In this episode, Colin is joined by Lucy Swanston, the Managing Director of Nutshell Creative and Chair of the Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP). With over 20 years at the helm of Nutshell, Lucy shares her journey from starting a business in her back bedroom during a recession to leading a multi-award-winning agency that bridges the gap between creative strategy and print production.

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We discuss the importance of staying in your lane while remaining agile, and how print remains a vital, enduring ecosystem in an increasingly digital world. The conversation delves into the shift from a ‘manufacturing-led’ mindset to one that leads with value and strategy.
Lucy explains why consistency is the most critical word in marketing, warning against the ‘New Year’s resolution’ approach to social media that quickly falls by the wayside. We also explore the surprising resurgence of direct mail among younger generations and why, as we look towards 2026, building credibility and human trust is more important than simply churning out automated content.