We Built This Brand

From Logo to Lifestyle: Rebuilding the Soul of La-Z-Boy, with Diana Quenomoen

HumblePod — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

What does it take to reinvent a 100-year-old brand? In this episode or We Built This Brand, Diana “DQ” Quinmoen, Head of Design at Colle McVoy, shares how her team helped La-Z-Boy rediscover its soul and transform from a furniture brand into a full sensory experience. From brand scent and store experience to AI-powered activations and the “ah-place” philosophy, this conversation explores how modern brands must think beyond campaigns and build systems that connect emotionally at every touchpoint.

Show Highlights:
(01:17) DQ Origin Story

(05:18) Trust and La-Z-Boy Kickoff

(09:00) Finding the Ah Place

(18:37) AI Powered Recliner Stunt

(19:14) Rebrand Pushback Fears

(20:58) Campaign Results Metrics

(22:42) Lessons Relationships Research

(24:31) Future Branding Systems AI

(27:21) Authenticity In AI Era

(29:44) AI Media Case Studies

(30:48) Brands Beyond Products

(33:52) Where To Connect

(34:26) Final Podcast Wrap

Start a podcast with HumblePod!

https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Sign up for our newsletter!

https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

From Budweiser Frogs to the Ability Machine: How Creativity Unlocks Hidden Talent with Tom Woodard

HumblePod — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Tom Woodard spent decades shaping iconic advertising, from voicing the famous Budweiser frogs to producing national jingles for brands like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s. Now he’s channeling that creative experience into something bigger: The Ability Machine, a marketing initiative that intentionally collaborates with creatives with disabilities.

In this episode of We Built This Brand, Tom shares his journey through the golden era of advertising, the story behind one of the most memorable Super Bowl campaigns ever, and how giving people a seat at the creative table can unlock incredible talent, confidence, and community.

Show Highlights:

(00:00) Welcome and Introductions

(00:29) From Guitar to Jingles

(02:14) Iconic Campaign Highlights

(02:42) Budweiser Frogs Origin Story

(03:44) Animatronics and Super Bowl Magic

(04:54) Building Studios and Agency Life

(07:10) Founding Ability Machine

(11:51) Aha Moment with Goo Goo Clusters

(14:35) Hiring and Empowering Creatives

(22:10) Future, AI, and Wrap Up

From Side Hustle to Strategy with Becky Owen

HumblePod — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

What does it really take to turn creator passion into a sustainable business? In this episode of We Built this Brand, Becky Owen breaks down the reality behind the creator economy, from pricing your worth and avoiding burnout to why AI isn’t a strategy (and never should be). We explore how creators can build long-term influence without launching a brand, the danger of “AI-for-AI’s-sake,” and why nostalgia, instinct, and human creativity still matter more than ever. A must-listen for creators, marketers, and brand builders navigating what’s next.

Show Highlights:

(00:32) Meet Becky Owen: Career Highlights

(02:26) Becky's Journey in Creative Marketing

(06:05) The Birth of 5 2 9

(10:25) Challenges and Insights in the Creator Economy

(28:54) Creators Gaining Equity and Influence

(30:29) The Evolution of Podcasting with Humble Pod

(31:10) Insights from Muse Volume Two Study

(32:13) AI's Impact on Marketing and Creativity

(44:14) Practical Guidance for Using AI Responsibly

Start a podcast with HumblePod!

https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Sign up for our newsletter!

https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Marketing With Boundaries: Social Media, Mental Health & Authenticity with Halee Sprinkle

HumblePod — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Join Chris as he sits down with Halee Sprinkle, founder of Check Yourself Marketing, to explore the human side of social media. From the very origins of “social media” to the challenges of maintaining mental health in a digital world, Halee shares hard-earned insights on entrepreneurship, authenticity, AI, and community-driven marketing strategies that actually deliver results. Whether you’re a small business owner or a seasoned marketing professional, this conversation will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to show up authentically online.

Show Highlights

(02:09) Haley's Journey: From Army Nurse to Marketing Professional

(03:26) The Birth of Check Yourself Marketing

(03:30) The Aha Moment: Identifying a Market Need

(04:41) Naming the Business: The Story Behind Check Yourself

(08:10) Challenges and Failures in Entrepreneurship

(10:49) Pivoting During the Pandemic

(13:27) Mental Health and Social Media: A Personal Perspective

(15:33) Dealing with Trolls and Negative Feedback

(20:50) Teaching and Content Creation

(27:46) The Role of AI in Marketing

(37:55) The Power of Content Creation

(41:29) Upcoming Events and Classes

(42:49) Final Thoughts and Connections

Links:
https://czechyourselfmarketing.com/

Start a podcast with HumblePod! https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/
Sign up for our newsletter!https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

The Stories That Shaped Our Year

HumblePod — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

As we close out the year, We Built This Brand takes a step back to reflect on the conversations that defined it.

This special year-end recap revisits the moments, ideas, and voices that shaped our understanding of what it really takes to build something meaningful. From honest conversations about creativity, ambition, and identity to stories of culture, community, and brands that endure, this episode highlights the human side of brand building.

Across these conversations, one theme kept surfacing: joy. Not the polished, performative kind, but the kind that fuels the work, carries us through uncertainty, and keeps the process honest and human, even in a world of constant change and emerging technology.

As we head into a new year, this episode is a reminder of why we build, who we build with, and the stories we’re creating along the way. Thanks for being part of We Built This Brand

Show Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction: Finding Joy in the Journey

(01:06) The Human Side of Brand Building

(03:25) Reframing Value: The Story of Pre-Loved Rings

(06:03) Creative Problem Solving and Identity

(09:11) Rebranding the Anaheim Ducks: A Case Study

(20:13) Exploring the True Meaning of Joy

(22:06) The Impact of 'What Happens Here, Stays Here' Campaign

(25:33) The Beloved Darn Tough Socks Campaign

(32:44) The Phenomenon of K-Pop Demon Hunters

(35:46) Reflections on AI and Creativity

Links:
Start a podcast with HumblePod! https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/
Sign up for our newsletter! https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

From Likes to Loyalty: Vince Wang on the Future of Influencer Marketing for Restaurants

HumblePod — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

In this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris chats with Vince Wang, Chief Marketing Officer at Mustard Love, the platform helping restaurants connect with local influencers and track real ROI.

Vince shares how data-driven marketing and startup experience shaped his approach to influencer campaigns that actually drive business results. A must-listen for marketers, restaurant owners, and creators looking to turn influence into measurable impact.

Show Highlights:
(00:21) Meet Vince Wang

(01:25) Vince's Journey into Marketing

(02:09) First Role and Performance Marketing

(03:51) Joining Mustard Love

(04:28) The Evolution of Mustard Love

(05:14) Why the Name Mustard Love?

(06:08) What is Mustard Love?

(07:39) Influencer Strategy and Success Stories

(08:20) Micro-Influencers and Local Impact

(11:52) Automating Influencer Campaigns

(18:50) Future of Influencer Marketing

Links:
https://www.mustard.love/

Start a podcast with HumblePod! https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/
Sign up for our newsletter! https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

LA Trip Ep. 8 Leading with Authenticity: Building Brands That Shape Culture

HumblePod — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

We’re wrapping up our LA interview series with a bang. Thai Randolph and Katie Soo join Chris Hill and Adhrucia Apana to talk brand leadership, creative growth, and what it really takes to stay ahead in a fast-changing world.

Show Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome

(00:47)Meet the Guests: Katie Sue and Ty Randolph

(01:19) Ty Randolph's Career Journey

(02:55) Katie Sue's Career Highlights

(07:15) Brand Building Insights from Katie Sue

(09:06) Advice for Aspiring Brand Builders

(14:07) Challenges in Brand Building

(22:12) Navigating Community Feedback

(27:46) Favorite Brands and Influences

(29:46) Discussion on K-Pop Demon Hunters

(32:55) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

LA Trip Ep. 7 Inside Curiosity Entertainment with Adhrucia Apana & Charles Allen

HumblePod — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Host Chris Hill talks with Adhrucia Apana and Charles Allen, co-founders of Curiosity Entertainment and Storyteller Publishing, about building brands through authentic storytelling. They explore why story is still king, how authenticity drives community, and what it takes to grow a creative brand in the age of AI.

Listen now to discover how they’re putting artists first and reshaping the future of storytelling.

Show Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome

(01:05) Arusha's Journey into Film and TV

(02:14) The Birth of Curiosity Entertainment

(03:21) Understanding the Business of Storytelling

(05:01) Charles' Background and Partnership

(06:00) Combining Publishing and Film

(07:32) The Future of Storytelling and Community Building

(14:03) The Role of Personal Branding

(17:44) Challenges and Opportunities in Marketing

(20:33) Final Thoughts and Brand Inspirations

LA Trip Ep. 6: Ted Schilowitz Breaks Down the Tech Transforming Entertainment

HumblePod — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Join Chris Hill and Adhrucia as they sit down with Ted Schilowitz, a 40-year entertainment veteran who’s shaped the evolution of digital cinema, immersive experiences, and AI-driven storytelling. From his early days producing children’s TV in Florida to pioneering desktop video with Apple, co-founding Red Digital Cinema, and advising major studios on the future of entertainment, Ted shares his insights on technology, creativity, and the democratization of filmmaking.

Show Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome

(00:40) Ted's Early Career in Entertainment

(01:48) Transition to Technology and Startups

(02:23) Involvement with Apple and Desktop Video Revolution

(03:39) Founding G-Tech and Red Digital Cinema

(04:56) Role as a Futurist at 20th Century Fox

(05:57) Impact of Technology on Entertainment

(12:16) Democratization of Filmmaking

(15:27) AI's Impact on Filmmaking

(16:21) The Shift from Traditional to Synthetic

(17:40) Advice for Brands in the AI Era

(18:42) The Evolution of AI in Visual Effects

(22:26) The Role of Brands in Content Creation

(25:21) The Future of Filmmaking and AI

(25:43) Closing Thoughts and Brand Inspirations

LA Trip Ep. 5: Disrupting Hollywood With Stacy Spikes on MoviePass

HumblePod — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Chris Hill and Adhrucia Apana sit down with Stacy Spikes, co-founder and CEO of MoviePass, to talk about disrupting Hollywood, rebuilding an iconic brand, and the launch of MoviePass’ new fantasy sports league for moviegoers. Stacy shares lessons from his incredible founder journey, what it takes to innovate in an industry resistant to change, how to turn setbacks into breakthroughs, and why building a lasting brand means creating a culture around an activity.

Show Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction to Stacey Spikes

(00:38) Early Life and Background

(02:17) Career Beginnings

(03:21) Major Achievements

(04:38) Challenges and Overcoming Them

(09:17) Future Plans and Vision

About Stacy Spikes:
Stacy Spikes is an award-winning entrepreneur and inventor who USA Today named one of the 21 most influential Blacks in technology. He holds several technology patents and is the co-founder and CEO of the nation’s first theatrical subscription service, MoviePass. In addition, Spikes is the founder of Urbanworld, the largest international festival dedicated to nurturing Women and BIPOC filmmakers.

LA Trip Ep. 4: Resilience, Storytelling & the Art of Reinvention with Lesley Paterson

HumblePod — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

World champion triathlete turned Oscar-winning filmmaker Lesley Paterson joins Chris Hill and Adhrucia to talk about building Brave Art Entertainment, the power of resilience, and how great stories are born from grit. From All Quiet on the Western Front to new global projects with Idris Elba, Lesley shares what it takes to turn creative conviction into a brand that lasts, both on the course and on the screen.

Show Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction and Host Welcome

(00:35) Guest Introduction: Lesley Patterson

(01:00) Lesley's Triathlon Journey

(02:21) Rugby and Building Resilience

(03:41) Founding Brave Art Entertainment

(04:55) Building the Brave Art Brand

(09:41) Challenges in the Film Industry

(10:02) Exciting Projects and Future Plans

(12:40) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About Lesley Paterson:
Lesley Paterson is a Scottish filmmaker, five-time world champion in off-road triathlon, and the co-writer and producer of the Oscar®-winning and BAFTA-winning film All Quiet on the Western Front. A celebrated author and inspirational speaker, Lesley now channels her trademark grit and creativity as the CEO and founder of BraveArt Entertainment, a production company dedicated to bold, emotionally resonant storytelling that moves audiences and sparks change.

LA Trip Ep. 3: Conscious Leadership & Human Connection with Gwynn Simpson

HumblePod — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

On this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris Hill sits down with Gwen Simpson of Phoenix Rising Consultants. Gwen shares her unique approach to human capital development, blending intuition, positive psychology, and conscious leadership to help individuals and businesses thrive. From startups to established companies, discover how human connection, mindfulness, and purpose-driven strategy can transform your brand and your life.

Show Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction and Host Welcome

(00:28) Guest Introduction: Gwen Simpson

(01:20) Gwen's Background and Beliefs

(03:07) Consulting and Human Capital Development

(04:57) Challenges of Modern Technology

(07:15) Incorporating Consciousness in Business

(09:03) Final Thoughts

LA Trip Ep. 2: Building a Media Brand with AI and Innovation featuring C. Craig Patterson

HumblePod — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of We Built This Brand, host Chris Hill and co-host Adhrucia Apana sit down with filmmaker and entrepreneur C. Craig Patterson, founder of Everyday Mischief, to explore the intersection of AI, filmmaking, and media innovation. Discover how cutting-edge tools like virtual production stages and clean AI models are transforming the creative process, from concept to screen.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, content creator, or tech enthusiast, this conversation offers insight into building a powerful media brand, using artificial intelligence in film, and staying ahead of the curve in today’s fast-changing entertainment industry.

Show Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction and Hosts

(00:31) Guest Introduction: Craig Patterson

(00:50) Building a Media Brand

(01:44) Technology and Innovation in Filmmaking

(04:20) AI and Filmmaking: The Asteria Partnership

(09:43) Everyday Mischief: The Brand Story

(12:02) Challenges and Strategies in Media Branding

(15:08) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About C. Craig Patterson:
C. Craig Patterson is an accomplished screenwriter and filmmaker with formal training from Columbia University, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and the USC School of Cinematic Arts. His work bridges storytelling, innovation, and technology, earning recognition from prestigious institutions including The Black List, Tribeca Film Festival, and the Austin Film Festival.

Craig has collaborated with organizations such as Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Carnegie Hall, bringing powerful, socially conscious narratives to life. Known for his bold creative vision and technical mastery, he continues to push the boundaries of modern filmmaking and media innovation.

LA Trip Ep. 1: Troy Palmquist on Authenticity and the Future of Real Estate

HumblePod — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris Hill and co-host Adhrucia Apana sit down in Los Angeles with realtor, author, and speaker Troy Palmquist.

Troy shares his 23-year journey in real estate, from accidentally landing his first job at 20 to building multiple brokerages and helping shape the future of real estate tech. After a life-changing cancer diagnosis, Troy found new purpose in helping others grow their businesses with authenticity and intention.

Show Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction and Welcome

(01:08) Troy Palmquist's Journey into Real Estate

(02:58) Overcoming Challenges and Shifting Focus

(05:10) The Role of Technology in Real Estate

(09:28) Advice for Real Estate Agents

(17:29) Marketing Strategies and Authenticity

(20:11) Final Thoughts and Brand Admiration

About Troy:
As an executive-level growth expert specializing in residential real estate, Troy Palmquist brings creativity, agility, and strategic insight to drive successful outcomes for clients and colleagues. With a track record of representing thousands of home sales, Troy has held leadership roles as Director of Growth for eXp Realty in California, Vice President of Growth and Product Marketing for eXp Realty, and founder of two independent real estate brokerages. A contributing author for RealTrends, HousingWire, and Inman News, Troy shares his expertise on growth strategies, technology, and market insights. With over 2 decades of experience in the real estate industry across the western U.S., he has developed a unique and highly effective approach to working with buyers, sellers, and agents, helping them achieve growth and success in an ever-evolving market.

How Iconic Campaigns Shape Culture with James Bray

HumblePod — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:30:36 -0400

Join Chris as he sits down with James, Executive Creative Director at Arnold, to explore the art of building unforgettable brands. Inspired at 14 by a single Nike ad, James went on to shape work at legendary agencies like DDB, Fallon, and Goodby Silverstein. In this episode, he shares the philosophy behind Arnold’s bold “Brilliantly Boring” campaign for PNC Bank, why the riskiest move a brand can make is being forgettable, and the lessons he’s learned from leading and mentoring creative teams across some of the industry’s most iconic accounts.

Show Highlights:

(1:38) James' Creative Journey

(3:45) The Power of a Commercial

(6:17) Finding Truth in Creativity

(7:50) The Role of Jealousy in Inspiration

(12:05) Building a Competitive Creative Team

(16:34) Progressive's Cultural Impact

(26:19) Brilliantly Boring: PNC's Brand Transformation

(43:45) AI as a Creative Tool

Beyond the Buzzword of Storytelling with Greg Logan

HumblePod — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:42:09 -0400

On this episode we sit down with Greg Logan, an award-winning creative director turned reality TV creator, to explore why so many brands talk about “storytelling” but rarely know how to do it. From his early days at Leo Burnett to founding Narrativity, Greg reveals how he fuses Hollywood’s proven storytelling formulas with brand strategy to transform businesses into loved brands. Packed with insider anecdotes, practical frameworks, and eye-opening case studies, this episode will change how you think about branding and the stories you tell.

Show Highlights:
(2:27) Greg's Journey from Acting to Advertising
(4:19) From Reality TV to Brand Storytelling
(7:52) The How of Brand Storytelling: Narrativity
(13:25) Putting the Audience at the Heart of the Story
(17:29) The Power of Tension and the Customer's Story
(19:06) The Quest Formula: Turning Businesses into Loved Brands
(21:33) Case Study: Ultimate Finance's Brand Transformation
(23:29) Case Study: 1907 Water and the Love Story Formula
(27:17) The Power of Ending with a Question
(32:09) Mixing Genres for Fresh Storytelling

Links:
blockbusterbrands.com
narrativity.com

storytellingquiz.com

Start a podcast with HumblePod! https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/
Sign up for our newsletter!https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

How Life’s Setbacks Built a Better Entrepreneur with Joshua Kopac

HumblePod — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:42:34 -0400

In this episode of We Built This Brand, Joshua Kopac shares his unique journey, starting with being expelled from high school at 13 for hacking and building a million-dollar business by 16. After a life-changing car accident, he shifted his mindset and approach. Now the founder of Be Kept Up, a digital marketing agency focused on affiliate marketing, Joshua talks about the power of adaptability, building systems, and how AI is transforming business. His story is one of resilience, gratitude, and preparing for the future.

Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:45) Joshua's Early Entrepreneurial Journey
(03:40) High School Challenges and Early Success
(05:04) First Major Business Success
(10:15) Founding Be Kept Up
(12:36) The Philosophy Behind Be Kept Up
(15:03) Navigating Life's Challenges
(22:03) Moment of Validation in Business
(23:14) The Importance of Gratitude in Sales
(29:50) The Impact of AI on Various Industries
(38:59) Admiring Tesla's Entrepreneurial Journey
(41:13) Conclusion and Contact Information

Links:
LinkedIn: Joshua Kopac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuakopac/
Website: bekeptup.com

The Serendipitous Path to Brand Strategy with Patrick Collins

HumblePod — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:30:00 -0400

While many strategists study business, Patrick Collins studied people, and it made all the difference. He turned his unconventional background in gender studies and his experience growing up in a large family into a superpower for understanding what makes people tick, and what makes brands stick. In this episode, Chris explores Patrick's journey from academic outsider to agency partner at Someoddiplot, proving that the best strategists don't follow rulebooks. Chris and Patrick discuss real brand wins: discovering customer love letters that turned Darn Tough socks into an emotional powerhouse, bridging generational gaps at Lollapalooza with DIY zine culture, and why the most successful rebrands often reflect evolution, not revolution. Patrick reveals the secret sauce behind authentic brand strategy: getting close enough to touch the product, hearing the stories, and building trust from founders and CEOs, down to the design team.

Show Highlights
(01:01) Patrick's unconventional path from women's studies to brand strategy

(03:00) The "Kimmy Gibbler" approach to getting hired

(14:14) What Someoddpilot is and their unique Chicago roots

(18:33) The Darn Tough sock campaign and connecting a product warranty to emotional customer stories

(30:36) Rebranding Lollapalooza using zine culture to bridge generations

(37:55) The contrast between Lollapalooza's revolution and Kimberly-Clark's evolution

(48:00) The trend of "quiet luxury meets chaos" in modern branding

(52:59) Why SSENSE is one of Patrick's favorite brands right now

About Patrick Collins
Patrick Collins is a partner and the Director of Strategy at Chicago-based creative agency Someoddpilot. Patrick leads the agency’s strategy and writing disciplines to build purpose-driven consumer brands and compelling campaigns that people actually enjoy, for brands such as Kimberly-Clark, FootJoy, SKYY Vodka, Kettle & Fire, The Chicago Fire (MLS), Lollapalooza and more. Informed by his graduate studies in gender studies, Patrick is an instinctual storyteller who has designed a branding practice deeply rooted in cultural and societal contexts.

Links:
SomeOddPilot: https://someoddpilot.com/

SomeOddPilot on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/someoddpilot

Patrick Collins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-collins-0b04204b/

Start a podcast with HumblePod! https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/
Sign up for our newsletter! https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Beyond The Vegas Strip With Arnie DiGeorge

HumblePod — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:42:32 -0400

What happens when a creative team is given permission to break every rule in tourism marketing? You get one of the most iconic campaigns in advertising history.

In this episode, Chris sits down with Arnie DiGeorge, Executive Vice President and “New Agency Animal” at R&R Partners, the agency behind Las Vegas’s legendary “What Happens Here, Stays Here” campaign. For 29 years, Arnie has helped transform Vegas from a tourist stop into a global cultural brand rooted in fantasy, freedom, and emotional truth.

Chris and Arnie explore the significance of emotional marketing, how to tap into universal desires, and the power of giving people permission to be someone else, if only for a weekend. From controversial billboards and internal politics to crisis messaging during Vegas’s darkest hours, Arnie shares what it really takes to build a brand that endures.

Show Highlights
(00:51) Arnie's unlikely entry into advertising

(03:20) 29 years at R&R + the agency's mysterious name

(06:07) The origin of “What Happens Here, Stays Here”

(09:21) Why emotional truth is essential to brand storytelling

(12:17) Pitching bold ideas and winning over Vegas stakeholders

(15:24) Selling a fantasy, not just a location

(18:57) Vegas as a sports capital: Knights, Raiders, F1, and beyond

(26:20) Branding through crisis

(29:12) What's next for Vegas

(31:41) Arnie's favorite brand: Nathan Fielder

(35:29) Where to connect with Arnie + final thoughts

About Arnie DiGeorge
Arnie DiGeorge is Executive Vice President and "New Agency Animal" at R&R Partners, where he's spent 29 years as a creative mastermind behind some of advertising's most memorable campaigns. A self-described "throwback and futurist," Arnie was a key creative force behind the legendary Las Vegas "What Happens Here, Stays Here" campaign, writing many of the award-winning executions while staying true to the essence of "adult freedom." While two R&R writers actually created the iconic slogan (and still won't reveal which one came up with it), Arnie helped shape the campaign's creative direction and emotional impact. With an innate ability to find what he calls "the thing," Arnie has created campaigns for athletes like Andre Agassi and entertainers like Carrie Underwood. Beyond his creative genius, he's a collector of shoes, wine, books, and memorabilia, with an expert knowledge of history and pop culture that fuels his cutting-edge creative approach.

Links:

R&R Partners: https://www.rrpartners.com/

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority: https://www.lvcva.com/

Visit Las Vegas: https://www.visitlasvegas.com/

Connect with Arnie DiGeorge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnie-digeorge-02541a3/

The Rehearsal (Nathan Fielder): Available on HBO Max

Start a podcast with HumblePod! https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/
Sign up for our newsletter!https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

(00:00) - Intro
(00:51) - Arnie's unlikely entry into advertising
(03:20) - 29 years at R&R + the agency's mysterious name
(06:07) - The origin of “What Happens Here, Stays Here”
(09:21) - Why emotional truth is essential to brand storytelling
(12:17) - Pitching bold ideas and winning over Vegas stakeholders
(15:24) - Selling a fantasy, not just a location
(19:35) - Vegas as a sports capital: Knights, Raiders, F1, and beyond
(26:58) - Branding through crisis
(29:50) - What's next for Vegas
(32:19) - Arnie's favorite brand: Nathan Fielder
(36:07) - Where to connect with Arnie + final thoughts

Leading The Sales Rebellion with Dale Dupree

HumblePod — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Are you ready to join The Rebellion? On this episode, Chris talks to Dale Dupree. You may know him as The Copier Warrior, but today, he’s the Founder and leader of The Sales Rebellion. To say that Dale thinks outside of the box would be an understatement. Once the lead singer of his own band, Dale brings the Metalcore mentality to his sales. Chris and Dale break down his disruptive approach to transforming the sales landscape. He also gives us a peek behind the curtain on evolution and the core principles of The Sales Rebellion. Chris and Dale also highlight the importance of finding joy (and why it’s totally different from happiness). Do you want to shake up the sales Empire in its Totality? Listen to this episode now to join The Rebellion.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:32) Dale's background (the Reader's Digest version)
(8:19) The Origins of The Copier Warrior and The Sales Rebellion
(17:43) What's behind the "Rebellion" name?
(28:44) How Dale and The Sales Rebellion approach helping people
(34:59) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(35:40) Standing out with the crumpled letter approach
(41:36) Consulting work at The Sales Rebellion
(47:53) The importance of finding joy in sales
(54:18) What is Totality?
(1:02:23) Why Faith is important to Dale
(1:06:29) What brand does Dale admire right now?
(1:11:43) Where you find more from Dale and The Sales Rebellion

About Dale Dupree

Dale Dupree a.k.a. The Copier Warrior a.k.a. The Leader of the Sales Rebellion is an accomplished sales professional and entrepreneur. After rising to the top of the Business Technology sector and being recognized as a top-performing individual contributor by major manufactures, Dale Dupree started the Sales Rebellion and brings his outreach methods to Sales Rebels everywhere. Dale has a servant's heart, a visionary outlook, and shows up every day ready to #ChangeTheGame.

Links

The Sales Rebellion: https://www.thesalesrebellion.com/
The Sales Rebellion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/salesrebellion/
Dale Dupree on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/copierwarrior/
Dale’s Tiky Toky: https://www.tiktok.com/@dalerebelleader
Dale’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalerebelleader/
Dale’s Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dalerebelleader
Dale’s Twitter: https://x.com/dalerebelleader
Sign up for Totality 2025: https://www.thesalesrebellion.com/totality/
The Sales Rebellion Arcade tutorial courses: https://www.thesalesrebellion.com/arcade/
Listen to Imperial: https://www.plutorecords.com/artist/imperial/

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Sign up for our newsletter!
https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Why Creativity in Marketing Sounds Fun with Alex Gangi

HumblePod — Wed, 21 May 2025 10:00:00 -0400

An all-new episode of We Built This Brand? Sounds Fun! Chris talks with Alex Gangi, Partner, COO, and Head of Production at Sounds Fun, a creative studio known for its embrace of innovative marketing strategies. Alex shares how his passion for film morphed into leading production at a top agency with top-tier clients. Highlights in his career so far include the Coca-Cola Creations campaign and Lenovo's Make Space initiative. Chris and Alex also examine what goes into merging technology and storytelling, the challenges and joys of working with emerging tech like AI and AR, and the creative process behind bringing unique marketing campaigns to life. Who knew staying ahead of the curve in marketing could sound so fun?

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:17) Alex's background before Sounds Fun
(6:46) How does Alex match the right creatives to the right clients
(9:01) The origins of Sounds Fun and working with Coca-Cola
(16:42) How Sounds Fun got its name
(17:57) The moment of validation for Sounds Fun
(24:57) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(25:37) What emerging technologies is Alex excited for?
(30:18) The rapid pace of advancements in GenAI tech
(35:54) The current state of AR in marketing
(40:43) Alex's current favorite brand
(45:18) Where you can find more from Alex

About Alex Gangi
Alex Gangi is a creative producer focused on the unconventional, innovative and exceptional. With over 15 years of experience turning bold ideas into culture-moving content, he's led groundbreaking productions across AI, AR, future technologies, social, digital, and live action for some of the world’s biggest brands—including Coca-Cola, Amazon, McDonald’s, P&G, and more. He’s created everything from AI-powered time machines to augmented reality concerts on cans.

Links

Sounds Fun: https://www.soundsfun.co/
Sounds Fun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sounds-fun-creative-studio/
Alex Gangi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexgangi/
Alex’s website: https://www.alexgangi.com/
Neural Viz: https://www.youtube.com/@NeuralViz
Unanswered Oddities and The Monoverse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF5iwsUef9o&list=PL14oiCokyIUWhPgCJej67myAN1n8umIap

Start a podcast with HumblePod!

https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Sign up for our newsletter!

https://www.humblepod.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Shooting for Stars & Solving Problems with Lizz Behler

HumblePod — Wed, 07 May 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Nothing inspires imagination quite like a spaceship. On this episode, Chris talks with Lizz Behler, the Senior Vice President of Brand and Offerings at SPCSHP. Lizz opens up about her background and how it led her on the journey to helping rebrand the former Big Spaceship (and why the new name has no vowels). As a big fan of creative problem-solving, she shares how she uses it as a tool to work with clients and as a way to foster growth within her own teams. Lizz also tells us her philosophy on social media and how most people are getting it wrong in today’s marketing climate. So strap in, prepare for liftoff, and spend the next 45 minutes hearing insights that are out of this world!

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:45) Lizz's professional background prior to SPCSHP
(3:22) Rebranding Big Spaceship to SPCSHP
(9:03) Lizz's approach to working with brands
(12:02) How empathy plays into Lizz's work
(13:01) How did the SPCSHP rebrand impact the company?
(17:42) What "creative problem solving" means to Lizz
(22:36) How Lizz uses creative problem solving
(25:42) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(26:19) How Lizz keeps her team growing and inspired
(29:48) What Lizz does to stay inspired
(35:49) What's top of mind for Lizz in the industry
(40:58) What brand does Lizz admire right now?
(47:34) Where you can find more from Lizz and SPCSHP

About Lizz Behler

Lizz is charged with taking clients to fresh, strategically sound places to drive business impact, which earned her key positions at Huge, IPG Mediabrands, Global Team Blue, Campbell Ewald and Big Spaceship. She started in the business as a Digital Art Director, graduated from the College of Creative Studies, which has placed creative problem solving at the core of her work.

In her spare time, Lizz enjoys sailing, traveling, and spending quality time with her fiancé and two daughters.

Links

SPCSHP: https://www.spcshp.com/
SPCSHP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spcshpagency
SPCSHP on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spcshp/
Lizz Behler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chocolaterazor/

Start a podcast with HumblePod!

https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Breaking the Stigma Around Breaking it Off with For Richer Jewelry

HumblePod — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

For some people, it’s very hard to hold on to sentimental jewelry from former relationships. In some cases, it’s even harder to let those pieces go if they finally decide to sell them. On this episode, Chris is joined by Brittany Lacey and Stephanie Burset, the founders of For Richer Jewelry. The pair takes a unique approach to reselling jewelry, marketing the value of 'pre-loved' engagement rings. Their business is helping to revolutionize the industry by empowering consumers to buy and sell jewelry on their own terms. Throughout the interview, you’ll hear about their triumphs of starting a business without a traditional storefront, the importance of consumer research, and their vision for the future of For Richer Jewelry. Not only was this a gem of a discussion, but it also provides some valuable lessons for anyone interested in sustainable business practices.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(2:12)The origins of For Richer Jewelry
(5:39) Breaking down the idea behind For Richer Jewelry
(8:16) Growing For Richer from scratch as an online-only storefront
(10:57) The idea behind "pre-loved rings"
(13:10) How the buying process works with For Richer
(15:09) Chris's experience buying his wife's engagement ring
(18:33) Has For Richer ever had to take back any jewelry that they've listed for sale
(19:48) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(20:28) What does the future of For Richer look like?
(23:17) What's top of mind for Brittany and Stephanie in the jewelry industry
(26:13) How For Richer works with their photographers
(32:06) What brands do Brittany and Stephanie admire the most right now?
(35:36) Where you can find more from For Richer Jewelry

About For Richer Jewelry

Stephanie Burset and Brittany Lacey met in 2019 working on the brand management team at a direct-to-consumer start-up in Nashville, TN. They each have more than a decade of consumer goods and brand management experience. Their strong brand backgrounds have led them to consider consumer pain points in everything they experience. When faced with the challenge of how to re-sell wedding jewelry, they used their GM-mindset backgrounds to found For Richer, an online jewelry resale platform which strives to take the stigma out of reselling wedding and engagement rings.

Links

For Richer’s website: www.forricherjewelry.com.

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

(00:00) - Intro
(00:06) - What brands do Brittany and Stephanie admire the most right now?
(00:09) - Chris's experience buying his wife's engagement ring
(00:10) - How the buying process works with For Richer
(00:12) - origins of For Richer Jewelry
(00:13) - How For Richer works with their photographers
(00:16) - Growing For Richer from scratch as an online-only storefront
(00:17) - What's top of mind for Brittany and Stephanie in the jewelry industry
(00:28) - What does the future of For Richer look like?
(00:33) - Has For Richer ever had to take back any jewelry that they've listed for sale
(00:36) - Where you can find more from For Richer Jewelry
(00:39) - Breaking down the idea behind For Richer Jewelry
(00:48) - Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(00:57) - The idea behind "pre-loved rings"

Leadership Behind the Brand with Sunny Bonnell

HumblePod — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

What’s your brand’s vision? Does your brand even have a vision? In this enlightening episode, Chris chats with Sunny Bonnell, CEO and Co-Founder of Motto, for an engaging discussion on visionary leadership and brand culture. Sunny shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, which began with a bold leap out of vet school and into the world of branding with just $250. Throughout their conversation, Sunny emphasizes the critical role of aligning brand vision and culture within organizations and discusses how effective leadership can nurture innovation and employee empowerment. Through recounting pivotal moments in her career, Sunny provides valuable lessons for any aspiring leader looking to make a significant impact. By the end of this interview, you know how to execute the vision of your brand and company as a whole.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:57) Sunny’s background and the origins of Motto
(3:50) What’s behind Motto’s name?
(5:35) Growing (and moving) Motto
(10:28) Sunny’s moment of validation for Motto
(16:16) The importance of good leadership behind a brand
(23:44) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(24:25) Why you need to lead by example with your brand
(30:35) How do you develop visionary leadership
(33:35) Defining your company’s vision
(38:13) What you can do to become a better visionary leader
(42:57) What brand does Sunny admire the most right now?
(47:12) Where you can find more from Sunny and Motto

About Sunny Bonnell

Sunny Bonnell is a visionary leadership and brand expert and the visionary Co-founder and CEO of Motto®, a strategic brand transformation agency helping the world's most innovative companies advance into their next era, and the bestselling author of the Rare Breed, A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different and the forthcoming book, The Little Book of Big Ideas. Sunny was recognized with the prestigious 2024 Thinkers50 Radar Award, in partnership with Deloitte, spotlighting her as a seminal thinker whose ideas are shaping the future of business. Her strategic insight and creative prowess have benefited an impressive roster of clients including Virgin, Google, Microsoft, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Hershey’s, Legendary Digital, Disney, Twentieth Century Fox, Klaviyo, Andela, Goodnotes, Hopscotch, Hello Alice, and many more. SWAGGER named her a ‘Visionary Brand Icon’ and has graced lists such as Top 30 Global Gurus in Brand, GDUSA's Top 25 People to Watch, and the Webby Awards. Sunny is also an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker for organizations like MasterCard, Microsoft, Dale Carnegie, Fast Company Innovation Festival, Inc., and Inspiring Workplaces.

Links

Sunny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnybonnell/
Motto’s website: https://wearemotto.com/
Motto’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemotto
Motto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/motto/
Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant,
Dangerous, and Different: https://wearemotto.com/book
Motto’s VisionCamp: https://wearemotto.com/visioncamp
“How Jordan Peterson's Suits Taught Me Fashion”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpHFcylNGqg

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Going Down the Rabbit Hole with Greg Bellinger

HumblePod — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Are you ready to go down the rabbit hole? In this episode, Chris Hill chats with Greg Bellinger, the Co-Founder and CEO of White Rabbit Group. Greg’s been honing his craft since high school. Teaching himself to code and build websites in college, he’s now a successful entrepreneur who’s worked with folks like FedEx, Instacart, and even The Game Awards. Greg and Chris discuss the origins and growth of his development of White Rabbit, and why they focus on hiring full-time employees and maintaining a strong company culture. If you have that DIY mentality, Greg’s story is sure to inspire you to continue working towards your goals and build your own brand!

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:58) Greg's background prior to White Rabbit Group
(5:00) What led Greg to founding White Rabbit
(6:55) Why White Rabbit was intent on hiring full-time employees
(10:28) How Greg and his partner started White Rabbit Group
(13:08) Greg's moment of validation for White Rabbit's development
(17:58) What’s behind the White Rabbit Group name?
(19:57) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(20:37) The magic of technology and working for The Game Awards
(22:19) Handling The Game Award with headless development
(27:35) Other work White Rabbit has done over the years
(28:36) What's top of mind for Greg in 2025
(32:57) What brand does Greg admire right now?
(38:42) Where you can find more from Greg and White Rabbit Group

About Greg Bellinger

Greg Bellinger is the Co-Founder and CEO of White Rabbit Group, a web and mobile development agency with a fully in-house team of nearly 100 employees across three countries. His passion for technology began in childhood, leading him to hand-code his first websites in 2008. In 2016, he co-founded White Rabbit Group, building it into a trusted development partner for world-class agencies and creatives. Under his leadership, the company has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality digital solutions while fostering a close culture of technical experts.

Links

White Rabbit Group: https://whiterabbit.group/
White Rabbit Group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/white-rabbit-group-inc/
Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-bellinger/
Greg’s weekly newsletter: https://the-weekly.beehiiv.com/

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Shopping While Watching with Eitan Koter

HumblePod — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Why go to the store when you can buy from the comfort of your couch? In this episode, Chris chats with Eitan Koter, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Vimmi, a trailblazing company in video technology and e-commerce solutions. Eitan shares his journey from video compression to founding Vimmi and explains how his business helps brands monetize video content. Chris and Eitan also discuss the reason you’d bootstrap your company, the convergence of media and commerce, and the role of AI in the future of video marketing. Whether you're an entrepreneur or marketing professional, this episode will help you see that you should be thinking of harnessing the power of video for business growth.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:42) Eitan's background and the origins of Vimmi
(5:01) What inspired Eitan to launch Vimmi
(8:07) The bootstrapping behind Vimmi
(12:40) The moment of validation for Vimmi
(16:26) Who is Vimmi's primary target customer?
(23:37) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(24:19) How Vimmi navigates the differences in social media platforms
(27:13) Chris's livestream fails and how to be authentic with your product/content
(31:45) Why we make impulse purchases
(34:10) Eitan's thoughts on the future of video and e-commerce
(41:03) Where you can find more from Eitan and Vimmi

About Eitan Koter

Eitan Koter is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Vimmi, a leading video commerce SaaS company providing multi-channel shoppable video and live shopping solutions to brands and retailers. With two decades of experience in startups and public companies, including a NASDAQ IPO, Eitan is a thought leader in video commerce, digital marketing, social commerce, and startup bootstrapping. He frequently speaks about futuristic immersive digital experiences and the convergence of media and commerce. As the host of the "Mastering eCommerce Marketing" podcast, he interviews brands, retailers, industry leaders and tech companies, sharing his thought leadership in video and e-commerce, drawing on his extensive industry experience.

Links

Vimmi: https://vimmi.net/
Eitan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eitankoter/
We Built This Brand - “Finding the Empathy in Data with Ian Baer”: https://www.webuiltthisbrand.com/37

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Providing Service Through Speaking with Israel Duran

HumblePod — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

How do you use your voice? In this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris is joined by Israel Duran, an expert in public speaking, to discuss the transformative power of effective communication. Israel shares his journey from a background in cybersecurity to becoming a renowned speaker, driven by a life-altering car accident. Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, Israel breaks down his "Service of Speaking" framework and emphasizes the importance of having a clear message, authentic brand, and impactful presence. The conversation also highlights the significance of utilizing platforms like podcasts to refine and broadcast one's message, ultimately helping entrepreneurs and leaders elevate their brands and achieve greater success.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:53) Israel's background prior to the Service of Speaking
(2:55) The car accident that changed Israel's life
(6:59) How Israel got started in public speaking
(9:43) Ways Israel landed his first speaking gigs
(11:32) What Israel provides through the Service of Speaking
(13:50) Treating a podcast as a stage
(18:32) Dan Kennedy and No B.S. Marketing To the Affluent
(20:05) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(21:20) How does Service of Speaking work?
(22:50) Why Israel thinks speaking is the highest level of service
(25:39) Israel's tips for branding as a public speaker
(29:57) The moment of validation for Israel with Service of Speaking
(35:25) What's Israel’s favorite brand right now?
(37:19) Where you can find more from Israel

About Israel Duran

Israel Duran is in high demand as a business growth partner, speaker, and trainer, where he focuses on empowering his students, clients and partners in the areas of business, money and speaking. As an inspirational speaker, Israel has empowered thousands of purpose-driven entrepreneurs all over the world. His vision is to help Purpose-Driven Leaders leverage their expertise and knowledge to create and scale profitable businesses that impact individuals, businesses, and the world.

Links

Isarel’s website: israelduran.com
No B.S. Marketing To the Affluent: https://www.amazon.com/No-B-S-Marketing-Affluent-Prisoners/dp/1599181819

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Finding the Empathy in Data with Ian Baer

HumblePod — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0500

When doing marketing research, you need to remember that there are people behind the data. If anyone understands this, it’s Ian Baer, Founder and CEO of Sooth. During his conversation with Chris, Ian shares his opinions on the evolving landscape of marketing, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection and storytelling in an era where consumers make faster decisions with less information. They also discuss Ian's journey and why brands need to master the art of connecting emotionally with the audience. If you’re in the industry and feel like you’re stagnating, Ian’s outlook provides a fresh perspective that will help allow you to adapt to today’s industry needs.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(2:02) How Ian started his career
(5:02) Why you should think through the emotional component of marketing
(9:26) Why marketers are struggling to remain effective in today's landscape
(11:16) Chris's journey into fly fishing and how it relates to the state of marketing
(15:57) The history of Sooth
(17:56) How brands can become empathetic with data
(23:03) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(23:44) Pulling in behavioral habits during marketing research
(26:40) Are today's marketing investments worth the money?
(29:35) B2B marketing and the move towards permission-based campaigns
(33:12) Ian's first moment of validation with Sooth
(40:21) What's Ian's favorite brand right now?
(45:04) Where you can find more from Ian

About Ian Baer

Ian Baer, Founder and Chief Soothsayer, has been solving marketing’s greatest challenges for over three decades. He has spent his career helping major brands achieve extraordinary success and challenger brands box above their weight class in leadership roles with Publicis Groupe, TBWA, Rapp, Deutsch and others, and was named to Campaign US’ Digital 40 Over 40.

A prominent thought leader all aspects of marketing, Ian has spoken at conferences for the 4A’s, the DMA, PMA, OMMA, ITVT, Ad Age, and Adweek among others. He has appeared on NewsNation, Fox and numerous podcasts discussing trends in consumer behavior. In addition to founding sooth in 2023, Ian is the brand storytelling practice lead for Kestrel Consultants and sits on the Ithaca College Customer Experience Board.

Links

Sooth: https://www.soothbetold.com/
Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianbaer/
“The New Science of Customer Emotions”:https://hbr.org/2015/11/the-new-science-of-customer-emotions

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Giving Campaigns Some Extra Charge with Michelle Fischer

HumblePod — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

A good marketing campaign can help a brand charge forward. Chris sits down with Michelle Fischer, Group Creative Director at Battery. As a full-service creative and media advertising agency, Battery has worked with a who’s who of clients, and you’ve seen their work with The LA Clippers, Netflix, and PUBG. Michelle walks us through Battery's unique storytelling approach to branding while touching on a childhood favorite of Chris’s, the (Mighty) Anaheim Ducks. So strap in if you’re looking for a way to get cinematic with your advertising (or want a quick lesson in “farmcore“).

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:38) Michelle's career background
(4:04) Why Michelle chose to become a Creative Director over copywriting
(6:04) Getting led to Battery
(10:02) Who does Battery work with
(11:34) The meaning behind Battery's name
(14:26) Breaking down Battery's model
(17:39) Working with the Anaheim Ducks on a rebrand
(21:29) Infusing hometown pride into the Anaheim Ducks rebrand
(23:42) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(24:22) Handling the rebranding campaign
(27:32) Helping Land O'Lakes reclaim "farm core"
(31:54) What's important to Michelle in the marketing world right now
(33:35) What Michelle thinks the future of advertising looks like
(35:53) What brand does Michelle admire the most right now?
(41:55) Where you can find more from Michelle and Battery

About Michelle Fischer

Michelle Fischer is an LA-based Creative Director and Writer. She strives to create work that's unexpected, emotional, and culturally relevant.

She has 17+ years of experience in crafting stories, building brands, designing interactive experiences, winning business, and leading projects for world's top companies such as Google, Hulu, 72andSunny, Deutsch, Venables Bell & Partners, AKQA, Y&R, and Duncan Channon.

When she’s not working, Michelle is still learning—whether it’s trying to raise a little human, nerding out on podcasts, traveling out of her comfort zone, or attempting the Marie Kondo method.

Links

Battery: https://www.batteryagency.com/
Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-fischer-5683804/

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/our-services/

Taking Risks and Going Big with Shannon Harris

HumblePod — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

You wanna go Big? In this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris sits down with Shannon Harris, the Executive Creative Director at Big Com.

Her career highlights include working on campaigns for everyone from Google Fiber to Bayer. Born, raised, and working in the Cotton State, Shannon and Big Com recently launched the SEEK AL campaign, highlighting her lifelong home.

During their chat, Shannon and Chris explore why creative design thinking and taking risks are important when brand building. Speaking of creativity, did you also know that marketing is “advanced make believe?”

Listen to our conversation with Shannon to find out how.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:21) Shannon’s career background
(5:11) Where does “Big Com” come from?
(7:09) How Shannon's daughter helps keep her inspired professionally
(10:25) How Big Com takes risks to get big brands noticed
(12:58) Reflecting on Millennials' lifetime of unprecedented times
(15:30) Big Com's work with the state of Alabama
(17:53) Shannon's process behind her design thinking
(21:01) Launch your podcast with HumblePod!
(21:43) Using graphic design skills in an advertising space
(25:54) The art of carefully addressing feedback with your clients
(28:20) Why you shouldn't put seagulls in someone else's painting
(30:24) The reason We Built This Brand exists
(32:29) What's Shannon looking forward to in 2025
(33:21) What brand does Shannon admire the most right now?
(39:21) Where you can find more from Shannon and Big Com

About Shannon Harris

Shannon Harris is the Executive Creative Director at Big Com, leading award-winning creative and crafting brand identities across industry verticals including tech, healthcare, retail, economic development, and CPG, among others. Shannon has partnered, and driven results with Google Fiber, Texas Children’s Hospital, FedEx, UAB Callahan Eye, DoorDash, Taziki’s, Moore’s Marinades, and Bayer Properties. As a founding chairperson of Big Com’s Culture Club, as well as its mentorship program, Big Growth, she also remains invested in creating opportunities for growth and development across the agency. She’s cracked the code on how to market everything from retail to healthcare, rewiring the way our clients think about their audiences and creating iconic campaigns

Links

Big Com: bigcom.com
Shannon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonharris-cd/

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/

J-Birds of a Feather with Jess Curtis

HumblePod — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0500

What’s a bird to you? To answer that oddly philosophical question, Chris sits down with Jess Curtis, the founder of J-Bird Digital Design. If you’ve ever visited the beautiful HumblePod website, you have Jess to thank for it! On this episode, you’ll get to learn about Jess's creative approach to web development and the importance of fluidity when collaborating in digital branding. Jess also believes in giving back to artists, and she explains why she makes a focused effort to highlight and empower them with J-Bird. Speaking of our avian friends, you’ll even learn how Chris's childhood obsession with chickens led him to a career in podcasting. By the time you finish this episode, you’ll be able to identify what a bird is to you (jaybird, chicken, or otherwise).

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:36) How Chris met Jess
(3:08) The history behind J-Bird
(4:40) Why the "J-Bird" name
(8:47) Chris's love for chickens and calling local radio stations
(11:06) Empowering artists by asking, "What is a bird to you?”
(13:00) What does J-Bird do
(15:16) Challenges and successes Jess has seen with J-Bird
(23:14) Jess’s moment of validation with J-Bird
(26:39) What Jess is looking forward to in 2025
(29:46) What brand does Jess admire right now?
(32:03) Where you can find more from Jess and J-Bird

About Jess Curtis

Jess Curtis is the founder of J-Bird - Empowering small businesses, makers, and entrepreneurs to strengthen their digital presence and marketing efforts through strategic digital marketing solutions. From vision casting workshops for entrepreneurs embarking on their journey to Google My Business setup/optimization, SEO Optimized Landing Pages, Analytics, and eCommerce builds, J-Bird is dedicated to nurturing growth every step of the way through creativity and collaboration.

When she’s not sipping matcha in a cozy coffee shop, you'll find her enthusiastically networking within her creative community or exploring the inspiring world of Art Museums & Galleries.

Links

J-Bird Digital Design: https://jbirddigitaldesigns.com/
J-Bird on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbirddigitaldesign/

Start a podcast with HumblePod!
https://www.humblepod.com/

Boldly Hitting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with Katie Peninger

HumblePod — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

It’s time to hit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail! On this episode of "We Built This Brand," Chris sits down with Katie Peninger, VP Account Service at Lewis Communications. While her career started on the creative side, the collaborative culture at Lewis allows her to still be involved in the creative process, just in a different way. Chris and Katie also break down Lewis’s incredible work on celebrating the Kentucky Bourbon Trail's 25th Anniversary. From the website redesign to a 26-hour global livestream, Katie and her team have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. They also get to bond over their experiences working with their respective AMA chapters. So kick back, grab a glass, and listen as we distill some vital marketing insights in this episode.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:29) Katie's path to working with Lewis Communications
(3:48) What Katie does as VP of Account Service
(5:01) The culture at Lewis Communications
(7:27) How Lewis helps businesses and leaders make "bold marketing decisions”
(8:52) Working with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
(12:08) What went into the Kentucky Bourbon Trail's 25th Anniversary project
(13:45) Chris's experience with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
(15:47) Redesigning the Bourbon Trail's website and helping people better experience The Trail
(23:19) Tackling a 26 hour bourbon livestream
(26:56) What's ahead for Katie and Lewis Communications in 2025
(27:28) What it's like working with AMA Nashville
(29:27) What brand does she admire the most?
(32:08) Where you can find more from Katie and Lewis Communications

About Katie Peninger

Katie is VP Account Service at Lewis Communications with 22 years of marketing and advertising experience coupled with a background in design and art direction spanning 10 years.

Her experience includes senior client contact and strategy on local, regional and national accounts ranging in size from start-ups to national organizations investing over $50 million annually in marketing initiatives. Katie works with cross-functional teams comprised of research, strategy, digital, creative and media specialists to achieve client business goals across a range of categories. She continually works across all levels of client teams (including C-suite and Board of Directors) to collaborate, communicate and ultimately report on results of initiatives based on business goals.

At Lewis, Kaite is also responsible for growth and development of the account team which also includes recruiting, hiring, training and managing.

Links:

Lewis Communication’s website: https://www.lewiscommunications.com/

Katie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiepeninger/

How a MAYOR Serves the People with Megan Brittain

HumblePod — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris goes to THE MAYOR. Well, one of them at least. He sits down with Megan Brittain, Director of Account Management at THE MAYOR, to discuss her journey from her early career beginnings in Texas to her significant role at the upstart agency. Megan and THE MAYOR have played a major role in campaigns for brands like Famous Footwear and Consumer Cellular. She also dives into the unique challenges and opportunities of building an agency while managing personal life, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive space for working parents. Tune in to learn about the passion and dedication behind THE MAYOR's success and Megan's insights on leading with authenticity and strategic vision.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:25) Being at THE MAYOR since its inception
(3:47) Where Megan was before THE MAYOR
(5:59) The origin behind THE MAYOR's name
(8:26) Noteworthy campaigns Megan has been a part of at THE MAYOR
(13:26) How campaigns from THE MAYOR stick out
(16:45) Breaking down Megan's role at THE MAYOR
(21:08) Why THE MAYOR is one of Megan's favorite brands
(25:07) The challenge of establishing your reputation as a new agency
(27:53) Balancing a career with being a present parent
(33:27) Culture between employees and clients
(35:42) What is Megan looking forward to at THE MAYOR in the near future
(37:27) What brand does Megan admire the most?
(40:29) Where you can find more from Megan and THE MAYOR

About Megan Brittain
Megan is responsible for client relationships and for continuing to build business operations at THE MAYOR. Here from the beginning, she partners with the Strategy, Creative and Production departments to ensure that the best work gets made in the best way possible.

Before THE MAYOR, she spent 15 years in Austin, New York and Nashville at GSD&M, Ogilvy and GS&F helping lead brands like Popeyes, IKEA and Marshalls. Her approach to account management is to create a candid space where everyone can speak honestly and directly in pursuit of the best work.

She is a tiny human fueled by coffee, tacos and her fellow tiny humans at home.

Links:

THE MAYOR’s website: https://themayor.com/

THE MAYOR’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themayor/

THE MAYOR’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themayornashville/

Making Advertising a Kindor Space with Glen Hilzinger

HumblePod — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0500

The world of advertising can use a little more kindness and candor. On this episode, Chris is joined by Glen Hilzinger, the Chief Creative Officer at Luquire. Glen is recognized as one of the top copywriters in the world, and he shares his journey from art school to leading an award-winning creative team. Chris and Glen go into his transition from graphic design to copywriting, his impactful campaigns, and why Luquire promotes a culture of "Kindor.”

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(2:04) Glen's background before coming to Luquire
(3:08) Going from graphic design to copywriting
(5:20) Glen's journey to becoming the Chief Creative Officer at Luquire
(9:25) The "dragon" Glen felt like he had to slay
(10:16) Working for a fully integrated agency
(13:09) The challenges of remote work with creatives and explaining "Kindor"
(17:38) Trademarking Kindor and what it means to Luquire's identity
(20:29) Luquire projects that Glen is proud of
(26:36) What Glen has learned about branding businesses during his time with Luquire
(28:34) Glen's thoughts on AI and the advertising industry
(35:08) What's the future look like for Luquire?
(37:25) What brand does Glen admire the most right now?
(39:40) Where you can find more from Glen and Luquire

About Glen Hilzinger
With more than 30 years in the advertising business, Glen has been named one of the top 10 Copywriters in the world by AdAge's CREATIVITY. He’s been listed as one of the 25 most creative people in advertising by Business Insider.

Links:

Glen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenhilzinger/

Glen’s email: ghilzinger@luquire.com

Luquire’s website: luquire.com

Brewing Awesome Online Content with Aditi Rajvanshi

HumblePod — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0500

20 years ago, YouTube changed the internet forever. One woman was there to see the platform evolve. On this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris is joined by Aditi Rajvanshi, Head of Strategy for Portal A and a renowned expert in the content creation industry. Aditi shares her fascinating journey from growing YouTube’s presence in India to starting Brewing Awesome, which supports small-to-medium creators. They also discuss the changing landscape of content creation, the significance of community-building, and the evolving role of platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:36) Aditi's background at the dawn of YouTube
(9:32) Online content creation in the U.S. vs. online content creation in India
(17:46) Starting Brewing Awesome
(24:40) The origins of the Brewing Awesome and Chris's podcasting career
(30:51) The differences between a "flash in the pan" and dedication
(34:21) What is Portal A?
(40:16) Aditi's approach to content strategy
(46:29) From online content to ad campaign
(50:03) What is top of mind for the content creation industry
(1:01:23) What brand does Aditi admire the most?
(1:05:05) What YouTube channel does Aditi admire?
(1:08:46) Where you can find more from Aidit and Portal A

About Aditi Rajvanshi

Aditi works with content creators, publishers and brands to help them build and execute their digital content strategy.

She has close to 10 years of experience partnering with YouTube content creators across lifestyle, education, How-To, comedy, kids and beauty categories to build and grow their audience across platforms.

Aditi is passionate about building audiences and believes that we can change the way we entertain and educate this generation and next by nurturing a diverse set of voices in her industry.

Links:

Portal A’s website: https://www.portal-a.com/

Portal A’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portal_a

Aditi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aditirajvanshi/

Aditi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adi_rajvanshi/

Aditi’s email: aditi@brewingawesome.com

Creatively Winging it With Nick Adams

HumblePod — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:30:00 -0500

It’s a viral sensation, all thanks to people being put on hold. Nick Adams is a versatile copywriter and the brains behind the renowned Pizza Hut chicken wing song. He started his journey in the mailroom at GSD&M, but his persistence and creativity led him to become a writer, crafting memorable campaigns and even winning prestigious awards. On this episode, Chris delves into Nick's unique creative process, his comedic style, and his thoughts on current trends in branding and marketing. They also explore his passion for comedy and desire to make impactful, humorous content in the advertising world. Tune in to hear about Nick’s fascinating career and the creative minds behind some of your favorite ad campaigns.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(2:21) Nick's education and musical background
(3:04) Getting started in the GSD&M mail room and working his way up
(5:53) Creating the Pizza Hut chicken wing hold music and going viral
(7:25) Nick's musical creative process
(8:45) What came after the song?
(9:44) Nick's current work post-Pizza Hut
(10:34) Nick's involvement with Second City and his creative process
(12:50) How will AI and TikTok affect marketing?
(13:46) Nick's other creative interests
(15:06) What brand does Nick admire most right now?
(16:41) Where you can find more from Nick

About Nick Adams
Nick Adams is a copywriter at GSD&M.

He love chips, salsa and going to bed at a decent hour. His current hobbies include changing diapers and surviving wake windows, but he prefers bikes and basketball when he has the time.

Links:

Nicks website: https://www.bignickcreative.com/

Tapping into the Fountain of Youth with Clint Runge

HumblePod — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Appealing to your audience is the name of the game in marketing, but what do you do when they’re critical and hard to reach? Enter Clint Runge, the CEO and Co-Founder of Archrival. For decades now, Clint has had his finger on the pulse of what young adults want out of their products. On this episode of We Built This Brand, Clint walks us through Archrival’s growing pains as a small business founded straight out of college, to becoming a marketing juggernaut synonymous with tapping into youth culture. Whether it’s taking the (Red) Bull by the horns or remixing Spotify’s ad campaigns, Clint has the insights to stand, deliver, and reach those kids.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:37) Clint's background before Archrival
(5:10) Where did Archrival's name come from?
(6:07) The struggles of starting a business right out of college
(8:20) The growth of Archrivals
(11:14) What was the moment of validation for Archrival?
(13:31) Reflecting on Red Bull and what came next
(17:31) What worked and allowed Archrival to grow
(19:15) The work that defines Archrival today
(22:50) What it means to build communities
(24:27) What's the future of youth culture movements
(31:36) What brand does Clint admire?
(34:27) Where you can find more from Clint and Archrival

About Clint Runge
Clint leads agency thought leadership with a big-thinking, cultural approach for brands who desire to be more relevant with young adults, teens to twenty-somethings. He kicks the tires and lights the fires for brands like adidas, Spotify, Hollister and Red Bull.

With a never-say-die work ethic, Clint’s passion for the business has been recognized over the past two decades with as many awards as he’s had all-nighters. Archrival is an Ad Age Small Agency of the Year Award Winner and has made the Inc 5000 list.

With two decades spent reaching young adults, Clint brings a unique, relatable view on the State of Youth Culture as a regular speaker on Gen Z at conferences and events. Topics include identity, world view, relationships, consumerism, creativity, adulting, pandemic-ing and loyalty.

He’s also a frequent Rock Paper Scissors competitor and welcomes your challenge.

Links:

Archrvial’s website: https://archrival.com/

Archrival’s newsletter: https://archrival.com/insights

Clint’s website: https://clintrunge.com/

Clint’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintrunge/

Outsmarting Brand Behemoths with Dustin Artz

HumblePod — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

The world of advertising and marketing is all about standing out, and Dustin Artz is helping spearhead innovative campaigns for noteworthy brands. As a co-founder at Familiar Creatures, he’s dedicated his career to outsmarting the industry’s brand behemoths. On this episode of We Built This Brand, Dustin shares some of the “secret sauce” with Chris about what goes into making his agency stick out. From dumping mayonnaise on college football coaches, to encouraging people to feel good on their fitness journeys, you’ll learn the “Artz” behind some of advertising’s biggest moments in recent years.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:19) Dustin's background and where he got started
(3:15) The origins of Familiar Creatures
(7:23) Working with various popular mascots
(10:44) The business model for Familiar Creatures
(12:24) How Familiar Creatures approaches the challenger space
(16:51) Work-life balance and the birth of ideas
(19:41) Duke's influence in the marketing space
(26:45) Duke's influence on branding college football bowl games
(30:59) Familiar Creatures' work with Crunch Fitness
(39:47) What's ahead for Familiar Creatures?
(44:25) What brand does Dustin admire?
(48:05) Where you can find more from Dustin and Familiar Creatures

About Dustin Artz
Dustin is a creative director/art director who has worked in the advertising industry with more than 20 years of experience.

He considers himself a maker—someone who can not only think at a high brand level but also execute to finish by art directing, writing, designing, retouching and/or editing.

Links:

Familiar Creature’s website: https://www.familiarcreatures.com/

Finding Your Intuition with Bonnie Casamassima

HumblePod — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:45:00 -0400

Do you listen to that feeling in your gut? The that tells you right from wrong and what you should do next? It’s what we call your “intuition,” and Bonnie Casamassima thinks it should help be your guiding light through life. Coming from a corporate background, Bonnie found herself at the intersection of stress and internal understanding. One day, she had a breakthrough while deep in meditation, revealing her true calling in life - Intuition By Nature. On this episode of We Built This Brand, Bonnie and Chris talk about her business and what it means to listen to yourself. If you’ve ever had a difficult time following through on your own intuition, Bonnie’s work and research will help you reach that understanding.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:38) How Chris and Bonnie connected
(2:46) How Intuitive by Nature came to be
(6:22) What's the goal of Intuitive by Nature?
(8:51) Who does Intuition by Nature serve?
(9:37) Reaching a better understanding of your own intuition
(12:57) The purpose of the Intuitive by Nature Podcast
(14:21) Highlights from Bonnie's research into intuition
(16:44) How people interpret intuition
(23:35) What's next for Intuitive by Nature
(24:59) What brand does Bonnie admire the most?
(26:21) Where you can find more from Bonnie and Intuitive by Nature

About Bonnie Casamassima
Bonnie is a researcher, educator and highly sensitive intuitive empath.

She’s dedicated to nurturing people’s joy-driven lives through fostering our innate intuitive connection.

Bonnie worked for the past decade+ in the corporate world, as an academic research professor and consultant to corporations.

Years ago Bonnie started receiving visual “pictures” during meditation, and now, each day she just keeps listening to what felt aligned deeply within her and followed her heart. So far, it’s led Bonnie to pursue trainings to hone her intuitive abilities and support others in tuning into theirs.

Links:

Intuitive By Nature’s website: https://www.intuitivebynature.com

Intuitive By Nature Podcast: https://www.intuitivebynature.com/podcast

Intuitive By Nature’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intuitive_by_nature/

Turning Brands into Fandoms with Maggie Walsh

HumblePod — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Everyone has their own favorite brands, but have you ever considered that you’re a “fan” of those products? Maggie Walsh thinks that you should. Having recently wrapped up a social media campaign for Peacock centered around the 2024 Paris Olympics, Maggie is no stranger to working with household names. As the Head of Strategy for the marketing agency GLOW, she’s tasked herself with helping clients and consumers reconsider our relationships with our go-to goods and media. In this episode, you’ll hear how Maggie’s background in the music industry shaped her approach to marketing. Coming from a world where authenticity can be “do or die” for artists, she brings that perspective to our conversation when it comes to working with major brands.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:37) What brought Maggie to GLOW?
(4:10) What does GLOW do?
(5:50) Music, branding, and authenticity
(7:58) Identifying fan bases
(13:32) Relevancy vs. trends
(16:26) Perceptions of "brand burning"
(19:31) The problem with Pride Month campaigns
(24:12) Audience engagement in the social space
(33:15) The future of brands and "ethical fandom"
(40:37) What brand is Maggie a fan of?
(43:06) Where you can learn more about Maggie and GLOW

About Maggie Walsh
Maggie is a marketing strategist with 15 years of experience at ad agencies, TV networks, and record labels. Their career's been built off channeling cultural curiosity into insightful work and effective team-building that’s helped iconic brands earn new places in culture.

Some of Maggie’s many clients have included Captain Morgan, Oreo, and A&E.

Links:

Maggie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monstermaggs/

Maggie’s Twitter: https://x.com/monstermaggs

Maggie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monstermaggs/
Maggie's Threads: https://www.threads.net/@monstermaggs
Maggie's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@monstermaggs

GLOW’s website: https://weareglow.com/

Wearing TenHats with Brian Strong

HumblePod — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 17:00:00 -0400

CEOs wear many hats, and that’s especially true in the world of IT. So, it’s pretty appropriate Brian Strong heads up TenHats - an IT and data center firm in Knoxville, Tennessee. The name isn’t just eye-catching, it reflects the wide variety of services the business provides to its customers. In this episode, Brian recounts how the company landed on its current name during a rebranding effort. He and Chris also discuss their shared backgrounds in telecom, and they even delve into local conspiracy theories surrounding Knoxville’s communication buildings.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(2:02) Brian's path to TenHats
(4:35) Rebranding to TenHats
(6:32) Conspiracy theories and Knoxville's tech buildings
(8:42) What does TenHats do as a business
(11:39) Services proved by TenHats
(14:02) What power demands will look like in the future
(16:28) What’s ahead for TenHats
(19:24) Brian's moment of validation at TenHats
(23:07) TenHats' branding beyond its name
(25:24) What brand does Brian admire?
(28:02) How to learn more about Brian and TenHats

About Brian Strong:
Brian Strong is TenHats’ Chief Executive Officer, working with every department to cast and execute the company’s vision. As CEO, he also represents TenHats publicly, assists in the sales process, and manages TenHats’ partnership with Covenant Health.

Before joining the team, Brian gained extensive management and sales experience working at nationwide MSP and IaaS firms in the Knoxville region. Brian was the top salesperson at Claris Networks when he decided to leave and found his own company, Vendor Registry, which he sold in 2020.

In 2003, Brian graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a BS in Finance. In his free time, Brian enjoys playing in a local soccer league and spending time with his family.

Links:

TenHats' Website: https://tenhats.com/
Brian’s email: brian.strong@tenhats.com

Mama Bear Money Management with Erin Reece

HumblePod — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

With a love of crunching numbers from a young age, Erin Reece always knew her future lay in finance. She spent more than a decade at corporate and public accounting firms until Erin realized it was time for a change. After seeing and experiencing the churn and burn nature of the field, she knew it was time to make a difference. Instead of letting corporate burnout get the better of her, Erin regrouped and founded Bear Financial Solutions. In this discussion, you’ll hear her break down the experience of facing a lawsuit during the early days of the business, learn about the knowledge she’s gained after five years of running Bear Financial Solutions, and revisit the moment she realized financial therapy is her calling in life.

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(1:12) The creation of Bear Financial Solutions
(4:11) The "fun" side of accounting
(5:28) Name origins for Bear Financial Services
(7:53) The Evolution of the company logo
(9:54) Lessons Erin’s learned after five years
(14:39) Learning to temper growth expectations
(16:52) Experiencing getting sued
(20:13) Finding validation through business
(22:44) Becoming a financial therapist
(27:01) Approaching finance like a “mama bear”
(28:34) What brand Erin admires
(29:39) Where you can find more from Erin and Bear Financial Solutions

About Erin Reece:

Erin has worked with CEOs, Founders, VPs, multi-million-dollar companies, and mom-and-pop shops all across the country. Her dream when she built Bear Financial was to be able to meet with any business owner, at any level and help them achieve all of their financial goals.

Erin knew from a young age that she wanted to be an accountant. She never waivered from that passion, declaring her major on her first day of college. She graduated with a BS in Accounting and holds a graduate certificate in Criminal Justice. Erin then spent over 10 years working in corporate and public accounting firms. But seeing how burnt-out both her clients and colleagues were, Erin decided to create her own, unique accounting firm.

Erin believes that everyone deserves a personal relationship with their accountant. She goes above and beyond to ensure every client feels at home, fully supported, and ready to tackle and accomplish every financial goal.

Links:

Bear Financial Solutions’ website: https://bearfinancialsolutions.com/
Bear Financial Solutions’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearfinancialsolutions/

Chasing the Numbers with Trent Anderson

HumblePod — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of "We Built This Brand," you’ll hear from Trent Anderson, the Head of Growth and Strategy at Podchaser. Trent and Chris discuss the origins and key features of Podchaser, emphasizing its role as a vital data aggregator and discovery tool in the industry. Together, they delve into the importance of entering podcasting with the right intentions, the significance of Podchaser's Power Score, and what lies ahead for the company. If you’ve ever wanted to know what goes into crunching the numbers for your favorite podcast, this is the episode for you!

Show Highlights

(0:00) Intro
(2:01) What led Trent to Podchaser
(3:25) Origins of Podchaser
(5:18) Podchaser as a podcast database
(6:44) Breaking down podcasting stats
(11:40) Benefits of Podchaser’s pro package
(14:26) Advertiser hesitancy in podcasting
(19:27) The Podchaser “Power Score”
(22:03) Trent’s role at Podchaser
(26:13) Changes in podcasting trends
(29:05) Podcasting with intention
(33:00) Where Podchaser is heading
(36:22) The meaning of Podchaser’s name
(37:32) What brand does Trent admire?
(39:40) Where you can find more from Podchaser

About Trent Anderson:
Trent is the Head of Growth & Strategy at Podchaser with an extensive background in marketing. When he’s not working for the IMDB of the podcast world, he’s likely watching Bravo reality shows with his wife.

Links:

How to Find Podcast Listener Demographics: https://www.podchaser.com/articles/podcast-insights/how-to-find-podcast-listener-demographics
Podchaser’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podchaser/
Podchaser’s newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6999456299717382145/

Authentically Marketing Yourself with Rob Bunch

HumblePod — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:53:20 -0400

You would never know it based on his successes, but Rob Bunch didn’t begin his career in the world of marketing. In this episode of We Built This Brand, Rob takes us through his professional journey. From working finance in Florida, to nestling into the mountains of East Tennessee, he shares the winding road that made him a Senior Executive at The Leverage Group. Joins us as Rob talks about the importance of being authentic in business, the external impact of your company’s culture, and how it sometimes takes a little “push” to help guide your customers.

Show Highlights:

(2:06) Rob’s backstory
(5:32) Transition from company owner back to employee
(6:44) Who does the Leverage Group serve
(10:08) Major company changes during Rob’s time
(12:00) Authenticity in branding
(20:31) The value of positive company culture
(23:29) How company culture impacts customers
(26:48) Helping guide misguided customers
(30:02) What’s ahead for the Leverage Group
(34:31) What brand does Rob admire?
(39:55) How you can connect with Rob Bunch

About Rob:

Rob is a Senior Executive at the Leverage Group who excels through dedication and commitment to his team, clients, and projects. He knows how to develop a creative concept from vision to final delivery.

Links:

The Leverage Group: leveragegroupadvertising.com

Finding Your Own Definition of Success with Erika Biddix

HumblePod — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Erika Biddix began her professional journey the traditional way, following the path of a promising student to a corporate job. In this episode of We Built This Brand, we learn how she found her true calling at a corporate meeting planners’ conference where she was inspired to help other women discover their purpose. This led to the creation of Aught—a coworking space that evolved into a thriving community for female entrepreneurs. Erika shares the challenges of starting Aught and how their mission has grown beyond coworking spaces to fostering a supportive virtual community. She shares her vision a future where Aught inspires cultural change, empowering women to redefine their possibilities and break free from longstanding boundaries.

Show Highlights:

(1:28) Erika’s backstory
(04:05) Where she got the name “Aught”
(7:03) The risk of hitching your brand to something else
(10:10) The moment Erika new her business was succeeding
(16:56) How Aught has evolved beyond coworking spaces
(21:25) What success looks like for Erika
(25:20) What the future of Aught looks like

About Erika:

Erika Biddix is the founder of Aught, a dynamic company dedicated to fostering a supportive community for female entrepreneurs. Erika is passionate about transforming lives and local communities through the power of female entrepreneurship. Her mission is to help women redefine what entrepreneurship, success, and boundaries mean for themselves, their businesses, and their families.

Links Referenced

Aught: https://weareaught.com/
Permission Slip Conference: https://permissionslipconference.com/
Connect with Erika: https://erikabiddix.com/

Rebranding for the Better with Paul Sponcia

HumblePod — Wed, 29 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Rebranding your business can be an exciting process where you reorient it into something greater than before. However, change isn’t always easy. Paul Sponcia of the IT Company knows a thing or two about change and the growing pains it can bring. In this episode, we learn the story of how he transformed CSK Technologies into The IT Company, including the reasons for the rebrand, the rebranding process, and the growth that followed.

Show Highlights

(3:50) Paul’s background in the IT services industry and rebranding

(5:34) The importance of giving your new brand a good name

(9:02) Paul’s experience using rebranding to take a company to the next level of delivery and type of customer the served

(11:45) How Paul came up with the name “The IT Company”

(15:57) How rebranding a company changed the services, products, technical aspects, and even the culture of the business

(23:32) The moment Paul realized the business was moving the way he wanted it to

(33:20) Part of brand building is attracting and retaining talent

About Paul

Paul Sponcia is currently the principal and CEO of the IT Company. He has a robust background in technology and telecommunications, marked by his success in developing prominent IT service brands in East Tennessee. Sponcia’s extensive experience underscores his expertise and leadership in the tech industry.

Paul’s notable achievements include the successful development of Claris Networks, showcasing his talent in building reputable IT brands. He went on to join the IT Company in 2010. Then known as CSK Technologies, he spearheaded a major rebranding initiative that transformed CSK into the IT powerhouse that it is today.

Links Referenced

Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsponcia/
The IT Company on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-it-company-llc/
The IT Company website: https://www.theitco.net/

Building Winning Marketing Strategies with Lori Asbury

HumblePod — Wed, 15 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Lori Asbury, founder and CEO of CMOco, joins Chris to explore her exciting career and entrepreneurial journey. Lori shares her journey from a journalist to a seasoned marketing executive at HGTV and, eventually, to launching her successful marketing agency. She discusses the nuances of building a business in a highly competitive industry, her strategies for embracing digital marketing innovations, and the challenges and rewards of rebranding her company.

Lori also shares how CMOco has helped local businesses and large organizations like the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and LCUB navigate complex marketing landscapes. Tune in for an episode packed with valuable lessons on resilience, strategic marketing, and the transformative power of digital technology in today’s business world.

Show Highlights:

(00:00) - Introduction to the Episode and Lori Asbury, President & CEO of CMOco

(02:28) - Lori’s background and what made her start CMOco

(05:42) - Lori’s experience moving to Knoxville and working at HGTV

(09:11) - Lori shares losing her job at HGTV and starting CMOco

(11:05) - The moment of validation for CMOco

(13:53) - CMOco’s diverse clientele and their impact

(17:45) - Examples of CMOco’s diverse clientele and their impact

(22:21) - The growth and evolution of CMOco over 14 years

(32:57) - CMOco’s recent rebranding strategies and the rationale behind it

(34:54) - The advancements in digital advertising and its benefits

(44:17) - Exploring AI's role in modern marketing strategies

(48:37) - Lori shares her favorite brand

(51:30) - Closing remarks and where to find Lori

About Lori:

Lori Asbury is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in senior-level management and strategic brand development, notably growing billion-dollar brands like HGTV, Fox Television Stations, Inc., and CBS Television Stations, Inc. With expertise in crafting and executing comprehensive marketing, digital marketing, advertising, and public relations campaigns, Lori effectively enhances business operations and develops new revenue-generating brand extensions. She holds an MBA from Cornell University and a BA in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. Passionate about equestrian sports, Lori enjoys competing in horse shows and is a devoted fan of Oklahoma University sports.

Links Referenced:

CMOco: https://cmoco.com/lori-asbury/

CMOco on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cmoco/

Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriterwellasbury/

Fighting For The Small Guy In The Marketing World With Mal Alder

HumblePod — Wed, 01 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Mal Alder, the founder of Alder & Co., shares her journey in assisting small businesses and nonprofit organizations to thrive with creative marketing strategies. She recounts her work with clients like King's Family Distillery in Sevierville, detailing how she enhances their online visibility. Chris and Mal explore the day-to-day realities of managing a marketing firm, including their approach to fostering a vibrant and innovative office culture. Concluding the episode, Mal highlights the importance of authenticity in marketing, prioritizing genuine engagement over mere profit. She also provides a sneak peek into the exciting future developments at Alder & Co.

Show Highlights:

(00:00) - An Introduction to the Episode and Alder & Co.

(01:58) - Alder & Co.’s founding, and their focus on small businesses and nonprofits.

(03:21) - The story of working with King's Family Distillery and how Alder & Co. helped them

(05:17) - Mal recounts the “865 Strong” project, which helped combat food insecurity and won the team its first Addy Award.

(08:50) - Mal reflects on her "oh sh*t" moment.

(11:05) - Alder & Co.'s client-focused approach to brand strategy

(16:21) - The origin of Alder & Co.'s name and branding, family influences, and design choices.

(19:57) - Maintaining a skilled team and the personal side of business leadership.

(21:37) - Future outlook for Alder & Co.

(22:41) - Mal shares her admiration for the brand Liquid Death

(26:54) - Closing thoughts and where to find Mal

About Mal

Mal Alder is the founder of Alder & Co., an accomplished digital marketing professional specializing in various strategies to increase online presence and brand visibility. Her expertise includes social media management, content marketing, SEO, web development, Google Ads, and graphic design. Recognized with industry awards, Mal is dedicated to crafting effective marketing solutions that cater specifically to the needs of small businesses and nonprofits, ensuring they achieve measurable results and meaningful impact in their communities.

Links Referenced

Alder & Co.: https://www.thealderco.com/
Mal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malalder/
Mal’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malnotmel/?hl=en

Transforming Spaces To Transform Lives With Kelsey Miller

HumblePod — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this fun episode of We Built This Brand, we chat with Kelsey Miller, the founder of 'Klosets by Kelsey.' Kelsey shares how she turned her passion for organizing and styling from a hobby into her full-time job. She explains the incredible physical and emotional benefits of having a neat and tidy space, highlighting how organization can transform our lives. To make her services accessible to a broad audience, Kelsey offers special packages tailored to fit everyone's needs. Additionally, she provides details about her upcoming online course, her active involvement in the Knoxville community, and her current favorite brand!

Show Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction to Kelsey Miller, Owner Of Klosets by Kelsey

(02:09) Kelsey shares why she started her organizing business and her background in fashion merchandising

(04:02) How Kelsey transitioned her idea from a side project to a full-fledged business

(06:32) The moment Of Validation for Kelsey’s business

(07:45) Services offered by Klosets by Kelsey, including personal and interior styling

(09:47) Kelsey's target market and Kloset by Kelsey’s evolution into a lifestyle brand

(13:22) Kelsey's involvement with local nonprofits and the importance of giving back

(15:50) Kelsey's thoughts on personal branding and styling

(18:19) Explaining What capsule wardrobing and its benefits for daily dressing

(19:01) Upcoming projects for Klosets by Kelsey, including a virtual course

(21:04) Kelsey's favorite brands and how they align with her business and personal life

(22:48) Closing remarks and where to find Kelsey online

Links Referenced:

Klosets by Kelsey Website: https://www.klosetsbykelsey.com/

Kloset by Kelsey’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klosetsbykelseym

Kelsey’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-alexandra-miller/

Kelsey’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klosetsbykelsey/

Building Brands, Buzz, and Besties with Taylar Fetzner

HumblePod — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Taylar Fetzner, co-host of the Creeps and Crimes Podcast, opens up about her journey with her best friend, Morgan Mounts, from sharing a fascination for spooky stories, conspiracies, and true crime to launching a successful podcast. Taylar delves into her show's beginnings, the power of a single TikTok video in attracting a vast audience, and the evolution of her podcast's appearance to mirror their authentic selves, ensuring a genuine connection with their audience. Taylar unveils insights into the podcast's business aspects, emphasizing the importance of financial wisdom and creative pauses to maintain innovation. Additionally, she expresses her respect for the strategic branding of Taylor Swift and Alex Cooper and her visions for elevating her podcast to greater heights.

About Taylar Fetzner :

Taylar Fetzner is a University of Tennessee alum with a BA in Communication, whose diverse career has spanned music, sports, and now, podcasting. Alongside her college roommate and best friend Morgan Mounts, she co-founded the "Creeps and Crimes'' Podcast in 2020, diving deep into the worlds of the paranormal, conspiracy theories, and true crime cases—all from the comfort of their couch. Taylar's journey in podcasting has not only marked significant growth as a business owner and researcher but also deepened her passion for victims' rights, ensuring their stories are told and heard well. Her ambitious spirit, fueled by a rich entrepreneurial background and a commitment to authenticity, drives the podcast's success with listeners.

Show Highlights

(00:00:00) Introduction to the episode

(00:02:02) How Creeps and Crimes All Began

(00:13:15) Taylar recounts the moment her TikTok video went viral

(00:15:34) Transitioning from a darker theme to a more authentic reflection of their personalities

(00:26:10) The Importance of Growth and Listener Relationships

(00:28:36) Maintaining Authenticity in Branding

(00:40:48) Taylar’s Journey into monetizing the podcast, working with networks, and having an agent.

(00:53:03) The importance of taking breaks for creative and personal growth

(01:06:39) Taylar and Chris discuss their favorite brands

(01:16:04) Closing remarks & How to Connect with Taylar

Links Referenced:

Creeps and Crimes Podcast https://creepsandcrimespodcast.com/
Taylar Fetzner on TikTok @taylarjane98
Taylar Fetzner on Twitter and Instagram: @TaylarJ
Morgan Mounts on Instagram: @morgg.m
Email for Creeps and Crimes Podcast: creepsandcrimespodcast@gmail.com
Email for listener stories (creepy accounts): CreepsAndCrimes.ca@gmail.com
YouTube for Creeps and Crimes Podcast episodes https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBGoeW-yfw-ws9mmEJ2lW3w
We Built This Brand Podcast : https://www.webuiltthisbrand.com

Building Brands That Resonate & Transform with Victory Harbin

HumblePod — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

We’re joined by Victory Harbin, the creative force behind The Social Brand in this episode of WBTB. Victory takes us through her journey from art student to marketing expert, sharing the story of her business's natural growth and her passion for purposeful branding and building genuine human connections. Victory opens up about the lessons she learned from trying to scale her business too quickly during the pandemic and underscores the importance of our well-being in achieving true success. We also explore the impact of using artificial intelligence in marketing, as Victory offers her perspective on leveraging technology while maintaining the human element in business strategies.

About Victory Harbin
Victory Harbin owns The Social Brand, a marketing agency in East Tennessee with offices in Knoxville and Johnson City. She loves marketing so much that she's earned over 35 certifications in the field in the last five years. Her agency has helped hundreds of businesses grow, bringing in millions of dollars through effective marketing strategies. Victory speaks on various marketing topics and has worked as a consultant for the Small Business Development Center during the COVID pandemic to help small businesses. She started and sold her first startup by age 26 and now leads a team of 10 marketing experts, serving clients across the country. Victory believes that marketing is all about connecting people and helping small business owners meet their future customers. For her, it's the people that matter most in marketing.

Show Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:23) Victory's Entrepreneurship Journey

(03:09) The Origin of The Social Brand

(05:26) Philosophy on Human Connection in Branding

(07:13) Turning Brands into Verbs

(10:15) The Social Brands Strategy-first marketing approach

(19:53) Lessons learned from Scaling The Social Brand During The Pandemic

(22:07) The value of Choosing Sustainable Growth and Simplicity In Business

(31:01) Impact of AI on Modern Marketing

(32:55) Victory's Current Favorite Brands and Why

(34:44) How to connect with Victory

Links Referenced:

The Social Brand Website: https://thesocialbrandtn.com/

Victory’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victory-harbin/

Grinding Your Way To Success: The U Brew Story with Andrew Ellis

HumblePod — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0500

Andrew Ellis, the founder of U Brew Coffee Company, sits down with Chris to discuss his entrepreneurial leap into the coffee business. From the origins of U Brew to Andrew's vision for a coffee community, this episode illuminates the struggles and triumphs of starting a coffee business. Chris and Andrew then embark on an immersive coffee cupping session, giving listeners a taste of U Brew's commitment to their craft and community.

About Andrew Ellis:

Andrew Ellis is a passionate advocate for specialty coffee and the founder of U Brew Coffee Company. After cutting alcohol from his routine, Andrew discovered a vast opportunity to introduce the craft of specialty coffee to those unfamiliar with it. His mission is to travel the nation, building a community centered around small and micro-roasters, and to bring a diverse array of roasts under one roof. Andrew aims to ignite a passion for coffee in others, one mug at a time, inviting everyone to "Take Control of Your Cup" and experience coffee like never before

Show Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:12) Inspiration Behind U Brew

(05:04) The Story Behind U Brew's Name and Branding

(9:50) Validating the U Brew Business Model

(12:21) Introduction to Coffee Cupping

(18:48) Expanding U Brew's Product Line

(22:20) Coffee connoisseurs & Andres vision for U Brew

(28:40) The Coffee Cupping Session

(38:44) Andrew's Current Favorite Brand and Why

(42:36) Closing Remarks

Links:

U Brew Co Website:https://www.ubrewcoffeeco.com/home

U Brew TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatubrewdude

U Brew Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ubrewcoffeeco

U Brew Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ubrewcoffee/

Building Viral Success with Mat Micheli

HumblePod — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Dive into the fascinating world of digital innovation with Mat Micheli, co-founder and co-CEO of Viral Nation. This episode takes you on a journey from Viral Nation's roots in 2014 to its emergence as a global leader in digital and social innovation. Mat recounts his entrepreneurial ventures with Joe Gagliese, detailing their shift from a liquidation business to the forefront of social media and influencer marketing.

Explore the complexities of influencer marketing, the role of AI in shaping Viral Nation's services, and the secret behind crafting viral content. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for entrepreneurs and marketers, highlighting the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing and social media trends.

About Mat Micheli:

Mat Micheli, a dynamic entrepreneur and Co-CEO of Viral Nation, has transformed the company from an influencer marketing agency into a global digital and social innovation group since its inception in 2014. Under his leadership, Viral Nation has flourished, working with thousands of influencers and major brands like Anheuser-Busch and The Coca-Cola Company. His expertise in athlete influencer marketing and social technologies has earned him features in Business Insider, Forbes, and Vox, as well as the prestigious EY Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award in 2019.

Show Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction to Mat Michelli and the formation of Viral Nation.

(02:20) The story of Mat's early entrepreneurial efforts and how a chance encounter with Joe Galease at university sparked the creation of Viral Nation.

(08:20) The expansion of Viral Nation

(16:00) Viral Nation's approach to selecting influencers, with a special emphasis on the power of niche markets.

(22:45) Viral Nation's support for creators, incorporation monetization strategies and content distribution.

(36:32): The Role of AI in the Creator Ecosystem

(40:28) Mat's admiration for innovative brands like Fanatics and ESPN, and their successful integration into the cultural mainstream.

(43:53) Closing remarks and contact information

Links Referenced:

‣ Viral Nation: https://viralnation.com/
‣ Matt Micheli - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewmicheli/
‣ Sportico: https://www.sportico.com/
‣ Fanatics: https://www.fanatics.com/
‣ ESPN on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@espn
‣ Charles Leclerc’s Meta Campaign: https://www.instagram.com/charles_leclerc/reel/C06_4DYRKeE/?hl=en

Mastering the Art of Building Websites with Alex Melen

HumblePod — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0500

Embark on a journey of digital transformation with Alex Melen, one of the masterminds behind Smart Sites. In this episode, Alex sheds light on the art of building a powerful personal brand, the intricacies of nurturing a thriving business in the tech-centric marketplace, and his innovative strategies that are shaping the future of digital marketing.

Listen in as he offers a blend of insightful experiences and groundbreaking ideas, making this episode a treasure trove for entrepreneurs and marketers eager to understand the future of digital marketing.

About Alex Melen

Meet Alex Melen, the dynamic Co-CEO and CFO of SmartSites, an influential player in the digital media realm with a career spanning over a decade. Alex is the visionary founder of T35 Hosting, a pioneering free web hosting service from the late 1990s. His expertise expanded while leading digital analytics for Walmart at Starcom MediaVest Group.

Alex's entrepreneurial flair has earned him widespread recognition. He's been featured in prestigious publications like BusinessWeek and Forbes. Celebrated as one of America's top young entrepreneurs, Young Biz Magazine listed him as #19 in the U.S. His academic journey at Babson College, renowned for entrepreneurship, concluded with honors and the esteemed Babson Student Business Initiative Award.

Alex's story is one of innovation, foresight, and remarkable achievements, making him an exciting guest on "We Built This Brand," where he shares his insights into the evolution and success of digital enterprises.

Highlighted Timestamps from the Podcast

(00:00) Intro: Chris Hill introduces the episode of "We Built This Brand" featuring Alex Melen, founder of Smart Sites.

(01:10) The Birth of Smart Sites: Alex Melen describes the premier of Smart Sites and its early days, highlighting bringing digital solutions to small, medium sized business who don't have access.

(07:45) The Personal Branding Journey: Alex delves into the importance of personal branding and how it has played a pivotal role in his career and Smart Sites' success.

(9:20) Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges: A light-hearted moment where Alex humorously recounts the unexpected challenges he faced in his entrepreneurial journey.

(13:50) Leveraging Tech Innovations: Insightful discussion on how Alex and Smart Sites have utilized technological advancements to stay ahead in the digital marketing industry.

(18:35) Building a Digital Empire: Alex discusses the strategies and decisions that were instrumental in scaling Smart Sites into a digital marketing powerhouse. Navigating the challenges and finding what’s right for your business.

(22:10) Future of Digital Marketing: Alex provides his thoughts on the future trends in digital marketing and how businesses need to adapt.

(34:00) Writing a book to streamline your thoughts: Alex discusses the impact and learning experiences from publishing his book.

(47:45) Closing Remarks: Chris and Alex wrap up the episode with final thoughts and where listeners can find more information about Smart Sites and Alex Melen.

🔗 Connect with Alex Melen:

Building Brands as a White Label Agency with Ozzy Garner

HumblePod — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris introduces Ozzy Garner, the founder of Advirtis. Ozzy shares his startup journey, from launching his business during the pandemic to celebrating crucial milestones like finding the talent. He emphasizes the importance of learning time management skills, finding work-life balance as an entrepreneur, and his plans for the future of Advirtis. This engaging conversation offers insights into building a brand as a bootstrapped business, the value of specializing as a white-label marketing agency, and optimistic perspectives on the role of AI in the marketing industry.

Show Notes
(00:00) Intro

(01:21) Chris introduces Ozzy, and Ozzy explains how he started Advirtis during the pandemic

(04:22) How Ozzy has found work-life balance as the founder and CEO of a start-up

(08:44) The choices Ozzy made in the early days of Advirtis to launch his business completely bootstrapped

(14:41) Why Ozzy celebrated finding the right talent for his business

(16:45) Chris and Ozzy discuss the importance of celebrating wins as a business and Ozzy shares a recent, interesting win at Advirtis

(17:58) The reasons Ozzy started Advirtis and how he looks to serve his clients

(21:22) Where the name Advirtis came from and Ozzy’s thought process behind the origins of the brand

(22:33) Why Ozzy chose to specialize as a white-label marketing agency

(27:04) Ozzy’s thoughts on AI and up-and-coming technologies in the marketing industry

(29:37) Ozzy’s plans for the future of Advirtis

(30:41) The brand that Ozzy is loving right now

Links:

Advirtis: https://www.advirtis.com/
Zack Roskop Episode: https://www.webuiltthisbrand.com/crafting-a-community-based-brand-with-zack-roskop/
Buy Back Your Time: https://www.amazon.com/Buy-Back-Your-Time-Unstuck-ebook/dp/B09Y55GLXJ
Coconoats Energy Bites: https://www.eatcoconoats.com/
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozzy-garner-4a185a163/
Advirtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advirtis/

(00:00) - Intro
(01:21) - Chris introduces Ozzy, and Ozzy explains how he started Advirtis during the pandemic
(04:22) - How Ozzy has found work-life balance as the founder and CEO of a start-up
(08:44) - The choices Ozzy made in the early days of Advirtis to launch his business completely bootstrapped
(14:41) - Why Ozzy celebrated finding the right talent for his business
(16:45) - Chris and Ozzy discuss the importance of celebrating wins as a business and Ozzy shares a recent, interesting win at Advirtis
(17:58) - The reasons Ozzy started Advirtis and how he looks to serve his clients
(21:22) - Where the name Advirtis came from and Ozzy’s thought process behind the origins of the brand
(22:33) - Why Ozzy chose to specialize as a white-label marketing agency
(27:04) - Ozzy’s thoughts on AI and up-and-coming technologies in the marketing industry
(29:37) - Ozzy’s plans for the future of Advirtis
(30:41) - The brand that Ozzy is loving right now

Brand-Building Mindset for Agency Success with Kelly Fletcher

HumblePod — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 03:30:00 -0400

Kelly Fletcher is the owner of Fletcher Marketing PR, an agency that has worked with brands of all sizes, from local businesses to Fortune 500 companies. On this episode of We Built This Brand, Kelly shares why she feels business is personal, and the mindset that she’s built to overcome the setbacks and challenges of building an agency from scratch. Chris and Kelly explore how the skills for building a brand and building a business differ, and Kelly shares why it was important to her to focus on selling the value of her team’s expertise rather than their time, as well as the importance of always looking forward towards new technologies and opportunities to maintain a constant edge above the competition.

Highlights:

(00:00) Intro

(01:35) Chris introduces Kelly, and she explains how she got her start in PR and Marketing

(05:14) How Kelly relates her performing arts background to her success as an entrepreneur

(06:20) Kelly and Chris discuss maintaining a healthy mindset as an entrepreneur

(18:10) Kelly’s early career

(23:49) Kelly describes how her PR skills and business skills differed

(28:30) The steps that Kelly took to set herself up for success when starting her own agency

(34:17) How Kelly keeps her agency forward-looking and moving in the right direction

(37:17) Why Kelly shifted from selling time to intellectual capital

(41:30) Kelly on the skepticism needed when evaluating agencies

(47:22) What the future of Fletcher Communications looks like

(54:10) Why Kelly can’t stand influencer marketing

(56:32) Kelly’s favorite brands right now

(59:17) Where you can find out more about Kelly, her podcast Ms. InterPReted, and Fletcher Marketing PR

Links Referenced:

Website: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-fletcher-fprca-bb2b966/
Email: kellyfletcher@fletchermarketingpr.com

How Embracing Risk Led to Multiple Successful Brands with Brandon Bruce

HumblePod — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 03:30:00 -0400

Brandon Bruce is the CEO and Co-Founder of Uncat, but he’s also a co-founder of multiple brands and businesses. On this episode of We Built This Brand, Brandon shares what drew him to serial entrepreneurship, and how he’s successfully scaled his approach to branding across multiple endeavors. Chris and Brandon explore the inherent risk of starting a business, and how permission-based marketing and relationship building are key when building up brand awareness.

Highlights:

(00:00) Intro

(01:10) Chris introduces Brandon, who is the CEO and Co-Founder of Uncat and a prolific Knoxville entrepreneur, and Brandon shares the story of how he and Chris met

(05:15) Brandon shares how he got started on his journey of founding multiple successful businesses and brands

(07:34) Why being an end user before developing a product for that end user is advantageous

(10:43) Brandon shares how he approached branding when he was first starting out with Cirrus Insight

(16:11) Chris and Brandon explore the importance of having a unique name and how to handle it when you encounter other brands with a similar name

(17:47) How Brandon made the choice to sell his first business, and the thought process behind that decision

(21:00) What Brandon did after successfully selling his first start-up

(24:19) How the projects Brandon took on during his break wound up developing into various brands and organizations

(32:10) Brandon shares what he’s working on at Uncat

(40:08) Chris and Brandon explore the power of permission-based marketing and relationship-building in marketing a brand

(45:38) The challenge of identifying which marketing strategies are most effective for promoting your brand

(52:45) The brands that Brandon is loving right now

Links Referenced:

Uncat: https://www.uncat.com/
Startup Knox: https://startupknox.com/
KTech: https://www.knoxtech.org/
Knoxville Entrepreneur Center: https://knoxec.com/
Email: brandon@brandonbruce.com

Navigating Risk In Advertising Your Brand with Asterios Kokkinos

HumblePod — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 03:30:00 -0400

Asterios Kokkinos, a freelance creative director and copywriter who works in the advertising industry, joins me on this episode of We Built This Brand to discuss one of the most challenging and critical elements of building a brand - getting people to pay attention to you. Asterios shares how he was able to break into advertising through his stand-up comedy career, and how humor not only helps develop effective content but also drives relationships and projects forward. We discuss the risks brands take when advertising in a highly-politicized culture, and the different strategies brands will take to either mitigate or embrace risk depending on their positioning. Asterios also gives an insightful look into his creative process, including the approach he takes for effective B2B sales copy that makes it the easiest form of content for him to create.

Highlights:

(00:00) Intro

(01:29) Chris introduces Asterios, who is a freelance copywriter and creative director in advertising

(02:53) How Asterios wound up going from stand-up comedy to advertising

(06:42) Asterios explains how creating a viral video comes with inherent risk

(11:06) How positioning can reduce or even eliminate the risk of traditional advertising

(13:23) Chris and Asterios discuss the recent Bud Light controversy and the phenomenon of seeing market leaders struggle in our fast-moving culture

(20:30) Asterios describes how so-called “edgy” brands are using the illusion of edge, but not actually risking controversy

(23:20) Chris and Asterios discuss the political minefields that exist in advertising today and how risk is often avoided by the fact that most advertising ideas don’t come to fruition

(27:01) Asterios’ creative process for coming up with advertising pitches

(31:05) How Asterios approaches sales content writing and why he feels it’s the easiest content to write

(37:08) Asterios’ favorite brand right now and why he feels their advertising strategy strikes a good balance

About Asterios

Asterios Kokkinos is an advertising creative with nearly fifteen years of experience writing for the biggest companies on the planet. He enjoys Babylon 5, yelling at the TV with his elderly father, and naps.

Links Referenced:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asterioskokkinos/
The Loudest Podcast: https://www.asteriospodcasts.com/
Loudest Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@theloudestpodcast

Transcript

Chris: What’s up, We Built This Brand listeners? This is your host, Chris Hill. And today we’re talking to Asterios Kokkinos. He is a freelance writer who has done a lot of writing in advertising and marketing over the years and worked with some huge brands. He’s worked on viral marketing campaigns—and yes, I do mean actual viral content—and has a very interesting career balance between having a background in comedy and a writing background that has helped him to create some very interesting, influential campaigns.

So unfortunately, we couldn’t talk a lot of detail about the brands he worked with specifically, but, you know, can look him up on LinkedIn, you’ll get a feel for what he does. We’ll include a link here if he’ll let us. This was a great interview with Asterios. It’s very wide-ranging, so be prepared. We go all over the place, we talk about what makes content viral, how he got his start in advertising, if he was a stand-up comic in LA, how did he end up in New York, and everything that happened in between.

It’s quite the journey that he’s had with his career and we talk a little bit about that. We also talk about what it takes to be edgy in this day and age and why it’s better to play things safe or, frankly, why it’s not better to play things safe and when to take risks and when not to within advertising. So overall, I really enjoyed this conversation and I think you will, too, so let’s get into it.

Chris: Welcome to We Built This Brand. I’m excited to be joined today by Asterios Kokkinos.

Asterios: Hello.

Chris: Asterios, thank you for joining me.

Asterios: Thanks for having me.

Chris: Yeah, man. Asterios is a freelance copywriter and creative director, and honestly, he’s an all-around cool guy. I’ve gotten to know him through one of my employees, John Zwick, and we actually share him as an editor. And he’s been great for both of us. And he was like, “You two need to talk. I just think you’d have a fun time talking.”

And Asterios knows a ton about branding. He’s worked for some big brands, and we’ll just—yeah, I’ll just let you take it away from here and share a little bit about yourself. So Asterios, welcome.

Asterios: Thank you for having me. Yeah, look, if you want to know about me. I’m a copywriter, I’m a creative director, I’m like an ad guy, advertising guy. And I’ve worked with some of the biggest brands on planet Earth. And I cannot tell you their names, but you’ve heard of them. You might be drinking them right now. These products may be in your house, improving your kids’ health and safety. Look out for these great brands.

And, yeah, I write TV commercials and I do big campaigns and I pitch big crazy PR stunts and stuff that goes viral, and I have a lot of fun doing it.

Chris: That’s right. That’s right. So, we’re going to dive into a lot of that tonight and talk about the creative side of branding, the creative side of marketing, creating these campaigns, and doing all of that. So, let’s start way back. What did you really want to be when you grew up when you were first—yeah, when you were a kid?

Asterios: Well, when I was young, I thought it’d be pretty cool to be a baseball player. Didn’t work out because baseball players are notoriously uncool. They’re just—I don’t know, there’s not a lot of baseball player swag, you know? Basketball players, football play—look, with basketball and football players, they’re like the elites. They’re immediately celebrities.

And then with hockey players, it’s like, oh, it’s like the working man’s profession. Oh, they make good husbands. Baseball players, oh, you’re stuck somewhere in the middle. So, it didn’t work out with baseball. So instead, I started doing comedy, stand-up comedy, things like that.

And I was like the only Asian American stand-up comedian in Los Angeles who had the build to play Genghis Khan in a series of viral videos for Hungry Man Dinners, where Genghis Khan [laugh] time-travels in a magical freezer to the far future and discovers Hungry Man Dinners and thinks they’re awesome.

Chris: Wow. You know, I can actually see it though, now that you say that.

Asterios: Google ‘Genghis Khan Asterios Kokkinos.’ I think you’ll [laugh] you’ll see a lot of pictures of me in a $10,000 costume and—well, got, that costume cost way more than I did. And so, yeah. And so, there were like no other Asian American comedians who are, like, beefy in town. They’re all too tiny. So, I just got the part.

Like, I didn’t audition. Like, they gave me the role. And I was like, “Then I will do it.” And then they were like, “Well, you’re a comedian. Why don’t you ...

Devmoot: Building a Community, an Event, and a Personal Brand with Jeff Prosise & KnoxDevs

HumblePod — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:18:30 -0400

When the KnoxDevs community heard there was not a plan for a tech conference this year, they decided to launch their own: Devmoot. This is more than just a spur-of-the-moment decision though. Devmoot is the culmination of years of community building by KnoxDevs.

In this episode, Chris interviews two of the leading Devmoot (and KnoxDevs) founders, Adrian Carr and Cody Lambert, about starting the KnoxDevs community and the Devmoot conference. Adrian and Cody of KnoxDevs explain how they managed to build such an engaged community in a niche area, and how they’ve kept it going throughout the years.

In addition, Chris also sits down with Devmoot’s keynote speaker, Jeff Prosise, who is the Chief AI Officer for Atmosera. Jeff offers insights into how he built his personal brand, and what he’d do differently if he was building his personal brand from scratch today. Together, these interviews offer fascinating insights to the tech brand builders of today and present a compelling picture of how to host a conference event that speaks to the local community, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Get your tickets to Devmoot on Friday, September 15th, today: https://devmoot.com/tickets/

Highlights
(00:00) Intro

(01:17) Chris introduces Adrian Carr & Cody Lambert, Founders of KnoxDevs

(02:56) Adrian and Cody explain what KnoxDevs is, and how they started a grassroots tech community

(07:03) How KnoxDevs kept the community growing through the pandemic, which affected the ability to attend local meetups.

(10:32) How KnoxDevs came up with the idea to host the Devmoot conference, and their tenets for the event

(14:41) Why it’s important to understand your individual impact on your community when building a brand

(17:29) What people can expect from the Devmoot conference and where to register

(21:36) Chris introduces Jeff Prosise, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at Atmosera, for part 2 of this episode

(22:09) How Jeff got his start as an engineer and wound up with a career as a writer, consultant, and entrepreneur

(27:04) The different topics Jeff has written books on, and how he went about becoming a technical writer

(34:48) The advice Jeff would give to a developer who is looking to build up their personal brand

(39:20) What Jeff’s role as Chief AI Officer at Atmosera entails

(43:04) Jeff’s observations on the main misconceptions people have about AI

(51:52) The view that Jeff takes on how AI will impact careers

(1:09:51) How Jeff incorporates his early career as a mechanical aerospace engineer into a unique hobby

(1:13:50) What brand Jeff is loving right now

Links Referenced

KnoxDevs: https://knoxdevs.com/
Devmoot website: https://devmoot.com
Programming Microsoft .NET: https://www.amazon.com/Programming-Microsoft-NET-Developer-Reference/dp/0735613761/
Applied Machine Learning and AI for Engineers: https://www.amazon.com/Applied-Machine-Learning-Engineers-Algorithmically/dp/1492098051
Applied Machine Learning and AI for Engineers: https://www.amazon.com/Applied-Machine-Learning-Engineers-Algorithmically/dp/1492098051

Crafting a Community-Based Brand with Zack Roskop

HumblePod — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 03:30:00 -0400

Zack Roskop is the owner of Knox Brew Tours and Knox Brew Hub, and while people might know him as a local craft beer expert, what many don’t realize is he’s also a natural-born marketer. On this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris and Zack discuss how Zack went from being a full-time musician with a crazy idea, to building out multiple successful businesses in his Knox Brew brand. Zack explains why his goal is to be a best friend to the local brewers in the Knoxville area, and how he has built a passionate community around his brands. Chris and Zack also explore the risks that Zack has taken to build his brands, and Zack shares why he feels that good brands and good beers can be polarizing.

Highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:10) Zack and Chris sit down at Knox Brew Hub to share a local beer and Zack shares a Knox Brew Hub secret

(03:01) Zack explains the goals of Knox Brew Hub

(04:10) How Zack started his iconic “Knox Brew” brands

(08:35) Why Zack decided to start a bar in 12 days, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic

(12:57) Zack describes how his parents’ career helped prepare him for the opportunities that Knox Brew Hub presented

(15:12) The two problems that Zack is looking to solve for in the downtown Knoxville area

(18:10) Where Zack’s passion for craft beer started

(20:32) Chris and Zack reminisce on the origins of Knox Brew Tours

(24:20) Why Zack doesn’t call Knox Brew Hub a pub, and how he’s built a community around his brands

(27:55) How Zack builds awareness for his events and draws people to Knox Brew Hub

(33:07) What brand Zack is intrigued by right now, and why he feels powerful brands tend to be a bit polarizing

(37:50) Why Zack feels the most important part of a brewery has changed over the past few years

About Zack

Zack started Knox Brew Tours in the fall of 2014 to combine his love of people, the city of Knoxville and local beer! In 2020, the tour company expanded to a local craft beer bar in the heart of downtown Knoxville. Knox Brew Hub is not only the Hub for the tour company but also a visitors center for local beer!

Links Referenced

Knox Brew Stories: https://www.knoxbrewstories.com/
Our Humble Beer Podcast Episode with Knox Brew Tours: https://www.humblebeerpodcast.com/tn-beer-run-part-1/
Knox Brew Hub: https://knoxbrewhub.com
Knox Brew Tours: https://knoxbrewtours.com

Follow the Podcast

Subscribe to the newsletter & follow the podcast: https://www.webuiltthisbrand.com/
Check out HumblePod: https://www.humblepod.com

Communicating a Promise through Branding with Jeremy Floyd

HumblePod — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 12:33:05 -0400

Jeremy Floyd is a prolific marketer who currently serves as the Chief Communications Officer for Covenant Health, the largest employer in the Knoxville Metropolitan area. In this episode, he joins Chris for a conversation about how his career journey went from being a philosophy major, to a lawyer, to finding his lifelong career in marketing. Jeremy shares stories on why branding is so much more than the visual element of marketing a brand - to him, branding is your reputation and impacts lives in a meaningful way. Tune in to learn how Jeremy discovered a metal detector brand that saves lives, how he navigates the challenge of creating change in a large-scale enterprise company, and so much more.

Highlights

(00:00) Intro

(00:50) Jeremy’s background and what led him to his current role at Covenant Health

(02:39) Why Jeremy’s interest in disruption and brand building led him to take his current role when he already owned his own business

(04:11) How an early career change led Jeremy to a job that changed the way Jeremy thought about branding

(08:01) How Jeremy sees technology disrupting the healthcare industry

(12:49) The brand promise of Covenant Health and how Jeremy defined it and is sharing it with the people of East Tennessee

(25:46) The future initiatives that Jeremy is introducing for Covenant Health, including their new sonic brand and brand anthem

(28:42) The tools that Jeremy is finding most valuable to create efficiencies in his department

(32:25) What brand Jeremy is loving right now, and why he feels it’s so powerful

About Jeremy

Jeremy Floyd is Chief Communications Officer and Vice President of Marketing for Covenant Health. Upon joining in June of 2022, Floyd immediately began to oversee operations for the marketing, PR/communications, graphic services and call center departments. As a member of Covenant Health’s senior leadership team, he leads the health system’s marketing, branding, consumerism and communication strategies – including digital initiatives. In this role, he is responsible for enhancing the health system’s brand and reputation as the first and best choice for healthcare for the East Tennessee region.

Floyd most recently served as President and Chief Marketing Officer of KellycoDetectors.com,where his efforts more than doubled the company’s customer base in just two years. Floyd also founded Lirio/Finworx, a healthcare business development company specializing in customized communication tools that use behavioral science and artificial intelligence to motivate healthy behaviors in individuals and population groups.

His previous marketing leadership roles include BPV Capital Management, Bluegill Creative, Eluminaire, and Holrob Commercial Realty. Floyd also served as adjunct professor of digital marketing for the MBA program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

In addition to his extensive marketing leadership experience, Floyd holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree with a concentration in business transactions from the University of Tennessee School of Law, and is licensed to practice law in Tennessee. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and philosophy from Middle Tennessee State University.

Links Referenced:

Covenant Health: https://covenanthealth.com

Follow the Podcast:

Subscribe to the newsletter & follow the podcast: https://www.webuiltthisbrand.com/
Check out HumblePod: https://www.humblepod.com

Diving Deep for a Brand that Soars with Gavin Baker

HumblePod — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 03:30:00 -0400

Get to know Gavin Baker, Founder of Baker Marketing Labs, as he joins Chris on We Built This Brand. In this episode, Gavin shares how his early experiences in social media management and running a start-up shaped his career in the world of branding. Dive into the process of taking his own company through a major rebrand and discover valuable, actionable tips for entrepreneurs building their first brand. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert and gain practical insights into the world of branding. Tune in and let Gavin and Chris guide you on your brand-building journey.

Highlights

(00:00) Intro

(01:18) Gavin describes how he got his start in Knoxville as an up-and-coming entrepreneur

(03:13) The lessons Gavin learned from his first job at a start-up called Abunga

(07:33) Gavin’s experience being the first Social Media Manager hired in the restaurant industry

(14:40) Gavin’s first foray into public speaking and though leadership

(16:36) How Gavin’s experiences led him to entrepreneurship

(20:04) The story of how Gavin’s first business Greenlight competed directly with ConvertKit

(22:02) How Baker Labs differentiates their marketing firm

(24:08) Gavin shares how Baker Labs got their name, and the lessons he learned on picking a website URL

(28:07) Gavin discusses the visual identity of a brand and how that played into the rebrand at Baker Labs

(32:24) The approach to branding that Gavin takes at his firm and why it’s similar to the mythology of the flying fish

(39:35) Gavin’s advice to an entrepreneur who is trying to figure out their brand for the first time

(44:19) Gavin describes the pitfalls of asking the wrong people for feedback when developing branding materials

(45:29) The brands that Gavin is loving right now

About Gavin

Gavin Baker is the President and Founder of Baker Marketing Laboratory, an award–winning digital marketing agency in Knoxville, TN that helps clients in the healthcare industry better serve their patients and customers. Gavin also works as an adjunct professor in the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, where he leads a 400-level Brand Management course. As a respected individual in the healthcare marketing sphere, Gavin has been featured as a guest on various podcasts and radio shows, including HealthcareNOW (Nationally Syndicated Radio), Medical Practice Trends, Doctors Unbound, and Made Right Here. He sits on the Forbes Agency Council as well, where his marketing advice has been featured in multiple articles published on Forbes.

Links Mentioned:

Baker Marketing Labs: https://bakerlabs.co/

Follow the Podcast:

Subscribe to the newsletter & follow the podcast: https://www.webuiltthisbrand.com/
Check out HumblePod: https://www.humblepod.com

Embrace Your Inner Brand Nerd with Jess Gutman

HumblePod — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 03:30:00 -0400

In this episode of We Built This Brand, Chris is joined by Jess Gutman, Creative Director at Big Slate Media. Jess reveals what it’s been like to see the company grow from its early days (she’s employee #3), and is able to share unique insights on how building a brand from scratch is an ever-evolving process. If there’s one big lesson you can take away from this conversation, it’s to embrace whatever it is you’re weirdly passionate about because that’s your superpower. Jess is a self-described “brand nerd” and it’s clearly paying off.

Highlights
(00:00) Intro
(01:53) Chris introduces Jess Gutman, Creative Director at Big Slate Media
(02:38) Jess describes the early days in her career and what led her to a career in PR & Marketing
(07:25) Jess explains how a drone started the Big Slate Media brand and how she joined the company as one of the first employees
(12:47) The approach Jess took to building out the Big Slate Media brand and how she has scaled that into a branding workshop
(15:42) Jess describes the challenges of managing an evolving brand
(19:38) Jess & Chris discuss Upcoming initiatives at Big Slate Media
(23:37) Jess explains what the B-Roll Bank is and why Big Slate Media is so excited about it
(25:47) Why Jess is so passionate about her role and the brand she’s helping to create
(27:10) Jess’ thoughts on AI and other technologies as they relate to creative industries
(34:50) How a water brand captured Jess’ heart

About Jess

Jess is a storyteller at heart – from sitting in front of a screen crafting content for various brands, to bringing others’ words to life on a stage, to posting about her day on her Instagram Stories. Her passion has always been to communicate with others, tell stories that inspire emotion and really, just make people laugh (her mom thinks she’s hilarious).

Professionally, she enjoys telling brand stories through captivating images/graphics/video, digital content, and social media. Jess currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the American Marketing Association Knoxville and on the Community Engagement committee for the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation.

When not at work (actually, sometimes at the office, too), you can find Jess singing along to Broadway Cast Recordings, binging Netflix/Hulu/YouTube, snuggling her cat Aaron Purr, or hanging out with family and friends. She loves traveling, fresh flowers, and sour beer.

Links Referenced:

Big Slate Media: https://bigslatemedia.com/
Big Slate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigslatemedia/
Big Slate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigslatemedia/
Big Slate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-slate-media/

Keep Up with We Built This Brand

‣ Subscribe to the newsletter & follow the podcast: https://www.webuiltthisbrand.com/

‣ Check out Humblepod: https://www.humblepod.com

We Built This Brand - The Trailer

HumblePod — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:32:33 -0500

Branding is a powerful tool that creates lasting impressions on individuals. Although people may only see ads and logos, creating a successful brand takes time, effort, and creativity. We Built This Brand is a podcast that delves into the process of building a brand by interviewing founders, marketers, and creators who have successfully created powerful brands. Through this podcast, listeners will gain practical applications and a better appreciation for the brands they encounter every day. If you are interested in learning more about how brands are developed, give We Built This Brand a listen.