Ben Botas explains how fashion agencies are evolving from sales intermediaries to data-driven partners that align brands and retailers around shared insights and sell-through performance.

This is the second episode of Retail Eye-Openers, a three-part podcast series produced in collaboration with Impulso. The series explores how data sharing and retailer partnerships drive sell-through and reduce overstock.

In this conversation, Konrad Olsson speaks with Ben Botas, founder of the Munich-based agency Ben&, about how his team is redefining the role of the fashion Agent through technology and collaboration. He explains how data-driven decision-making, process discipline, and cultural change are transforming an industry still too reliant on intuition — and why sell-through, not sell-in, is the true measure of success.

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and consultancy operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We speak with Oskar Rundqvist, co-founder and CEO of eComID, about the shift from search-and-filter to conversational discovery, why “the interface becomes the store,” and how brands can retain data, loyalty, and margins with on-site AI agents.

AI is changing how people shop. With large language models introducing in-feed browsing and even checkout, customer journeys risk completing off-site. eComID’s response is to bring conversational discovery onto brand domains and connect first-party signals across a network of retailers, blending size/fit intelligence to cut returns and improve trust.

In this episode, Rundqvist explains why the classic search bar is “on borrowed time,” how cross-brand data can create a shopper “passport,” and why fully agentic purchasing makes sense for staples but not for style-led fashion.

With: Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief and Founder, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and consultancy operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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This is the first episode of Retail Eye-Openers, a three-part podcast series produced in collaboration with Impulso. The series explores how data sharing and retailer partnerships drive sell-through and reduce overstock.

In this conversation, Konrad Olsson speaks with Morten Kristiansen, Chief Commercial Officer at the Danish fashion brand Les Deux, about how the company builds its growth on close retailer relationships, a trusted “mothership” of data, and pragmatic technology adoption — and why relying too heavily on data alone can be a mistake.

Host:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief and Founder, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and consultancy operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We speak with Fashionlab co-founder Lisa Bagge about how AI is changing image production in fashion — from e-commerce photography to campaigns — and how it can help brands move faster while reducing returns and overproduction.

We discuss how brands are adopting new tools across their workflows, from product pages to lookbooks, and how smaller labels can now produce high-quality visuals with limited resources.

Hosted by: Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief & Founder, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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At Transformation Conference Stockholm, C&A and Markmi shared how AI-driven pricing helps fashion retailers optimise markdowns, protect margins, and adapt faster to changing market conditions.

In this conversation, we speak with Laurent Mainil, Founder of Markmi, and Markus Krenn, Head of Commercial Planning & Operations at C&A Europe, about how their collaboration uses artificial intelligence to drive sell-through and reduce overstock. 

The discussion explores how AI can transform pricing strategies, how large retailers adopt startup solutions, and what change management is needed to make AI work inside complex organisations.

Hosted by:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND

Linda Pimmeshofer, Editor-at-large, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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As AI tools become more embedded in creative workflows, what happens to intuition, craft, and authorship? In this behind-the-scenes episode, we discuss recent articles and interviews published by Scandinavian MIND. The conversation touches on emerging design practices like vibe coding, the rise (and limits) of prompting, and why Nordic creatives continue to emphasise human-centric strategy.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• How AI challenges the role of human intuition in design and storytelling
• Why creativity is becoming a shared task between humans and machines
• What brands and creatives must do to stay relevant in an age of algorithmic discovery

With:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief and Founder

Erik Olofsson-Havikko, Co-Founder and Creative Director

Louise Holmström, Editorial Assistant

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We revisit a panel from the latest Transformation Conference in Copenhagen, where we spoke to three industry leaders shaping how fashion brands and retailers use data to improve planning, reduce waste, and boost profitability 

We speak with:

• Anna-Karin Holck, Country Retail Manager, Bestseller.
• Morten Kristiansen, CCO, Les Deux.
• Daniel Di Benedetto, Regional Director Euro North, Centric Software

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Why localisation in retail is key to reducing overproduction and increasing margins.
• How to combine creative instinct with structured data to stay relevant in both digital and physical retail.
• The role of RFID and PLM systems in creating feedback loops that improve decision-making across the organisation.
• How generative AI can support designers and planners in improving hit rates and optimising inventory.

Host: 

Konrad Olsson, editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND

Linda Pimmeshofer, editor-at-large, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We speak with Kieran Long, director of Amos Rex in Helsinki. After leading the architecture and design museum ArkDes in Stockholm and the design department at the V&A museum in London, Kieran Long now heads one of the most progressive institutions in the Nordics. Amos Rex in Helsinki

In this conversation, recorded during Fashion in Helsinki, we talk about:

• Why fashion is more than clothes, it’s culture
• How museums can become spaces for self-expression and public dialogue
• The impact of AI on creativity and artistic practice
• Lessons from working with the iconic Finnish fashion personality Minttu Vesala and staging fashion shows in public space

Hosted by:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We speak with Lauren Crichton, Director of Marketing at Sana, about their recent AI Summit – one of the most important tech events in the Nordics. The event gathered leading thinkers on the global AI scene, and Lauren was at the center as the host and moderator.  

In this episode we discuss:

• Sana’s mission of empowering knowledge
• How organisations need to foster a safe environment for AI experimentation 
• Why writing remains a vital skill despite the rise of generative AI 
• How creatives can play a crucial role in an AI-driven future.

Hosted by:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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In the second episode of our double release, we shift focus to the brand and technology side of the transparency conversation. What does it really take to implement data-driven sustainability? How can fashion and outdoor brands use traceability to not only comply with regulation—but to create new business models and consumer experiences? This panel explores best practices, hard-earned lessons, and the exciting potential of the Digital Product Passport.

In this episode, we discuss:

– How brands are piloting Digital Product Passports and integrating them with suppliers

– The organisational and tech challenges of becoming data-driven

– Why transparency is about more than compliance — it’s about future business value

– How DPPs can enable better resale, repair, community-building, and product storytelling

We speak with:

Sara M. Rakstang, Founder & CEO, Repass

Johan Graffner, CEO at Dedicated, Co-Founder at Vintage & Friends

Linda Pimmeshofer, Founder, Change Retail

Hosted by:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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This is the first of two episodes from our recent Transformation Talks in Stockholm. We dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of EU legislation and what it means for international fashion and textile businesses. 

We speak with:

• Hege Schøyen, Partner, Frøya Ventures
• Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs, GS1 Sweden
• Magnus Nikkarinen, Senior Policy Director, Swedish Commerce (Svensk Handel)

In this episode, we discuss:

– The status and implications of the EU Omnibus Package for fashion brands

– How sustainability reporting (CSRD) is evolving for small and medium businesses

– The role of Digital Product Passports and supply chain traceability

– How companies can turn compliance into commercial opportunity

Hosted by:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We speak to renowned photographer and magazine editor Rankin about his latest project Faik Off, an exhibition and magazine that explores the ethical, creative, and existential implications of artificial intelligence in photography.

We discussed:

• The making of Faik Off, a 420-page AI-powered magazine exploring art, ethics, and identity.
• Why Rankin describes working with AI as “dirty, exciting, and terrifying.”
• How AI is hallenging traditional Notions of Authorship, Taste, and Creativity
• The legal minefield of AI-generated content — and why the magazine can’t be shipped outside the UK.

Hosted by:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND

Erik Olofsson Haavikko, Creative Director and co-founder, Scandinavian MIND.

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We revisit yesterday’s Transformation Talks in Borås, where we discussed transparency and long-term supplier relationships are creating new business value for workwear and outdoor brands. 

On stage was

•Fanny Ekholm, CSR Manager at Didriksons

•Ann Carlsson, CSR & Environment Manager at Blåkläder

•Sara M. Rakstang, Founder & CEO of Repass

We discussed.

• Long-term supplier relationships enhance transparency in the supply chain.
• Circular economy practices need to be scalable and integrated into business models
• Data collection is crucial for understanding sustainability impacts.

Hosted by Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We sit down with Marcus Hartmann, Regional Head of Sustainability & Public Affairs at H&M North Europe, to unpack the fashion giant’s most recent sustainability report — and the company’s evolving strategy for reducing its environmental footprint.

In this conversation, we discuss the realities behind overproduction, the promise and limits of resale, and why transparency is both a communications challenge and a business imperative. Marcus also shares H&M’s perspective on upcoming EU legislation and the role of collaboration in driving systemic change. 

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Why H&M is doubling down on transparency in its sustainability efforts
• The significance of disclosing total production volumes — and what the numbers reveal
• How resale is growing, but still accounts for just 0.6% of turnover
• Why decoupling financial growth from resource use is a “tough cookie,” but non-negotiable
• The technologies H&M is betting on — from AI to fiber-to-fiber recycling

Hosted by Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We speak to Staffan Olsson, Head of Public Affairs at GS1, about the recent developments in EU legislation affecting the textile industry, particularly following the introduction of the Omnibus Simplification Package in February 2025.

What does this all mean?

We speak to Staffan about:

• How the Omibus package affects key legislative frameworks CSRD and CSDDD 
• How relaxations in reporting requirements may not diminish the overall sustainability ambition of the EU.
• Why data and traceability are essential for achieving sustainability goals in the fashion industry.
• How GS1 aims to inspire the industry to start preparing for sustainability and digitalisation

Hosted by Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We are speaking with Achim Berg, founder of FashionSIGHTS, about the role of AI and technology in the fashion system, fashion as a wealth generator, and his advice to Nordic premium brands. 

FashionSIGHTS is an independent corporate think tank that aims to redefine thought leadership and advisory by transforming data, experience, and expertise into actionable insights.

Achim is already an established thought leader in the industry. He worked for 24 years at McKinsey & Company, where he was instrumental in founding and leading the global Apparel, Fashion, and Luxury practice. 

In this conversation, we talk about:

• His observations for attending D-Congress in Gothenburg
• Why AI is a significant game changer for the fashion industry
• How Fashion became the third largest wealth-generating industry after technology and finance
• How to navigate technology and compliance
• His advice to brands in the Nordic market

Hosts:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder of Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We record directly from the biggest retail events in the Nordics, D-Congress in Gothenburg, where we have hosted several panel talks and arranged our first exclusive round table discussion with leaders from retail, fashion and the tech industry. 

Hosts:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and founder, Scandinavian MIND

Linda Pimmeshofer, Founder, Change Retail

—

Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We explore how AI is transforming marketing, why brand books need to be rewritten for an AI-driven world, and what businesses must do to stay relevant as automation reshapes content creation and design.

In today’s episode, we dive into the latest developments in AI-driven marketing and what they mean for brands, designers, and content creators.

• What happens when marketing activities are no longer executed by humans, but by AI agents?
• How should brand books be rewritten to guide AI-driven campaigns?
• And are we heading toward a future where even our ads are only seen by artificial intelligence?

With AI reshaping everything from brand storytelling to performance marketing, companies need to rethink their approach to content creation, design systems, and audience engagement. We break down the insights from our latest research and discuss the implications for the future of branding.

Hosted by:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief, Scandinavian MIND

Erik Olofsson Haavikko, Creative Director, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We are speaking with Erik Vikander, co-founder and CEO of Wilgot, an AI-guided marketing platform that is redefining how content is created and scaled in the era of AI search.

In this episode we talk about:

• How AI is disrupting the traditional search model.
• Why brands need to adapt to new consumer search behaviors
• How investing in content can improve marketing effectiveness
• And why the role of creative direction will become more important than ever

Host:

Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief, Scandinavian MIND

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

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We are speaking to Anna Felländer, founder of Anch AI, an ethical AI governance platform that helps companies comply with EU regulations and avoid risks when using AI in their businesses.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• The risks and opportunities of implementing generative AI in the fashion industry.
• Why the societal implications of AI are becoming more critical.
• How regulation can provide clarity and guardrails for AI innovation.
• And how companies can prepare for AI in 2025

Host: Konrad Olsson, editor-in-chief and Founder of Scandinavian MIND. 

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Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. 

Sign up for our newsletter:

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Connect with our agency:

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