This episode of The Bottleneck Podcast dives into the uneasy relationship between creativity and data in modern marketing. Max Osborne, co-founder of This That, joins Rory Sutherland and Elfried Samba to explore how performance metrics and short-term thinking have reshaped the industry—and why it’s time to put intuition back in the mix.

Together they unpack the origins of brand lift, the limits of benchmarking, and why true marketing success often looks like failure before it becomes a breakthrough. From influencer measurement to community-driven brands, they discuss how embracing uncertainty may be the only way to grow.

Follow Rory:

Instagram: @rorysutherland_clips

Tiktok: @Rorysutherlandclips

X: @rorysutherland

Linkedin: in/rorysutherland/

Follow Elfried:

Instagram: elfriedsamba

Linkedin: in/elfriedsamba/

https://www.butterflyeffect.xyz/

Follow Max:

Instagram @ maxosborne/

Instagram thisthat.tt/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/himax

https://www.youtube.com/@thisthat-tt

https://www.thisthat.com/

A Sassy+ original podcast series

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This episode of The Bottleneck Podcast explores the future of influence — who really holds it, how it’s shifting, and what that means for brands. Timothy Armoo, founder of Fanbytes, joins Rory Sutherland and Elfried Samba to dissect the state of influencer marketing, the rise of niche communities, and why today’s real tastemakers might just be 16-24 year-olds on TikTok.

Together they dive into the mechanics of trust, the art of showmanship in advertising, and how brands can stop borrowing attention and start becoming influencers themselves. From perfume to Gymshark, TikTok “aura farming” to the early misfits of AI, this episode unpacks how cultural waves are created — and how smart companies can ride them.

Follow Rory:

Instagram: @rorysutherland_clips

Tiktok: @Rorysutherlandclips

X: @rorysutherland

Linkedin: in/rorysutherland/

Follow Elfried:

Instagram: elfriedsamba

Linkedin: in/elfriedsamba/

https://www.butterflyeffect.xyz/

Follow Tim:

Instagram: @timothyarmoo

TikTok: @timarmoo

X: @timothyarmoo

Linkedin: in/timothyarmoo/

https://www.timothyarmoo.com/

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This episode of The Bottleneck Podcast explores how creators turn audiences into real businesses — and why many struggle to grow. Jordan Schwarzenberger, manager of The Sidemen, reveals how they built an empire that spans restaurants, vodka brands, and sold-out stadium shows. Together with Rory Sutherland and Elfried Samba, they explore the forces reshaping the creator economy, the opportunities ahead, and the funding hurdles that hold many aspiring entrepreneurs back.

Join Rory, Elfried, and Jordan for a deep dive into the business of creators and what it takes to turn cultural relevance into long-term success.

Follow Rory:

Instagram: @rorysutherland_clips

Tiktok: @Rorysutherlandclips

X: @rorysutherland

Linkedin: in/rorysutherland/

Follow Elfried:

Instagram: elfriedsamba

Linkedin: in/elfriedsamba/

https://www.butterflyeffect.xyz/

Follow Jordan:

Instagram: @jordanschwarz/

Linkedin: jordanschwarzenberger/

tiktok: @jordanschwarzenberger

X: jordanerschwarz

https://www.jordanschwarz.com/

https://www.thinklikeacreator.com/

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Elfried and Rory tackle a defining challenge: convincing people that AI meeting software isn’t a spy in the room and that AI isn’t about replacing people. Fireflies.ai CEO Krish Ramineni reveals how his team built trust, scaled to 20 million users, and reached a $1B valuation. Along the way the trio explore privacy, the risks of over-automation, and whether dependence on AI erodes or strengthens genuine human connection.

Join Rory, Elfried, and Krish as they talk all things AI and trust.

Follow Rory:

Instagram: @rorysutherland_clips

Tiktok: @Rorysutherlandclips

X: @rorysutherland

Linkedin: in/rorysutherland/

Follow Elfried:

Instagram: elfriedsamba

Linkedin: in/elfriedsamba/

https://www.butterflyeffect.xyz/

Follow Krish

Instagram: @krishramineni/

Linkedin: in/krishramineni/

X: krishramineni

Fireflies.ai https://fireflies.ai/

Follow Sassy+

Instagram: @sassyplus_/

Linkedin: in/sassy plus/

TikTok: @sassyplus_

www.sassyplus.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.