In this episode of The Negotiation , we speak with Clementine Pippa Ebel , a cultural strategist and expert on China’s rapidly growing outdoor sports market . Clementine works for KAILAS , one of China’s top domestic outdoor gear brands, and brings unique insight into how Chinese consumers are embracing trail running , hiking , camping , and the broader Gorpcore lifestyle . We explore how outdoor culture is evolving across China—from elite ultra-marathon events to the growth of beginner-friendly...
Aug 06, 2025•48 min
In Part 2 of our interview with EIU economist Tianchen Xu, we turn our focus to the Chinese consumer. Is spending recovering? What’s happening in the housing market? And are the big headline sales events like 618 masking deeper issues in consumer confidence? Tianchen walks us through the mixed signals emerging from China’s domestic economy, from retail sales rebounds to the drag of the property sector. He also explains the broader social and psychological drivers behind current consumption behav...
Jul 22, 2025•56 min
In Part 1 of our conversation with Tianchen Xu, Senior Economist at The Economist Intelligence Unit, we dig into China’s macro performance in the first half of 2025—and what the future may hold. Tianchen analyzes Q1’s headline 5.4% growth, discusses why the London trade truce between the US and China matters, and highlights what Western media narratives often miss when reporting on China’s economy. We also explore how resilient China’s economy really is in the face of renewed US tariffs, whether...
Jul 12, 2025•58 min
In this episode of The Negotiation , host Todd Embley welcomes back WPIC CEO Jacob Cooke to share insights around two pivotal developments for global consumer brands: the framework trade agreement between the US and China, and China’s massive 618 shopping festival. Jacob breaks down the implications of the new framework agreement between the US and China, explains how tariff policies are shifting brand strategies, and highlights key recommendations for both U.S. and non-U.S. companies looking to...
Jun 18, 2025•24 min
In this episode of The Negotiation , host Todd Embley sits down with Kevin Xu, founder of the bilingual newsletter Interconnected , which offers sharp analysis on the intersection of technology, investing, and geopolitics between the United States and China. Kevin has become one of the most thoughtful and trusted voices interpreting Chinese tech trends. Together, they explore the evolving AI landscape in China, examining how players like DeepSeek and Alibaba are shaping the race, how export cont...
Jun 10, 2025•52 min
In Part 2 of this special episode of The Negotiation , host Todd Embley continues the conversation with Dr. Chui Chui Tan, founder of Beyō Global. This episode focuses on practical examples from Chui Chui’s work with global brands, including Spotify and Bumble, and what it really takes to launch successfully in new markets. Chui Chui unpacks how Spotify adapted its product strategy for dozens of international markets using deep local insight, and how Bumble rethought its approach to dating cultu...
May 27, 2025•49 min
In Part 1 of this two-part episode of The Negotiation , host Todd Embley welcomes Dr. Chui Chui Tan, founder of Beyō Global and a leading voice in international growth strategy. With over 16 years of experience helping brands like Spotify, Bumble, and Google expand into new markets, Dr. Tan shares how cultural insight—not just translation—can make or break global product launches. This conversation examines how Beyō Global assists companies in developing culturally intelligent expansion strategi...
May 16, 2025•50 min
In this special French-language edition of The Negotiation , we welcome Emmanuel Poupelle , WPIC’s newly appointed Director of Growth , for a conversation hosted by Charles Lavoie , VP of Marketing at WPIC. Emmanuel brings years of on-the-ground experience in China’s retail and e-commerce industry. He has now joined WPIC to help more European brands expand into the dynamic markets of China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia . In this episode, he shares his unique perspective on how the Asia...
May 06, 2025•34 min
In this episode of The Negotiation , host Todd Embley is joined by Mark Kruger, a Senior Fellow at the Yicai Research Institute, Centre for International Governance Innovation, and the University of Alberta’s China Institute. Formerly with the Bank of Canada for three decades, Mark now resides in Shanghai and writes regularly for Yicai Global, where he offers clear, data-driven analysis on China’s economy. In today’s episode, Todd and Mark dig into China’s macroeconomic outlook in the wake of pr...
May 01, 2025•33 min
In Part 2 of our conversation with Rui Ma on The Negotiation podcast, we explore the evolving consumer tech and innovation landscape in China beyond AI. Rui shares her analysis on the rise of local life services, humanoid robotics, and China's dominance in electric vehicles—highlighting the factors propelling growth and the remaining roadblocks. We also zoom out to explore the broader dynamics between the U.S. and China’s tech ecosystems. Rui discusses rising tensions, how media and policy shape...
Apr 17, 2025•37 min
In this episode of The Negotiation , we’re joined once again by Jacob Cooke, Co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies. Jacob walks us through the key insights from WPIC’s latest data report profiling the fastest-growing consumer segments in China’s e-commerce market. Drawing from GMV data across Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin, the report reveals a story of recovery, consumer optimism, and evolving channel strategies. Jacob kicks off with an overview of China’s current consumption environme...
Apr 08, 2025•19 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Rui Ma, a distinguished expert with nearly two decades of experience working in technology and finance in the U.S. and China. Rui provides deep insights into the current landscape of AI, focusing particularly on the competitive dynamics between the U.S. and China. She discusses how geopolitical tensions and export controls have impacted China's AI industry and highlights the resilience and adaptability of Chinese AI firms....
Apr 03, 2025•37 min
Justin Downes returns to The Negotiation podcast to reflect on the recently concluded ski season in China and to discuss his new role in Hokkaido, Japan. With a career dedicated to advancing winter sports in Asia, Justin has been instrumental in the infrastructural development of ski resorts in China, contributing significantly to the country’s readiness for the 2022 Winter Olympics. In this episode, Justin provides an overview of the performance of the skiing season in China, talks about the wo...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley sits down with Peter Park, WPIC’s latest addition in Melbourne and a recognized expert in Australia’s consumer brand sector and the APAC e-commerce landscape. Peter delves into his professional journey, his role at WPIC, and why the firm is an excellent partner for Australian consumer brands, especially in the F&B and health supplements sectors. He shares his insights on the rising trends in these categories. He highlights the untapped ...
Mar 04, 2025•42 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley speaks with Joe Mazur, Senior Analyst at Trivium China, on the complexities of the U.S.-China relationship in the early days of the second Trump administration. Joe offers a comprehensive overview of the trade measures implemented by the U.S. since Donald Trump's re-election. He analyzes the motives behind the tariffs and their potential to escalate into more aggressive actions. He also analyzes China’s response to U.S. tariffs, which ...
Feb 18, 2025•35 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley has a captivating conversation with Elyse Ribbons, a seasoned expert in the dynamics of influencer marketing in China. Elyse shares her extensive experience and insights into the unique landscape of social media and influencer engagement in China, highlighting the intricacies of platforms like RedNote (Xiaohongshu) and Douyin. The discussion opens with Elyse recounting her journey and how she became deeply involved with China, setting the s...
Feb 08, 2025•35 min
In this episode of the Negotiation Podcast, Todd Embley interviews David Nottingham, the EU General Manager for IPinYou, a leading Chinese martech company. David shares his journey from Southeast Asia to the ad tech world, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities within the Chinese digital ecosystem. He explains the workings of IPinYou, its proprietary technology, and how it compares to Western ad tech platforms. The conversation delves into the paid media landscape in China, the impor...
Jan 23, 2025•33 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley is joined once again by Olivia Plotnick, a seasoned expert in China marketing and the founder of Wai Social. Today, they dive into the explosion of Xiaohongshu, or “Red Note”, in the United States because of the impending ban of TikTok. Olivia begins with a detailed overview of the current buzz surrounding "Red Note”, explaining why TikTok users are flocking to this app amidst concerns over the potential ban in the U.S. She explains th...
Jan 16, 2025•41 min
In this episode of The Negotiation Podcast, Todd Embley interviews Cynthia Dearin, founder of Dearin and Associates, who shares her unique career journey from diplomat to management consultant. She discusses the importance of global expansion for businesses, the services offered by her company, and the consumer sectors in Australia that are poised for success overseas. Cynthia emphasizes the need for expert guidance in internationalization and identifies promising growth markets for Australian c...
Jan 08, 2025•52 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley sits down with Anton Lapunov, WPIC’s Key Account Manager and Strategy Lead for Japan. Anton shares his extensive experience and insights into the unique aspects of Japan's e-commerce landscape—and offers strategic advice for brands looking to enter this lucrative market. Anton begins by detailing his journey from China to Japan. He provides a comprehensive overview of Japan’s e-commerce ecosystem, highlighting the major platforms, mark...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley talks with Jeff Crowther, Executive Director of the Health Products Association - China (HPA-China). Jeff shares his insights into the dynamic world of dietary supplements and nutritional ingredients in China, providing a deeper understanding of the market's growth, consumer trends, and regulatory landscape. Jeff begins by recounting his journey from the US to China, detailing how his passion for studying China and health products turned in...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of The Negotiation, Todd Embley speaks with Jacob Cooke, co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing and Technologies, about the recent Singles Day shopping festival in China. They discuss the evolution of Singles Day, its performance in 2024, innovations in e-commerce, logistics challenges, and the competitive landscape of e-commerce platforms in China. Jacob shares insights on consumer behavior, marketing strategies, and the future of sales events in the region. Takeaways Singles Day ...
Nov 14, 2024•19 min
In this episode of The Negotiation, Todd Embley interviews Pier Smulders, a digital and e-commerce expert with extensive experience in the Chinese market. They discuss the evolving landscape of e-commerce, particularly focusing on the opportunities for Australian and New Zealand brands in China and Southeast Asia. Pier shares insights on the importance of e-commerce as a channel, the cultural differences in consumer behavior, and the necessity of having a solid partner when entering new markets....
Nov 07, 2024•43 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley interviews Ken Daley, the CEO of Joybees Footwear. Ken shares insights from his extensive career in the footwear industry, discussing his experiences with various brands and the lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of digital innovation, customer experience, and personalization in today's market, particularly when expanding into the APAC region. Ken also highlights the unique challenges the footwear industry face...
Oct 26, 2024•40 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Daniel Mabey, Asia President of the United Natural Products Alliance. Daniel shares his expert insights into the rapidly growing nutraceutical industry within the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on current market trends, the importance of third-party certification, and the evolving dynamics of dietary supplements influenced by an aging population, rising health consciousness, and digital platforms. Daniel begins by discussin...
Oct 15, 2024•40 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley sits down with Antoaneta Becker, Director of Consumer Economy at the China-Britain Business Council, to delve into China's dynamic and ever-evolving e-commerce landscape. Antoaneta, an expert on the Chinese market, discusses the upcoming China Consumer event hosted by CBBC, its strategic importance for UK brands, and the latest trends influencing China’s consumer economy. Antoaneta delves into China's e-commerce sector, contrasting China’s ...
Oct 04, 2024•35 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Mike Todd, a seasoned expert in international business development with a rich history of helping consumer brands expand into APAC markets. Mike shares invaluable insights from his experiences with major brands like Hunter, Swims, Uggs, and Mizuno and discusses the strategies that led to their success in these competitive regions. Starting with exploring his strategic approach for each brand, Mike delves into the APAC regi...
Oct 01, 2024•46 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley hosts Marlene Sharp, an entertainment executive known for her role in globalizing Japanese game franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog. Throughout her career with LEVEL-5 abby and Sega of America, Marlene tackled the unique challenges of adapting Japanese franchises for global audiences. Now leading Pink Poodle Productions, she utilizes her extensive experience to provide specialized services for IP franchises that span the Asian and North Amer...
Sep 20, 2024•38 min
In this episode of The Negotiation, Darren Touch, founder and CEO of the Canada China Forum, discusses his interest in international relations with China and his experience as a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University. He shares his insights on the current state of Canada-China relations and the necessary steps to strengthen the relationship. Touch emphasizes the importance of people-to-people exchanges, educational programs, and language proficiency in building a new generation of leaders wel...
Sep 12, 2024•33 min
In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we take a look back at the Paris 2024 Olympics with Mark Dreyer, the preeminent analyst of China's sports scene. Mark, a seasoned China sports reporter, delves deep into China’s performance at the 2024 Games and the cultural phenomena surrounding Chinese athletes. The discussion kicks off with a review of China's overall performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, looking at how China fared in the medal tally and significant victories and storylines. One t...
Sep 06, 2024•38 min
