MPA Inside Stories Podcast

Hosted by Manchester Publicity Association

Business Careers News Arts DesignInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Mar 2025

Language

About the show

The Manchester Publicity Association is the voice of Manchester’s communications community. Creative digital media companies; film, TV and production companies, SMEs and freelancers all sit under its umbrella. In ‘Inside Stories from the MPA’, you’ll get the latest insights and experience from other industry leaders in the city. You’ll also be kept up to date about upcoming news and events, thanks to the MPA’s Chair Christian James and its Managing Director, Cindy Simmons. Plus, every three months MPA board member, Lisa Morton, will bring you a deep dive interview, covering the ‘Inside Story’ on some of Manchester’s most successful leaders in the industry. It’s all about shining a light on the latest developments in the communications industry in Manchester, so you are kept up to date. 20d21018b5ca064cc40534415bf543764fd3a3c9

Listen to episodes

20 recent

March 6, 202533 min

Breakfast Briefing ‘25: A Year For Growth

Growth is a long game; you have to build the relationships.”Cindy Simmons is joined by Sue Benson (The Behaviours Agency) and Fergus McCallum (TBWA\MCR) to recap the key talking points from this year's MPA Breakfast Briefing. The event was focused on how we approach the growth of business, people and communities.Sue and Fergus share their strategies for business growth, client engagement and industry collaboration. Plus, they discuss how Manchester is viewed on the world stage.This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com. 

November 27, 202434 min

Behind the Wins: MPA Awards Night Recap

“Even your rivals are cheering you on”Cindy Simmons brings you the key moments from this year's MPA Inspiration Awards, along with guests Sue Benson, Founder and Managing Director of The Behaviours Agency and Leigh Herbert, Director of Client Services, Republic of Media.Sue and Leigh share their insights into what winning an award means to them, along with some tips on how to enter (and win) next year’s awards. This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com. 

October 10, 202418 min

Mad Up North: Madfest Comes To Manchester

‘Our approach is to always be playful with the content’Cindy Simmons, the MD of the MPA, catches up with Dan Brain and Ian Houghton from MAD//Fest, the MPA’s latest partner. Madfest began as a start up in 2018 and is now the UK’s largest marketing festival with 12000 attendees. Next year is the first time it’ll be in Manchester.  It's coming to Factory International in February 2025.  Ian and Dan discuss the festival's origins, its unique approach to industry events and what it means for the city’s marketing scene. This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com.

July 25, 202414 min

How to Win an MPA Award

“It really highlights your achievements to the Manchester community”Host Cindy Simmons gets the inside story from two of the judges of this years’ MPA Inspiration Awards. Fliss Jones from Mobsta won the Rising Star Award last year - this year was her first experience as a judge. Phil Cookson from Creative Resource, offers his insights as someone who’s been judging for the past five years. They discuss the judging process and tips for future entrants.  Phil and Fliss also reflect on what they’ve learnt about the health of Manchester’s digital and creative industries, from seeing so many high calibre entries. This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com.

June 27, 202422 min

MPA Big Debate - Diversity and Inclusion

“We have to get past nervousness and accusation”Emma Slater from Wavemaker recently hosted a panel at the WPP Campus, to look at the results of the MPA’s diversity and inclusion survey. Lisa Thompson from Wavemaker, Paul Reid from Ideas Foundation, Christina Thakor-Rankin from the All-in Diversity Project Charles Reid from Carat UK all shared their experiences.  They discussed the importance of ethnicity, neurodiversity, gender, intersectionality, and age in creating a better working environment.  You’ll hear edited highlights from this Big Debate, which was hosted in association with Ideas Foundation.  From the challenges of social mobility to the role of middle management in fostering diversity, this episode offers a comprehensive look at how businesses can make strategic interventions to drive meaningful change.This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com.

May 30, 202425 min

We Love Manchester - building a brighter future

"We want to enable communities across the city"We Love Manchester is the MPA’s latest charity partner, alongside continuing support for Prevent Breast Cancer.  Host Cindy Simmons catches up with Simon Wright, from the charity, for a deep dive into their history, their work and some tips on what you can do to support them. We Love Manchester is dedicated to supporting the dynamic and diverse communities of Manchester.  Simon shares insights into their mission, the impactful grants they provide, and their unique initiatives like the Rising Stars programme. Discover how We Love Manchester is making a difference in the lives of young Mancunians and fostering a stronger, more inclusive community.This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com.

April 25, 202447 min

Tales from Manchester’s Dancefloors with Sacha Lord

“I’m so proud of Manchester’s nightlife” Sacha Lord is the man behind some of Manchester's biggest parties, from the Hacienda, to The Warehouse Project to Parklife.  In 2018 Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham appointed him as Greater Manchester’s first ever Night Time Economy Advisor.  Sacha’s also now a Sunday Times bestselling author, thanks to his book ‘Tales from the Dancefloor’.  Sacha was interviewed about the book at an exclusive event for MPA members, by MPA board member Lisa Morton.  Lisa is the founder of Roland Dransfield, and co-founder of Purposeful Podcasts, who make this podcast.  They met at WPP’s Manchester campus for a conversation that’s as entertaining as it is informative. This episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of music, history, and urban revival.This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com.

March 21, 202427 min

AI: Embracing Change In A Digital World

“This is a change the world innovation”How is AI going to impact you; your business, your loved ones and your colleagues? Discover Oliver Yonchev’s take on generative AI, from highlights of his keynote speech for the MPA’s recent breakfast briefing.  Oliver is the CEO of Flight Story, a marketing and communications company, which was founded alongside Steven Bartlett.  His fascinating speech included a deep dive into the world of generative AI, including its application in marketing, automation, and productivity. From the ethical dilemmas to the creative breakthroughs, this episode is a call to embrace change, lean in, and explore how AI is not just reshaping our digital experiences but redefining the very concept of innovation. This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com.Connect with the MPA: WebsiteTwitter Instagram 

February 15, 202422 min

Freelancing and Fresh Perspectives with Polly Ward and Rick Ward

“We want to do nice work for nice people.”Freelancers are key to supporting the industry, so how can they be better supported? Host and MD of MPA Cindy Simmons gets the perspective of Polly and Rick Ward, the father and daughter founders of We Are The Allies. Allies is a creative freelance network putting freelancers together with clients and exciting briefs.As well as how to bring fresh energy into your work, you’ll also hear about the latest upcoming MPA events and how you can attend. Both freelancers themselves, Rick and Polly bring fresh insights into how you can bring a freelancer onto a project and the benefits of doing so. They also divulge the most in-demand creative roles, plus how freelancers are adapting to a changing market with the rise of AI. This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com.Connect with the MPA: WebsiteTwitter Instagram 

January 11, 202420 min

Navigating 2024 with Lee Chambers and Richard Aldiss

“Communicating and listening to our employees is critical”What does 2024 hold for Manchester’s Communications community? Host Cindy Simmons brings together the insights of psychologist and workplace wellbeing consultant Lee Chambers, and Richard Aldiss MD of McCann Manchester, to discuss the evolving landscape. This episode not only previews MPA events but also delves into the intricacies of hybrid working; the digital revolution, and the art of cultivating company culture. Richard and Lee discuss the strategies that top industry leaders are employing to navigate the future of work.This podcast was produced by Purposeful Podcasts. If you want to build a community around your business or your brand, please do get in touch with the team at purposefulpodcasts.com.Connect with the MPA: WebsiteTwitter Instagram 