The year is wrapping up, and Shannon and Krystal are looking back at their favorite podcast episodes of 2025. From balancing work and motherhood with the FDS team to understanding the streaming TV tipping point that changed advertising forever, they share which conversations resonated most and why. Hear about the power of data storytelling in reporting, the untapped potential of local influencer marketing, and how social media algorithms actually work. This behind-the-scenes reflection highlights the biggest lessons learned and sets the stage for even more valuable content coming in 2026. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Social media is more crowded than ever, and the rules are changing fast. In this episode, Krystal Vivian takes over the podcast with the FDS social team—Joe Kuharic and Melissa Weirick—to reveal what's really working (and what's not) as we head into 2026. They tackle the AI paradox that's flooding feeds with soulless content, explain why chasing follower counts is a waste of time, and share exactly how to capture attention in a world where you're competing with everyone from wedding photos to sponsored ads. If you're wondering how to make social media actually work for your business next year, this behind-the-scenes conversation with the team managing it all is essential listening. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The digital marketing landscape is shifting faster than ever, and 2026 will separate businesses that adapt from those left behind. In this episode, Shannon Allen and Krystal Vivian explore the three critical trends reshaping how consumers discover and engage with brands: the AI search revolution that's driving organic traffic down 25% nationally, the streaming video tipping point where connected TV now dominates traditional cable, and the evolution of privacy-first targeting strategies that deliver better results than outdated cookie-based methods. Whether you're a local business owner or marketing professional, this conversation reveals exactly what you need to know to stay competitive and drive real ROI in the year ahead. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week Shannon Allen sits down with Krystal Vivian to discuss her new role as Director of Client Services at FDS. In this candid conversation, Krystal reveals what most digital marketing agencies won't tell you about ROI reporting—and why tracking impressions and reach doesn't actually prove results. Discover the critical questions business owners should ask their marketing agency to ensure they're getting real ROI, not just vanity metrics. Learn how to connect campaign data to actual revenue, calculate true customer value, and hold your agency accountable for measurable results. Krystal shares insider insights on what goes into strategic digital marketing campaigns, from SEM and CTV optimization to the importance of data-driven storytelling. Whether you're evaluating your current agency or planning your marketing budget, this episode gives you the tools to stop leaving money on the table. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's Tip Tuesday! This week, Shannon shares a tip from Rory Kemerer, senior digital marketing consultant, about how programmatic display ads can help businesses build stronger connections with their target audience. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome back to Part 2 of Digital Marketing RoWhy's budget planning series! Shannon Allen and Krystal Vivian continue their deep dive into the biggest trends reshaping digital marketing in 2026 and what they mean for your budget. If you've been hearing buzzwords like AI search, connected TV, and content optimization but aren't sure how they actually impact your bottom line, this episode cuts through the noise. Shannon and Krystal explore how consumer behavior is fundamentally changing the way people find and research businesses, why certain marketing channels are becoming more critical while others are evolving, and what it really takes to build an integrated strategy that follows your customers wherever they are. They also tackle the real question every business owner should be asking: how do you actually measure success and calculate ROI in this new landscape? Whether you're rethinking your entire marketing approach or just trying to figure out where to invest next, this episode will help you separate what's actually worth your time and money from what's just hype. Listen for straight talk, real examples, and the strategic thinking you need to make 2026 your best year yet. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This Tip Tuesday, Shannon shares a tip from Hannah Purucker, campaign specialist at FDS, about why choosing your target audience as opposed to a specific program can drive more ROI for businesses. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Tip Tuesday! This week, Shannon shares at tip from Joe Kuharic, social media specialist at FDS, about why blogs written for people tend to get more traffic, both from search and AI tools. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join Shannon Allen and Krystal Vivian as they dive into everything you need to know about finishing the year strong and setting yourself up for success in 2026. If you're in the thick of budget planning season (or avoiding it), this conversation is packed with real talk about the shifts happening in digital marketing, why so many businesses are getting their budget allocation wrong, and how to actually tie your marketing dollars back to revenue. Shannon and Krystal discuss the power of an integrated digital strategy, the importance of following the consumer journey instead of chasing every shiny new trend, and why your marketing agency should be asking you tough questions about conversion rates and profitability. Whether you're a business owner trying to figure out where to invest your marketing budget or you're just tired of throwing money at campaigns without knowing what's working, this episode gives you a practical framework for making smarter decisions. This is Part 1 of a two-part series — look out for Part 2 on Oct. 23. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Tip Tuesday! This week, Shannon shares a tip from Derek Falter, digital marketing consultant, about why credit unions need to pivot their marketing strategies for younger audiences. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For Tip Tuesday this week, Shannon shares a tip from Katie Houser, senior campaign specialist, about how to make sure your digital marketing reporting is helping your business, not causing confusion. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Tip Tuesday! This week, Shannon shares a tip from Karlie Mandigo, senior account manager, about how to effectively strategize your Q4 marketing to stand out during the holiday season and have an impact going into the new year. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most businesses are flying blind when it comes to digital marketing ROI, and it's costing them thousands in wasted spend. In this episode, Shannon Allen sits down with senior digital marketing consultant Rory Kemerer to reveal why successful companies often don't know their own profit margins or monthly sales numbers —the critical metrics needed to measure marketing effectiveness. Rory shares hard-learned lessons from 10 years in the industry, including the biggest shifts from traditional TV to streaming video, how AI is transforming digital marketing, and the most common mistakes local businesses make with in-house marketing strategies. Whether you're struggling to connect marketing spend to revenue, considering bringing digital marketing in-house, or wondering if your current strategy is working, this episode provides the essential framework for measuring true ROI and choosing the right marketing partner for sustainable growth. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Shannon Allen is joined by one of FDS's newest digital marketing consultants, Derek Falter. Derek has 16+ years of experience in marketing, with much of his background in radio and TV blended with digital. In this episode, Shannon and Derek discuss why advertising is an investment, not an expense, and how to customize strategies for businesses that have 1 location all the way to 50 locations. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Krystal Vivian, Director of Client Services, shares a tip about the importance of replying to comments on your social media pages. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Shannon shares a tip from Lisa Sikkema, sales manager, about how the value of cost-per-click in SEM goes beyond simply chasing the cheapest CPC. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Shannon Allen chats with Ryan Arnold, sales director at Simpli.Fi, about why streaming TV (OTT/CTV) has been such a successful advertising medium for businesses — and how to track the ROI from these ads. This is a replay of an episode that originally published Sept. 12, 2024. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Tip Tuesday! This week, Shannon shares her own tip about how business owners should be thinking about their video strategy to drive results in 2025. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Tip Tuesday! This week, Shannon shares a tip from Derek Falter, digital marketing consultant at FDS, about how you can use addressable geofencing to deliver your marketing message to a precise audience. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 2025, the majority of businesses are spending most of their marketing budget on digital marketing rather than traditional channels like TV and radio. In this episode, Shannon and Krystal talk about what's driving this fundamental shift and which digital channels are seeing the biggest growth. They talk about the risks and challenges of transitioning away from traditional advertising, and how businesses can maximize their ROI and their budgets with a digital-traditional blend. Read Federated Digital Solutions' blog Federated Digital Solutions on Facebook Federated Digital Solutions on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.