Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/prose-comms-engagement-unplugged This is your go-to podcast for all things marketing, branding, and customer experience. We’re bringing you honest and fun conversations with bite-sized insights. Hosted by BrightSign’s CMO Brian Rowley and Head of Integrated Marketing Laura Smith, you’ll hear from industry pros, creatives, and innovators about what’s actually working in today’s evolving, digital-first world. No fluff — just real insights on how brands are connecting with audiences and driving growth. Tune in for fresh ideas, big thinking, and all the tips you need to take your marketing game to the next level. © 2026 BrightSign 2907191a-8ae5-5182-b5b6-64ecf645a426 yes Welcome to Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged en Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:46:27 -0400 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:47:43 -0400 https://img.transistorcdn.com/kuwgjqmFTvBJfy2IPAZm26_VWEgTmYPK7zdnmKq6J18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xZjYz/ZWY0ZmZlNjYxMTI4/MTdlYjJiYmY2Mjc2/ZWQ1MC5wbmc.jpg Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged episodic BrightSign This is your go-to podcast for all things marketing, branding, and customer experience. We’re bringing you honest and fun conversations with bite-sized insights. Hosted by BrightSign’s CMO Brian Rowley and Head of Integrated Marketing Laura Smith, you’ll hear from industry pros, creatives, and innovators about what’s actually working in today’s evolving, digital-first world. No fluff — just real insights on how brands are connecting with audiences and driving growth. Tune in for fresh ideas, big thinking, and all the tips you need to take your marketing game to the next level. This is your go-to podcast for all things marketing, branding, and customer experience. marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior BrightSign brightsign@racepointglobal.com No No The Customer Experience Gap: What Brands Promise vs. What Customers Remember 27 27 The Customer Experience Gap: What Brands Promise vs. What Customers Remember full e0bb950a-4f91-4cad-859f-121981ed70dc https://share.transistor.fm/s/df353b36 Every brand says it cares about customer experience, but customers remember what actually happens, not what the campaign promised. This episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged explores why customer centricity is harder to achieve than most companies think.


Brian Rowley and Laura Smith are joined by Katie Stabler, a certified CX leader known for helping organizations drive growth through better customer experiences. Katie breaks down the psychology behind CX, from the everyday interactions that create emotion to the memories that shape long-term brand perception. The conversation explores why CX must be embedded across culture, operations, technology, and measurement, rather than treated as a single metric or customer service function. They also discuss the promise-delivery gap in B2B, the limitations of NPS, the role of customer effort and conversational analytics, and how companies can use AI to improve experiences without losing the human element.

If you'd like to hear more from Katie Stabler, you can find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> Every brand says it cares about customer experience, but customers remember what actually happens, not what the campaign promised. This episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged explores why customer centricity is harder to achieve than most companies think.


Brian Rowley and Laura Smith are joined by Katie Stabler, a certified CX leader known for helping organizations drive growth through better customer experiences. Katie breaks down the psychology behind CX, from the everyday interactions that create emotion to the memories that shape long-term brand perception. The conversation explores why CX must be embedded across culture, operations, technology, and measurement, rather than treated as a single metric or customer service function. They also discuss the promise-delivery gap in B2B, the limitations of NPS, the role of customer effort and conversational analytics, and how companies can use AI to improve experiences without losing the human element.

If you'd like to hear more from Katie Stabler, you can find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:46:27 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2841 Every brand says it cares about customer experience, but customers remember what actually happens, not what the campaign promised. This episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged explores why customer centricity is harder to achieve than most companies think.


Brian Rowley and Laura Smith are joined by Katie Stabler, a certified CX leader known for helping organizations drive growth through better customer experiences. Katie breaks down the psychology behind CX, from the everyday interactions that create emotion to the memories that shape long-term brand perception. The conversation explores why CX must be embedded across culture, operations, technology, and measurement, rather than treated as a single metric or customer service function. They also discuss the promise-delivery gap in B2B, the limitations of NPS, the role of customer effort and conversational analytics, and how companies can use AI to improve experiences without losing the human element.

If you'd like to hear more from Katie Stabler, you can find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No The Marketing Jargon Hall of Shame 26 26 The Marketing Jargon Hall of Shame full fb7abf45-ba84-43a5-b083-91a63673d458 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6efa5dc6 Marketing loves a good buzzword. But somewhere between “omnichannel,” “synergy,” and “authentic storytelling,” the words we use to sound strategic can start to lose all meaning.

In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura share their Marketing Jargon Hall of Shame nominees, calling out the phrases marketers love, hate, and maybe secretly still use. From overused industry terms to the words that make colleagues and customers tune out, they unpack why jargon happens and how marketers can communicate with more clarity, personality, and purpose.

]]> Marketing loves a good buzzword. But somewhere between “omnichannel,” “synergy,” and “authentic storytelling,” the words we use to sound strategic can start to lose all meaning.

In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura share their Marketing Jargon Hall of Shame nominees, calling out the phrases marketers love, hate, and maybe secretly still use. From overused industry terms to the words that make colleagues and customers tune out, they unpack why jargon happens and how marketers can communicate with more clarity, personality, and purpose.

]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 10:12:07 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 1300 Marketing loves a good buzzword. But somewhere between “omnichannel,” “synergy,” and “authentic storytelling,” the words we use to sound strategic can start to lose all meaning.

In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura share their Marketing Jargon Hall of Shame nominees, calling out the phrases marketers love, hate, and maybe secretly still use. From overused industry terms to the words that make colleagues and customers tune out, they unpack why jargon happens and how marketers can communicate with more clarity, personality, and purpose.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Distinctive or Likable? What Actually Makes a Brand Memorable 25 25 Distinctive or Likable? What Actually Makes a Brand Memorable full 97284db4-e0fd-4987-8e2f-4fb72c2145b1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/aea391cf Brands want to be liked, but being liked does not always mean being remembered. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura unpack the tension between distinctiveness and likability, and why the strongest brands know how to balance both.

From Tiffany blue and the Intel sound to Liquid Death, Coca-Cola, Amazon, Nike and Patagonia, the conversation explores how brands create recognition, earn affinity, and take creative risks without losing sight of their audience. Brian and Laura also dig into how marketers should think about risk and why AI-generated content makes brand distinctiveness even more important in a world where everything can start to sound the same.

]]> Brands want to be liked, but being liked does not always mean being remembered. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura unpack the tension between distinctiveness and likability, and why the strongest brands know how to balance both.

From Tiffany blue and the Intel sound to Liquid Death, Coca-Cola, Amazon, Nike and Patagonia, the conversation explores how brands create recognition, earn affinity, and take creative risks without losing sight of their audience. Brian and Laura also dig into how marketers should think about risk and why AI-generated content makes brand distinctiveness even more important in a world where everything can start to sound the same.

]]> Wed, 13 May 2026 06:58:19 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 1562 Brands want to be liked, but being liked does not always mean being remembered. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura unpack the tension between distinctiveness and likability, and why the strongest brands know how to balance both.

From Tiffany blue and the Intel sound to Liquid Death, Coca-Cola, Amazon, Nike and Patagonia, the conversation explores how brands create recognition, earn affinity, and take creative risks without losing sight of their audience. Brian and Laura also dig into how marketers should think about risk and why AI-generated content makes brand distinctiveness even more important in a world where everything can start to sound the same.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Rebrands: What Separates the Ones That Work? 24 24 Rebrands: What Separates the Ones That Work? full f1378265-8f5a-422d-8749-99b6196cce6a https://share.transistor.fm/s/729bd3c7 Rebrands have a way of looking simple from the outside, but inside the business, they touch everything. This episode digs into what it really takes to get it right.

Laura and Brian sit down with Sarah Moss, who has led multiple global rebrands, to unpack the strategy and instincts behind a successful transformation. From earning stakeholder buy-in and mapping every brand touchpoint to recognizing success through behavior change, Sarah shares a candid look at what it takes to evolve a brand and bring an entire organization with you.

To hear more from Sarah Moss, find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> Rebrands have a way of looking simple from the outside, but inside the business, they touch everything. This episode digs into what it really takes to get it right.

Laura and Brian sit down with Sarah Moss, who has led multiple global rebrands, to unpack the strategy and instincts behind a successful transformation. From earning stakeholder buy-in and mapping every brand touchpoint to recognizing success through behavior change, Sarah shares a candid look at what it takes to evolve a brand and bring an entire organization with you.

To hear more from Sarah Moss, find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2366 Rebrands have a way of looking simple from the outside, but inside the business, they touch everything. This episode digs into what it really takes to get it right.

Laura and Brian sit down with Sarah Moss, who has led multiple global rebrands, to unpack the strategy and instincts behind a successful transformation. From earning stakeholder buy-in and mapping every brand touchpoint to recognizing success through behavior change, Sarah shares a candid look at what it takes to evolve a brand and bring an entire organization with you.

To hear more from Sarah Moss, find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No AI & Creativity: Tool or Threat? 23 23 AI & Creativity: Tool or Threat? full e3d15cf5-b13e-4b2f-b047-b773f2debe97 https://share.transistor.fm/s/19028ac8 AI is changing creative work, but maybe not in the ways people expected. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, the team explores how AI is actually showing up for creatives today: speeding things up, unlocking new possibilities, and raising real questions about what defines strong work. 

The mic flips to a familiar voice behind the scenes as Producer Joey Whipp joins Brian Rowley and Laura Smith on the other side of the table. It’s a candid, fun conversation that pulls back the curtain on how creatives are using AI day-to-day, from brainstorming and mockups to voice and music generation. Joey shares some go-to tools and why “good taste” might be the one thing AI can’t replicate. Along the way, they unpack how marketing is evolving, where AI helps (and where it falls short), and what it all means for the future of creative work.

You can find Joey Whipp on LinkedIn. 

]]> AI is changing creative work, but maybe not in the ways people expected. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, the team explores how AI is actually showing up for creatives today: speeding things up, unlocking new possibilities, and raising real questions about what defines strong work. 

The mic flips to a familiar voice behind the scenes as Producer Joey Whipp joins Brian Rowley and Laura Smith on the other side of the table. It’s a candid, fun conversation that pulls back the curtain on how creatives are using AI day-to-day, from brainstorming and mockups to voice and music generation. Joey shares some go-to tools and why “good taste” might be the one thing AI can’t replicate. Along the way, they unpack how marketing is evolving, where AI helps (and where it falls short), and what it all means for the future of creative work.

You can find Joey Whipp on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2040 AI is changing creative work, but maybe not in the ways people expected. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, the team explores how AI is actually showing up for creatives today: speeding things up, unlocking new possibilities, and raising real questions about what defines strong work. 

The mic flips to a familiar voice behind the scenes as Producer Joey Whipp joins Brian Rowley and Laura Smith on the other side of the table. It’s a candid, fun conversation that pulls back the curtain on how creatives are using AI day-to-day, from brainstorming and mockups to voice and music generation. Joey shares some go-to tools and why “good taste” might be the one thing AI can’t replicate. Along the way, they unpack how marketing is evolving, where AI helps (and where it falls short), and what it all means for the future of creative work.

You can find Joey Whipp on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No The Meetings That Waste Marketing's Time 22 22 The Meetings That Waste Marketing's Time full 94c744bc-4996-43f9-9b9c-97b1b44dc7ef https://share.transistor.fm/s/47e6fc32 Why are marketers losing so much time in conversations that go nowhere, and what can you do about it?
 

From flying across the world for a two-hour meeting to sitting through brainstorms with no ideas, Laura Smith and Brian Rowley share real stories and frustrations that every marketer will recognize. They break down the habits that drain teams like too many meeting attendees, unclear roles, lack of agendas, and the myth of multitasking. They also talk solutions: how to structure meetings for outcomes and how reclaiming even a few hours can unlock more impactful work. If your calendar is full but your to-do list isn’t getting done, this one will hit close to home.

]]> Why are marketers losing so much time in conversations that go nowhere, and what can you do about it?
 

From flying across the world for a two-hour meeting to sitting through brainstorms with no ideas, Laura Smith and Brian Rowley share real stories and frustrations that every marketer will recognize. They break down the habits that drain teams like too many meeting attendees, unclear roles, lack of agendas, and the myth of multitasking. They also talk solutions: how to structure meetings for outcomes and how reclaiming even a few hours can unlock more impactful work. If your calendar is full but your to-do list isn’t getting done, this one will hit close to home.

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 1338 Why are marketers losing so much time in conversations that go nowhere, and what can you do about it?
 

From flying across the world for a two-hour meeting to sitting through brainstorms with no ideas, Laura Smith and Brian Rowley share real stories and frustrations that every marketer will recognize. They break down the habits that drain teams like too many meeting attendees, unclear roles, lack of agendas, and the myth of multitasking. They also talk solutions: how to structure meetings for outcomes and how reclaiming even a few hours can unlock more impactful work. If your calendar is full but your to-do list isn’t getting done, this one will hit close to home.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Are Marketers Becoming AI Editors Instead of Creators? 21 21 Are Marketers Becoming AI Editors Instead of Creators? full 6fa9efb7-792d-4a32-b228-1a6d7e2a71c9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a8e0a5c7 AI is now every marketer’s always-on intern. But if everyone has access to the same tools, what actually sets great work apart?

In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith dig into how AI is reshaping marketing in real time. From speeding up research to raising big questions about creativity, they explore whether AI is making marketers better, or just faster. The conversation tackles the rise of “AI slop” and how over-reliance on AI tools can dilute brand voice and authenticity. They also get practical, sharing how they actually use AI day-to-day, why prompting is becoming a critical skill, and how to avoid turning it into a crutch. Because in a world of AI-generated everything, the real differentiator is still human thinking. 

]]> AI is now every marketer’s always-on intern. But if everyone has access to the same tools, what actually sets great work apart?

In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith dig into how AI is reshaping marketing in real time. From speeding up research to raising big questions about creativity, they explore whether AI is making marketers better, or just faster. The conversation tackles the rise of “AI slop” and how over-reliance on AI tools can dilute brand voice and authenticity. They also get practical, sharing how they actually use AI day-to-day, why prompting is becoming a critical skill, and how to avoid turning it into a crutch. Because in a world of AI-generated everything, the real differentiator is still human thinking. 

]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:34:30 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 1295 AI is now every marketer’s always-on intern. But if everyone has access to the same tools, what actually sets great work apart?

In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith dig into how AI is reshaping marketing in real time. From speeding up research to raising big questions about creativity, they explore whether AI is making marketers better, or just faster. The conversation tackles the rise of “AI slop” and how over-reliance on AI tools can dilute brand voice and authenticity. They also get practical, sharing how they actually use AI day-to-day, why prompting is becoming a critical skill, and how to avoid turning it into a crutch. Because in a world of AI-generated everything, the real differentiator is still human thinking. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No From Scrappy to Strategic: How Lean Teams Build Marketing That Drives Revenue 20 20 From Scrappy to Strategic: How Lean Teams Build Marketing That Drives Revenue full 418e0f9d-e3a0-4bc9-9eae-002266e93395 https://share.transistor.fm/s/357bdd0c Small team, big expectations? This episode is your sign to stop doing “everything” and start doing what actually moves the business.

Brian Rowley and Laura Smith welcome Norman Guadagno, fractional CMO and longtime marketing leader, to unpack how lean teams can build momentum without burning out or blowing the budget. They pressure-test common tactics (weekly blogs, “be everywhere” social, AI content, trade shows, annual plans) through the lens of impact. Then Norman gets into the good stuff: why “leads” can be a red herring, how to tie marketing decisions back to revenue without losing the brand story, and why AI is the ultimate Swiss army knife… if you stop using only one blade.

If you'd like to hear more from Norman Guadagno, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> Small team, big expectations? This episode is your sign to stop doing “everything” and start doing what actually moves the business.

Brian Rowley and Laura Smith welcome Norman Guadagno, fractional CMO and longtime marketing leader, to unpack how lean teams can build momentum without burning out or blowing the budget. They pressure-test common tactics (weekly blogs, “be everywhere” social, AI content, trade shows, annual plans) through the lens of impact. Then Norman gets into the good stuff: why “leads” can be a red herring, how to tie marketing decisions back to revenue without losing the brand story, and why AI is the ultimate Swiss army knife… if you stop using only one blade.

If you'd like to hear more from Norman Guadagno, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500 BrightSign BrightSign 2811 Small team, big expectations? This episode is your sign to stop doing “everything” and start doing what actually moves the business.

Brian Rowley and Laura Smith welcome Norman Guadagno, fractional CMO and longtime marketing leader, to unpack how lean teams can build momentum without burning out or blowing the budget. They pressure-test common tactics (weekly blogs, “be everywhere” social, AI content, trade shows, annual plans) through the lens of impact. Then Norman gets into the good stuff: why “leads” can be a red herring, how to tie marketing decisions back to revenue without losing the brand story, and why AI is the ultimate Swiss army knife… if you stop using only one blade.

If you'd like to hear more from Norman Guadagno, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No What Marketers Get Wrong About LinkedIn Visibility 19 19 What Marketers Get Wrong About LinkedIn Visibility full 68c7ab10-4292-4fbb-bf88-2b3d3cf9ce41 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2c866fa4 If LinkedIn makes you feel like you have to choose between showing up and saying something wrong, this episode is your permission slip to stop playing it safe. PR leader Parry Headrick joins Brian Rowley and Laura Smith to talk about what “authentic” looks like when you’re building visibility in public.

Parry breaks down how he built his LinkedIn presence by “ungating his brain." He explains why LinkedIn is mission-critical (not a “when I have time” channel), and how strong POV and consistency drive trust and engagement. You’ll also hear how earned media is becoming even more valuable in the AI-driven search era, and why he refuses to use AI for his own writing. Plus: a rapid-fire hot seat segment on the LinkedIn behaviors everyone loves to judge.

If you want to hear more from Parry Headrick, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> If LinkedIn makes you feel like you have to choose between showing up and saying something wrong, this episode is your permission slip to stop playing it safe. PR leader Parry Headrick joins Brian Rowley and Laura Smith to talk about what “authentic” looks like when you’re building visibility in public.

Parry breaks down how he built his LinkedIn presence by “ungating his brain." He explains why LinkedIn is mission-critical (not a “when I have time” channel), and how strong POV and consistency drive trust and engagement. You’ll also hear how earned media is becoming even more valuable in the AI-driven search era, and why he refuses to use AI for his own writing. Plus: a rapid-fire hot seat segment on the LinkedIn behaviors everyone loves to judge.

If you want to hear more from Parry Headrick, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:42:49 -0500 BrightSign BrightSign 2627 If LinkedIn makes you feel like you have to choose between showing up and saying something wrong, this episode is your permission slip to stop playing it safe. PR leader Parry Headrick joins Brian Rowley and Laura Smith to talk about what “authentic” looks like when you’re building visibility in public.

Parry breaks down how he built his LinkedIn presence by “ungating his brain." He explains why LinkedIn is mission-critical (not a “when I have time” channel), and how strong POV and consistency drive trust and engagement. You’ll also hear how earned media is becoming even more valuable in the AI-driven search era, and why he refuses to use AI for his own writing. Plus: a rapid-fire hot seat segment on the LinkedIn behaviors everyone loves to judge.

If you want to hear more from Parry Headrick, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Bridging the Gap: Why Sales & Marketing Collaboration Breaks Down 18 18 Bridging the Gap: Why Sales & Marketing Collaboration Breaks Down full 376e3575-9f7f-485d-b69f-46b97c2e5bf1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/77e9f592 Want your sales and marketing teams to actually work together? This episode explains how data-driven dashboards, clear communication, and shared accountability can drive measurable growth.

On Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley sit down with sales and marketing leader Gary Schwartz to discuss how to overcome common collaboration challenges. From breaking down silos to optimizing pipeline management, this episode offers actionable insights for improving sales and marketing alignment, accelerating revenue, and creating a more effective go-to-market strategy.

If you'd like to hear more from Gary Schwartz, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> Want your sales and marketing teams to actually work together? This episode explains how data-driven dashboards, clear communication, and shared accountability can drive measurable growth.

On Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley sit down with sales and marketing leader Gary Schwartz to discuss how to overcome common collaboration challenges. From breaking down silos to optimizing pipeline management, this episode offers actionable insights for improving sales and marketing alignment, accelerating revenue, and creating a more effective go-to-market strategy.

If you'd like to hear more from Gary Schwartz, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500 BrightSign BrightSign 2433 Want your sales and marketing teams to actually work together? This episode explains how data-driven dashboards, clear communication, and shared accountability can drive measurable growth.

On Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley sit down with sales and marketing leader Gary Schwartz to discuss how to overcome common collaboration challenges. From breaking down silos to optimizing pipeline management, this episode offers actionable insights for improving sales and marketing alignment, accelerating revenue, and creating a more effective go-to-market strategy.

If you'd like to hear more from Gary Schwartz, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Moments that Mattered: 2025 Recap 17 17 Moments that Mattered: 2025 Recap full 9ae4979f-515a-4f08-b12d-0a5e80d290df https://share.transistor.fm/s/57234095 Fifteen episodes. Six months. A lot of opinions. In this year-end wrap, we look back at what challenged us, what surprised us, and what we’re carrying forward into 2026.

For the final episode of the year, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith count down their top three Prose + Comms conversations and unpack why they resonated. From culture’s role in customer experience with Bob Osmond, to intentionality and presence with Jez Rose, to a blunt take on why “experience” has become a misused buzzword with Bryan Meszaros, this episode revisits the moments that stuck. Brian and Laura also put themselves in the hot seat, reflecting on underestimated trends (hello, AI), hot takes they’ve reconsidered, and the ideas they believe marketers need to bring into the new year. Honest, reflective, and a little irreverent — just the way we like it.

]]> Fifteen episodes. Six months. A lot of opinions. In this year-end wrap, we look back at what challenged us, what surprised us, and what we’re carrying forward into 2026.

For the final episode of the year, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith count down their top three Prose + Comms conversations and unpack why they resonated. From culture’s role in customer experience with Bob Osmond, to intentionality and presence with Jez Rose, to a blunt take on why “experience” has become a misused buzzword with Bryan Meszaros, this episode revisits the moments that stuck. Brian and Laura also put themselves in the hot seat, reflecting on underestimated trends (hello, AI), hot takes they’ve reconsidered, and the ideas they believe marketers need to bring into the new year. Honest, reflective, and a little irreverent — just the way we like it.

]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500 BrightSign BrightSign 2185 Fifteen episodes. Six months. A lot of opinions. In this year-end wrap, we look back at what challenged us, what surprised us, and what we’re carrying forward into 2026.

For the final episode of the year, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith count down their top three Prose + Comms conversations and unpack why they resonated. From culture’s role in customer experience with Bob Osmond, to intentionality and presence with Jez Rose, to a blunt take on why “experience” has become a misused buzzword with Bryan Meszaros, this episode revisits the moments that stuck. Brian and Laura also put themselves in the hot seat, reflecting on underestimated trends (hello, AI), hot takes they’ve reconsidered, and the ideas they believe marketers need to bring into the new year. Honest, reflective, and a little irreverent — just the way we like it.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Embedding Intelligence: The Next Phase of AI in Marketing and Experience 16 16 Embedding Intelligence: The Next Phase of AI in Marketing and Experience full 6ea18c2a-449b-43aa-a189-11ec8e9ea2d8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2170eb38 AI is reshaping marketing and customer experience faster than anyone expected, and most teams are only scratching the surface. In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, we break through the hype to explore how AI is changing the way marketers think, create, collaborate, and problem-solve. From boosting creativity to transforming everyday workflows, this conversation digs into the real impact AI is having behind the scenes.

Laura Smith and Brian Rowley sit down with Brad Hintze, EVP of Marketing at Crestron, for a candid look at what’s working, what isn’t, and where AI is headed next. Together, they unpack the wins, the failures, the misconceptions, and the legal questions shaping AI adoption across marketing and customer experience teams. Whether you’re experimenting with prompts or rethinking your entire workflow, this episode gives you a grounded, inside look at how AI can elevate your strategy today — and why creativity still starts with humans.

 

If you’d like to learn more about Brad Hintze, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> AI is reshaping marketing and customer experience faster than anyone expected, and most teams are only scratching the surface. In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, we break through the hype to explore how AI is changing the way marketers think, create, collaborate, and problem-solve. From boosting creativity to transforming everyday workflows, this conversation digs into the real impact AI is having behind the scenes.

Laura Smith and Brian Rowley sit down with Brad Hintze, EVP of Marketing at Crestron, for a candid look at what’s working, what isn’t, and where AI is headed next. Together, they unpack the wins, the failures, the misconceptions, and the legal questions shaping AI adoption across marketing and customer experience teams. Whether you’re experimenting with prompts or rethinking your entire workflow, this episode gives you a grounded, inside look at how AI can elevate your strategy today — and why creativity still starts with humans.

 

If you’d like to learn more about Brad Hintze, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 BrightSign BrightSign 2383 AI is reshaping marketing and customer experience faster than anyone expected, and most teams are only scratching the surface. In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, we break through the hype to explore how AI is changing the way marketers think, create, collaborate, and problem-solve. From boosting creativity to transforming everyday workflows, this conversation digs into the real impact AI is having behind the scenes.

Laura Smith and Brian Rowley sit down with Brad Hintze, EVP of Marketing at Crestron, for a candid look at what’s working, what isn’t, and where AI is headed next. Together, they unpack the wins, the failures, the misconceptions, and the legal questions shaping AI adoption across marketing and customer experience teams. Whether you’re experimenting with prompts or rethinking your entire workflow, this episode gives you a grounded, inside look at how AI can elevate your strategy today — and why creativity still starts with humans.

 

If you’d like to learn more about Brad Hintze, you can find him on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Is Storytelling Overrated? Why Brands Need to Start "Storydoing" 15 15 Is Storytelling Overrated? Why Brands Need to Start "Storydoing" full e187222e-df4f-4b3b-a773-e724a8cf68b9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4778c508 Storytelling has become one of marketing’s favorite buzzwords, but has it lost its meaning? In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura unpack the evolution of storytelling in modern marketing and what it really takes to create memorable customer experiences. They explore why stories alone aren’t enough to connect with audiences anymore, and why today’s most impactful brands are shifting from storytelling to "storydoing" — aligning their words with authentic actions that demonstrate who they are and what they stand for.


Brian and Laura dig into the balance between creativity, authenticity, and action in brand marketing. They debate whether AI can truly tell a story, share examples of brands that “do” their story well, and highlight how collaboration with customers can make marketing more real, and more effective. Tune in to hear how the future of brand storytelling is being rewritten by those who live it, not just those who tell it.

]]> Storytelling has become one of marketing’s favorite buzzwords, but has it lost its meaning? In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura unpack the evolution of storytelling in modern marketing and what it really takes to create memorable customer experiences. They explore why stories alone aren’t enough to connect with audiences anymore, and why today’s most impactful brands are shifting from storytelling to "storydoing" — aligning their words with authentic actions that demonstrate who they are and what they stand for.


Brian and Laura dig into the balance between creativity, authenticity, and action in brand marketing. They debate whether AI can truly tell a story, share examples of brands that “do” their story well, and highlight how collaboration with customers can make marketing more real, and more effective. Tune in to hear how the future of brand storytelling is being rewritten by those who live it, not just those who tell it.

]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:04:50 -0500 BrightSign BrightSign 1296 Storytelling has become one of marketing’s favorite buzzwords, but has it lost its meaning? In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura unpack the evolution of storytelling in modern marketing and what it really takes to create memorable customer experiences. They explore why stories alone aren’t enough to connect with audiences anymore, and why today’s most impactful brands are shifting from storytelling to "storydoing" — aligning their words with authentic actions that demonstrate who they are and what they stand for.


Brian and Laura dig into the balance between creativity, authenticity, and action in brand marketing. They debate whether AI can truly tell a story, share examples of brands that “do” their story well, and highlight how collaboration with customers can make marketing more real, and more effective. Tune in to hear how the future of brand storytelling is being rewritten by those who live it, not just those who tell it.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No I’m Not a Salesperson… Or Am I? The Mindset Shift Every Professional Needs 14 14 I’m Not a Salesperson… Or Am I? The Mindset Shift Every Professional Needs full 775ff958-5d48-4619-86b4-01dc7be3a1f1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7fd3b2cc Think you’re not in sales? Think again. On this episode of Prose and Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley explore how almost everyone sells in some way, often without realizing it. Sales mindset expert April Williams joins the conversation to show how to turn the dreaded task of selling into building relationships, driving growth, and delivering value, all while avoiding outdated stereotypes.


April shares her journey from marketing leader to helping professionals like accountants, lawyers, and consultants step confidently into sales roles they never thought they’d occupy. She dives into the practical skills needed for success, including mastering discovery conversations, asking the right questions, and closing deals without feeling pushy. The discussion also tackles one of the biggest productivity challenges for revenue-focused professionals: time management. If you’re someone who never thought of themselves as “selling,” this episode offers strategies to sell with authenticity, listen with purpose, and turn everyday interactions into growth opportunities.

To hear more from April, head to her LinkedIn. 

]]> Think you’re not in sales? Think again. On this episode of Prose and Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley explore how almost everyone sells in some way, often without realizing it. Sales mindset expert April Williams joins the conversation to show how to turn the dreaded task of selling into building relationships, driving growth, and delivering value, all while avoiding outdated stereotypes.


April shares her journey from marketing leader to helping professionals like accountants, lawyers, and consultants step confidently into sales roles they never thought they’d occupy. She dives into the practical skills needed for success, including mastering discovery conversations, asking the right questions, and closing deals without feeling pushy. The discussion also tackles one of the biggest productivity challenges for revenue-focused professionals: time management. If you’re someone who never thought of themselves as “selling,” this episode offers strategies to sell with authenticity, listen with purpose, and turn everyday interactions into growth opportunities.

To hear more from April, head to her LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2261 Think you’re not in sales? Think again. On this episode of Prose and Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley explore how almost everyone sells in some way, often without realizing it. Sales mindset expert April Williams joins the conversation to show how to turn the dreaded task of selling into building relationships, driving growth, and delivering value, all while avoiding outdated stereotypes.


April shares her journey from marketing leader to helping professionals like accountants, lawyers, and consultants step confidently into sales roles they never thought they’d occupy. She dives into the practical skills needed for success, including mastering discovery conversations, asking the right questions, and closing deals without feeling pushy. The discussion also tackles one of the biggest productivity challenges for revenue-focused professionals: time management. If you’re someone who never thought of themselves as “selling,” this episode offers strategies to sell with authenticity, listen with purpose, and turn everyday interactions into growth opportunities.

To hear more from April, head to her LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Can the Employee and Brand Story Intertwine? The Impact of Personal Branding on Employee and Company Success 13 13 Can the Employee and Brand Story Intertwine? The Impact of Personal Branding on Employee and Company Success full cfd1a035-33b9-4cb9-89b6-217dc0e3aac8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/87f793c1 Marketing today is about connection, and personal branding is at the heart of it. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura  are joined by personal branding expert Kait LeDonne to explore how professionals can build a presence that boosts both their career and their company’s reach, especially on LinkedIn.

Kait shares strategies for finding the “sweet spot” between personal and corporate brands, creating thoughtful content, and turning employees into brand advocates. Whether you’re an executive hesitant to post on LinkedIn, a professional navigating career growth, or a company leveraging your team’s networks, this episode delivers practical insights on authenticity, strategy, and why your personal brand matters more than ever.

 If you want to hear more from Kait LeDonne, you can definitely find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> Marketing today is about connection, and personal branding is at the heart of it. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura  are joined by personal branding expert Kait LeDonne to explore how professionals can build a presence that boosts both their career and their company’s reach, especially on LinkedIn.

Kait shares strategies for finding the “sweet spot” between personal and corporate brands, creating thoughtful content, and turning employees into brand advocates. Whether you’re an executive hesitant to post on LinkedIn, a professional navigating career growth, or a company leveraging your team’s networks, this episode delivers practical insights on authenticity, strategy, and why your personal brand matters more than ever.

 If you want to hear more from Kait LeDonne, you can definitely find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2921 Marketing today is about connection, and personal branding is at the heart of it. On this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian and Laura  are joined by personal branding expert Kait LeDonne to explore how professionals can build a presence that boosts both their career and their company’s reach, especially on LinkedIn.

Kait shares strategies for finding the “sweet spot” between personal and corporate brands, creating thoughtful content, and turning employees into brand advocates. Whether you’re an executive hesitant to post on LinkedIn, a professional navigating career growth, or a company leveraging your team’s networks, this episode delivers practical insights on authenticity, strategy, and why your personal brand matters more than ever.

 If you want to hear more from Kait LeDonne, you can definitely find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Beyond the Likes and Follows: What the Best Brands Get Right About Influencer Partnerships 12 12 Beyond the Likes and Follows: What the Best Brands Get Right About Influencer Partnerships full 8987ed68-5e2c-4322-96fc-6e7221608b25 https://share.transistor.fm/s/41126650 Influencer marketing is about more than follower counts. It’s about authenticity, strategy, and results. In this episode, Laura and Brian sit down with influencer marketing expert Joelle Moroney to explore how top brands balance micro and celebrity influencers, leverage AI for discovery and vetting, and measure real impact. 

Hear actionable insights on creating campaigns that resonate, build awareness, and drive engagement with the right audience. And get essential tips and strategies to elevate your influencer marketing game.

 

And to hear more from Joelle Moroney, you can find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> Influencer marketing is about more than follower counts. It’s about authenticity, strategy, and results. In this episode, Laura and Brian sit down with influencer marketing expert Joelle Moroney to explore how top brands balance micro and celebrity influencers, leverage AI for discovery and vetting, and measure real impact. 

Hear actionable insights on creating campaigns that resonate, build awareness, and drive engagement with the right audience. And get essential tips and strategies to elevate your influencer marketing game.

 

And to hear more from Joelle Moroney, you can find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2130 Influencer marketing is about more than follower counts. It’s about authenticity, strategy, and results. In this episode, Laura and Brian sit down with influencer marketing expert Joelle Moroney to explore how top brands balance micro and celebrity influencers, leverage AI for discovery and vetting, and measure real impact. 

Hear actionable insights on creating campaigns that resonate, build awareness, and drive engagement with the right audience. And get essential tips and strategies to elevate your influencer marketing game.

 

And to hear more from Joelle Moroney, you can find her on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Building a Marketing Culture That Values Both Creativity and Process 11 11 Building a Marketing Culture That Values Both Creativity and Process full bbc4a445-3b2d-4d1a-9b37-c6b5b2f2480a https://share.transistor.fm/s/86e74dce Can creativity and process really coexist, or are they destined to clash? In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith explore one of marketing’s biggest challenges: building a culture where innovative ideas can flourish alongside strong accountability and execution.  


They explore why too much structure can feel like a cage, why too little can lead to chaos, and how teams can strike the right balance. Even Producer Joey jumps in with his perspective from the creative side. From effective brainstorms to project management tools, the conversation uncovers what it takes to create space for innovation while still getting work done.

]]> Can creativity and process really coexist, or are they destined to clash? In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith explore one of marketing’s biggest challenges: building a culture where innovative ideas can flourish alongside strong accountability and execution.  


They explore why too much structure can feel like a cage, why too little can lead to chaos, and how teams can strike the right balance. Even Producer Joey jumps in with his perspective from the creative side. From effective brainstorms to project management tools, the conversation uncovers what it takes to create space for innovation while still getting work done.

]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2063 Can creativity and process really coexist, or are they destined to clash? In this episode of Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged, Brian Rowley and Laura Smith explore one of marketing’s biggest challenges: building a culture where innovative ideas can flourish alongside strong accountability and execution.  


They explore why too much structure can feel like a cage, why too little can lead to chaos, and how teams can strike the right balance. Even Producer Joey jumps in with his perspective from the creative side. From effective brainstorms to project management tools, the conversation uncovers what it takes to create space for innovation while still getting work done.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Data-Driven vs. Gut-Driven: Who Wins the Strategy War? Navigating Marketing Strategies for Customer Experience 10 10 Data-Driven vs. Gut-Driven: Who Wins the Strategy War? Navigating Marketing Strategies for Customer Experience full c5a6b0c3-43b2-41c0-9bc9-25af3e123a99 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b4d9f395 Marketers today must navigate the constant tension between data-driven strategies and gut-driven intuition. This episode explores how to enhance customer experience through the balance of data insights and human empathy. With AI, analytics, and automation delivering more data than ever, the challenge lies in deciding when to lean on hard numbers and when to trust gut feelings. 

Join hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley as they sit down with strategy veteran Joe Panepinto. They discuss the risks of over-relying on automation without human interpretation, and practical ways to measure impact in branding and marketing events. If you've ever wondered whether to trust the numbers or your instincts, tune in for a fresh perspective on mastering your marketing approach and achieving extraordinary customer experiences.

🔗 Connect with Joe Panepinto on LinkedIn.

]]> Marketers today must navigate the constant tension between data-driven strategies and gut-driven intuition. This episode explores how to enhance customer experience through the balance of data insights and human empathy. With AI, analytics, and automation delivering more data than ever, the challenge lies in deciding when to lean on hard numbers and when to trust gut feelings. 

Join hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley as they sit down with strategy veteran Joe Panepinto. They discuss the risks of over-relying on automation without human interpretation, and practical ways to measure impact in branding and marketing events. If you've ever wondered whether to trust the numbers or your instincts, tune in for a fresh perspective on mastering your marketing approach and achieving extraordinary customer experiences.

🔗 Connect with Joe Panepinto on LinkedIn.

]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2853 Marketers today must navigate the constant tension between data-driven strategies and gut-driven intuition. This episode explores how to enhance customer experience through the balance of data insights and human empathy. With AI, analytics, and automation delivering more data than ever, the challenge lies in deciding when to lean on hard numbers and when to trust gut feelings. 

Join hosts Laura Smith and Brian Rowley as they sit down with strategy veteran Joe Panepinto. They discuss the risks of over-relying on automation without human interpretation, and practical ways to measure impact in branding and marketing events. If you've ever wondered whether to trust the numbers or your instincts, tune in for a fresh perspective on mastering your marketing approach and achieving extraordinary customer experiences.

🔗 Connect with Joe Panepinto on LinkedIn.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No The CX Trap: More Tech, Less Impact? Rethinking Marketing Technology for Better Customer Experience 9 9 The CX Trap: More Tech, Less Impact? Rethinking Marketing Technology for Better Customer Experience full 452aee86-2b9f-44ed-b89d-8de8f4315665 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a97dd2f6 More tech, less impact? Explore why bigger stacks can mean weaker customer experience, and how to bring the focus back to results.

Is your marketing technology helping you deliver a better customer experience, or quietly draining time, budget, and focus? In this episode, we dig into the CX trap that even leading brands fall into: adding more tools in hopes of improving results, only to see less real impact.

Our guest, Greg Kihlström, host of The Agile Brand and advisor to some of the world’s most recognizable companies, shares why more tech doesn’t always mean better branding or stronger customer relationships. You’ll hear:

  • How to recognize when your tech stack is hurting CX instead of helping
  • Why branding and marketing fundamentals still matter more than the latest trend
  • Practical ways to refocus on results, not just shiny new platforms

Whether you’re in marketing, branding, or customer experience, this conversation will help you rethink how technology fits into your strategy.

To hear more from Greg, find him on LinkedIn or check out The Agile Brand.

]]> More tech, less impact? Explore why bigger stacks can mean weaker customer experience, and how to bring the focus back to results.

Is your marketing technology helping you deliver a better customer experience, or quietly draining time, budget, and focus? In this episode, we dig into the CX trap that even leading brands fall into: adding more tools in hopes of improving results, only to see less real impact.

Our guest, Greg Kihlström, host of The Agile Brand and advisor to some of the world’s most recognizable companies, shares why more tech doesn’t always mean better branding or stronger customer relationships. You’ll hear:

  • How to recognize when your tech stack is hurting CX instead of helping
  • Why branding and marketing fundamentals still matter more than the latest trend
  • Practical ways to refocus on results, not just shiny new platforms

Whether you’re in marketing, branding, or customer experience, this conversation will help you rethink how technology fits into your strategy.

To hear more from Greg, find him on LinkedIn or check out The Agile Brand.

]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2006 More tech, less impact? Explore why bigger stacks can mean weaker customer experience, and how to bring the focus back to results.

Is your marketing technology helping you deliver a better customer experience, or quietly draining time, budget, and focus? In this episode, we dig into the CX trap that even leading brands fall into: adding more tools in hopes of improving results, only to see less real impact.

Our guest, Greg Kihlström, host of The Agile Brand and advisor to some of the world’s most recognizable companies, shares why more tech doesn’t always mean better branding or stronger customer relationships. You’ll hear:

  • How to recognize when your tech stack is hurting CX instead of helping
  • Why branding and marketing fundamentals still matter more than the latest trend
  • Practical ways to refocus on results, not just shiny new platforms

Whether you’re in marketing, branding, or customer experience, this conversation will help you rethink how technology fits into your strategy.

To hear more from Greg, find him on LinkedIn or check out The Agile Brand.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Agency or In-House? The Great Marketing Tug-of-War 8 8 Agency or In-House? The Great Marketing Tug-of-War full f1f6227e-08fd-489c-9715-ab60ee351319 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3cd9ebfb This week on Prose + Comms, Laura Smith and Brian Rowley explore one of marketing’s most persistent questions: Should brands go in-house, outsource to agencies, or find a hybrid approach? With shifting priorities and rising demands for speed and creativity, the answer is more nuanced than ever. Plus, they debunk some of the biggest myths about in-house and agency work, from cost perceptions to creative output.

]]> This week on Prose + Comms, Laura Smith and Brian Rowley explore one of marketing’s most persistent questions: Should brands go in-house, outsource to agencies, or find a hybrid approach? With shifting priorities and rising demands for speed and creativity, the answer is more nuanced than ever. Plus, they debunk some of the biggest myths about in-house and agency work, from cost perceptions to creative output.

]]> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 1833 This week on Prose + Comms, Laura Smith and Brian Rowley explore one of marketing’s most persistent questions: Should brands go in-house, outsource to agencies, or find a hybrid approach? With shifting priorities and rising demands for speed and creativity, the answer is more nuanced than ever. Plus, they debunk some of the biggest myths about in-house and agency work, from cost perceptions to creative output.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No From Noise to News: What Journalists Wish Marketers Knew 7 7 From Noise to News: What Journalists Wish Marketers Knew full a1790031-7ac5-4b39-9aee-2dcf6168df5e https://share.transistor.fm/s/4f2de31e What does it take to earn media attention today? In this episode of Prose + Comms, we unpack what makes something newsworthy, why so many brand stories fall flat, and how marketers can better connect with journalists. To help us separate noise from news, we’re joined by Dave Haynes of Sixteen:Nine, a veteran journalist who’s seen (and ignored) more pitches than most. He’s here to share what lands, what fails, and what he never wants to see in a press release again.

To hear more from Dave, you can find him on LinkedIn and check out sixteen-nine.net.

]]> What does it take to earn media attention today? In this episode of Prose + Comms, we unpack what makes something newsworthy, why so many brand stories fall flat, and how marketers can better connect with journalists. To help us separate noise from news, we’re joined by Dave Haynes of Sixteen:Nine, a veteran journalist who’s seen (and ignored) more pitches than most. He’s here to share what lands, what fails, and what he never wants to see in a press release again.

To hear more from Dave, you can find him on LinkedIn and check out sixteen-nine.net.

]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 1885 What does it take to earn media attention today? In this episode of Prose + Comms, we unpack what makes something newsworthy, why so many brand stories fall flat, and how marketers can better connect with journalists. To help us separate noise from news, we’re joined by Dave Haynes of Sixteen:Nine, a veteran journalist who’s seen (and ignored) more pitches than most. He’s here to share what lands, what fails, and what he never wants to see in a press release again.

To hear more from Dave, you can find him on LinkedIn and check out sixteen-nine.net.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Why Your Culture Might Be Killing Your CX 6 6 Why Your Culture Might Be Killing Your CX full 21ca5cbb-906e-448b-92b7-3e7b5103fa00 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5a10afc4 What’s the real impact of company culture, looking beyond the buzzwords and mission statements? In this episode of Prose + Comms, we explore how culture shapes the customer experience, why internal alignment matters more than ever, and what happens when brand values break down. From leadership to the frontlines, we unpack how trust, consistency, and authenticity influence the way customers feel, and what that means for the brands trying to earn their loyalty. We’re joined by communications leader and executive coach Bob Osmond, who shares his insights into how culture and brand experience intersect, and what it really takes to get it right.

If you want to hear more from Bob, you can connect with him on LinkedIn. 

]]> What’s the real impact of company culture, looking beyond the buzzwords and mission statements? In this episode of Prose + Comms, we explore how culture shapes the customer experience, why internal alignment matters more than ever, and what happens when brand values break down. From leadership to the frontlines, we unpack how trust, consistency, and authenticity influence the way customers feel, and what that means for the brands trying to earn their loyalty. We’re joined by communications leader and executive coach Bob Osmond, who shares his insights into how culture and brand experience intersect, and what it really takes to get it right.

If you want to hear more from Bob, you can connect with him on LinkedIn. 

]]> Wed, 02 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2357 What’s the real impact of company culture, looking beyond the buzzwords and mission statements? In this episode of Prose + Comms, we explore how culture shapes the customer experience, why internal alignment matters more than ever, and what happens when brand values break down. From leadership to the frontlines, we unpack how trust, consistency, and authenticity influence the way customers feel, and what that means for the brands trying to earn their loyalty. We’re joined by communications leader and executive coach Bob Osmond, who shares his insights into how culture and brand experience intersect, and what it really takes to get it right.

If you want to hear more from Bob, you can connect with him on LinkedIn. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Authenticity vs. Relatability 5 5 Authenticity vs. Relatability full 991a3d77-73f0-47b1-bb39-86b1d11e9885 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a3379931 Are we mistaking familiarity for authenticity? In this episode, we explore the subtle but important differences between being true and being liked.

Authenticity means showing up consistently and standing by your values, even if that doesn't resonate with everyone. Relatability, on the other hand, is about being easily understood, emotionally accessible, and broadly likable. Sometimes the two go hand in hand. But not always. Let’s dig into what makes something feel real, what actually builds trust, and why the difference matters for brands and marketers.

]]> Are we mistaking familiarity for authenticity? In this episode, we explore the subtle but important differences between being true and being liked.

Authenticity means showing up consistently and standing by your values, even if that doesn't resonate with everyone. Relatability, on the other hand, is about being easily understood, emotionally accessible, and broadly likable. Sometimes the two go hand in hand. But not always. Let’s dig into what makes something feel real, what actually builds trust, and why the difference matters for brands and marketers.

]]> Wed, 18 Jun 2025 03:00:00 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 1215 Are we mistaking familiarity for authenticity? In this episode, we explore the subtle but important differences between being true and being liked.

Authenticity means showing up consistently and standing by your values, even if that doesn't resonate with everyone. Relatability, on the other hand, is about being easily understood, emotionally accessible, and broadly likable. Sometimes the two go hand in hand. But not always. Let’s dig into what makes something feel real, what actually builds trust, and why the difference matters for brands and marketers.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Is the Traditional Tradeshow Booth Dead? Long Live the Brand Vibe 4 4 Is the Traditional Tradeshow Booth Dead? Long Live the Brand Vibe full 89b31971-241b-49ae-ac1e-8da466d2643d https://share.transistor.fm/s/3690cd9f There’s an element of tradition when it comes to B2B tradeshows – regardless of the specific industry. Employees dress in matching outfits as companies spend big budgets on booth design and swag to capture attendees’ attention. But what value do these tradeshows really bring? And are companies focusing their time, money, and attention on the right elements? "Chief Vibe Creator" and tradeshow content developer Alesia Hendley joins us to explore the benefit of tradeshows as we know them and where their future lies.

To hear more from Alesia, find her on LinkedIn or check out her website, thesmoothfactor.com.

]]> There’s an element of tradition when it comes to B2B tradeshows – regardless of the specific industry. Employees dress in matching outfits as companies spend big budgets on booth design and swag to capture attendees’ attention. But what value do these tradeshows really bring? And are companies focusing their time, money, and attention on the right elements? "Chief Vibe Creator" and tradeshow content developer Alesia Hendley joins us to explore the benefit of tradeshows as we know them and where their future lies.

To hear more from Alesia, find her on LinkedIn or check out her website, thesmoothfactor.com.

]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2025 09:34:28 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2309 There’s an element of tradition when it comes to B2B tradeshows – regardless of the specific industry. Employees dress in matching outfits as companies spend big budgets on booth design and swag to capture attendees’ attention. But what value do these tradeshows really bring? And are companies focusing their time, money, and attention on the right elements? "Chief Vibe Creator" and tradeshow content developer Alesia Hendley joins us to explore the benefit of tradeshows as we know them and where their future lies.

To hear more from Alesia, find her on LinkedIn or check out her website, thesmoothfactor.com.

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Has ‘Experience’ Become a Buzzword? 3 3 Has ‘Experience’ Become a Buzzword? full bbabcd84-138a-4404-a89f-db87cfd5a51f https://share.transistor.fm/s/3f4fae33 With every company claiming to deliver “immersive experiences,” has the term lost meaning? Who's creating the best experiential activations? Who’s faking it? Is the experience economy as a whole suffering from an identity crisis? Bryan Meszaros, CEO and Founder of experience design agency OpenEye Global, joins us to explore what it means to create a customer activation that’s truly immersive.

If you want to hear more from Bryan, find him on LinkedIn and check out the OpenEye Global website. 

]]> With every company claiming to deliver “immersive experiences,” has the term lost meaning? Who's creating the best experiential activations? Who’s faking it? Is the experience economy as a whole suffering from an identity crisis? Bryan Meszaros, CEO and Founder of experience design agency OpenEye Global, joins us to explore what it means to create a customer activation that’s truly immersive.

If you want to hear more from Bryan, find him on LinkedIn and check out the OpenEye Global website. 

]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:49:57 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 1936 With every company claiming to deliver “immersive experiences,” has the term lost meaning? Who's creating the best experiential activations? Who’s faking it? Is the experience economy as a whole suffering from an identity crisis? Bryan Meszaros, CEO and Founder of experience design agency OpenEye Global, joins us to explore what it means to create a customer activation that’s truly immersive.

If you want to hear more from Bryan, find him on LinkedIn and check out the OpenEye Global website. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No At the Crossroads: Emotion, Intentionality, and the Power of Connection 2 2 At the Crossroads: Emotion, Intentionality, and the Power of Connection full 233bd6b8-a173-4fea-92d7-6fcd00281e8c https://share.transistor.fm/s/49ade858 We all face crossroad moments – in life and in our marketing careers. In this episode, we explore what it means to lead with intention when brands face moments of choice. How do emotions influence the way we react in these moments? Does an emotional reaction enhance our customer relationships? Jez Rose, renowned behaviorist and advisor to Fortune 100 companies, joins us to unpack whether marketers can really influence consumer emotions, or if their emotions drive us.

If you want to hear more from Jez, find him on his website, thatjezrose.com. 

]]> We all face crossroad moments – in life and in our marketing careers. In this episode, we explore what it means to lead with intention when brands face moments of choice. How do emotions influence the way we react in these moments? Does an emotional reaction enhance our customer relationships? Jez Rose, renowned behaviorist and advisor to Fortune 100 companies, joins us to unpack whether marketers can really influence consumer emotions, or if their emotions drive us.

If you want to hear more from Jez, find him on his website, thatjezrose.com. 

]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:25:37 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 2671 We all face crossroad moments – in life and in our marketing careers. In this episode, we explore what it means to lead with intention when brands face moments of choice. How do emotions influence the way we react in these moments? Does an emotional reaction enhance our customer relationships? Jez Rose, renowned behaviorist and advisor to Fortune 100 companies, joins us to unpack whether marketers can really influence consumer emotions, or if their emotions drive us.

If you want to hear more from Jez, find him on his website, thatjezrose.com. 

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No Welcome to Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged 1 1 Welcome to Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged trailer 330604e9-dfd3-4610-8a18-c7d83be19d1c https://share.transistor.fm/s/928bcb01 Welcome to Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged!

Marketing is changing fast, so let’s talk about it. On Prose + Comms: Engagement Unplugged, hosts Brian Rowley and Laura Smith from BrightSign have honest, unfiltered chats with the people doing the work: marketers, creatives, and brand leaders. No jargon. No fluff. Just the real stuff that’s driving growth and shaping great experiences.

Got feedback? Or a topic you want us to cover? Let's hear it! Drop us a note on Linkedin.

BrightSign: https://bit.ly/43aPGfz
Brian Rowley: https://bit.ly/4mlGexf
Laura Smith: https://bit.ly/4dodwHU

]]> Welcome to Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged!

Marketing is changing fast, so let’s talk about it. On Prose + Comms: Engagement Unplugged, hosts Brian Rowley and Laura Smith from BrightSign have honest, unfiltered chats with the people doing the work: marketers, creatives, and brand leaders. No jargon. No fluff. Just the real stuff that’s driving growth and shaping great experiences.

Got feedback? Or a topic you want us to cover? Let's hear it! Drop us a note on Linkedin.

BrightSign: https://bit.ly/43aPGfz
Brian Rowley: https://bit.ly/4mlGexf
Laura Smith: https://bit.ly/4dodwHU

]]> Fri, 23 May 2025 14:28:16 -0400 BrightSign BrightSign 138 Welcome to Prose + Comms: Engagement, Unplugged!

Marketing is changing fast, so let’s talk about it. On Prose + Comms: Engagement Unplugged, hosts Brian Rowley and Laura Smith from BrightSign have honest, unfiltered chats with the people doing the work: marketers, creatives, and brand leaders. No jargon. No fluff. Just the real stuff that’s driving growth and shaping great experiences.

Got feedback? Or a topic you want us to cover? Let's hear it! Drop us a note on Linkedin.

BrightSign: https://bit.ly/43aPGfz
Brian Rowley: https://bit.ly/4mlGexf
Laura Smith: https://bit.ly/4dodwHU

]]> marketing, customer experience, branding, creative, CX, digital signage, customer engagement, experiential, consumer behavior No