MECCA Talks: the new podcast that provides an all access pass to beauty, business and lifestyle experts

MECCA Brands, Australasia’s leading beauty retailer, has announced the launch of MECCA Talks, which marks the business’s entrance into the world of podcasting. In partnership with Acast, MECCA Talks features conversations with brand founders, industry experts and MECCA’s in-house specialists; deep dives into the history of iconic beauty formulations; and shares life advice from trusted friends of the brand around the globe.

MECCA Talks Season One commences on 22 July, with eight 45-minute episodes dropping each week featuring fascinating conversations, starting with MECCA’s Founder and Co-CEO, Jo Horgan.

As a beauty and lifestyle innovator, MECCA is all about inspiring people to look their best so that they can feel their best. MECCA’s content-led approach allows its community to explore the rich MECCA-universe so that they can discover what sparks their beauty joy and define beauty on their own terms. Whether it’s MECCA’s podcast, social media, website or stores, MECCA is passionate about authentically sharing stories and connecting deeply with its community.

Hosted by MECCA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kate Blythe, and Head of Content, Zara Wong — the podcast goes beyond what you see in MECCA’s 100+ stores and swings open the doors to the global beauty industry and MECCA’s network of friends, founders and collaborators.

Kate and Zara bring their wealth of content experience to MECCA Talks, with Kate previously holding roles in London as Chief Content Officer for Matchesfashion, Editor for Net-a-Porter and at ELLE Magazine, and Zara at VOGUE Australia as Fashion Features and Content Strategy Director. With experience steeped in editorial, they approach the podcast to investigate the world of beauty and beyond.

MECCA Talks aims to demystify beauty and unlock the topics that MECCA audiences and customers have been asking for, whilst tapping into tastemakers in industries outside of beauty to uncover surprising stories. For example, in an episode about fragrance, Kate and Zara speak to acclaimed chef, Analiese Gregory, about parallels between creating dishes with layering scents.

MECCA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kate Blythe, says, “While the podcast is digital, MECCA at heart has unbelievable human connection thanks to our stores. We’re really leaning on the talent and the authenticity of our store team members and platforming it in our podcast. They’re giving us ideas, and we’re featuring our in-house beauty experts on our podcast – these are the same people who train our store team members. They’re the true human part of MECCA and set us apart from other global retailers.”

“And with our deep brand connections locally and internationally, we have been able to call on so many amazing beauty brand founders who speak to us about everything from starting their company, to how they came up with their product and of course, their own beauty tips gleaned from years of experience. We’re giving our community the context to brands they love – or introducing them to new ones. We’ve interviewed some truly brilliant founders, and it’s always so fascinating hearing about their journeys first-hand.”

Guy Scott-Wilson, Content Director for Acast Australia and New Zealand said, “It’s great to see iconic brands like MECCA choosing to enter the landscape and embracing the opportunity to have a one-to-one conversation with consumers — showing once again that even something as visual as the beauty industry can be brought to life through the power of podcasting. MECCA has an intimate understanding of who its customers are, and a wealth of experience in crafting content for that audience. Together we’re creating something that is truly podcast-first, and will be a must-listen for beauty and lifestyle lovers across Australia and New Zealand.”

Available to listen now, MECCA Talks will be hosted and distributed by Acast — the podcast company that works with Australia’s biggest shows, making it available across all podcast apps and players such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.