When the pressure for short-term results keeps getting louder, how and why should you still emphasise creativity?

In this episode of the Smarter Marketer Podcast, James Lawrence sits down with Jules Hall, CEO and Founder of The Hallway, to unpack how creativity, data and commercial thinking need to work together if brands want sustainable growth. From navigating short-termism and AI hype to building credibility with CFOs and boards, Jules shares a grounded, practical view on what effective marketing leadership looks like today, and what it takes to earn the licence to do truly great creative work.

Watch Cardboard Cake - The Hallway’s Cannes Lion-winning ad

B Corp - Fat Cats

1. Why creativity isn’t at odds with commercial rigour, and why “trust me” no longer cuts it
2. How the best marketers link brand investment to real business outcomes
3. What AI is actually useful for inside agencies (and where humans still win)
4. Why short-term pressure is holding marketing back and how leaders can balance both
5. How to “market marketing” internally and earn trust across the business
6. What the Webjet rebrand reveals about modern brand growth and measurement
7. Why relevance to culture still matters, even in a fragmented media landscape

Jules Hall is the CEO and Founder of The Hallway, one of Australia’s most awarded independent creative agencies. Since founding the agency in 2007, Jules has led work for brands including Google, Suncorp Bank, BINGE and Webjet, and helped The Hallway earn honours such as B&T Independent Agency of the Year and Campaign Asia Independent Agency of the Year. In 2024, Jules and his team won a Cannes Lion for design - a standout achievement for an Australian independent agency.

You can follow Jules on LinkedIn.

1. James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/
2. Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast
3. Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/
4. Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

What makes people say "yes"? Rocket Agency’s Co-Founder James Lawrence sits down with Dr. Robert Cialdini, the godfather of influence and the world’s foremost authority on the psychology of persuasion, to talk about the timeless principles behind his work, his seventh principle of influence - Unity - and how AI, ethics and empathy are shaping persuasion in modern marketing.

• Origin story: How Dr. Cialdini went “undercover” in multiple industries to discover the universal principles of influence
• A walkthrough of the original six principles - Reciprocity, Scarcity, Authority, Consistency, Liking and Social Proof
• The 7th principle - Unity: Why bonds formed by shared identity matter today
• The importance of ethics: Why marketers should use persuasion techniques truthfully and responsibly
• Influence vs cultural differences: How different regions (e.g., Australia, Asia, Scandinavia) prioritise different principles of influence
• The rise of AI: How marketers are using AI to apply Cialdini’s principles
• The science of “pre-suasion” and how setting context before your message boosts effectiveness
• Real-world examples of effective use of influence and persuasion from brands like Avis, L’Oreal and Best Buy

Dr. Robert Cialdini is a globally renowned psychologist and the bestselling author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Pre-Suasion, and Yes!. His groundbreaking research on why people say 'yes' has shaped the way professionals across marketing, sales, leadership and behavioral science approach persuasion.

He is often referred to as the godfather of influence, and his principles of influence drive ethical influence strategies today.

• James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/
• Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast
• Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/
• Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

• Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg
• Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

In marketing, deadlines are relentless and expectations are high. It’s critical to manage stress and make clear-headed decisions under pressure. In this episode of Smarter Marketer, host James Lawrence chats with Dr. Jemma King - founder of BioPsychAnalytics and expert in stress, resilience and high performance.

Having worked with elite organisations like the Australian Olympic Swim Team, the Australian Defence Force, McKinsey and Atlassian, Dr.King shares science-backed insights on managing burnout, improving decision-making and optimising sleep for peak performance. Whether you're leading a team, juggling campaigns, or striving for balance in your personal life, this episode will equip you with practical strategies to navigate the pressures of marketing.

• Dr. Jemma King’s journey - How she became a leading expert in stress research and high-performance psychology.
• Why marketers are under pressure And the need to manage stress for long-term success
• Science-backed strategies to reduce stress and prevent burnout – Practical techniques used by elite athletes, military personnel and corporate leaders to stay resilient
• The role of sleep in peak performance - How sleep quality directly impacts decision-making, creativity and overall health.
• Actionable tips to improve sleep for better health:

1. How to measure sleep quality and its effects on energy and performance.
2. The hidden impact of alcohol on sleep cycles and cognitive function.
3. Simple ways to eliminate sleep-disrupting distractions.
4. How dim lighting before bedtime signals your brain to relax.
5. The science behind a 40-degree hot bath as a sleep aid.
6. How cutting back on sugar can significantly improve sleep quality.

• Beyond sleep: The next most powerful factors in resilience - regular exercise, a balanced diet, meaningful relationships, fulfilling work and financial stability.
• Tactical ways to build a stress-resilient life by structuring your day, improving your work environment and developing a low-stress mindset.
• Decision-making under pressure – How to maintain a clear, strategic mindset in high-stakes situations.
• Emotional intelligence & AI – The evolving role of AI in helping professionals improve emotional intelligence and make better, more rational decisions.

Dr. Jemma King PhD is the founder of BioPsychAnalytics, a consultancy that helps companies, teams and individuals reduce stress, avoid burnout and make better decisions under pressure. She focuses on practical strategies to improve team performance and well-being in high-stress environments.

Jemma has worked with organisations like the Australian Olympic Swim Team, the Australian Defence Force, McKinsey and Atlassian, among others.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg

Kindle: