Sex, Smoke, Seeds & Strategy

From Big Tobacco to Big Health with Sharlene Lopez

Ever wondered what condoms, garden centres, and brand ethics have in common?

In this episode of Shoes of a CMO, host Dr. Tanja Kent sits down with Sharlene Lopez — HealthTech marketing leader, Google for Startups advisor, and former Big Tobacco insider — for one of the most thought‑provoking conversations we’ve ever recorded.

From cleverly repackaging condoms as seed packets to reach older Brits, to exposing the chilling economic argument that once justified smoking, Sharlene shares a fascinating inside look at the crossroads between creativity, conscience, and commerce.

💡 Spoiler: It’s not about clever marketing. It’s about conscious marketing — and understanding the power (and responsibility) behind every message we put into the world.

What You’ll Hear

• 🚬 Why Sharlene walked away from Big Tobacco

• 🧠 How behavioural science can build smarter, more ethical brands

• 🌱 The legendary condom‑seed‑packet campaign that got everyone talking

• 👩‍💼 Balancing motherhood, leadership, and mission‑driven work

• 💥 When to say no — and why values matter more than virality

• 🧭 How to future‑proof your career through insight, not just innovation

💬 Guest Snapshot

• HealthTech brand & marketing leader

• Advisor to Google for Startups

• Mentor to NHS Innovation

• Former Big Pharma & Big Tobacco insider

• Champion for ethical marketing & behavioural science

🎧 Listen or watch the full episode:📺 YouTube🎧 Spotify🍎 Apple Podcasts

Shoes of a CMO is where marketing leaders trade polish for perspective — sharing the real lessons, human moments, and hard‑won insights behind the world’s most interesting brands.

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