Politics for Drummies

What makes Zohran Mamdami’s unorthodox play for New York Mayor so effective?

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:29:13 GMT

411’s Ned Mendez brings his experience of Labour’s success in 2024 to unpick what matters today for electorates all over the world. He chats with Alastair about voters beyond media, Zohran’s energetic New York campaign, and the fight over an ever-growing barrage of AI enhanced misinformation. His razor-sharp focus on cut through is super relevant to modern marketers.

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The Only Way is Ethics with Harriet Kingaby

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:00:22 GMT

In this episode Alastair interviews Harriet Kingaby, joint founder of The Conscious Advertising Network. With her background in climate action to advocating information integrity at the UN, she explains the commercial value of ethical communications for brands and how to make it happen. Harriet has a strong message for the industry that goes far beyond brand safety.

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Cal Roscow on Political Messaging & Managing Brexit Damage

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:16:06 GMT

In this latest episode of Politics for Drummies, Best For Britain's executive director of marketing Cal Roscow outlines his thoughts on the challenge of balancing rational argument with emotional engagement in political messaging and recovering from the damage of Brexit.

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Marshall Manson asks if America can ever make a good decision?

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 09:21:17 GMT

US expat Marshall Manson cut his teeth on Republican campaigning. Now he is chair of corporate affairs at Fleishman Hillard in the UK with 20 years of election insight. In this fascinating and timely episode he and Alastair discuss just why the American civic arena is so embattled and whether democracy survives another bitter election night.

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Mike Nellis asks who’s going to win the race to the White House?

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:14:44 GMT

Mike Nellis of Authentic has won more than 70 awards for political campaigns. And he's worked with California prosecutor Kamala Harris on her way to the top. His super popular White Dudes for Harris campaign raised over $4m in one go in July and caused quite the spat with Elon Musk. In this quickfire episode he tells Alastair just why he believes Trump’s destiny is to lose.

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Katie Harrison asks can social impact campaigns have an effect on policy?

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:24:41 GMT

Katie Harrison of WRTHY does important work. From holding tech companies to account for spreading child sexual abuse material to empowering women in the climate crisis, social impact campaigns really matter. In this enlightening episode, Katie takes Alastair on the journey from advertising planning to making social change global.

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Ryan Davis asks Who you gonna call? Influencers!

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 13:19:32 GMT

Ryan Davis of People First is an influencer marketing expert. When trust in media and government is low, voters make decisions based on friends and family. Ryan chats with Alastair about how everyday people like teachers, single moms, and firefighters can be more effective than celebrity endorsements, which might just make the difference in the Presidential election.

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Wikipedia insider Rhiannon Ruff on crowdsourcing the truth in a post-truth world

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:22:12 GMT

Rhiannon Ruff from Lumino Digital is an expert in Wikipedia the world’s largest crowdsourced encyclopaedia. She joins Alastair on the pod for a masterclass on how politicians try and fail to get round the rules and what brands can do when it comes to reputation management where neutrality and authenticity is all.

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Nadja Bellan-White asks whether brands should take a stand?

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:44:37 GMT

Nadja Bellan-White asks whether brands should brands take a stand?

CEO of SS+K Nadja Bellan-White is a proud global citizen and change maker. She joins Alastair on the pod to discuss how brands can show up where there is political instability, how the principles of political campaigning apply to brand transformation and why building a diverse culture is still a burning issue against the backdrop of a polarising US election.

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Valerie Davis on how 12 billion dollars affects the media market?

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 11:51:14 GMT

In this episode, we're in New York! Valerie Davis, CEO of Assembly North America gives her views on political spending and the likely impact on advertisers in this election cycle. Featuring live chat with the Drum's co-founder, Gordon Young and a CMO Q&A.

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Uncommon's Nils Leonard asks why can’t Britain be a British Original?

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 08:30:09 GMT

Nils Leonard’s Uncommon Studio has taken the creative world by storm. In this episode he and Alastair dig in to why politics has lost its way and needs a reboot. Nils has ambitious ideas. After all, if Britain can’t be a British Original, who else is going to do it?

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Amil Khan on Media, Misinformation and the Misuse of GenAI

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:11:29 GMT

Amil Khan on Media, Misinformation and the Misuse of GenAI

In this episode, Alastair chats with Amil Khan, founder of online manipulation expert Valent Projects, about his move into disinformation, the shortcomings of modern media, the potential for tech to spread misinformation, and how voters could soon be targeted individually by political parties armed with GenAI.

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Ben Guerin on Strategy, Persona and Trust

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:11:28 GMT

Ben Guerin, co-founder of digital-led creative agency Topham Guerin, shares insights on crafting winning strategies, shaping personas, and fostering trust in the ever-changing realm of social media.

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MullenLowe's Nicky Bullard on Magic, Mentorship and Mental Health

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:07:36 GMT

In this episode, Alastair chats with Nicky Bullard, chief creative officer at MullenLowe, about the intricacies of crafting political campaigns. They explore the balance between creativity and messaging, the impact of personal attacks in ads, and the challenge of maintaining authenticity in political branding.

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Benedict Pringle on Anger, Fear and Narratives in the upcoming election campaign

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 11:11:03 GMT

With the UK election kicking off early, Alastair asks Benedict Pringle, founder of politicaladvertising.co.uk, to unpack how the parties wield anger, fear, and hope to shape voter sentiment. From Labour's rallying cry against the status quo to the Conservatives' fear-based narrative, discover the nuanced strategies at play in the campaign.

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Lord Bethell on Health, Politics, and Pop Culture - A Conservative Perspective

Wed, 22 May 2024 09:24:51 GMT

In this episode of Politics for Drummies, Alastair Duncan engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with conservative peer Lord Bethell, tackling pressing issues from health and environmental concerns to the role of compassion in politics, offering a glimpse into the complexities of policymaking and societal change.

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Richard Huntington on Democracy, Mental Health, and Societal Risks

Tue, 14 May 2024 12:26:59 GMT

Richard Huntingdon returns for a candid conversation with Alastair on the complexities of British politics and how the advertising industry could help to resurrect the category. From reflections on politicians who can get things done to mental health in agencies, we explore how well being matters when it comes to making change in today's political climate.

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Richard Huntington on Real Insight, Policy Impact and the Creative Curriculum

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:59:59 GMT

Richard Huntington, Chief Strategy Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi London, delves into the decline of political engagement and the importance of reinvigorating the middle class for economic growth. From tackling wealth inequality to the role of taxation, this episode explores the path to a more inclusive and prosperous society.

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Sam Jeffers on Transparency, Tactics, and the Future of Political Messaging

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:08:34 GMT

Join Sam Jeffers, CEO of Who Targets Me, as he talks behind-the-scenes of online politics, separating fact from fiction. From Twitter trends to crazy media diets, we're discussing the messy world of political messaging.

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Tessa Simonds on Money, Media, and the 2024 Presidential Election

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:35:31 GMT

In this episode, Alastair delves into the complexities of the upcoming U.S. presidential election with Tessa Simonds of Blue State Digital. They discuss campaign funding, media influence, and offer key insights into the evolving strategies shaping the electoral landscape.

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Scottish MP Pete Wishart on his unexpected political journey, the necessity of truth in political communication and his perspective on the House of Lords

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 17:31:03 GMT

Pete discusses his unexpected journey from a musician to Scotland's longest-serving member of Parliament, the challenges facing the SNP, the dynamics of the upcoming elections, and the future of Perth in the next five years. Don't miss this insightful conversation that goes beyond politics and explores the vibrant spirit of a changing city.

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Karin Robinson talks 2024 elections, abortion impact, the role money plays in U.S. elections and Trump's media presence

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:22:07 GMT

From managing messaging in the Obama campaign to navigating the challenges of contemporary politics, Karin sheds light on the art of persuasion, the impact of managed communications and the evolving landscape of U.S. elections.

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Best for Britain boss on Politics for Drummies

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:06:18 GMT

Best of Britain CEO Naomi Smith joins Politics for Drummies to talk first past the post, Brexit and why she's looking foward for some old school campaigning.

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Rory Sutherland joins Marketing for Drummies Part 2

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 15:58:31 GMT

Rory Sutherland talks brands, Brexit & bacteria in Pt 2 of Politics for Drummies podcast

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Rory Sutherland joins Politics for Drummies podcast - Part 1

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 14:29:09 GMT

Ogilvy boss Sutherland on why McDonalds is more democratic than elections, dodgy focus groups and political motivations.

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London Mayor wannabe, Lib Dem MP Rob Blackie, talks boring politicians, campaign budgets, taking risks and falling foul on social media.

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:21:12 GMT

Lib Dem MP Rob Blackie on why modern politcians are too uninteresting to engage voters, why political budgets fall short and the dangers of social media.

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