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Many growth marketing strategies underperform because they're built on incomplete foundations. Despite better data, better tools, and endless optimization, brand growth and customer acquisition feel harder than they should. Campaigns convert — but they don't compound. Customer experience improves — but loyalty stalls. Personalization gets sharper — but relevance feels thinner. In this episode, I break down why. You'll learn why modern growth strategy often misses critical structural elements — and I introduce the 7C Growth Marketing Framework, a model designed to strengthen the foundation of your growth marketing system. We'll explore: The hidden gaps causing growth strategies to underperform Why optimizing tactics without fixing structure limits customer acquisition How trust, identity, and customer experience shape buying decisions The seven elements inside the 7C framework — and how they work together What it takes to build a brand growth strategy that compounds over time This isn't about hacks, trends, or short-term lifts. It's about rebuilding growth strategy so it reflects how real people evaluate brands today — and designing a marketing system strong enough to scale. Take the quiz: What's slowing your brand's growth: www.frictionlessgrowthlab.com/quiz
In episode 90 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison sits down with former client Liz Oxhorn, who traded her political career in Washington DC for a new chapter as the owner of a communications consultancy in Paris. Listen in as Liz discusses the challenges of building a business in France, some surprising aspects of raising her young daughter in Paris, and how she cultivated the right mindset for creating her best life abroad.Follow Liz:On SubstackSonnet Creative: https://www.sonnet-creative.com/Instagram: @petitevalise_
On this week's episode, Jess is joined by Patricia King, EVP Global Client Partner at Dig Insights, to unpack the tension between speed and substance in the age of AI, the difference between fast answers and confident decisions, and why strategic clarity, human judgment, and true partnership are what ultimately turn outputs into meaningful outcomes.
Today on the pod, I sit down with Dave Hill to talk about what it really looks like to evolve over a 20+ year photography career. We dive into his transition from hyperreal composites to a more natural, wide-angle style, shooting major campaigns for big brands, and how social media changed the industry for all of us. Dave reflects on creative reinvention, not caring so much about outside opinions, balancing family life with ambition, and why staying curious matters more than staying trendy.Meet Dave:Dave is a director/photographer based in Los Angeles. He got his start shooting album covers for for artists like 50 Cent and Soulja Boy. This led to shooting national editorial and advertising campaigns. Dave has been collaborating with the top agencies and brands, directing TVC's and shooting stills across the globe that combine his love of adventure, people, fashion, and cars. With a background in skating and snowboarding, he strives to tell stories that are fast-paced and energetic, always keeping the camera moving. Dave wrote/directed his first narrative feature film, FLYING CARS, which premiered at the 2019 Dances with Films Festival in Los Angeles. His second narrative feature, LET'S BOTH TRY, was just released worldwide in 2025. Connect with Me:Join us at Summer Camp!Become a Member of Summer SchoolJoin me at WPPI and get 20% off your ticket using code SUMMER26Subscribe here to our emails for updates on all things Summer School!Instagram: @summergrace.photo @the_summerschool Shop My Products:Summer Grace x G-Presets (discount code: SUMMERSCHOOL)Pricing GuideSummer Camp (2026)*Summer School is powered by Narrative — the AI culling and editing tool I use that supports my workflow without replacing my creativity. Try Narrative for free today using the link above!Connect with Dave:Website: https://www.davehill.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davehill2021
Neil speaks to Cllr Jon Molyneux of the Scottish Green Party mostly about the agreed SGP & SNP 2026/27 Glasgow City Council budget, plus Flamingo Land and the Holyrood Elections. Producer & Sound Editor - Neil Anderson Ungagged is Scottish left, pro-Indy, pro-LGBTIQA Podcasts. Writing. Campaigns. Please join us- help us create a new, fair media- https://ko-fi.com/ungagged Where to find Left Ungagged… Website Twitter (X) YouTube Spotify Apple podcasts Podbean Facebook Instagram
What's up folks, today we have the pleasure of sitting down with Anthony Rotio, Chief Data Strategy Officer at GrowthLoop.(00:00) - Intro (01:10) - In this episode (04:05) - Journeying From Robotics to Modern Marketing Systems (11:05) - Most Marketing Systems Don't Learn Because They Lack Feedback Loops (16:10) - The Martech Engineering Talent Gap (19:51) - AI Will Amplify Whoever Has the Cleanest Causal Feedback Loop (29:17) - Agent Context Graphs for Drift Detection in Marketing Systems (31:51) - Humans Will Set Hypotheses, AI Will Accelerates Iteration (35:50) - The Evolution of Retail Media Networks (45:07) - How Commerce Networks Redefine Targeting With Governed Data (48:26) - How Agent to Agent Commerce Operates Inside Marketing Funnels (53:04) - Google Universal Commerce Protocol Explained (54:43) - Personal Happiness System (56:30) - Favorite Books Summary: Anthony traces a path from robotics and computer science to his current role where he approaches marketing as an engineering system. He explains how execution-first marketing stacks weaken feedback loops and fragment data, which slows learning and iteration. He introduces the agent context graph as a causality model that lets AI simulate and predict customer behavior with greater confidence. The conversation also covers retail media networks, first-party data monetization through governed access, and a shift toward zero-to-zero marketing driven by agent-to-agent transactions. He closes by stressing that strong data foundations determine who can compete as marketing becomes more automated and agent-driven.About AnthonyAnthony Rotio is the Chief Data Strategy Officer at GrowthLoop, where he leads partnerships and builds generative AI product features for marketers, including multi-agent systems, AI-driven audience building, and benchmarking and evaluation work. He previously served as GrowthLoop's Chief Customer Officer, where he built and led teams across data engineering, data science, and solutions architecture while supporting product development and strategic sales efforts.Before GrowthLoop, Anthony spent nearly six years at AB InBev, where he led a $100M owned retail business unit with full P&L responsibility and drove major growth through operational and digital transformation work. He also led U.S. marketing for Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois, and other brands across music, food, and related consumer programs. He earned a B.A. in computer science from Harvard, played linebacker on the Harvard football team, founded the consumer product Pizza Shelf, and holds a Google Professional Cloud Architect certification.Journeying From Robotics to Modern Marketing SystemsAnthony's career started far away from marketing. He trained as a computer scientist and spent his early years working with robotics and reinforcement learning. His first exposure to a learning agent left a lasting impression because the system behaved less like traditional software and more like something adaptive. That experience shaped how he would later think about work, systems, and feedback. He learned early that progress comes from loops that learn, not static instructions.That mindset followed him into an unexpected chapter at AB InBev. Anthony entered a world defined by scale, brands, and operational complexity. He treated his technical background like a carpenter treats tools, useful only when applied to real problems. Running marketing across major beer brands taught him how value is created inside large organizations. It also exposed a recurring issue. Marketing teams had ambition and data, but execution moved slowly because ideas had to travel through layers of translation before anything reached customers.That friction became impossible to ignore. Audience definitions moved through tickets. Campaigns waited on queries. Data teams became bottlenecks through no fault of their own. Anthony felt the pull back toward technology, where systems could shorten the distance between intent and action. That pull led him to GrowthLoop, where he joined early and worked directly with customers. The appeal was immediate. The product connected straight to cloud data and removed several layers of mediation that marketing teams had accepted as normal.As language models improved, Anthony recognized a familiar pattern. Audience building behaved like a translation problem. Marketers described people and intent in natural language, while systems demanded structured logic. Early experiments showed that natural language models could close that gap. Anthony framed the idea clearly.“Audience building is a translation problem. You start with a business idea and you end with a query on top of data.”Momentum followed quickly. Customers like Indeed and Google responded because speed changed behavior. Teams experimented more often and refined audiences based on results instead of assumptions. Conversations with Sam Altman and collaboration with OpenAI reinforced that this capability belonged in the core workflow. Standing on stage at Google Cloud Next marked a clear moment of validation.That arc reshaped Anthony's role into Chief Data Strategy Officer. His work now focuses on building systems that learn over time. Faster audience creation leads to shorter feedback loops. Shorter loops improve decision quality. Better decisions compound. The throughline from robotics to marketing holds steady. Systems improve when learning sits at the center of execution.Key takeaway: Career leverage often comes from carrying one mental model across multiple domains. Anthony applied learning systems thinking from computer science to enterprise marketing, then rebuilt the tooling to match that mindset. You can do the same by identifying where translation slows your work, then designing interfaces that move intent directly into action. When feedback loops tighten, progress accelerates naturally.Most Marketing Systems Don't Learn Because They Lack Feedback LoopsMarketing organizations generate enormous amounts of activity, but learning often lags behind execution. Campaigns launch on schedule, dashboards fill with numbers, and post-campaign reviews happen right on time. The pattern repeats month after month with small adjustments and familiar explanations. Over time, teams become highly efficient at producing output while remaining surprisingly weak at retaining knowledge. The system rewards motion, visibility, and short-term lifts, which slowly conditions teams to forget what they learned last quarter.Anthony connects this behavior to structural pressure inside large organizations. Quarterly reporting cycles dominate priorities, and executive tenures continue to compress. Leaders feel urgency to show impact quickly and publicly. Compounding growth requires early patience and repeated reinforcement, which rarely aligns with board expectations or career incentives. Short time horizons shape long-term behavior, even when everyone agrees that learning should stack over time.“When you think about compound interest in finance, the early part looks almost linear. People want big bumps now, even if those bumps never build momentum.”Technology choices deepen the problem. Many companies invested heavily in customer data and built impressive data clouds that capture transactions, events, and engagement in detail. Activation remains slow because teams still rely on handoffs between marketing and data groups. A familiar sequence plays out:A marketer defines a campaign and requests an audience.A ticket moves to a data team for interpretation and SQL.The audience returns weeks later.The marketer realizes the audience lacks scale for ne...
Episode 335: Navigating Public Information Campaigns and Crisis Comms with Cyndee Woolley Episode Summary In this episode of That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane are joined by Cyndee Woolley, MBA, APR, President and Founder of C2 Communications. Together, they dive deep into the nuanced world of public information campaigns and crisis communications for local communities. While national headlines often grab the most attention, Cyndee explains why decisions made at county commission meetings and in local municipalities often have a more direct impact on our daily lives. Cyndee shares her extensive experience working with organizations like Waste Management and mosquito control districts to turn dry, often misunderstood topics into engaging community stories. From "bear-resistant carts" to turning landfill gas into energy, she illustrates how strategic messaging can cut through the clutter. The conversation also tackles the critical importance of crisis communications for small businesses and local leaders. Cyndee offers candid advice on why "owning it" and apologizing is often the best strategy when trust is broken, and why every PR pro needs to pass the "Mom Test" before releasing a statement. Whether you are a solo PR pro looking to better serve local clients or a communicator interested in the power of community engagement, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building trust and activating audiences. Episode Highlights [02:01] Public Information Campaigns: Cyndee discusses the challenges of getting communities to understand government services and how local decisions impact daily life more than national ones. [03:38] The Recycling Reality: Insight into the misinformation surrounding recycling and how tours and transparency can change public perception. [06:39] Creative Storytelling: How Cyndee used "bear-resistant carts" and landfill gas-to-energy stories to engage the public in waste management topics. [08:10] Crisis Communications for Small Business: Why even small organizations need a plan for when—not if—a crisis occurs, from employee misconduct to leadership failures. [12:12] The Power of the Apology: A look at real-world examples where refusing to apologize prolonged a crisis, versus how owning mistakes can help rebuild trust. [14:51] The "Mom Test": A simple but powerful metric for decision-making in crisis management—would your mom be proud of the action you are taking? [21:47] Case Study - Mosquito Control: How the Zika crisis transformed a quiet organization into a proactive communicator by opening doors to community leaders. [26:50] Activating Audiences: Why tangible, meaningful involvement (like planting gardens) beats passive information consumption every time. About Cyndee Woolley Cyndee Woolley, MBA, APR, is the President and Founder of C2 Communications. She has built her career on the principle that effective communication requires more than just data—it demands strategic messaging that resonates authentically. Cyndee specializes in community outreach and public information campaigns, helping organizations navigate complex challenges and build lasting trust with their stakeholders. She is a passionate advocate for the profession and a "giant nerd" when it comes to learning new story angles and tools. Connect with Cyndee: LinkedIn Profile Website: C2-com.com Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, founder of Words For Hire and President of Solo PR, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape. Stay Connected: Subscribe to the Podcast: Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to get the latest tips and tricks for your solo PR journey. Join the Community: Visit Solo PR Pro for resources, networking, and support designed specifically for independent communicators. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review and share it with a colleague!
Boss Your Business: The Pet Boss Podcast with Candace D'Agnolo
Is email marketing dead? Well, Candace sure hopes not - because she's been sitting on over 2,000 customer emails from Dante and Dory's for the last 5 months and has done absolutely nothing with them. And as a business coach who sends emails like a well-oiled machine at Pet Boss Nation, that admission is a little uncomfortable to make. But here's the truth: email marketing still delivers an average ROI of $36-$42 for every $1 invested. And 60% of consumers say email influences their purchasing decisions. So it's time to stop treating it like it's dead. In this episode, Candace shares the exact 5-email framework she's implementing at Dante and Dory's - so you can take action too! She shares:
AI Tools for Content, Campaigns, and Productivity“Choosing the right tools to improve efficiency without losing quality or control.”This session provides a practical overview of best-in-class AI tools for marketers in 2026. The focus is on where they add real value, how to use them responsibly, and how to integrate them into structured workflows.Why Tool Selection Now Matters More Than EverAI tools are no longer optional in marketing operationsThe challenge is not access, but selection and integrationEfficiency without structure creates inconsistencyKey principle: Use fewer tools well, rather than many tools poorlyThe AI Marketing Stack FrameworkOrganise tools by function:Strategy & InsightWriting & EditingVisual & Multimedia CreationCampaign ActivationAutomation & WorkflowAgents & Advanced SystemsEach tool should serve a clear stage in your marketing value chain.More content like this at Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com
Show us what you do when you thought the campaign was over…but you all want more! Phil and Senda talk extending a campaign from a TV series perspective, and some things to check in on MORE
Rev. Jesse Jackson died at age 84 on Feb. 17, 2026, in Chicago. His groundbreaking 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns marked the first viable nationwide bids for a major party nomination by an African American candidate and helped reshape Democratic Party delegate rules. His push for proportional representation and coalition politics later influenced campaigns such as Barack Obama's historic run. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Kendra Speed, Founder & Principal at Klarion Group and former Director of Consumer Market Insights and Marketing Strategy at LinkedIn, to unpack how she rebuilt LinkedIn's brand tracking program to drive real strategic action, what it takes to lead insights through organizational change, and why human curiosity—not just AI—is the key to the future of the insights function.
Lester Kiewit speaks to Buhle Booi, Head of Political Organising and Campaigns at Ndifuna Ukwazi on the one year anniversary of the Tafelberg matter since the judgement on it was reserved . They touch on the increasing housing crisis in the city of Cape Town and the City’s slow response to the needs of the residents and addressing the wrongs of the past. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk5See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ryan and Ben dive into the possibilities for the HBO Baldur’s Gate TV series then discuss wrapping up a campaign. Community Pages: Baldur’s Gate TV series info; Forgotten Realms Humble Bundle. Socials: Discord; Bluesky; Ryan's Bluesky; Ben's Bluesky
In this episode, host Mickey Desai speaks with Frances Roen, CEO and Lead Strategist of Fundraising Sol, about best practices for preparing and executing a successful nonprofit capital campaign. They discuss the importance of pre-planning, assessing organizational capacity and donor pipelines, aligning committees, and leveraging technology and data. Frances emphasizes the need for nonprofits to take a thoughtful, deliberate approach rather than rushing into a campaign, and highlights how Fundraising Sol guides small-to-medium sized nonprofits through the campaign process. This episode provides valuable insights for nonprofit leaders considering a capital campaign. We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit SnapCast website. Learn more about Nonprofit Snapshot's consulting services.
John Maytham is joined by Buhle Booi, Head of Political Organising and Campaigns at Ndifuna Ukwazi, an organisation that has long advocated for the use of public land to address inequality in Cape Town – to discuss the City’s plans to release landmark Good Hope Centre and other properties at an upcoming auction. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell is joined by some of RNIB Northern Ireland's Campaigns Team to discuss some of the big projects they're working on.This month's topics include Active Travel, Disability Strategy and accessible voting. If you'd like to find out more, or get involved in campaigning, email campaignsni@rnib.org.uk#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo
The SNP Socialists Co-Convenors, Janis Wilson and Graham Campbell discuss; Keir Starmer & Anas Sarwar & Andy Burham - Gorton and Denton By-Election, Mandelson & Epstein, Jessie Jackson, Trump losing voters, NATA - Ukraine - Russia and on a lighter note - the Super Bowl Half Time Show. Producer & Sound Editor - Neil Anderson Music: Roy Möller Scottish left, pro-Indy, pro-LGBTIQA Podcasts. Writing. Campaigns. Please join us- help us create a new, fair media- https://ko-fi.com/ungagged Where to find Left Ungagged… Website Twitter (X) YouTube Spotify Apple podcasts Podbean Facebook Instagram
It's more than a decade since Nadiya Hussain became a household name after winning the Great British Bake Off. Since then, she's fronted her own cookery shows, written more than a dozen cookbooks and a series of children's books. Her latest collection of recipes is called Quick Comforts, and Nadiya joins presenter Clare McDonnell to talk about finding comfort in food, her career so far and lots more.A series of stories in The Guardian this week are spotlighting the role that domestic abuse plays in suicides - they say the number of women's suicides that are being are linked to domestic abuse is being severely underreported in police statistics. Figures from the National Police Chiefs Council's Domestic Homicide Project have shown for the last two years that there were more victims of domestic abuse who took their own lives in England and Wales than were killed by their partner. Research by a suicide prevention programme in Kent led by Tim Woodhouse is suggesting the figures could be much higher. We hear from Tim and Dr Hannana Siddiqui, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Research at Southall Black Sisters.Actor Kate Fleetwood talks about her latest role as the angry, vindictive Witch in Stephen Sondheim's fairy tale musical Into the Woods. She'll be singing live and telling Clare about playing the villain, the challenges of this demanding singing role and why Shakespeare holds an important part of her life.Megan Boxall is running the coastline of Britain, hoping to complete 200 marathons in 200 days. She joins us live from the Scottish Highlands - the latest stage of her challenge - to update us on her progress so far and the people she has met along the way.Presenter: Clare McDonnell Producer: Kirsty Starkey
More than a few ex-presidents have taken their shot at winning another, non-consecutive term in the White House, and a couple have even succeeded in the attempt. In this episode we recount the Top 5 Non-Consecutive Term Campaigns!Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Email us at deadpresidentspodcast@gmail.com Please rate & review, subscribe & share. Thanks for listening!
The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, Bruce Power, AltaGas, and Fidelity Investments Canada.Greetings, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites! Fred DeLorey is here!For those who may not know, Fred was the National Campaign Manager for Erin O'Toole in 2021. Before that the Director of Field Operations for Ontario Premier Doug Ford. And he's a former Director of Political Operations for Stephen Harper. As well as Director of Comms and National Spokesperson. Today, he's Chair and Chief Strategy Officer at NorthStar Public Affairs.So, with that kind of CCV ... Conservative Curriculum Vitae ... we're going to get an operative's perspective on the mood and moves of Canada's Conservatives, campaigning against Carney, referendums in Alberta and Quebec – lots more.Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.
George Orwell spoke bluntly about the nefarious nature of advertising, calling it “the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket.”Even Orwell, though, would've been astonished by the cacophony of swill bucket advertising currently being blasted at us by Amazon, Google, Meta, and other profiteering tech giants. What are they trying to sell?Pure hogwash. Having spent billions to develop artificial intelligence so humanoid robots can displace workers, the tech geniuses are now rushing to build thousands of vast computer data centers necessary to power their Brave New AI World. Each center wills suck up local water supplies, drastically raise people's utility bills, create monstrous industrial blight and pollution, and enthrone such autocratic thugs as Bezos, Musk, and Zuckerberg as absentee bosses with domineering power over each locality.But the billionaires forgot something: You and me. “We the People” are in open rebellion against this Orwellian future, with officials in multiple states and localities “Just Saying Hell No” to the profiteers' invasive scams.Thus, the billionaire hucksters are frantically rattling their swill sticks. For example, Mark Zuckerberg – whose Meta goliath already operates 26 massive data centers and is now spending $600 billion to plop more of them in our communities – has launched a multimillion-dollar offensive to beat back local opponents. It's running BS television ads in state capitol cities, financing political candidates to hype the data centers, deploying untold numbers of lobbyists to rig the rules against opponents, and hiring an army of “community affairs” agents to spread AI propaganda.The swill bucket brigade has the fat cats, but a groundswell of us alley cats that has them on the run. To get involved, go to mediajustice.org/tools.Do something!The Center for Media Justice has been leading the way in fighting data centers in lots of communities around the country— here's how they beat back one in Amarillo, TX, for example. Get involved at mediajustice.org!Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe
On America at Night with McGraw Milhaven, famed defense attorney Mark Geragos weighed in on the Epstein files dump, discussing what the document release could mean legally and politically, and separating speculation from potential prosecutorial reality. Lia Holland, Campaigns & Communications Director at Fight for the Future, examined the Nancy Guthrie case through the lens of digital privacy, addressing how personal data, surveillance, and online tracking intersect with high-profile investigations. The show also featured Kevin Hazzard, author of a gripping account of the 2014 air rescue of American Ebola patients from Liberia. Hazzard detailed the high-risk medical evacuations that captured global headlines and highlighted the courage and innovation of the pilots and medical teams who carried out the unprecedented missions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sen. Todd Johnson and his wife Amanda join the podcast for a special conversation about love, partnership, and public service. From meeting in high school band to navigating college courtship, a proposal, marriage, and raising two boys, the Johnsons share the story of building a life together — including one that now includes North Carolina politics. Plus, Rep. Grant Campbell returns to the podcast as a guest host as helps Skye and Brian break down a busy week at the General Assembly. They unpack an oversight clash, a civics lesson, State Board of Elections dustups, the Berger v. Page fundraising battle and New York Times coverage, a new poll in the 1st Congressional District, and, of course, Valentine's Day. Love and politics — all in one episode.
Send a textEmail is where most supporters experience your organization over time – not just during campaigns, but in the quieter moments in between.Jena Lynch sits down with our on-the-ground fundraising expert, Cara Augspurger, CFRE, to talk about what's really happening in those in-between spaces. Because the emails you send every day? They're shaping donor relationships long before the next ask ever lands.They dig into what happens when email becomes something you send just to tick the box, how reactive communication slowly becomes the relationship, and why clarity matters more than volume in overflowing inboxes.This isn't about crafting perfect emails or sending more messages. It's about creating a rhythm supporters can follow, and putting a few simple structures in place so consistency feels doable, even when capacity is stretched.When email drifts, you don't always see it right away. But you feel it later, in trust, in engagement, and in how people respond when you do reach out.Discover:Why email is often the relationship, whether you intend it to be or notHow clarity and repetition work together (without becoming noise)What changes when communication is supported by systems, not willpowerDon't forget to download our useful blog to keep you 'systems' focused: Email Marketing Tips for NonprofitsWhat makes Donorbox the Best Nonprofit Fundraising Platform to Achieve Your Strategic Goals?Easy to customize, available in multiple languages and currencies, and supported by leading payment processors (Stripe and PayPal), Donorbox's nonprofit fundraising solution is used by 80,000+ global organizations and individuals. From animal rescue to schools, places of worship, and research groups, nonprofits use Donorbox to raise more funds, manage donors efficiently, and make a bigger impact.Discover how Donorbox can help you help others!The Nonprofit Podcast, along with a wealth of nonprofit leadership tutorials, expert advice, tips, and tactics, is available on the Donorbox YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss an episode.The Nonprofit Podcast is available every Thursday on all popular podcast platforms.
How to Scale Faster with B2B Brand Strategy Here's a common scenario in B2B marketing: you launch campaigns, hit the deadlines, and fill the pipeline, but the results feel disconnected from your long-term goals. Internal messaging discussions resurface, campaigns feel shallow and reactive, and when you ask people what your brand stands for, you get 50 different answers. This inconsistent approach creates friction and impedes scalable growth. So what can B2B marketers do when their tactical execution is outpacing their brand strategy, and how to do you realign for lasting impact? That's why we're talking to JoAnne Gritter (COO, ddm marketing + communications), who shares her expertise and actionable insights on how to scale faster with B2B brand strategy. During our conversation, JoAnne underscored why a foundational strategy is crucial for building credibility and trust in competitive markets. She also discussed the role of AI in marketing, commenting that while it can support with idea generation and research, it shouldn't replace direct communication with customers and employees. JoAnne shared some common pitfalls such as messaging misalignment and inconsistent branding, which can lead to distrust and reduced credibility, She explained the importance of having a cohesive brand strategy that aligns values, messaging, and customer experiences across all company touchpoints through proactive brand management. https://youtu.be/_Alwkinhw-g Topics discussed in episode: [02:36] The “Soul vs. Body” framework: Why marketing is just the body in action, while brand strategy is the soul that provides direction and values. [06:51] Red flags that your marketing has outpaced your strategy: When content feels fragmented and sales teams are telling completely different stories. [08:52] Defining true brand strategy: Moving beyond logos and colors to include deep research, stakeholder analysis, and internal alignment. [14:41] The critical differences between a brand refresh (auditing existing assets), a complete revamp (starting from scratch), and branding during a merger. [24:10] Actionable steps you can take to realign your brand: – Audit your customer journey – Define messaging pillars – Ensure HR and onboarding match the brand promise [29:37] Why “data-only” marketing fails: The importance of human emotion and psychology that performance data often misses. Companies and links mentioned: JoAnne Gritter on LinkedIn ddm marketing + communications Transcript JoAnne Gritter, Christian Klepp JoAnne Gritter 00:00 AI can be used as a tool. It should not replace thinking and actually talking to your customers and your employees and your sales team. So you can use AI as a crutch to to like, ask it for ideas, idea generation. You can use it for deep research on your on your audience, and stuff like that. But nothing replaces the gold standard of talking to people. I see this in messaging misalignment or content misalignment. If content feels like it’s been written by four different people or completely different companies, that’s a red flag. Christian Klepp 00:37 This is a common scenario for B2B Marketers. You launch campaigns, hit the deadlines and fill the pipeline. It all looks great on paper, but something is still off internal messaging discussions resurface. Campaigns feel shallow and reactive, and when you ask people what the brand stands for, you get 50 different answers. So what can B2B Marketers do when their marketing is outpacing their brand strategy? Welcome to this episode of the B2B Marketers in the Mission podcast, and I’m your host, Christian Klepp, today, I’ll be talking to JoAnne Gritter, who will be answering this question. She’s a member of the leadership team at DDM Marketing Communications that provides integrated marketing solutions to drive business success. Tune in to find out more about what this B2B Marketers Mission is and here we go. JoAnne Gritter, welcome to the show. JoAnne Gritter 01:25 Hi Christian. Happy to be here. Christian Klepp 01:27 We you know, we had such a wonderful, like, pre-interview conversation. I almost feel like we’re neighbors or something, and something to that extent. But I’m, I’m really, like, happy to have you on the show, and I’m really looking forward to this conversation, because this topic is, I’m a little bit biased because I am in the branding space, so it’s a bit near and dear to my heart, but it’s also something that’s extremely important, because you’ll agree. I mean, you, I know you’ll agree because you wrote an article about it. JoAnne Gritter 01:54 Yeah Christian Klepp 01:55 It’s something that marketing teams tend to overlook. And good, goodness gracious me, I’m gonna, like, stop keeping people in suspense. We’ll just jump right in all right. JoAnne Gritter 02:04 Okay Christian Klepp 02:04 So JoAnne, you’re on a mission to provide integrated marketing solutions that drive B2B business success. So for this conversation, let’s focus on this topic, how brand strategy helps B2B organizations to realign for long term growth. So I’m going to kick off this conversation with the following question. In our previous conversation, our previous discussion, you talked about how marketing without a brand is a strategy without a soul. Could you please explain what you meant by that? JoAnne Gritter 02:36 So I just made the comparison kind of to the whole human, as in, like the brand is your soul, meaning like your values, what drives you, why you’re here, what differentiates you, what makes you different than the person standing next to you, whereas, like marketing is your body in action, or action in general, where you hopefully, if you if you’re a trustworthy person, what is, what are your values internally are matching your actions externally? And that is often where we see a divergent in companies, because they don’t think about those as like two sides of the same coin. It is really important that you make sure that you know the direction that you’re going as a company and what you stand for and who you’re there to support or serve, and what markets you’re there to do, and like your whole company, everybody that’s part of interfacing with customers understands that and is and is speaking the same language. Christian Klepp 03:37 Yeah, no, absolutely. And I suppose the the follow up question to that is like, where do you see a lot of, like, marketing teams go wrong. Because, like, you know, more often than not, a lot of teams are like, Okay, we’ve we’ve implemented the campaigns check. We’re generating results and driving pipeline or filling the pipeline, rather check. So where does it all go wrong? JoAnne Gritter 04:00 If you are not paying attention to your branding, you can have a lot of activity without a lot of traction. So or you can have a lot of different messages going out that seem not cohesive or fragmented. And so you can or more examples you can have, like your sales folks going out and telling different stories about about what your company stands for and what you do and how you’re different, that creates a lot of waste, because then you’re continuously trying to get more activity and more campaigns going more sales people out there, because you’re not getting the quality leads that you need, because nobody really knows what you stand for. Everybody says it a little bit differently, and that goes for customer service too. Branding. People think about branding as a marketing problem, or a marketing, you know, teams problem. But if, let’s say part of your brand is your brand identity or values is to put the customer. First, if you don’t really solidify that from your sales team and your customer support team, then there would be a mismatch there, right then you’re just putting out into the world that customers first, but that doesn’t match up with what the customer is experiencing. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yeah, there’s certainly some kind of misalignment there, and you touched on it, like, briefly. It’s interesting to me, like, even in my own experience, one of the telltale signs of that is when you ask people within the organization, well, what makes you different? And you get 50 different answers, and some of them are similar, and some of them are completely, like, different. And it’s like, okay, yep, okay, I see where this is going, or to your to your other point, when sales teams are having those discovery calls, and you listen back to some of those recordings, which I hope you marketing people out there are doing, and you listen to the way that the sales deal with objections, and maybe the procurement team or people like, you know, on the prospect side, they’re probably not phrasing it exactly the way I’m going to say it right now, but like, but they probably are asking something to the effect of, okay, what makes you different from vendor B, C and D, right? What is different about your solution? Like, why are you charging this guy? Why are your rates like, this high. JoAnne Gritter 05:16 Right. Absolutely. And if they have different answers, or if you go and you listen in on four different sales calls and they’re all a little bit different, then that tells you have a branding issue that people don’t fully understand your brand and how you’re different and who you support and serve. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yep, absolutely, absolutely. So you’ve touched on it a little bit, but like, tell us about some more of these. I’m going to call them red flags, right? That signal when marketing has outrun brand strategy. JoAnne Gritter 05:16 Sure, I see this in messaging misalignment or content misalignment. If content feels like it’s been written by four different people or completely different companies, that’s a red flag. If, like we mentioned, your sales team talks about your company completely differently, it’s okay that they put their own little spin on it, as long as you’re still hitting like the purpose of your company, why you’re here, how you serve whatever your target audience or audiences are what your values are. If that’s not coming through in in those different places, then you may have a brand issue, or your training issue, or your brand is not being carried out through the company. So when you have a solid brand, it should be, should be repeated in in like your onboarding process, in HR kind of things, in performance conversations, in obviously, your sales and marketing and your customer service, so that everybody is aligned to that brand, and so that there’s a common message, common theme, because repeatability is is super important. Consistency is super important in marketing. I’m sure a lot of people have heard that it takes multiple multi multiple times of hearing the same message for it to actually resonate, and if they’re hearing multiple different messages, it’s causes confusion and a lack of trust in whatever the company is offering. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yeah, that’s absolutely right. JoAnne, I’ve got a I just thought of another fall off question, and you’ll indulge me here. Um, you know it, I know it. But let’s, let’s clear the air here for a second. Because I’ve been hearing this like, and I’m sure you have as well, in the B2B world, it’s just been thrown around, like, very loosely. Let’s clear the air here. Like, what do you mean by brand strategy, because I’ve heard people, especially at senior level, say, like, Yeah, we don’t need branding. We’ve got a logo and we’ve got a website. We’re good, so maybe just clear the air on that one, please. JoAnne Gritter 05:16 Well, brand strategy is, let’s see, like, I think of strategy in like, four or three different tiers. Like, we have your business strategy, it’s how you win in the marketplace. Then you have your brand strategy, which is positions you in the market and in the minds of your consumers or your customers. And then your marketing strategy is how you take that and communicate it out and you deliver that message in multiple different channels. So if you have marketing running without, without laddering up to that business strategy and and brand strategy, then it’s just, it’s just running and putting stuff out there. So it’s just activity without, without purpose and strategy. So like a brand strategy is so much more than just a lot of people think about it as their logo, their identity suite, whatever, but there should be research that goes into it. They should be stakeholder analysis. They should talk to your customers and kind of understand what they value about about your company compared to another company. So then, using. Their language in some of your brand messaging is super helpful. So if you have like, customers that say, you know, like, I just love working with, you know, Company X, Y and Z, because the people are great. They’re super responsive. They they get me what I need, etc. Like, using some of that as part of your brand is going to be really important. So like, a strategy may may include, like, the focus, the brand, promise your your core values can be part of that. The naming can be part of that. Obviously, the the design part that a lot of folks actually think about and listen or think about and recall would be, like the visual identity that also needs to be consistent, from your logo to your fonts to your colors, and then like, multiple touch points on that, like, again, like repeating that consistency from like the stationary, the collateral, the assets, all that stuff, but then also making sure that the messaging and the voice carries throughout your company, past past your your marketing team, past your sales team. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yeah, that’s absolutely right. I mean, I like to tell people that all of these things that you mentioned, especially the visual aspect, the the sexy part of it, right, like the the visual identity, the logo, the web design and all that. It’s the end result. It’s one of the outcomes of right branding, right? JoAnne Gritter 05:16 That doesn’t come out of a vacuum, right? You don’t show a designer that’s like, I’m super excited about the color red, so we’re gonna do it’s what do our customers, current customers, feel about us, and what do we want our prospective customers to feel about us? And then there’s a lot of strategy behind that. Christian Klepp 05:16 That’s right, that’s right. I’m gonna move on to the topic of key pitfalls to avoid. So what are some of these key pitfalls that B2B Marketing Teams should avoid, and what should they do instead? JoAnne Gritter 05:16 So pitfalls that I see is companies teams that get really excited about certain trends. I’m just going to pick on Tiktok. There’s time and a place for Tiktok, but like, for B2B, they’re like, oh, man, everybody’s on Tiktok, or this latest, you know, social media platform, channel, we really got to get on there. It’s or we got to use AI in some specific way without, like, thinking about the strategy behind that and just like going forward, because you know that that’s the hottest trend right now. So always make sure it ladders up to where your customers are and what you want them to think about you. If you’re a B2B company, it’s likely that your customers are more on LinkedIn than they are on Tiktok. That’s just an example. I can’t say that across the board, but like picking picking things that are always centered on on your customer and your brand are super important. So that’s a pitfall, and then what to do about it? Also treating the brand as a one time exercise, like set it and forget it, kind of thing. A lot of people are just like, Okay, we did the brand. We got a great logo, we got stationery, we even got PowerPoints that are branded and then never think about it again, except for, like, just the, you know, the colors and the logo on all of your media assets, right? So, but the brand is so much more than that. The brand is so much about, like, how you want them to feel, what the differentiators are, what makes you different, what you deliver and like, how you talk about it, how you position yourself. So like, every bit, every asset that goes out the door, should be aligned to that there should be almost a hierarchy. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yeah, no, exactly, exactly. And I’m gonna throw another follow up question at you, only because I know you can handle you can handle it. You probably hear this a lot, and you hear this a lot, most likely also from marketing teams that perhaps don’t have as much experience in the branding space as you do, and they say things like, JoAnne, you know, we’re looking at our company, and we feel that, you know, the overall look and feel and the direction, it’s not really in line with what we aspire to be. So we’re looking for a revamp. And then, and then, as the conversation progresses, they say, Oh, actually, we want maybe, maybe just a refresh, right? And then you hear another prospect say, Well, you know, we just merged the two companies. So like, what do we do there? So maybe just, just to, again, clear the air, so people don’t throw around these terms so recklessly, what actually is the difference between a brand refresh, a brand revamp, and branding as a result of a merger, Speaker 1 06:02 like a brand like from scratch, is going to take a lot of different kind of research efforts than like a brand refresh. Like, if you’re doing a brand refresh, then you’re looking at assets that already exist, you know, and and you’re looking at reasons why they might change or are no longer working. So you’re doing more. Of an audit kind of thing, like, what’s different now than it was 20 years ago when we created this brand, and where are we going? Their new leadership? Are they focused on different parts of this like even even DDM, the marketing agency that I work with or that I work for. We, every once in a while, look at our brand, and not just the visuals, but like the things that make us unique. And we say, hey, those are still unique, but we’re talking about them slightly differently now. So we need to take a look at that and change the messaging a little bit. We’re heading in a slightly different direction lately with our creative so let’s, let’s make sure that we’re still in line, so that everything, everything matches. And if they see us on Instagram versus if they see us on LinkedIn or on our website, that it still looks like ABM, you know, and then a merger is slightly different, because you’re putting together two brands, and a lot of times they’re creating a new brand from that, or they might keep one of the brands and then just bring another like, you know, Company X is now a, you know, Company Y brand. And there might be, like a sub. There’s all kinds of different ways hierarchies of brands in that kind of scenario. But more recent one that we did, they created a new brand, which was a combination of the two names, and they completely they went through the whole exercise with the new leadership team. So it’s more similar to like starting from scratch, but also taking bits and pieces that they want to keep from both brands and what’s working. So you kind of look at what clients from both brands like about those brands, and make sure that you keep those and you preserve those, and make sure that it’s it’s heading in the direction that the company wants to go a lot of discovery and research and questions, Christian Klepp 06:16 Absolutely, absolutely. And I love that you keep bringing that up, though, because that is, again, one of these components that people tend to overlook, that this comes with a lot of research. It’s not, as you said, it’s not okay. Here’s the brief. Graphic designers or design team have at it. JoAnne Gritter 17:07 Right? Christian Klepp 17:07 Come up with something, something else, great, right? Yeah, my favorite briefs are always the ones that said we want something modern, clean, yet traditional and exciting. It’s like, JoAnne Gritter 17:17 Oh yes, creative. Make it creative, splashy mean to you? Christian Klepp 17:25 Yeah, yeah, open to interpretation, I suppose. Why do you believe that inconsistent messaging and internal misalignment cost organizations credibility and dollars? And you did touch on it earlier on the conversation. JoAnne Gritter 17:41 It’s a misalignment of what you say versus what you do. If you have on your website that you are there to serve X population and that you are like your mission and purpose in in this world is to support that population in in achieving whatever goal, whatever needs that that population needs, but then that customer or population that comes and interacts with your brand does not get that from the people or get that from their experience with your product. Then then that’s a misalignment, and that creates, you know, instant distrust, like you are not following through on, on what your brand promise was, or if you have multiple people saying they’re promising different things and they don’t get that, that’s a lack of trust. Christian Klepp 18:27 I’m kind of slightly grinning here, although I know that anyone who’s been in this situation probably will not see any humor in it, but like, I’m just thinking about anyone that’s experienced a flight delay, JoAnne Gritter 18:37 right, Christian Klepp 18:39 or been trapped at the airport, and whichever airline it is you’re flying with, and you have to deal with ground staff that are either unprofessional and rude or you just have zero transparency. And I’m sure, like, I’ve certainly gone through it like I’ve experienced a 10, 12 hour flight delay, right where I was at the airport until like, one or two in the morning, and then they finally come and say, well, the plane’s not coming. JoAnne Gritter 19:04 Yeah, that really rocks the brand reputation. I also see that in health care a lot, which, God bless everybody in health care, it’s hard, but like, if all those services are disjointed and the scheduling gives you a different feeling than the doctor gives and trying to do things online, it doesn’t match what your experience is in person. People don’t want to go to that provider anymore. You know, they’re like, this is confusing. I just want help. Just want to get what you’re promising. Christian Klepp 19:35 It’s a very for lack of a description of fragmented ecosystem. JoAnne Gritter 19:39 Yeah, absolutely. And that’s a bigger issue than we can solve here, but Christian Klepp 19:43 Yeah, no amount of branding is going to fix that. JoAnne Gritter 19:47 You got to follow through on it. Christian Klepp 19:49 That’s absolutely right. That’s absolutely right. Talk to us about how aligning, and you’ve touched on it briefly, how aligning soul and action will help to build. Trust, loyalty and resilience and please provide examples where relevant. JoAnne Gritter 20:04 Let me think of an example. We work with a very large medical device manufacturer, and we’ve worked with them for 15, probably close to 20 years now. And so 15 years ago, they were very product centric. They also grow by acquisition. So they have, like several different companies that came in under this master global brand. And even though they have the same logo, they still had their own kind of visual identity. They all talked about their stuff differently. And as a result of that, in those different teams, the customers were getting wildly different experiences from this company, even though they were all under the same master company. So they rebranded. We helped them rebrand seven years ago, maybe, and this is a global organization where they brought all their business units under the same brand. They have a very strict, robust brand now. And I’m not saying that everybody needs 100 page brand guidelines. They don’t, but, like they they went all in on branding, and they make all their new employees do their brand training. It’s worked in through their onboarding. It’s worked in through their like, performance conversations, and they have just really exploded and created this, this amazing reputation as a leader. Christian Klepp 21:25 I’m sorry you’re talking about, you’re talking about real branding, then JoAnne Gritter 21:27 Real branding. Yes, they are now a leader in their industry. I mean, they were big before, but they have just really exploded in the last seven years since rebranding, and it’s been really helpful for them, because now they still grow by acquisition, but they bring in a new company, and they know what the process is to get them on board, not just from a visual identity, like rebranding all the collateral, like the sales enablement and stuff like that, but bringing the internal teams up to speed about like, what what we stand for, what we hire, like, what kind of values we Look for, so that every customer gets the same experience Christian Klepp 22:04 from your experience. How did that exercise of helping them to re brand and take all of this because, you know, there’s that situation of taking all the business units and putting them under one roof, so to speak. How did that exercise help to improve them as an organization. JoAnne Gritter 22:22 It’s been a long time, like in multiple phases. So it improves their organization. It creates a lot of clarity for them. So they’re not like redoing each other’s work, and they’re not all creating the same or they’re they’re not all creating from scratch anymore. They have a they have a similar starting point on, like, the different messaging pillars that they need to hit, even for just their products, you know. So this goes into product messaging and product launch. So like, if they are medical device, they are they want to sell, you know, knee replacements or or stuff along those lines, they know that they need to hit on a couple core values, and they need to make sure that they are targeting the same audience, and that they need to make sure that they that what they’re saying out there aligns with the master brand. Of course, there’s they still need to do the differentiators on the product level, but they also have the full brand that that supports it. So it’s just a higher level like reputation. I like to, I like to compare like branding to your reputation. So that goes along with every product that they bring in. Christian Klepp 23:32 Yeah, no, absolutely, absolutely. Okay, we get to the part in the conversation. We’re talking about actionable tips. And you’ve, you’ve actually given us quite a bit already, but if we were to summarize it, okay, JoAnne, like, if there was somebody out if there was somebody out there that was listening to this conversation, and they were listening to what you were saying, and they were like, oh my goodness, this is exactly what we’re going through right now, right? I mean, besides contacting you, right, what are like three to five things that you would recommend they do right now to realign for long term growth using brand strategy, JoAnne Gritter 24:10 I would take a look at what brand strategy you already have, if you have one otherwise kind of creating at least the bones of that. Like, what are our values? What are we focused on? What is our purpose here and mission? And then, like, what are messaging pillars or groups that align with those values? And then once you have those making sure that you have a succinct narrative or story, or even, like an elevator pitch, that everybody is aligned on. Having that is kind of a simple, hopefully a simple thing for you to figure out and align on, and then auditing the customer journey for those promises and values. So like, if you have a customer journey, they’re going from, you know, awareness of you. Or a problem to consideration between you and your company, and, you know, multiple other companies, and then you’re they’re making a decision, then they’re purchasing, then they’re hopefully your customer experience, and your delivery teams are delivering on those promises, and then you’re creating loyalty. So that’s the customer journey. So of these phases are, they are the customers still experiencing the brand that you want them to experience. So that’s like a little audit that you can do. And then from there, also making sure that all of your content that’s out there, from your like your brochures, your website, your sales enablement kind of stuff, making sure that that’s still aligned to the brand and the message that that you want it to and then making sure that, of course, throughout the company, in your like, HR documentation, you’re, I’ve said onboarding a million times, but like, making sure that everybody that’s coming into your organization understands who you are and who you who you serve, and why? Christian Klepp 26:01 Absolutely, absolutely. And that’s a really good list. And I have to ask you this question, because you know, at the time of the recording, we’re at the end of 2025, and you did bring up AI, so I’m going to bring it up again. How, how has in your experience, from what you’re seeing out there, how has AI impacted brand strategy and all the work that comes along with that. JoAnne Gritter 26:24 Well, that’s a loaded question, right? So as far as brand strategy, I kind of see it. AI can be used as a tool. It should not replace thinking and actually talking to your customers and your employees and your sales team. So you can use AI as a crutch to to, like, ask it for ideas, idea generation. You can use it for deep research on your on your audience, and stuff like that. But nothing replaces the gold standard of talking to people. So like, the the best resources from that research perspective are your customers, or your prospective customers and your sales team, if you can’t get to those customers, will often hear those like, you know, positive and negatives about your products and services. So getting to those and aligning on stakeholders, AI can be used as you know, you can use it to help think of ideas for like, let me think if you were thinking of like values, like core values, like in and messaging pillars, you can say, hey, you know, I really want it to be something along these lines. We’re circling around on like, exactly right the what the right way to phrase this is. And it can give you 50 different ideas, and you can cross out 45 of them and then land on like the top five that you communicate with your team. Don’t ever take it for rate for like per vatum, sorry, exactly as chat GPT gives you, Christian Klepp 27:55 at face value. JoAnne Gritter 27:57 Thank you. I see that that is a lot harder for early career individuals because they don’t have that discernment yet. So they, they will, they will use it as a crutch, and then, like, oftentimes not have that same kind of editing expertise to see what actually works and what doesn’t. So like pairing AI as a tool with with human intelligence and empathy, for sure, Christian Klepp 28:23 Absolutely, absolutely. I mean, at least in from my observation, and this is where I think AI really falls flat, especially when you’re coming up with the verbal expression component of brand strategy. AI doesn’t really have any soul or character, like everything, it turns out, is very, for lack of a better description, lifeless, so, and that’s where the human element, or to your point, the human intervention, can then come into play, because then you can inject that story, you can inject that human emotion, which also is a very crucial component in B2B, right? As much as people like to say, oh, B2B is all factual, right? And I would, I would disagree with that, JoAnne Gritter 29:06 yeah, it’s, it’s quality over quantity. Now, you know people, people can spot, can spot the AI generated content, and there can be a whole bunch of it, and that can help you in a variety of ways. But if it’s not actually, if it doesn’t sound human speaking or human human sounding, then, then people reject it and they don’t trust it as much. Christian Klepp 29:28 Okay, get up on your soapbox a status quo that you passionately disagree with, and why? JoAnne Gritter 29:37 I passionately disagree with data only marketing. So the big push for data driven marketing, I am, I am on board with that at face value, but it still doesn’t tell the whole story, because you can still look at data from, let’s say you did like a. Um, a focus group about about what customers want from a like a beverage or something. I’m thinking of Coca Cola, and they and they say that they they want it to be healthy. They want it to be low sugar. They want it to taste amazing. They want it to make them, you know, feel great, and stuff like that that does not you’re gonna try to create like this Frankenstein kind of soda instead, instead of recognizing that, like, there’s more psychology to this. Like a Coca Cola has, like, a whole traditional, like branding kind of way that, or traditional and emotional way that they make people feel, and that doesn’t show up in the data, necessarily. That doesn’t show up in the performance data. You know that that is a totally different kind of research too. Christian Klepp 30:51 Yeah, yeah, JoAnne Gritter 30:55 You know, that’s performance, marketing and branding. Christian Klepp 30:58 I totally agree. I totally agree that, as much as there is a big camp out there that says the future is data driven now when it comes to B2B Marketing, and I’m like, Yeah, JoAnne Gritter 31:11 humans are tricky. Christian Klepp 31:13 We’re not robots. Absolutely, absolutely, okay, here comes the bonus question. So Rumor has it that you like to draw. JoAnne Gritter 31:23 I do. Christian Klepp 31:24 Yes, and from one enthusiastic sketcher to another, I thought, I thought deep and hard about this question. Tell us about one of the most well exciting, yes, but more importantly, one of the most challenging works that you’ve created to date. So what was the theme and subject? What made it so challenging to draw, and what did you learn from that experience when you when you completed it? JoAnne Gritter 31:50 I really like to find, like, kind of micro moments I have. I have three children at home, and I like to take pictures, or, like, capture, like small moments of, like one of them snuggling the cat, or like holding hands or doing something unexpected. And in, like, not a macro view, but in a micro view of like, the different connections that people have. And then, usually, I’ll take a picture, and then I will sketch those out after they go to sleep and stuff like that. And that’s just kind of my own personal way to, I don’t know it’s it’s therapeutic. It’s a way to see, see the beauty in the world, you know, and to slow down in the moment. Christian Klepp 32:37 100%. I like to call it Balsam for the soul. JoAnne Gritter 32:40 Yeah, Christian Klepp 32:40 all right, I don’t know about you, but like, I like to sketch in the in this very room where we’re doing the recording, and I usually play classical music. So like, show pen, so something like, with with piano. Like, no opera, because that can get a bit too dramatic. JoAnne Gritter 32:59 I like classical too, when, when I’m focused at classical music, and I also like binaural beats, or it’s more like meditation kind of music. So kind of zone, zone into the moment, instead of all the crazy thoughts that go through your head and all the things you have to do. Christian Klepp 33:17 Very nice, very nice. One of the things I learned about drawing is pretty much like certain aspects of our professional work, you know, like marketing and branding. It starts with a line, and then you just keep adding the layers, right? And it’s almost the same like when you’re implementing a campaign, you know, some especially nowadays, right? You try to start small first, and do a lot of testing to see if it works. And you scale from there. And I like to, I like to think of drawings that way too. You start, you start not by adding the details. You start like, you know, with a lighter pencil. And there’s a certain, there’s a certain way of holding the pencil tool, right, so you have lesser control. And just, it’s just a bit free flowing. And for me personally, it took me a long time to start drawing like that, because I’m like, No, then I don’t have control of the process. But that’s kind of the point, right? Let go of the perfectionism, right? JoAnne Gritter 34:18 You outline it first, and then you start filling in. You know that the shadows and the light marks, and then you slowly bring in the detail. I mean, that you’re totally right, that that is like a marketing or branding strategy. You got to outline it first before you go fully in on any specific detail. Otherwise, you’re you may be way off target. Christian Klepp 34:38 That’s it. That’s it. I mean, JoAnne like I think we just found our next podcast interview topic. But thank you so much for coming on and for sharing your expertise and experience with the listeners. So please a quick introduction to yourself and how people out they can get in touch with you. JoAnne Gritter 34:57 JoAnne Gritter, I’m at DDM Marketing and Communications headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. And I am COO, Vice President of our company. You can get a hold of me at joanneg@teamddm.com or you can just check us out at Teamddm.com Christian Klepp 35:18 Fantastic, fantastic. And we will be sure to like drop all those links in the show notes. So once again, JoAnne, thanks so much for your time. Take care, stay safe and talk to you soon. JoAnne Gritter 35:27 Thanks, Christian. Bye. Christian Klepp 35:29 Bye, for now you.
On this week's show Patrick Gray and Adam Boileau discuss the week's cybersecurity news, including: Microsoft reshuffles security leadership. It doesn't spark joy. Russia is hacking the Winter Olympics. Again. But y tho? China-linked groups are keeping busy, hacking telcos in Norway, Singapore and dozens of others Campaigns underway targeting Ivanti, BeyondTrust and SolarWinds products An unknown hero blocks 23/tcp on the US internet backbone And James Wilson pops into talk about Claude's go at a C compiler This week's episode is sponsored by Ent.AI, an AI startup that isn't quite ready to tell us all what they're doing. But nevertheless, founder Brandon Dixon joins to discuss AI's role in security. Where does language-based understanding take us that previous methods couldn't? This episode is also available on Youtube. Show notes Updates in two of our core priorities - The Official Microsoft Blog Strengthening Windows trust and security through User Transparency and Consent | Windows Experience Blog Microsoft prepares to refresh Secure Boot's digital certificate | Cybersecurity Dive Microsoft Patch Tuesday matches last year's zero-day high with six actively exploited vulnerabilities | CyberScoop Microsoft releases urgent Office patch. Russian-state hackers pounce. - Ars Technica Italy blames Russia-linked hackers for cyberattacks ahead of Winter Olympics | The Record from Recorded Future News Researchers uncover vast cyberespionage operation targeting dozens of governments worldwide | The Record from Recorded Future News Germany warns of state-linked phishing campaign targeting journalists, government officials | The Record from Recorded Future News Norwegian intelligence discloses country hit by Salt Typhoon campaign | The Record from Recorded Future News Singapore says China-linked hackers targeted telecom providers in major spying campaign | The Record from Recorded Future News Largest Multi-Agency Cyber Operation Mounted to Counter Threat Posed by Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Actor UNC3886 to Singapore's Telecommunications Sector | Cyber Security Agency of Singapore How Intel and Google Collaborate to Strengthen Intel® TDX Strengthening the Foundation: A Joint Security Review of Intel TDX 1.5 - Google Bug Hunters Active Exploitation of SolarWinds Web Help Desk (CVE-2025-26399) | Huntress EU, Dutch government announce hacks following Ivanti zero-days | The Record from Recorded Future News North Korean hackers targeted crypto exec with fake Zoom meeting, ClickFix scam | The Record from Recorded Future News BeyondTrust warns of critical RCE flaw in remote support software Rapid7 Analysis of CVE-2026-1731 Building a C compiler with a team of parallel Claudes Anthropic (1) Post by @ryiron.bsky.social — Bluesky What AI Security Research Looks Like When It Works | AISLE South Korean crypto exchange races to recover $40bn of bitcoin sent to customers by mistake | South Korea | The Guardian White House to meet with GOP lawmakers on FISA Section 702 renewal | The Record from Recorded Future News
Marketing your healthcare practice doesn't require expensive campaigns or overwhelming social media strategies. In this episode, Kurt Hoffmann, founder of Abra Marketing, explains why consistent, authentic marketing is part of your mission as a healthcare provider—and how to make it manageable when you're already stretched thin. See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment Read the full show notes, memorable quotes, and key takeaways. Kurt shares his journey from healthcare marketing to the music industry and back, bringing fresh perspective on what really works. He addresses the overwhelm practice owners feel and offers practical advice: pick one or two channels that feel natural, show up consistently every month, and remember that your patient experience is your marketing. We discuss why focusing your marketing on specific services actually expands your reach, how to respond to negative reviews in ways that improve your reputation, and why human connection is becoming your biggest competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. If you're struggling with how to grow your profitable medical practice without adding more to your plate, this conversation offers permission to start small and stay consistent. Read the full show notes, memorable quotes, and key takeaways. See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment Connect With Us: Be a Guest on the Show Thriving Practice Community Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy Tracy's LinkedIn Business LinkedIn Page
It's coming out in court docs that there are several dubious Hollywood "crisis firms" that go so far as to create fake news websites and social media accounts to smear their adversaries. Hollywood is attacking itself right now, but could YouTubers also have been on the receiving end of these attacks...?Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube and all major podcast hosts including Spotify.CLOWNFISH TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary podcast that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer's point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles.Get more news, views and reviews on Clownfish TV News - https://more.clownfishtv.com/On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ClownfishTVOn Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4Tu83D1NcCmh7K1zHIedvgOn Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clownfish-tv-audio-edition/id1726838629
In this episode, Ian sits down with Marco Mueller, CMO of AVEVA, to explore how marketing operates as a strategic growth engine inside one of the world's leading industrial software companies.Marco shares how AVEVA balances speed and stability in a risk-averse category, why in-person events remain one of their most powerful channels, and how the team redesigned its campaign model to move faster without sacrificing quality. The conversation dives into AVEVA's global event strategy, including AVEVA World and 37 localized AVEVA Days. Key Takeaways:In-person events compress trust timelines. Face-to-face experiences move risk-averse buyers faster than any digital channel in complex B2B.Speed is a design problem, not a hustle problem. Campaigns ship faster when you cut upfront complexity and build in room to adapt.The CMO's real job is integration. Growth happens when marketing aligns product truth, sales reality, and customer risk.Episode Timestamps: * (02:08) The Trust Tree: Why industrial software marketing is built on trust* (07:24) The Playbook: Events, positioning, and adaptive digital strategy* (45:24) Quick HitsSponsor:Pipeline Visionaries is brought to you by Qualified.com. Qualified helps you turn your website into a pipeline generation machine with PipelineAI. Engage and convert your most valuable website visitors with live chat, chatbots, meeting scheduling, intent data, and Piper, your AI SDR. Visit Qualified.com to learn more.Links:Connect with Ian on LinkedInConnect with Marco on LinkedInLearn more about AVEVALearn more about Caspian Studios Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jake Ramsey discusses the proposed Senate Bill 1545. Paul Monies has an update on some of the lawsuits still pending stemming from the significant natural gas costs for Oklahoma utility customers following a winter storm in 2021. Keaton Ross talks about how Republican gubernatorial candidates have loaned themselves millions to launch their campaigns ahead of the June 16 primary election. Shaun Witt hosts.
PREVIEW: Bridget Toomey discusses the resilience of the Houthis in Yemen following the end of active campaigns in Gaza. She explains that the Houthis are difficult to target due to their mountainous geography and their status as both an Iranian proxy and an indigenous movement. While Israeli strikes successfully targeted some political leadership, Toomey notes that the group has largely recovered and replaced those figures, though they have become significantly more paranoid and repressive internally as a result.1800 YEMEN
When you awaken to the truth of your toxic family, it is not always easy to stand your ground. The most emotionally honest child in a toxic family will be scapegoated. They will use fear, obligation and guilt to win every argument. Awakening from the fog of a toxic family system is akin to ripping your own skin off. Toxic family systems are plagued by denial and a malignant lack of self awareness. This presents real challenges for the adult child who begins to awaken from dysfunctional family dynamics. In this episode, you will learn: ✨The signs of toxic behaviors in family systems. ✨How feeling rejected by family members causes a sense of self abandonment. ✨Ways in which to learn how to stand up for yourself when you start to awaken and you want out of the toxic family system. In this episode, Lisa A. Romano gets honest about the real life challenges of the truthtellers and scapegoats who want out of dysfunctional family systems. Your Healing Starts Within Lisa's 12 Week Breakthrough Program is a neuroscience-based roadmap to help you gently rewire subconscious patterns, regulate your nervous system, and return home to your authentic self.
This episode is presented by Create A Video – Don Brown is one of the Republican candidates for US Senate in North Carolina. He joined me to chat about the campaign and how he would prosecute the case against Democrat Roy Cooper. Plus, NC lawmakers grilled Mecklenburg Sheriff Garry "Not My Fault" McFadden over the way he has managed the jail and refused to fully cooperate with immigration enforcement. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePetePod.com/ All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow Media Bias Check: GroundNews promo code! Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.com Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Side Quests is back and this episode's host is podcaster, writer and Cold War force commander, Martynas "JcDent" Klimas! The game he is talking about today is Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War by On Target Simulations and Matrix Games! You can also find his work here! We have a Patreon! Gain access to episode shout outs, bonus content, early downloads of regular episodes, an exclusive rss feed and more! Click here! You can find the show on Bluesky, Instagram and YouTube! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Pocket Casts! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here! Episode Art by Case Aiken Episode Music by Geoff Moonen
Nikki Budzinski is seeking a third term representing central Illinois in Congress. But she has several Democratic and Republican challengers.
On this morning's show, Ian kicked off Today FM's 100 Greatest Irish Songs and was encouraging listeners to get in touch and vote for their favourites. Gift Grub's Christy Moore dropped in and was absolutely full with suggestions. He felt so inspired that he created a musical tribute of his own! Hit play now to hear the episode in full.
When a user cancels, stops logging in, or walks away after a trial, many SaaS founders move on. Churn has a way of feeling final. But looking across thousands of...
Former Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor joins the show to break down a busy week in East Bay politics. We unpack new developments in the East Bay's federal corruption case, including insights from last week's court hearing and what to expect next with Bryan Azevedo's upcoming appearance. Loren also offers an insider's view of the first major gubernatorial debate, new candidates entering the race, and how the field may evolve through June. Plus, updates on the CA14 and SD10 races, a closer look at Union City candidate Scott Sakakihara's Palantir ties, and thoughts on Floyd Mitchell's move to Fremont, and Loren's insights on the clash over Oakland Ken Houston'sEncampment Abatement Policy at City Hall.
In today's episode, the second in our series in partnership with WaterAid, journalist and author Coco Khan speaks to Helen Rumford, WaterAid's Lead Policy Analyst for Climate Policy and Campaigns and Vera Kloettschen, WaterAid's Climate and Environment Lead. Helen and Vera share their experience, expertise and stories to explore why clean water, the blue thread that connects us all, is fundamental to everyday wellbeing, long-term prosperity and securing climate justice. They discuss the practical ways a sustainable, water-secure future is already being built, alongside the challenges that remain. Because resilient water systems aren't just pipes and pumps – they're people, ecosystems, and trust. As we enter a new year, the months ahead can feel long and uncertain. Yet for many of us, one thing we rarely have to think about is the clean water flowing from our taps. That isn't the case for everyone, but it could be. Just £5 a month over a year can buy 5 standpipe taps so children like Nesteline, and her whole community, can have clean water for years to come. Please donate £5 a month today and help us to work alongside communities to bring clean water to everyone, everywhere. Visit wateraid.org/uk/intelligence to donate and find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code MARKDAVIS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/markdavisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Healthcare talks a lot about growth, access, and consumerism. But there's a growing problem hiding in plain sight: demand is getting easier to create, while supply remains stubbornly hard to deliver. In this episode, Chris Boyer and Reed Smith unpack a tension many health systems are feeling but rarely name out loud. As digital marketing, online scheduling, and consumer-first strategies mature, organizations are getting better at generating demand. Too often, that demand runs headfirst into real constraints on the supply side: provider schedules, clinic capacity, access center workflows, EMR logic, bylaws, and reimbursement realities. The result? Campaigns that work. Experiences that break. And patients who did everything right, only to be told there are no appointments available. The conversation starts with a quick reset on classic supply-and-demand economics and why those models fall apart in healthcare. From there, Chris and Reed explore: Why marketing is being asked to drive demand without influence over supply How digital tools are exposing access gaps that have always existed The disconnect between growth strategy, clinical operations, and access management Why “no appointments available” may be the most expensive UX pattern in healthcare What a route-first approach to access could look like in practice This is not about blaming clinicians or oversimplifying a complex system. It's about naming the mismatch, understanding the incentives, and starting a more honest conversation about how demand and supply actually meet inside modern health systems. If healthcare is serious about consumerism, it has to get serious about access. Mentions From the Show: Reed Smith on LinkedIn Chris Boyer on LinkedIn Chris Boyer website Chris Boyer on BlueSky Reed Smith on BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are you ready to celebrate? A well-executed anniversary campaign isn't just about looking back, it's about celebrating your success and reinforcing your relevance in the present. In this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons, Lauren Jane Peterson, and Grace Takehara dive into how AEC firms can leverage anniversary campaigns with intention and foresight.This episode explores the strategic value of commemorating firm milestones—whether it's 5 or 50 years—and transforming celebrations into high-visibility marketing engines. The MO6 team breaks down the entire process, from early-stage strategy and messaging to best practices for asset creation and thoughtful execution.Whether you're planning the announcement of exciting new leadership or kicking off a centennial celebration, this episode will inspire fresh ways to make your firm's story resonate. Listen in and turn your next milestone into a marketing advantage.CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5
App Masters - App Marketing & App Store Optimization with Steve P. Young
AppAdvice has officially shut down — so what does that mean for Apps Gone Free campaigns and lifetime free promos?In this video, Steve breaks down what really happened, why Apple is paying closer attention to these campaigns, and whether Apps Gone Free strategies still work in 2026.He'll share real data, real case studies, and hard-earned lessons from running these campaigns for years, including what triggered Apple's crackdown, what mistakes to avoid, and how app founders can still use promotions to kickstart downloads without risking app rejection or review removals.If you're struggling with app discoverability, ASO, or early traction, this video will help you understand the dos and don'ts of Apps Gone Free campaigns in today's crowded App Store.You'll learn:✅ Why AppAdvice shut down and what it means for app marketing✅ Real case studies showing 2,000–6,000 downloads in days (post-AppAdvice)✅How Apps Gone Free campaigns can still boost ASO and organic installs✅ The right and wrong way to ask for App Store reviews✅ How Indie App Santa fits into the future of app distributionKey takeaway:Apps Gone Free campaigns aren't dead, but the rules have changed. If you run them the wrong way, you risk Apple intervention. If you run them the right way, they can still be one of the fastest ways to jumpstart app growth.
Mark speaks with Amber Canavan about the new Vegan Cheeses and what it means to the animals to not have dairy. PETA shares sensible facts on why why the $3.5 billion industry is projected to go to $9.8 billion 2033.
Gate those stars! This week, Emily and V take a look at fannish campaigns to save beloved TV shows and beloved characters, focusing on one in particular: the campaign to bring Daniel Jackson back to Stargate SG-1. From mailing marshmallows to taking out ads in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, fans have done all kinds of things to make their voices heard by TPTB. Were they successful in bringing back Daniel Jackson (and saving SG-1's premiere slash ship, natch)? Join us in our scifi spaceship to find out! Sources Fanlore Daniel Jackson Divas And again. Alison Grieves for Daniel Jackson and SG-1 Salon Emily's spreadsheet of fan campaigns! LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT! We'll be attending TGIF/F aka TGI Femslash, which is a small femslash fan con in southern California over Valentine's Day weekend in February. It'll be the con's ten-year anniversary, and they've asked us to do a special, live podcast episode about the history of the con as their special highlighted programming. If you love femslash and want to come meet us and be a part of this wonderful, small event, you should register! A 3-day pass starts at $120. You can register for the con and find lots more details at tgifemslash.com! Promo Codes Aim High Brooch Designs - For 25% off any order on Aim High Brooch Designs on Etsy, including a custom brooch, bag charm, keychain, or magnet design, use the promo code TWIFH. This Week In Fandom History is a fandom-centric podcast that tells you… what happened this week in fandom history! Follow This Week in Fandom History on Tumblr at @thisweekinfandomhistory You can support the show via our Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/thisweekinfandomhistory. If you have a fannish company, event, or service and would like to sponsor or partner with TWIFH, please contact us via our website. Please remember to rate the show 5 stars on your listening platform of choice!
Campaigns for Pest Control Marketing.Most pest control marketing doesn't fail because the ideas are bad—it fails because the campaigns aren't planned, executed consistently, or measured the right way.In this episode, Casey breaks down how to build a real multi-channel campaign plan that combines offline marketing (door hangers, USPS EDDM mailers, truck wraps), paid lead generation (Google Local Service Ads, Google PPC, Yelp), and owned media (email referral campaigns and long-term organic/SEO) into one coordinated system.You'll learn how to stop running “random acts of marketing” and instead launch campaigns with clear goals, tracking, and follow-up—so you can see what's working, what's wasting money, and what to scale next.How to plan campaigns so every channel supports the same offer, audience, and call-to-actionThe 5 essentials every campaign must have before you launch (so you can measure ROI)How to track and measure offline marketing like door hangers, EDDM, and truck wrapsWhat to watch in Google LSA and Google PPC to determine lead quality—not just volumeWhy lead handling (answer rate, speed-to-lead, follow-up) is the hidden factor behind campaign successThe “Campaign Scoreboard” method: tracking Leads → Booked Jobs → Cost per Booked Job across every channelHow to think about long-term organic growth as the SERP changes with AI answers and reduced clicksThe difference between short-term demand capture (paid) and long-term compounding growth (organic + brand)You don't need more marketing ideas—you need a campaign system with a consistent execution rhythm and a simple scoreboard that makes decisions obvious.If you want a complete marketing strategy that actually gets implemented—and produces measurable growth—this episode is your roadmap.
In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Sarah Henry, VP, Head of Content, Influencer, & Commerce at Walmart, for a timely and deeply insightful conversation about how commerce is being reshaped by creators, content, and culture. The episode weaves together personal history—Rose and Sarah previously worked together at The Vitamin Shoppe—with a forward-looking exploration of how discovery has become the new engine of retail growth. Throughout the conversation, Rose guides listeners through the industry's shift from intent-led shopping to discovery-led experiences. Sarah shares how creators now function as trusted guides, how Walmart is building a creator-first commerce platform at massive scale, and why trust, flexibility, and serendipity are essential to modern retail. Together, they unpack what it takes to connect inspiration to purchase in a way that feels human, seamless, and culturally relevant. Key themes explored in this episode include: * Why social commerce is already shaping consumer behavior and how creators drive modern product discovery * How Walmart approaches creator-first commerce by prioritizing value, trust, and long-term relationships * The concept of "serendipitous discovery" and why creators act as the new shelf space and sales associates * How trend intelligence and social listening inform assortment, content, and commerce decisions * What brands often get wrong when working with creators—and how authenticity and flexibility improve outcomes This episode offers a clear blueprint for founders, marketers, and retailers navigating the future of commerce. Join us in listening to the episode to hear how creators, content, and trust are redefining discovery—and why the brands that build ecosystems, not just products, will be the ones that win. For more on Sarah Henry visit: https://www.walmart.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
In this week's episode, we examine a specific brand of dark femininity that feels like a vestige of 2016, embodied through dramatic imagery of luxury accessories, cartoon vixens, and predatory wildlife, and expressed through a paradoxical strain of man-hating male centrism. We discuss this aesthetic's positioning in opposition to the Clean Girl and how interpersonal dynamics popularized by sex work inform its understanding of power and money. We also investigate why the dark feminine resonates so deeply among women of the so-called “Latina belt,” drawing connections to chola culture and Arabic literary traditions to explore how this affect functions as a negotiation between patriarchal tradition and Western ideas about female sexuality and autonomy. Finally, we identify the aesthetic's greatest arbiters and muses, from Helmut Newton and Riccardo Tisci to Maddy Perez and BLACKPINK's Lisa.Links: Image board Examples on Instagram, TikTokRalph Bakshi: A Forgotten PioneerRihanna - B***h Better Have My Money (Explicit) (Official Music Video)BbyMutha - RULES (Official Music Video)Why Men Love B*****s: From Doormat to Dreamgirl by Sherry Argov“How the Cholo Clown Became the Face of L.A.” by Frank Rojas for LA Times (“Smile Now, Cry Later” history)Viral Alexa Demie Yo Voy clip Ghazal History – Encyclopaedia IranicaBLACKPINK's Lisa introduces “Vixi” @shopnou_ on Instagram“The Wild World of Chris von Wangenheim” by Daisy Woodward for AnOtherChris von Wanghenheim on TheFashionSpot“Pomellato Revives Helmut Newton's Daring '80s Campaigns in a New Show” by Annie Davidson Watson for WRicardo Tisci by Donatella Versace for InterviewGivenchy Fall 2011 Menswear on Vogue RunwayGivenchy Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear on Vogue RunwayGivenchy Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear on Vogue Runway This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nymphetalumni.com/subscribe
As you advertise locally, advertise your localness! Then, what's a small firm to do in the sea of reviews? And, we really hate Google's Performance Max nonsense. ----- Lots to cover today, folks! Being connected to your community matters, and consumers respond with notable positivity to ads that emphasize all the local feels. Gyi and Conrad have plenty of insights on making the most of where you're planted. Next, fake reviews keep pouring in, and you need a clear strategy to rise above the flood. The guys share tactical tips for directing your resources to become a strong competitor in your marketplace. And, lastly, Google's PMax campaigns are a mighty unfunny joke. Ugh. The data is in, and—surprise, surprise—Google might not have your best interest at heart. Gyi and Conrad pick apart the latest data to help you understand what these campaigns are (not) doing for your law firm. The News: OpenAI put this out there: Our approach to advertising and expanding access to ChatGPT. And, just to remind you all, at one point they told us ads were definitely not in the game plan. But… qué será, será, eh? Near Media's “Near Memo” podcast welcomed our very own Gyi for a chat you should definitely go listen to: AI Is Breaking Local Search—But Google Still Decides Who Gets Chosen Mentioned: Al Ludwig's LinkedIn post Listen Next: Conrad's Crystal Ball V: Lawyer Marketing Predictions for 2026 Connect: The Bite - Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Newsletter! Leave Us an Apple Review Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on YouTube Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok r/LHLM