Let’s just say we believe in celebrating milestones in style at eComOne, and the 200th episode of our eCom@One podcast was no exception! To mark this special occasion, we brought together eCommerce experts, inspiring speakers, and our incredible community for a full day of insights, networking, and a lot of fun.
Our event, eComOne Live & Uncut, was held at the stunning Everyman Cinema in Lincoln. Here’s a look back at the highlights of this unforgettable day!
The Event Begins
We kicked off the day with a short but sweet networking session, which mainly consisted of warm welcomes, ‘it’s good to see ya’s’, and people making sure they’d got their daily dose of flavoured tea from the Bird & Blend stand.
By 10:20, it was time to officially start with an introduction from our very own CEO and founder, Richard Hill. His energy was infectious, and even those who were fashionably late managed to arrive just in time for the main event.
Joe Glover, Founder of The Marketing Meet Up, was our compere for the day, and he set the tone perfectly from the moment he took the mic. Soft-spoken in the absolute best way, Joe’s calm and friendly demeanour instantly put everyone at ease.
He believes that everyone should be “positively lovely”, a mantra that resonates deeply with us here at eComOne. His approach to the day was all about kindness, community, and collaboration, and it really helped create a welcoming & inclusive atmosphere.
Joe’s presence wasn’t just about guiding us through the schedule; it was about fostering genuine connections and setting the stage for a day filled with learning, laughter, and positivity.
The 200th Episode – Live on Stage!
At 10:45, we began our live recording of our 200th episode of the eCom@One podcast, a definite can’t-miss! Richard Hill, the man behind the mic for 200 episodes, was joined by the brilliant and witty John Thorton.
John’s background includes work at Surreal and a stint at the much-loved Innocent Smoothies, making him no stranger to big brands and creative genius. As Senior Creative (and self-proclaimed Office Hottie), John kept the audience entertained with his candid insights and infectious humour. The chemistry between Richard and John was electric, and the live podcast was an absolute highlight for everyone in attendance.
You can watch the full video below:
Branded Popcorn & Gooey Cookies: The Snacks That Stole the Show
What’s a cinema experience without popcorn? Attendees were treated to branded eComOne popcorn, which had everyone munching happily throughout the event. And let’s not forget the gooey, freshly baked cookies that were served, a sweet treat that went down a storm! The snacks added a fun and delicious touch to the day, keeping the crowd energised for the sessions ahead.
Insightful Talks From the eComOne Team
Of course, no eComOne event would be complete without hearing from the amazing minds behind the business. Kieran Wright, our Head of Technical, took to the stage to dive into Link Gap Analysis, a crucial strategy for improving DA and staying ahead in competitive markets. His presentation was packed with actionable tips and tactics, leaving the audience ready to optimise their own link-building strategies.
Next up was Alex Stephens, our Head of Performance, who delivered an inspiring talk on Profitable PPC Strategies. Alex broke down the complexities of pay-per-click advertising and PMax campaigns, showing how businesses can make PPC not just a marketing tool but a profitable investment.
Lunchtime
After a jam-packed morning of learning, everyone was ready for a break. Lunch was a delicious spread featuring crowd-pleasers like hot dogs, pizzas, fries, and perfectly seasoned chilli peppers.
As attendees enjoyed their meals, the open bar kept drinks flowing, ensuring spirits were high. This informal lunch gave everyone the chance to relax, catch up, and dive into more great conversations.
Afternoon Talks: Retail & Email Marketing Insights
Post-lunch, we jumped right back into the action with more insightful talks. First, we welcomed Tim Fairs, a Consultant and Ex Head of Marketing for big names like ProCook, McColl’s Retail Group, Clintons, Currys, and Virgin.
Tim took us through ‘The Future of Retail’, offering a forward-looking perspective on how retail is evolving and what businesses need to do to stay competitive in this ever-changing landscape.
Following Tim’s inspiring talk, we had a session on ‘Email Marketing Strategies’ by Emilia Swiecicka, Partnerships Manager, from Mailchimp. This was a must-see for anyone looking to harness the power of email to build strong, lasting customer relationships and boost sales.
Sustainability Panel Discussion
Sustainability is more than just a trend; it’s a necessity in today’s retail world. We gathered a panel of experts to explore the topic, including Stuart Baxter at Safelincs, Rachael Hunt at Reuseabox and Ed Crowther at My Square Metre.
The discussion touched on everything from eco-friendly packaging to supply chain transparency, offering practical solutions for businesses that want to make sustainability a core part of their operations. The panel answered thoughtful questions to spark engaging and essential conversation about the future of retail and the planet.
Mindset Matters: Tony Brooks’ Inspirational Talk
As the day began to wind down, Tony Brooks delivered a powerful closing talk titled ‘Escape the Mind Traps of Survival Thinking’. Tony’s message was a poignant reminder that while marketing and business can sometimes feel cold, pushy, or overwhelming, it’s crucial to maintain humanity, love, and confidence in everything we do.
His session left the audience reflecting on how to bring more heart into their work and self-love into their lives. It was the perfect way to conclude a day of high-level insights with a deeply personal touch.
The Party Never Stops
After Tony’s inspiring talk, the crowd made a beeline for the bar, and it didn’t take long before the Prosecco and beer were flowing! It was clear that everyone was in high spirits, with drinks in hand and laughter filling the air.
The vibe was so good that some folks didn’t want the day to end. Lincoln’s many historic pubs became the venue for an unofficial after-party, with people sticking around well past the scheduled time, chatting, enjoying a few more drinks, and keeping the energy going. It was one of those moments where the fun just couldn’t be contained, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
A Day to Remember
In the end, eComOne: Live & Uncut was everything we hoped it would be and even a little bit more. We celebrated 200 episodes of the eCom@One podcast, learned from some of the brightest minds in eCommerce, and had the chance to connect with an incredible group of people. Whether it was the deep-dive talks on PPC and retail or the inspiring words of Tony Brooks, there was something for everyone to take away from the event.
As we look back on this milestone, we’re filled with gratitude for the community that’s grown around eCom@One over the years. Here’s to the next 200 episodes and beyond – we can’t wait to see what’s next!
We would also like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors, Mailchimp, Ecommpay, and United Agency, as well as everyone else involved. Without you, this event wouldn’t have been possible.
