Ever wondered how IKEA turns everyday windows into cutting-edge ad space? Join us as we uncover IKEA's latest brilliant campaign, where "sleep fluencers" transform their windows with IKEA's innovative blinds. These blinds don't just block light; they double as ads, creating a unique, low-cost marketing strategy that reaches beyond social media and into real neighborhoods. We'll discuss how this clever integration of paid campaigns can revolutionize home-based advertising and why it's a game-changer for IKEA.

Shifting gears, we tackle a groundbreaking move by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) towards replacing call center staff with AI, in partnership with tech giants Amazon and NVIDIA. With 2,400 jobs potentially on the line, we explore what this bold leap into AI-driven customer service means for the future of work. Is this the beginning of a new era where AI takes over customer support? Tune in to hear our thoughts on how CBA's pioneering steps could set a precedent for industries worldwide.

To see how our experiment went with an AI Sales Reprentative went check out it on our YouTube Channel here

The Digital Horizons Podcast is hosted by:

James Walker - Managing Director Walker Hill Digital
Brian Hastings - Managing Director Nous

Is your brand still hitting the mark, or is it time for a reevaluation? Find out as hosts James Walker and Brian Hastings, with their combined 20+ years of marketing mastery, guide you through a self-audit of your brand's effectiveness. This episode of Digital Horizons tackles the essential questions every business owner should ask to ensure their brand resonates with current customer needs. You'll learn how to evaluate whether your brand's visual elements are modern and aligned with your business's growth and why a consistent and compelling brand message across all touchpoints is non-negotiable. Plus, discover the importance of maintaining a strong online presence to keep your digital campaigns in sync.

Thinking about rebranding but unsure where to start? This episode dives deep into the strategic foundation required before rebranding. James and Brian emphasize the importance of a solid brand framework, which they call the bedrock of any successful rebrand. By collaborating with specialists for this foundational work, you can significantly improve both internal team alignment and external customer perception. Listen in for actionable insights and inspiration on how to elevate your brand to match your business's evolution and aspirations. Get ready to make more informed decisions about your branding and marketing efforts with expert advice from our seasoned hosts.

The Digital Horizons Podcast is hosted by:

James Walker - Managing Director Walker Hill Digital
Brian Hastings - Managing Director Nous

What's the real cost of Canva’s 300% price hike? This week on Brand News, we break down the headline-grabbing increase and why it might not be as shocking as it seems. We'll show you how Canva, at just $10 a month per user, remains a budget-friendly choice compared to the expensive Adobe Creative Suite. Discover how Canva is catering to non-designers with essential tools that sidestep the complexities of advanced software, making it a unique offering in the design tool market.

We also dive into Canva’s newest features: Visual Suite and Magic Studio. Visual Suite is Canva's ambitious leap into the document creation realm, positioning itself against Microsoft and Google Suites. Meanwhile, Magic Studio uses AI to automate and streamline design processes, promising huge time savings for users. From comparing costs to evaluating new functionalities, we offer our insights on why Canva’s enhanced offerings still present a compelling value proposition, despite the price hike. Tune in for our thoughts on the communication strategy Canva used to inform users about the price change and why it might have ruffled some feathers.

The Digital Horizons Podcast is hosted by:

James Walker - Managing Director Walker Hill Digital
Brian Hastings - Managing Director Nous

What’s the real cost of doing your own advertising? Get ready to discover why self-managed campaigns might be the anchor dragging down your business growth. Brian and James, with over two decades in the marketing industry, share why DIY advertising often leads to missed opportunities and inconsistent results. By not engaging experts, you could be sacrificing potential sales and new clients that far outweigh the savings on agency fees.

Join us as we break down the top five reasons why your time is better spent on core business activities rather than trying to navigate the complexities of ad campaigns. From the pitfalls of inconsistent campaign management to the opportunity costs of not leveraging professional expertise, this episode is packed with insights on how to achieve sustained growth. Learn why focusing on your strengths and outsourcing your marketing efforts can be a game-changer for your business.

The Digital Horizons Podcast is hosted by:

James Walker - Managing Director Walker Hill Digital
Brian Hastings - Managing Director Nous

What if you could have an AI assistant that not only understands and interacts like a human but also anticipates your needs and seamlessly integrates into every aspect of your life? Get ready to explore the future as we dive into the anticipated release of ChatGPT-5 from OpenAI. Join Brian and James as they share their daily experiences with GPT-4, highlighting its impressive capabilities and discussing the exciting advancements coming with GPT-5. This new version promises breakthroughs in natural language processing, enhanced multimodal capabilities, and unprecedented levels of personalization. With potential backing from tech giants like Apple and NVIDIA, ChatGPT-5 is set to redefine our interaction with technology.

In this episode of Brand News, we delve into how ChatGPT-5 could revolutionize data analysis and automation, from creating complex formulas in spreadsheets to connecting AI across various platforms for automated solutions. Brian and James speculate on the limitless possibilities, debating how this advanced AI might surpass its predecessor in ways we can only begin to imagine. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or just curious about the future of technology, this discussion will provide keen insights into how ChatGPT-5 could change the way we live and work. Tune in for an in-depth look at what the future holds for AI and why this upcoming release is worth every bit of the hype.

The Digital Horizons Podcast is hosted by:

James Walker - Managing Director Walker Hill Digital
Brian Hastings - Managing Director Nous

Ever wondered if you could tell a real person from an AI-generated avatar? Prepare for an eye-opening journey as we explore the uncanny realism of AI avatars created through HeyGen. Setting up these lifelike avatars takes less than five minutes, and they can mimic human gestures and speech so convincingly that distinguishing them from real footage is almost impossible. We'll share our firsthand experiences with HeyGen, marvelling at its ease of use and rapid setup, and then dive into its game-changing applications in digital marketing, lead generation, and staff training. We also tackle the pressing societal and ethical implications of this rapidly evolving technology, highlighting HeyGen's unique features like multilingual and multi-accent support, and its seamless integration with ChatGPT for automated content creation.

Looking to supercharge your marketing strategies with personalized video content? This episode uncovers how AI-driven video generation can transform client interactions, training sessions, and webinars by incorporating custom audio and dynamic video creation. Learn about the power of dynamic video for high-volume applications like sales outreach, with the added personalized touch through CRM integration. We also spotlight innovative uses for universities and businesses, showcasing how early adopters of this technology can gain a competitive edge. As a fun finale, we introduce an intriguing experiment involving AI-generated outros—can you guess which of us is the real deal? Tune in, comment with your guesses, and immerse yourself in the future of AI avatar and personalized video marketing.

Check out the video on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalHorizonsOfficial

The Digital Horizons Podcast is hosted by:

James Walker - Managing Director Walker Hill Digital
Brian Hastings - Managing Director Nous

Unlock the secrets to supercharging your marketing efforts and avoid those common pitfalls that can stymie your business growth. What if your lack of proper tracking is costing you conversions without you even knowing? In our latest episode of Digital Horizons, we promise you’ll discover the vital importance of having robust tracking mechanisms in place and how trusting your data can lead to smarter, more effective marketing strategies. We dive deep into why cross-referencing data from multiple platforms is non-negotiable and the key to capturing a comprehensive picture of your true conversions, including those often-overlooked phone calls and email inquiries.

What’s the right balance between demand generation and demand capture for your brand? Too much focus on capturing demand might just lead to higher costs and stagnation, while too little investment in generating demand can mean missed opportunities. We’re here to help you understand that long-term success isn’t a sprint but a marathon. Learn how creating engaging content, leveraging multiple channels, and committing to long-term brand development can nurture potential customers and drive down acquisition costs. Plus, we shed light on why customer retention should never take a backseat—retaining loyal customers can be far more cost-effective than chasing new ones.

Finally, let’s talk about the power of leveraging marketing specialists to achieve extraordinary results. You don't have to master every aspect of marketing to succeed. By focusing on your strengths and delegating complex tasks to experts, you can streamline your efforts and see better outcomes. We’ll guide you through the strategic advantages of hiring external specialists and offer practical tips for scrutinizing your paid search campaigns. Find out why non-branded conversions matter and how reallocating your budget wisely can lead to immediate improvements. Tune in for an episode packed with actionable advice designed to elevate your marketing performance to new heights!

The Digital Horizons Podcast is hosted by:

James Walker - Managing Director Walker Hill Digital
Brian Hastings - Managing Director Nous

Unlock the secrets of skyrocketing your sales with AI-driven marketing! This week on Brand News, we're revealing how Dan Murphy's achieved an impressive 29% boost by tailoring personalized promotions using advanced AI techniques. But that's not all – discover how these powerful tools can revolutionize even the smallest online stores, making sophisticated marketing accessible to everyone. We also dive into the high-stakes world of Olympic sponsorships, analyzing the strategies of giants like Nike, McDonald's, and Coca-Cola. Learn how Nike managed to maintain strong brand affinity without being an official sponsor, proving the immense value of consistent brand presence.

In our second segment, we spotlight a brand that has recently stirred up significant buzz, reminding us all of the critical importance of branding and visibility. While the brand name might be elusive, the impact of their strategic efforts is a lesson no marketer should miss. Head over to the link we've shared for an in-depth article if you're eager for more details. Join us as we bring you the latest insights and strategies to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of marketing and branding. See you next week with more cutting-edge updates and intriguing stories!

The Digital Horizons Podcast is hosted by:

James Walker - Managing Director Walker Hill Digital
Brian Hastings - Managing Director Nous