Q'd Up is a podcast from QSIC, the global audio technology platform reaching over 350 million in-store shoppers monthly. We pull back the curtain on music, retail media and the culture of sound, diving into trends, fresh releases and real conversations with the people shaping audio today. Whether you're here for the music, the industry insights or the big ideas at the intersection of sound and commerce, there's something in every episode worth turning up.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/20/2025
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July 7, 2026
In this episode of Q’d Up, host Ben welcomes Mia Horner, General Manager for Customer Loyalty at Liquorland, to explore the rapidly evolving world of retail media and in-store audio. Moving far past the days of static background "elevator music" and tracks on endless repeat, Mia shares how physical retail stores are using dynamic, AI-enabled audio platforms to completely transform the shopping environment. They discuss how tailored tempos and highly targeted localised messaging can significantly lift staff engagement, increase customer dwell time, and drive tangible incremental sales. The conversation also challenges the traditional digital-only definition of retail media, illustrating how the physical store serves as an incredible canvas for brands. From live cricket score updates pushed out in real-time to turning a Sydney cool room into a Mardi Gras "Rave Cave," Mia breaks down how agility and data-led insights allow retailers to personalize the shopping experience at scale. Finally, Ben puts Mia in the hot seat for a rapid-fire music round, revealing a surprisingly eclectic mix of K-pop, stadium rock, and heavy metal. Timestamp Breakdown: [00:00:18] – Intro: A preview of the new faces and retail-focused topics coming to the podcast. [00:00:34] – Welcome Mia Horner: Introduction to her background and wide-reaching role at Liquorland. [00:01:11] – The Evolution of Audio: Moving from static "elevator music" to dynamic, customised playlists. [00:02:22] – Staff Experience: How dynamic audio prevents burnout on long shifts and builds team connection. [00:04:36] – Timing and Productivity: Matching music tempo to shopping hours and staff productivity. [00:06:25] – Culture and Agility: Aligning in-store experiences with global events and sporting passions. [00:07:24] – The Cricket Experiment: Bringing live, ball-by-ball score updates straight into the store environment. [00:09:48] – The Mardi Gras "Rave Cave": How a Darlinghurst cool room activation dynamically adapted to crowds. [00:12:47] – Redefining Retail Media: Moving away from just websites/apps and treating the store as a canvas. [00:17:44] – The MasterChef Partnership: Delivering dynamic, just-in-time messaging to match television trends. [00:19:38] – Hyper-Local Personalisation: Tailoring offers by state, microclimate, and individual store level. [00:21:06] – The Measurement Piece: Using AI-enabled analytics platforms to see sales spikes in minutes, not weeks. [00:25:35] – Supplier Value & Long-Term Loyalty: Moving from quick tactical fixes to collaborative, innovative brand planning. [00:28:45] – Rapid Fire Round: First concerts, life-changing albums, and Mia's secret status as a global top 1% BTS fan. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are filming today, the people of the Kulin Nation. We also pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Follow Us Instagram - @qdupbyqsic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic YouTube - https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r
June 29, 2026
In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with Willow Smith - audio engineer at QSIC, member of the all-female band Lisztomania, and definitely not the daughter of Will Smith. Willow takes us through her fascinating journey from an aspiring marine biologist to a dedicated sound engineer who finds her "happy place" in the precision of post-production and film audio. She shares high-adrenaline stories from the world of live sound, including the time she had to take over a magician’s complex audio and visual cues on the fly. Willow and Nikki geek out over the technical nuances of "ear training," why stadium gigs are a "nightmare" for audiophiles, and the importance of EQ in making sound truly crisp. Whether she’s discussing the strategic placement of speakers in retail stores or why you should never put a siren in a radio ad, Willow illustrates how sound is the invisible narrative that shapes our every experience. [00:00:52] – Introduction to Willow Smith and her role in ad production at Qsic [00:02:28] – The pivot from marine biology to audio engineering [00:03:46] – Adrenaline vs. Precision: The differences between live sound, film, and ad production [00:04:41] – The Magician Story: Handling live audio cues under pressure [00:06:54] – Why visual scenes feel "awkward" without sound design and music [00:08:15] – "Muddy" noise and vibe killers: What makes a retail store sound terrible [00:09:59] – The physics of sound: Why an empty room sounds different than a packed one [00:11:50] – Stadium gigs and the technical "nightmare" of delay towers [00:13:59] – Contextual sound design: Why you don't use bottle-clinking sounds in a liquor store [00:15:39] – Working with clients to translate brand identity into a sonic vision [00:19:15] – List Mania: Willow’s all-female band and their history since primary school [00:24:12] – Training the ear: The difficulty of identifying frequencies and "ear training" tests [00:27:56] – Top 3 tips for new retailers opening their first store [00:32:59] – Quickfire round: Late-night briefs, the power of EQ, and layering 100 sound effects [00:35:38] – Music memories: Port Fairy Folk Festival and the "hug" of a great folk album We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are filming today, the people of the Kulin Nation. We also pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Follow Us Instagram - @qdupbyqsic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic YouTube - https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r Nikki: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/ Follow Willow's Band Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lisztomania_au/
June 15, 2026
In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart sits down with Grace Newton-Wordsworth, the powerhouse frontwoman of Joan & The Giants. Grace takes us back to her unique upbringing on an organic, biodynamic farm in the Western Australia, sharing how her parents’ unconventional lifestyle and her mother's songwriting shaped her grounded approach to music. She opens up about the "Dark Ages" of her early career and the deeply personal evolution of the band, which originally began as a decade-long romantic and creative partnership. Grace candidly discusses the trauma of parting ways with her former partner and the breakthrough moment of realising she is more than capable of leading the project solo. From the relentless grind of touring the outback to the sheer adrenaline of performing for 45,000 people as a support act for Pink, Grace reflects on the lessons learned from both failure and success. She also dives into the current state of the Australian music scene, addressing the regression of female and non-binary representation on festival lineups and the importance of taking up space in the studio. [00:00:54] – Welcome Grace and an exploration of her Western Australian farm upbringing [00:04:19] – The origin of Joan & The Giants: A love story and a reinvention in 2019 [00:07:48] – Stepping into independence: Finding the strength to continue the band after a toxic relationship [00:09:50] – Reclaiming confidence: Overcoming imposter syndrome and the power of backing yourself [00:14:33] – From 20 people in Broome to 7,000 at Shinju Matsuri: Giving your all no matter the crowd [ [00:16:15] – International debuts: Preparing for South by Southwest and The Great Escape in the UK [00:21:09] – The Pink tour: Dealing with stage anxiety, echoing stadiums, and "disaster" nights [00:26:36] – Support slots with The Fray and stacking it on stage at The Forum [00:28:57] – Gender in the industry: Fighting misogyny and calling out the regression of female voices on lineups [00:36:50] – "Bands don't fail, they quit": Advice on resilience and dealing with weekly rejection [00:44:34] – Quickfire round: High-5, Alabama Shakes, and the obsession with Chappell Roan We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are filming today, the people of the Kulin Nation. We also pay respect to their Elders, past and present. Follow Us Instagram - @qdupbyqsic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/qsic YouTube - https://youtube.com/@getqsic?si=w9nuA0AqgG1jqa6r Nikki: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/ Follow Nikki: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikki_wishart/
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Q'd Up is a podcast from QSIC, the global audio technology platform reaching over 350 million in-store shoppers monthly.
We pull back the curtain on music, retail media and the culture of sound, diving into trends, fresh releases and real conversations with the people shaping audio today.
Whether you're here for the music, the industry insights or the big ideas at the intersection of sound and commerce, there's something in every episode worth turning up.
This podcast updates daily.
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