--- title: "Pairing Brands and Passionate Fans with Alex Payne: Founder & CEO, The Influence Room" date: 2025-04-21T00:00:00+01:00 author: "ashley@bgn.agency" canonical_url: "https://itsprettygreen.com/podcasts/pairing-brands-and-passionate-fans-with-alex-payne-founder-ceo-the-influence-room" section: Podcasts --- ![A man with short brown hair, dressed in a black shirt, gestures thoughtfully during a discussion. Behind him, a minimalist shelf holds a vibrant orange vase and a leafy green plant in a soft grey pot. The background features a modern wooden wall with vertical slats, creating a contemporary atmosphere.](/uploads/transforms/Images/Podcast/_1773x998_crop_center-center_90_none/Episode-2.3.jpg) Podcasts [Listen on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2v1m1NLev8MT7RLDbJLJid)[Listen on Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pairing-brands-with-passionate-fans-what-they-said/id1738224380?i=1000704300277)[Listen on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CZ7B43FL?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_TCFFXPBE0CQZE03BFH6D) The *What They Said* podcast is back with another banger 🎧πŸ”₯ This week, [Sammy Albon](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammyalbon/) sits down with [Alex Payne](https://www.linkedin.com/in/arapayne) – Founder of The Influence Room, ex-international rugby star, and all-round storytelling pro – to chat about the matchmaking magic behind connecting brands with creators who genuinely *love* them. Think: a slick blend of Tinder meets LinkedIn – but make it influencer marketing. Expect an insight-stuffed convo where we unpack: πŸ’₯ Why authentic connections beat scripted spend every time. πŸ“± How brands can speak to fans *and* creators in a way that actually lands. πŸ›οΈ The art of moving beyond the media buy – and why that's where brand magic happens. 🎟️ Taking it IRL: from bespoke events to brand-building media moments you can’t scroll past. πŸ’Έ Why giving back matters – and how Alex blends commercial partnerships with contra deals and charity wins. Share: showTooltip = false, 1500)"> Copied! [](https://linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://itsprettygreen.com/podcasts/pairing-brands-and-passionate-fans-with-alex-payne-founder-ceo-the-influence-room.md&title=Pairing%20Brands%20and%20Passionate%20Fans%20with%20Alex%20Payne%3A%20Founder%20%26%20CEO%2C%20The%20Influence%20Room) ## In other news [News, Digital PR ![A sleek gold laptop rests atop a wooden tray, displaying a detailed map of the UK on its screen. Beside it, a sturdy grey mug of steaming tea contrasts with rich, dark chocolate muffins on the tray. Soft, muted bedding creates a relaxed atmosphere, enhanced by gentle natural light.](/uploads/transforms/Images/_650x600_crop_center-center_90_none/Hero-image-Bensons-for-Beds-Sleep-Forecast.jpg) ### Helping Brits Track Nightly Rest With UK's First Sleep Forecast Brits love to talk about how they slept. Good night, bad night, wide awake at 3am, it’s often the first conversation of the day. So along with Bensons for Beds we asked a simple question: what if sleep was as forecastable as the weather?](https://itsprettygreen.com/latest/helping-brits-track-nightly-rest-with-uks-first-sleep-forecast)[Podcasts ![A woman with long dark hair, wearing white earphones, is seated in front of large windows showcasing a city skyline. Light filters in, illuminating her features. Bold text overlays the image, stating "BRAND VISIBILITY ISN'T FAME" in contrasting white and purple.](/uploads/transforms/Images/Podcast/_650x600_crop_center-center_90_none/WTS_Thumbnail_Square_Brand-Visibility-Isnt-Fame.jpg) ### Building Brand Fame That Shows Up in Culture: Sally Barton, Mondelez With years of experience leading strategy for some of the world’s most recognisable brands, Sally shares insights into how brands like Cadbury and Oreo stay culturally relevant and emotionally meaningful.](https://itsprettygreen.com/podcasts/building-brand-fame-that-shows-up-in-culture)[News ![A young man with short brown hair and glasses stands against a backdrop of light, textured tiles. He wears a plain grey t-shirt, casually styled, and a delicate chain necklace. The soft, natural light illuminates his friendly demeanor, enhancing the depth of the scene.](/uploads/transforms/Images/Team-Headshots/_650x600_crop_center-center_90_none/Jack-Davy-Headshot.jpg) ### PrettyGreen hires Cannes Young Lions winner Jack Davy as Senior Creative PrettyGreen has appointed Cannes Young Lions winner Jack Davy as Senior Creative, strengthening its growing Studio team and integrated creative offering.](https://itsprettygreen.com/latest/prettygreen-hires-jack-davy-senior-creative)[Podcasts ![A woman wearing a red and white checkered blouse gestures animatedly while seated in front of a microphone, surrounded by lush green plants. The background features vertical wooden panels, creating a modern and vibrant atmosphere, while bold text at the bottom reads, "THERE ARE NO DEPARTMENTS."](/uploads/transforms/Images/Podcast/_650x600_crop_center-center_90_none/Thumbnail-2_Fiona-Bosman.jpg) ### Break department silos for success: Fiona Bosman, Global Brand Director at Bupa With over two decades shaping iconic brands like Red Bull and Barclaycard, Fiona brings unmatched insight into the evolving world of Influencer Marketing, in this new What They Said podcast episode.](https://itsprettygreen.com/podcasts/fiona-bosman-global-brand-director-at-bupa)