Your Future in Sales & Marketing
A podcast that can help you make great decisions to get the most out of your Sales & Marketing career.
In this podcast, Your hosts from [axr]’s specialist sales and marketing recruitment team will introduce you to the [axr] network of established senior leaders, and a handpicked group of future aspiring leaders who have it all in front of them.
You’ll learn what it’s like in the top job and how to get there.
You can also expect bonus career episodes on how to work with recruiters, write a resume and smash an interview, as well as our very popular market updates.
It’s the podcast that has it all. You just can’t get this career advice anywhere else!
Your Future in Sales & Marketing
Episode 130: James Deysel | How Field Sales Shaped a Marketing Leader
In this episode, we sit down with James Deysel, Marketing Director of SnackBrands, to explore a career built on resilience, values, and strategic growth. Raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, James shares how his early life shaped a strong sense of fairness, justice, and hard work - principles that helped him earn a full university scholarship and set the foundation for his professional journey.
James takes us through his academic path at the University of Johannesburg, where he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, and into his early career juggling full-time work and part-time postgraduate studies. Starting on the front lines as a field sales representative at Clover, he provides insight into how hands-on sales experience sharpened his commercial instincts before progressing into an assistant brand manager role.
The conversation then follows James’ move to Mars Petcare, where he broadened his marketing expertise across a global organization, eventually leading to an international relocation to Australia. Now a Marketing Director, James reflects on the skills, mindset, and career decisions that enabled his growth across markets and roles.
This episode offers aspiring sales and marketing professionals practical lessons on starting from the ground up, leveraging education and values, and embracing global opportunities to shape a future-focused career.