This week, Lewis is joined by freelance copywriter Stuart Davis to talk freelancing, finding your tone, and why value is such a keyword in copywriting today.
From early days freelancing straight out of university, to years working with agencies on tech and manufacturing content, to carving out his own consultancy approach, Stuart shares how he balances briefs, adapts tone of voice, and why he's proud of the full body of work rather than any single project.
They also dive into AI, the challenges of networking as a reserved creative, and the value of collaboration with other disciplines.
Find Stuart on LinkedIn
Visit his website, Creative Imp
This week, Lewis is joined by Kirsten Parnell-Vernon, Senior Copywriter at Tiger Marketing. Kirsten shares her story of discovering copywriting by way of a linguistics degree, a master’s in forensic linguistics, and Cancer Research UK comms.
They get into living a brand, why pen-and-paper is still the ultimate thinking tool, and how to thrive when ten deadlines collide. Kirsten talks niche clients, long-form B2B, pushing cheeky tone of voice even when it’s not your “natural,” and the simple joy of a client saying, “You’ve nailed it.”
There’s a frank take on AI, from ethics to Kerry Harrison’s “AI sandwich”, plus a love letter to Martin Amis’s work, and a surprising writing soundtrack recommendation.
Find Kirsten on LinkedIn and Substack.
Find Tiger Marketing at tigermarketing.co.uk.
This week, Lewis is joined by Adam Brannon, Senior Content Strategist at Herd and founder/editor of Movie Metropolis, to talk copy, cinema, and where those worlds collide.
From a Cubs Christmas story that was “too dark,” to Press Association days writing TV/film listings, to leading content at Herd, Adam shares how he plans rigorously for clients, removes ego to honour brand tone, and why one LGBTQ+ sexual-health article became a proud “speak to the audience you’re missing” moment.
They also nerd out on Jurassic Park, the Marvel-style quip problem, and writing to film scores...and Barbra Streisand.
Find Adam on LinkedIn
Find Movie Metropolis at moviemetropolis.net, on Instagram and on Facebook
Find Herd at herd.io
This week, Lewis is joined by Cassdy Grigg, freelance copywriter (and our first international guest!), to talk yearbooks, SaaS, and making freelancing work on her own terms.
From award-winning high school yearbooks and in-house SaaS marketing to surviving layoffs and building a freelance career, Cassidy shares how she writes audience-first, why websites and emails are her sweet spot, and how she uses AI transparently.
They also talk about curing writer's block by literally talking it out, the strange dichotomy between Instagram and LinkedIn with their "style over substance" and "substance over style" attitudes, and how LinkedIn got fun once Cassidy stopped overthinking it.
Find Cassidy on LinkedIn.
Visit Cassidy's website.
Subscribe to Cassidy's newsletter, Sloppy Copy.
This week, Lewis is joined by Michelle Robinson, a former NHS mental health professional who pivoted into copywriting after a single Facebook post led to ten same-day enquiries. They talk freelancing from zero to sustainable, values-led work; writing for therapists and agriculture; and why “what’s in it for me?” beats technical jargon every time.
Michelle shares her whiteboard-first process, her cure for writer’s block, and how to balance safe options with a wild-card idea clients didn’t know they wanted. There’s a clear-eyed take on AI, plus mentoring, imposter syndrome, and the Stephen King must-read that sharpened her craft.
Find Michelle on LinkedIn and at michellerobinsonwriter.com
This week, Lewis is joined by Ash Billinghay, a freelance copywriter with a knack for irreverence, client-winning tone, and the occasional rant about bad advertising.
From AOL chatrooms and Joanna Lumley’s welcome message to writing tone of voice guidelines for First Direct and becoming the voice of Samsung’s training academy, Ash traces his journey from agency life to freelance freedom.
They also dive into advertising’s big problem with data, KFC’s cult-like chicken ads, and why data will never tell you to put a gorilla and Phil Collins together.
Also featuring rants about AI, love letters to Bob Mortimer and Dave Trott, and a creative process that involves putting a teabag in your brain.
Find Ash at ashbillinghay.com and on LinkedIn
In this episode, Lewis is joined by freelance copywriter Amy Hawthorne to trace her route from a chemical plant grad job to years of travelling, to landing agency roles in Melbourne, and the moment she asked, “What the hell is a copywriter?” That question kick-started a career that now spans brand voice workshops, bold lifestyle work, and helping challenger brands stand out.
From drawing tone-of-voice inspiration from The Great Gatsby, Wicked, and even Paris, to building a swipe file that keeps ideas fresh, Amy shares how she avoids repetition, why small brands give copywriters the most freedom, and the projects that pushed her out of her comfort zone (hello, crypto and Gen Z social).
They also get into AI: useful for targeted research, but never for the writing, plus the ethics, the energy cost, and why polished-but-generic isn’t the goal. Amy’s advice for newer copywriters is refreshingly direct: get a job first, do the work, learn the systems, then go freelance.
If you’re curious about crafting distinctive voices, running idea-rich workshops, and keeping copy unmistakably human, this one’s for you.
Connect with Amy at thecopyhouse.uk and on LinkedIn.
In this episode, Lewis is joined by freelance copywriter Lauren Holden to talk about her route from local journalism to agency life, and why one “dream job” wasn’t what it seemed. Lauren shares how she quit with nothing to go to, how healthcare became her unexpected niche, and the honest reality of writer’s block.
From pitching NME and running music columns to conceptual campaigns about ice cream (yes, really), Lauren opens up about collaboration, client feedback, and why she’ll always defend the em dash. She also gives her take on AI tools.
If you’re curious about finding your voice across industries, balancing tone with client goals, and keeping your writing human in a noisy digital world, this one’s for you.
Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn, Instagram, and at laurenholden.co.uk.
In this episode, Lewis is joined by freelance copywriter Eddie Hall to talk about his unusual path into copywriting, from a criminology degree to landing his first in-house job just a week after graduating, to bouncing back from redundancy and building a full-time freelance career.
From the power of a single landing page to change a customer’s mind, to the frustrations of AI content checkers, to why “it loves a dash” (and why everyone on LinkedIn suddenly loves the Oxford comma), Eddie shares honest insights, resilient lessons, and a sharp take on what clients often misunderstand about good copy.
If you’ve ever questioned whether copywriting can truly make an impact, or want to hear two writers laugh about commas, jazz, and why AI should stay far away from our entertainment, this is the episode for you.
Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn.
In this episode, host Lewis sits down with freelance copywriter Emily Redman to talk about her journey from journalism graduate to agency life, and why she recently took the leap into freelancing.
From rewriting AI-generated copy to working on high-stakes projects for billion-dollar brands, to admitting her creative process is “chaotic” (in the best way possible), Emily shares candid insights, plenty of laughs, and a refreshing take on the “niche vs. generalist” debate.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to go freelance, or want to hear two writers swap stories about travel, late-night deadlines, and even classical piano playlists, this is the episode for you.
Connect with Emily on LinkedIn.
Welcome to Copy That, the new series from QuadCast that's all about copywriting.
In our very first episode, host Lewis sits down with freelance copywriter Eleanor Jones to talk about how she began copywriting straight after graduating in 2020, why her old blog posts are off-limits, and how she turned a pandemic side hustle into a full-time creative career.
From navigating feast-and-famine freelancing to writing eBooks on burnout, to the eternal debate of “to niche or not to niche,” Eleanor shares candid insights, plenty of laughs, and a few truths every aspiring copywriter needs to hear.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn a love of words into paid work, or want to hear two writers nerd out about dashes, blank pages, and everything in between, this is the episode for you.
Connect with Eleanor on LinkedIn.
A quick intro to Copy That, a new QuadCast series all about copywriting - the real kind.
Hosted by Lewis, this series features one-on-one conversations with copywriters from all kinds of backgrounds, talking honestly about how they work, how they started, and how they’re figuring it out.
New episodes drop weekly.
Subscribe, follow, and stay tuned.
In this episode of QuadCast, Lewis and Sarah are joined by special guest Ravinder Rakkar - founder of RKR Content Creation and host of Stratford Buzz Networking.
Together, they unpack the power of informal, in-person networking, the evolution from structured groups to fuss-free events, and the irreplaceable value of genuine business relationships.
🔗 Explore More from AlphaQuad
🌐 Website: https://www.alphaquad.co.uk/
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life License code: G9SCINP8RPI9FMYA
In this episode, Sara and Tim sit down with Chris Dilley, Managing Director of Techsil, a leading specialist in technical adhesives and tapes.
Chris shares Techsil’s journey from a small UK-based business to an international player, diving into their acquisition strategy, customisation capabilities, and the vital role of technical expertise. We explore how digital transformation, through e-commerce, LinkedIn, and AI, is reshaping manufacturing and B2B sales.
Chris also discusses the importance of company culture during rapid growth, offering insights on maintaining a people-first approach while scaling. A must-listen for anyone interested in modern manufacturing, digital marketing, or business leadership.
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch wasn’t just another animated film, it was a full-blown marketing curveball. No fairy tale. No royal destiny. Just a blue alien with a chainsaw and a grudge against the Disney canon.Let's dive into how Disney turned nostalgia on its head to introduce one of its most chaotic and beloved characters. From Stitch crashing the Renaissance classics in teaser trailers, to the stripped-back poster, to an Elvis-infused soundtrack and self-aware merchandising, this campaign did everything differently.We’ll unpack:🎬 The genius of Stitch invading iconic Disney moments🎨 Why the theatrical poster was a flex in minimalist storytelling🧃 How marketing leaned into chaos, not just cuteness🎸 The role of familiar music and irreverent humour in winning over audiences🔥 Why this campaign didn’t just sell a film, it redefined a brandThis isn’t just a nostalgia trip. It’s a case study in branding, disruption, and how to Trojan Horse a story into the Disney pantheon.👇 Let us know your favourite Stitch moment in the comments — and hit subscribe if you love smart storytelling, pop culture deep dives, and a bit of chaos.#LiloAndStitch #DisneyMarketing #VideoEssay #NostalgiaMarketing #Stitch #DisneyDeepDive #Disney2000s #AnimationAnalysis #DisneyTeasers #DisneyRenaissance
When Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling was announced, it looked like a hit: buzzy cast, big themes, impeccable styling. With Florence Pugh at the emotional centre and Harry Styles bringing global fan heat, it had all the makings of a cultural moment. What we got instead was a spectacle that spiralled into gossip-fuelled chaos — one that redefined what a modern film campaign even is.
This isn’t a takedown. It’s a case study. A timeline of spit conspiracies, “Miss Flo” memes, and digital PR damage control. From the LaBeouf exit to the Venice Film Festival premiere, we’re breaking down how Don’t Worry Darling became less of a movie and more of a meme — and what that says about the future of film marketing.
⚡ How does social media reshape narrative?
📱 What happens when audiences take over the story?
🌀 And what does it mean when the promo becomes the product?
This is not the campaign they planned.
🔗 Explore More from AlphaQuad
🌐 Website: https://www.alphaquad.co.uk/
🎧 QuadCast – Our Digital Marketing Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Rf65gUn2AvBk2Re8ZbBZC
🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more cultural deep dives, digital autopsies, and the occasional Aperol Spritz.
In this episode of QuadCast, we are joined by Martin Phillis from Definition Media to discuss digital marketing for manufacturers, what works best for the industry, and why this is an industry that we have enjoyed working in so much.
A huge thank you to Martin for joining us on this episode.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life License code: G9SCINP8RPI9FMYA
Saturday 8th 2025 March is International Women’s Day! 💜
To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with Berrykin Marketing Co. for a special edition of QuadCast – The Women Who Mean Business! 💼✨
Our panel of 7 powerhouse women shared real talk on challenges, triumphs, and how we can truly champion each other.
A special thanks to our wonderful guests:
⭐ Rebecca, CEO and Founder of Berrykin Marketing Co.
⭐ Alice, Founder of Alice Cook Design
⭐ Lucy, CEO and Founder of The PS Events Group
⭐ Ruth, Founder of The Presenting Hub and Senior Account Manager for The PS Events Group
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life License code: G9SCINP8RPI9FMYA
🎃 Welcome to the Halloween special of QuadCast! 🎃 Join us for a spellbinding episode as we take you on a magical journey with the Marketing Witch of AlphaQuad and her talented team of digital wizards! In this whimsical tale, discover how SEO, PPC, content strategy, social media, web design, and copywriting come together to transform client campaigns into pure magic. It's the ultimate creative flight through the world of digital marketing! Special thanks to Emily Browne for lending her fantastic voice to this episode. You can follow Emily and her work on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064740499089 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_browne_music/ Website: https://emilybrowne.co.uk/ 🎭 Also, don't miss the new production of The Railway Children at The Bear Pit Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon! This heartwarming adaptation of the beloved classic takes you back in time to explore themes of family, friendship, and resilience, all set against the backdrop of an unforgettable railway adventure. The talented cast and creative direction are sure to make it a memorable experience for audiences of all ages. Be sure to grab your tickets and enjoy this magical production at one of Stratford's most beloved venues! You can get your tickers here: https://www.thebearpit.org.uk/whats-on/the-railway-children/
In this episode, the AlphaQuad team sit down to discuss the reinvigorated AlphaQuad website. We talk about why now was the right time for a new website, what the challenges were in the design and build phase, and ultimately, what comes next.
Check out the new AlphaQuad website here.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life License code: G9SCINP8RPI9FMYA
