Waves Social Podcast

Gaby Bayona is a force in the bridal and modeling industries. The humble entrepreneur has been building her empire since her teens and is now the owner of multiple businesses. After starting out as a seamstress in her mom’s bridal business, Gaby discovered a passion for the industry. By the time she graduated high-school she knew she wanted to own her own business. Now, she owns 3 bridal dress brands and a boutique with multiple locations in Canada, as well as a modeling agency based out of Vancouver, BC. We talk with Gaby about what inspired her to take on such an ambitious lifestyle and what moves she’s making next. Gaby shares her career journey, explains the strategic reason behind why she created multiple dress brands, how she manages it all and what she thinks is next for the bridal industry. Learn more about Gaby and her companies:Gaby’s Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/gabybayona/Gaby’s TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@gaby.bayonaTruvelle Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/truvellebridal/Laudae Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/laudaebride/Aesling Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/aeslingbride/Lovenote Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lovenotebride/Stranger Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/strangeragency/Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes - Gaby Bayona01:00 - Gaby’s story of growing up in the bridal industry.03:30 - Lessons Gaby learned from her mom’s business. 09:00 - The rundown on Gaby’s businesses: Why start multiple businesses?14:00 - How to keep a personal connection with your customers as your business scales. 15:50 - Advice for someone looking to start a bridal business in today’s noisy digital environment.17:40 - Digging in the branding and marketing side of Gaby’s businesses. How she was able to explode on Etsy and Pinterest early on and what is she doing now? 19:00 - Building publicly from a place of vulnerability. 26:40 - Has Gaby ever wanted to quit?30:00 - How does Gaby manage her time and energy between the multiple brands and companies?39:00 - Trends to watch for in the wedding and bridal industries. 41:15 - Who is making Waves and why?Mentioned in this episode:Sara Blakely, from Spanx: https://www.instagram.com/sarablakely/?hl=en Boheme Goods: https://www.bohemegoods.com/ Field & Social: https://www.fieldandsocial.com/ Mirror Palais: https://www.instagram.com/mirrorpalais/?hl=en House of CB: httpsWaves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

This year, it seems like every company is trying to get involved in sports. It had us wondering, is there really an increased interest in sports or is this a perceived growth we’re seeing on our own feeds? We brought in sports marketing expert and Director of Content Strategy for William Raymond Communications, Shahob Mehr, to answer our questions. Shahob shares his journey from being a student, to getting a seat at the table in this incredibly competitive industry. He unveils the hidden layers of the sports industry, exploring topics like: the art of creating compelling social media pathways for athletes and how to build rock-solid relationships. And, he answers our big question: Do all companies need a sports partnership?Learn more about Shahob:Follow Shahob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shahobmehr/ Follow Shahob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahobmehr/ William Raymond Communications: https://www.william-raymond.com/ Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes:02:50 - How Shahob got started in such a competitive industry. 06:28 - What it’s like being in the room with such elite athletes. 07:15 - Going from green in the industry to running the NFL’s Snapchat early in Shahob’s career. 08:30 - Getting the fear out of the way early in your career. 18:10 - Is Shahob noticing a growing interest in sports? What opportunities should marketers be paying attention to in 2024?20:22 - How Shahob and his larger team help athletes figure out what their digital footprint should be. 25:03 - What does the content cycle look like for athletes? How involved are they?26:30 - Why LinkedIs is one of Shahob’s favorite platforms right now.33:35 - Advice for brand managers looking to build relationships with athletes. 34:51 - Who is making waves and why?35:50 - Athletes that left a lasting impression on Shahob. 38:20 - How to connect with Shahob. Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Marketers hold their breath and pray the Facebook pixel was installed correctly. Hopefully this episode will breathe some levity into your week. We’re shaking things up a bit this week–taking some time to have a catch-up and chat through some listener questions we’ve gotten. From handling tough client feedback and giving mistakes the attention they deserve, to our thoughts on sports brand collabs and sonic branding, this episode is a fun, light listen for marketers trying to finish Q4 strong. Show Notes:01:26 - A bit about today’s episode: we’re trying something a little different. 01:55 - What Mitzi and Mike have been up to lately: thoughts on Q4, live music and fantasy sports. 16:00 - What do we recommend if you have a social media client who keeps posting on their own? 21:28 - How do you handle tough client feedback? Or when a client is disappointed with something that you do?25:05 - Don’t rush through a mistake, give it your attention and care. 31:24 - How to handle feeling rejected when your ideas get shot down. 33:52 - About Scan Club and the signals we’ve been watching recently.36:51 - SKIMS x the NBA and the rise of sports in marketing culture. 40:27 - Gen Z’s sonic branding knowledge and cringing at the term “brand beats.”43:05 - Bringing artists & DJs into the sonic branding conversation.45:30 - Strong branded “sounds” and the stigma of jingles.Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

When Lauren Meisner and Jordyn Christensen noticed a gap in the market for influencer news that actually felt relevant, they decided they would be the ones to fill it. Now co-founders of Gen Z media brand, Centennial World, and popular podcast, “infinite scroll,” they join Mike and Mitzi to talk about their journey. The duo shares advice about carving out space in a saturated media landscape for something new, the importance of staying in your lane and why they don’t sell to their online community group. They also talk about what media companies are getting wrong with Gen Z and how they’ve managed to cater their content to Gen Z’s distinct media consumption preferences. The episode ends with a discussion around the impact of internet drama on consumer behavior and if influencer marketing is losing its charm. Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club More from Lauren & Jordyn:Centennial World: https://centennialworld.com/ infinite scroll: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/infinite-scroll/id1499785732 Find them on IG & TikTok: @centennialworld @infinitescrollpodcastNewsletter: https://centennialworld.substack.com/ Show Notes:2:00 - What content is everyone consuming right now?6:40 - How did Lauren and Jordyn meet and decide to become business partners?11:30 - The business before the podcast and the importance of longform content.13:45 - Why it’s important to stay consistent and in your lane while building a niche brand. 17:20 - Content direction and finding your niche.  18:47 - What is means to be a “Gen Z media brand.” 22:40 - What the future of internet casting might look like. 26:00 - The importance of forming a strong bond, without promotion, in a Geneva Group. 29:20 - Starting a “closed community” from a brand perspective. 30:50 - You don’t want to “sell” to Gen Z.33:57 - Internet drama and its impact on greater consumer behavior. 38:40 - Are these dramas “produced?”40:40 - Who’s making waves and why?Mentioned in this episode:Sunroom App: https://sunroom.so/ Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster of wins and losses. But what if we told you that viewing these losses as opportunities for growth could change everything? In this episode, we’re joined again by founder of I Love Ugly, Valentin Ozich, to have a candid conversation about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Valentin returns as a follow-up to our interview last year to explain the mindset shift that helped him continue to grow his brand, even when life got really hard. He explores the power of personal growth and self-care, the importance of celebrating life’s mundane moments and how to ease up on ourselves. We explore topics including the fascinating world of subconscious reprogramming, how to overcome obstacles, finding clarity in our goals and finding connection. This episode is motivating, uplifting and real. Join us on this inspiring journey of self-discovery and purpose. Learn more about Valentin:I Love Ugly: https://www.iloveugly.com/ I Love Ugly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iloveugly/  Valentin Ozich on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentinozich Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes:00:15 - Catching up on I Love Ugly and how the past year has gone for the brand and Valentin. 01:20 - Big changes in Valentin’s life and thoughts on “The War of Art.”08:10 - Mindset, discipline and celebration. 12:30 - How to live in the moment as an entrepreneur and relieve the pressure of “the grind.”17:10 - Why you need to work harder on yourself than on your business.23:45 - Clarify what you want to accomplish and how to show up. 27:00 - How to achieve your goals through persistence. 31:00 - Thoughts on 15 years of I Love Ugly and what inspired Valentin to step out of the driver’s seat.38:00 Life will always intervene and force you to take breaks40:15 Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Remember to keep “wise council” around you.47:25 - How Valentin stays creative artistically while managing a business. 51:40 - How to use your subconscious mind to solve problems. 53:30 - Valentin’s art and future goals with helping others. 55:40 - Who is making waves and why?Mentioned in this episode:Danny Morel https://www.instagram.com/dannymorel/?hl=en Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

What if you could unlock the secret to bring a top performer at a marketing agency? That’s exactly what our 2023/2024 social media interns, Andrée Sonnenberg and Chamane Dizon, are looking to discover in this fascinating episode. Andrée and Charmane put Mike and Mitzi in the hot seat, turning the tables to ask them the questions they want to know as students and new marketers. Not just a regular Q&A session, this episode goes deep into what distinguishes a top performer (from people who hire and promote!), how to make an impact without ruffling feathers, tips for becoming a problem-solver and letting yourself lean into the newness of a situation. Mike and Mitzi discuss boundary setting, imposter syndrome, work-life balance and self-care advice. This episode will equip you with practical insights for navigating the marketing industry, no matter what stage you’re at!Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes:00:30 - Meet Arcade’s Social Media Interns: Andrée and Charmane!02:00 - Icebreaker round! Learn a bit about Mike & Mitzi.04:30 - Some less obvious ways top performers show up in the workplace. 06:00 - Problem solving is a superpower. 08:30 - Expectations Mike and Mitzi have with students applying for internships.13:15 - SCAN CLUB AD13:49 - How does creativity play into being a top performer?20:15 - The different ways creativity exists in marketing. 22:20 - How to continue growing in the marketing industry. 26:50 - How to stay in beta even when it’s uncomfortable. 29:55 - How to show up as a new employee without crossing boundaries or stepping on toes. 38:40 - How to overcome imposter syndrome.42:00 - How to strike the balance between hustling and self-care. Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Jimmy Kim, CEO and co-founder of Sendlane, is known for his expertise in email and SMS marketing. In this episode, he shares his incredible journey from working in the car industry to becoming a digital marketing powerhouse. He shares his top tips for mastering the art of email marketing, particularly for ecommerce brands. Jimmy explains how email is about more than campaigns and automations, diving into the importance of crafting personalized experiences for customers and evolving strategies based on new data. We discuss KPIs, understanding audience behavior and optimizing campaigns. We continue the conversation by delving into the potent combination of copywriting and storytelling in email marketing. With Jimmy’s guidance, learn how to weave compelling narratives and create experiences that captivate customers. Then, we wrap things up with a discussion around SMS marketing for acquisition and retention. Join us, and learn from one of the best in the business!Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Connect with Jimmy on LinkedInOr follow Jimmy on X: @yojimmykimShow Notes:01:30 - How Jimmy made moves from a career in vehicle sales to founding Sendlane. 09:30 - Building a business by accident.11:00 - What it means to be the world’s best generalist. 15:00 - The types of emails Jimmy recommends ecommerce brands use. 17:40 - The longevity problem batch and blast emails create. Audience management dos and don’ts.21:00 - Where does storytelling come in with email marketing? 28:40 - KPIs Jimmy closely watches for email marketing.31:50 - Why it’s so crucial to watch your unsubscribes. 34:15 - How to build a solid acquisition strategy. 39:00 - How SMS complements email marketing. 42:50 - How to create an SMS message that works. 44:30 - Who is making waves and why?46:45 - Where to connect with Jimmy. 46:45 - Where to connect with Jimmy. Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Do you struggle to create and release video content? If you aren’t at least dipping your toes into video, you’re falling behind. Half of all social media users prefer video over other types of content. 58% of viewers will watch an entire brand video if it’s less than 60 seconds long*. So, why aren’t all businesses and content creators doing it? In this episode, we’re joined by Natasha Pierre, host of the Shine Online Podcast and Video Marketing Coach, to talk about the 5 biggest mindset blocks she sees with creating video. From perfectionism and imposter syndrome, to overwhelm and content planning, we talk about how these mindset blocks show up and how you can overcome them to create impactful video content. Natasha also shares her rationale for creating over 100 podcast episodes in an era where short-form content continues to gain popularity. Take Natasha’s 5 Day Video Confidence Challenge! https://shinewithnatasha.com/challenge Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club *Source: https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-video-statistics/Show Notes:01:30 - Mike and Natasha catch up about using Threads after speaking at a recent Thinkific webinar. 02:55 - How Natasha landed in the content space and chose her niche. 05:20 - Transitioning out of social media management into a new phase of your career. 06:53 - Working through perfectionism around creating video content.08:52 - Showing up exactly as you are online to build connection. 11:30 - Not feeling represented in the content you watch. 13:35 - How Natasha coaches creators experiencing overwhelm with video content. 15:05 - How to create content sustainably and maintain a social media presence for the long-term. 17:25 - How Natasha preps a thought-leadership piece. 20:12 - Handling Imposter Syndrome and feeling cringey when making video content. 24:08 - How to figure out what to post. 26:07 - How to map out and evolve your content pillars. 28:02 - Choosing your niche, rounding out your content and deciding what to post where. 30:58 - Deciding which social media platform is right for your brand.33:20 - Choosing your non-negotiables with posting.36:55 - How Natasha has stayed dedicated to The Shine Online Podcast to create over 100 episodes. 39:03 - Who is making waves and why?Mentioned in this episode:The Shine Online Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/shineonline Berna Anat: https://www.heyberna.com/Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Have you been wondering how AI will impact the future of digital marketing and content creation? In this episode we talk with Maria Osipova, CMO at Penny AI and one of the lead educators in Gigantic’s Generative AI course, to dissect the role AI can and will play in marketing. Gain insight into how these technologies are revolutionizing various sectors, including media, marketing and sales. We delve into the limitations and opportunities of AI in content creation, Maria’s favorite ChatGPT plugins and tips for marketers wanting to navigate this new terrain successfully. An episode packed with valuable insights and tips, this is your chance to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of AI and marketing.Learn more from Maria: https://gigantic.is/courses/ai-marketing Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes:03:35 - Where AI is at now, we’re seeing a pace of growth we’ve never seen before06:55 - When people say “AI” what are they actually talking about?08:50 - Will AI replace marketers?14:00 - What industries will AI be most helpful for?15:50 - Cautions to take when using AI for content generation.19:30 - Opportunities generative AI creates for marketers. 22:35 - How leaders can get their teams into the mindset to try AI. Best platforms for marketing teams to jump into. 27:30 - How to find plugins to use with generative AI platforms like ChatGPT. 29:25 - What makes a great prompt?34:15 - Are there any risks with using generative AI?36:25 - A message for people who feel afraid to try AI. 40:00 - What Maria is excited to see happen with AI next. 41:10 - Who Maria is seeing making waves and whyMentioned in this episode:Penny AI: https://getpenny.com/about-penny/trnd.io: http://trnd.io/Bernard Marr, Futurist: https://bernardmarr.com/ Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Are you tired of feeling like your content is at the mercy of social media algorithms? Cameron Uganec, SVP & GM at Thinkific & The Leap, is trying to show creators a better way to monetize online. Cameron is a seasoned expert in building brands and products in the creator economy. In this episode he shares insights on how creators can maximize monetization opportunities and build audience-centric brands. We explore the 3 phases of the creator economy, from the rise of social media influencers to the current entrepreneurial phase, and deep dive into the concept of ‘creator educators.’ Cameron explains why it’s more beneficial for creators to pursue an educator path rather than chasing influencer status. Cameron unveils his journey, from managing big brand accounts to now empowering content creators at Thinkific. We explore his experiences, insights and predictions for the creator economy, further illuminating the ways this economy is reshaping the digital landscape.Learn more about Cameron:Instagram @maketheleapTikTok @the.leapTwitter @cameronuLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uganec/ The Leap: https://www.theleap.co/ Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes:01:00 - Introducing Cam!02:00 - How Cam got started working with SaaS companies. 03:30 - Working in the creator economy before it was called the creator economy. 07:00 - What phases the creator economy has gone through and where it’s at now.09:00 - How to think like a creator educator. 11:00 - What are the benefits of focusing on the creator educator track?12:00 - Getting over imposter syndrome around creating digital products. 14:00 - Taking an audience-first approach as a digital creator. 17:00 - How to stop being at the mercy of the algorithm and take back your power as a creator. 21:20 - Mental health concerns in the creator economy. 24:00 - Barriers to entry with digital courses and falling into a perfectionism trap. 27:00 - The story of The Leap and how we worked together to build an audience that ultimately led to a low customer acquisition rate. 31:30 - How to validate the type of content you’re making.34:00 - Who is making waves and why? Mentioned in this episode:Jasper.ai: https://www.jasper.ai/ Descript: https://www.descript.com/ Durable.co: https://durable.co/ Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Ever wondered about the magic behind your favorite brand's unique sounds? Does your brand have a sound? Have you ever really considered it? Every time we add music to our social media videos, or sound effects, we start to build a sound ecosystem around our brand – and that affects how your audience feels. In this episode, we’re talking with sonic branding experts, Joe Belliotti and Rebecca Jolly, about the release of their new book: How Music Grows Brands. They break down the science behind sonic branding, how to strategically select sounds and music that fit your brand’s target demographic and more. Purchase your copy of How Music Grows Brands: https://www.howmusicgrowsbrands.com/ Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes:00:30 - About Joe and Rebecca’s backgrounds.  05:00 - The importance of sonic branding in advertising. 08:00 - Splitting the spectrum of sound vs. visuals. 10:06 - What drove Joe and Rebecca to write their book?14:15 - How sound influences branding. 19:25 - Should you use original music or stock music?21:25 - The psychology of sonic branding. 25:15 - Which brands have integrated sound thoughtfully?28:30 - Intentional sonic branding, jingles and resonating with consumers. 32:00 - How small to mid-size brands can start getting into sonic branding. 38:40 - Who is making waves and why?42:40 - AI and the sonic branding space. 45:15 - Where to learn more about Joe and Rebecca. Mentioned in this episode:Sounds Nice: soundsnice.coMayflower Entertainment: https://www.mayflowerentertainment.com/ DJ FreshAIAIAI: https://aiaiai.audio/beautiful Cathy Applefeld Olson - Hollywood In Mind: https://www.hollywood-mind.com/ Waves Podcast with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Are brand deals dead? Is AI going to replace user-generated content? Should brands invest in creator partnerships? Where are the opportunities for creators to earn an income right now? In this episode, we sit down with Sean Scott, The Partnership Expert, to talk everything creator economy. Sean shares advice for creators looking to land big brand deals and turn their content creation into a lasting career. Sean also shares opportunities creators may not be considering (including a tip MrBeast uses), what channels brands should focus their spending on, guidance around gifting and more. An exclusive offer just for listeners, grab Sean's "Creator Monetization Checklist" for free! This checklist is normally $9: https://thepartnershipexpert.gumroad.com/l/creator-monetization-checklist/WAVESFREEMore from Sean:Website: https://www.thepartnershipexpert.com/ Instagram: @thepartnershipexpertSubscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes:02:30 - What is The Partnership Expert and how did Sean get started with it?03:45 - Bouncing back after a layoff and finding a new passion. 06:30 - The importance of bringing work back to your values. 08:50 - Earning opportunities for creators.09:20 - AI use in the creator and UGC space. 11:15 - Are brand partnerships in decline? 14:20 - Unique ways creators are making money with their content. 16:00 - How to create great long-form video content. 17:30 - What channels should brands be focusing their partnership spend on?19:50 - Is UGC worth the investment for brands?21:45 - How to land brand deals. 27:30 - Does gifting in exchange for content still work?29:30 - Tips for creators who want to work with more brands. 31:00 - Are brand trips still relevant?32:55 - Tips for brands wanting to collaborate with other brands. 34:10 - Thoughts on brands and influencers collaborating on a product, is it worth it for creators?36:15 - Who is making waves and why?Mentioned in this episode:TELFAR: https://telfar.net/ Jake Shane: https://www.tiktok.com/@octopusslover8 Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Do you feel like you’re constantly chasing the tide of the digital marketing industry? Trends in the industry seem to move lightning fast and there’s no sign of it slowing down. We knew there had to be a better way. In this episode, we’re sitting down to talk with Alyssa Yuhas, Futurist, award-winning designer and the Creative Director at Arcade, about scanning. Alyssa implemented this strategy, used by Futurists, at Arcade through a program she calls SCAN CLUB. The process allows marketers to stop “pivoting” and instead lean into curiosity, and intention to craft strategic work that resonates. Alyssa breaks down everything you need to know to start scanning on your own in this episode. More from Alyssa:Website: http://alyssayuhas.com/Instagram: @alyssayuhas[previous episode] The Enduring Power of Curiosity: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s03-s04-the-enduring-power-of-curiosity-with/id1484888104?i=1000510522147[previous episode] What Trends Teach Us About the Future of Brands: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-trends-teach-us-about-the-future-of-brands/id1484888104?i=1000574870972 Show Notes:2:30 - A bit about Alyssa’s background and work. 5:45 - What is a futurist?8:30 - What is scanning? 10:32 - How do you find signals?12:45 - Why it’s important to always stay curious. 15:00 - Categorizing “Buckets” and using “STEEPV” to understand signals. 17:00 - What inspired the start of Arcade’s SCAN CLUB?21:05 - How signals connect to brand strategy development.24:00 - The massive advantages this system holds for marketers. 27:30 - Examples of scans and trends from “SCAN CLUB.”Mentioned in this episode:SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Since 2005, YouTube has ebbed and flowed in popularity. Now, we're seeing people navigating to the platform in waves, asking for longer-form content. In 2021, YouTube saw enormous growth, with a 46% increase in revenue. Now, over 2.5 billion people access YouTube each month. For creators and brands, it's a huge opportunity. In this episode, we sit down with OG YouTuber Latasha James. Latasha walks us through her 10-year journey on the platform and what it took to make her channel take off. She shares tips for creators and brands looking to get on the platform, grow strategically and see results. Latasha shares strategies for repurposing content from other social media platforms, finding YouTube's role in your funnel, AI's role in content creation, and more. Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club More from Latasha:Website - latashajames.com YouTube Channel - youtube.com/@thelatashajamesShow Notes:01:30 - How Latasha got started on YouTube. 03:00 - Surprising ways YouTube has benefitted her business. 05:25 - SEO and YouTube.07:57 - How to start on YouTube as a business (what content to make). 10:55 - Don’t hold yourself back from starting on YouTube. 15:28 - How to create enough content and repurpose content onto other platforms. 18:34 - How to get started with repurposing short-form content.21:16 - Tips to grow your YouTube channel. Engagement, collaboration and outbound opportunities.24:21 - What helped Latasha grow her subscriber base?26:30 - How to choose which social media platform works best for your goals and demographic. 28:58 - What role does AI play in long-form content creation? Are there risks to consider?32:08 - Using YouTube to start on an email newsletter. 33:05 - How to plan out your content strategy. 34:35 - Who is making waves and why?Mentioned in this episode:Descript: https://www.descript.com/ Think Media’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGxjDWAN1KwrkXYVi8CXtjQ Answer the Public: https://answerthepublic.com/ Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

For years it felt like everyone was moving away from email marketing and newsletter and onto social media. However, with changes to platforms and algorithms, email has seen a resurgence this past year. Creators are flocking to platforms, like Substack, where they can own their audience and curate their message. The only trouble is, how do you actually get your subscribers to navigate with you and engage? Our first guest of Season 6 is Lia Haberman, the mind behind the email newsletter sensation, ICYMI. In this episode, she shares her tips to craft a newsletter that not only gets opened, but actually supports your business goals and builds your brand. Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club More from Lia:ICYMI Newsletter - https://liahaberman.substack.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liahaberman/Twitter - https://twitter.com/liahabermanInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/liahaberman/Show Notes:02:30 - Lia Haberman’s career story (including the time she walked Casey Neistat down the red carpet) and what she’s working on now. 05:00 - How Lia sets an annual goal with her newsletter, ICYMI. 12:00 - Why are more people turning to email?20:30 - How ICYMI went from a student request to a major engine in Lia’s brand.23:00 - How Lia grew her newsletter. 24:20 - The unexpected benefits that came from running a newsletter. 26:10 - Should a creator start a newsletter?29:00 - How can you pivot from creating video to written content?34:00 - What brands get wrong with newsletters.37:20 - Lia’s prediction for the creator economy. 41:40 - Who is making waves right now and why?Mentioned in this episode:Substack: https://substack.com/ Link In Bio newsletter: https://milkkarten.substack.com/ Geekout newsletter: https://geekout.mattnavarra.com/ Marine Layer: https://www.marinelayer.com/ Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

** This episode is sponsored by ilovecreatives. Learn more about ilovecreatives' graphic design course, here: ilovecreatives.com/waves ** Five years ago, we joined forces to start Arcade – our answer to the industry’s saturation of generalist marketing agencies. Using a digital first approach, we took on ecommerce clients looking for distinct, results-driven strategic work. Since then, we’ve scaled our team to almost 20 employees, and worked with over 100 clients including GoDaddy, Tacofino, UCLA Health and John Krasinski’s Some Good News. We’ve produced 6 seasons of Waves, continue to run a weekly live podcast called Tea for Lunch, launched our newsletter, created The Studio… and we’re just getting started. In this episode, we break down what it took to make it to 5 years as a digital marketing agency, our top moments and learnings during that time, and why we focus so much on our own social media channels. We do things a bit differently around here, and wouldn’t have it any other way. Subscribe to Arcade’s Newsletter, SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club Show Notes:00:39 - What we do best at Arcade. 02:22 - Why mindset mattered so much in the agency’s early days. 06:41 - Our experience working with Some Good News. 07:45 - How we handle client relations now. 09:43 - Where to get our essential Client Discovery questions. 10:15  - What is SCAN 👀 CLUB? The secret way we’ve stayed on the pulse of digital marketing. 13:28 - You need to consume content to produce content. 16:22: - Why we invest so much time in our Agency’s social media channels. 17:55 - How we’ve nurtured and developed our team. 21:16 - Our agency’s Standards.27:28 - Favorite moments from the past 5 years. 31:40 - Have we ever felt like “we’ve made it?”36:20 - If we had to re-do it all, what would we change?50:30 - Where is Arcade going in the next 5 years?55:00 - Who is making waves and why?Mentioned in this episode:Client Discovery questions downloadable: http://arcadearcade.ca/20-questionsLearn about SCAN 👀 CLUB: https://www.arcadearcade.ca/scan-club ICYMI newsletter: https://liahaberman.substack.com/ Dani Anderson: https://www.danicreative.com/Nisha Johny: https://www.instagram.com/nishajohny/?hl=en Tim Chuisano: https://www.instagram.com/timmchiusano/?hl=en  Asim Overstands: https://www.asimoverstands.com/ Durable: https://durable.co/ Tea for Lunch: https://podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/tea-for-lunch/id1600923965 Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

For the final episode of our fourth season, we are joined by Franke Rodriguez, Partner and CEO of Anomaly, a global strategic and creative marketing agency. Franke’s desire to take Anomaly to new heights made him the perfect fit for his role as the youngest-ever CEO of their New York and Toronto offices, and he has worked with major blue-chip brands such as Nike, Budweiser, Captain Morgan, Carnival Cruises, and Google in their marketing missions. In today’s episode, he nerds out with us about staying hungry, being humble, and always being in “beta,” walking us through what that looks like practically for his teams at Anomaly. We discuss what the future of agency work looks like in a post-COVID world, how to preserve your team and culture as you grow, the value of investing in your people, and the ins and outs of creating a Super Bowl commercial. We also touch on creating the company you want to build by working backwards from a very specific vision, and talk about the power of a single impact brand moment versus broader social awareness, making this conversation equal parts inspirational and practical. Tune in today to learn more from Franke Rodriguez, a true ‘anomaly’ in the industry! Key Points From This Episode:Find out what Franke has been up to recently and how he is prioritizing work-life balance.Some of the ways that moving to a fully remote model changed the way he does business.What it means to Franke to be a leader during COVID: finding new ways to help people cope.His predictions for what Anomaly’s hybrid approach to work will look like post-COVID.The importance of having a vision, starting with the end in mind, and working back from there.Find out how Franke preserves team and company culture by focusing on joy. What an Anomaly holiday party looks like and what Franke means when he says, “What you celebrate, you duplicate.”How Franke nurtures Anomaly’s corporate values and the maxim: stay hungry, stay humble.Franke reflects on what ‘always in beta' looks like at Anomaly and how they keep innovating.The process of creating a Super Bowl commercial from someone who has created nearly 30.Franke on whether or not Super Bowl campaigns are still effective and how they’ve evolved.The benefits of the single impact moment versus broader social awareness for brands.Some of the brands Anomaly has produced and why they have taken that approach.Learn more about Anomaly’s Funded program, which is like their own version of Shark Tank.Franke highlights the power of investing in your people by rewarding entrepreneurial spirit.Why committing to the culture means feeding it, nurturing it, and helping it grow.Franke on who is making waves right now and why: triple threat, Anthony Ramos.Final words of wisdom from Franke: creative storytellers are the ones that people will look to when the going gets tough.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Franke Rodriguez on LinkedInFranke Rodriguez on TwitterFranke Rodriguez on InstagramWaves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Despite being an experienced flyer at the peak of her career, a panic attack brought on by the prospect of another plane journey changed Sophie Gray's life forever. Instead of getting on the plane, Sophie and her husband tackled the long trip home in a car while the panic attacks continued. It was then that she realized that she needed to change something. After setting out to learn about her own mental wellbeing, she founded DiveThru, a mental wellness platform that partners with mental health professionals to help people take charge of their mental well-being. In this episode, Sophie opens up and shares how she came to start DiveThru and we hear about how the platform separates itself from others in the space. Our conversation dives into Sophie's experience as a female tech founder and what it has been like raising capital, DiveThru's marketing and SEO strategies, and advice for those looking to launch or grow their own startup. Tune in to hear it all! Key Points From This Episode:Get to know today's guest, Sophie Gray, and the circumstances that led her to launch DiveThru. What happened after the panic attack that changed Sophie’s life, and the decisions she made after. Sophie's advice for those who feel like they might be headed toward burnout. How Sophie achieved early success on Instagram. What DiveThru offers and the unique services the platform offers. Sophie’s perspective on toxic positivity, and what it really means to  take care of your mental health. How Sophie feels about being a tech founder, a title she was reluctant to hold. Sophie's experience fundraising and the challenges she has faced. Advice for those who are looking to raise funds for their startups. Strategies that DiveThru has used to drive adoption. DiveThru's SEO strategy and the results that this has produced. Why the company decided to create a podcast network. What the DiveThru team looks like currently and the roles they occupy. The fulfillment Sophie feels from building a truly healthy workplace. DiveThru's reach and the markets they have set their sights on. Why it is so important that most of DiveThru is free. The distinction that set DiveThru apart from competitors. Who Sophie thinks is making waves.Tweetables: “We often think that our mind is overthinking; we know we're anxious and we can label it, but when have we actually paused and enquired about that feeling?” — @iamsophiegray [0:11:42]“It's interesting to see how the industry I come from isn't necessarily respected in the way that other backgrounds are in tech.” — @iamsophiegray [0:25:17]“Get very clear on the mission of your company, what you're looking to accomplish because you will face so much rejection that you need to be able to validate yourself.” — @iamsophiegray [0:30:37]“For us, mental health access is the number one priority.” — @iamsophiegray [0:43:52] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Today on the podcast, we welcome Sara McCabe, business coach, consultant, box-breaker, and not-so-secret dancer. After spending over a decade leading and developing teams across North America, she left the corporate world to help creative entrepreneurs work and lead in a way that actually works for them. Sara is Mitzi’s personal business coach or, as Mitzi likes to say, her ‘business therapist’ and, in this episode, she shares some of her business consulting strategies, coaching skills, and advice for creative entrepreneurs who are ready to start building the business they want. We discuss the antidote to your unhealthy relationship with work, how to set boundaries and create space for creativity, as well as intrinsic motivation and how that translates to your values as a person and a business leader. Anyone who works within a team or leads a team will gain immense value from this episode, but everyone will benefit from Sara’s specific brand of candid insight, goofy anecdotes, and practical advice. After all, it’s not just about leading a team; it’s also about leading yourself. Tune in today!Key Points From This Episode:An introduction to Sara McCabe and how she found coaching by asking ‘why?’Why Sara’s definition of coaching involves treating the people she works with as the experts.How she empowers her clients to redefine leadership for themselves through collaboration.Making an ethos tangible by shaping systems and structures around it.Hear the story of when Sara decided to pursue leadership coaching full-time.Why you can’t lead a team or a business if you don’t truly understand yourself.Learn about her digital presence and why she chose to represent herself candidly.What she has learned about boundaries; the antidote to an unhealthy relationship with work.Hear about some of her personal boundaries, including keeping her work laptop in her office.Find out why she suggests checking in with yourself before engaging with content.Sara shares how she uses a Notion dashboard to plan her TikTok content.Some deeper insight into her TikTok content strategy, including how she scripts’ the hook’.TikTok versus Instagram communities and why Sara prefers the intimacy of Instagram.Where Sara has seen the best ROI in her marketing strategy; TikTok for growth, Instagram for building relationships, newsletters for launching.How she remains consistent in her offerings by redefining what ‘consistency’ mean to her.Sara elaborates on the importance of building systems that are conducive with who you are and what you want to create.Why clearly defining your values is key to help you make decisions and build your business.Intrinsic motivation and how it translates to your values as a person and a business leader.Defining your values as a business versus as a team; shaping company culture at scale.Who is making waves and why: Lillian ‘FlexMami’ Ahenkan and Maceo Paisley.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Sara McCabeSara McCabe on LinkedInSara McWaves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.

Welcome to our first ever ask-us-anything episode, where your hosts, Mike and Mitzi, answer the questions you’ve been asking on Instagram. Many of you may know that we run an award-winning digital agency called Arcade Studios, which specializes in digital strategy, content production, social media, and email marketing. Our company has doubled in size over the last year and, in order to scale our agency that quickly we have had to learn a lot of important lessons along the way! In today’s episode, we unpack some of those learnings and we look back on our highlights from the last 12 months, such as landing our first celebrity client and winning our first Webby Award. We believe that there is so much potential in digital marketing, now more than ever, which is why we have decided to pull back the curtain on how we have built our business, how others can learn from our mistakes, and how to establish healthy relationships. While this episode will obviously be beneficial for listeners looking to start agencies, launch their freelance careers, or build their teams, creatives and entrepreneurs will also gain value from our insights into finding clients, evaluating new hires, and balancing personal and work commitments. We also touch on our exit strategy, why we started a podcast, and what parenthood has taught us about our business. Make sure to tune into this jam-packed conversation today! Key Points From This Episode:Mitzi reflects on the moment that inspired us to start Arcade Studios.Get a glimpse into our rebrand and how we figured out what to call our new agency.How we found clients in the beginning (and still do): through our network and referrals.Find out why Mike says that the hardest part of his job is being involved in execution.Mitzi shares her struggle with client services, especially in moments of conflict.How we navigate losing a client, especially when we invest so heavily in our relationships.How we have worked to distinguish our business identity from our personal identities.The importance of ending a client relationship on a positive note; never burn a bridge!What we look for in our new hires, from hunger and humility to how you use social media.The value of using the word ‘we’ more than ‘I’ and demonstrating curiosity.We defend our reputation for hiring our friends; being friends with someone on the team will get you through the door, but it won’t keep you there!Balancing personal and work commitments and why we describe ourselves as ‘busy flexible’.How Mike developed the awareness to prioritize his commitments based on self awareness.The benefits we have seen in shifting from a poverty mindset to one of abundance.We share some of our big ideas for new businesses, podcasts, and brands.Find out why we would sell Arcade in the future and what a past offer taught us about the value of our company.Mitzi on why we started a podcast as an outlet for thought leadership and connection.Some of the differences between a blog and a podcast and the benefits of each format.The podcast as a marketing channel for the agency, one that isn’t directly profitable.Opening another office in a different city and viewing office space as a luxury post-Waves with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi). For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/S6 - present Production by Morgan Berna, editing by Harrison Neef.