In this episode of KNOWN by INPUT Global, we sit down with our co-founders Mary Pedler and Oleg Bevz to unpack what it takes to build, scale, and stay relevant as a broader communications agency.

In this conversation, Host Stella Friaisse digs into the real decisions behind growth: from starting out as a small PR agency to evolving into a global communications partner working across markets and industries.

Chapters:

00:52 — Introduction: what being KNOWN actually means

2:12 — The origin story of INPUT Global

6:35 — Scaling a global communications team while staying fully remote

9:45 — Are some companies simply impossible to market?

13:28 — Building through uncertainty and surviving a bear market

14:50 — What separates agencies that last from agencies that disappear

16:27 — PR without numbers: strategy or amateurism?

18:30 — The green and red flags when choosing a communications partner

20:45 — When should companies start taking communications seriously?

22:00 — KOLs in 2026: why you should stop treating them like KOLs

28:00 — Why talented founders stay invisible

32:15 — Fame vs infamy: being known for the right things

33:35 — Mary and Oleg define what it means to be KNOWN

34:40 — Rapid fire: how aligned are the INPUT Global co-founders?

KNOWN brings together founders, marketers, and communication strategists to uncover how the strongest tech brands build narratives that shape their markets.

Find us:

KNOWN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/known__podcast/

INPUT Global on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/input.global/

Mary Pedler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marypedler/

Mary is the Founder of INPUT Global, a communications leader and entrepreneur with 10+ years of experience in emerging tech, known for building global narratives, advising Web3 and fintech teams, and shaping industry conversations through media, events, and thought leadership.

Oleg Bevz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleg-bevz/

Oleg is the Co-Founder of INPUT Global, is a lifelong B2B marketing communications specialist with 11+ years of experience across tech, fintech, Web3, and iGaming. He is a seasoned CMO that built dozens of brands: from banks and exchanges to furniture and coffee.

Stella Friaisse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-friaisse/

KNOWN Episode 6 with Giovanni Everduin, Co-Founder of CBIx and HBS alum with 20+ years across finance, fintech, and Web3.

Growing up across cultures and operating between TradFi and DeFi, Giovanni learned to move between worlds without losing his sense of self. This context shaped how he thinks about visibility, credibility, and voice.

In this conversation, we unpack what authenticity looks like in practice, why relatability is often misunderstood, and how to identify the perspectives only you can bring, alongside the difference between shaping a narrative and forcing one.

Chapters:

00:00 Highlights

00:23 Introduction

00:44 Who Is Giovanni? Authenticity, Contrarian Thinking, and Becoming Yourself

07:12 Everyone Talks About Authenticity, But How Do You Actually Get There?

10:15 From HR to Finance: Career Story, Intuition, and the Harvard Case Study

17:02 Building “Gio the Brand”: Personal Brand Framework

19:45 Uncomfortable Truths About Burnout

23:48 Top Creator in Fintech and Crypto: Influence, Inspiration, and Visibility

28:32 The Art of Storytelling: How to Build a Brand That Resonates

34:00 How Founders Can Stand Out When They Pitch

36:30 Practical Tips for Building Your Personal Brand

41:23 Rapid-Fire Questions

Follow KNOWN podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs and marketers on brand building and growth.

Find us:

KNOWN on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@known.podcast/videos

KNOWN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/known__podcast/

INPUT Global on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/input.global/

Giovanni Everduin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geverduin/

Alnura Belyalova on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alnurabel/

Stella Friaisse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-friaisse/

In Episode 5 of KNOWN, we sit down with Abdallah Al Jouaid, award-winning finance reporter and journalist (former CNN BA and Forbes ME), to uncover the unspoken rules of finance journalism.

Abdallah takes us inside the fast-paced world of media, sharing what makes top-tier journalists actually open your pitch, the key strategies to build credibility, and how to navigate the diverse media landscape in MENA: from language nuances to local relevance.

Chapters:

00:00 – Abdallah’s personal journey in finance media

05:10 – Choosing your passion and advice on career switching

07:33 – Abdallah’s core value in journalism

10:37 – The Middle East media landscape

11:43 – Building a reputable brand and credibility

14:03 – Tips for young journalists

16:48 – Common traits of leaders Abdallah interviews

18:27 – Understanding MENA: Do’s and Don’ts

21:59 – What makes a story stand out

24:47 – Media convergence and news reporting

27:18 – Adapting in the era of modern media platforms

29:33 – Rapid-fire round

Follow KNOWN podcast for more conversations with entrepreneurs and marketers on brand building and growth.

Find us:

KNOWN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/known__podcast

INPUT Global on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/input.global

Abdallah Al Jouaid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdallah-al-jouaid-9326bb180/

Anastasiia Kulibaba on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasiia-kulibaba-aa2b91184/

Stella Friaisse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-friaisse/