Episode 777

Rory Sutherland & Dan Bennett on Behavioural Science, Loyalty & How People Really Decide (#777)

Published on: 4th June, 2026

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In this episode we are delighted to interview Rory Sutherland and Dan Bennett, respectively the President Emeritus and the Senior Partner, Lead of Behavioural Science, for Ogilvy Consulting.

Rory has a fascination with the vagaries of human decision making – he sees the world of advertising, marketing and loyalty as a sort of Galapagos Island for behavioural science. An accidental TikTok star as well as a celebrated speaker and writer, Rory has found his blend of wit and behavioural insight resonates with audiences far beyond the boardroom. It’s this same passion that inspired him to found Ogilvy’s Behavioural Science Practice and to write his Book Alchemy: the Surprising Power of Ideas that don’t quite make sense. His 12-week CPD accredited MAD//Masters course helps marketers make sense of accelerated disruption and use a tried and tested mix of creativity, innovation and behavioural science to their competitive advantage.

Dan is the global lead of behavioural science at Ogilvy Consulting, pioneering the creative application of behavioural science to solve complex challenges. He has managed over 1000 behaviour change projects with a portfolio spanning 100+ major brands. He also curates Nudgestock, the world’s largest behavioural science festival.

In this episode, Rory and Dan share their insights on loyalty, behavioural science and cover hot topics from their favourite programmes, to generosity to subscriptions to partnerships and more. We’ll also be learning about their favourite books and highlights and key learnings from the many sectors and programmes they have worked on.

Hosted by Charlie Hills

Show Notes:-

1) Rory Sutherland

2) Dan Bennett

3) Ogilvy Consulting

4) Nudge Stock

5) MAD//Masters

6) Obvious Adams (Book Recommendation)

7) Creativity (Book Recommendation)

8) Alchemy (Book Recommendation)

9) Positioning: The Battle of Your Mind ( Book Recommendation)

10) Reimagining Cinema Loyalty: Polly Jones on Digital, Data & the Future of ODEON (#739)

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About the Podcast

Let's Talk Loyalty
“Let’s Talk Loyalty” is an industry podcast for loyalty marketing professionals.

If you work in loyalty marketing, join us every week to learn the latest ideas and marketing insights from loyalty specialists around the world.

Check out our website on: http://www.letstalkloyalty.com/

About your host

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Paula Thomas

Paula Thomas is the Founder and CEO of Let’s Talk Loyalty and Loyalty TV.

Paula Thomas is an award-winning podcaster who founded the “Let’s Talk Loyalty” podcast and business in 2019, and Loyalty TV in 2023.

She has over twenty-five years blue-chip marketing experience, including almost a decade leading consumer loyalty programmes in multiple sectors including telecommunications, the energy sector, banking and airline loyalty programmes.

She is from Ireland and lives in Dubai.

Paula is a former judge for the “International Loyalty Awards”, and the author of the book “Driving Loyalty in Convenience Retail”.

She holds an Executive MBA from Smurfit Business College, one of Ireland’s top universities, and is a “Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional”.

In 2025, she was chosen as the International Loyalty Industry Personality of the Year.