In our latest “offline” edition, we catch-up with Propellernet’s CEO, Sam Zindel, and explore how he got started in digital marketing, performing at Glastonbury, who he’d like to interview and the future of agentic commerce and much more!
Fun fact about you?
I have been in a few bands over the years and have played Glastonbury Festival (twice) and last year took a nature-funding jukebox to the festival that Fatboy Slim put in his bar in Brighton for the summer.
How did you get started in digital marketing?
I started out in finance but got bored of accounting data and transferred my skills to research and insight for marketing campaigns – first in PR and then search marketing
How do you switch off?
I’m not sure I’ve found the off switch… but I enjoy running and playing music
If you could interview any person (famous, celeb or historical) – Who?
Oooo….tough choice. John Lennon, Sir David Attenborough and Barack Obama (ok to have three?)
What’s been the biggest agency learning in 2026?
Throwing a lot of effort into experimenting with AI
What’s the biggest opportunity for digital marketers in 2026 and beyond?
Agentic commerce will be the next frontier of digital marketing
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What has been your proudest career achievement to-date?
Landing a top job at a company that shares my values and planting over a million trees
Do you have a sporting icon or general role model who has inspired you?
Leadership: Jurgen Klopp / Loyalty & tenacity: Steven Gerrard (see a pattern forming?)
I have role models outside sport too – Confidence: Liam Gallagher / Vision: Steve Jobs / Fun & imagination: Wayne Coyne / Performance: Johnny Greenwood / Communication: Barrack Obama / Authenticity: Carol King
You can order anything for dinner – What would it be?
Sauteed Wild mushrooms in garlic and oil with crusty bread
What’s the key to being a Stand-Out agency?
Vision + Communication + Trust + Culture.
About Sam…
Sam Zindel is CEO of Propellernet digital marketing. With 20 years of industry experience, he has helped brands including Apple, Red Bull, Gymshark and Waitrose and leads the business by combining purpose with performance.
A certified B Corp, Propellernet has been ranked in the top 20 places to work in the UK for 12 years in a row. In 2025 Propellernet was awarded Best Integrated and Best Search Agency at the UK Search Awards and has been recognised for taking radical action to restore nature – including planting over a million trees in three years.
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This interview is part of the “offline” series, in which our Founder, John McCambley, interviews leaders from across the digital marketing industry (agency and client-side).
