For Bangor Business School’s final English language episode of its Penny for your Thoughts podcast series, host Darren Morely (Business Link Manager) is joined by Dr Martin Hanks (City Director, Bangor City Council), and Bangor Business School academic Dr Sonya Hanna (Lecturer in Marketing) to celebrate the 1500 years of the City of Bangor. Guests discuss the sad decline of the City Centre, an important part of Bangor’s story, but show that through the hard work of champions and ambassadors, there is a new horizon dawning, through green shoots of hope, redevelopment and regeneration. Martin and Sonya discuss the complexities and multi-layers of place branding and marketing, but how the coming together of many different public and private sector partners is crucial for the success of city regeneration, its cultural heritage, and its community.

Hear to hear how key organisations are collaborating to plan, organise and deliver a wide range of exciting activities and events to celebrate Bangor’s 1500 years; an important milestone. Listen in to learn of some of the exciting activities that planned.

In this episode of Penny for Your Thoughts, host Darren Morely (Business Link Manager) explores digital marketing with two expert guests: Jess Finnegan (Community Fundraising & Partnerships Manager for NSPCC North Wales), and Dr Stephan Thomas (Senior Lecturer in Business Marketing, Bangor Business School). The discussion focuses on the powerful opportunities digital marketing brings to the third sector and beyond. Jess provides insights into the NSPCC’s varied initiatives and how digital marketing drives its campaigns. Guests touch on the benefits offered through the personalisation of digital space, where marketing efforts can build communities that not only engage with, but also actively support businesses and causes. Tune in to hear how the NSPCC approaches digital marketing as a lifelong journey, supporting and engaging with individuals from childhood and beyond.

Darren Morely is joined this month by former Bangor University Graduate Brandon Ristow-Wilson (BIC Innovation Ltd) and Dr Junyu Zhou (Lecturer in Management, Bangor Business School). This episode is all about business innovation and the scaffolding that can support growth. Brandon shares his expert insights through his wide-ranging experiences with BIC Innovation; an Employee-Owned & B-Corp Certified Wales-based business. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to scale, or an established business aiming to innovate, having the right support system is key. Join us to explore how technology, investment, and filling critical skills gaps are crucial to driving business success. Plus, we bring in some contemporary theories on innovation—from the ambidextrous, to incremental, and radical—and share how businesses can consider these different approaches to stay competitive and thrive in today's dynamic marketplace. So join us to see how you can understand innovation and get support systems and infrastructures aligned and working for your business.