BRANDR | Your Dose of Brand Truth Podcast By SESSION in PROGRESS cover art

BRANDR | Your Dose of Brand Truth

BRANDR | Your Dose of Brand Truth

By: SESSION in PROGRESS
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This isn’t a brand or marketing lecture. It’s BRANDR, a podcast made for the people who sign off on strategy, not just talk about it. Hosted by Roy Tavenor and Richard Henderson, two straight talking industry pros who have seen it all! If you care about the value of brand, this is where you hear how it’s really done.

 Art Economics Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Building Supermarket Brands Fast with Alli Bailey

    Building Supermarket Brands Fast with Alli Bailey
    Feb 5 2026

    What does it really take to build a successful consumer brand and land it in major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles?

    In this episode of BRANDR, hosts Roy Tavner and Richard Henderson sit down with Alli Bailey, one of Australia’s most exciting young entrepreneurs. Alli shares her journey from a short corporate stint at L’Oréal to launching four consumer brands in just four years, including her latest breakout food brand, Bella Cucina.

    Alli unpacks how speed, intuition, and packaging-led branding have helped her identify retailer gaps, build products fast and win shelf space in highly competitive categories. This is a practical, honest conversation about entrepreneurship, branding and why supermarket success is won on the shelf, not on a spreadsheet.

    YOUR DOSE OF BRAND TRUTH

    • Why getting into Woolworths is only half the battle
    • How Alli went from zero experience to ten SKUs across Woolworths and Coles
    • The real difference between selling into retailers and selling off shelves
    • Why packaging is the most powerful marketing tool in food
    • How point-of-purchase branding beats traditional digital ads
    • The importance of moving faster than big corporate competitors
    • How Bella Cucina disrupted a stagnant pasta sauce category
    • Lessons from launching four brands in four years
    • Why food brands offer long term resilience and scale
    • What Ali would tell her 16-year-old self about business and risk

    Key Topics Discussed

    • Entrepreneurial mindset vs corporate structures
    • Retail buyer relationships and gap led innovation
    • Branding strategy in supermarkets
    • Guerrilla marketing vs paid media
    • Packaging as theatre and identity
    • Building brands with speed and confidence
    • Young founders and unconventional career paths

    THE SCRIPT00:00 – Why Alli was always destined to build brands
    00:36 – Introducing Alli Bailey and the focus on young entrepreneurs
    02:04 – Growing up in an entrepreneurial household
    04:05 – The L’Oréal reality check: speed vs bureaucracy
    05:58 – What Alli hoped corporate would teach her
    06:51 – The mindset shift: choosing uncertainty and backing yourself
    08:16 – “Five to nine”: the entrepreneur’s working style
    09:16 – Why Alli switched from beauty to food
    10:10 – Daily Ritual: the first brand and the Woolworths break
    11:12 – Getting meetings with buyers (and why it’s rare)
    12:18 – Building brands around what retailers actually want
    13:35 – From zero to 10 SKUs in Woolies and Coles
    15:16 – Packaging as the brand: shelf impact and desire
    16:23 – Stacked and Alive: product innovation and tech
    18:41 – The real challenge: getting product off the shelf
    19:44 – Who pays for marketing in retail? Promotions vs brand strategy
    21:10 – Why point-of-purchase matters more than social ads
    21:43 – Bella Cucina: disrupting a boring pasta sauce category
    22:55 – The “sea of red” problem and why they went blue
    23:59 – Packaging as theatre and lifestyle statement
    25:52 – Mascots, fonts, and building a brand world
    28:15 – Why no front window on the pouch
    30:16 – “Eclectic”: global inspiration and moving fast
    32:00 – The three layers: product brand, company brand, personal brand
    33:20 – Advice to younger self: start earlier, fail faster
    34:46 – Where to buy Bella Cucina and wrap upFeatured Brand

    Bella Cucina
    Available now at Woolworths nationwide and over 300 independent retailers across Australia.

    HOSTS | Roy Tavenor and Richard Henderson

    GUEST | Alexandra (Alli) Bailey Chief of Eclectic Group eclecticgroup.com.au/

    SPONSORS | Red Design Group redgp.com and R-Co r-co.com.au

    PRODUCED BY | Session in Progress sessioninprogress.com.au

    #Brand #BrandStrategy #BrandStorytelling #ExecutiveInsights #Entrepreneur #Leadership #BrandrPodcast #Brandr #BellaCucina #EclecticGroup

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    36 mins
  • The Brand Is the People: George Christopoulos on Rebuilding Melbourne

    The Brand Is the People: George Christopoulos on Rebuilding Melbourne
    Dec 10 2025
    In this powerful episode of BRANDR, Richard and Roy sit down with George Christopoulos — entrepreneur, former Socceroo, marketer, and lifelong Melburnian — for a passionate deep dive into what Melbourne was, what it has become, and what the city must do to reclaim its identity. From migrant beginnings, small-business grit, major event strategy, and the rise of Melbourne’s multicultural heartbeat, the conversation tackles the future of Melbourne as a global brand — and the uncomfortable truths holding the city back. George reflects on Melbourne’s rich history of community, small-business culture, markets, and iconic personalities, and explains why “the brand is the people” has never been more relevant. Together, the trio explore how policy, over-regulation, working-from-home, and shifting demographics have reshaped the city — and why the solution isn’t more government, but unlocking people, innovation and purpose. Connect with us at brandrpodcast.com or @brandrpodcast YOUR DOSE OF BRAND TRUTH Why Melbourne’s soul is its people — and why policy is pushing that identity to the margins.The decline of small business and how over-regulation is killing innovation.Melbourne’s “brand custodians” and why the city lacks continuity in identity.The rise of Melbourne’s Asian influence, productivity culture and new business energy.The shift from the CBD’s commercial dominance to events, experiences and precinct living.Why the Comedy Festival may be Melbourne’s most powerful economic engine.How Queen Victoria Market’s heritage clashes with modern consumer expectations.How empty office buildings could become vertical markets and new cultural hubs.The cultural cost of poorly designed public holiday policies and sporting event sponsorships.Why Melbourne’s future relies on letting people loose, not increasing government involvement.The importance of restoring community, identity and aspiration for the next generation. THE SCRIPT 00:00 – The Real Story Behind Melbourne Today Why Melbourne’s identity is shifting and why small business is under pressure. 00:53 – Meet George Christopoulos His migrant upbringing, family business roots, and the people who shaped his Melbourne journey. 01:36 – Football, Injury and Reinvention From teenage Socceroo to real estate and sports marketing — the turning points that defined him. 04:13 – How Migration Built Melbourne’s Community Identity Port Melbourne, early settlers, and the formation of Melbourne’s multicultural brand. 05:43 – The Icons Who Made Melbourne Retail giants, media personalities, business leaders — and why “the brand is the people”. 07:45 – Who Owns ‘Brand Melbourne’? Precincts, councils, corporates, and the shifting custodianship of the city. 09:19 – Events That Put Melbourne on the World Stage Formula 1, the Australian Open, the Comedy Festival, and why some events matter more than others. 10:36 – Melbourne After COVID Remote work, population surge and the city’s new identity challenges. 12:29 – Innovation, Productivity and the Asian Influence Why Melbourne’s future is tied to culture, work ethic and youth-driven energy. 14:17 – The Evolution of Melbourne’s Markets Queen Victoria Market’s history, challenges and the need for modernisation. 17:37 – The Future of Melbourne: Purpose, Work and Opportunity Brain drain, welfare culture and the risks of over-regulation. 20:07 – Rethinking Melbourne’s Precincts and Infrastructure How the city’s outer ring and transport systems can power new community hubs. 22:10 – Small Business vs Big Events How public holidays, policies and sponsorships impact local operators. 25:44 – Reinventing Empty Buildings Vertical markets, creative reuse and unlocking Melbourne’s unused spaces. 28:37 – The Big Message: Give Melbourne Back to the People Community, culture and the call to restore Melbourne’s soul. 30:21 – George’s Advice to His Younger Self Purpose, money, family and the emotional reality of small business life. 32:26 – Closing Thoughts Melbourne’s future depends on its people — and the ones like George who never stop caring. HOSTS | Roy Tavenor and Richard Henderson GUEST | George Christopoulos SPONSORS | Red Design Group redgp.com and R-Co r-co.com.au PRODUCED BY | Session in Progress sessioninprogress.com.au #Brand #BrandStrategy #BrandStorytelling #PeopleOverProfit #ExecutiveInsights #Leadership #BrandrPodcast #Brandr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    33 mins
  • The Legacy, Reinvention and IP of Guy Grossi

    The Legacy, Reinvention and IP of Guy Grossi
    Nov 19 2025
    In this episode of BRANDR, Roy and Richard sit down with one of Melbourne’s most iconic hospitality figures, chef and restaurateur Guy Grossi. Across more than 40 years in the industry, Guy has shaped the cultural identity of Italian dining in Melbourne, stewarded the legendary Florentino and built a brand recognised globally. This conversation explores the art of brand custodianship, how to modernise a legacy without losing its soul and the business of hospitality at scale. Discover Guy’s next chapter as he shifts from restaurant operator to IP driven consultant. If you are building a brand, buying a business, or want to understand how world class hospitality experiences are engineered, this episode is required listening. YOUR DOSE OF BRAND TRUTH The evolution of Florentino from 1928 to todayHow to modernise a historic brand without alienating its loyal baseThe Grossi family philosophy and the depth of Italian cultural storytellingBuilding a dining experience that becomes synonymous with a cityCustomer experience systems and serving at a consistently high levelThe entrepreneurial role of restaurateurs in shaping Melbourne’s identityThe shift from operator to IP and consultancyFamily legacy, succession and redefining success after 40 years in kitchens THE SCRIPT Welcome to BRANDR – 0:00 to 1:00The Founder’s Story – 1:00 to 5:00The First Big Pivot – 5:00 to 8:00Building a Brand That Matters – 8:00 to 12:00The Challenge – 12:00 to 16:00How We Solved It – 16:00 to 20:00Lessons Learned – 20:00 to 24:00The Vision Ahead – 24:00 to 28:00Final Thoughts – 28:00 to 30:00 Key Takeaways1. Great brands are custodianship, not ownership Guy explains how he approached Florentino with respect for its history, its regulars and the legacy of the Massoni family, bringing customers along for the journey rather than shocking them with change. 2. Brand depth is more powerful than brand width The Grossi brand thrives because it is narrow, clear and uncompromisingly Italian. Every detail runs through a cultural filter that ensures consistency across venues. 3. Hospitality is storytelling From the murals in the Mural Room to the greeting at the door, Guy describes how every touch point is a storytelling device that forms part of the Italian Melbourne identity. 4. Systems underpin good service There is nothing accidental about great restaurants. Guy outlines how good systems create the illusion of effortless hospitality. 5. Melbourne shapes the brand and the brand shapes Melbourne Guy and his peers have played a major role in positioning Melbourne as one of the world’s great dining cities, through entrepreneurial risk and cultural contribution. 6. Reinvention can mean stepping behind the scenes With Florentino now passed on, Guy explains his next evolution of focusing on IP, consultation, training and brand building for others. Guest Bio | Guy Grossi Guy Grossi is one of Australia’s most respected chefs and restaurateurs. Known for Grossi Florentino, Ombra and other landmark venues, Guy’s work blends Italian heritage with the spirit of Melbourne. He is an author, television personality and cultural ambassador whose global influence spans food, design, heritage and hospitality leadership. Quotes from the Episode "The art form in a brand is to tell a story in an instant.""You are only as good as your last service.""We are not selling food and beverages. We are selling an Italian cultural experience.""You must bring people along when you modernise a legacy.""Our story is not just an Italian story. It is very much an Italian Melbourne story." HOSTS | Roy Tavenor and Richard Henderson GUEST | Guy Grossi https://www.grossi.com.au/ SPONSORS | Red Design Group redgp.com and R-Co r-co.com.au PRODUCED BY | Session in Progress sessioninprogress.com.au #Brand #BrandStrategy #BrandStorytelling #Grossi #Hospitality #Leadership #thisIsBRANDR #BRANDRPodcast #BRANDRSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    49 mins
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