Episode 37

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Published on:

7th Mar 2023

Simon Francis on Helping Marketers Through Transformation

Andy is joined by Simon Francis, Executive Chair of Flock Associates. Simon has extensive experience leading transformation through integrated and effective marketing and communications. Since founding Flock Associates, Simon has helped brands like Amazon, Ford, Shell, Toyota, McDonalds, and ASDA navigate marketing transformation at many levels.

Their conversation covers a wide range of topics including the entrepreneurial journey, navigating the growing complexity of MarTech, practices that drive successful transformation, the potential impact marketing has on society, and much more.


Topics and Questions

00:17 Guest Introduction

03:30 Simon’s entrepreneurial journey

04:58 What new challenges do marketers face today?

06:11 Dealing with variable challenges in marketing today

09:30 The fundamental underpinning of technology and DEI at Flock Associates 

11:15 Flock Associates Pillar 1: People

14:04 The blurred lines between marketing and commerce

16:45 Handling the growing complexity of MarTech and AdTech

20:35 Flock Associates Pillar 2: Partners

24:53 Flock Associates Pillar 3: Procurement

27:30 Bringing in finance

31:16 The power of testing

32:04 Flock Associates Pillar 4: Process

39:02 Advice for students

42:36 The need for leadership today

44:12 Hope for the future

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About the Podcast

It's a Customer's World with Andy Murray
Equipped with more than 30 years of experience in retail, most recently as the Chief Customer Officer for Walmart Asda in the U.K., host Andy Murray is sharing his expertise through his new role as the founder and executive chair of the Customer Centric Leadership Initiative at the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. Now more than ever, retailers and brands are accelerating their quest to be more customer centric, but to be truly customer centric, it requires both a shift in mindset and ways of working, not just in marketing but in all parts of the organization. Through his initiative and this podcast series, Andy will be talking with practitioners, thought leaders, and scholars to hear their thoughts on what it takes to be a leader in today’s customer centric world.

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Walton College