YOUR SIP OF BRAND TRUTH
This is BRANDR Podcast, bringing you real stories and learnings from great people who have achieved branding success. It’s 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.
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RECENT EPISODES
EPISODE 1
Why Branding Drives Business Success
In this episode, Roy Tavenor and Richard Henderson dive deep into the power of branding and its impact on business success. Discover why branding is more than just design… It’s about aligning your brand identity with organisational culture, building emotional connections and staying relevant in a rapidly changing market.
We explore brand strategy, the role of creativity and how businesses can strengthen audience engagement to grow sustainably. Whether you’re a business leader, marketer, or entrepreneur, this conversation will give you practical branding insights to sharpen your brand strategy and drive long term growth.
EPISODE 2
Why Bunnings Built a Trusted Brand
Discover how Bunnings and other major retailers are reshaping the future of branding. In this episode with Shane Lipton, we dive deep into the evolution of private labels, exploring how storytelling, authenticity and consumer perception are redefining what makes a brand successful.
From the business side of branding to Australia’s role in the global market, this conversation uncovers what retailers must do to stay ahead. If you’re in retail, marketing, or brand strategy, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your brand and connect more meaningfully with customers.
EPISODE 3
How Brand Created Community | ONE BALL
In this episode, Kamal Ibrahim shares his remarkable journey from Ethiopia to Australia and the role soccer played as a universal language for connection and belonging. He reflects on the founding of ONE BALL, the non-profit organisation he created to empower young people through football and essential life skills.
Kamal discusses the importance of branding built on values and trust, not just logos, and how engaging families and communities has been central to ONE BALL’s success. He also introduces Positive Kick, his new initiative focused on youth empowerment, mental resilience, and personal growth through daily affirmations.
This conversation highlights the impact of authentic community initiatives, the power of sport in shaping lives and the importance of staying true to your vision.
EPISODE 4
Vinnies. Good works with a Great Brand
In this episode of BRANDR, we explore the inspiring evolution of Vinnies with Liz Randle Head of Merchandise & Retail Innovation at St Vincent de Paul Society, a charity retail organisation that has transformed from humble beginnings into a vibrant retail brand deeply embedded in the community. The conversation dives into how Vinnies balances social purpose with commercial success, creating a unique shopping experience that attracts a diverse customer base.
From the importance of authentic storytelling and creative branding to strategies for engaging younger generations, the discussion uncovers how Vinnies continues to stay relevant and innovative in a changing retail landscape. Listeners will gain brand insights into the power of community, the shift in luxury perception, and the value of innovation in the non profit sector.
EPISODE 5
The America’s Cup Win That Was Once Imagined | John Bertrand AO
In this special episode of BRANDR, we explore the story of one of the most defining moments in Australia’s national identity, the 1983 America’s Cup victory with John Bertrand AO, skipper of Australia II and national icon.
Bertrand reflects on what that historic win meant for a country in recession, how the Boxing Kangaroo became a symbol of defiance, and why trust, honesty and curiosity remain the foundation of all high performing teams. He also discusses his later involvement with the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and what these milestone events say about Brand Australia, from its can-do attitude to its warmth and authenticity on the global stage.
Alongside reflections on design, innovation and leadership, Bertrand shares stories of legendary figures like Ben Lexcen and Bob Hawke, revealing how creativity, imagination and national pride fused into a defining cultural moment that continues to shape Australia’s identity today.
EPISODE 6
The Legacy, Reinvention and IP of Guy Grossi
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.
EPISODE 7
Rethinking Brand Melbourne: Innovation, Identity and the Rise of New Communities
In this powerful episode of BRANDR, Richard and Roy sit down with George Christopoulos, entrepreneur, former Socceroo, marketer and lifelong Melbournian, 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 some 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.
EPISODE 8
Building Supermarket Brands Fast with Alli Bailey
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.
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