The ROI Agency 24:49 US vs UK vs French Leadership Styles 30:10 Building Publicis Media: Trust, Talent, Transformation 34:08 The Pandemic Years: Shingles, Solitude, and Publicis Survival 41:23 Why US Experience is Crucial for Future Leaders 43:19 What Steve Learned from Maurice Lévy and Arthur Sadoun 46:30 Balancing Work, Life and Rugby – Steve’s True Priorities 49:27 Magpie Advice: Simplify, Listen, Hire Smart Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min