Q'd Up by QSIC

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.

Q'd Up by QSIC is a music podcast hosted by QSIC, with 22 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

QSIC hosts Q'd Up by QSIC, a music show with 22 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Q'd Up by QSIC

  Mia Horner - Inside Liquorland's Audio-Led Retail Media Strategy

  Jul 7, 202631 min

  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

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Q'd Up by QSIC

  Willow Smith – The Invisible Storyteller: Crafting Magic Through Audio Engineering

  Jun 29, 202643 min

  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/

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Q'd Up by QSIC

  Jac Shaw – The Science of Sound: Transforming Retail Through Audio Strategy

  May 25, 202632 minS0

  <p>In this episode of Q’d Up, host Nikki Wishart is joined by Jac Shaw, Retail Media Lead at QSIC, to pull back the curtain on the rapidly evolving world of Retail Media. With nearly two decades of experience at Nova Entertainment under her belt, Jac explains how she’s transitioned from traditional radio to pioneering the Retail Media space. She dives into the psychology of how audio shapes our subconscious shopping habits, explaining why a well-curated playlist is "companion, convincing, and connecting" for customers with a basket in hand.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Jac shares the behind-the-scenes magi...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Q'd Up by QSIC

  Why Your Spotify Premium Isn't Enough: Karen Holmes on Music Rights and Revenue

  May 11, 202637 minS0

  <p>In this episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart is joined in Sydney by Karen Holmes, Director at One Music, to demystify the world of music licensing. Often viewed as a niche corner of the industry, music licensing is the vital bridge that ensures artists, songwriters, and labels are fairly compensated when their work is played in public spaces. Karen shares her journey from media sales and radio into the world of copyright, explaining why a One Music license is the "liquor license for sound" that every business owner needs to understand.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Karen dives...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Q'd Up by QSIC

  Coachella 2026: Maximalist Sets, Minimalist Biebs, and the Influencer Olympics

  Apr 27, 202638 minS0

  <p>In this episode of Q'd Up, host Nikki Wishart is joined by Kim to unpack the highs, lows, and "did that really happen?" moments of Coachella 2026. From the comfort of their couches, the pair dive into why this year saw the highest streaming numbers in the festival’s history and whether the "Influencer Olympics" culture is actually killing the vibe on the ground. They break down the stark contrast between Sabrina Carpenter’s high-budget theatrical "SabrinaWood" set and Justin Bieber’s laptop-led minimalist performance, sparking a juicy debate on industry double standards and the business behind selling your masters.</p> <p>...

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Q'd Up by QSIC. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.