Canned the Marketing Podcast

It’s the Canned Christmas special — and we’re not handing out participation trophies. Hosts  Steph Quantrill (Cue Marketing) and Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) are joined by brand strategist and cultural commentator Eugene Healey for a sharp, no-holds-barred breakdown of the brands that defined 2025 — for better and for worse. From Cannes side-quests to culture-war campaigns, this episode cuts through the hype to ask one brutal question: did it actually work?

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Steph Quantrill (Cue Marketing) and Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) step outside the scroll and into the real world to unpack why Out-of-Home advertising (OOH) still stops people in their tracks. From billboards and bus wraps to special builds and stunts that earn global attention, this episode is a sharp, practical look at how brands can win attention when screens are saturated. If you think OOH is just “big signs,” think again

This week, Steph from Cue Marketing and Ben from Human Digital dive head-first into the chaotic, emotional, reputation-threatening world of rebrands - from the corporate phoenix moments (hello, Accenture) to the “no one asked for this” refreshes that get marketers yelled at at BBQs. With real-world stories from Spark, Enviro NZ, Four Square, Griffins, Enron (yes, really), and NZ Post, they unpack what makes a rebrand sing — and what makes customers grab the pitchforks. Grab a chocky biccy and settle in.

B2B finally gets its moment in the spotlight. In this episode, co-hosts Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) and Steph Quantrill (Cue Marketing) dive into the misunderstood, often underestimated world of B2B marketing—where long sales cycles, buying committees, and high-stakes decisions make the work both exhilarating and brutal. From the politics behind procurement to the power of brand trust built years before a shortlist is even written, Steph and Ben unpack what really drives decisions in the boardroom. No jargon, no fluff—just the reality of modern B2B marketing that every marketer needs to understand.

Hosts Steph Quantrill (Cue Marketing) and Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) dig into one of the most in-demand topics in modern marketing: personal branding. With audiences trusting individuals more than companies, this episode breaks down how personalities are shaping influence, loyalty and commercial outcomes.They highlight industry standouts like Eugene Healy, who commands half a million followers, and explore how figures like Jason Paris, Joely Hodson, and Dan Carter have built magnetic personal brands that lift entire organisations.

Why personal branding is exploding for marketersHow the shift in trust from co...

This week, Steph from Cue Marketing and Ben from Human Digital dive headfirst into one of marketing’s most fun playgrounds: brand collaborations. From Balenciaga x Scholl (yes, the bunion shoe brand) to Four Square x Sawmill’s summer IPA, to why Barbie basically owned 2023, this episode hits everything from FMCG smashes to luxury chaos. If you love collabs, hate collabs, or have trauma from the Steinlager abstinence ring — you’re in the right place.

Where the magic happens: overlapping audiences, shared brand DNA, and the al...

This week, Steph from Cue Marketing and Ben from Human Digital crack open a story you wouldn’t expect from the world of banking; a handcrafted kids’ content series built inside ASB. Yep, puppets, original songs, TVNZ studios… the works. Social & Content Lead Hamish Russell joins the show to unpack how a bank made one of the most delightfully creative education projects in New Zealand. If you think financial services kills creativity, prepare to backspace that opinion.

Why Creativity Doesn’t Die in BanksHow ASB carved out pockets of creativity inside a h...

This week, hosts Steph Quantrill (Cue Marketing) and Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) sit down with Chanel Clark, founder of The Marketing Club (TMC), fresh off the very first Marketers Day. They unpack how one marketer’s side project turned into a cross-Tasman movement — complete with 1,000-strong Slack channels, sold-out events, and a goody bag that broke wrists. From the courage to start small to the art of building community, this episode celebrates the people shaping marketing’s new frontier.

How The Marketing Club Started as a Side HustleChanel reveals how a lo...

When was the last time a bank ad made you smile, or even think twice before spending? In this episode of Canned, hosts Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) and Steph Quantrill (Cue Marketing) sit down with Allie and Georgia from Westpac New Zealand to unpack how a bank known for caution turned heads with scarily creative campaigns. From hangover drinks to haunted houses, this episode proves finance marketing doesn’t have to be boring.

• Turning Financial Education into EntertainmentHow Westpac’s marketing team made topics like credit cards and spending habits engag...

Recorded live at South by Southwest Sydney, hosts Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) and Steph Quantrill (Cue Marketing) take the Canned the Marketing podcast to the stage for the first time. Joined by Alex Holden (EVT Group GM, Brand & Customer) and Matt Meffan (Aether AI), they debate the future of marketing, where does AI help, where does it hurt, and why the human element still matters most.

AI Adoption vs. Human AdvantageHow leading brands like EVT are embracing AI tools without losing their human touch.

From Efficiency to EmpathyWhy marketers must balance automation with emotion...

What makes packaging more than just a box? In this episode, hosts Steph Quantrill (Cue Marketing) and Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) unpack the power of packaging as a strategic marketing tool. From Louis Vuitton to Telegraph Hill, they explore how design, psychology, and sustainability all influence what we buy - and how great packaging can become a brand’s most valuable asset.

Steph’s bruised from a spa mishap, Ben’s beard is thriving, and together we’re diving into one of marketing’s most overlooked weapons: print.

From junk mail raids and luxury packaging to phygital QR hacks and Hell Pizza hydroponic billboards, this episode smashes the myth that print is yesterday’s news. We get into:

Print’s Comeback – Why mailers, street posters, and in-flight mags cut through in ways digital just can’t.

Sustainability Myths – Is print really less green than AI prompts and server farms? (Spoiler: not always).

Luxury Cues – From Tiffan...

Strap in, marketers. This week, Ben van Rooy (Human Digital) and Stephanie Quantrill (Cue Marketing) take you behind the closed doors of the C-suite to unpack the most misunderstood, and arguably most exciting, role in business: the Chief Marketing Officer.

From career pathways to power plays, bold calls to boardroom politics, this episode is your masterclass in what it takes to thrive as a CMO.

In this episode, Ben van Rooy and Stephanie Quantrill explore the various structures of marketing teams within organisations, discussing the pros and cons of agency versus in-house setups.

They delve into the importance of aligning marketing teams with business goals and the challenges of maintaining brand consistency while allowing for local market adaptations.

The conversation also touches on the dynamics between marketing and sales, the role of leadership in supporting marketing efforts, and the need for creativity and data-driven decision-making in marketing. 

We love hearing feedback so get in touch with us...

This week Steph and Ben dive deep into the biggest night on New Zealand’s marketing calendar – the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards. From standout campaigns like Vogel’s brand acts and the bold work from the NZ Herpes Foundation, to Spark’s Supreme win, they unpack what made the winners shine and why these awards matter for the industry.

You’ll also hear:

Behind-the-scenes stories on what it really takes to enter (and survive) the awards process

How judging works and why the process is more rigorous than many think

The tension be...

Summary

In this episode, hosts Benn and Steph discuss a pizza launch at Hell Pizza and insights from recent marketing events focused on AI. They touch on cultural moments like Taylor Swift's engagement, the pitfalls of AI in advertising, and the rise of Spotify and YouTube in the podcasting space. The conversation shifts to the addictive nature of Labubu toys and the critical role of research in marketing strategies. They explore various research methods, the importance of customer feedback, and the integration of AI in marketing research, concluding with a reminder to prioritise research for successful marketing...

In this episode, Steph and Ben discuss their personal experiences in the marketing field, exploring various career paths, dream jobs, and the importance of networking.  They delve into the differences between agency and in-house marketing roles, the role of recruiters, and the significance of mentorship.  Key takeawaysDream jobs in marketing can vary greatly.The importance of both networking and mentorship for a great career in marketing.How to harness the power of Linkedin.How to find the path that is right for YOUChapters00:00 Introduction and Exciting Plans03:02 Work Updates and Marketing Workshops05:59 Diverse Career Paths in Marketing09:08 Dream Jobs and Car...

In this episode, Steph and Ben explore the evolving role of events in modern marketing. From media fragmentation and AI breakthroughs like ChatGPT-5 to practical event strategies, they discuss how marketers can better connect with audiences and maximise engagement.

They share lessons from both B2B and B2C contexts, including unexpected wins like a cheese brand at a boat show, and emphasise why audience context, face-to-face interactions, and post-event follow-up are critical to success.

The conversation also features insights from Spark Accelerate, with guest Daz Martin offering a behind-the-scenes look at how owned events...

Summary

In this episode, Ben and Stephanie discuss the evolving landscape of marketing with a focus on AI's impact. They explore social media bans, controversial marketing campaigns, and the role of AI in content creation and search. The conversation highlights practical applications of AI, insights from Procter & Gamble's research, and the future of marketing in a world increasingly influenced by AI agents.

Takeaways

AI is becoming ubiquitous in marketing and business.Social media bans are being considered in various countries.Controversial ads can reignite brand conversations.AI can serve as a valuable assistant...

In this episode of Canned - the Marketing Podcast, hosts Ben van Rooy and Steph Quantrill discuss the challenges and strategies in marketing, particularly focusing on what to do when faced with budget cuts. They explore the importance of creativity, the impact of celebrity endorsements, and the necessity of building strong relationships with customers and partners.  TakeawaysBudget cuts are a common challenge in marketing.Scarcity can drive consumer interest and engagement.Celebrity endorsements can turn a negative situation into a positive PR opportunity.Marketers should be proactive in managing budgets and expectations.Building relationships with customers is crucial for long-term su...

Join Ben and Steph as we cover the latest genius PR stories, cap off our week and dive into the latest news in Marketing. 

We break down what it really takes to win a Cannes Lion - with insights straight from the jury room. 

www.cannedmarketing.com

Stephanie Quantrill - Linkedin

Ben Van Rooy - Linkedin

In this first ever episode of Canned, the Marketing Podcast, co hosts Ben Van Rooy from B2B agency Human Digital and Stephanie Quantrill, FMCG consultant and founder of Cue Marketing, unpack what it really took to self fund their trip from New Zealand to the Cannes Lions Festival. They were two of roughly 28 Kiwis on the ground, not on agency budgets, breaking down tickets, flights, apartments, baguettes and blisters. More importantly, they explore why the real ROI of Cannes sits in connections, creator conversations and the kind of world class work that makes you want to fight harder...