In this episode of Spikes Excitement Talks, Gordon sits down with Gina Roughan, Head of Branded Social at Compare the Market—home of the legendary Meerkat campaign.
Originally from Durban, South Africa, Gina shares her journey from growing up around journalism to building standout brand content in the UK.
Gina reflects on her early career as a music editor in post-apartheid South Africa, her transition into advertising, and her deep-rooted love for storytelling—whether in long-form journalism or sharp, impactful short-form social content. They explore her formative roles at Weight Watchers, Channel 4 Food, and Tesco, and how food, emotion, and culture shaped her creative approach.
Plus: Gina shares her personal career highlight — a donut collab featuring Sergey the meerkat — and makes the case for a future where storytelling, silliness, and smart tech coexist.
From the thrill of innovation to the dangers of robotic storytelling, Gina brings a sharp, thoughtful lens to the rapid changes shaping marketing today.
Tune in, if you’re excited or even a little nervous about where AI is taking creativity.
