Marketers tend to forget a key element of the job - we are marketing to humans, whose purchasing decisions are often irrational. Moreover, data driven marketing doesn't succeed as long as we're not aware of our own biases. On the Shiny New Object podcast this week, we talk rationality vs bias, mistakes vs responsibility, and product led vs marketing led growth with Karix Director Product and Solutions Marketing, Shafique Gajdhar.

Data driven marketing lacks luster without the addition of qualitative research, according to Virginia Barnes, Interim Brand, Sponsorship and Retail Marketing manager at Standard Life UK.

On the latest podcast episode, Virginia shares why the real magic happens when you step away from the spreadsheets and talk to actual humans. Listen to her top marketing tip around stepping back, but also avoiding distractions, hear what her new belief is that has changed her attitude to work, and delve into the power of qualitative research in a digital age.

When technology is used to create unique immersive experiences, it can be a powerful engine to your end-to-end marketing funnel, according to Lisa Delaney of Cathay Pacific. The Regional Head of Marketing and Lifestyle Europe talks to us about Cathay's return to the limelight through a 2023 campaign, her favourite book to boost creativity, and her top tips for making the most out of data in marketing.