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Artwork for ShanghaiZhan:   All Things Global Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms

ShanghaiZhan: All Things Global Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms

Ali Kazmi & Bryce Whitwam
China
E-Commerce
Consumer Behavior
Artificial Intelligence
Social Commerce
Douyin
Marketing
Chinese Brands
Luxury Brands
Advertising
Social Media
Ad Fraud
Brand Strategy
Marketing Strategies
Digital Marketing
Innovation
Outbound Travel
Wechat
Olympics
Wellness

ShanghaiZhan is a raw, lively, and regular debate about global tech, advertising, creativity & the intersection of it all. Join hosts Ali Kazmi and Bryce Whitwam, for timely discussions on the world of marketing and advertising.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes106Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MarketingManagementBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for ShanghaiZhan:   All Things Global Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms

Latest Episodes

Carol Zhou returns to ShanghaiZhan nearly 100 episodes after her first appearance to explore how China's beauty industry has transformed from an emerging trend into a global innovation powerhouse. As Senior Vice President of Business Innovation & Inv... more

China has over 50,000 brands going global: which ones will survive?

China has more overseas enterprises than ever before, but volume alone does not build a brand. Jan Harling has spent 15 years inside that expansion, holding senior roles at Huawei a... more

Is there a balance in the creation of advertising and the use of AI?

Many are signaling a massive transformation of the industry. With cutting-edge AI video creation tools, China is at the forefront of this paradox. We spoke to Arthur Ma, co-fou... more

"Slogger" or "Kisser?" Which one are you?

We've all been told that there are only two ways to the top. You either go the slogger route, grind yourself to a fine powder, give up your weekends and social life to get ahead, or you master the dark arts... more

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Recent Guests

Jan Harling
Founder and CEO of Virtus Asia, marketing and media consultant
Virtus Asia
Episode: Chinese Brand Darwinism: Winners & Losers on the Global Stage: Jan Harling
Arthur Ma
Co-founder of Red Horse Productions
Red Horse Productions
Episode: Where AI Ends and the Creative Leap Begins: Arthur Ma on the Future of Creative Advertising
Bhaskar Jaiswal
Former COO of Media Business at Dentsu India; Zen Hustler co-author
Zen Hustle Code (author)
Episode: Surviving Toxic Corporate Culture with the Zen Hustle Code: Bhasker Jaiswal and Anupam Mukerji
Anupam Mukherjee
Anonymous blogger, fake IPL player; communication entrepreneur and FinTech CMO
Episode: Surviving Toxic Corporate Culture with the Zen Hustle Code: Bhasker Jaiswal and Anupam Mukerji
Gordon Domlesia
Founder and Managing Director of ElucidateX
ElucidateX
Episode: The ShanghaiZhan Riff-Off: Brand, Creators, AI and the Future of Agencies- Gordan Domlija
Julian Lobka
Founder of Interchapter, cultural insight agency
Interchapter
Episode: China, Japan, Korea: The New Cultural Triangle for Brands with Julien Lapka
Mariano Bosaz
Author of Digital Mindset, Marketing Strategies in the Age of AI
Author, Digital Mindset
Episode: The End of Digital Transformation As We Know It: Mariano Bosaz
Manoj Mehta
CEO, Naked Group (Shanghai-based) since 2012
Naked Group
Episode: Enter the Fragile Dragon: China's New Opportunities & Challenges: Ker Gibbs & Manoj Mehta
Ker Gibbs
Author of Selling to China; author of The Fragile Dragon; former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai; lecturer at University of San Francisco
Author; Former AmCham Shanghai President
Episode: Enter the Fragile Dragon: China's New Opportunities & Challenges: Ker Gibbs & Manoj Mehta

Hosts

Bryce Whitwam
Host with regular involvement in covering global marketing and tech topics, including debates and in-depth discussions.
Ali Kazmi
Co-host and frequent discussion partner; known for hosting discussions on global marketing, tech, and advertising, with a focus on China.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • Fantastic insight

    I work in marketing in China and I find this series fantastically insightful. The presenters have deep knowledge of China business and technology, while the guests offer unique perspectives and life experiences that are accessible to a broad audience beyond marketing, communications and technology.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shanghai_gord
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Into China Marketing? This is the Podcast!

    As a marketer who is interested in China, I highly recommend this highly informative and entertaining podcast. Ali and Bryce definitely know their stuff because they’re on the ground in China, and engage with business leaders there who are making things happen. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chinarichard123
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Deep, on-the-ground insights on China business and tech from hosts and guests.
Guests offer practical perspectives accessible beyond marketing circles.
Hosts are clearly engaged with China-focused business leaders on-the-ground.
Listeners appreciate firsthand experience and candid discussions about market dynamics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#68
Hong Kong/Business/Marketing
Apple Podcasts
#100
Singapore/Business/Marketing
Apple Podcasts
#136
Russia/Business/Marketing
Apple Podcasts
#169
China/Business/Marketing
Apple Podcasts
#249
Brazil/Business/Marketing

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chinese Brand Darwinism: Winners & Losers on the Global Stage: Jan Harling
Q: Is social commerce the main accelerator for Chinese brands abroad, or is a broader strategy needed?
While social commerce is a powerful tool and China has advanced capabilities in this area, brands should employ a holistic strategy across platforms, markets, and channels, rather than relying on a single tactic.
Chinese Brand Darwinism: Winners & Losers on the Global Stage: Jan Harling
Q: How important is sponsorship amplification versus just securing rights?
Amplification is essential; sponsorships require active storytelling and ongoing communication to deliver value, otherwise the investment may not pay off.
Chinese Brand Darwinism: Winners & Losers on the Global Stage: Jan Harling
Q: What is the biggest mistake Chinese outbound brands make when entering Western or Southeast Asian markets?
The guests emphasize over-reliance on short-term performance signals and a failure to localize properly, which undermines long-term brand growth; the brands should focus on localization, audience insight, and sustainable KPIs rather than chasing vanity metrics.
Where AI Ends and the Creative Leap Begins: Arthur Ma on the Future of Creative Advertising
Q: Why do some clients request 100% AI ads, and in what contexts is that feasible or desirable?
The guest explains that some clients, particularly in highly regulated or performance-driven categories (e.g., certain medicines), push for AI-led concepts due to cost pressures or speed, but many brands still prefer real shoots for authenticity and emotional resonance, choosing AI only for parts of the process or for specific scenes.
Where AI Ends and the Creative Leap Begins: Arthur Ma on the Future of Creative Advertising
Q: What percentage of your ads are traditionally shot with actors versus AI, and how are you balancing these approaches?
Arthur explains that about 30-40% of projects involve AI in the creative input phase (storyboards and pre-visualization), while final films may rely on real-shot production with actors depending on the brand and budget. The emphasis is on matching AI use to the client's needs and timeline, not replacing human craft.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show offers candid, on-the-ground conversations about marketing, advertising, tech, and platform dynamics in China and beyond. Episodes frequently explore how local knowledge, regulatory realities, and partnerships shape success for foreign brands, with deep dives into topics like digital platforms, social commerce, AI in marketing, and talent strategies in agencies. Notable aspects include a habit of pairing industry veterans with practitioners to surface practical insights, a strong focus on China's evolving digital ecosystem, and a willingness to challenge conventional Western marketing assumptions with regional context. Potential listeners who want actionable takeaways for entering or expanding in China, or who sponsor content alig... more

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1. The Daily

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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 106 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jan Harling
2. Arthur Ma
3. Bhaskar Jaiswal
4. Anupam Mukherjee
5. Gordon Domlesia
6. Julian Lobka
7. Mariano Bosaz
8. Manoj Mehta

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