Radical Content

In this episode, I break down the exact four-part framework I use to hold attention, increase retention, and 10x video performance across every platform. After 18 years of creating content for EA SPORTS, Universal, and major brands, I’ve learned that great content isn’t magic, it’s science. I walk you through the hook, the story, re-engagement, and the payoff, and show you how each step influences the algorithm. If you want your audience to watch longer, learn more, and take action, this episode gives you the blueprint.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to engineer a powerful hook that locks attention in the first 3–4 secondsWhy getting to the story quickly increases retention (and kills bounce rates)Simple re-engagement tactics that keep viewers watching until the endHow to pay off your video so the audience feels satisfied and the algorithm rewards youHow this four-step framework immediately increases views, watch time, and distribution 👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com  💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/  📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray 🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray 

In this video, I'm sharing 3 content rules brands ignore that unlock millions of views, so you can grow faster without ads. Drawing on 15 years building Fortune 500 social teams at EA Sports and Universal Parks, I show you how to nail your niche, elevate ideas, and create platform-native videos that retain viewers. Ideal for brand leaders and social managers searching for content strategy, viral growth, storytelling, retention, platform tactics, and POV-led marketing. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to apply the content rules that reliably drive millions of viewsHow to write a Persona Mission Statement that clarifies your niche and POVRefine ideation method to turn one idea into a month of postsA simple 10-reel audit to fix hooks, re-engagement beats, and payoff momentsWays to turn views into pipeline with credibility cues and clear next steps 👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss. 📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

Creators like MrBeast, Logan Paul, Emma Chamberlain, and Ryan Trahan aren’t just influencers they are running full-blown media companies. In this episode of Radical Content, I’m ranking and taste-testing their products like Prime, Feastables, Chamberlain Coffee, and Joyride. All while breaking down what brands can learn from how these creators build connection, community, and attention online.If you lead social or brand strategy, this episode will show you why creator-led marketing is rewriting the playbook and how you can apply the same storytelling power to your own brand.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why creator-led brands are dominating social right nowHow Ryan Trahan’s storytelling builds loyalty, not just viewsWhat MrBeast’s Feastables teaches about scale and viralityWhy Prime proves controversy can drive cultureWhat Chamberlain Coffee gets wrong about brand identity  👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray Audio Keywords: YouTuber brands, creator marketing, creator economy, brand storytelling, MrBeast Feastables, Logan Paul Prime, Ryan Trahan Joyride, Emma Chamberlain Coffee, social media strategy, content marketing, brand building, creator-led brands, marketing podcast, social media podcast, influencer strategy, digital storytelling, how to grow a brand, Eric Gray podcast, Radical Content, creator business, marketing trends 2025

There’s a lot of noise about AI replacing creatives, but the truth is, it’s only replacing the lazy ones. In this episode, I break down how social media and content professionals can actually use AI to get better, not worse. From research and ideation to scaling smarter (without losing your originality), this episode is part wake-up call, part playbook for what’s next.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to use AI as a mindset coach, creative spark, and content organizerWhy lazy prompts lead to lazy results (and how to fix them)The biggest risk: turning off your creative brain and blending into the “sea of sameness”How human stories protect your career from automationWhy curiosity and not fear is your biggest competitive advantage👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

 I’ve spent 20 years helping brands figure out how to build something bigger than reach or clicks—fans. In this episode, I’m breaking down the Fan Building Blueprint: the exact stages people move through on their way from stranger to superfan.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The 6 stages every fan goes through (and how to spot them)Why loyalty and advocacy matter more than impressionsReal examples of how brands are activating fandomHow you can take this blueprint and apply it to your own business👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

In this episode of Radical Content, Eric Gray and the crew finally settle one of the most important debates in marketing: Which fast food chicken brand rules social media?What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Which chicken chains are winning on social (and why).How Chick-fil-A plays it safe while KFC takes bold swings.The role of influencers, collabs, and cultural moments in driving reach.Why Raising Cane’s is building fandom like a startup.Lessons any brand can steal to level up their own socials👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

Football season is here, but I’m not just watching the games, I am watching the content. In this episode, I break down how the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons are turning their teams into full-blown media companies. From humanizing players to giving fans behind-the-scenes access, they’re rewriting the playbook for storytelling. And trust me, every brand leader can learn something from the NFL’s approach.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why the NFL has become a 365-day content machineHow the Vikings use the “helmets off” strategy to humanize their starsThe Falcons’ bold move to share unpolished, behind-the-scenes footageWhy silly moments (like Minecraft water sounds) build massive engagementWhat your brand can steal from sports teams to create an emotional connection👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

I just discovered Dick’s Sporting Goods’ big marketing secret and it’s not what you think. They’ve built their own storytelling studio and are investing in documentaries that hit way deeper than ads. In this episode, I break down why that works and what we can learn from it. If you run social or brand strategy, this one will get you thinking bigger.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Dick’s Sporting Goods launched a storytelling studio.How documentaries drive brand growth and loyalty.The power of long-form stories vs. quick ads.Common mistakes brands make with storytelling.How to apply this playbook on any budget. 👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

Think a tractor company can’t win on social media? Think again. In this episode of Radical Content, I dive deep into how John Deere (100-year-old brand) is creating some of the most entertaining, audience-first content online. I break down their three-part content strategy: human storytelling that puts customers at the center, “entertainment with purpose” that turns everyday posts into shareable moments, and product-as-character marketing that brings machinery to life. From The Furrow magazine in 1895 to TikTok in 2025, John Deere shows us that no matter your industry, you can tell stories people want to follow. If they can make farming equipment go viral, your brand can too.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How John Deere uses human storytelling to make their audience the hero.What “entertainment with purpose” looks likeHow they turn products into characters that people want to follow.The creative risks that helped them stand out in a crowded feed. 👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

What if Buc-ee’s launched a YouTube channel?In this episode, I walk you through exactly how I’d turn one of the most beloved (and bizarre) brands in America into a YouTube powerhouse. This isn’t just a fun “what if” exercise. It’s a blueprint any brand can adapt to build audience, drive advocacy, and own their category.Using my 3-part content framework—Craze, Experience, Fans—I break down how to:Create hero content that builds buzz and gets people talkingProduce mid-funnel videos that educate while entertainingCapture and share fan stories to spark advocacyUse Shorts to scale reach and relevancePartner with creators to boost awarenessPromote your content so it gets seenAlong the way, I share examples, creative ideas, and a few tactical plays you can borrow for your brand. Whether you’re running social for a Fortune 500 company or building a channel from scratch, this episode will help you see YouTube as more than just a place to park ads and it’s an audience-building engine👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

It’s time for Content of the Month! Our roundup of the boldest, smartest, most scroll-stopping brand moves out there. From Tampa Airport roasting Crocs (and Crocs clapping back) to a billion-dollar water brand starting beef with iced tea, we break down what worked, why it worked, and what you can learn from it. These are the moments that earned attention and teach us how to create content that connects.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why humor and risk-tolerance are brand superpowersHow to hijack boring announcements and turn them into viral contentWhat it looks like when a community manager nails the momentHow clever, culture-savvy brands turn one post into a full media cycleThe power of low-budget content with high emotional impact👀 Watch this with your team.📩 Share it with your boss.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week!https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram:http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

What happens when a brand actually knows who they are? In this episode of Radical Content, we break down how Patagonia turns purpose into powerful storytelling from high-end documentaries to everyday content that builds real loyalty. Plus, we spotlight bold moves from Heinz and Dove that prove emotional connection always wins. If you're leading brand, content, or social and want to trade performative purpose for the real thing. Hit play. What You’ll Learn:Why brand purpose is the missing piece in most content strategiesHow Patagonia uses storytelling to drive deep emotional connectionThe role of brand documentaries in building long-term loyaltyWhat it means to be unapologetically you as a brandBonus: What Heinz x Mustard and Dove’s “Sketches” campaign got right 📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week! https://maverickcontentstudio.com💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/📲 Follow Me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔ Why most content teams burn out (and how to fix it)✔ How content programming helps you scale without adding stress✔ The best way to get buy-in from executives and stakeholders✔ How to stop being seen as “just the social person” and start leading strategy This is for anyone working in social media, content marketing, or brand leadership who’s tired of doing too much with too little — and ready to lead smarter.  📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week! https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/theericgray 🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

In this episode, I take you inside one of the biggest moments of my career: how I convinced leadership, built a team from scratch, and launched Universal’s first-ever social media engagement center for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Diagon Alley. I share the strategies, challenges, and lessons from that experience. Its crazy how one big idea changed my career and helped prove the power of social media to a major brand. What You’ll Learn:How to build a social media engagement center for a major brand launchTips for getting executive buy-in for bold social strategiesHow to scale a social activation with a small teamReal-world examples of community-driven marketing and branded content📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week! https://maverickcontentstudio.com💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/📲 Follow Me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/theericgray🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

It’s been two years since I walked away from corporate and built Maverick from the ground up — and in that time, one thing has become painfully clear: brands are still getting social media wrong.In this episode, I go off on why most corporate content strategies fail, what it really takes to earn trust and investment from leadership, and how social teams can stop being underestimated. I break down 7 reasons brands underinvest in content, share what I learned pitching execs at Universal, and explain why “just do ads” isn’t a real strategy.You will also hear about: YouTube’s 20th birthday (and brand flops)TripAdvisor’s missed opportunityJohn Deere’s TikTok takeoverLA Chargers' draft room magicIf you lead social, content, or brand and you're fighting to scale your impact — this is your blueprint.📬 Subscribe to the Radical Content Newsletter and get The Content of the Week! https://maverickcontentstudio.com 💬 Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/ 📲 Follow Me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/theericgray 🎥Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgray

What do you get when a tourism board starts outperforming top-tier brands on social media? A masterclass in content strategy. In this episode of Radical Content, Eric breaks down how Visit Las Vegas is pulling off jaw-dropping numbers—over 100M views—without selling a product. From creator partnerships and rapid-fire content production to social-first campaigns that actually convert, we explore why this team is years ahead of the competition.You’ll also hear about:Why Diary of a CEO turned down a $100M podcast dealHow Dr. Seuss is quietly crushing meme culture on InstagramWhat NBA teams can teach brand marketers about playoff-level content strategyTimestamps00:00 – Intro & Luka trade + social shoutout to the Mavs team03:15 – LinkedIn Scroll: $100M podcast deal declined, Webby Awards gems07:31 – Brand to Watch: Why Visit Las Vegas is dominating digital17:25 – Content of the Week: NBA Playoffs design, Dr. Seuss on IG21:48 – Final thoughts + rallying cry to get Bryce Betts on the podKey Takeaways: Content at scale wins: Visit Las Vegas succeeds by producing tons of content—fast, social-first, and natively crafted for each platform.You don’t need a product to build an audience: Storytelling and cultural relevance are more valuable than features and benefits.Great partners > doing it all in-house: Their strategic use of agencies like Grey proves smart outsourcing can lead to top-tier content.Permission unlocks possibility: Sometimes a viral hit starts with a simple DM—don’t be afraid to shoot your shot.Even classic brands can go modern: Dr. Seuss proves that even heritage IP can be made social-relevant with the right creative mindset.Watch the full episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ericpaulgrayFollow Eric on LinkedIn for more content breakdowns & hot takes:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgray/Get the Radical Cionewsletter for weekly inspiration:https://www.maverickcontentstudio.com/radicalcontent Like, review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode that could change your strategy.

In this episode of Radical Content, I break down how Marriott’s bold content strategy completely changed the way I approached social media and brand building. I walk you through the exact moment I discovered their framework, how I reverse-engineered it, and what it took to pitch and build a real content studio inside Universal Parks & Resorts.If you're a social media or content leader trying to get internal buy-in, build a team, or just stop fighting to prove your value—this episode is for you.What we cover:How Marriott’s strategy inspired a brand shiftBuilding a business case for content inside a legacy brandWhy challenger brands need creator-first thinkingViral brand content: Allbirds, Ashton Hall & “Is It Cake?”Connect & SubscribeSubscribe for weekly episodes on content strategy, leadership, and building brands that actually connect. For more bold takes and behind-the-scenes strategy, follow me on Instagram, TikTok and  LinkedIn → @TheEricGray   

We’re breaking down the Earning the Click framework — a real-world system for making sure your ideas, titles, thumbnails, and hooks actually get people to stop scrolling and pay attention. If you’re tired of watching great work die on the timeline, this one’s for you.Plus, we’re talking about what Nick DiGiovanni’s YouTube takeover teaches brands about building audience loyalty, why April Fools content is the social media manager’s dilemma, and two standout campaigns you need to see: Miami’s fake reality show and the Masters’ unexpected music move.If you’re ready to stop hoping for views and start earning real attention, let’s go.LinkedIn Scroll: Brand reactions from April Fools to Nick DiGiovanni’s subathon Content Lab: Earning the Click — why your best content needs more than just a good ideaContent of the Week: Miami Tourism’s genius PSA and a surprising Masters promo

I’m breaking down 7 short form video strategies that no one is really talking about—but every brand should be using. These are the moves we’re using inside Maverick to build real momentum, not just rack up views. From shifting out of “content for content’s sake” to building repeatable systems that actually grow brand equity, this is the kind of episode I wish I had when I was running social for major brands.If you’re tired of chasing trends and ready to make short form work smarter, not louder—this one’s for you.What you will hear: Why most brands are still stuck in surface-level short formHow we’re helping clients turn content into a media engineThe one mindset shift that changes how you approach every videoReal examples from Maverick clients + brand crushes like Brooklyn Coffee ShopHow to use short form to build influence inside your org—not just with your audience

I am getting real about what it means to stop playing small and finally go pro with content. This is going to be a raw confession about falling short of my own standards to the bold vision behind Maverick’s new media-first model, I am pulling back the curtain on the mindset, systems, and people it takes to build a true content engine inside your brand.You’ll hear:Why even seasoned pros can fall into “amateur mode”How Maverick is restructuring to produce content like a media companyA rally cry for content marketers to lead the charge inside their orgsCase studies from Universal, EA SPORTS, Savannah Bananas & moreA look at how brands like Brooklyn Coffee Shop are winning with creativityWhether you're a social lead with big ideas or a brand builder ready to level up, this episode is your invitation to stop playing it safe—and start building something unforgettable.