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The Gift-Cast
Welcome to the Gift-Cast, previously known as the Product-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between. Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards! The Gift-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.https://marketing-101.co.uk/ The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.https://www.giftoftheyear.co.uk/ The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.https://www.ga-uk.org/
Episodes
73 episodes
Mad Beauty with Julia & Trevor Cash
Today I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with wife and husband duo Julia and Trevor Cash, co-founders and, respectively, Creative Director and Managing Director of Mad Beauty. Over the last 25 years Mad Beauty have been well recognised ...
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Birchstone Markets with James Arnold
This episode we’re joined by James Arnold, CEO of Birchstone Markets. We’ve talked about finances before on this podcast, but this is our first foray into Foreign Exchange, one of three key services delivered by Birchstone. Get behind the sc...
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Nonsensical with Oli Hills
This episode we hear from Oli Hills, founder of Nonsensical, an agency focussing on TikTok content creation and consultancy. TikTok is one of those platforms that so many people enjoy, and yet so many small businesses, particularly in gift, hav...
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Kodes with Morena Fiore
Today we’re joined by the inspirational Morena Fiore, founder of Kodes - designer, retailer and wholesaler of an amazing range of unique, handcrafted jewelry, including Gift of the Year finalist product, an aromatherapy essential oils diffuser ...
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Greycoat Financial with Andrew Snowball
In this episode we learn about a different aspect of financial services - financial planning and wealth advice. Andrew Snowball, soon-to-be Director of Greycoat Financial Services talks us through how they help business owner plan for the futur...
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Enesco with Aylish Ellwood
Today we’re joined by the amazing Aylish Ellwood, Trade Marketing Manager at Enesco. A true giant in our industry, the UK arm of Enesco are celebrating their 30th year in business in 2024! In this episode Aylish takes us through the history of ...
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Central Finance with Steve Harris
In this episode we speak to Steve Harris, Director at Central Business Finance who tells us all about the history of the company and the opportunities available to businesses to raise finance to either proactively support growth or reactively h...
Bookspeed with Lewis Dawson
Today on the Gift-Cast we learn about a brand new area of the gift industry not yet covered in our previous 63 episodes - books as gifts! We welcome Lewis Dawson from the family-run business Bookspeed, one of the few UK companies specialising i...
Aspin with Lizzi Benger
This episode we have the pleasure of catching up with Lizzi Benger, Head of Marketing at Aspin - a company who provide incredible tools to help product design/supply companies get truly organised - tools like a Product Information Management sy...
Ambiente & Christmas World with Julie Uherek, Messe Frankfurt
In this episode we sit down with Julie Uherek, Vice President, Consumer Goods Fairs, Messe Frankfurt to explore the multifaceted world of exhibitions and trade events. We learn about the latest trends in the industry, the impact of digital tech...
Provide Finance with Miranda Khadr
In today’s episode we have the absolute pleasure of meeting Miranda Khadr, owner of Provide Finance. In a change to the usual guests, we’re introducing you to a supplier member of the Giftware Association - that being someone who ...
Dinky Artist with Rachel Wilkins
In this episode of the Product-Cast we meet the inspirational Rachel Wilkins who, after too many years in the corporate world of marketing, took the leap to take her side hustle and make it her own business. 2 years of saving up and Rachel was ...
Fox Under The Moon with Stacey McNeill
Here we are with the latest instalment of the beautiful Prod-Cast, and this time we're joined by Stacey McNeill of Fox Under The Moon - a progressive brand focussed on mental health and wellbeing, and ALSO the winner of the People's Choice Gift...
Brand Licensing Europe with Ella Haynes
Join us as we learn about one of the most progressive and exciting trade shows in the gift industry - the Brand Licensing shows! In this episode we speak to Ella Haynes who is Event Director at Brand Licensing Europe which is part of Informer M...
Genesis Initiative with Adam Tyler and Sarah Ward
We have a fascinating episode for you today as we learn all about the incredibly important work of the Genesis Initiative - a group made up of the leaders of 117 different trade associations across a huge variety of industries and trades who ha...
Widdop & Co with Stephen Illingworth
This week we're joined by Stephen Illingworth, Commercial Director of Widdop & Co. Join us as we learn about this incredible 140 year old company and it's family-run heritage. We learn about its origins in fine clocks and jewellery, i...
Clarion Events with Zoë Bonser (Top Drawer, Home & Gift Harrogate...)
This week we're joined by Zoë Bonser, Portfolio Director, Retail Division at Clarion Events, meaning she's responsible for the delivery for 30+ retail and home exhibitions around the world each year including the hugely popular Top Drawer, Lond...
PART THREE - Spring Fair 2023 - interviews with shortlisted Gift of the Year companies!
We're back at Spring Fair and this time running all over the various halls to catch up with those lucky companies and members who were shortlisted for the Gift of the Year awards! Featuring;Chris Workman (Giftware Assoc...
PART TWO - Spring Fair 2023 - interviews with shortlisted Gift of the Year companies!
We're back at Spring Fair and this time running all over the various halls to catch up with those lucky companies and members who were shortlisted for the Gift of the Year awards! Featuring;Fizz CreationsFox Un...
PART ONE - Spring Fair 2023 - interviews with shortlisted Gift of the Year companies!
We're back at Spring Fair and this time running all over the various halls to catch up with those lucky companies and members who were shortlisted for the Gift of the Year awards! Featuring;Big Potato GamesCott...
Spring Fair & Gift Of The Year Judging with 2x judges, Therese Oertenblad & Louise Welsby
With Spring Fair only just appearing in our rearview mirrors we grab two wonderful prod-cast veterans to tell us all about the return of this industry favourite trade show as well as some exciting changes to the Gift of the Year awards....
Paper Tiger with Michael Apter
This week we're joined by Michael Apter, owner of one of Scotlands' best-known card and gift stores, Paper Tiger. Join us as we learn about the 40-year-old history of Paper Tiger, how they discover and meet new suppliers, and how they plan to c...
Healthcare Companion Start-up with Linda Goodchild
This week we are joined by a product developer in a very unique position! Linda Goodchild is right on the cusp of placing her first ever order of her first ever product - The Healthcare Companion. Join us as we learn all about the inspiration b...
Kikkerland with Andy McLellan
In this episode we're joined by an iconic business within the gift industry, the wonderful Kikkerland and the Country Manager for the UK, Andy McLellan. Join us as Andy tells us how he, a Scot, ended up living in Norway working for Kikkerland. ...
Online Marketplaces with Stuart Lorimer
This episode is going to be super-useful for the majority of our listeners as our guest, Stuart Lorimer, an independent consultant specialising in Online Marketplaces, helps us understand about both B2C and B2B marketplaces, how to use them, ho...